Passage of Scripture: Genesis 32:22-32
The Back Story
- Jacob had been able to con – deceive
– manipulate his way through life. He
had deceived his brother out of his birthright (Genesis 25:27-24) and he had
deceived his father Isaac out of blessing Esau with the eldest sons blessing
(Genesis 27:1-40) .- He then fled to
Haran – which was his mother’s brother Laban lived (Genesis 41-47) . Jacob had a dream in which God promised that
land to him and his descendants (Genesis 28:10-22). He then went to Laban and was tricked into
working 14 years for Leah and Rachel, his wives (Genesis 29:14-30). He then deceived Laban and left the
land. (Genesis 31:20-21)
The Crisis Jacob was in crisis. He was running from Laban. He was about to be confronted with his
brother Esau – the one he had deceived out of his inheritance and
blessing. His entire family was at
risk. He was frightened and alone.
Who is this Man?
At the
beginning perhaps Jacob thought he was fighting someone Esau had sent to kill
or harm him. However, towards daybreak,
he realized he was wrestling with God.
(Genesis 32:25-26)
Why Didn’t God Just Whup Jacob? One assumes the battle was about winning and losing. Perhaps there was something bigger at play. Could it be for the first time in Jacob’s
life he needed to face something he could not con, talk or deceive his way out of? Could it be that this struggle was to show
that there were situations and things greater than himself? Could it be that up until this point that
God was his grandfather’s and father’s God but not his?
Genesis 28:13 (NIV) There above it stood the LORD, and he said: "I am the LORD, the God of your father Abraham and
the God of Isaac. I will give you and your descendants the land on which you
are lying.
Genesis 31:42 (NIV) If the God of my father, the God of Abraham and the Fear of Isaac, had not been with me, you would surely have sent me away empty-handed. But God has seen my hardship and the toil of my hands, and last night he rebuked you."
Genesis 32:9 (NIV) Then Jacob prayed, "O God of my father Abraham, God of my father Isaac, O LORD, who said to me, 'Go back to your country and your relatives, and I will make you prosper,'
Compare
this with Genesis 33:20. He no longer
said the God of my Grandfather and Father – but rather the God of Israel – His God. God no longer was just his families “hand me
down” god – but rather He was His God!
He know followed and embraced Yahweh God as his own.
Genesis 33:20 (NIV) There he set up an altar and called it
El Elohe Israel. (The
God of Israel)
Why Did God Break His Hip? After
wrestling with God, Jacob was never the same.
(Genesis 32:25 & 31) His broken hip made him more dependent on others, less
independent and was a permanent reminder of his encounter with God. Also, it was something others could see and
would question him about. It also freed
him up from the pressure of appearing to be perfect – he would be forever
flawed where all could see. He was never the same.
The Story of Brutus the Cat – Brutus has been with our family for 7 or 8 years
now. He was a stray that we rescued from
underneath a trailer years ago. He had
survived on food out of the dumpster and donuts from the kids at church. He was a tough – no nonsense independent cat. Over the years he has become somewhat
domesticated – but still loved to fight with other cats in the neighborhood and
made it clear he really didn’t think he needed us for much of anything. (Like
most cats …. Grin)
But
earlier this summer that all changed.
He was laying under a car one lazy summer afternoon and didn't get out
of the way quick enough and one of his back legs was crushed. This ended up with Brutus the cat having one
of his back legs amputated. It changed
everything. Now several months later he
is getting around fine on three legs. He
has lost his independent streak, he stays inside and he is much more
loving. Even his fur is softer. Rather than running out at night, Brutus
curls up with us in bed. He is almost
totally dependent on Sharon and I now.
His tragedy changed his character.
Sound familiar? Yea …. Me too.
Why Did God Change His Name? When God changed his name it was a signal of a fresh
new start. (Genesis 32:28) It signaled a changed of character and a new
identity. Jacob’s name meant he deceives.
Israel means struggles with God.
Important Questions to Ponder
What
will it take in your life to rid you of self-dependence?
When
crisis comes – and they will – could it be that God can use those difficult
times to bring change into our lives?
Is
God your God – or is it just a family tradition?
Is
there a story – a scar in your life – that when people hear it, it is an
opportunity to tell people your God-story?
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