DAILY READING
REFLECTION
New Name
by Mary Alice McGinnis
Jacob and Esau were twins. While they were still in the womb, they wrestled with each other. And even while being born, they wrestled with who would be born first. First Jacob, then Esau.
As Esau was being born first, the infant Jacob grabbed Esau’s heel and was born second. That is why he was named Jacob. In Hebrew, it means heel grabber.
Heel grabber can also mean supplanter or one who trips up. As their life as siblings played out, Jacob lived more and more into his name. Remember how he tripped Esau up by stealing his birthright?
Today's reading picks up their story. Jacob, the one who trips ups, has spent 20 years in the land of his Uncle Laban. God sends a host of angels to Jacob to tells him to return to his homeland and face Esau.
First Jacob devises a plan to try to appease his brother. But knowing he had wronged Esau leaves him restless, afraid and full of guilt. He turns to God in heart wrenching prayer. “Save me, I pray, from the hand of my brother Esau, for I am afraid he will come and attack me, and also the mothers with their children. But you have said, ‘I will surely make you prosper and will make your descendants like the sand of the sea, which cannot be counted.’ ”
After sending his family ahead across the stream, Jacob is now left alone. God chose to come into human form and wrestle with Jacob. It was ALL initiated by God. They wrestled all through the night. Jacob just did not want to give up.
When have you found yourself all alone wrestling with God?
God could have overpowered Jacob at any time. But instead, God simply touched his hip and put it out of joint. Finally, Jacob surrenders and instead clings to God. “I will not let you go unless you bless me.”
When have you come to the end of your own strength only to realize that YOU NEED GOD?
God does something amazing. He changes his name and his identity from Jacob – “ heel grabber," or "one who trips up” to Israel.
The name Israel comes from two root words.
The first is “Sara”, which means “to contend with, to have power, to persist, or to rule.”
The second is “El” – which is a name for God.
One commentator suggests that God is the subject in this name instead of the object.
Israel likely means "God contents" or "God rules." Isn't that beautiful?
God intentionally wrestles with, trips up, and allows Jacob to surrender to His rule and authority. He shows Jacob that all his scheming and trickery are fruitless. He lovingly shows Jacob that He is in control. He answers Jacob’s prayer to become the blessing God had promised he would be.
Where is God calling you to give up your own strength and control and surrender to the rule of the One who came to earth to save you? Where is He asking you to give up your old identity and embrace who He says you are - His beloved child and part of His forever family?
PRAYER
Jesus, thank You for coming to earth to rescue me. Help me to give up my wrestling and surrender to Your loving reign over my life. Thank you for giving me a new name and new identity as your beloved child and an heir in Your forever family.
Worship God through this song today: Hello, My Name Is - By Matthew West
