Build an altar!

“And Jacob was left alone;”

Jacob was a man that was in perpetual motion. From the time he was born he was always reaching for something that he did not have. In fact, in the first phase of his life, he was always striving for his brother's stuff. From his heel to his birthright and finally, he got the blessing that was meant for his brother. This striving was cause for much strife until finally, he found himself being driven from his mother's house. Running away from trouble.

He left here in haste and found himself in the grip of love for a woman he could not have. After dealing with the girls’ father, he worked for seven years to marry the woman he loved. After the wedding and celebration it turned out he still did not have what he had worked for, so for another seven years, he worked and laboured for the woman he loved. This same cycle continued in Jacob’s life of finances. He couldn’t seem to get ahead. As was Jacobs way, he found himself at odds with his Father-in-law. He left with his family and folds again running away from trouble.

His path was leading him back to the place he had left in trouble. Here this striving man finds himself having to confront the problems of the past. He worked out the best way he could a way to pacify the anger of his brother and when he had made all the preparation that he could, he found himself alone. All alone. He was alone and wrestled with a man. Who is the man we wrestle with when we are alone? I tell you, where we will meet God is when we will be willing to wrestle with the man we meet when we are all alone.

Jacob left a different man from this encounter. The grasping for God. The gasping for answers. The wrestling, the smiting, you find yourself out of joint. But a determination has overtaken him. In the past, he was satisfied with dreaming, this time he was not going to let go until something happened beyond a touch. He wanted a blessing that would last.

He was asked, “What is your name?” My name is Jacob, My Name is heel grabber, My name is supplanter, my name is conniver, I am Jacob.” The process had brought transformation for Jacobs name was changed at that very point to Israel. Israel became his name. He was transformed from a grasping guy to a prince with prevailing power. Israel, what a name to have. A Prince with prevailing power. What's your name, Jacob? My name is Israel. This name change was dramatic, this was not just a nifty nickname, but this was a new man that walked out to meet this new day. This man who had constantly been manoeuvring for more willingly gave a gift to his brother. Jacob was always trying to get his brother stuff; Israel was not content unless his brother received the gift he gave.

Israel is the Man Jacob always wanted to be. After his meeting with his brother, he built his house in a place called Shalem, and the meaning of that place is complete. After being an incomplete man his entire life, he finally was able to live in a place that he felt complete. Israel was living in a new place. Israel was living with a new name. Israel was living with a new mindset. It was time for Israel to build a new Altar. Israel built a new Altar. And he called the Altar, “Elelohe-Israel.” The Mighty God of Isreal.

“And he erected there an altar, and called it Elelohe-Israel.” We are not only talking about a God to a nation but the God to one specific person!!!

Israel entered into a relationship beyond having a heritage. Israel entered into a relationship that could no longer be sustained on his grandfather's faith. Israel entered into a place of God’s purpose that needed a new altar. He did not call it the Mighty God of Abraham. He did not call it the Mighty God of Isaac. But he built an altar with his name on it.

After a lifetime of reaching, he got what cannot be held in your hand. A revelation that calls God mine. When God becomes a personal possession. My God! I believe it is time for the Church of the Living God to build a new Altar. It is time for every child of God to advance in their relationship with God by building a place of consecration that marks the work of Grace in your life. In this season I have purposed to build a new altar with my name on it. The Mighty God of Peter Nash

Genesis 32:24-28 (Amplified Bible)

24And Jacob was left alone, and a Man wrestled with him until daybreak. 25And when [the [a]Man] saw that He did not prevail against [Jacob], He touched the hollow of his thigh, and Jacob's thigh was put out of joint as he wrestled with Him. 26Then He said, Let Me go, for the day is breaking. But [Jacob] said, I will not let You go unless You declare a blessing upon me. 27[The Man] asked him, What is your name? And [in shock of realization, whispering] he said, Jacob [supplanter, schemer, trickster, swindler]! 28And He said, Your name shall be called no more Jacob [supplanter], but Israel [contender with God]; for you have contended and had power with God and with men and have prevailed.(A)

Genesis 33:11

11Accept, I beg of you, my blessing and gift that I have brought to you; for God has dealt graciously with me and I have everything. And he kept urging him and he accepted it.

Genesis 33:20

20There he erected an altar and called it El-Elohe-Israel [God, the God of Israel].