In the book of Genesis, we read about three great patriarchs: Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. With the help of his mother, Jacob had deceived his father into giving him the birthright blessing, even though he was the second-born twin. In their defense, Rachel had received a vision telling her that she carried two nations in her womb and that the second was to rule over the first. She knew God wanted Jacob to receive the birthright. Also of note is the fact that Esau, the first-born twin, had married outside the covenant and was not living a righteous life. He sold his birthright to his brother for pottage which showed the level of his regard for it. Nevertheless, once the blessings were pronounced and Esau became aware of his brother's deceit, he was wroth and sought out his brother to destroy him. Jacob fled his brother's wrath. In the course of his journey, he had two remarkable experiences. One was a dream in which he saw angels on a golden ladder coming down from and going into heaven. The other experience changed his life.
The Bible talks about Jacob wrestling an angel, but I personally believe that this was symbolic of Jacob's struggle with God. As the birthright son, he had responsibilities. Not only was he temporally responsible for his mother and family, but he was spiritually responsible for bearing the promises of the Abrahamic Covenant. I think his struggle was reconciling his current life with the expectations of his calling.
The final outcome was the renewal of God's covenant with his grandfather, Abraham. Just as God had changed Abram's name to Abraham as a token of the covenant, so, too, He changed Jacob's name. The name Jacob means usurper. The new name God gave him was Israel. I learned in Conference that Israel means prevail, referencing, I'm sure, Jacob's prevailing, by accepting God's will for him.
I find it interesting that Israel's name meant let God prevail and that the descendants of Esau have taken the name of Islam with means submit to God's will. A Muslim is one who submits to God's will. An Israelite is one who allows God's to prevail. Hmmm?
I like that.
© Kathleen Rawlings Buntin Danielson October 2020
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