From Jacob to Israel

Genesis 32:24-32, NIV
“24 So Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him till daybreak. 25 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. 26 Then the man said, ‘Let me go, for it is daybreak.’ But Jacob replied, ‘I will not let you go unless you bless me.’ 27 The man asked him, ‘What is your name?’ ‘Jacob,’ he answered. 28 Then the man said, ‘Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with men and have overcome.’ 29 Jacob said, ‘Please tell me your name.’ But he replied, ‘Why do you ask my name?’ Then he blessed him there. 30 So Jacob called the place Peniel, saying, ‘It is because I saw God face to face, and yet my life was spared.’ 31 The sun rose above him as he passed Peniel, and he was limping because of his hip. 32 Therefore to this day the Israelites do not eat the tendon attached to the socket of the hip, because the socket of Jacob's hip was touched near the tendon.”

Introduction: Self-brokenness is what brings about a change from a human-centered life to a God-centered life. All people who are used by God have gone through this change.?


1. Jacob and his family return home.
1) God miraculously blessed Jacob, and he became very wealthy (Ge 32:10).
2) Jacob heard the news at the ford of the Jabbok that his brother and 400 men
　　were coming to meet him (Ge 32:6-7).
3) Jacob's fear and scheme.
① He sent gifts to his brother (Ge 32:20).
② He sent his family ahead of him (Ge 32:22-23).
③ In the worst-case scenario, he was going to run away (Ge 32:11).


2. Jacob wrestled with God.
1) The command of God?cross the Jabbok River and join your family.
2) The resistance of Jacob?until daybreak (Ge 32:24).


3. The scene of Jacob’s brokenness.
1) God touched the socket of Jacob's hip (Ge 32:25).
2) Jacob’s human plans had collapsed.
3) There is no hope without the blessing of God.
4) He let go of self, and held on to God for blessing (Ge 32:26).


4. The changed Jacob.
1) What is your name: Jacob → Israel (Ge 32:27-28).
2) He who surrenders to God is the true victor (Hos 12:3-6).
3) Jacob, now a man of God, was limping on his way, as the sun rose
　　above him Ge 32:30-31).


5. The great march of victory.
1) Responsible for his family.
2) March in faith with God.
3) The grudge that Esau held against Jacob was broken by God’s
power and led to reconciliation (Ge 33:4, 11).


Conclusion: You will be a true victor if you let go of Jacob and become Israel.