Stranger in the Night – Sermon Oct 17, 2010
October 17, 2010
Scripture: Genesis 32: 22-31
That 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.
Sermon: Stranger in the Night
by Rev. Doreen Oughton
Will you join me in a spirit of prayer: May the words of my mouth and the meditations of all of our hearts be acceptable in thy sight, O God who is the ground of my being.
Do you know Jacob? Do you know who he is and how he came to be where he is in this story, camping out alone by the river Jabbok, anticipating a meeting with his older brother, the first in twenty years? Jacob’s brother Esau is not much older, but was the first-born twin. They are the sons of Rebekkah and Isaac, grandsons of Abraham and Sarah. Even in the womb, Jacob and Esau wrestled, much to the distress of their mother. She complained to God, “If it is to be this way, why do I live?” God told her, “Two nations are in your womb, and two people born of you shall be divided.”
Do you know Jacob? Do you know that the name Jacob means “heel-grabber” or “supplanter” and that this was how he was born, grabbing onto the heel of his brother? Esau loved the outdoors, became a skillful hunter and found his father’s favor, perhaps because he reminded him of Isaac’s adored older half-brother Ishmael. Jacob was the indoor type, hung out in the tents more with his mother, even learned to cook. Rebekkah was smitten with him. Do you know about the privileges of being the first out of the womb, the birthrights of the eldest sons? They included a position of leadership in the family and a double portion of inheritance. Have you heard the story of Esau’s recklessness with his birthright? How Jacob was cooking a stew when Esau came in from the field, famished, and asked for some stew? Jacob, knowing an opportunity when he saw one, said, “Sure, for the price of your birthright.” Did Esau have any idea what he was giving up when he said he was about to die of hunger, so what use would his birthright be anyway? Jacob had him swear to him before feeding his brother one very expensive meal.
But the final straw that broke the relationship between Jacob and Esau was a deceit planned by Rebekkah. She overheard her ailing husband call Esau and ask him to catch him some game, cook it and feed it to Isaac so that he would have a chance to bless Esau before he dies. Death-bed blessings were an important part of life for these ancient people. It was believed that such blessings irrevocably released a very real power that determined the character and destiny of the receiver. With such a blessing, the loss of his birthright wouldn’t sting Esau quite so much. But when Rebekkah overhears, she is determined to get said blessing for her beloved Jacob, conspiring with him to disguise the feel of his skin so as to trick Isaac into thinking he is Esau. Though Rebekkah devises the scheme and pushes it, it is Jacob who lies not once, but three times to convince his father in the face of his doubt, that he is indeed Esau. This time Esau is completely aware of what he has lost, and after weeping and eliciting a secondary blessing from Isaac, swears to get his revenge by killing Jacob after their father dies and the mourning period ends.
Do you know Jacob, the young man, running off to another country at his mother’s urging, to save his life from his brother, still feeling on top of the world for having pulled it off, for having succeeded in supplanting his older brother, gaining his birthright and blessing for himself? Is anything impossible for such a person, the young man who has been told since he was knee-high that he was special, that God told his mother he was to be a leader, with others serving him. And sure enough, soon after he started his journey to find a wife among the family of his uncle Laban, he dreamed a dream of a ladder to heaven, with angels ascending and descending, a dream in which God promised him land and offspring, protection and blessings. Do you know this young man so confident in his future, so certain that nothing will keep him down?
Oh yes. Do you know this young man, the world at his feet, the warm welcome he receives from his uncle, the beautiful cousin Rachel, Laban’s enthusiasm that Jacob wishes to marry her. Everything is clicking into place. Uncle Laban will pay him wages, will allow him to work for the hand of his daughter. The seven years fly by. And finally there is the wedding night. Do you Jacob, the man in love with Rachel who is tricked by his uncle into marrying his other daughter Leah? Do you know the shock and disbelief of having been betrayed by a blood relative, by someone who seemed to care but now just seems calculating. Did Jacob think then of his own betrayal of his own blood, his twin? Was he hurt, or did he quickly recognize a worthy adversary in Laban and enter into the games he knew and played so well? Did he wonder about God’s promised protection and blessing, did he wonder if that was just a trick as well?
Do you know Jacob, the family man dealing with marital strife, parenting angst, a boss and father-in-law continually trying to take advantage of him, brothers-in- law complaining that he’s gotten more than his share. Do you know the man who keeps working and serving, trying to please everyone, wondering what happened to the predictions of being the leader, of having others serve him. And finally, there is a call from God, clear guidance – “return to the land of your ancestors, go home to your family, and I will be with you.”
Do you know Jacob, the man who is not very good at good-byes, the man caught in the middle, eager to leave the strife of his relationship with Laban, but not so eager to face his brother Esau. Do you know the man who can’t stand up to his father- in-law and tell him his plan, but instead conspires to sneak away with his wives and children, to take the livestock he believes he’s earned. But Laban is not so easily fooled as Esau or Isaac were, and he catches on and catches up. God gets in the middle of it and guides the two tricksters into negotiating face to face, standing up to each other, hashing it out until at last there is agreement, and even a blessing.
And here is Jacob, having traveled to this point, about to enter the land of his birth. He’s been thinking non-stop about what awaits him. He’d tried to flee from Laban without facing him, but God wouldn’t have it. He knows he’s going to be forced to face this one as well. He’s still planning, still crafty, considering all the contingencies. He’s sent ahead messengers with gifts to Esau, along with a request for reconciliation. He’s eager for them to return with a report on his receptiveness. The messengers do return and say that Esau would be coming out to meet them, and would be brining 400 men with him. What is that supposed to mean? Are they hostile? Is it a set up? Jacob can’t take chances and divides up his group, figuring at least half of them will escape if there is trouble, which is likely. In great distress, he prays, acknowledging to God his fear of Esau, his fear of being killed, of his wives and children being killed. He is thinking about the ripple effects of his actions. How was Esau hurt by him, and Esau’s family, how many are seeking revenge? He sends more servants with gifts, sends them in waves, each with messages about Jacob’s wish to serve Esau, to find favor with Esau. And finally it is dusk. He sends those closest to him, the only ones left, his wives and children, sends them across the stream.
Do you know Jacob now? Do you know the thoughts circling round and round in his head, the fear that has gripped his body, the pounding heart, dry mouth, as he lay alone by the river. He tries to calm himself, looking up at the stars, perhaps remembering God’s promise to his grandfather Abraham that his descendants would number more than the stars. Did his breathing relax as he listened to the sound of the stream trickling by, heard the sounds of the night around him. Had he just started to settle in when he there is an attack, a shadowy figure rushing out of the dark right onto him. Esau come to kill him! Struggling for his life! Laban reneging on the deal they’d struck? No, not Esau, not Laban. Who? Why? He doesn’t know, but has time to ponder it as he goes back and forth with this worthy opponent, neither of them letting go nor giving in, and neither of them gaining the upper hand. And then there is the painful blow, knocking his hip out of joint. But still Jacob won’t let go. He won’t let go even though he realizes that the questions and thoughts in his head won’t be resolved. He won’t know for sure who he’s wrestling with or why. But he knows he can’t just let this stranger go. He can’t have a whole night’s worth of fighting, a whole life’s worth of struggle, just end with nothing. He knows by now that it is not a man he is wrestling with, not an equal opponent, but a being from heaven, One who has the power of his very life in his hands. And his desperation only increases. He must not let go.
Do you know Israel, the man changed? Do you know the man who will ask the question even when he won’t get an answer? Do you know the man who will face whatever comes at him, will wrestle if need be but will stay put, won’t flee, won’t connive, but will ask? Do you know Israel, who no longer grabs a heel, who no longer seeks to supplant, but grabs hold of God himself, no matter how painful, no matter how frightening. Do you know Israel, whose confidence in his own power and craftiness is replaced by a wound that reminds him to have confidence in the Holy One, the one who will wrestle with him, and allow him to live. Do you know Israel, the man going off to face his brother humbly, facing his own wrong-doing, facing his own self – Jacob the heel-grabber, con man and liar? Do you know Israel, the person who no longer seeks victory, but blessing and a life? Do you know what Israel now knows – that whatever happens, there will be blessings. May it be so.
