Grabby grappled in the gravel by the river Apple. That’s the sound of the Hebrew words about Jacob wrestling with a man at the river Jabbok in Genesis 32. Who was the man who attacked him in the night? Laban whom he fled in the night? Esau from whom he had grabbed the birthright and the blessing? After grappling to a draw until dawn the man put Grabby’s hip out of joint. By now Grabby knew that his opponent was more than a man. Hip or no hip he would not let go until he received a blessing.
“What’s your name?” the “man” asked. Grabby had to own up to the name to which he had lived down. “You will be known as Israel, he who strives with God.” Israel would strive with God for his blessing. Israel would receive the Promised Land as a gift. He would not gain it by his own wit and power.
We too have a new name given from the mouth of the Lord (Isaiah 62:2). We bear the name of Jesus Christ, raised from the grave. We are “Christian.” Though like Israel of old, we limp in our walk with Christ; nevertheless, trusting in our new name God opens the promised land of his kingdom to us.
By Rev. Ronald Jansen
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