Remember Who You Are
Bible Readings
Take a few minutes to read the Bible verses listed and ask the Holy Spirit to lead you in how this verse applies to you this week.
22 Jacob's men took the gifts on ahead of him, but he spent the night in camp. 23 Jacob got up in the middle of the night and took his wives, his eleven children, and everything he owned across to the other side of the Jabbok River for safety. 24 25 Afterwards, Jacob went back and spent the rest of the night alone. A man came and fought with Jacob until just before daybreak. 26 When the man saw that he could not win, he struck Jacob on the hip and threw it out of joint. 27 They kept on wrestling until the man said, “Let go of me! It's almost daylight.” “You can't go until you bless me,” Jacob replied. 28 Then the man asked, “What is your name?” “Jacob,” he answered. 29 The man said, “From now on, your name will no longer be Jacob. You will be called Israel, because you have wrestled with God and with men, and you have won.”
Genesis 32:22–29
Memory Verse
Genesis 28:15
15 Wherever you go, I will watch over you, then later I will bring you back to this land. I won't leave you—I will do all I have promised.
Like many siblings, brothers Jacob and Esau competed for their parents’ attention. One day, when their father Isaac was very old and near death, Jacob tricked Isaac. He dressed up like his older brother, Esau, and brought Isaac his favorite food. Isaac, almost blind, mistakenly blessed Jacob as the next leader of their family, even though—according to Jewish custom—Esau had that right.
Esau’s great anger drove Jacob away, and Jacob went to live with his mother’s brother, Laban. After many years, God told Jacob to return to his homeland, but Jacob feared Esau. Would Esau still be angry?
One night, during the long journey back, Jacob had a strange dream. In the dream, an angel of the Lord appeared. Jacob fought the angel all night. As they fought, the angel injured Jacob’s hip. Then Jacob demanded a blessing from God. Instead, God gave him a new name: Israel.
Why?
Israel is the name of a nation. Jacob’s new name was God’s way of saying, “Jacob, don’t be afraid. Your family will grow and become the nation of Israel.” Jacob’s new name held God’s blessing. Jacob’s limp reminded him of God’s presence.
Instead of patting himself on the back for getting what he wanted, Jacob marveled that he had met the one true God. With the blessing contained in his new name, Jacob courageously met his brother and discovered Esau wasn’t angry anymore. Esau embraced Jacob, and together, their families returned home.
Do you know Jacob’s blessing is your blessing too? God knows your name and calls you his own. He knows your hopes and fears. And he will never leave you.
Prayer
Lord, there is no more incredible blessing than knowing we are your kids. You delight in us and know our names. You call us your own and walk with us always. Just as you showed Jacob, help us always to remember who we are.Related Resources
Sara Korber-DeWeerd
Sara Korber-DeWeerd is a freelance writer, teacher, and Down syndrome advocate. She lives in Massachusetts with her husband Mark and their three children, plus one dog and seven chickens. When not teaching or writing, Sara enjoys exploring the mountains, lakes, and rocky coastlines of New England with her active family (though they usually leave the chickens at home).