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“And he said unto him, What is thy name? And he said, Jacob. And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed” (Genesis 32:27-28).

There is a third person whose name was renewed here on earth. This took place on that mysterious night in Peniel. We can hardly fathom this mystery. When Jacob was alone, a man wrestled with him. It is often taught that Jacob wrestled with God, but we read that God wrestled with Jacob until the breaking of the dawn. It says clearly, “There wrestled a man with him” (verse 24). How long? Until the Lord had broken him, because he did not want to humble himself. Only then did Jacob begin to wrestle. He clung to the Lord and cried, “I will not let thee go, except thou bless me” (verse 26). We must note that the Lord did bless him after his change of name, after Jacob had confessed what he really was. Jacob wept, fought and cried, “I will not let thee go, except thou bless me.” He wanted the Lord to bless him immediately. But the Lord asked him, “What is thy name?” and he answered, “Jacob.” This was his confession of sin, for Jacob means, “supplanter.” After he had confessed this, the Lord said, “Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel.”

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