Recently, I read about the life of Jacob and walked away with a greater understanding of the workings of God. One of the most intriguing and insightful passages of Scripture is discovered in Genesis chapter 32. Jacob meets a man in Genesis 32:24 who “…wrestled with him until daybreak.”

We know from the Word of God and teachings that this man was an angel of God. In the encounter, Jacob refused to let the man go without receiving a blessing from him. “I will not let thee go, except thou bless me!” exclaims Jacob (see Genesis 32:26). The angel agrees to his request and issues a blessing to Jacob.

What comes to mind when you hear the word “blessing”? For many, material items such as a house, a new vehicle, new job, or money may be the first thoughts that appear in one's mind. For some, the imagery of a priest pronouncing over them a few “holy” words in Greek or Latin may come to mind. But for Jacob, the blessing he received was something greater. It is the same blessing that Father God desires to give us.

A New Name

Let's examine the blessing that the angel of God released to Jacob. Genesis 32:28, “And he said, ‘Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel…'” Jacob meant “swindler” but this new name, “Israel,” meant “prince.” 

The name was not as important as what it represented. God was signifying to Jacob by this angel that God recognized the transformation of character and maturity that had taken place in Jacob's life.

Jacob may be described as self-centered, deceitful, and a con-man when he was a young man. However, in Genesis 32 we find Jacob now older—a mature man possessing the qualities of integrity, godly character, and faithfulness to God.

The angel's blessing for Jacob was a profound symbolic statement. It represented a right of passage and moment of demarcation in Jacob's life. The name change was God's way of saying that He was washing away Jacob's old identity and the stigma attached to it.

Many of us have lived past lives of sin, wrong doing, bad decision making, and past behaviors that brought shame and guilt. God is the author of faith. Satan will often try to exploit our past to bring condemnation upon us.

Thanks be to God that Jesus has already done greater for us than the angel did for Jacob! Colossians 2:14, “Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to His Cross…”

In Biblical and ancient times a name represented one's identity. God had already blessed Jacob with wives, children, cattle, wealth, and servants. Genesis 30:43, “And the man increased exceedingly, and had much cattle, and maidservants, and menservants, and camels, and asses.” However, I'm sure he still struggled with knowing his past misdeeds and bad reputation.

There are many individuals who have academic degrees, professional achievements, wealth, and an abundance of material goods, but still feel that something is missing in their souls.

Many celebrities and entertainers who are famous and wealthy have still expressed feeling “empty.” The greatest blessings that satisfy one's soul, the inner you, can only come from God.

Romans 14:17, “For the Kingdom of God is not eating and drinking; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.”

Double Restoration

God's greater blessing was to identify the great internal work that had been done in Jacob's heart and soul over many years. Jacob had suffered wrong doing from a relative and employer, being cheated himself, and experiencing hardships. In addition, Jacob became a fugitive on the run from his own brother. He would have suffered from being alienated from his immediate family. God used all of these experiences to mold, create, and transform him into a new person.

Romans 8:28, “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.”

Jacob is a testimony of God's ability to change a man's character and inner nature. Also, it is a powerful story of restoration. God blessed Jacob with two powerful restorations. I believe these are two blessings He desires for all of the children of the Kingdom of God.

In chapter 32 of Genesis, Jacob encounters the angel who pronounces a new name for him. The first blessing was a restorative act for Jacob's wounded soul. Psalms 23:3, “He restoreth my soul…” The second restorative act happens in the following chapter, Genesis 33. Jacob is reunited with his brother Esau who forgives him of swindling him out of his birthright and blessing.

God desires to reward our faithfulness to Him and faith toward Him with a two-fold restoration. First, the liberation of our souls from any soul wounds, trauma, or mental bruising. Second, the transfer our family into the same blessings of God that we enjoy.

For many, this means firstly that God desires to restore broken family relationships. Acts 16:31, “And they said, ‘Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, thou and thy house.'”

God's plan of redemption is a family plan.

Lessons Learned

Oftentimes we focus too much on external blessings and overlook the internal blessing of a change of heart and divine nature that God wants to work in us. Many of us have been guilty of placing too much focus and wasted too much energy on circumstances or people that affect our lives. Although we should pray to God about these things.

God's real focus is YOU. He is trying to change our hearts and natures to be more like His. Harboring unforgiveness, bitterness, resentment, estranged family relationships, pride, arrogance, lack of humility, sin, deception, unfaithfulness, and other forms of iniquities in one's heart and life are signs that God still greatly needs to do a heart and identity change in one's life.

God appears to Jacob again in Genesis 35:10: “And God said unto him…'Thy name shall not be called any more Jacob, but Israel shall be thy name': and he called his name Israel (PRINCE).” (emphasis mine).

Oftentimes, even once God has changed us, old mindsets, habits, environments, or people try to pull us back into our old nature. God will often orchestrate circumstances to reinforce who we have become in Him and advance us further along on our spiritual journey.

The Holy Spirit will help us as we walk into our new identities in Christ and lead us into a restoration of our own souls and families.

John 14:16-17, “And I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you for ever; even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth Him not, neither knoweth Him: but ye know Him; for He dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.”

Let's Pray:

Father God, I stand on the promise of Your Word found in Psalms 23 that You “restoreth my soul” and “leadeth me in the paths of righteousness.”

Lord, I repent of any actions I may have taken that opened doors in my life to the enemy. I thank You for the sacrifice of Your Son, Jesus Christ. I thank You that every declaration of the enemy written against me is invalid because it's been nailed to Calvary's Cross. Because of this, I denounce condemnation, guilt, and shame.

In place of shame I decree I shall have double honor according to Isaiah 61:7.

Father, I thank You that Heaven is divinely orchestrating situations and circumstances for the salvation of my family and loved ones. In Jesus name, I speak that every broken family relationship is being repaired by the love of God. I ask that a spirit of forgiveness and meekness be poured out upon my immediate and extended family.

Father, cause all of us to walk in the identities that You have ordained for us to walk in and fulfill your will in the earth.

In Jesus' mighty name I thank You, Father, for receiving my prayer.

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