Jacob: The Deceiver Becomes He Who Prevails With God

By:  Dale Weckbacher

Genesis 35:9-10

Then God appeared to Jacob again, when he came from Padan Aram, and blessed him. 10 And God said to him, "Your name is Jacob; your name shall not be called Jacob anymore, but Israel shall be your name." So He called his name Israel.

NKJV

Unlike in our time, names in the ancient world often reflected the character of the person.  The name Jacob means “holder of the heel” or “supplanter.”  (1)  As we look at the life of Jacob, it becomes clear that he lived up to his name by taking his brothers birthright (Genesis25:31-32) and through deception taking his brothers blessing (Genesis 27:1-29). 

However, the tables would turn on Jacob as he will be forced to leave his homeland and live with his uncle Laban (Genesis 28:1-5).  Jacob agreed to work for his uncle in return for his younger daughter Rachael only to be deceived (Genesis 29).  In essence, the deceiver or supplanter is deceived. 

However, after learning his lesson and preparing to return to his homeland, God appears to Jacob and changes his name from Jacob to Israel.  Israel means “God contended.”  (2)  God is in essence giving Jacob a new identity as one who contended with God and prevailed in reference to his wrestling with God and prevailing (Genesis 30:28). 

When we accept Jesus as our personal savior, we do not normally change our given name.  However, in the sight of God we do receive a new identity and name (Isaiah 62:2).  Just as when Jacob received his new name and his previous life as a supplanter and deceiver were left behind, when we accept Jesus as our Savior, we receive a new identity and our old identity of sin is forgotten by God (Psalm 103:12). 

However, this does not mean we will never sin again for even though Jacob’s name was changed to Israel, his descendants would commit grievous sins and come under Babylonian, Persian, and Roman captivity.  Their sins may have caused them to loose fellowship with God but did not change the fact they remain God’s chosen people through which Messiah came into the world (Genesis 12:3).  Now when we sin, we can confess that sin and receive forgiveness (1 John 1:9). 

This however does not give us permission to continue living in sin for as 1 John 1:6 tells us, to do that is to live a lie and a life lacking fellowship with God.  This is in essence living a life of self-deception or reverting to our previous sinful identity.  Our goal therefore is to sin less knowing we will not achieve a sinless life on this side of eternity. 

Deception has always been a tool Satan uses to trap people in the sin identity.  Prior to making Jesus our savior, we had the identity of Jacob and allowed ourselves to be deceived by Satan the deceiver.  However, once we became aware of Satan’s deception in our lives, we accepted Jesus as our savior and now have an identity of one who contended with God and accepted His free gift of salvation (Ephesians 2:8).  Let us therefore not deceive ourselves by continuing to live in sin but instead strive to live lives committed to obedience to God and His Word. 

If in the course of reading this post you have become aware of the life of deception you have been living or become aware of Satan’s deception in your life, I invite you to pray with me.

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, was buried, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

If you prayed this prayer, your given name did not change but know that in the sight of God, you now have a new identity.  You now have a relationship with God and have become a son of God (Galatians 3:26).  Now, I urge you to enter into fellowship with God by reading His Word, the Bible, praying to Him, and attending a church that teaches the Bible in order to have regular fellowship with other believers for this is the best way to immunize yourself against deception. 

1. Behind The Name. Given Name: Jacob. www.behindthename.com. [Online] Behind The Name. [Cited: January 17, 2016.] www.behindthename.com/name/jacob.

2. Behind the Name. Given Name: Israel. www.behindthename.com. [Online] Behind The Name. [Cited: January 17, 2016.] www.behindthename.com/name/israel.