Wednesday, October 15, 2008
What's Your Name, Boy?
I think it's interesting that Jacob wrestled the angel and the angel could not overpower him (Gen. 32:25). I know that physically Jacob could not have been a match for the super-being. So could it be that the angel could not overpower the will of Jacob? Maybe this wrestling match was a culmination of Jacob's lifetime of wrestling with God and men, and even the most deadly opponent ... himself! It is here that Jacob's name (character) is changed. He is no longer going to be called Jacob ("supplanter"), but now will be called Israel ("he strives with God"). I get the idea that Jacob's victory of self was due in part to his refusal to give up the fight ("for you have striven with God and with men, and have prevailed"). He told the angel, "I won't let you go until you bless me." Maybe more of us should refuse to let go of God in the middle of repeated failures and discouragements until he blesses us with victory. I wonder what my new name will be?
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Great post Bronk! There are a few times (if I can recall) in the Bible that references triumphing over oneself. For instance, take the verse John 3:30, "He must become greater; I must become less." Maybe that means different things to different people, but personally it has always been a verse to remind me that I must triumph over my own personal desires and fully submit to His.
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