Scripture
30So Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: “For I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved.” 31Just as he crossed over Penuel the sun rose on him, and he limped on his hip. Genesis 32:30-31
Observation
Jacob was alone as he had taken his family to safety. Jacob was afraid as he was certain his older brother Esau was about to exact vengeance upon him for stealing his birthright and blessing. Jacob was exactly where God wanted him! The pre-incarnate Jesus came to have a wrestling match with Jacob. Jacob was tenacious and determined and wrestled with Jesus the whole night. It was a wrestling match that looked even on the outside, but was easily over the moment Jesus wanted it to end. This power under control was evidenced by the fact that Jesus merely touched Jacob’s hip and it was out of the socket for the rest of his life. This was not about whether Jacob could defeat Jesus, but whether Israel could defeat Jacob. Yes, the new name Gad gave him means “God rules”. In order for God to rule, Jacob the supplanter, the deceiver, the man who had done everything by his own strength and wisdom would have to die that night. Biblical commentator Duzik describes it this way, “Jacob was reduced to the place where all he could do was hold on to the Lord with everything he had. Jacob could not fight anymore, but he could hold on. That is not a bad place to be. Yet before Jacob could be delivered from the hand of his brother, he had to be delivered from his own self-will and self-reliance.” Thus, as the sun rose on the new day Jacob lay dead and Israel limped in to God’s purposes for his life. He still had to face down his brother Esau, but this time it was with a confidence in God and not himself. Jacob had a new name as Israel, but it was God’s name that was on his lips as he limped forward. His life-long struggle with God had turned in to a total surrender to God. “3He took his brother by the heel in the womb, And in his strength he struggled with God. 4Yes, he struggled with the Angel and prevailed; He wept, and sought favor from Him. He found Him in Bethel, And there He spoke to us—5That is, the Lord God of hosts. The Lord is His memorable name.” Hosea 12:3-5
Application
Most years I’m running in to the new year with a sense of vision and excitement ready to conquer the world! This year I limped from 2024 into 2025. I went from the high of a life changing trip to Israel in November literally walking in the footsteps of Jesus, to one rough personal experience after another in December clinging to the feet of Jesus. It was humbling to have so many of the plans I had formed fizzle in front of me. I simultaneously had a number of families in the church going through a crisis of their own. I don’t know how well I did in walking through their dark night of the soul, but I certainly don’t feel like I was at my best. As a result of this limp it has caused me to slow down and realize how much I try to do by my own gifts and charisma rather than a reliance on Jesus. There’s a reason God sent the prophet Zechariah with these words to the people of Israel after 12 years of the temple remaining unfinished: This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: “Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,” Says the Lord of hosts. “Who are you, O great mountain? Before Zurubbabel you shall become a plain! And he shall bring forth the capstone with shouts of “Grace, grace to it!” …For who has despised the day of small things? (Zechariah 4:6-7,10) When God’s purposes are accomplished this year, all will acknowledge the beauty and realize it was clearly not the result of human achievements, but rather of God’s grace and more grace upon this limping man. What God wants to change in our lives, what He wants to rebuild and restore can’t happen by sheer strength, will power, new years resolutions or great strategy. God’s purposes can only come to pass when we finally surrender to His Spirit and put Him first, not last. The mountains we face this year are mere mole hills to God when we are walking, better yet, limping, in His Spirit and not in the flesh.
Prayer
God You rule over all things. These impossibilities I face are piles of sand in your Hands when You are my first pursuit and not my last resort. What’s first determines what’s next and I’m taking this all to you and I won’t let go until You bless me with the fullness of Your presence in every challenge. As we fast and pray as a church I don’t feel I have a lot to give other than myself and I guess that’s right where You want me. I’m taking things slow to follow Your lead instead of running out ahead of You and asking You to bless it. The limp, my weaknesses and shortcomings, remind me of my desperate need for You!
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