Genesis Series: Chapter 32

EXPLORING GENESIS SERIES:

THE BIBLE : EXPLORING GENESIS SERIES.

Chapter 32: Jacob

On the way to Caanan, Jacob is fearful as he is confronted at the prospect of meeting his brother Esau. He brings his concern and fear to God in prayer (vs 11) He sought ‘a reconciliation of his heart’ and prepared Esau a gift from what he had (vs 20-21) since he had the desire to see his brother again. 

As he wrestled with his issues that night, Jacob’s hip was displaced. Jacob named the place Peniel- the face of God because he realized that he had encountered the face of God and his life was spared.

We too can be fearful when we encounter conflict, but like Jacob, we can bring our concerns, fears and even our bargaining prayers to God, who understands us and knows our every need.  We too like Jacob can learn to forgive when we seek a reconciliation of our own heart first- if we face our own issues and then forgive ourselves in God’s presence in prayer.   

Just as Jacob spent the night in prayer, wrestling, with his issues, we can do likewise.  It is often necessary to sit with our pain and struggles and allow them to speak to us, despite it being painful for us.

Physical ailments can often indicate the state of our emotional/spiritual life and can help us to get in touch with our deeper selves. Jacob named the place- Peniel-the face of God for he said ‘I have seen God face to face, and my life is spared’.  

We may also reflect upon the places in our lives which we also would call ‘the face of God’.  We also need to treasure those places for the experience of ‘seeing the face of God’. They can be our retreat places where we can go for our special encounter with God or it may be before the Blessed Sacrament in our parish church or perhaps a special place in our own home