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God Gives Jacob a New Name

Jacob had maneuvered his way into receiving the family birthright and the blessing of his father. Making good on His promise from before Jacob and Esau were born, God confirmed His covenant blessings would indeed pass through Jacob, even though he was the younger son. But Jacob’s choices had left consequences in their wake. His brother, Esau, planned to kill Jacob for his deception. 

Knowing the danger, Jacob’s mother, Rebekah, sent him away to her brother, Laban, in Haran, where he met Rachel, one of his uncle’s daughters. Jacob offered to work seven years for Laban for the right to marry Rachel. But Laban was also deceitful, and at the end of seven years, he gave his other daughter, Leah, to Jacob as his wife. When Jacob confronted Laban about the deception, Laban offered to give him Rachel as his wife as well, but only if Jacob would work for another seven years. Jacob agreed.

Though Jacob loved Rachel more than Leah, the Lord was kind to Leah and gave her children. This caused much jealousy and bitterness between the sisters, leading to their servants becoming wives as part of a competition, and numerous children were born to Jacob—the next big step in God’s plan of a nation coming from Abraham. 

Throughout his time working for Laban, God multiplied Jacob’s material blessings and he became very rich. The Lord then commanded Jacob to return to the land of his fathers—the land where Esau still lived. With much apprehension, Jacob began the trip home, which led to one night that would define his future.

God’s renaming of individuals in the Old Testament reflects both privilege and responsibility. As Christians, we bear the name of Christ. We receive both the privilege of salvation and the responsibility of mission.

God forced Jacob to own up to his old name and nature. He was a deceiver, but no more. Jacob would have the new name of Israel. This new name was symbolic of both the privilege and responsibility of walking with God. Like Jacob, we have been given new names in Christ—we are no longer strangers, enemies, or rebels; we are now God’s children.

With the new name of Israel, God was calling Jacob to embrace his identity and purpose as a part of God’s plan. When we sin as Christians, it is as if we are forgetting we have been made new in Christ. Fortunately, the Holy Spirit reminds us over and over again that we are the children of God, secure in His hands.