Have you ever noticed how the mention of a certain name-be it a company that one works for, an educational institution that one attended for instance an ivy league school, a club that one plays for, or a family name creates an impression in another person’s mind of who we are and perhaps opens doors with no struggle? What if the name we are identified with is nothing to ride home about- does it mean we have no chance in life?
1 John 5:1 reads that Whoever believes that Jesus -is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves Him who begot- also loves him who is begotten of Him. Joining the family of God means that we become His own and as much as we have our usual names on our birth certificates, the new name God gives us changes our lives.
Jacob means- he grasps the heel. It’s a Hebrew idiom that means “he deceives”. One of Isaac’s sons was named as such because he was born holding the heel of his elder bother Esau. This was also after Rebekah’s constant questions that she took to the Lord when she felt her babies jostling each other in her womb.
And true to his name, Jacob deceived his brother on two occasions. Firstly, he took Esau’s birth right when he made him exchange it for a bowl of lentil soup. Secondly, when he deceived his father Isaac and made him pronounce the first-born blessing on him instead of Esau. He deceived his father to be Esau by covering himself with goats’ skin so as to feel as hairy as his brother. He also served his father meat stew knowing how much his father loved Esau’s game meat.
But we also see how he was also deceived. After running away from his brother who was enraged for losing his blessing to him. He went to live with his uncle Laban and fell in love with the youngest of his two daughters-Racheal. After working for seven years so as to have her as his wife, Laban deceived him. On the wedding night, Laban instead gave him Leah- Racheal’s elder sister. He had to work for another seven years to have Racheal finally as his wife. Could his name have been speaking into his life? (We see this in Genesis chapters 25,27&29)
Let’s consider another man Jabez in 1chronicles 4:9 Now Jabez was more honorable than his brothers, and his mother called his name [c]Jabez, saying, “Because I bore him in pain.” Like Jabez who was honorable but associated with pain…Is there a BUT attached to your name? He is successful …but…. she is beautiful but…. they are married …but……fill in the gaps.
Is it also possible for people to identify us with our present but often temporal circumstances. Say the childless couple, the jobless woman, the sick cousin? Remember the woman with the issue of blood was known as such- for having had the condition for 12 years and having visited different doctors spending all her money to no avail.
What then should we do?
Think of how many times others call your name in a day. Be it on an email, a phone call, perhaps when referring to you in a conversation. Recognize where a name you have and even as identified by circumstances that you are in is speaking negatively into your life.
Get tired of being identified with that name. The life of Jabez must have been full of pain. Every time his name was called it meant pain- but he got tired and cried to God. We read in 1 Chronicles 4:10… And Jabez called on the God of Israel saying, “Oh, that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain!” So God granted him what he requested.
Press in until God changes your name- until He changes your circumstances. When Jacob was on his way to reconcile with his brother, he sent messengers to Esau bearing gifts ahead of ahead of him. He also took his two wives their servants and his sons across Jabbok River. He was then left alone and a Man wrestled with him until the [b]breaking of day. 25 Now when the man saw that He did not prevail against him, He [c]touched the socket of his hip; and the socket of Jacob’s hip was out of joint as He wrestled with him. 26 And the man said, “Let Me go, for the day breaks.” But Jacob said, “I will not let You go unless You bless me!”27 So the Man said to him, “What is your name?” He said, “Jacob.”28 And the man said, “Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but [d]Israel; for you have struggled with God and with men, and have prevailed.” From Jacob God formed the nation of Israel. We read this in Genesis 32:22-32.
Press in like the woman with the issue of blood. Like Jacob who wrestled with God, she risked her life and pressed into the crowds-possibly at the risk of being trampled upon just so she could touch the hem of the garment of Jesus. It could be through prayer and fasting or whichever action of faith God leads you to take. Press in. Cry to God like Jabez did. God will take notice of your act of faith in reaching out to touch him even if just to touch the hem of his garment.
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