Nougat 27

What exactly is Jacob’s blessing then, if it’s more than just a name? Consider today’s Holy Nougat

“Then the man said, “Let me go, for it is daybreak.” But Jacob replied, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.” Then the man said, “Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with humans and have overcome.”” ‭‭Genesis‬ ‭32‬:‭26‬, ‭28‬ ‭NIV

Before reverting to Jacob I want to fast forward in ‘history’, to the era when the Children of Israel were in the Wilderness. News of their identity often preceded them, to the extent that they were feared or perceived as a threat (see Joshua 2:8-11). And the same principle prevailed in the past (see Genesis 5:13-16). Though the people of that era had no mobile phones, radios, televisions, or newspapers they were fairly up to date with news. And Jacob’s story was newsworthy!

It would be at least page 3 news today – Twin who stole Brother’s Birthright and Blessing Limps after Fighting with Gods. Many of us would scoff; but I can see Jacob being able to start a new business on offensive and defensive weapons; and in some places, he couldn’t find enough wire to bless as ‘guard rings’ (ie protective devices that deter spells and evil spirits). Jacob was living proof of Psalm 91! He met the Most High God in the Secret Place, and was about to reap the reward. Essentially, that’s what his new name told the world. (And no – he wasn’t the only one who spoke his dialect or language because he communicated with others, not only his uncle so there would be folks who understood the meaning of the word Israel).

In his name was the Blessing of God’s Grace. In his name was the Blessing of Victory. In his name was the blessing of Implicit Promises and Future Blessings beyond a thousand generations. In his name God gave Israeli (formerly Jacob), a new lease on life! Esau would have been stupid to fight him, God said Jacob was renamed Israel because he fought with God and Human and prevailed! We must recall that God exists Before, Within, and Beyond Time, therefore it is most likely that the name blessing covered all times for Jacob.

We also note that although he didn’t use the name immediately, his generation did in the future. Initially, they were ‘Children of Israel’, and eventually they were simply ‘Israel’. Perhaps they also adopted the Blessing.

Siblings, our God-encounters should always result in a blessing, though we might say Transformation. For, anyone who encounters God and survives is Blessed (see Psalm 91). Yes, we will face trials – so did Jacob – and we might even emerge with a limp (sic). But let’s keep pressing (past daybreak) until we receive our blessings! Not waiting per se, but pressing!

God bless you.

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May all we seek be found in Christ