A New Name for a Changed Life

 We don't put much emphasis on what our names mean anymore, but in the some cultures it has been very important in the past. Of course, we see that in the Bible. The best example of this is Jesus Himself. The angel told Joseph to name the baby, Jesus, because He would save His people from their sins. That is what Jesus means, "God saves." Jesus lived up to His name, didn't He?

Jacob had two names, his birth name, and then, God gave him a new name after his life had changed. (Genesis 35:10) God said to him, "Your name is Jacob; You shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel shall be your name." So He called him Israel. What a change this signifies! 

Jacob means "Deceiver." I don't know why his parents chose that name, except for the fact that he was destined to be a deceiver. He stole his brother's birthright by taking advantage of his hunger and his blessing by lying to his father with his mother's help. However, after that he fled from his angry brother, and we do not have any other examples of Jacob deceiving people.

He served his mother's brother, Laban, and he was very honest. God had promised to bless him if he would trust Him, and that is just what Jacob did. Therefore, when Jacob left Laban and returned home, he had 12 sons. He was a wealthy man, too, so God changed his name to Israel, which means, "Prince of God." He had become God's man to carry forth the covenant. Jacob truly had a changed life, and we can, too, if we will fully trust the Lord.

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Tomorrow, I intend to read Genesis 36-39.