We conclude our July sermon series on Jacob, the Man Who Wrestled With God, with the dramatic, mysterious experience (see Genesis 32:22-31) that gave us our sermon series title. After 20 years living in exile during which he earned a family and a fortune, Jacob is finally returning home at God’s command, but he faces an uncertain reception from his brother Esau whom he had cheated out of his birthright and blessing. The night before he must face Esau who is riding to meet him with 400 armed men, he finds himself attacked by a mysterious stranger in the dark. They wrestle all night until Jacob receives a blessing, and a new name, Israel. And he realizes that he has been wrestling with God, wrestling for a blessing. As you know, I wrote a song about this that I will sing again (see the lyrics below). May we recognize God in our encounters as we too wrestle for a blessing. Click on the title, “Jacob the Wrestler”
Wrestling for a Blessing
I found myself wrestling for a blessing with a stranger in the night.
I don’t know if I’ll survive this but I’m gonna hold on tight, hold on for my life.
All my life I’ve been a fighter, grasping, clawing to make my way.
I even stole my brother’s birthright I’m now ashamed to say.
Wrestling for a blessing, don’t know if I’ll find my way.
Wrestling with my Shadow all night till the break of day.
“Help me God!” I pray.
Oh it’s been a long, hard journey, went out searching for a wife.
Won a family and a fortune. Learned even more about life.
But now my past is there before me, all the things that I have done.
No excusing or evading, from my shadow I can’t run. Oh I wish I could run.
Somehow I hold on for a blessing. So the stranger asks my name.
I say “Jacob,” He says, “No longer, Israel will be your name, for striving is your game.”
As I limped from that encounter, I knew I’d never be the same.
For I’d met God in that stranger, left me wiser but in pain, stronger and yet lame.
Wrestling for a blessing, don’t know if I’ll find my way.
Wrestling with my Shadow all night till the break of day.
“Help me God!” I pray.