God's people: Jacob

The same night he got up and took his two wives, his two maids, and his eleven children, and crossed the ford of the Jabbok. He took them and sent them across the stream, and likewise everything that he had. Jacob was left alone; and a man wrestled with him until daybreak. When the man saw that he did not prevail against Jacob, he struck him on the hip socket; and Jacob’s hip was put out of joint as he wrestled with him. Then he said, “Let me go, for the day is breaking.” But Jacob said, “I will not let you go, unless you bless me.” So he said to him, “What is your name?” And he said, “Jacob.” Then the man said, “You shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel, for you have striven with God and with humans, and have prevailed.” Then Jacob asked him, “Please tell me your name.” But he said, “Why is it that you ask my name?” And there he blessed him. So Jacob called the place Peniel, saying, “For I have seen God face to face, and yet my life is preserved.” The sun rose upon him as he passed Penuel, limping because of his hip. Therefore to this day the Israelites do not eat the thigh muscle that is on the hip socket, because he struck Jacob on the hip socket at the thigh muscle. ~ Genesis 32:22-32

Jacob is one of the most interesting characters in the Hebrew Scriptures for me. There is certainly a wealth of story to choose from with him: his tricking of Esau; his trying to win Rachel's hand from Laban; Jacob's ladder; his favoritism of Joseph and where that leads.

 But this is my favorite. Jacob wrestling the angel. Or, God?

 It's what makes Jacob one of my favorites.

 Life Noah, he is a character that I think is best left unsanitized. He is far from ideal. He's trickster. A liar. A thief.

 Definitely one of the bad boys of the Bible!

 And yet...

 In that one moment of wrestling with God, I see more of my own faith life than I do with most Biblical characters. Faith often feels like a wrestling match for me.

 What I know vs. what God wants to tell me.

 What I believe vs. what I learn.

 What I want vs. what God wants.

 The actual process of growing in faith is a bit like wrestling: holding on to the faith of my childhood or wrestling with new ideas or new growth.

 Clinging to the notions of the old rather than letting go when it is time. Allowing ourselves to see God doing a new thing or opening new windows and worlds for us to explore.

 Jacob wasn't afraid to do a little wrestling. He had the tenacity to hold onto this heavenly visitor and not let go. He showed God that he was not a man to stay stuck. He was determined and let God take him to places he could not have expected.

 He also knew the value of a blessing. Jacob - imperfect, trickster Jacob - became Israel. God gave him the name that would become the very name of their tribe and nation.

 Jacob was willing to see where God would take him and not get slowed down by old ways.

 And so the promise to Abraham kept moving forward and is still moving today. And sometimes, a little wrestling with it helps us to see it more clearly.

 Prayer: God of blessing, remind me not to be afraid when a new idea or way of seeing your Word challenges my faith. Hold me tight and comfort me while I wrestle with it and sometimes even wrestle with you, that I may continue to grow into the person you created me to be. Amen.

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