My Name is Jacob

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.” The man asked him, “What is your name?” “Jacob,” he answered.

Genesis 32:24-27

Jacob was a man who masterfully worked nearly every situation to his advantage. Very early on, Jacob stole his brother Esau’s birthright by pretending to be his brother. When working for his future father-in-law, he manipulated the livestock so as to take the best for himself. Later on, in an encounter with his brother, Jacob attempts to shower Esau with gifts so as to pacify his anger. Jacob used deception with skill until he wrestled with God.

After this all night wrestling match, Jacob asks for a blessing. It is important to note that when Jacob took his brother’s blessing, he lied about who he was. He pretended to be someone he was not to receive a benefit.  In this particular situation; we learn that the man he wrestled with was God. So why would God ask Jacob what his name was? Did God somehow forget his name? No. God invited Jacob to be truthful before receiving the blessing when previously he had not been. God desires integrated men who are the men they claim to be. For all of us, the goal should be consistency both internally and externally.

DO THIS TODAY: Start pursuing uniformity in both thought and action.