Author: Tyler Eggers
'That night Jacob got up and took his two wives, his two female servants, and his eleven sons and crossed the ford of the Jabbok. After he had sent them across the stream, he sent over all his possessions. So Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him till daybreak. When the man saw that he could not overpower him, he touched the socket of Jacob’s hip so that his hip was wrenched as he wrestled with the man. Then the man said, “Let me go, for it is daybreak.” But Jacob replied, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.” So, Jacob called the place Peniel, saying, “It is because I saw God face to face, and yet my life was spared.” ' Genesis 32:22-26,30
Have you ever read this story and thought, “What in the world is going on?” We see Jacob wrestle with God, permanently injured, and then given a new name. What does all of this mean?
Well, this was the event that changed Jacob’s life forever. His entire identity was transformed because of what happened while he was in the presence of God. Before we talk about who he became, we have to understand who he was. It all starts with his name – Jacob.
Why is this significant? The name Jacob means deceiver, cheat, or grabber, and he lived up to this definition. He was known to be deceptive, manipulative, and combative. Jacob was a deeply flawed human being living in a hyper-dysfunctional family. Simply put, Jacob was far from perfect.
Can you relate? Jacob’s story is universal because it is so personal. Throughout his life, Jacob was not able to trust others - likely because he was not trustworthy himself, and it is our human nature to project our flaws onto others. He couldn’t even trust God. He was unable to trust God, not because of anything to do with God’s character, but because he himself was untrustworthy. This flaw followed him everywhere he went and it negatively shaped his life.
This all began to change when Jacob was finally broken by God and completely changed. Not only was he given a new name, but he was also given new freedom to live as God originally intended for him to live. This did not come without a cost, though. As we see, Jacob was left with an injury that required him to cling to God the rest of his earthly days. Think about that. Jacob demanded a blessing, and God blessed him with a weakness. It was that weakness that kept Jacob dependent upon God. Because of Jacob’s dependence on God, he was made into a great nation (Israel) that eventually blessed the world.
Reflection & Response:
- What weakness do you have that keeps you humble and dependent upon God? Take some time to thank Him for your weaknesses today.
- As we prepare our hearts and look to the cross in anticipation of the upcoming Easter holiday, take a few minutes to watch the "Christ Be Magnified" worship video here, meditate on the lyrics, and pray for Christ to be magnified in your life.
HAVE KIDS?
Use the content below to dive deeper into the Bible Reading Plan with your family.
Family Application: He is always trustworthy!
- Jacob is on a journey again. He is moving all of his family to a new place. In the middle of moving, Jacob has an encounter with God. Jacob spends time with God and asks God to bless him. God blesses Jacob with a way to help Jacob trust God more.
- God is always trustworthy. He wants to be with you. God wants you to trust Him and to know Him. Take a moment to encourage your family. Tell them that the same God who made the entire world wants to be with you and is trustworthy.
- God has a plan that we can trust. Part of God’s plan is for people to know, love, and follow Him. One way we can be a part of God’s plan is to give to others. Get a special treat and share it with someone else. Help your family with this by letting each person pick out a treat for themselves and a treat to give to someone else.
- Prayer: Father, thank You for always being trustworthy. Lord, I love you and I want everyone to know, love, and follow you. God, put one person in my life who I can share your love with and give a gift to express this love. Amen.