What's in a Name? (Genesis 35:9-15)

What’s in a name? The Bible puts a lot of significance on a person’s name.

Sometimes a person is given a name because of their predominate character trait (The missionary Joseph is better known in the Bible as “Barnabbas” which literally means “son of encouragement,” because he was such an encouraging person).

Sometimes a person is given a name because of their mother’s emotions during childbirth (see Jacob’s sons and the meaning of their names in Genesis 29-30).

Sometimes God steps in and gives someone a new name because of what God is going to do through that person (Jesus changed Simon’s name to “Peter,” meaning “rock,” because Peter would be a rock of the early church).

The name “Jacob” literally means “he gasps the heel,” and figuratively means “deceiver.” He was given this name because of the way he was born, and it has defined him his entire life. He has acted deceitfully with everyone he’s met. But God is going to change that. God is going to give him a new name.

Please read Genesis 35:9-15.

If a person accepts a name change from someone else in Scripture, it’s an indication that they are submitting to their authority. Usually it is a great king who changes a person’s name (like in the case of the King of Babylon changing the names of Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah to Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego). If you accept the name change, then you are submitting to that person’s authority over you. And that is exactly what Jacob does here: he accepts that he will no longer be known as a deceiver; he will forever after be known as “Israel,” or “he struggles with God.”

Wait! Did you catch that? Jacob has been trying to change from his deceiver ways; he’s been trying to shape up and be better. He wants to follow after God, and he’s been faithfully following him on this long journey for awhile now. He’s excited that God will finally change his name. What will it be? “Faithful”? “Obedient”? “Strong Warrior”?

Nope. “He struggles with God.” This name will define not only Jacob, but also all of his descendants for the rest of time. Israel will constantly struggle with God. God will keep saving them, redeeming them, and blessing them, and they will keep worshipping Him, rebelling against Him, crying out to Him, and committing idolatry against Him. That is Jacob’s legacy.

While it’s understandable to be disappointed with this new name, it also comes with promises from God: God will bless Israel and make kings come from him, and God will give Israel the Promised Land. God will do all that He has said He will do. Even if Israel rebels against Him, even when Israel struggles against Him, God will continue to bless Israel and be faithful to him.

This might not be the name that Jacob was expecting or hoping for, but it comes with the promises from God that he desperately needs, so he accepts his new name.

As we conclude today’s devotional, remember that God has also given you a new name. You are:

His Child,

Redeemed,

Beloved,

Chosen,

Saved,

Holy,

A Saint,

And Jesus’ Friend.