I find something very interesting in verse 2. God speaks to Israel but calls him Jacob. What is God doing? God gave him a new name but is calling him by his old name. What is happening especially when we read that God is speaking to Israel? We aren't told the precise reason however, what we do see is God reaching down and giving Israel/Jacob direction and a promise. I see God reaching down in love as it were to a friend. Jacob might have felt like Jacob and not Israel considering all that has taken place. Whatever the reason God is using the name Jacob, God is speaking to Israel, the prince of God.
I also notice that here again as the chapter ends, Jacob sends Judah forward to Joseph. Something has happened in the family. Judah was able to convenience his father to send Benjamin. Judah stands up to Joseph to defend Benjamin. Here Judah is sent ahead. Something has changed and now Judah is taking a lead in the family as his descendants will much later through David.
Photo by Tim Mossholder on Unsplash
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