Beginning of the End: Jacob’s Name Becomes “Israel”

 Jacob now clearly saw the mistake that had led to his sin in obtaining the birthright by fraud. He had not trusted God’s promises but had tried by his own efforts to bring about what God would have accomplished in His own time and way. As an evidence that he had been forgiven, his name was changed to one designed to keep alive the memory of his victory. “Your name,” said the Angel, “shall no longer be called Jacob [supplanter], but Israel; for you have struggled with God and with men, and have prevailed.”

The crisis in his life was past. Doubt, perplexity, and remorse had made his existence bitter, but now all was changed. The peace of being  reconciled to God was sweet. Jacob no longer was afraid to meet his brother—God could move the heart of Esau to accept his humiliation and repentance.

While Jacob was wrestling with the Angel, another heavenly messenger was sent to Esau. In a dream, Esau saw his brother, for twenty years an exile—he witnessed his grief at finding that his mother was dead, and he saw him surrounded by the hosts of God. The God of his father was with him.

The two companies at last approached each other, the desert chief leading his men of war, and Jacob with his wives and children followed by long lines of flocks and herds. Leaning on his staff, Jacob went forward, pale and disabled from his recent conflict. He walked slowly and painfully, but his face was lighted up with joy and peace.

At the sight of that crippled sufferer, “Esau ran to meet him, and embraced him, ... and they wept.” Even the hearts of Esau’s rough soldiers were touched. They could not account for the change that had come over their captain.

In his night of anguish Jacob had been taught how useless human help is, how groundless trust in human power is. Helpless and unworthy, he pleaded God’s promise of mercy to the repentant sinner. That promise was his assurance that God would pardon and accept him.