Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost: Old Testament, Genesis 32:22-30                  

Genesis 32:22-30

“Down to earth.” It’s a phrase we use to show that something is every day, understandable, and on our level. In our Old Testament lesson this week we have an amazing twist on that phrase. God comes down to earth. That isn’t unusual in the Bible. God makes several appearances to his children. Of course the highest and best manifestation of our God is in the person of his Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. And whenever there is visible, tangible contact between men and God in the Old Covenant age, it is always the second person of the Holy Trinity we see. Not the baby Jesus in the manger, or the Savior on the cross. Not yet. But God does like to visit.

In our lesson it results in a wrestling match. No lights. No crowds. No trophies. Well, perhaps I need to reconsider that. There is light. The light of heaven. There are crowds. The angelic hosts. And there is a trophy. A new name. God wrestles with this one who has trouble keeping things above board. And for his effort, the visitor grants a new name. From Jacob to Israel. From deceiver to “one who strives with God.” And in that new name comes a new life’s direction. Israel receives the same promise that God gave him a couple chapters ago. Promises from God always come through his Word. This wrestling changed a name, changed the leadership of a people, and brought all of us into the promise’s fulfillment in Jesus. And it won’t be the last time Jesus “goes to the mat” for his people. And we will be his trophy.