Ever had two names? Mom called you Sallie when she gave you a hug, but called you Sarah Marie when you were in trouble? It was even worse if she said, “Sarah Marie” twice. You knew that you were in the doghouse.
JACOB’S 2 NAMES
In Genesis 46:1-4, God calls Jacob two names: “Israel” & “Jacob”. Jacob is not a pleasant name; it means “supplanter”: suggesting someone who is deceitful, cunning, and who attempts to seize something. Jacob stole the birthright and blessings intended for his brother Esau.
Israel means “Prince of God”. Notice, in this passage God says the name Jacob twice in a row. He must be trying to get the supplanter’s attention.
POOR OLD JACOB
Poor Jacob. He discovers that for the past 22 years his sons have deceived him. (Hmmm, wonder where they inherited that trait?) They told Father Jacob that brother Joseph was killed by a wild animal. They never mentioned they sold their flesh and blood into slavery. During all this time Jacob’s heart never heals from the loss of Joseph.
A huge famine comes to Canaan and the brothers are sent to Egypt to buy food. Listen to the brothers as they return home. Astonishingly, they tell Dad, “Joseph is still alive! In fact, he is ruler of all Egypt.” No wonder Jacob was stunned; he did not believe them (Genesis 45:25-26). After all, his sons were also deceivers.
A NEW START
After much discussion, Jacob sets out with his entire family (and yes, that includes all his rascally sons and their offspring) for Egypt. They head for the unknown. However, Jacob sits on an emotional fence at Beersheba, the southernmost town in Canaan. God tells 130-year-old Jacob to make a fresh start with his sons, the deceivers. Elderly Jacob obeys God’s command, but all types of fears pass through his heart. Will Jacob bail?
ISRAEL VERSUS JACOB
Jacob stops to offer sacrifice to God at Beersheba. Remember Jacob’s new name from God? “Israel” has acted in faith by loading the wagon, but “Jacob” is wondering what in the world is going on. And God spoke to Israel in a vision at night and said, “Jacob! Jacob!” “Here I am,” he replied. “I am God, the God of your father,” he said. “Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for I will make you into a great nation there. I will go down to Egypt with you. It is only in Egypt that Jacob can become Israel, the prince of God over a multitude of descendants.
FORGETTING MY NEW IDENTITY
Are you mired in the past? In my case, I often act as the old “Jac”. This is all the time when like Jacob, I pull on the old sin nature and perform according to my old character. I forget who I am in Christ. I forget my identity in Christ and agree with people when they call me Failure, Weak, Prisoner, Forgotten, Cursed.
YOUR NEW ETERNAL NAMES
What does God have in store for you? Are you chained to the old names and labels people have given you? Or are you willing to step out on faith in believe truly that you are Blessed (Ephesians 1:3); Child of God (I John 3:1); Chosen (John 15:16); Free (Rom. 8:1); Friend (John 15:15); Known (Ps. 139:1-3); Loved (Romans 8:38-39); Redeemed (Romans 3:23-24); Seen (Ps. 34:15); Strong (II Cor. 12:9).
God calls you to let go of the past. He beckons you by your new name.