Daily Devotions
Genesis
"Deal with Your servant according to Your mercy, And teach me Your statutes." Psalm 119:124
Text: Genesis 35:1-29
CONFIRMATION OF THE USE OF THE NAME “ISRAEL”
How did Jacob feel when he saw how his sons turned out? They had been so cruel and vindictive. They were irascible and vengeful as well! Did he feel that he had failed them somehow? The Lord had given him a new name, “Israel”. What a lofty name that was – “Prince with God”. He felt anything but a prince when news came to him that his sons had massacred the men of Shechem!
God must have known just how he had felt. Thus, with great love and tenderness, He spoke to him, using his new name, ‘Israel’.
“Your name is Jacob;
your name shall not be called Jacob anymore,
but Israel shall be your name.”
GENESIS 35:101. A name given at birth
The name “Jacob” was given because he had grabbed at his brother’s heel when he was born. The name was given affectionately to note how he came into the world. With the passing of time, the name took on a more sinister meaning. Jacob seemed bent on grabbing his brother’s heels all the time! He had cheated his brother on at least two occasions!
2. A new name graciously given by the Lord Himself
“Jacob” was the name given by his parents. It was the Lord God Himself who gave Jacob the name “Israel”. The old Jacob was no more. The old man was put away. A new man had arisen. This new person was a man of prayer. He had prevailed in his prayer life!
3. Confirmation of the right to use the new name
Yes, it was a shame that the sons of Jacob had behaved as they did! Was Jacob to be blamed too? Yes, partly! His children were all grown up. They were responsible for their own sins! Jacob may grieve over their sins, but he must not bear the weight of their sins!
As far as the Lord was concerned, He would address him as “Israel”. Jacob must not feel despondent over the debacle that had occurred in Shechem. He must ever look forward to the future! Yes, there was a future, no matter how terrible and sordid his past may have been!
A CLEAR PRONOUNCEMENT OF BLESSING
Did God really mean what He said? But, surely He did. He would bless as He had promised. God used an ancient but familiar benediction in blessing Jacob! Prefacing it with a declaration of His intention to bless, He said,
“Also God said to him, ‘I am God Almighty.
Be fruitful and multiply…”
GENESIS 35:11a