Redefining: Understanding God’s Perspective on Your Identity
First, I want to thank Pastor Sanjay Bhiya and his family, as well as Jitendra Bhiya, for giving me this opportunity to share God’s Word. I also want to acknowledge my beloved wife and children, who are my greatest earthly blessings. They are a constant reminder of God’s love and grace in my life. Today, we will explore the idea of redefining—phir se paribhashit karna. This message stems from the story of Jacob in Genesis 32:22-30, where his encounter with God changed not only his name but his entire identity and destiny.
Wrestling with God: The Journey of Redefinition
Genesis 32:22-30 recounts a pivotal moment in Jacob’s life. After sending his family across the Jabbok River, Jacob was left alone. It was in this solitude that he wrestled with a man until daybreak. The man, a divine figure, touched the hollow of Jacob’s thigh, dislocating it. Yet Jacob clung to him and said, “I will not let you go unless you bless me” (Genesis 32:26).
The man asked, “What is your name?” Jacob responded, “Jacob,” which means “heel-holder” or “supplanter.” The man then declared, “Your name shall no longer be Jacob, but Israel, for you have struggled with God and with men, and have prevailed” (Genesis 32:28). This encounter was not just physical but spiritual. It symbolized a deep, transformative process in Jacob’s life.
Jabbok: A Place of Emptiness and Surrender
The name “Jabbok” means “emptying.” Before Jacob could be redefined, he had to be emptied of his old identity. The same principle applies to us. To walk in the fullness of God’s calling, we must first surrender our misconceptions, fears, and self-imposed labels.
Jacob’s encounter teaches us that God often brings us to a place of solitude and struggle so that He can redefine us. As we wrestle with God, we confront our weaknesses, our past, and the lies we have believed about ourselves.
The Power of a Name: Identity and Character
In Hebrew culture, a name (šēm) is deeply connected to one’s character and destiny. When God asked Jacob for his name, it was not because He didn’t know it. God wanted Jacob to confront the truth about himself. Jacob’s name had defined him as a deceiver and trickster. He had lived up to this name by taking Esau’s birthright and blessing through deceit (Genesis 25:29-34; 27:1-29).
But God saw beyond Jacob’s flawed character. He redefined him as “Israel,” meaning “one who contends with God” or “prince of God.” This new name reflected Jacob’s transformation from a deceiver to a man who prevailed through faith and perseverance.
Misinterpretation: The Danger of False Definitions
For years, Jacob lived under a misinterpreted identity. His name shaped how others saw him and how he saw himself. This highlights a profound truth:
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It’s not what your parents think about you.
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It’s not what your siblings think about you.
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It’s not even what you think about yourself.
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It’s what God thinks about you that truly matters.
The greatest hindrance to receiving God’s blessing is not external circumstances but the wrong definitions we accept about ourselves. Proverbs 23:7 reminds us, “For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.” When we define ourselves by our failures, fears, or others’ opinions, we limit what God can do in our lives.
The Birthright: A Lesson in Value
Jacob’s desire for Esau’s birthright reveals his hunger for God’s blessing. In contrast, Esau despised his birthright, selling it for a bowl of stew (Genesis 25:29-34). The birthright carried significant blessings, including:
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Double Inheritance: The firstborn received a double portion of the father’s estate (Deuteronomy 21:17).
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Family Leadership: The firstborn became the head of the family.
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Priestly Role: Before the Levitical priesthood, the firstborn often served as the family priest.
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Special Blessings: The firstborn received unique blessings tied to God’s covenant.
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Continuing the Family Line: The birthright ensured the continuation of the family’s legacy.
Jacob valued the birthright and pursued it, despite his flawed methods. This demonstrates that even our imperfections cannot thwart God’s purposes when we earnestly seek Him.
God Cannot Bless Misalignment
God’s blessings require proper positioning. He cannot bless us if we are:
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Harboring a negative attitude
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Out of alignment with His will
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Living under a false definition of ourselves
Just as a misaligned car cannot function properly, a misaligned life hinders the flow of God’s blessings. Romans 12:2 urges us to “be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” This renewal aligns our thoughts with God’s truth, enabling us to walk in His blessings.
Wrestling for Redefinition
Jacob’s wrestle with God mirrors the inner struggles we face. These struggles are not mere coincidences; they are spiritual battles. Rebekah’s experience during her pregnancy foreshadowed this struggle. Genesis 25:22 says, “The children struggled together within her; and she said, ‘If it is so, why am I thus?’ And she went to inquire of the LORD.” God’s response revealed a divine plan: “Two nations are in your womb… the elder shall serve the younger” (Genesis 25:23).
This struggle emphasizes the importance of seeking God in times of confusion and turmoil. Rebekah’s inquiry teaches us to turn to God for clarity and direction.
Contending for Your Name
When Jacob received his new name, it symbolized a shift in his identity and destiny. Genesis 32:28 declares, “Your name shall no longer be Jacob, but Israel; for you have struggled with God and with men and have prevailed.”
To be redefined, we must contend with God in prayer and faith. Hebrews 11:6 reminds us, “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”
The name “Israel” represents more than a personal victory; it signifies a divine calling and purpose. Jacob’s transformation challenges us to seek God’s perspective on our lives and embrace the identity He has for us.
Seeing God Face to Face
Jacob named the place of his encounter “Peniel,” meaning “face of God.” In Genesis 32:30, he said, “I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved.” This face-to-face encounter represents intimacy with God.
When we seek God wholeheartedly, we experience His presence in transformative ways. 2 Corinthians 3:18 states, “And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.”
Knowing Your True Name
The root of many struggles—depression, anxiety, identity crises—lies in not knowing the name God has given us. Just as Jacob’s transformation began with an honest confrontation of his identity, our journey to blessing starts with seeking God’s definition of who we are.
God’s perspective redefines us. He calls us:
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Beloved (Romans 1:7)
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Chosen (1 Peter 2:9)
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More than conquerors (Romans 8:37)
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His workmanship (Ephesians 2:10)
