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Jacob Called Israel

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[Genesis 32:28]

Then the man said, "Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel,
because you have struggled with God and with men and have overcome."

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Jacob stole the firstborn blessing from his father, Isaac, which his older brother Esau should have received. He took advantage of his father's blindness, which made him difficult to recognize people. He put on Esau's clothes, made fake fur on his arms, and went in, deceived his father, and took his brother's blessing instead.

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Jacob left his father's house for fear of retaliation from his brother Esau.
He fled to a place called Paddan Aram, where his maternal uncle Laban lived. He lived there and became a rich man with four wives and ten children.

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After 20 years, Jacob returned to his hometown with his family, servants, and all his possessions. God blessed Jacob by sending angels on the way back to his hometown.
When Jacob met the angel, he said, This is the army of God,” and he named the place Mahanaim. Jacob was heading to his hometown with so much anticipation and excitement.

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However, the messengers that Jacob sent to find out the heart of his brother Esau returned and delivered bad news. “The master’s older brother Esau is coming to see the master with 400 men.” When Jacob heard this, he was greatly disappointed. Jacob was gripped by the fear of his brother.

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Jacob divided all his possessions into two groups. Jacob thought so.
‘Even if Esau comes and attacks one, the other will be able to escape,’ he thought, would save at least half of his fortune.

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Then Jacob prayed earnestly to God. “Please save me from my brother Esau. Please don't let Esau come and harm me and my family. Didn't God tell me that you would make my descendants as numerous as the sand of the sea?”

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The next day Jacob prepared many gifts to change Esau's heart and sent them to him.
He made three herds of cattle and sent them in turn to Esau. Jacob thought.
“If I give this gift before I go, Esau's heart will be kinder. Then I will find Esau and he will welcome me generously.”

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That night Jacob evacuated his family safely. He made all his family cross first across the Yabbok River. And he also sent all his own property across the river.
Jacob did not cross the river and was left there alone.

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Suddenly, someone began to attack Jacob, who was left alone in fear of his brother Esau.
Jacob reflexively began to wrestle with the man with all his might.
Their wrestling did not end easily. The man wrestling with Jacob was a man of God.

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Jacob wrestled all night with the man of God. Jacob fought with a force that would never let God's man go. The man of God struck Jacob's thigh joint to let him go.

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Jacob did not release the man of God even though his thigh joint was dislocated. The man of God asked Jacob to “let me go as the day begins.” However, Jacob said, “I will not let you go unless you bless me,” and he held on to the man of God even stronger.

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The man of God asked Jacob.

“What is your name?”

Jacob answered, “I am Jacob.”

A man of God gave Jacob a wonderful gift. “Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel.
Because you have wrestled with God and you have also wrestled with people and you have won.” Jacob received a new name from God.

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Jacob, who got the new name of Israel, asked the man of God again.

"What is your name?"

After the man of God said, “Why are you asking my name?”

he blessed Jacob and left. God gave Jacob a new name and blessing, Israel, who was held captive by fear. This is the promise that God will protect Jacob until the end and that he will always be with him.

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Jacob called the new name and the blessed place “Peniel”. And he said.
“I saw the face of God and I did not die.” As Jacob was about to leave, the sun rose.

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Jacob, who received God's grace, went to meet his brother Esau.

God moved Esau's heart so that he could be reconciled to Jacob. Jacob, who had received God's grace, protected not a single hair of his head from being damaged.

All of us who believed in Jesus and became God's people have received the new name of children of God. Just as God protects Jacob, an Israelite, God protects us who are God's children.

When you are faced with something you are afraid of, if you pray earnestly to God like Jacob and ask for help, he will solve the problem you are afraid of and protect you until the end.

(This is the sample conclusion provided by CTM. Please feel free to change the conclusion to best suit the listeners of your sermon.)