Genesis 32:22-30

Genesis 32:22-30

Trouble Happens!

August 3, 2008

This summer we are spending some time looking at stories from the book of Genesis that make up a valuable part of our faith tradition. These are stories of folks like Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Joseph – folks who were called by God and touched by God in certain ways – and – while they were not perfect – were used by God to bring His will and His love into the world.

As we look at these stories I believe we are discovering that God is at work in our lives and in our world – and that God can use us – as imperfect as we may be – to do His work and will in the world – if we will let Him use us.

We have looked at Noah — and how he was obedient to God – even when it was costly and messy to be obedient – and discovered a blessing for himself and his family – and all people – because of his obedience to God.

We have seen the story of Abraham – and seen how God – many times –

calls us to do new things –

calls us do away with things we may be comfortable with —

calls us to do things we have never done before

or –

calls us to do old things in new and different ways –

and – even though we may not know exactly what will happen when we try doing new things as individuals or as a Church –

or we may not know exactly what will happen when we try – as individuals or a Church — doing old things in new ways –

we need to step out in faith and follow God.

We’ve also seen in Abraham’s story that God keeps His wonderful promises – when we trust in Him – and how at times we have to have faith in God and God’s will for our lives.

We’ve seen as we’ve looked at Jacob – Abraham’s grandson how God does not call us or choose us because of what we have done – but because of who God is – and we’ve seen how  we might be able to run from God’s love – but can not hide – and we have seen how he dared to let God change him – make a difference in his life – and how he changed to be a person who made a difference in the lives of others.

Today’s passage is a wrestling match that Jacob engaged in with God – a match that changed who he was – but in the midst of the struggle he learned that when trouble happens – God is there.

Listen to God’s word in Genesis 32:22-30:

Read Scripture

Trouble happens!

I’ve seen bumper stickers and tee shirts with the same idea but a much cruder phrase – but it is the truth. No matter how carefully we prepare for it, trouble will come to us, often when we least expect it.

Long ago people would often made their plans and added the two letters, d.v. — –  deo volente — God willing. We have all heard the phrase, “Man proposes, God disposes.” Whether or not we would attribute life’s difficulties to God or just to the way things are in the world, trouble comes.

When I was growing up my Dad had a tape of the musical Fiddler On The Roof. He olayed it constantly when we were in the car. I remember one point in which Tevye, the lead character, expresses no doubt that God is behind the troubles in his life. He even muses:

“Sometimes I think things are too quiet up there, God. You say to yourself, ‘Let’s see, what kind of mischief I can play on my friend, Tevye ‘.”

The truth is that trouble happens.

The truth is that trouble can often come when we least expect it. Someone said to me not so long ago, “The fact that you imagine that everyone is out to get you when they really aren’t doesn’t mean some folks aren’t really out to get you.”

The truth is that trouble happens.

In life – trouble happens.

Jacob in lesson for today was in deep trouble.

He was on his way to meet his brother Esau. Remember, Jacob had tricked his brother – the red-haired, hairy, brother out of his inheritance. Jacob had put on a skin of an animal and told his father that he was Esau. So Isaac had blessed Jacob rather than Esau. Even his name, Jacob, meant ” Supplanter” — the one who takes something that is rightfully someone else’s.

But now Jacob is going back home.

He had run away from home – from a furious Esau who wanted to kill him – and had run to his uncle Laban. He had been tricked when Laban substituted the homely Leah for the beautiful Rachel as Jacob’s bride.

Jacob had been visited by the angels and told to go to home – but he was afraid. He was afraid Esau would kill him on sight. The setting of our story in our passage for today is the brook Jabbok, across the Jordan. Jacob sent Rachel and Leah and his concubines and eleven children and all his worldly goods across the brook. Jacob remained alone waiting for his brother:

“Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him until daybreak.” The passage tells us.

Unexpectedly a man comes to wrestle Jacob. Out of the blue, he is thrown into a battle that lasts the whole night.

Now – this was truly unexpected, unanticipated trouble!

Even though he did not expect this trouble to come — Jacob does not give up. Jacob does not know much about his unknown attacker — but it is seems that he is not an ordinary human being.

Fight or flight.

Jacob may have thought:

do I keep on wrestling and not give up

or do I try to run away?

Trouble happens.

Sometimes we may want to give up when we have troubles — throw in the towel and say: “enough is enough! “

It can be very difficult for us to not lose heart when trouble comes.

But – here is a secret we need to hear over and over again:

God is with us when bad things happen to us.

God is with us when trouble comes.

Joyce Rupp in her book, Praying Our Goodbyes, puts it this way:

“‘What might happen?’ is the secret question that always pummels our thoughts. We do not yet fully believe that God always desires our good and our happiness. We do not fully realize that God will be with us as a guiding power to love and sustain us through whatever hardships and headaches life will bring.”

Jesus tells us: “Fear not, for even the hairs of your head are counted.” Of course, that would not be a great comfort to folks like me – but for some folks, knowing that the hairs on their heads are counted and numbered by God can be a feeling of great comfort!

You see — God’s eye is on the sparrow — and Jesus reminds us:

“You are of more value than many sparrows.”

Trouble happens – but when trouble happens — God is with us.

The Psalmist reminds us that our help comes from the Lord the maker of heaven and earth. The Lord will preserve us; the Lord will keep us safe. We do not need to be afraid when trouble comes.

Trouble happens – but when trouble happens — God is with us.

In fact — it is just in the dark and troubled times that we are reminded of our need for faith.

Madeleine l’Engle, the noted children’s author, has written,

“When things go wrong, when the good things do not seem to happen, when our prayers seem to have been lost, God is most present. We do not need the sheltering wings when things go smoothly. We are closest to God in the darkness, stumbling along blindly.”

Trouble happens – but when trouble happens — God is with us.

Jacob did not give up.

He kept wrestling with this man and it was not an easy struggle. The man hurt Jacob:

“When the man saw that he did not prevail against Jacob, he struck him on the hip socket: and Jacob’s hip was put out of joint as he wrestled with   him.”

Jacob would always limp after this night of wrestling. He was wounded through the struggle and he would bear the scars for the rest of his life.

Trouble happens – but when trouble happens — God is with us.

We should not be surprised if we too are wounded and hurt in our struggles either. Jesus bore the marks of the nails and the pierced side even after His resurrection. Those scars did not vanish from His glorified body.

Many times when trouble comes in our lives the pain is real — the trouble is real — the scars and wounds we are left with are real. Yet — we can rejoice in our sufferings. We are being given the opportunity to follow our Lord who was despised and rejected. Trouble comes, but it can be an opportunity for us to witness to our faith and the hope that is within us. The long night of our wrestling with angels and demons can be an opportunity for us to confess that God is good and faithful.

Trouble happens – but when trouble happens — God is with us.

St Paul tells us in Romans 5:

“We rejoice in our hope of sharing the glory of God.

And not only that, but we also rejoice in our sufferings,

knowing that suffering produces endurance,

and endurance produces character,

and character produces hope,

and hope does not disappoint us,

because God’s love has been poured into our hearts

through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.”

Trouble happens – but when trouble happens — God is with us.

Jacob’s night of wrestling does not end with his being wounded but his being blessed. The man said to Jacob:

“Let me go, for the day is breaking” – but Jacob refuses to let him go. Jacob is asked his name. “And he said, ‘Jacob’” – the supplanter, the cheater, the deceitful one. Then he given a new name, “Israel,” the one who has striven with God and humans.

Jacob does not let the man go until he is blessed.

Trouble happens – but when trouble happens — God is with us.

Our passage ends with Jacob still limping. He names the place by the brook Peniel — “The face of God.”Jacob recognizes that he has wrestled with God – and declares:

“I have seen God face to face and yet my life is preserved.”

Jacob is limping and will for the rest of his life. The scars remain but are not worth comparing with the blessing. St Paul reminds us too, that our sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that is to come.

Trouble happens – but when trouble happens — God is with us.

Trouble comes and we should not be surprised. When trobule happens in your life –remember that in all things God works together for good to those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose.

Trouble happens – but in it’s midst – God is with us – blessing us – strengthening us – and making us the people He would have us be.

Trouble happens.

In the midst of trouble – even though we are wounded – we can have faith.

Amen