Names and Change

Do you know the meaning of your name? It's amazing how parents will pick a name for a newborn, and that name is so perfect for their child. Believer or not, your name is God-given.

Especially in Bible days, when history was being made, your name reflected something about you, or the circumstances of that day.

Which is exactly what happened when Esau and Jacob were born. Esau was red and hairy, so his name means "hairy." Jacob was born almost at the same time as Esau because he was holding onto Esau's heel, so his name means "he takes by the heel," or "he cheats."

What a legacy to have spoken over your life...and Jacob did his fair share of cheating, tricking, and breaking the rules.

Both Esau's and Jacob's names changed later. Because they changed. Esau's name was changed to Edom when he sold his birthright for red stew. Edom means red.

Jacob's name changed after he wrestled with God.

"And Jacob was left alone. And a man wrestled with him until the breaking of the day. When the man saw that he did not prevail against Jacob, he touched his hip socked, and Jacob's hip was put out of joint as he wrestled with him. Then he said, 'Let me go, for the day has broken.' But Jacob said, 'I will not let you go unless you bless me.' And he said to him, 'What is your name?' And he said, 'Jacob.' Then he said, 'Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel, for you have striven with God and with men, and have prevailed.' " Genesis 32:24-28

Jacob changed. He wasn't the cheater anymore. And he didn't want that reminder and that legacy hanging over him. So he would not let go of God until God did something about that. He wanted a new name, a new legacy, and a real blessing from God. One that he had earned. One that was freely given to him. (You'll remember that he stole Esau's blessing by tricking their father, Isaac. Genesis 27)

When we are saved and born again, we are not the same anymore. We are changed. Jacob was changed. And this chapter is the biggest evidence of the change in him after he fled from Esau (Genesis 27 and 28).

Now I'm not saying go out and change your name, but is God and His changing power seen in your life? God saw Jacob's heart. He saw the change. That's one of the reasons why He blessed him, and changed his name.

Look at Jacob afterwards. He was forgiven. He was no longer the trickster. Some serious blessings came his way.

With God in us, we are all changed for the better.

---Joy