A New Name
That night Jacob got up and took his two wives, his two maidservants and his eleven sons and crossed the ford of the Jabbok. After he had sent them across the stream, he sent over all his possessions. So Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him till daybreak. When the man saw that he could not overpower him, he touched the socket of Jacob's hip so that his hip was wrenched as he wrestled with the man. Then the man said, “Let me go, for it is daybreak.” But Jacob replied, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.” The man asked him, “What is your name?” “Jacob,” he answered. Then the man said, “Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with men and have overcome.” (Genesis 32:22-28)
Nobody likes to be called by a name they don’t like. It’s likely that we all know someone who picked up a name during their school years, which has stayed with them their entire life. Names like “Shorty” or “Red” or “Chubs” are monikers many would like to leave behind them but have a way of hanging on regardless. Sometimes it is the parents that seem oblivious to the fact that baby naming can inflict emotional pain that can last a lifetime. For example last year there were 1000 little girls named “Unique” in the United States. (Kind of undermines the concept doesn’t it?) There were 256 little boys named “Sincere.” Another 265 were named “Armani.” And 27 named “Blue” (as in Little Boy) At least two children were named Espn, after the ESPN cable sports network. One couple got international news coverage when the court system in New Zealand wouldn’t allow them to name their child “4Real.” New Zealand has a name law which does not allow names that would cause offense to a reasonable person. The parents second choice for a name for their child? “Superman.”
You may or may not like your given name. But did you know that God often delights in renaming people? It’s one of the ways He uses to help us see the change He brings into our life. One such case is Jacob. Jacob means “he who grasps the heel” – it also means – “He deceives” which truly was the nature of Jacob’s heart. He left a legacy of deception until God laid hold of him and transformed his life. You’ll remember that Jacob cheated his brother Esau out of his birthright and deceived their father Isaac into giving his blessing to him rather than to Esau, who was the firstborn and the rightful heir of the father’s blessing. Jacob had to flee for his life and hide for 20 years before returning home. His sin had stimulated such a deep hatred in Esau that Esau wanted to kill his brother. Jacob’s selfishness and lies cost him and his family dearly.
Years later after becoming a wealthy man Jacob returns from exile at Uncle Laban’s home. While there He had gained great possessions and a large family. He remembered well the anger and hatred of his brother Esau. As much as his heart longed to be home, Jacob feared the power and strength of his brother. But Jacob, forever the manipulator and deceiver, had a plan. He took many flocks and herds – the camels and donkeys and divided them into a series of gifts that his servants would present to Esau. He gave instructions to his servants on how they should approach Esau and what they should say. (Gen. 32:19-20)
Jacob’s motivation is obvious. He will appease Esau with his words and manipulate his brother into receiving him back home. He based all his hopes for reconciliation on his innate talent for deception and manipulation. But God had another plan. That night Jacob took all his wives servants children and all his possessions and sent them across the river. Jacob was alone that night and something he never planned on or ever hoped for took place on that lonely river bank. God came that night and laid hold of Jacob.
Jacob had not planned on meeting God at this particular juncture of his life. In verse 32:11 he asked God to deliver him from the hand of his brother. But it is clear that following his prayer, he ran back to his own resources rather than place his confidence in God alone. Hour after hour Jacob wrestles with the “man.” Throughout the long hours of darkness the battle rages. Jacob, so strong in his flesh at first prevailed against the man who had laid hold of him. As morning approaches the One who wrestled with Jacob suddenly drained his physical strength. He who had laid hold of Jacob was able to break the fleshly strength of Jacob who up to that point in his life was able to cheat and deceive his way out of every difficult situation he ever faced. This time his own resources were not sufficient for his deliverance. From this moment on, Jacob, would be a broken man confronted with the realities of his own fleshly nature and limitations.
Jacob knew that this was an eternally significant experience. He knew he was face to face with God “I will not let you go until you bless me.” Holding on with all the strength he could muster, Jacob cried out for the blessing of God on his life. Rather than respond to Jacob’s request for His blessing, the man with who Jacob had been wrestling asks a question; “What is your name?” Why this question? God knew who Jacob was – but he wanted Jacob to say it out loud. Jacob responded by saying his name out loud. “Jacob.” Don’t miss the significance of what is happening here. This is the turning point in Jacob’s life. Jacob wanted the blessing of God so he wrestles with him all might long. Now he is stricken and in pain and God is asking him “What is your name. He’d run from acknowledging it all of his life. Do you think he wanted to say face to face with the living God, “I am a deceiver – I am a manipulator!” “What is your name?” Jacob confesses – “I am Jacob, the deceiver. There I said it! That is who I am!”
As soon as Jacob confessed his name which represented the true nature of his heart up to that point– God changed him and gave him a new name, “Now you are ‘Israel’ Which means – “He strives with God – and also means “Prince of God.” It was God’s way of saying to Jacob, “I no longer want you to see yourself as ‘The Deceiver’ but as ‘My Prince.’” “I have now transformed you and so I will also rename you.”
God loves transforming people. What he did with Jacob is what he does with you and me. He gives us new identities. New hope. New meaning. If you are currently wrestling with God over some great issue in your life, follow Jacob’s example. Surrender. Confess who you truly are. And allow God to change your identity.
Live the Victorious Life,
PT
Nobody likes to be called by a name they don’t like. It’s likely that we all know someone who picked up a name during their school years, which has stayed with them their entire life. Names like “Shorty” or “Red” or “Chubs” are monikers many would like to leave behind them but have a way of hanging on regardless. Sometimes it is the parents that seem oblivious to the fact that baby naming can inflict emotional pain that can last a lifetime. For example last year there were 1000 little girls named “Unique” in the United States. (Kind of undermines the concept doesn’t it?) There were 256 little boys named “Sincere.” Another 265 were named “Armani.” And 27 named “Blue” (as in Little Boy) At least two children were named Espn, after the ESPN cable sports network. One couple got international news coverage when the court system in New Zealand wouldn’t allow them to name their child “4Real.” New Zealand has a name law which does not allow names that would cause offense to a reasonable person. The parents second choice for a name for their child? “Superman.”
You may or may not like your given name. But did you know that God often delights in renaming people? It’s one of the ways He uses to help us see the change He brings into our life. One such case is Jacob. Jacob means “he who grasps the heel” – it also means – “He deceives” which truly was the nature of Jacob’s heart. He left a legacy of deception until God laid hold of him and transformed his life. You’ll remember that Jacob cheated his brother Esau out of his birthright and deceived their father Isaac into giving his blessing to him rather than to Esau, who was the firstborn and the rightful heir of the father’s blessing. Jacob had to flee for his life and hide for 20 years before returning home. His sin had stimulated such a deep hatred in Esau that Esau wanted to kill his brother. Jacob’s selfishness and lies cost him and his family dearly.
Years later after becoming a wealthy man Jacob returns from exile at Uncle Laban’s home. While there He had gained great possessions and a large family. He remembered well the anger and hatred of his brother Esau. As much as his heart longed to be home, Jacob feared the power and strength of his brother. But Jacob, forever the manipulator and deceiver, had a plan. He took many flocks and herds – the camels and donkeys and divided them into a series of gifts that his servants would present to Esau. He gave instructions to his servants on how they should approach Esau and what they should say. (Gen. 32:19-20)
Jacob’s motivation is obvious. He will appease Esau with his words and manipulate his brother into receiving him back home. He based all his hopes for reconciliation on his innate talent for deception and manipulation. But God had another plan. That night Jacob took all his wives servants children and all his possessions and sent them across the river. Jacob was alone that night and something he never planned on or ever hoped for took place on that lonely river bank. God came that night and laid hold of Jacob.
Jacob had not planned on meeting God at this particular juncture of his life. In verse 32:11 he asked God to deliver him from the hand of his brother. But it is clear that following his prayer, he ran back to his own resources rather than place his confidence in God alone. Hour after hour Jacob wrestles with the “man.” Throughout the long hours of darkness the battle rages. Jacob, so strong in his flesh at first prevailed against the man who had laid hold of him. As morning approaches the One who wrestled with Jacob suddenly drained his physical strength. He who had laid hold of Jacob was able to break the fleshly strength of Jacob who up to that point in his life was able to cheat and deceive his way out of every difficult situation he ever faced. This time his own resources were not sufficient for his deliverance. From this moment on, Jacob, would be a broken man confronted with the realities of his own fleshly nature and limitations.
Jacob knew that this was an eternally significant experience. He knew he was face to face with God “I will not let you go until you bless me.” Holding on with all the strength he could muster, Jacob cried out for the blessing of God on his life. Rather than respond to Jacob’s request for His blessing, the man with who Jacob had been wrestling asks a question; “What is your name?” Why this question? God knew who Jacob was – but he wanted Jacob to say it out loud. Jacob responded by saying his name out loud. “Jacob.” Don’t miss the significance of what is happening here. This is the turning point in Jacob’s life. Jacob wanted the blessing of God so he wrestles with him all might long. Now he is stricken and in pain and God is asking him “What is your name. He’d run from acknowledging it all of his life. Do you think he wanted to say face to face with the living God, “I am a deceiver – I am a manipulator!” “What is your name?” Jacob confesses – “I am Jacob, the deceiver. There I said it! That is who I am!”
As soon as Jacob confessed his name which represented the true nature of his heart up to that point– God changed him and gave him a new name, “Now you are ‘Israel’ Which means – “He strives with God – and also means “Prince of God.” It was God’s way of saying to Jacob, “I no longer want you to see yourself as ‘The Deceiver’ but as ‘My Prince.’” “I have now transformed you and so I will also rename you.”
God loves transforming people. What he did with Jacob is what he does with you and me. He gives us new identities. New hope. New meaning. If you are currently wrestling with God over some great issue in your life, follow Jacob’s example. Surrender. Confess who you truly are. And allow God to change your identity.
Live the Victorious Life,
PT
posted by Larry | 2:20 PM
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