Legacy Lessons W/Vance K. Jacksonਨਮੂਨਾ

“And he said unto him, What is thy name? And he said, Jacob. And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed.” Genesis ‭32‬:‭27‬-‭28‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“And God said unto him, Thy name is Jacob: thy name shall not be called any more Jacob, but Israel shall be thy name: and he called his name Israel.” Genesis‬ ‭35‬:‭10‬ ‭KJV‬‬

God changed Jacob’s name to Israel. Notice that Jacob chose to wrestle for the blessing that transformed his legacy. He wrestled until he prevailed. His name was changed to Israel, which means “God prevails.”

Sometimes, we don’t pursue to the end. Sometimes, we let go too early—because of the wrestling. Sometimes, we release before the Blessing. But Jacob wouldn’t let go until there was a transformational transfer of power.

Jacob wrestled until there was a transfer of authority. Jacob, wrestled so that his legacy wouldn’t have to. Jacob wrestled. He already had the birthright—the legal and familial authority on Earth. He already had the blessing from his father—Isaac. Even with the declaration of Heaven and the confirmation on Earth—he wrestled.

Sometimes, we settle for the success of the past and not pursue an upgrade for the future. Sometimes, we settle for the legacy of the past instead of posturing ourselves for a renamed future. Sometimes, you outgrow ‘Jacob’ and you have to make room for ‘Israel’.

The infrastructure of the past cannot contain the legacy of the future. Sometimes you have to let everything go and wrestle. Wrestle so that others don’t have to. Jacob’s legacy was forever transformed into—Israel. The Children of Israel prevailed. The House of Israel expanded and Israel’s legacy is ingrained into history—forever.

Sometimes, you outgrow Jacob. “And God said unto him, Thy name is Jacob: thy name shall not be called any more Jacob, but Israel shall be thy name: and he called his name Israel.” Genesis‬ ‭35‬:‭10‬ ‭KJV‬‬.

Isn’t it interesting that God made this declaration twice? God called Jacob, Israel first in Genesis‬ ‭32‬:‭27‬-‭28‬ ‭KJV‬‬ and then again God calls Jacob, Israel a second time in Genesis‬ ‭35‬:‭10‬ ‭KJV‬‬. Sometimes, we need a reminder of who God Called you to be. Sometimes, we need to be reminded of the Promise. Sometimes, we need to be reminded of the legacy that God has assigned to our name.

May this serve as your reminder of who God called you to be. Choose to identify with legacy. “Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed.” With God—you will prevail. No more will you be called Jacob, but Israel—you will prevail.

The manifold legacy of Israel. “…Now the sons of Jacob were twelve: the sons of Leah; Reuben, Jacob's firstborn, and Simeon, and Levi, and Judah, and Issachar, and Zebulun: the sons of Rachel; Joseph, and Benjamin: and the sons of Bilhah, Rachel's handmaid; Dan, and Naphtali: and the sons of Zilpah, Leah's handmaid; Gad, and Asher: these are the sons of Jacob, which were born to him in Padan-aram.” Genesis‬ ‭35‬:‭22‬-‭26‬ ‭KJV‬‬.

God didn’t limit the legacy of Israel. Through Israel, God created a mighty nation—the twelve sons of Israel. Through Israel’s seed, God established His legacy.

Your seed breaks curses. Both your spiritual and natural seed break cycles. Each seed that came from Israel established a pattern in the Earth. But the seed had a choice: to serve God or to chase after other gods. The Blessing was pronounced over the seed—but the seed still had to choose.

“All these are the twelve tribes of Israel: and this is it that their father spake unto them, and blessed them; every one according to his blessing he blessed them.” Genesis‬ ‭49‬:‭28‬ ‭KJV‬‬.

Israel Blessed his seed, and his legacy conquered the Earth. You may carry the Blessing—but how you choose to push that which has been declared over you is your choice.