Opening the Gates of Heaven Perry Stone

trickster to a real man of God. When the angel showed up in the form of a man, Jacob began to physically wrestle him. Jacob desired a “blessing.” However, upon hearing Jacob’s request, this heavenly messenger did something rather odd. He struck the thigh of Jacob, causing the sinew in his hip to shrink, creating a permanent limp in Jacob’s walk. Jacob’s strength had been his ability to run like a fox from people and from his own troubles. If Jacob had ever planned on running, it would have been the following morning when he met Esau —if Esau was threatening him. Now Jacob would limp to his meeting place and not be able to run and escape. He was now totally dependent upon the Lord. Jacob would find it necessary to trust God alone for his protection and for God to fulfill his future destiny. The second act of the angel was when he changed the name of Jacob to Israel (v. 28). The name Israel has been interpreted to mean, “prevailing with God,” or “God preserves.” This angel then informed Jacob that he was a “prince with God” as he had prevailed with man and with God (v. 28). His name would no longer be Jacob but Israel! Jacob’s sons were known at that time as the sons of Jacob, but after entering Egypt they were named the “children of Israel” (Gen. 45:21; 46:8; 50:25). In that day all names had meanings, and the ancient people were familiar with what the name of the person meant. Many names were linked to the personality of the person. When men began to say Israel , they knew it was a name implying