09/04/2019 OUT OF JOINT
Genesis 32:24 So Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him until daybreak. When the man saw that he could not overpower him, he touched the socket of Jacob’s hip so that his hip was wrenched as he wrestled with the man. Then the man said, “Let me go, for it is daybreak.” But Jacob replied, “I will not let you go until you bless me.” The man asked him, “What is your name?” “Jacob,” he answered. Then the man said, “Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel….” [New International translation]
Biblical Comment
If anyone knew what it was like to struggle, Jacob did. Even before birth, his mother Rebekah could feel her twin sons, Jacob and Esau, struggling within her womb. (Genesis 25:22) At birth Jacob was already jockeying for position in life-- trying to get ahead, trying to position himself for wealth and authority, grasping at his brother Esau’s heel. (Genesis 25:26). Jacob’s, individual struggles, turned into family struggles, as he pushed and cajoled his way through life, deceiving his father Isaac, conspiring with his mother, scheming and struggling. Even, when Jacob got what he thought he wanted, the firstborn blessing, Jacob’s struggles continued as he was forced to leave home because he was fearful of what Esau might do to him (Genesis 27:44).
Jacob’s struggles continued at Laban’s house. There Jacob experienced first-hand what it was like to be tricked and cheated by another family member, Laban, his father-in-law. Jacob struggled with dealing with other people’s attitude toward him, when Laban’s sons grumbled that Jacob was taking what was theirs and Laban looked at Jacob suspiciously (Genesis 31:1-2). Jacob’s struggles continued when once again he had to pack up and leave Laban’s house. Jacob even struggled to keep his little household together, as evidenced by his wife Rachel stealing from Laban, without Jacob’s knowledge (Genesis 31:19).
Jacob constantly struggled with his own fears. Jacob was fearful Laban might take his wives away. (Genesis31:31). Jacob was especially fearful of his brother Esau. And to make matters worse, it seemed that there was no way to avoid an encounter with Esau because to get where he needed to go, Jacob had to first deal with Esau.
However, just when we think we know all about this fearful, struggling Jacob, we come to Genesis 32:24, what some would call Jacob’s encounter with GOD. This story and the verses of this scripture are worth reading again and again. A few things stand out:
First: Jacob thought he was alone, but he was not, GOD was there;
Second: Unlike many other “sports” and “activities” wrestling involves strength and hanging on. In other words, when you cling to GOD with all your strength and all your might, you will find that GOD will “cling” to you. Wrestling also involves grappling. Often, we have to grapple with the WORD of GOD. In fact, GOD wants to us “wrestle,” “grapple” and “struggle” with the WORD---to have a close encounter---so we deepen our understanding of HIM and HIS WORD.
Third: Even though GOD was with Jacob, there were still periods, as when Jacob’s hip was “out of joint,” when things didn’t look or feel good. Nevertheless, Jacob clung to GOD and GOD clung to Jacob. And, in the end, Jacob was blessed, because “JOY comes in the morning.” Just have faith, persevere, cling to GOD, and pray for HIS blessings. Jacob named the place where he wrestled “Peniel” (“The Face of GOD”).