An encounter with living God has changed “the supplanter” to the “Prince of God!!” What a great transformation God brought in the life of Jacob! Let us look into the very life of Jacob to learn the valuable lessons regarding his encounter with God and the transformation that he received.

God’s plan:

God’s plan for the life of Jacob was very clear from the beginning of his life. It was spoken to his mother Rebecca. Gen 25:23 ‘And the LORD told her, “The sons in your womb will become two nations. From the very beginning, the two nations will be rivals. One nation will be stronger than the other; and your older son will serve your younger son.”

God’s plan for every human being born into this earth is very clear from the very beginning of life itself or even before birth itself. He has plans to prosper us and not to harm us. But we try to reach this stage of blessing in our life by scheming our own ways and wandering away from God.

Jacob the supplanter- Holding the heel:

Jacob always tried to achieve success in life through his own schemes. First he cheated his own brother Esau and had to run for his life. Then he was cheated by Laban and later he ran away from Laban to keep his blessing. But none of this life experiences has brought in any effect or change in the life of Jacob. Even when he was on his way back to meet up with his brother, he was planning and executing things in a way that clearly shows his character trait as Jacob- the Supplanter.

Jacob meets God- The encounter!

God intervenes in his life at the right time to restrain him from advancing in his own might. God meets with him when he was all alone in the side of the river Jabbok. Whatever was his intention to stay back, God used it to bless him. Our lonely moments are sometimes golden moments to meet up with our Creator. Here Jacob meets the God of his father. Gen 32:24 ’This left Jacob all alone in the camp, and a Man came and wrestled with him until the dawn began to break. But Jacob did not leave him; Then the Man said, “Let Me go, for the dawn is breaking!” But Jacob said, “I will not let You go unless You bless me.” (Gen 32:26). Now Jacob catches the right heel and pleads for his blessing. Instead of a life long journey of being a supplanter, he catches the Lord Himself. At this time, God gives him the great realization of his own sinful life and transforms him into a godly man. The moment of truth came when he confessed his name- “Jacob- the supplanter” and God gave him a new name- “Israel- the Prince of God!” He would never be the same again!

Our encounter with God:

The lowest moments in our life are the very best moments for us to realize our own folly and hence fall back into the hand of God. This ultimately brings us to the shore of blessing. Where our reliance on everything that is earthly ceases, the doors of heaven open wide. As the heaven opens, it first of all transforms us before blessing us!

Prayer: Abba Father- help me to realize my own folly and fall into Your own hands to be truly blessed and transformed. In Jesus name, amen.