Genesis 32:27-28 “27 So he said to him, ‘What is your name?’ And he said, ‘Jacob.’ 28 He said, ‘Your name shall no longer be Jacob, but Israel; for you have striven with God and with men and have prevailed.’”

NAMES MEAN SOMETHING

People change their names today for various reasons.  Women normally take their husband’s last name when they get married.  Some want to make a statement to the world.  Others want to hide their identity.  Children take the last name of the family who adopts them.  But we see here that God changed Jacob’s name to send a message to everyone about how Jacob had prevailed.  One definition of this name is “Triumphant with God.”  I really like that.

If God changed your name, what would it be?  “Constantly begging”?  How about “Scared of his shadow”?  Or maybe this one suits you, “Doubting Thomas”.  I would want mine to be “Faithful One” or “Highly Favored”.

TEACHING MOMENT

Most parents give their children names for a reason.  Some are family names and some just appeal to them.  Have your children ever asked why you named them what you did?  Why not use this story to talk about names?  What a great way to share this wonderful passage about Jacob’s name change to Israel and what that means.

Don’t you want your children to be “triumphant with God”?  What parent doesn’t want that?  We long to see them secure in their faith and trusting Him for all things.  We don’t want to see them turn their backs on Jesus or have lifelong doubts about who He is.  We need to point them to the Name above all names – Jesus.  After all, His name does mean Savior.