Many of us in reading this verse would just assume that a country is depicted as being favored by the Lord and that would be partially right. However, most who are not familiar with Bible history are probably unaware that Israel is the name given to Abraham’s grandson, by God Himself. We read this account of name-reassignment in Genesis 32 – 28; And he said, “Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel; for you have striven with God and with men and have prevailed”. It is marvelous to see that as many choices as anyone may choose, it is God’s choice of working His wonders, through and for, specific individuals and peoples all through the ages that are recorded for us to remember. We may read an account of the lineage of Jesus in the Gospels, which reaches all the way back to Adam, and all are linked to Abraham through Jacob, Israel. There are so many voices today pointing to the thoughts that anyone can come to God through any name or means. In the Old Testament, God established an order by which He could be approached, namely in the covenants which He made with His people; so also today in the New Testament, He has established an order by which man may approach Him. In the Book of Acts chapter 4: 10 and 12, Peter says, “Let it be known to all of you, and all the people of Israel, that the Name of Jesus Christ, the Nazarene whom you…
