Title: The Brilliant Morning Sun Passing by Peniel
Text / Genesis 32:31
1. Introduction / There is a famous poem called <My Prayer>.
not protect me from the affliction, but
Don't be afraid of that bad thing
not stop my suffering
Let my heart overcome the suffering
Not for alliances in the battlefield of life.
Let me fight with all my might
Rather than hope for salvation from the gloomy fear
Be patient and give me my freedom
Oh my lord!
have pity on my weakness
Remember your help in success
Let me hold on to you with all my body and my heart in despair
Don't you think <My Prayer> is a poem that fits the life and personality of Jacob, the main character of today's text?
2. Jacob's life story (dramatically summarized from Genesis 24:19-32:23)
Abraham fathered Isaac, and Isaac fathered Esau and Jacob. The name Esau means red, and the name Jacob means cunning and cunning. Isaac loved Esau, who had a manly, reliable, and tough personality, and Isaac's wife Rebekah loved his second Jacob, who was quick and quiet. As the eldest son, Esau had the legal right to both the birthright and the blessing, and he was also loved by his father Isaac. As the second son, Jacob had no legal rights, and his father, Isaac, did not love his older brother.
First, Jacob seized the birthright in a bowl of red bean porridge to prevent his brother Esau from being vigilant, and then he conspired with his mother Rebekah to trick his father Isaac and take away his blessing. Then, fleeing from Esau's angry sword, he fled to Paddan Aram, where his mother's parents were. On the way to Paddan-aram, Jacob met the God of Bethel, and was approved for the birthright and blessing, which he deceived from God. ignorant and despised (Genesis 25:34).
Jacob had to give up his 20 years of life in Paddan Aram, and he had no choice but to go to his heavenly hometown, but in his hometown he had an older brother Esau who insisted that if he met Jacob he would kill him with a single knife. After a long journey, Jacob reached the Jabbok River, the border of his homeland.
On four occasions, Jacob sends many gifts to his brother Esau. However, Esau receives information that he is leading the army 400 out. Esau's coming out with an army means revenge on Jacob. If not, is it not necessary to mobilize such a large army? Jacob and his servants were left to die. Jacob was afraid and desperate. Even if you flee to another land, you never know when you will be attacked by which tribe and you will die. Even if he died, it was better to die at the hands of his older brother Esau.
3. The longest and longest night for Israel!
Left alone in the Jabbok River, Jacob suddenly wrestles with someone. Wrestle all night long. The dawn is bright. There is no winning. Some people, you bastard, let me go. It's dawn. Let's stop! Still, Jacob does not give up. I can't let go until you bless me! Someone kicks Jacob's hip bone. The thorax is a male ball. Balls are vital among vitals. If you kick the ball, even the celestial lord will not hesitate. But take a look here. Even after kicking the ball, Jacob did not let anyone go. Oh, how persistent and cruel!
Finally someone I lost! I bless you, that you will not die by your brother Esau, and your future may be full and full. From now on, you will not call your name Jacob, but Israel! Israel means that your earnest, persistent, persistent prayer and devotion moved people and God. In Korean, it means < 至誠 is 感天>. After receiving the blessing, Jacob released a certain man, an angel of God. Jacob called the place <Peniel>, which means that I saw God face to face, but my life was spared.
4. The Brilliant Sun on Peniel
After a long night of pain and anguish, the morning dawned. This morning is not yesterday's morning. It's not the kind of morning you normally greet every day. Therefore, the Bible records a meaningful line as follows: < As he passed through Peniel, the sun rose and he was lame because of his hip! >.
5. Closing story / The blessing Jacob received at the Jabbok River is not a romantic blessing, not a cheap one. It is a blessing that has passed through time and space that is fearful and extremely stuffy. Blessings after suffering excruciating pain in the balls. But look! It is said that the sun rose when Jacob crossed the Jabbok River that morning, limping with pain in his hip bone. As 1999 passes, even if I am limping, I pray in the name of the Lord that the year of Jacob will prosper for all of us. Amen!