Reading 13 | The Bible in 100 Passages

Friday, September 26, 2025  

Today's Scripture
Genesis 32:22–33:11

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. He took them and sent them across the stream, and likewise everything that he had. Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him until daybreak. 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. Then he said, “Let me go, for the day is breaking.” But Jacob said, “I will not let you go, unless you bless me.” So he said to him, “What is your name?” And he said, “Jacob.” 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.” 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. So Jacob called the place Peniel, saying, “For I have seen God face to face, yet my life is preserved.” The sun rose upon him as he passed Penuel, limping because of his hip. Therefore to this day the Israelites do not eat the thigh muscle that is on the hip socket, because he struck Jacob on the hip socket at the thigh muscle.

Now Jacob looked up and saw Esau coming, and four hundred men with him. So he divided the children among Leah and Rachel and the two maids. He put the maids with their children in front, then Leah with her children, and Rachel and Joseph last of all. He himself went on ahead of them, bowing himself to the ground seven times, until he came near his brother.

But Esau ran to meet him and embraced him and fell on his neck and kissed him, and they wept. When Esau looked up and saw the women and children, he said, “Who are these with you?” Jacob said, “The children whom God has graciously given your servant.” Then the maids drew near, they and their children, and bowed down; Leah likewise and her children drew near and bowed down; and finally Joseph and Rachel drew near, and they bowed down. Esau said, “What do you mean by all this company that I met?” Jacob answered, “To find favor with my lord.” But Esau said, “I have enough, my brother; keep what you have for yourself.” Jacob said, “No, please; if I find favor with you, then accept my present from my hand, for truly to see your face is like seeing the face of God, since you have received me with such favor. Please accept my gift that is brought to you, because God has dealt graciously with me and because I have everything I want.” So he urged him, and he took it. (NRSVUE)

Reflection

The first part of this passage, Jacob wrestling with God and God injuring Jacob’s hip, was one of our readings during Lent last spring. Now we consider the part of the story where Jacob meets the brother from whom he has long been estranged. It has been long enough that Jacob now has a few wives and many children, people his brother has never met.

Worried that Esau is still angry with him, Jacob has sent herds of livestock ahead as gifts for Esau, hoping the gifts will soften Esau’s heart towards him (Genesis 32:13–21). After Jacob’s wrestling match with God, he awakens with a limp, but he has secured God’s blessing. Shown his own weakness, Jacob has no choice but to rely on his Creator.

I think Jacob is surprised at the reception he receives. Esau is pleased at his brother’s prosperity and the size of his family. He tells his long-estranged brother that he does not need gifts. He has enough.

This looks very much like the grace we receive from Christ when we seek forgiveness and redemption through him. And that forgiveness is what we are directed to extend to those in our lives who we feel have wronged us (Ephesians 4:31–32). The lesson here, it seems to me, is that we should extend the grace we have received to those who we feel have aggrieved us. The resolution to our most difficult relationship issues with other people in our lives is described in this ancient story — forgive and love that person, as God has forgiven and loved you. God has shown us the formula for repairing broken relationships. It may not be easy, but it is not complicated.

Prayer

Dear God and Creator of all, we confess our difficulty in forgiving those who have aggrieved us. Help us to follow your direction to extend the grace we have received to those in our lives who we perhaps do not believe deserve it. Show us that grace is not earned but granted. Amen.

Written by Juli Crabtree, Member of Fourth Presbyterian Church

Reflection and Prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church

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