2016, October 16 ~ Genesis 32:22-31 & 2 Timothy 3:14-4:5
Genesis 32: 22-31
The background to today’s reading includes Jacob’s supplanting his older brother, Esau, by tricking Isaac into giving him the blessing that properly belonged to Esau. Many years passed, and Jacob was very wealthy. He learned that Esau was coming to meet him with an army of 400 men. To protect his wealth, he divided his herds into two parts (so one part could escape if necessary), prayed to Yahweh, and sent gifts to Esau. In today’s reading, on the night before he expected to meet Esau, Jacob wrestled with a “man” all through the night. The angel/man/God changed Jacob’s name from Jacob (“supplanter”) to Israel (“one who strives with God”). Reflecting the antiquity of the story, the divine being vanished before sunrise.
In ancient Israel, “naming” something gave a person control over what was named. For this reason, the divine being did not respond to Jacob’s question, “Please tell me your name” (v. 29). At the end of the story, Jacob changed the name of the place to Peniel (“face of El”) because he had seen God face to face. In Hebrew, words ending in “el” are “God Words.” “El” was one of the oldest names for God in the Middle East. Examples include Gabriel, Daniel, Rachel, Temple Beth-el, Israel, and the like.
2 Timothy 3:14-4:5
The Letters to Timothy and Titus are called “Pastoral Letters” because they concern the internal life, governance and behavior of the early Christian churches and their members. Most scholars agree they were written in the early Second Century in Paul’s name by some of his followers (Paul died in 64 CE). Writing something in someone else’s name was a common practice in the First and Second Centuries. By the Second Century, the Jesus Follower Community was more institutionalized and concerns about “heresy” had arisen.
2 Timothy is more personal than 1 Timothy. In today’s reading, the author, writing as Paul, continued to urge Timothy to be firm in his faith and to recognize that Scripture is inspired by God. Emphasizing the dangers of false belief, he urged Timothy to continue his ministry.