In the biblical account, Jacob went on to wrestle with an angel for a change of name, until the angel said “let me go, my shift is over” (paraphrase), told Jacob “you have fought with God and with men and won”, and was given a new name; “Israel”. Israel became the father of the twelve sons, who are the fathers of the twelve tribes of Israel (and whom, I’m told, modern Jews can still date their ancestory back to). Israel was chosen by God to be a light (an example/ambassador/leader) to the nations – and it was prophesied that salvation would come through their nation (a promise which christians, such as myself, believe to have been fulfilled in Jesus Christ). But interesting, many Christian and Hebrew (Jewish) stories and songs (including the bible itself), still refer to God as “the God of Abraham [Jacob's grandfather], Issac, and Jacob – using Israel’s original name.

Although this explaination is merely my understanding of the biblical account (and therefore is most like skewed by my limited knowledge (for example, consider the 4000-year generation gap and culture difference), I think one more point is worth noting; it is so like God to take something or someone the world considers “a deciever” and turn it into something/one who God would use as an example, to demonstrate His attempts to gain back the affection of the world, and help over 4000 years of generations live life the best way possible.