Wrestling
24 Jacob was left alone; and a man wrestled with him until daybreak. 25 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. 26 Then he said, "Let me go, for the day is breaking." But Jacob said, "I will not let you go, unless you bless me." 27 So he said to him, "What is your name?" And he said, "Jacob." 28 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." (Genesis 32:24-28)
After working for Laban for twenty years - following God's direction - Jacob took his wives, children, flocks, and all of his possessions, and left Laban to return home without a word. Jacob felt cheated by Laban because Laban frequently changed Jacob's wages and the terms of his work. But God had continually favored Jacob and blessed him despite Laban's efforts. Three days after Jacob left, Laban's servants informed him. Laban then took his relatives and caught up with Jacob seven days later. Jacob told Laban, honestly, why he left, and Laban was able to properly say goodbye to his daughters and their children. The two men made peace with one another and Jacob continued his journey while Laban returned to his home.
Jacob, then, had to prepare to meet the brother he had wronged. Jacob sent messengers ahead to let Esau know that he was coming, but when they returned with word that Esau was coming to meet Jacob, and was bringing four hundred men with him, Jacob became afraid. Jacob prayed - thanking God for blessing him, reminding God of God's promise to prosper and keep him, and that it was God who told Jacob to go home in the first place. Jacob then sent a portion of his possessions ahead in the care of his servants as a gift to Esau. He also divided his family so that if Esau attacked one group the other could escape. Jacob stayed behind to spend the night alone. But he was not alone - a messenger from God wrestled with Jacob all night. Jacob refused to release the angel until he received a blessing. The unnamed messenger then told Jacob his name would now be changed to Israel. Jacob would no longer be known as a liar and trickster, but as one who wrestled or struggled with God.
On his way to face his past, Jacob shaped his future. He had faced Laban with honesty, prepared to meet Esau with humility, and finally claimed the God of his ancestors for himself. For his part, Esau came with his relatives not to fight, but to celebrate the return of his brother; eager to forgive and forget the past and face the future reunited. Life will sometimes cause us to wrestle with God, as we struggle to let go of who we've been and embrace who God is calling us to be. In the tension between past and future, may we
surrender to the God who never lets us go.
1 Hear a just cause, O LORD; attend to my cry; give ear to my prayer from lips free of deceit. 2 From you let my vindication come; let your eyes see the right. 3 If you try my heart, if you visit me by night, if you test me, you will find no wickedness in me; my mouth does not transgress. 4 As for what others do, by the word of your lips I have avoided the ways of the violent. 5 My steps have held fast to your paths; my feet have not slipped. 6 I call upon you, for you will answer me, O God; incline your ear to me, hear my words. 7 Wondrously show your steadfast love, O savior of those who seek refuge from their adversaries at your right hand. 15 As for me, I shall behold your face in righteousness; when I awake I shall be satisfied, beholding your likeness. (Psalm 17:1-7, 15)
