Thursday | 28 May 2026
Becoming bankrupt in spirit is the first dimension of blessing, because it delivers sight to a hearer. This was Jacob’s experience. Prior to his wrestle with the Lord at Jabbok, he confessed, through prayer, ‘I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies and of all the truth [illumination] which You have shown Your servant.’ Gen 32:10. Jacob, however, was still in bondage to fear, saying, ‘Deliver me, I pray, from the hand of my brother, from the hand of Esau; for I fear him.’ Gen 32:11. It is this fear that keeps us in bondage to our infirmity, which Jacob had demonstrated through his self‑preserving, deceptive manipulations.
As Jacob then endeavoured to cross the ford of Jabbok, the Lord resisted him. He did not understand why he was unable to enter the promised land; why the Lord was resisting him. However, the Lord was resisting Jacob for his sake, having received his confession, ‘I am not worthy of Your mercy and Your illumination’. The Lord helped Jacob by touching the socket of his hip, bringing him to further poverty of spirit. At this point, Jacob was able to confess his infirmity – identifying himself as a ‘deceiver’.
The Lord responded by saying, ‘Your name shall no longer be called Jacob [Deceiver], but Israel [Prince with God]; for you have struggled with God and with men, and have prevailed.’ Gen 32:28. Jacob found deliverance from his infirmity, which was his self‑centred propensity to deception, as he then walked with a limp. This was his connection to the weakness of Christ in the fellowship of His offering and sufferings. His new name, ‘Prince with God’, indicated that Jacob had been recovered to dominion in the promised land. Figuratively, he had obtained the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God! Rev 2:7.
Further Study:
Genesis 32
References:
Gen 32:10-11
I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies and of all the truth which You have shown Your servant; for I crossed over this Jordan with my staff, and now I have become two companies. Deliver me, I pray, from the hand of my brother, from the hand of Esau; for I fear him, lest he come and attack me and the mother with the children.
Gen 32:28
And He said, ‘Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel; for you have struggled with God and with men, and have prevailed.’
Rev 2:7
He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.