This week we
continue my summer lectionary series called "Genesis Roots." The word
genesis means origin, beginning, or birth. Root,
in the context in which I'm writing, means essential core or source of
life. In a way, the roots of the story of monotheistic faith rest in
the stories we find in Genesis.
Over these last weeks we have been on quite a journey with our ancestor Jacob. He has tricked his brother Esau out of his inheritance, run for his life and encountered God in a dream, moved in with his mother's family and was tricked by his uncle into marrying both of his cousins, Leah who is the eldest and Rachel, who is the love of his life. Since that time, he has had 11 children with them and their 2 servants, Zilpah and Bilhah.
Yes, Rachel is the love of Jacob's life and why not, she is definitely his equal in true trickster style. She steals her father's household idols on the way out, doesn't tell Jacob, uses her womanly wiles and doesn't get caught when her father tracks them down! In some commentaries it says that these idols were a sign of protection and property rights ... sound familiar? The bold Rachel is definitely the woman for Jacob, the "heel-grabber!" At the same time on his way out, Jacob has tricked his uncle out of a quite a number of prize livestock, sheep.
So, perhaps Jacob has worn out his welcome! It is time for Jacob to return to his home to face his brother, Esau. Can you just imagine the fear? What will Esau do? Take a moment to sit with the burning, churning emotions that Jacob must have been feeling, knowing that he had to return home and "make it right" with his brother. It is time for him to grow into the man that God has prepared him to be. And he struggles. This struggle resonates with me. I understand wrestling with God. Do you?
Jacob does not know it but God will change his name during this encounter. He will become Isra-EL, which means one who prevails, or perseveres with God. What about you? What are some of the struggles you have with God? Jacob's hip is dislocated in the struggle and he now moves with a limp. How have you been scarred by your struggles with God? What are the emotions that you experience when you are in a spiritual "growth spurt?"
As you are allowing your memories and your emotions to bubble up in your consciousness, I
invite you to spend a few moments preparing your heart to worship God as
you engage with the text via Lectio Divina.
Breathe deeply and envision God’s Spirit filling you with Presence!
Settle into
a place of awe and wonder within yourself with a simple breath prayer. Use this one or create your own.
Breathing in (who do you worship?) ... God of my Wrestling Soul
Breathing out (what do you need?) ... Bless me, bless me, bless me
and when you are ready to move deeper into the text, pray ... God of Jacob, as I read and pray with the holy text, illuminate my soul with wisdom. Give me a word to take with me as I wrestle with life and with you. In Christ, Amen.
Step 1: Lectio … Reading
Read Genesis 32:22-31 (NET) slowly, and envision Jacob's struggles with God.
Take in the story that is unfolding as you read.
Listen for a word or a phrase that catches your attention.
Silently focus on that word or phrase or perhaps an image that is forming.
Sit with your word or phrase or image for as long as seems good to you.
Allow it to sift through your heart and mind.
Let the story come alive in your soul through that word, phrase, image.
Read Genesis 32:22-31 (NET) slowly, and envision Jacob's struggles with God.
Take in the story that is unfolding as you read.
Listen for a word or a phrase that catches your attention.
Silently focus on that word or phrase or perhaps an image that is forming.
Sit with your word or phrase or image for as long as seems good to you.
Allow it to sift through your heart and mind.
Let the story come alive in your soul through that word, phrase, image.
Click here to read in original Lectio Version: The VOICE Bible
During the night Jacob quickly took his two wives, his two female servants, and his eleven sons and crossed the ford of the Jabbok. He took them and sent them across the stream along with all his possessions. So Jacob was left alone. Then a man wrestled with him until daybreak. When the man saw that he could not defeat Jacob, he struck the socket of his hip so the socket of Jacob’s hip was dislocated while he wrestled with him.
Then the man said, “Let me go, for the dawn is breaking.” “I will not let you go,” Jacob replied, “unless you bless me.” The man asked him, “What is your name?” He answered, “Jacob.” “No longer will your name be Jacob,” the man told him, “but Israel, because you have fought with God and with men and have prevailed.”
Then Jacob asked, “Please tell me your name.” “Why do you ask my name?” the man replied. Then he blessed Jacob there. So Jacob named the place Peniel, explaining, “Certainly I have seen God face to face and have survived.”
The sun rose over him as he crossed over Penuel, but he was limping because of his hip.
Step 2: Meditatio … Receiving
Continue to focus on your word or phrase or image.
Pay attention to the thoughts and feelings it evokes.
What memories come to your mind?
Ask God to continue to speak to you and reveal your heart.
Listen and watch for God’s presence as you move through your day
Step 3: Oratio … Responding
Consider any desires that have been awakened by your prayer
Perhaps you have found an area of your life that needs attention
Do not rush ... wait and listen as God forms your prayers and desires
Step 4: Contempatio … Resting
Allow your word, phrase or image to fall away ...
Allow yourself to rest in the silence ...
During the night Jacob quickly took his two wives, his two female servants, and his eleven sons and crossed the ford of the Jabbok. He took them and sent them across the stream along with all his possessions. So Jacob was left alone. Then a man wrestled with him until daybreak. When the man saw that he could not defeat Jacob, he struck the socket of his hip so the socket of Jacob’s hip was dislocated while he wrestled with him.
Then the man said, “Let me go, for the dawn is breaking.” “I will not let you go,” Jacob replied, “unless you bless me.” The man asked him, “What is your name?” He answered, “Jacob.” “No longer will your name be Jacob,” the man told him, “but Israel, because you have fought with God and with men and have prevailed.”
Then Jacob asked, “Please tell me your name.” “Why do you ask my name?” the man replied. Then he blessed Jacob there. So Jacob named the place Peniel, explaining, “Certainly I have seen God face to face and have survived.”
The sun rose over him as he crossed over Penuel, but he was limping because of his hip.
Step 2: Meditatio … Receiving
Continue to focus on your word or phrase or image.
Pay attention to the thoughts and feelings it evokes.
What memories come to your mind?
Ask God to continue to speak to you and reveal your heart.
Listen and watch for God’s presence as you move through your day
Step 3: Oratio … Responding
Consider any desires that have been awakened by your prayer
Perhaps you have found an area of your life that needs attention
Do not rush ... wait and listen as God forms your prayers and desires
Step 4: Contempatio … Resting
Allow your word, phrase or image to fall away ...
Allow yourself to rest in the silence ...
If images are a pathway to God for you, you may want to come back and pray while "gazing" upon ." Where does your gazing take you?
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| Artwork by Unknown 1000 CE, in public domain, via Wikimedia Commons |
If music is a pathway to God for you and maybe even if it isn't, end your time of
contemplating this story of Jacob struggling with God by considering the beautiful song, "I Will Change Your Name" sung by Cross Ties, a group from the Prestoncrest Church of Christ. Jacob's story is my story and this song is my song. Is this your story? Is this your song? What new name do you welcome into your soul today?
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