We all know Israel is special to God from the scripture. This name has three context in the Bible. It is the name for Jacob after wrestling with an angel, it is also the name of the nation Israel. Later, Israel is also the North Kingdom after the nation split from the twelve tribes into ten in the North and two in the south.

Jacob means deceiver. His name was changed to Israel, wrestle or struggle with God. This change is significant to Jacob and also relavant for us.

Jacob (the deceiver) was on the run for his life because he deceived his father to bless him instead of his older brother Esau.

Jacob wanted to be blessed so bad that he deceived his father for it. It was when he encountered the angel of the Lord he knew he must get a blessing from the Lord. Scripture says he wrestled with the angel till day break and refused to let the angel go till he was blessed. Instead, Jacob got his name changed. The deceiver now struggle with God.

Every sinner must undergo a struggle with God to be blessed. Because sinner and God can never have a peaceful relationship. The sinner must be transformed to one who constantly struggle with God because he no longer runs away but cling on to God and never to let go.

Today, we have a saviour who need not struggle with God. Jesus Christ the Messiah obeyed everything that God required for man to be redeemed. So that by trusting Christ we gain access to God and granted a change name. Sinners to Saints, blind to see, lost to found, enemy of God to friends of God and many more.

May this significant change of name be your new identity because you are changed. May you in sin always struggle with God for transformation and experience the grace of God in Christ Jesus out Lord. To be be all glory and praise. Amen.