Genesis 32:28

And He said, “Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel;

Throughout the scriptures we see that God changing the names of the people that He chose. In Genesis chapter 17 verse 5, God changed the name of Abram to Abraham. ‘No longer shall your name be called Abram, but your name shall be Abraham; for I have made you a father of many nations.” And in verse 15, “As for Sarai your wife, you shall not call her name Sarai, but Sarah shall be her name.” In the New Testament Simon’s name was changed to Peter.

In Revelation 3:12, Lord Jesus said, “He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God. And I will write on him My new name.”

God gives every parent the authority to name their child at the time of the child’s birth. Even today when a child is born the birth certificate document will show a person’s name, birthdate, place of birth, and other vital information. The names, addresses, birthdates, and occupations of both the mother and father are typically listed. By this document a child is identified, and the family is identified as well.

As the child begins to grow, the name becomes familiar and the child begins to respond when someone calls the child with the parents given name. We see a similar thing that happens in the scriptures. What if God names someone as His child? The new name changes everything. Now a new standing order is in place. We have been adopted into a new family and so on.

In Genesis chapter 32 we see that an Angel wrestled with Jacob all night. The scripture actually describes as a Man that wrestled with Jacob. But the Angel could not prevail against Jacob. So, the Angel dislocated Jacob’s hip leaving him limp all his life. The purpose behind this is that God wanted to give Jacob a new name. Imagine if Jacob had the power to wrestle with the Angel all night, how much more power will the Israel have wrestling the neighbors and surrounded by enemies. People have no idea and underestimate the power of the land of Israel. If Jacob was able to prevail by wrestling with God all night and now Israel will prevail against all its enemies who are trying destabilize that region. When God gave Jacob a new name, He also gave Israel a new power to fight. When God decides to give a new name to anyone He choses, with the new name comes new blessings, new power, new life. Deuteronomy blessings in chapter 28 vs 13 speaks, with the new name God makes us the Head and not the Tail. You see whether it is Abraham and Sarah, Israel, or Peter and the rest of us who have been washed by the blood of the Lamb will be given a new name of Lord Jesus Christ. If the people who have received a new name from God have become innumerable on this earth, imagine the people who will receive a new name of Lord Jesus Christ. No one can comprehend what is reserved for those who believe in Christ Jesus.

As for as the new name Israel, in God’s view Israel will always be the head and not the tail.

Hallelujah! Praise God and Praise our Lord Jesus Christ. Until next time. In Jesus precious name. Amen.

Maranatha!