from Jacob to Israel...

But Jacob said, "I will not let you go unless you bless me."
And he said to him, "what is your name?"
And he said, "Jacob"
Then he said, "Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel, for you have striven with God and with men, and have prevailed."

ive been reminded of this story fairly often throughout the year and recently read a little commentary about Jacob. In the end the author, Rev. Frederick Buechner, writes, "God is the enemy whom Jacob fights by the river, and whom in one way of another we all fight - God, the beloved enemy. Our enemy because he demands of us everything; our selves, our wills, our treasure. Will we give them, you and I? I do not know..."