Israel -- the God wrestler

In American culture, our names usually don't have specific meanings. We may be named after someone special, but usually our parents just give us names that sound good to them. In Eastern cultures, however, and especially in the Bible, names usually described a person's character, or significant events in the lives of the parents. So, I can only imagine the difficulty poor Jacob had in grade school, with a name that meant "cheater" or "manipulator". (that makes scary-Terri sound much better!)

In my devotional last evening, I read how Jacob's name was changed to Israel, or "God-wrestler". Jacob wrestled all night with the Lord (or more likely an angel, though we aren't told for sure). He would not let the man go until he received the blessing he was seeking. The angel blessed him, and his name was changed from that point on.

His descendents became a mighty nation, as promised to his grandfather, Abraham. The nation took on his name: Israel, God-wrestler. The rest of the Bible goes on to document the nation's struggles with God, their "wrestling" if you will, as they would follow God, then turn from Him, then suffer the consequences, then turn back to Him, over and over again.

In the New Testament, followers of Jesus Christ are told that they become children of Abraham and heirs according to the promise, by our faith. We become a sort of "spiritual Israel". How significant, as our whole journey in life consists of wrestling with God. Who is He? Why am I here? What is God's purpose for my life? We wrestle to follow God, we wrestle to give up our pride and selfishness as we learn to be disciples of Christ. And, just as Jacob limped away from the experience scarred, we, too, get lumps and bumps through the process. And, just as Jacob did, we find that the blessings of God are worth whatever the cost!