El Elohe-Israel

Genesis 33:20 “There he erected an altar and called it El-Elohe-Israel.”

Abraham had a son named Isaac and from Isaac came two sons, Jacob and Esau. The father of the 12 tribes of Israel, Jacob continued in the promise given to his grandfather long before.

Jacob was a man who could have been defined by many attributes, a deceiver, a coward, a mommies boy, just to name a few. There were many acts of Jacob that would be considered shameful, from conniving his brother’s birthright to stealing his father’s blessing, Jacob was one unlikely character of whom you’d think God would bless. But one of the most profound moments in human history was attributed to Jacob, a night that lives on in legend.

Genesis 32:24-26 “And Jacob was left alone. And a man wrestled with him until the breaking of the day. When the man saw that he did not prevail against Jacob, he touched his hip socket, and Jacob’s hip was put out of joint as he wrestled with him.”

When first reading the passage a casual observer would think it quite strange that Jacob would cross a man and wrestle with him throughout the night. It’s not until the man simply touches Jacobs hip and puts it out of place does one begin to realize, this was no ordinary man. Then, we get another revelation from the Man himself.

Genesis 32:26-28 “Then he said, “Let me go, for the day has broken.” But Jacob said, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.” And he said to him, “What is your name?” And he said, “Jacob.”  Then he said, “Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel, for you have striven with God and with men, and have prevailed.” 

The perspective we are given is of a Christophany, a pre-incarnate manifestation of Christ himself. Jesus, before He became a man, appeared throughout history at specific times and places for specific purposes. Some have speculated that it was God the Father, but we know this could not have been, since Jesus Himself declared that the Father is Spirit, and no one has seen the Father except the Son. (John 6:46)

Why would God take the time to literally wrestle with a man such as Jacob? The way God forms His people is a mystery. Many of the events that unfolded in Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob’s lives became stories passed down through successive generations.

Jacob didn’t leave the encounter without a stark reminder of what happens when we strive against God…

Genesis 32:30-31 “So Jacob called the name of the place Peniel, saying, “For I have seen God face to face, and yet my life has been delivered.” The sun rose upon him as he passed Penuel, limping because of his hip.”

A change began to occur in Jacob after his encounter with God, it became apparent that Jacob began to mature in his faith. He demonstrated humility before his brother Esau, he also showed remorse for the way he had treated him. Jacob was growing wise in the ways of the Lord and with wisdom comes honor.

Proverbs 11:2 “When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with the humble is wisdom.”

After Jacob departed from Esau he traveled to Canaan, the land of God’s promise. We then witness a declaration from Jacob now known as Israel.

Genesis 33:18-20 “And Jacob came safely to the city of Shechem, which is in the land of Canaan, on his way from Paddan-aram, and he camped before the city.  And from the sons of Hamor, Shechem’s father, he bought for a hundred pieces of money the piece of land on which he had pitched his tent.  There he erected an altar and called it El-Elohe-Israel.”

The altar was evidence of worship. At a time previously Jacob had erected pagan symbols such as pillars of rocks, but now Jacob honored the Lord with an altar, followed by a declaration.

El-Elohe-Israel…the meaning declares God, the God of Israel. The path of worship and recognition often comes through the trials of adversity. After all the trouble that Jacob endured, after all the revelations that God showed him, Jacob still had much heartache to come. From thinking his son Joseph had been murdered, to enduring drought and famine, to thinking Pharaoh was going to prosecute Benjamin for stealing, and finally discovering his sons plot to sell Joseph into slavery…his life was anything but boring. And yet, through all the adversity Jacob honored the Lord.

If you were to erect an altar before the Lord, what would your altar declare before God?

Every believer has had an encounter with God, maybe not in the same ways that Jacob experienced, but significant none the less. Each encounter we experience forms us into the men and women God has ordained. We may limp away from our encounters, learning lessons the hard way, or we may rejoice before the Lord, giving praise for His faithfulness.

In all likelihood, God isn’t finished with you yet. Times of trial may still be on the horizon, and times of worship will follow, but whatever God is doing, He is doing it for your good.

Will you walk before Him humbly? Will you trust Him through the drought and the famine? Whatever God is doing, He has already prepared the way.

Trust Him, and see His salvation unfold before you. He is always faithful.