JACOB'S LIMP

JACOB’S LIMP

“Boys, tomorrow you get to meet your grandfather, my dad!  I have not seen him in years, since before you two were even born.  Aren’t you excited?!”

“Father, we are not like them.  You have told us stories about their being shepherds.  Will they smell like animals?  Will they talk like the strange words you have taught us from your past?  Will they dress like sheep-herders?! …”

“Boys, I have not seen him, for years; but, you will love him.  His name is Jacob, but call him ‘Is-ra-el’, which means ‘Prince of God’!  He is surely now only older and wiser!  He loved me so … and he will love you too!  Now, go to bed and say your prayers!”

“Get up boys!  Today is the day!  We will go out to meet their caravan; my whole family is nearly here!”

“Ephraim, why is dad running on ahead of us?”

“I do not know, Manasseh; but, look now?!  That must be his father, Jacob.  They are hugging and kissing and wailing and crying …?!  I have never seen our dad, the governor, act like this?!  It is nearly embarrassing!

“Ephraim, do you smell them?”

“And, who are these two fine boys?  They remind me of little Joseph and Benjamin!”

“Father, these are your grandsons, Manasseh and Ephraim.  You shall have to get to know them better after you rest from your trip…”

“Mama, we met dad’s father today.  What do you think about them?  The old man smells; and, he does not shave.  And, he walks funny, with a limp?  And dad wants us to call him ‘Is-ra-el’.  He said it means ‘prince of god’?!  he sure does not look nor act like your dad, the high priest of Rah?!”

“Boys, we believe in El Shaddai, God Almighty, God Most High!  Your dad’s great-grandfather, Abraham, talked with Him!  Your dad has told you many stories.  But, he has not told you of the limp, nor the nickname, ‘Israel’.  Tomorrow, you shall ask him about these things!”

“Well, boys, yesterday was a big day.  Many things will change for us!  This is your family!  It will be a struggle; but, now you can live the stories, not just listen to them!”

“Dad, mom said that we should ask you about your dad’s name and his limp…”

“She did?!  She always smiled when I retold her that story … sons, basically, the story is this – often we learn best from what hurts us the most!  Many things in life will hurt us; but, they will teach us, bot only if we really listen, instead of cussing and fussing.”

“But, dad, what has that got to do with grandfather limping?!  And, his other name, ‘Is-ra-el’…?”

“O.K. boys – we must wrestle with God, but we will always win, only by losing!  Is that any clearer?!  Life’s defeats will be our greatest victories.  Slavery will produce deliverance.  Your grandfather wrestled with God’s angel, and lost, lost his use of a good leg, but gained a good name, ‘Prince of God”!  We, too, must wrestle with God.  When you see your grandfather limping, remember him wrestling with God … I know that He has had me in a few headlocks!”