Tuesday 07 July 2009

Background

There are parts of Genesis that rise to the heights in the waythat they describe the human condition, and today's passage is oneof them.

Jacob is worried about how he will face the person who he suspectshates him most: his brother Esau (read their story inGenesis 27). Arecipe for a sleepless night if ever there was one! When heeventually falls asleep, he dreams about wrestling with a man whoturns out to be God.

It is strange how, hard as you try to drift off, certain thoughtswill always keep you awake: the exam, the interview, the test, thefacing up to the truth about what you have done. You wrestle withthe thoughts and the bed sheets twist themselves around you as ifto trap. You end up looking like a mummy about to be laid to rest.You fall asleep, only to be wakened by the mental struggle going onwithin you - a process that you repeat time and time againthroughout the night.

But for Jacob, what a night though! He wakes up feeling very muchworse for wear - so much so that he is limping. At this point,Jacob displays the strength of character that was to sustain him -he was able to see God in his nightmare. Even though he limpedaway, his strength was the power of God that was about to make himinto the father of a new nation... Israel.

To Ponder

Jesse Jackson wrote, "No one should negotiatetheir dreams. Dreams must be free to flee and fly high. Nogovernment, no legislature, has a right to limit your dreams. Youshould never agree to surrender your dreams." In what ways doesthis reflect the experience of Jacob?

Have you ever felt wounded wrestling with God?What do you think have been the physical outcomes on your life andfamily?