Grace Changes Identity

Jacob wrestles — not just with a mysterious man, but with God Himself. In grace, God allows Jacob to struggle until he confesses his identity: “I am Jacob” — the deceiver. But instead of rejecting him, God renames him Israel — “he struggles with God.” God wounds Jacob to heal him, breaks him to bless him, and changes his name to show that salvation is God’s work alone. In Christ, God gives us a new name: forgiven child of God.