Old Testament | Genesis 32:3-8, 22-30 (with Tom Gastil)

Opening Song:
The Wrestling by Brandon Collins, Richie Fike, and Travis Ryan

Lyrics:
We sweat and strain we won't be still
We scratch and claw against Your will
But You oh God with grace subdue our restless hearts
You won't let go You won't let go
Our flesh and bone so weak and frail
Yet You oh God will never fail
We're caught in the embrace of unrelenting love
You won't let go You won't let go of us

Your ways are higher
Your thoughts are deeper
Your grace is stronger
How great is Your love
How great is Your love

We bring our fear You give us peace
We bring our pain You set us free
Our struggle in the dark will break at morning light
Oh have Your way Lord have Your way with us

Oh the wrestling hallelujah hallelujah
Don't let go of me hallelujah hallelujah
Oh these scars will sing a hallelujah hallelujah
Broken bones will bring a hallelujah hallelujah

Passage:
And Jacob sent[a] messengers before him to Esau his brother in the land of Seir, the country of Edom, 4 instructing them, “Thus you shall say to my lord Esau: Thus says your servant Jacob, ‘I have sojourned with Laban and stayed until now. 5 I have oxen, donkeys, flocks, male servants, and female servants. I have sent to tell my lord, in order that I may find favor in your sight.’”

6 And the messengers returned to Jacob, saying, “We came to your brother Esau, and he is coming to meet you, and there are four hundred men with him.” 7 Then Jacob was greatly afraid and distressed. He divided the people who were with him, and the flocks and herds and camels, into two camps, 8 thinking, “If Esau comes to the one camp and attacks it, then the camp that is left will escape.”

The same night he arose and took his two wives, his two female servants, and his eleven children,[a] and crossed the ford of the Jabbok. 23 He took them and sent them across the stream, and everything else that he had. 24 And Jacob was left alone. And a man wrestled with him until the breaking of the day. 25 When the man saw that he did not prevail against Jacob, he touched his hip socket, and Jacob's hip was put out of joint as he wrestled with him. 26 Then he said, “Let me go, for the day has broken.” But Jacob said, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.” 27 And he said to him, “What is your name?” And he said, “Jacob.” 28 Then he said, “Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel,[b] for you have striven with God and with men, and have prevailed.” 29 Then Jacob asked him, “Please tell me your name.” But he said, “Why is it that you ask my name?” And there he blessed him. 30 So Jacob called the name of the place Peniel,[c] saying, “For I have seen God face to face, and yet my life has been delivered.”

Musical Reflection:
Jesus, Remember Me by Jacques Berthier

Reflection Notes:
“Jesus, Remember Me” is a tune from the French Taizé tradition; these simple songs are meant to be repeated indefinitely with added instrumentation or voice parts. They are meant to be meditative and allow for prayer.

Prayer:
Father, what we know not, teach us; what we have not, give us; what we are not, make us; for the sake of your Son our Savior. Amen.
-Old Anglican Prayer