Over the last seven years I’ve attended many baby showers. And the best part for me is learning the name of the baby and finding out the meaning of the name. Sometimes the parents choose a name based on the meaning or because they want to name the baby after a relative. Other times it’s because they just love the sound of the name. No matter the reason, the name ends up being perfect for the little bundle of love.
One thing I love doing for an expectant mother is to create a picture for the baby’s room. On the back of the picture I like to write down what the baby’s name means and a little prayer for them to read when they get old enough.
For the last couple of weeks we have been talking about how God changed Abraham and Sarah’s names. Today we are going to learn a little more about their grandson, Jacob, and how God decided to change his name as well.
Jacob was born to Isaac and Rebekah, the second in a set of twins. But while in the womb, Jacob and his brother fought constantly. To the point where Rebekah had to ask the Lord,
‘ [...] “Why is this happening to me?” [...] The Lord said to her,
“Two nations are in your womb,
and two peoples from within you will be separated;
one people will be stronger than the other,
and the older will serve the younger.”’
Genesis 25:23
I don’t know how Rebekah felt about what God told her. But I do know that when the twins were born, Isaac and Rebekah were very literal with the twins’ names:
Esau - “Hairy”
Jacob - “He grasps the heel or he deceives”
Jacob lives up to the meaning of his name. He deceives his father and steals the blessing meant for Esau (the oldest) with his mother’s help. Jacob spends much of his adult life running: from his brother, his father-in-law, from himself. But God tells him to return to the land where his father and brother reside:
“Then the Lord said to Jacob, “Go back to the land of your fathers and to your relatives, and I will be with you.”
Genesis 31:3
Even though Jacob received the blessing of the first born through deceit, God still wanted to be a part of his life. To me this can only mean one thing, God wants our whole selves. He doesn’t care if we are angry, sad, or happy. Our Father just wants us to go to Him. God chose to be with Jacob and honor the blessing that was given to him.
Jacob followed God’s directions just as his grandfather had before him. But even though Jacob was obedient, he was fearful to meet his brother again and after sending gifts and his household ahead of him he returned to camp,
“[...] Jacob [was] all alone in the camp, and a man came and wrestled with him until the dawn began to break. When the man saw that he would not win the match, he touched Jacob’s hip and wrenched it out of its socket. Then the man said, “Let me go, for the dawn is breaking!”
But Jacob said, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.”
“What is your name?” the man asked.
He replied, “Jacob.”
“Your name will no longer be Jacob,” the man told him. “From now on you will be called Israel, because you have fought with God and with men and have won.”
“Please tell me your name,” Jacob said.
“Why do you want to know my name?” the man replied. Then he blessed Jacob there.”
Genesis 24-29
As a little girl, I remember my Dad getting on the floor and rough housing with me and my sisters. We would dogpile him and he would tickle us until we couldn’t breathe. But no matter how far the play went, I never got hurt.
After a conversation with a gal at church, I now think that God wrestled with Jacob because He wanted to provide a safe place for Jacob to work out his frustrations and fears. Like a daddy rough housing with his kid, the Lord was there for Jacob and as a parting gift He renamed him Israel.
Even after his name change, Israel still went through times where he struggled to do the right thing. But each time he went back to God after messing up. Much like his descendents.
What are you struggling with right now? Is there a situation where you feel like you need to wrestle with God?
Bethany Thomas is the Publicity Coordinator and a contributing writer for Shaken & Stirred. She is a daughter of God, a wife, and a dog mom. When not writing for the blog, you are most likely to find her reading a fantasy novel or crafting at her home in Sapulpa, OK.
Photo by Wren Meinberg on Unsplash