Genesis 32:27-32 – What is your name?

In the ensuing struggle, the angel asked to be released by Jacob for the dawn was breaking. But Jacob was insistent on a blessing before he would let him go. Seeing that he could not prevail over Jacob, the angel asked “what’s your name?” The disclosure of one’s name was an exposure of one’s character, a person’s deepest identity. That question prompted Jacob to make a quick confession. With guilt he said trembling, “Jacob”, meaning a cheater or a fraud or a deceiver. For he had truly deceived Esau, his brother twice – once of his birth-right and once of his firstborn blessing. We surmised that Esau was clearly on his mind. His confession elicited a response from the angel that surpassed his wildest imagination. Truly, it was God releasing His magnanimous grace upon Jacob announcing his new name. The angel said, “Your name shall no longer be Jacob, but Israel; for you have striven with God and with men and have prevailed.”   

The new name placed emphasis on his persistence. The name Israel means “God fights” or “God strives.” It’s a pronouncement of the certain way to find victory in life’s journey. Like Jacob, any victorious experience in our spiritual journey must come through relying on the strength that God will provide. This kind of strength can only come through tarrying with God. Emboldened by his new name, Jacob asked, “Please tell me your name.” The reply he received was, “Why is it that you ask my name?” Without any further word, the angel blessed him there. The action of the angel spoke louder than his words. In releasing a blessing upon the transformed Jacob, the angel had indicated that he was indeed sent from God. And Jacob or rather Israel knew it. What a glorious blessing.

Jacob finally knew that he was wrestling with God. It was a moment of awe and wonder.  So he named the place Peniel. For he said, “I have seen God face to face, yet my life has been preserved.” In reality Jacob only caught a glimpse of the silhouette of God in the dimly lit sky, just before the breaking of dawn. God must withdraw at the break of dawn to protect him. For no man ever sees God’s face and yet live. Now with the rising of the sun came the rising of a bright hope. The light of God greeted the transformed Jacob on his journey toward Canaan. As he passed by Penuel limping, he had to take each step with pain. That did not bother him for he now had a new name. This is the paradox of Christian living – our beginning starts when we come to the end of ourselves. It is in weakness that our strength is made perfect. It is in relying that we find grace for the journey. And God had left a permanent mark on Jacob. It is seen in their tradition of not eating the sinew of the hip which is on the socket of the thigh of an animal. Just as God had relentlessly pursued Jacob with His grace, He now pursues us with that same grace. Calvary stands as a testament of His pursuit. On that cruel cross, Christ wrestled with Satan and prevailed. For He has been given a new name that is above every name. And at the name of Jesus every knee shall bow, and every tongue confess that He is Lord, to the glory of the Father!