Good Morning.
So He said to him, “What is your name?” He said, “Jacob.” And He said, “Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel; for you have struggled with God and with men, and have prevailed.” (Genesis 32:27-28)
To walk as Israel is to say that one has encountered God and has been empowered to walk upright before God and keep His instructions. It is also to say that, as long as we are walking in the proper manner, we have been empowered to prevail over our enemies, chief among them, Satan. In fact, this is hinted at in Genesis 3:15 when God said to the serpent:
“I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.” (Genesis 3:15)
The Hebrew word that is translated as “he” (referring to the Messiah) can also be considered as “they.” In other words, because He defeated the Adversary, they (God’s people) are destined to prevail over the serpent as well. Messiah validates this concept when He said:
“Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.” (Luke 10:19)
We have been promised that if we continue to be faithful and follow His instructions, we will prevail over the enemy. We are destined to overcome those who seek to destroy us, particularly those who are identified as “Esau” (also known as Edom). In fact, the Septuagint and the Vulgate translates Genesis 32:28 as:
“Thou didst prevail with God and thou shalt prevail against men.”
That is our destiny; but it is critical that we continue to walk in the distinctive way that has been given to us. We know the way because the Messiah has already shown us through His example. And because He has overcome the world, we have been given the authority to overcome the world. Let us then walk in that authority and live a life that brings glory and honor unto Him.
Blessings and Shalom,
Bill
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