Sometimes, things we have done in the past come back to haunt us. That’s what happened to Jacob. Years earlier, Jacob had stolen his brother’s birthright and their father’s blessing. Now it was time for an accounting. Esau, Jacob’s twin brother, was coming to meet him.

The night before the meeting with Esau, Jacob had a meeting with God. Appearing in the form of an angel, God wrestled with Jacob. That night, God changed Jacob’s name to Israel, a name that means “to struggle with God.” The next day, the meeting between the twin brothers took place. To Jacob’s relief, Esau did not seek revenge. In thanksgiving and praise, Jacob built an altar to God and gave it a special name.

Genesis 33:18-20
And Jacob came safely to the city of Shechem, which is in the land of Canaan, on his way from Paddan-aram, and he camped before the city . . . There he erected an altar and called it El-Elohe-Israel (The Mighty God of Israel).

Jacob thought his struggle would be with Esau, but it was really with God. That is often the case for us. God uses life’s challenges to “wrestle” with us and help us see that he is stretching and molding us into the person he wants us to be. Sometimes, we “wrestle” with God in prayer, seeking his guidance in a particular situation. An encounter with God allows us to experience his strength, love, and blessing. Contending with God enables us to call him “The Mighty God of Israel.”

El Elohe Israel,
You are the God who I encounter and struggle with. Sometimes, I don’t understand your ways. Sometimes, I get impatient with your timing. Sometimes, I think I am frustrated with others when I am really frustrated with you. Thank you for your grace and patience. Thank you for stretching me and growing me. Thank you for being the Mighty God of Israel. In Jesus’ name. Amen.