11/01/10

O Jacob, O 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 Lord changed the name of Jacob to Israel, He said 'Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel', so in this scripture was the Lord breaking His own instruction?

We need to understand that Jocab whose name means 'suplanter' was deceitful in nature. It was the name of the unredeemed man. The unredeemed man pursued and struggled (wrestled symbolically) with God (Angle of God) and therefore God being happy with his perseverance christened his name as Israel.

The name Israel which is made of two words 'Isra' meaning 'Princes' and 'El' meaning 'God'. Thus means 'Princes of God'. The other meaning comes as 'God has saved, God has striven' and comes from the Hebrew word 'Yisra'el'.

This name Israel was used not only to Jacob but to all his generations. It was not just a name but a promise to redeem and give son-ship to Jacob and his generations.

Even today when the Lord looks at us He finds the same situation in us as He found in Jacob. We show Him our Adam nature and also Christ's nature at the same time. He is not happy to see the former but because of the later He stands by us and commits to take us through the promise He gave to Jacob.

We may have some areas which we may be struggling to overcome but as we continue in our struggle we should show the nature of Christ in the other areas which we can, so that we please God and have His favor over us.


[ Prayer Starter ]
Lord, You know we are and not perfect, yet let this not be an excuse for us to show Christ in those areas wherein your grace is in abundance. Help us O Lord that we be more of Israel and less of Jacob...

We make this prayer in Jesus' Name, Amen.


[ Reference Scriptures ]
Genesis 32:28
28 And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed.

Isaiah 43:1-7
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.
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.
3 For I am the LORD thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour: I gave Egypt for thy ransom, Ethiopia and Seba for thee.
4 Since thou wast precious in my sight, thou hast been honourable, and I have loved thee: therefore will I give men for thee, and people for thy life.
5 Fear not: for I am with thee: I will bring thy seed from the east, and gather thee from the west;
6 I will say to the north, Give up; and to the south, Keep not back: bring my sons from far, and my daughters from the ends of the earth;
7 Even every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him

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