Sunday Scripture

  Now that Jacob had returned from Paddan-aram, God appeared to him again at Bethel. God blessed him, saying, "Your name is Jacob, but you will not be called Jacob any longer. From now on your name will be Israel." So God renamed him Israel. 

~ Genesis 35:9-10 (NLT)

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This is the second time God renames Jacob Israel in scripture. Jacob meant "heel" or "deceiver" while Israel means "God fights." How much better it is to be known as someone for whom God fights rather than as a heel and deceiver! I do not claim to be a Bible scholar so I have no idea how much time has passed between each time this occurred, but I do know it transpired two different times. 

When we are saved, God puts his name - the beautiful name of Jesus - on us to cover our sins and make us new creations in Him. It can be hard for us frail humans to remember our new name and to live fully in the grace and truth newly endowed to us. So, sometimes, God has to remind us that He's given us a new name. 

Thank God that He never gives up on us, but takes the time 

to remind us of His goodness over and again!