Don't Know Much 'bout Etymology

In Genesis 32, Jacob has a dream-- he wrestles with an angel.

So God renames him "Israel" (verse 28) --

which translates to mean... "Isra"-- struggle/wrestle; and "El"-- God.


This is a common practice with Hebrew names. "Gabri-el" = Strong Man of God; "Ari-el(le)" = Lion of God; "Dani-el" = Judge of God.


So Jacob is renamed "Israel"...


Check it out--
Jews are like Native Americans !

(the similarities don't end there... Native-Americans used ALL of the buffalo, and we killed Jesus)

Jacob????

Why in the world would the Jewish people name themselves and their homeland after this guy?

He was hardly the MVP (most valuable patriarch) in the Bible. He deceived his father (27:25), stole his brother's birthright (27:35), played favorites with his wives (29:30)-- Rachel over Leah-- and with his sons (37:4)-- Joseph, causing his other sons to nearly commit fratricide.
And he picked his nose (probably)!


Why is Jacob/Israel the namesake for my people? Was he such a great guy?

Maybe not-- but he had a great name, and a great dream!

Jacob dreamed he was "wrestling with God"-- in other words, he was having a crisis of faith.

That dream symbolizes all of theology/religion/agnosticism!

It's saying, "It's okay to wrestle with/question God... in fact-- until you question God, you can't believe in God."

The more you question your faith, the stronger it will ultimately be.

Ya gotta question authority... even the Almighty!

Abraham did it (with Sodom and Gomorrah), Moses did it (arguing many times with the Almighty), and so should YOU!

In the introduction to his play, "Doubt", a drama about turmoil in a 1960s NY Catholic church, John Patrick Shanley wrote that having doubt is brave because it's so difficult. Certainty is easy, blind faith is simple, but to have doubt takes guts and strength.

When it comes to anything worthwhile, something you want, ask yourself-- "Are you sure?"

It's important to wrestle with your beliefs, and it's okay to change them.



So think of Faith as a bikini model in a wading pool of chocolate pudding.



i.e., wrestle with it, hellz yeah!



Can I get an Amen!