God as willing provider or wrestler? (Proper A13)

This week we have two images of God that in themselves require some wrestling.

Jacob wrestles with a man all night. The man turns out to be God, the theophanie himself. He wrestles to receive his blessing, like his struggle years ago with the brother he was going to see the next day.

The psalmist invites God to visit him by night, to test him, and allow him to behold God's righteousness.

Paul wrestled in his heart over his people-the people who were given the promise and blessing through Jacob and the patriarchs. Would God be true to them, or would they be replaced by a new Israel?

These men are thirsty and hungry, they long for the filling. The longing in itself is a blessing- a beautiful grace. But where is the feeding so freely given in the Gospel?