An “angel” came to Jacob after he realized how much he needed God. Jacob eventually called this angel “God.” All night long, he fought with this angel. He had been fighting all his life, fighting his own will and methods against God’s will and ways. That wrestling match didn’t have a winner. God kept blessing him, but not as much as he could have if he had let God win. Jacob had never given up or walked away from wrestling, though. This is what the people in this text are talking about.
Back then, a name spoke a lot about a person. It seemed like it was your fate to live up to its significance. God changed Jacob’s name to show that he was a new person because he had reached this point in his life. Jacob might signify “laughter” or “deceiver.” His new name suggested that he was surviving with God. In other words, he hadn’t given up; he was still letting God be a cause of conflict and development in his life.
Jesus affects your future when you let him as your Lord and Savior. You also become an overcomer as you fight with Him through life. You become dependent on Him as He wins more and more fights against your will. You find out that God’s plans and ways are better for you than what you want for yourself.
God asks us, “What is your name?” to help us recognize who we are and where we are going. Then He alters our names and our fates. God hurt Jacob’s hip to make him more dependent and emphasize the lesson.
Encouragement: Has God given you a disability that makes it hard for you to do things? Keep on with God, over-comer. He has fantastic things in store for you. Learn to trust Him only.
