A Changed Life, a New Name
Our parents give us our name at birth. Some parents just pick a name that they think sounds good or appropriate. Other parents choose a name based on the names of other family members. I am named after both of my grandfathers. However, there are parents who name their children based on the meaning of the name. They want the name to communicate some special characteristic of their child. That was true of Jacob's name from his parents and from God. Jacob means "supplanter." He came out holding Esau's heel, because he was going to become preeminent over his brother. Then, he stole the birthright from Esau and the blessing from Isaac by saying his name was Esau. (Genesis 32:27,28) On the night he wrestled with the preincarnate Jesus, the Lord asked him his name. He said correctly that his name was Jacob. Then, Jesus changed his name to Israel because he had wrestled with God and man and had won. The name Israel means "Prince of God." Jacob could have continued...