So how certain did Jacob wrestle with a pre-incarnate Jesus? My bible cheater notes don’t say and I am too lazy to look it up otherwise at this moment in time :-) well, I am also supposed to be working 😖
Our crew had an interesting conversation about this last night. For sure Jacob was wrestling with a supernatural being - the name he gave the place reflects that. But the word that is often translated "God" - אֵל / el - means "mighty one". (Peniel means "face of the mighty one")...
...and yet Jacob went on to say that he saw "God" face-to-face. That particular time, the word for "God" was אֱלֹהִים֙ / elohim, the *plural* form of "mighty one". It can refer to more than one "mighty one" - like...angels. It can also be translated "mighty one of mighty ones" - the God of gods. ...and since there only seemed to be two of them there, my guess is that the English translation of the Hebrew is pretty spot on: Jacob got up close and personal with the Maker of Heaven and Earth, The Almighty, God Himself...
...and here's yet another example of The Most High engaging personally - in person - with people who are obviously not perfect or holy or sinless. More evidence that God *can* have sinful men in his presence. And more evidence of the grace and kindness of our God. He's not nearly as unapproachable, or disengaged, or disinterested as we might tell ourselves or each other. - jeffrey
Hey I maybe figgered something out! You know how other ancient civilizations all seem to have some version of a flood story and creation story? That’s because they all read Genesis in January and lapsed on the rest. Nah, I guess they didn’t have the Mosaic writings (or our calendar) at that point but it seemed like I was onto something. Lol.
Hahaha, it really is something to realize what these people went through. Some pretty extraordinary experiences and decisions...and I suppose the other 99.8% of their unrecorded lives was mundane. Sheparding, dealing with multiple wives, lots of kids (although Jeff might think it's a normal amount)... I guess I've said it before but it's really impacting me to think that although we're inundated with the mundane/urgent these extraordinary historical events were all spurred in men who were listening for God in the midst of that.
I totally agree. His instructions to us seem...mundane, from a certain point of view. But when we realize who he is, who we are, what we are made for, it may begin to seem less "mundane" and more "simple" or "easy" - in a way. We still have to show up and do the things every day, being faithful to live according to the instructions. But we have a Father who loves to work with us and for us, and loves to teach us how to do and to be. And that's after he saved us out of all the mess our life was before - something I'm sure Jacob was grateful for, even as he limped along for the rest of his days. - jeffrey
So how certain did Jacob wrestle with a pre-incarnate Jesus? My bible cheater notes don’t say and I am too lazy to look it up otherwise at this moment in time :-) well, I am also supposed to be working 😖
ReplyDeleteOur crew had an interesting conversation about this last night. For sure Jacob was wrestling with a supernatural being - the name he gave the place reflects that. But the word that is often translated "God" - אֵל / el - means "mighty one". (Peniel means "face of the mighty one")...
Delete...and yet Jacob went on to say that he saw "God" face-to-face. That particular time, the word for "God" was אֱלֹהִים֙ / elohim, the *plural* form of "mighty one". It can refer to more than one "mighty one" - like...angels. It can also be translated "mighty one of mighty ones" - the God of gods.
Delete...and since there only seemed to be two of them there, my guess is that the English translation of the Hebrew is pretty spot on: Jacob got up close and personal with the Maker of Heaven and Earth, The Almighty, God Himself...
...and here's yet another example of The Most High engaging personally - in person - with people who are obviously not perfect or holy or sinless. More evidence that God *can* have sinful men in his presence. And more evidence of the grace and kindness of our God. He's not nearly as unapproachable, or disengaged, or disinterested as we might tell ourselves or each other.
Delete- jeffrey
Hey I maybe figgered something out! You know how other ancient civilizations all seem to have some version of a flood story and creation story? That’s because they all read Genesis in January and lapsed on the rest. Nah, I guess they didn’t have the Mosaic writings (or our calendar) at that point but it seemed like I was onto something. Lol.
ReplyDeleteHahaha, it really is something to realize what these people went through. Some pretty extraordinary experiences and decisions...and I suppose the other 99.8% of their unrecorded lives was mundane. Sheparding, dealing with multiple wives, lots of kids (although Jeff might think it's a normal amount)... I guess I've said it before but it's really impacting me to think that although we're inundated with the mundane/urgent these extraordinary historical events were all spurred in men who were listening for God in the midst of that.
ReplyDelete-Daniel in the PST
I totally agree. His instructions to us seem...mundane, from a certain point of view. But when we realize who he is, who we are, what we are made for, it may begin to seem less "mundane" and more "simple" or "easy" - in a way. We still have to show up and do the things every day, being faithful to live according to the instructions. But we have a Father who loves to work with us and for us, and loves to teach us how to do and to be. And that's after he saved us out of all the mess our life was before - something I'm sure Jacob was grateful for, even as he limped along for the rest of his days.
Delete- jeffrey