 St Alban’s Episcopal Church Bolivar, Missouri Friday, October 14, 2022 Genesis 32:22-31 “Why is it that you ask my name?“  Genesis 32:22-31 The same night Jacob 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. A bit of background – You will probably remember that Jacob had manipulated Esau and stolen his birthright. When Esau found that out, Jacob had fled in fear for his life. Now Jacob is leaving his equally manipulative father in law. You’ll remember that he had gotten Jacob to marry the sister he didn’t love before he was able to marry Rachel – his favorite. Now he discovers that after 20 years or so Esau is coming to meet him, with 400 armed men. Is it revenge?He doesn’t know.And this is where the reading for Sunday begins.  Things to ponder before Sunday Who is “the man?” Does it have to be a single entity? Is he wrestling with himself, knowing his gilt? Is he wrestling with Esau in advance, preparing to meet him? Christians traditionally paint pictures of this scene with “the man” as an angel – Why do you suppose? Why doesn’t the other being, God, angel, or messenger of God – prevail over ordinary Jacob? Why does he wound him? Why is Jacob’s name changed to Israel? You can look this up if you’d like! And why does “the man” refuse to give his own name? Who does Jacob/Israel decide the man is? What’s his evidence? Adult Class 9:30 AM We will continue discussing the book, After. Birthdays Both Jean Vincent and Joyce Hensley as well as Arabella Hecht had birthdays this week – She turned a beautiful ten! The sheds The larger shed is so damaged by water after the hailstorm destroyed the skylight, and the contents that were not outdoor equipment were damaged as well. We would like to simply get rid of it and consolidate everything that we need to keep in the smaller shed. To that end, anyone who would be willing to help empty the sheds of old, unidentified boxes of “stuff” is invited to do so after church this Sunday. |
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