Mighty is the God of Israel - given as a name for God. It shows that God has prevailed in awful circumstances. He has overcome. His grace has shone through Esau's dealings with Jacob.
Jacob has previously called Him:
The God of my father (31:5), the God who has seen (31:42), the God of Abraham and the God of Nahor, the God of their father, judge between us (31:53), God of my father Isaac (32:9).
Jacob's new name, Israel means "He struggles with God". Throughout his life, his story is one of constant struggle with God. Jacob's name ("He grasps the heel", lit, "He deceives" rings true). He has promised to give 1/10th of all he has. As Christians, we are called to be a changed people.
Jacob's sons appear honourable in this story, as they seek to protect their sister and their family rights. However, it goes against the call to live distinctively different and good lives.
Jacob seemed to have a very hands-off approach to his sons. He perhaps should have been more involved. His rebuke even suggests he was more concerned about being attacked than whether the right thing had been done or not. He should have been living according to God's ways and paths.
Jacob showed his repentance by calling the people to worship God by giving Him their all, giving up their foreign gods and serving Him only. In the midst of this, Deborah died, Jacob had a name change and then Rachel and Isaac died.
Jacob received a fresh revelation and reminder of who God was and it was because of this that Jacob responded to who God was. God is a God of grace, but He requires and expects repentance. That is our responsibility.
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