Name Change

Name Change

Genesis 32: ²² And he arose that night and took his two wives, his two female servants, and his eleven sons, and crossed over the ford of Jabbok. ²³ He took them, sent them over the brook, and sent over what he had. ²⁴ Then Jacob was left alone; and a Man wrestled with him until the breaking of day. ²⁵ Now when He saw that He did not prevail against him, He touched the socket of his hip; and the socket of Jacob’s hip was out of joint as He wrestled with him. ²⁶ And He said, “Let Me go, for the day breaks.”

But he said, “I will not let You go unless You bless me!”

²⁷ So He said to him, “What is your name?”

He said, “Jacob.”

²⁸ And He said, “Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but  Israel; for you have struggled with God and with men, and have prevailed.”

²⁹ Then Jacob asked, saying, “Tell me Your name, I pray.”

And He said, “Why is it that you ask about My name?” And He blessed him there.

³⁰ So Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: “For I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved.” ³¹ Just as he crossed over Penuel the sun rose on him, and he limped on his hip. ³² Therefore to this day the children of Israel do not eat the muscle that shrank, which is on the hip socket, because He touched the socket of Jacob’s hip in the muscle that shrank.

 

 

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After staging everything, Jacob sent his wives over the brook and remained alone. A MAN wrestled with him until daybreak. HE touched Jacob’s hip and shrunk the muscle. HE then renamed Jacob to Israel.

 

My Observations:

• Jacob did not win the wrestling match because he got his leg injured, however, he did win a victory with his struggles with GOD.
• Jacob had finally changed for the LORD during this difficult situation.
• Jacob expected Esau or one of Esau’s men to attack him and he fought for his life.

 

Ready for an attack, Jacob stayed up nervously looking for Esau. When a MAN, I believe was JESUS, came to attack, Jacob was ready. JESUS allowed Jacob to wrestle with HIM all night. HE could have touched Jacob’s hip at the beginning of the wrestling match, BUT HE waited.

 

I believe Jacob needed this struggle as preparation. He needed to hear the words “you have prevailed.” JESUS changed Jacob’s name from deceiver to “Prince with GOD.” Jacob had prevailed over his own deceiving ways and was now ready to lead. His leg would never be the same. He was now totally dependent on GOD and could not run away. GOD made him new.

 

Challenge

• Why do you think GOD told Moses about the wrestling match HE had with Jacob?
• Have you ever struggled with GOD or HIS ways?
• Have you wrestled with GOD yet, so HE can repurpose your life?