Genesis 32:22-31, Psalm 121, and Luke 18:1-8
We sometimes hear news like this: someone makes a large sum of money dishonestly and then moves it to a tax haven to avoid paying taxes. That person fled abroad. In fact, what you hear more often than not is someone winning the lottery or the results of a game between the Blue Jays, Oilers, or Flames. The important thing here is that the distribution of inheritance is not an easy task, whether long ago or now. The problem of Jacob and Esau dividing and inheriting the legacy of faith, including their father’s blessing, was not one that could be easily resolved. Esau lost his right to the firstborn’s blessing and position to Jacob. From then on, he looked forward to the day of revenge against Jacob. But now his younger brother Jacob is returning to him with his family. The closer the relationship, the deeper the resentment when betrayed. Not to mention family. That very Jacob is coming. Esau is coming to Jacob with four hundred warriors under his command. Jacob must have been so afraid of Esau that he prayed earnestly to God. He asked for comfort so that Esau would not attack him and his family. He also divided his livestock and property into two to protect one from attack. And that’s not all. He sent significant gifts first to his brother Esau. The contents are as follows: “two hundred female goats and twenty male goats, two hundred ewes and twenty rams, 15 thirty female camels with their young, forty cows and ten bulls, and twenty female donkeys and ten male donkeys.”
I searched the approximate prices of these animals on a website called Kijiji, and here’s what I found: A goat costs anywhere from $600 to $750. Ewe sells for $300, ram sells for $500, adult female camel sells for $16,250, cow sells for $3,500, bull sells for $4,500, jenny donkey sells for $4,000, and male donkey sells for $1,500. In total, Jacob sent Esau gifts worth about $1 million at that time. In a time when livestock was more valuable than it is today, its value would have been much more beneficial than a million dollars. But even though he prepared such a great gift, he is now trembling with anxiety. He sent his wife, maidservants, and children away first, and was left alone, anxiously waiting for his brother’s response.
At this very moment, the Bible records: “A man wrestled with him till daybreak.” Even when the socket of Jacob’s hip was wrenched, Jacob desperately held on to the man. It’s a very unusual situation. He had a great fortune and was able to live comfortably. It is not normal for him to wrestle with an unknown person all night long, not even during the day. It’s very strange. The Hebrew word for Wrestle is abaq. This word is used when two people are fighting each other so fiercely that dust flies from the ground. Some theologians interpret this scene as Jacob’s desperate prayer. But since Jacob’s hip was indeed wrenched, we might think that it is more accurate to say that he wrestled with the angel of God. But we can see that this wrestling is not just a simple contest of strength. He must have been aware of the being that was with him. So, he asked repeatedly. He asked the man’s name and asked for his blessing. Who in that area could bless him for becoming so wealthy? He must have known clearly that there is no one in heaven but the Creator. In that most vulnerable moment of his life, he clung tenaciously to God. He pleaded. Even though his body was broken, he didn’t let go of the angel’s body.
However, the angel responds to Jacob’s earnest request for a blessing by giving him a new name. This is also an unusual situation. Why is that? If we look at Jacob’s past life, the answer lies there. The reason God asked Jacob his name through His angel was to ask him about his identity. The name Jacob means one who deceives others. His life was no different from his name. He lied to Isaac about the blessing of the firstborn and took away Esau’s right. He has made many mistakes due to his selfishness. He created animosity with those around him to the point that it was recorded in the Bible. Because of this, he suffered a lot. But God met him at the Jabbok River and gave him a new name, allowing him to live as a new being. This is a chance for new life and a blessing. Having changed his name to Israel, he can live with a new direction in life. His relationship with God has been restored. Next, the relationship with the world will be restored. He lives with a new name given to him by God the Father, rather than the name given to him by his father, Isaac. God is his father. He has a new identity. He called that place Peniel, and he looked up and saw the new sun rising with hope.
Next, in the Gospel of Luke, Jesus tells the parable of the widow and the judge. He said that our prayer and faith life is like this. The widow, who was suffering terribly because of her enemy, earnestly asked the judge to resolve the matter. This judge did not believe in God and was, instead, a very unjust man. But this widow was causing him great trouble, so he granted her request. Moreover, it is a fact that God in heaven will surely answer our continued prayers.
Dear friends, God hears our prayers. The Creator watches over our lives every day. Let us approach God through our faith and life. Let us pray earnestly to God and ask for His help. As children anticipate Christmas presents, let us ask for responses to our prayers with the same earnestness as children do for their parents or grandparents. “My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.” I believe these words will be your answer. “The Lord will keep you from all harm he will watch over your life; 8 the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.” Amen.