The Peniel season

The life of Jacob speaks much into our lives and the context in which we are living these days. One part of his story stands out as quite relevant - the Peniel moment. A man, who was always in control of his life, scheming, planning and strategizing how to be upwardly mobile, even by pulling others down, suddenly finds himself vulnerable, alone, wrestling with a man, who turns out to be God! Genesis 32;22-32

His early years were in line with his name, Jacob – the supplanter or deceiver, one who struggles with man. He was running ahead of God’s plans for his life, trying to take control of the same through various ways. He deceived his brother and his father and out of fear of retaliation from his brother had to run away to Midian. But his 20 years in Midian with his father in law, Laban, was a tough phase; he found his match, one who was equally good as a deceiver or manipulator.

The Peniel moment happens on his way back. Jacob had enough of staying with his father in law. He has now 2 wives and 11 children and wanted to come back to his father’s place, but he was afraid. He remembered his brother’s wrath and expected the worst. So, to protect his belongings and his family he plans his travel well, sends multiple gifts ahead, followed by different groups traveling, with his family last, and he at the end. After sending them across the ford, Jacob finds himself alone, and there he meets with this man.

The man enters into a wrestling match with Jacob. The whole night they wrestle, and finally the man dislocates Jacob’s hip. Jacob ,though handicapped, does not leave him,  saying ,’Unless you bless me, I will not leave you.’ Genesis 32;26

A self made man, a man who was in control of his life, one who was trying to move ahead in life, seemingly in control, suddenly finds himself lame. From that day, every morning when he gets up, he will get up with the limp. And when he gets out of his bed, he will be reminded, how that day at Peniel he was crippled, broken and made vulnerable.

Peniel is a picture for us this season, for us as individuals and our nations. This season has been one where many of us have been reminded, that we are not in control of our lives. The nations and its leadership has realized that they are not in control of the nations.  The support systems on which we had put our confidence on, the economy, stability of life, health etc., all have been taken away.  To be reminded, we are a broken world. May God help us to embrace this season of brokenness.

Following this crippling, the man asks Jacob to state his name. Name in the Jewish culture denoted character. Jacob, a supplanter, one who struggles with man, was being asked to reveal his name or character. But at the same he was being offered a new name. Israel – one who struggles with God. A change in name from a person who struggles to take control of his life to one who will struggle with God for his life ahead. One who will give up his own struggle to control his life and instead over this life to God!

Another picture for us this season. This season is not only one where we should embrace our brokenness but allow God to change our name and character. This is for each of us as individuals and even our nations. To change the character of trying to be in control to handing over control into God’s hands.

What were the outcomes of such a life? If we follow Jacob’s life , two things stand out.

One – there was a renewal of his relationship with God. He, unlike his father and grandfather,  was not one who built altars or worshipped Jehovah till then. At Bethel, when he was running way, he had bargained with God. That if God brings him back safely, he would follow Him. He seems to have forgotten that promise.  Genesis 28:20

But after the crippling and name change, we find Jacob building altars. Later, when he had settled down, he seems to have forgotten all this. And God comes to him and reminds him again, to return to Bethel. Here he builds an altar and worships God. Genesis 33:20, Genesis 35:6

Two – If we follow Jacob’s, life after the Peniel moment, we see that he was no more in control. He was being led by God and the rest of his family. He moves from a person who is trying to lead his own life to one who is being led.

This is what will happen to us and our world, if we will not waste this season, this Peniel season that has been given to us. If we allow God to break us and change our character, the outcomes will be – that our relationship with God will be renewed. And we will move from leading our lives to allowing it to be led by God.

This is what we should be pray for our world too. That the nations and its leaders  will develop a  sense of confidence, dependence and restfulness, not in their ability to take control of the situation, but In God

In summary let this season be one of a proactive engagement with God. Through which we will be broken and made vulnerable. A season when we will allow God to change our name and character. And such a season will lead us to have a renewed relationship with God and a restfulness of “being led” by Him!

 

 

Taken, Blessed, Broken and Given out - Henry Nouwen