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Observations from today’s readings and today’s S-WOD, Friday, 6 December 2024:
Genesis 32:27 — “What is your name?” (Continued from yesterday’s discussion on Genesis 31)
With Esau approaching, Jacob new the consequences of his deceptive life were closing in on him. As Jacob wrestled with God for His blessings, God had one question for Jacob: “What is your name?” Who are you? Jacob had lived a lie. He left Laban with defiant self-righteousness, but now Jacob was in a struggle with the Truth which was convicting him of his ungodly character. Jacob means deceiver. Jacob had to come to terms with the reality of his sinfulness and depravity. God brought him to this moment of honesty with himself. Repentance requires humbly admitting the truth of your sinfulness and surrendering to the mercy and grace of God. Only then was Jacob ready to be called Israel — “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:3)
Genesis 32:28 — Then he said, “Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel, for you have striven with God and with men, and have prevailed.”
With Jacob’s life transformation came a new name – no longer would he be known as the deceiver but rather Israel, which means, “Triumphant with God,” [or] “Who prevails with God.” Jacob [Israel] didn’t prevail against God in a wrestling match (in fact, he walked away with a permanent limp); he prevailed “with” God. He prevailed because of God, because God guided him through the greatest battle anyone will ever fight, the battle against self.
Genesis 32:29-30 – Then Jacob asked him, “Please tell me your name.” But he said, “Why is it that you ask my name?” In other words, “Why do you want to know?” And there he blessed him. So Jacob called the name of the place Peniel, saying, “For I have seen God face to face, and yet my life has been delivered.” Do you really want to know God personally? If so, why? Do you want something from Him, or do you want to Him, His presence, intimacy with Him to become one with Him? If God is what you really want, what are you willing to surrender to have your heart’s desire?
Do you know the name of the One with whom Israel wrestled, the One who left Israel marveling, having seen the “face of God”? Jesus is His name, The Savior, “and there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12) Share your testimony, your life transforming encounter with Jesus, and the Gospel with as many as you can for God’s glory.
“Cross” Fit S-WOD (Spiritual Workout of the Day) – 6 December 2024: Today, be honest with yourself and God. Who are you really? Confess any hypocrisy, phoniness, insincerity, or lack of integrity in your life, and pray that God will strengthen you to truly be what you would like others to think you are, that you would be the kind of person you always wanted to have in your life. Resolve to be not just genuine, but genuinely like Jesus.
Defenders Bible Reading Plan 