Isaac moved from Gerar and settled in Beersheba after dispute after dispute. The people of Gerar began to hate Isaac because of the favor of God on his life. Gerar means rolling hills which is great for livestock. Beersheba means the oath or well of the oath. This is the location Isaac lived in when Jacob deceived him. After Jacob’s deceit, Rebekah tells Isaac she has had enough of the Canaanite Women. Isaac then calls for Jacob and blesses him and tells him to go to Paddan-aram and marry one of your uncle Laban’s daughters. Paddan-aram means the highland.

Jacob lived in the highland for 20 years. During this 20 year period of time Laban changed Jacob’s wages 10 times. Laban changed the wages for his daughters. He changed the wages for the live stock. After being taken advantage of for 20 years Jacob leaves on the high ground. Jacob had been humbled.

When Jacob leaves he come to Galeed which mean witness. Here is where Laban catches up with Jacob. Here they have a disagreement and Jacob unleashes on Laban for the 20 years of abuse. Here they make a covenant by Mizpah which means watchtower. The covenant they made will be watched over by God Himself.

Jacob then goes to Jabbok and crosses over the Jabbok River. He divides his camp after he hears Esau is coming with 400 men. After everyone crosses the river Jacob is left alone. A man appears and He and Jacob wrestle until the dawn. Some say Jacob wrestled God Himself, others say it is an Angel. There is also another group that say Jacob fought himself. What if everyone one is right? Ever watch the movies where someone has a dream and they end up in a fight with a version of themselves. What if God sends an Angel that takes on the appearance of Jacob? Jacob now has to confront himself about his actions. Jacob as he wrestles the Angel the Angel realizes he is not going to win so he dislocated Jacob’s hip. Jacob still refuses to let go. Jacob demands the Angel bless him. The Angel then said “Your name will no longer be Jacob,” the man told him. “From now on you will be called Israel, because you have fought with God and with men and have won.” Jacob then names the land Peniel which means the Face of God.

The river that Jacob crossed Jabbok means to pour forth, empty out, to spread out, depopulate. Jacob finally poured himself out and spread out his family. Jacob was ready to loose his family. Jacob for the 1st time in his life he deals with people and God directly. Because of this change now Jacob walks differently and he was able to keep everything because he was willing to loose it all. What are you willing to give up? Are you ready to have an encounter with God and walk different? He is ready to encounter you.