Jacob’s Negative Patterns Changed After Wrestling With God Alone

The evil patterns in Jacob’s life only ended when he wrestled with God and prevailed and had his name changed at Peniel from Jacob (deceitful) to Israel (prince with God). Until he wrestled with God in prayer in desperation, the negative patterns of deceit and fleeing for his life kept repeating. He deceived his brother thrice from birth and went on the run to Laban, his uncle, who also deceived him for 20 years over and over, and he was on the run from him too.

Jacob, on his way home and afraid of Esau, whom he had deceived 20 years earlier, was finally tired of this and needed rest. And at Peniel alone, he wrestled with God, who changed his name to Israel, which was his destiny, and declared that he had struggled with God and men and prevailed.

Jacob told God that he would not let him go until he blessed him, and God did. After that Jacob’s negative patterns ended, and he left there a new man with his limp as evidence. His meeting with Esau was also peaceful.

There are negative patterns in our lives that will never end until we wrestle with God in prayer and desperation until we prevail. Some cycles of negative patterns, especially generational and childhood ones, do not just go away simply because we got saved. There are things we must fight for in prayer and fasting and with desperation and refusing no for an answer, like Jacob did, until God changes our identity, nature, and destiny.

“And he arose that night and took his two wives, his two female servants, and his eleven sons, and crossed over the ford of Jabbok. He took them, sent them over the brook, and sent over what he had. Then Jacob was left alone; and a Man wrestled with him until the breaking of day. Now when He saw that He did not prevail against him, He touched the socket of his hip; and the socket of Jacob’s hip was out of joint as He wrestled with him. And He said, “Let Me go, for the day breaks.”
But he said, “I will not let You go unless You bless me!”
So He said to him, “What is your name?”
He said, “Jacob.”
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.”
Then Jacob asked, saying, “Tell me Your name, I pray.”
And He said, “Why is it that you ask about My name?” And He blessed him there.
So Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: “For I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved.” Just as he crossed over Penuel the sun rose on him, and he limped on his hip.” Genesis 32:22-31

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