2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!"
Jacob became Israel. Sarah was once Sarai. Abram was later referred to as Abraham. Paul was once called Saul. The one significant thing all of these people had in common is that they were transformed by God, and upon changing their name was altered in the process.
In the Bible the Hebrews chose names for their children that would match their personalities, and determine their fate in life. Like many parents, they decided to name their child with a personal reflection of who and how that person is/was. Jacob in Hebrew meant deceiver. If you look at Jacob he was a deceiver and a liar. He deceived his brother Esau of his birthright. He later also beguiled his father, under his mother's persuasion, into receiving a blessing that was not rightfully his. Jacob lived a life with constant upheaval, he was always running from his troubles, he endured strife, and he even wrestled with God (Genesis 32:22-32). With such a tumultuous past it is hard to believe that God would use such a person to be the name to many generations that would later become a great nation of people. In order to become a new person God transformed Jacob, and proved that his past could not impede His calling on Jacob's life . In Genesis 32:28 God reveals that Jacob will no longer be called Jacob, but he would now be called Israel. Upon research I discovered that Israel actually means: 'God Contended', 'Wrestles with God', 'Triumphant with God'. In this case, that is exactly what Jacob did. He is known for 'wrestling with God', and he was 'triumphant' with God. In other words, God changed Jacob's life, his circumstances, his future, and his name. Before, in chapter 31, Jacob was accused of defrauding his Uncle, Laban, and fled with his wives and children out of fear of his consequences. If it had not been for his altercation with God his outcome could have been much different. Scripture states in Genesis 32:24-30:
24 So Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him till daybreak.
25 When the man saw that he could not overpower him, he touched the socket of Jacob’s hip so that his hip was wrenched as he wrestled with the man.
26 Then the man said, “Let me go, for it is daybreak. ”But Jacob replied, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.”
27 The man asked him, “What is your name?” “Jacob,” he answered.
28 Then the man said, “Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel,[f] because you have struggled with God and with humans and have overcome.”
29 Jacob said, “Please tell me your name.”
But he replied, “Why do you ask my name?” Then he blessed him there.
30 So Jacob called the place Peniel, saying, “It is because I saw God face to face, and yet my life was spared.” Jacob wrestled with God and pleaded for a blessing, but God only bestowed the blessing upon him after he changed Jacob. Jacob was spared by God he was transformed to later become the catalyst of a great nation, Israel.
Paul was another example of being transformed by God. Paul (or Saul), was a murderer that zealously persecuted Christians. He was confronted by Jesus and was blinded before the Lord before his life changed. Acts chapter 9 discusses how Saul was transfigured and would later go on to be called Paul (which means humble or small) and preach the Gospel of Jesus. [Acts 9:20-22: 20 And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God. 21 But all that heard him were amazed, and said; Is not this he that destroyed them which called on this name in Jerusalem, and came hither for that intent, that he might bring them bound unto the chief priests? 22 But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is very Christ.]
In summation, if it had not been for God literally breaking Jacob's hip, and blinding Saul's eyes, their lives would have been ruined. Jacob would have still been living in fear, and carrying a bad reputation. Saul would probably have still persecuted Christians. Yet, God changed them, and humbled them to make them dependent upon Him in order to lead purposeful lives. Sometimes God transfigures us and renames us, because the world cannot claim us. Jacob was no longer a liar and deceiver. Jacob became Israel, the leader of a great nation. Saul could not vainly persecute Christians anymore. Saul was later called Paul, and he diligently preached the Gospel of the Jesus. In both instances, God took these men and used them to be examples that, God reconstructs as a way to redirect us. He can change a liar, he can change a cheater, or even a thief. There is no name, description, or definition that amounts to the name God has given you. We are who God calls us to be. I say this a lot, but I'll say it again, We are not defined by this world, we are not labeled by our past. There is no name this world can give us that compares to what God call us. We can praise God for the names He gives us. Once God changes you the world can never label you.
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