Israel not just a nation, but people
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Faith Fitness
Bro. Sam Kaufman
Israel is not just a nation, but a people. The Old Testament reveals Israel’s beginning.
Some people don’t realize Israel was a man from whom the 12 tribes of Israel came forth. Israel was Abraham’s grandson.
Isaac’s wife, Rebekah, gave birth to twins – Esau and Jacob. One was born as a hairy little baby and the other was a supplanter.
Jacob was the supplanter, or one who takes over or takes the place of someone else. God knew it would be that way from the twins’ birth.
Esau was grievous to his parents when he took a wife outside of the Jewish bloodline.
Jacob tricked Esau – the older son – into gaining the birthright and blessing from their father, Isaac.
Esau was especially livid about Jacob stealing his blessing. In fact, he wanted to do his brother harm. Jacob then fled to his uncle’s home, where he worked and married.
Then came the time for reckoning so to speak, when Jacob returned home at the Lord’s command.
How would Esau react?
On his trip home, Jacob was left alone the night before he saw Esau. That’s when the wrestling match occurred!
It was a defining moment in Jacob’s life – the time he was changed from his former ways as a supplanter to a man who diligently sought God. A transformation took place in Jacob’s life, which also resulted in a change of name to Israel.
Jacob was determined to get what he needed from God that night.
The account is found in Genesis 32:24-30: “And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day. And when he saw that he prevailed not against him, he touched the hollow of his thigh; and the hollow of Jacob’s thigh was out of joint, as he wrestled with him. And he said, Let me go, for the day breaketh. And he said, I will not let thee go, except thou bless me.”
Let’s briefly stop there in verse 26 for a moment.
In this instance, Jacob would not be denied. He knew he needed God’s blessing and he simply wouldn’t take no for an answer. When we become that diligent in our efforts to seek God, we will find Him.
Wrestling all night is no easy task. Jacob surely was exhausted, but his need was great. He was serious about receiving from God. It was a game changer in his life, so to speak.
In resuming with the scriptures, verse 27 states, “And he said unto him, What is thy name? And he said, Jacob. And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed. And Jacob asked him, and said, tell me, I pray thee, thy name. And he said, Wherefore is it that thou dost ask after my name? And he blessed him there. And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: for I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved.”
Surely, after that encounter, Israel was ready to meet his brother. God gave Israel favor with Esau.
“And Esau ran to meet him, and embraced him, and fell on his neck, and kissed him: and they wept.” – Genesis 33:6
