Pastor Gary's OYB Devotion Archive for January 16

“Your name will no longer be Jacob,” the man told him. “From now on you will be called Israel, because you have fought with God and with men and have won.” – Genesis 32:28

From: January 16, 2014

After a sleepless night wrestling with God, Jacob begins a new day with a new name and a limp. “Jacob,” which means grasping the heel or pulling the leg, got his own leg pulled out of joint. Henceforth, he will be called “Israel,” and his 12 sons will become the 12 tribes.

“Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel, for you have striven with God and with men, and have prevailed” (Genesis 32:28)

From: January 16, 2013

Jacob got a new name after wrestling all night with God. Instead of the name “Jacob,” a name that came from his grasping his twin brother Esau’s heel at birth, (Perhaps we get the phrase “you’re pulling my leg” from this), his name became “Israel,” one who prevailed with God. God gave Jacob a new identity. He went from being the schemer to the spiritual founder of the 12 tribes of Israel. Along with his new name, God caused him to walk with a limp for the rest of his life. Ironically, God pulled Jacob’s leg until it popped out of joint. From that day forward, Jacob began to learn to lean on God rather than his own scheming.

“But Jacob said, ‘I will not let you go unless you bless me'” (Genesis 32:26)

From: January 16, 2012

Jacob spends a dark night of the soul wrestling with God. God changes his name from Jacob (pulling my leg/deceiver) to Israel (wrestled with God). Jacob walks with a limp the rest of his life, but he has a new identity from God. Have you ever experienced a dark night of the soul, wrestling with God?

“Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with men and have overcome” (Genesis 32:28)

From: January 16, 2011

God is still offering name/identity changes to those who seek Him. What’s your name?