Luke 18:1-8a

October 21, 2007

Twenty-first Sunday after Pentecost

Trinity Episcopal, Seattle

The Rev. Paul Collins, Rector

Today in our Gospel, Jesus tells his disciples that they are "to pray always and not to lose heart."  God will grant justice to his chosen ones.

In our first lesson, taken from the Old Testament book of Genesis, we can see this promise is lived out.  But we must begin at the beginning.

Jacob and Esau were twin brothers, born to Rebekah and Isaac (son of Abraham).  Esau, who came out first, was a simple man, a skilled hunter, and it is said, very hairy, with reddish hair.  Jacob was the clever one, always getting over on his brother and looking out for his own advantage.  His mother liked him better, while his father Isaac preferred Esau.

Because Esau had been born first, he was to inherit everything.  However, just at the right moment, Jacob covers himself with lambskin to seem hairy, and convinces his blind and confused father that he is his brother Esau.  He receives his father's blessing by trickery and cunning.  Once given, this blessing cannot be taken back.  Esau is understandably enraged and promises to kill Jacob.

Soon after this, Jacob, not being a fool, leaves town very suddenly for foreign parts.  His plans have blown up in his face.  He is in disgrace and his life is still in danger.  In the depths of his depression, he retreats into the desert. 

While sleeping on a rock, he has one of the greatest visions of heaven in the Old Testament:  the vision of Jacob's Ladder going up to heaven with the Angels of God going up and down on it.

Thus revived and fortified and inspired, he goes forth and makes his fortune by the use of his hard work and cleverness, and by his devotion to Rachael, the woman who would become his wife.

Now having wealth and wife and children, he decides to return to his own home and buy off Esau with part of his great fortune.  Surely Esau will greet him kindly.

So it comes as a great shock to learn that Esau is coming to meet him with 400 men.  This is not good news.

Jacob, quite shocked, retreats once again into the desert, splitting up his followers so some few might be saved from death and slavery.

Once again in despair, Jacob wrestles all night long with an unknown man who is perhaps an Angel or even a Demon.  Jacob will not let him go until he blesses Jacob.

Jacob, the one who had won everything the easy way by being clever and cunning, stays the course and does not give in to taking any shortcuts.  During this terrible night, Jacob finally grows up and becomes an adult.  He is no longer tricking his way to victory.  He is learning to "pray" in a deeper way.  Because he does not give up or try to get over on the stranger, he is both blessed-but also crippled in the fight to remind him of his past.  When he goes now to meet Esau, Esau can see how much Jacob has changed, and all is forgiven.  Both Esau and Jacob now finally rejoice and receive the justice from God that they both prayed for.

God brings justice but sometimes we must grow up in order to receive it.  Out of Jacob comes the entire people of Israel.