Peniel

Peniel

The Angel of the Lord is down by the river.
Also there, the candidates –
The would-be men and women of God,
Contesting for the blessing.

Look not for the one who returns
With church bell voice
That pierces to your gut.
Nor the one with shining face
That makes you feel faint.

Look, look for the one who limps,
For there is no other way to return
From wresting with God.

CurtMortimer

Jacob is the original wrestler with God. Just before the wrestling at Peniel, Jacob had been at Bethel. There he saw a vision of a ladder ascending up into heaven. The angel declared an all inclusive promise to him there. Jacob was a grasping personality. If there was a blessing to be had, he was going to have it. Thus here at Peniel he wasn't going to let the heavenly messenger go until he blessed him. In the poem, I was thinking of young men and women in seminary or in bible school. In reality it applies to anyone who wants God's blessing in their life.