יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisra’el, yis-raw-ale’)—”He will rule as God.” This symbolic name, given to Jacob, represents not only his personal transformation but also the destiny of his descendants.

From its Hebrew roots, we see that the name Israel, bestowed upon Jacob as a blessing, signifies power and dominion. Jacob is a symbol of the overcomer—one who transcends the limitations of mere mortality and rediscovers his divine authority to rule and reign as God. As you read this, let the words resonate within you:

“To the one who overcomes, I will grant the right to sit with Me on My throne.” (Revelation 3:21)

Jacob’s Struggle and Transformation

In the stillness of the night, Jacob wrestled with an angel until the break of dawn, seeking a blessing with unwavering determination. There must have been a driving force behind his struggle—Jacob must have seen or heard something that gave him absolute conviction about the blessing he pursued.

Symbolically, he abandoned everything—his family, his possessions—choosing solitude to engage in this divine battle. He removed all distractions, ensuring his heart and mind were fully focused on this life-altering encounter.

What prompted Jacob’s expectation of such a momentous visitation? Earlier, he had encountered angels of God (Genesis 32:1-2), heavenly beings who manifest the divine presence. These celestial messengers testify of the Lord’s glory and His goodwill toward humanity. They freely reveal and impart insight into the blessings associated with the name they bear—the name of the Lord.

Through this celestial encounter, Jacob’s eyes were opened to a blessing that transcends earthly inheritance—a blessing from above.

The Angel and the Lord’s Body

The angel Jacob wrestled with was no ordinary being but a manifestation of the Lord’s body. The same company of angels that had appeared before him now manifested as one presence. When an angel appears, the entire heavenly realm is present, for it is one spiritual body—one body, many members.

Jacob’s relentless pursuit is symbolic of the single-minded devotion of the saints, whose sole desire is to be fully united with the Lord’s body. It is within this body that the fullness of the Godhead dwells, and it is in Him that we are made complete (Colossians 2:9-10).

To truly focus on God, worldly fellowship must cease. As Paul writes:

“For what fellowship has light with darkness? And what agreement has the temple of God with idols?” (2 Corinthians 6:14-16)

Those who understand this truth will not be yoked with unbelievers, whose hearts remain set on earthly things.

At times, you may have to part ways with relationships and possessions that once held value—not out of rejection, but with the assurance that, in God’s divine order, you will be reunited on the other side of the divide. This is symbolized by the Jabbok River, where Jacob sent his family ahead of him (Genesis 32:22). The other side of the river represents the ages to come in God. In that divine age, we will reunite in the Lord’s body. Some may not understand your journey now, but in due season, they will be gathered unto the Lord.

The Dawn of a New Name

Through patience, endurance, and unwavering faith, Jacob entered the dawn of a new day and received a new name—a transformation marking his divine inheritance. This is the ultimate blessing that all who hear the truth should seek after.

This new name is the same name Jesus prayed for when He asked to be glorified in the Father’s glory (John 17:5). By humbling Himself to the death of the cross and becoming a servant, Jesus was exalted above all and received the Name of God the Father, at which every knee must bow (Philippians 2:8-10).

When Jacob asked the angel for his name, the angel did not answer. But we know the answer—the angel was a manifestation of the living God. In truth, there is only one name, the name of the Lord. He blesses no one with any other name, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved (Acts 4:12).

Those who receive this new name are gathered as one in the Lord’s body, ruling and reigning with all power in heaven and on earth.

Amen.