What’s Your Name?
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Tuesday, March 2
What’s Your Name?
So He said to him, “What is your name?” He said, “Jacob.” Genesis 32:27
Jacob’s name is derived from the word heel grabber. And the Bible tells us that after his brother Esau came out Jacob was indeed grabbing Esau’s heel hence his name and for the rest of his life Jacob was always found trying to get ahead. Jacob was born with this me first mentality and to be honest that is something that is born in each of us instinctively. Me, me, me – it’s all about me. Yet we find that Jesus instructs us in a different way in the book of Matthew, because as we know in the kingdom of heaven it works a little differently.
The New Testament says many who are first will be last, and those who are last will be first. In other words, it’s not always the ones who are ahead will get ahead. See if you spend your life grabbing at heels, protecting your ego, going after success, pushing and shoving your way through that life is exhausting. Me first is miserable cause me first doesn’t work. In the process of going after things to go first, it’s often when we lose ourselves as did Jacob. Then in order to find yourself, you must return to God and be truthful about who you are because God cannot bless who you pretend to be.
After 21 years of running from Esau, Jacob finally decides I am going back home. Perhaps there can be reconciliation. But before Jacob goes back home and reconciles with his brother God has some more work to be done. This is where Jacob wrestles with the angel of God and in doing so God changes his name to Israel.
Before God brings Jacob to the place of deliverance He had to set Jacob free from playing the role of Esau and bondage of his lies and so he wrestles Jacob into deliverance. The angel of the Lord wants to know, I see who you’ve been pretending to be but now are you ready to embrace who you really are? Are you ready to take off Esau’s clothes and embrace Jacob that God has called you to be?
This is a personal question for you to ponder as you go throughout the week. Remember that the God of Jacob is with you today and will be with you every step of the way once you make the decision to follow Him. He is the God of the hopeless but He is also the God of grace and mercy. Lean on Him as you gain strength to embrace who you really are.