Jacob becomes Israel
We learn of Jacob even before his birth,
as twins tussle for supremacy within the womb.
At his birth it is recorded that he grasped his brother's leg
seemingly desiring to be the firstborn.
A sallow child when compared to his brother Esau,
he spent much of his time in the tents favouring his mother
Esau by contrast, a swarthy individual and was a hunter,
clearly the stronger and the firstborn son ; he was favoured by his father.
Showing little concern for his birthright lived for each day
hungry after a day of hunting, he thought only of what he wanted to do
therefore Jacob easily manipulated his brother into a rash decision,
as Esau gave up his birthright for the provision of a tasty stew
In practice, Jacob also needed his father's blessing as the firstborn
Here his mother encouraged him to fool his aged half blind father
Using the skins of a goat on his arms and body, he presented himself as Esau.
The coveted blessing was received by Jacob, only later was it realised how he had deceived his father.
Despite now having obtained the blessing due to the firstborn son, Esau vows to kill him.
So Jacob has to flee for his life and makes his way to his uncle Laban.
His journey is punctuated by an encounter with the Lord as he slept at a place he then named Bethel.
Here he responds to the patriarchal covenant by dedicating himself to God before proceeding to the home of Laban.
Settling in Haran with his uncle’s family, he labours for fourteen years for the woman he loves.
Ironically, he too is deceived by his uncle into marrying both of Laban's daughters.
Eventually returning to Canaan, a wealthy and changed man resolved to reconcile himself with his brother.
Sending his family along with gifts to appease Esau, ahead of him Jacob again has an encounter with God as he sleeps.
He ' wrestles ' with an adversary throughout the night refusing to release his grip
The contest only ceases towards dawn when Jacob requests that he should be blessed
It is apparent that the one whom he is wrestling with is the Lord Himself
and it concludes with a blessing that is sealed by a change of
his name from Jacob to Israel.
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