September 18

Read: Genesis 32:26-30

Thy name shall be… Israel [a prince of God]: for … thou hast power with God and with men (Genesis 32:28).

And He Blessed Him There

“I will not let thee go, except thou bless me, is music to the ear of God; for when we are in that mood He can ask us the right questions. And so the query came: “What is thy name?” What kind of man are you? It is never easy for the carnal heart to answer that question — to confess its carnality. It is never easy — but it is that confession which brings the blessing. With the final surrender came a man’s acknowledgment of his need: My name is Jacob; I am rightly named. I am

at heart selfish, crooked, a cheater.

“He needed to have self beaten out of him; he needed to recognize God as lovingly striving with him; he needed to yield himself up to Him; he needed to have his heart thus cleansed and softened, and then opened wide by panting desire for the presence and benediction of God; he needed to be made conscious of his new standing, and of the higher life budding within him; he needed to experience the yearning for a closer vision of the face, a deeper knowledge of the name, — and then it was possible to pour into his heart a tenderness and fulness of blessing which before there had been no room to receive” (A. MaClaren).

Jacob’s confession was made — and God’s blessing was given. “Your name shall no more be called Jacob, but Israel, for you have striven with God… and have prevailed” (R.S.V.). Every man who makes this confession may have this blessing. And he who receives it knows that there has been a crisis in his spiritual life. Jacob called the place Peniel, which means “The Face of God.” A man may call it what he will, if he has had the experience.

Question For Today

Can I also bear Jacob’s testimony, “I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved”?