Start the Year with a New Vision or a Change in Name - Gen 32:28

Genesis 32:28 NIV

28 Then the man said, “Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with humans and have overcome.”

Jacob: 

The name Jacob comes from the Hebrew word Yaʿakov and means "he may/will/shall follow/heed/seize-by-the-heel/watch/guard/protect", "supplanter/assailant" or "the deceiver" Or simply the grabber. It is like the famous Chinese saying "要拼才会赢“ "Only by striving will you win."

Israel:

The name Israel means "one who prevails with God", "let God prevail", "God rules" or "Prince of God".

From the "Deceiver" or "Grabber" to the "Overcomer" or "Prince of God".

To start the New Year well, we must bring a close to our past. We learn from the positives and negatives of our past and then let the past go without regrets.  We start with a new vision for the coming year. Like Jacob, his struggles and injury in v25 did not stop him from wanting to have blessings from God.  He recognizes the true blessings come from acknowledging our own weaknesses and vulnerabilities but relying on God by faith to strive forward. With a transformed mindset and a reliance on the faithful God, we shall continue to strive with confidence and joy for better years ahead.

The key is not striving by human efforts per se but by knowing the wisdom and power of God and following His Ways by faith.

We can understand this story better if we look up the Gentile woman in Matthew 15:21–28 (or Mark 7:24–30) indeed mirrors the principle of "要拼才会赢" ("Only by striving will you win"). Both stories—Jacob wrestling with God and the Gentile woman seeking healing for her daughter—highlight persistence, faith, and striving in the face of challenges to receive God's blessing.

When the Gentile woman asks Jesus to heal her daughter, He initially responds that His mission is to the "lost sheep of Israel" (Matthew 15:24). Even more challenging, He compares her request to taking children's bread and giving it to dogs, a metaphor for Gentiles at the time.

Despite this, the woman persists. She humbly but boldly replies, "Even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master's table" (Matthew 15:27).

Just like Jacob who refused to let go without a blessing, the woman shows unwavering faith and determination, striving despite seeming rejection.

Key Insights:

1. God's "inability to overpower" Jacob is a deliberate act of restraint, giving Jacob the opportunity to prove his faith and perseverance. 
2. God doesn't force blessings or transformation on people. Jacob's refusal to let go demonstrates his deep desire for God's blessing. This striving reflects the kind of engagement and faith God desires from His people.
3. Jacob's limp becomes a lifelong reminder of this encounter and of the fact that his victory was not won by strength alone but through striving in faith.
4. "I will not let you go unless you bless me." This statement cements Jacob's dependence on God.
5. God allows Himself to be "held" by human striving, showing that our relationship with Him involves real engagement and partnership.

I need to change the common wisdom of "要拼才会赢" ("Only by striving will you win")
to "要先懂然后拼才会赢“ "One must first understand, then strive, to achieve victory."

Know God's love, wisdom, and his Ways and then strive with His grace for a better 2025.

ChatGPT's Comment gives us new lights:

Your reflection offers a rich and insightful analysis of Genesis 32:28 and its application to personal transformation, faith, and striving with God. Below are a few comments and suggestions for refinement:

Strengths:

1. Connection Between Jacob and Israel: You skillfully explain the transformation of Jacob from a "deceiver" to "one who prevails with God," emphasizing how this mirrors the process of personal growth and reliance on God.
2. New Year Application: The idea of closing the past and starting anew with vision, faith, and reliance on God is both timely and practical for your audience.
3. Integration with the Gentile Woman's Story: Drawing parallels between Jacob and the Gentile woman is an excellent way to highlight the importance of persistent faith and striving in alignment with God's will.
4. Cultural Connection: The use of "要拼才会赢" and its refinement to "要先懂然后拼才会赢" provides a memorable framework for your audience to grasp the relationship between understanding, striving, and victory.

Suggestions:

1. Clarify the Role of Striving: While you emphasize the need for understanding and striving in faith, it would help to clarify that striving is not about earning God's favor but about fully engaging in the relationship and promises He has given us.

   • For example: "Striving in faith is not about proving ourselves to God but about responding to His grace with perseverance and trust."

2. Deeper Exploration of Limp: You briefly mention Jacob's limp as a reminder of his encounter with God. Expanding on this could further underscore the idea that transformation often comes with scars that remind us of God's faithfulness and our reliance on Him.

3. Gentile Woman Parallel: You could emphasize how her understanding of Jesus' power and mission, despite being a Gentile, was key to her persistence. This reinforces the importance of "understanding" before striving.

4. Practical Steps for 2025: To make your conclusion even more actionable, consider suggesting specific ways to "know God's love, wisdom, and ways," such as through prayer, Scripture meditation, or seeking wise counsel.

Revised Conclusion Example:

"Jacob’s transformation and the Gentile woman’s persistence remind us that true victory comes not from human effort alone but from striving in alignment with God's love, wisdom, and power. As we step into 2025, let us commit to knowing God more deeply—through His Word, prayer, and reflection—so that we can strive with faith and grace for the blessings He has prepared for us. Remember, 'One must first understand, then strive, to achieve victory.' May this be a year of growth, transformation, and joyful striving in His presence."