Yesterday we read about Jacob fleeing from the anger of his brother, Esau, for stealing his birthright. Unfortuately the lectionary skips the next four chapters so we don’t read how Jacob ended up with two wives, with the two maidservants and his eleven children. It’s a great story and worth reading. After fifteen years Jacob decides it’s time to face his brother and seek some forgiveness and reconciliation. As the book of Genesis describes it, in almost mythic tones, he has to do this on his own. He wrestles with “a man,” an angel, God, himself as he prepares to meet Esau. He comes out of the encounter with a new identity, but also with a permanent wound. When we have to confront our past, confront ourselves, confront God, something similar happens. We experience a deep wound but we discover our true identity.
JULY112023
By Church Staff
