ABC of Places in the Holy Land

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Permalink Reply by Reginald Jay Townes on October 4, 2009 at 6:25am

Peniel--A place near the Jabbok River where Jacob wrestled with God. Then God changed Jacob's name to Israel ( Genesis 32.22-32).

I'm sorry, but I just have to elaborate on this story. It is one of my favorites. Before God blesses us, he always requires some action on our part. God has the ability and the desire to give us all the blessings he promised--health, happiness, longevity, love, abundant prosperity (Deut. 28). Not only can he change our circumstances, but he can make us new people. Like Jacob, he can change our name; but often we have to wrestle with him.

"Jacob got up in the middle night and took his wives, children, and everything he owned to the other side of the Jabbok River for safety. Afterwards, Jacob went back across and spent the rest of the night alone. A man came and fought with Jacob until just before daybreak. When the man saw that he could not win, he struck Jacob on the hip and threw it out of joint. They kept on wrestling until the man said, 'Let go of me! Its almost daylight.' 'You can't go until you bless me.' Jacob replied. Then the man asked, 'What is your name?' 'Jacob,' he answered. The man said, ' your name will no longer be Jacob. You have wrestled with God and with men, and you have won'.....Jacob said, 'Now tell me your name.' 'Don't you know who I AM? he asked. Jacob said, 'I have seen God face to face, and I am still alive.' So he named the place Peniel. The sun was coming up as Jacob was leaving Peniel."

Sometimes faith involves wrestling with God in the middle of the night. I know that all too well. Sometimes that broken marriage, that rebellious child, that sick mother, that financial crisis, that uncertain future needs to be brought to God in the middle of the night. Sometimes we have to be aggressive and call God on his promises. We need to grab him and not let go until we get a break- through, until he blesses us. He's there! He will certainly meet you where you are. In our darkest hour we can't let go! Even when it seems that God resists.

Jacob reminds me of myself. I just refuse to let go of God! I refuse to walk away empty! I want my blessing! I call him on his promises! I know he will keep his word, even if it takes all night. And if like Jacob, he strikes my hip and I am unable to stand, greater glory will I give him. If I can no longer stand, I will stay on my knees until he answers me with his blessings. Like the Psalmist said, " Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning."

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Permalink Reply by Lynda Keen on October 4, 2009 at 9:03am

Don't be sorry, be happy. The aim of the game is to stimulate ideas about God, which is exactly what it just did.
We could have had Philistia (Palestine), too, for P; a place that makes us think of man wrestling with man rather than man wrestling with God, sadly both thousands of years ago and still today.
Q - Quarantania, the hillside where Jesus stayed for 40 days and was tempted by Satan (and from which we get the word quarantine). It's a desolate spot, high above the road from Jerusalem to Jericho in the middle of scrubby desert.
Here's a link to the poem by Longfellow about the temptation of Christ that took place there.
http://www.farid-hajji.net/books/en/Longfellow_Henry_Wadsworth/cpw-...

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Permalink Reply by Lynda Keen on November 22, 2009 at 12:54pm

Red Sea, River Jordan

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