Name

The same night he arose and took his two wives, his two female servants, and his eleven children, and crossed the ford of the Jabbok. He took them and sent them across the stream, and everything else that he had. And Jacob was left alone. And a man wrestled with him until the breaking of the day. When the man saw that he did not prevail against Jacob, he touched his hip socket, and Jacob’s hip was put out of joint as he wrestled with him. Then he said, “Let me go, for the day has broken.” But Jacob said, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.” And he said to him, “What is your name?” And he said, “Jacob.” Then he said, “Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel, for you have striven with God and with men, and have prevailed.” Then Jacob asked him, “Please tell me your name.” But he said, “Why is it that you ask my name?” And there he blessed him. So Jacob called the name of the place Peniel, saying, “For I have seen God face to face, and yet my life has been delivered.” (Genesis 32:22-30 ESV)

Here we see Jacob wrestling with a man…

And morning comes and Jacob will not let the man to unless he blesses him. But the man wants to know Jacob’s name. Because he wants Jacob to confess to the life he has lived by cheating everyone out of what was theirs. Jacob is a cheat.

But instead of the man giving him his due, he changes his name.

Just like God does for us. He takes the names that society gives us and throws them away and calls us His child.

So forget what the world calls you and remember what God calls you: child!