6 July 2021

Then he said, ‘Let me go, for the day is breaking.’ But Jacob said, ‘I will not let you go, unless you bless me.’ So he said to him, ‘What is your name?’ And he said, ‘Jacob.’ Then the man said, ‘You shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel, for you have striven with God and with humans, and have prevailed.’

Genesis 32:23-33, NRSV

After a long period of time spent working for his uncle in Mesopotamia, Jacob prepared to return to Canaan. He had realised that in order to live in peace in Canaan he had first to make peace with his estranged brother Esau. Jacob knew that he had no right to expect that Esau would be ready to accept him and so he went to great lengths to pave the way by sending many gifts ahead of his arrival. Jacob then heard that Esau was sending a large group to meet him. Expecting the worst, Jacob sent his family and household off to a place of safety and prepared to spend the night alone in expectation of what was to follow. It was only when he was finally alone that God was able to fully gain his attention. God, in the form of man, initiated a physical fight with Jacob. Such was the intensity of the struggle that it lasted the whole night and continued even though Jacob sustained a dislocation of his hip. Although he was overpowered, Jacob refused to let go without the promise of receiving a blessing. Having struggled for so long to survive by his own strength, Jacob now knew that he could only rely on God. Jacob received the blessing he requested along with the new name of “Israel” which is understood to translate as “God rules”.

• • Why do you think that God chose to deal with Jacob in this way?
  • Have you ever experienced the struggle to understand or accept God’s will for your life?

Ask for God’s guidance with any problems that you or those close to you are facing.

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