After Jacob returned from Paddan Aram, God appeared to him again and blessed him. God said to him, “Your name is Jacob, but you will no longer be called Jacob; your name will be Israel.” So he named him Israel.
Genesis 35:9-10
In Genesis 35, Jacob, makes his way back to Bethel, back to where he first met God. Back to where he made the vow to God that if God provides for his needs and he returns to his father’s house, God will become Jacob’s God. (Genesis 28:20-22).
Jacob fulfills his vow and God gives him a new name. He is now called Israel which means “he struggles with God”. Jacob’s life was full of struggles and he struggled to trust the Lord. Despite this, the Lord remained faithful by providing for his needs and protecting him.
At the start of Genesis 35, we see that Jacob’s household still has idols (Genesis 35:2). God giving Jacob the name of Israel not only describes Jacob’s relationship with God, but also how his descendants will be like. As we will see later on (starting in Exodus), the Israelites will constantly struggle in trusting the Lord.
In our walks with Christ today, there will also be times of struggle. There will be times where we don’t know what to do. There will be times where we things appear right, but they are so wrong.
We need to trust God and do what He says. When we pray to God, we must believe what God says. In Genesis 32, Jacob asks God to protect him from Esau. In Genesis 33, Jacob uses his own means to protect himself by deceiving Esau and running away. In Genesis 34, he ends up in Shechem and a whole scandal happens between his family and the towns people.
When you trust in the Lord, trust in the Lord completely.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding.
Proverbs 3:5-6
In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.