Hold on to your Identity, ISRAEL.
This is an encouragement from the story of a man who got "the blessing of the first born" by being a trickster, or from another perspective, as it is written, "according to election" (Romans 9: 11). This is about man who had an encounter with God, yea two, and had his name (Character and Authority) changed from Jacob i.e Supplanter, to Israel i.e "prevails with God" or "God prevails". Jacob had 3 major encounters with God. 1-When he fled from Esau to his Uncle Laban's house and named the place of encounter Bethel (House of God). (Genesis 28:10-22) 2-When he was about to meet with his brother, Esau, and on his way, wrestled with a "Man" who dislocated Jacob's hip and later blessed him and changed his Name, thus changing his identity and mindset, realigning Him to a life of Purpose. He named this place Penuel (Face of God). (Genesis 32:22-32) 3-When God had him return to Bethel to be blessed again, and ...