03/07/08

Jacob and Israel

Isaiah 43:1 - But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine.

The name 'Jacob' means "heel holder" or "supplanter"; from the time he was born he was a man full of deceit. He went to all extends to get what he wanted even trampling over other's future. The name 'Israel' by which the Lord called Jacob means 'Prince of God' also 'God prevails'. In many places like this one, the Lord uses both the names of one individual in one single sentence. And the way it is written as if the Lord is talking to two different persons (notice the comma)?

Yes, they were two different individuals, Jacob was the former of Israel; he was the old man, while Israel was the new man - the born again - the redeemed man. When the Lord created Jacob the Lord knew his heart, his character, his weakness and his downfalls. But the Lord set a vision for Jacob to become Israel and the Lord helped him to change.

In this scripture the Lord is not speaking to that individual Jacob or Israel the person, for that individual was dead long before Isaiah, but to all his generations, that includes you and me (not a country - Israel). When we believe in Jesus Christ we get planted into the family tree of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob by faith (explained in Galatians 3, 4). We are born not out of bondage but of the promise which was given to the seed; that is Jesus Christ.

If you are a believer in Jesus Christ, it is not by chance but because you were called by name. And the most joyful thing is, in the very next scripture (Isaiah 43:2) the Lord asserts us that He will help us through our problems and disasters and they will not completely destroy us nor overcome us. Our 'PASS' results are already written, what we need to do is just go through the process holding the Lord's hand.


[ Prayer Starter ]
Lord, I thank You for calling me to be Israel. My past person no longer lives but I live as a new creation in You; a redeemed person. You are working in me and I know You will get the job done. I hold on to You, for You are my only hope. I make this prayer of faith in Jesus' Name, through whom I have received You, Amen.


[ Reference Scriptures ]

Isaiah 43:2 When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.

Galatians 3:7-9, 29
7 Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham.
8 And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed.
9 So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.
29 And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.

Galatians 4:22-31
22 For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a freewoman.
23 But he who was of the bondwoman was born after the flesh; but he of the freewoman was by promise.
24 Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants; the one from the mount Sinai, which gendereth to bondage, which is Agar.
25 For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children.
26 But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all.
27 For it is written, Rejoice, thou barren that bearest not; break forth and cry, thou that travailest not: for the desolate hath many more children than she which hath an husband.
28 Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise.
29 But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now.
30 Nevertheless what saith the scripture? Cast out the bondwoman and her son: for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman.
31 So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman, but of the free.

The Word of God was given free to us, therefore we should also share it freely with others. (All rights are with God)