"The God Pause Daily Devotional" from The Luther Seminary in Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States for Monday, 10 October 2016 Genesis 32:22-31

"The God Pause Daily Devotional" from The Luther Seminary in Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States for Monday, 10 October 2016 Genesis 32:22-31
-------

Genesis 32:22 (21) So the present crossed over ahead of him, and he himself stayed that night in the camp.
23 (22) He got up that night, took his two wives, his two slave-girls, and his eleven children, and forded the Yabok. 24 (23) He took them and sent them across the stream, then sent his possessions across; 25 (24) and Ya‘akov was left alone. Then some man wrestled with him until daybreak. 26 (25) When he saw that he did not defeat Ya‘akov, he struck Ya‘akov’s hip socket, so that his hip was dislocated while wrestling with him. 27 (26) The man said, “Let me go, because it’s daybreak.” But Ya‘akov replied, “I won’t let you go unless you bless me.” 28 (27) The man asked, “What is your name?” and he answered, “Ya‘akov.” 29 (28) Then the man said, “From now on, you will no longer be called Ya‘akov, but Isra’el; because you have shown your strength to both God and men and have prevailed.” 30 (29) Ya‘akov asked him, “Please tell me your name.” But he answered, “Why are you asking about my name?” and blessed him there.
(iii) 31 (30) Ya‘akov called the place P’ni-El [face of God], “Because I have seen God face to face, yet my life is spared.”[Complete Jewish Bible]
-------
Jacob is perhaps one of the biggest scoundrels in all of scripture. He has robbed his twin brother of his birth right and his blessing. He has tricked his uncle out of livestock. Now he is left with nowhere to go. Haunted by his past and fearful of the future Jacob wrestles with a strange visitor all night long. He wrestles with who he is, who he has become and who he wants to be. He wrestles for a new identity and a new heart. Finally, after the struggle Jacob recognizes that he has been visited by a messenger of God and he is left changed. Never again will Jacob walk the same.
At times we all crave new beginnings. We all want a fresh start, a second chance. This is ultimately the story of our God who meets us in our brokenness and transforms our futures by giving us a new identity in Christ. 
God of new beginnings, grant us hope for today and grace to live into our identity in you. May our lives reflect your love for us today and all the days of our lives. We ask in Jesus name. Amen.
Brian Hansen, '05
Pastor, St. John Lutheran Church, Fargo, N.D.
Genesis 32:22 The same night he got up and took his two wives, his two maids, and his eleven children, and crossed the ford of the Jabbok.
23 He took them and sent them across the stream, and likewise everything that he had.
24 Jacob was left alone; and a man wrestled with him until daybreak.
25 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.
26 Then he said, "Let me go, for the day is breaking." But Jacob said, "I will not let you go, unless you bless me."
27 So he said to him, "What is your name?" And he said, "Jacob."
28 Then the man said, "You shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel, for you have striven with God and with humans, 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 place Peniel, saying, "For I have seen God face to face, and yet my life is preserved."
31 The sun rose upon him as he passed Penuel, limping because of his hip. [New Revised Standard Version]
-------