Thus far, we shared stories about Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. They all had flaws but they became the ancestors of faith. We will share the story of Joseph in the next few weeks. We are encouraged, comforted, and be touched when Joseph turns the worst circumstances to his best. We all face a crisis. Crisis is not a problem. Turning the crisis into a blessing is important. Through these crises, Christians end up experiencing God’s presence.
There is a certain characteristic in Joseph’s life: Joseph does not blame his environment or his ancestors. Our common characteristic is blaming our environment and our family line. Joseph never blamed God even in unfair circumstances. He also did not hold a grudge against those who wronged him. We are touched by this. Joseph was an honest person. Loss of honesty in our society is a crisis today. I pray that your children will have this temperament and character. Some people are born with characteristics of being fraudulent. No matter the amount of effort, they have a hard time changing their characteristics of being fraudulent. Joseph’s father Jacob was fraudulent. How can someone like Joseph be born from someone like Jacob? It seems impossible. The name “Jacob” had an underlying meaning of the deceiver. Jacob stole his brother’s birthrights and blessings. He fled from home spent and wandered in the wilderness. The fact that someone like Jacob came from someone like Isaac and the fact that someone like Joseph came from someone like Jacob is surprising. For this reason, we cannot blame our parents for our characteristics. We can be like Joseph. Even if you suffer because of your parents’ bad example, remember that you can overcome. Take a look at Joseph; he overcame his circumstances. Joseph had a completely different characteristic from his father. God must have given him the characteristics of honesty.
It is written on Genesis 37:1-2 1 Jacob lived in the land where his father had stayed, the land of Canaan. 2 This is the account of Joseph. Joseph, a young man of seventeen, was tending the flocks with his brothers, the sons of Bilhah and the sons of Zilpah, his father's wives, and he brought their father a bad report about them.
The Bible does not introduce Joseph at a young age but when he is in his youth, at the age of 17, and in his most sensitive age. According to the Bible, Joseph lived in the land of promise with his father and brothers. This probably built the foundation of faith in God’s promise in Joseph’s heart. The environment children grow up in is important. Joseph lost his mother at a young age. His mother Rachel died when giving birth to Joseph’s brother Benjamin. Joseph had many brothers, but they were all half-brothers. In this environment, he grew up to the age of 17. However, Joseph did not have any scars. When the circumstances are dark, people tend to get hurt. For example, if the parents are not the ideal parents, the children tend to get hurt. For this reason, they develop unhealthy personalities; they act impetuously, display jealousy, and lie. Take a look at Joseph. Even in his circumstance, Joseph grew up straight; this is a miracle. His father did not raise him this way for Jacob was a deceiver. Even if the circumstances are difficult and the parents are bad models, children can grow innocently without harm.
Recall verses 1 and 2 of today’s passage. One of Joseph’s characteristics was not being able to tolerate dishonesty and lie. Joseph tended sheep with Bilhah and her sons. One day, he saw their dishonest behaviors and was unable to ignore them. So he told his father. In one aspect, he is a tattletale and not loyal to his brothers. I wondered whether Joseph did the right thing. Eventually, I realized that Joseph was born with the nature of not being able lie. Tattling would bring harm to him, however, he could not lie. There is evidence that Joseph did not tell on them because he did not like his brothers. When Jacob told Joseph to take food to his brothers, he obeyed. If Joseph did not like his brothers, he would not travel far for his brothers. When he did not find his brothers, he asked around in search of his brothers. Joseph told on their brothers because of characteristics of being honest. We face crisis when we are dishonest. We tend to think that we will face a loss when we are honest. For this reason, even though we know we pretend to not know and even though we see we pretend to not see. The greatest crisis in the churches is not in believing in Christ improperly but in dishonest Christians. For this reason, non-Christians comment that Christians are no different.
The second factor we find in Joseph’s life is his father’s extreme love towards him.
It is written in verses 3 and 4: 3 Now Israel loved Joseph more than any of his other sons, because he had been born to him in his old age; and he made a richly ornamented robe for him. 4 When his brothers saw that their father loved him more than any of them, they hated him and could not speak a kind word to him.
Joseph was not the problem, his father was the problem. Jacob favored Joseph. When he dressed his son in richly ornamented robe, Joseph’s brothers envied and were jealous of him. They did not speak kindly towards him. Jacob favoring Joseph is understandable. Among his four wives, Jacob loved Rachel the most. Jacob loving the son born from the woman he loved is understandable. Since Rachel died early, as the father, he especially took care of Joseph. For this reason, the Bible said that Jacob loved Joseph more than any other sons. However, the consequences were jealousy of Joseph’s brother and disharmony in the family. Jacob wanted Joseph to be loved. However, his behavior led Joseph to be hated by Joseph’s brothers. We learn two things here. First, favoritism leads to tensions among children and disharmony in the family. Because parents are also human, they can specially love one more than the other. However, parents must learn from this verse to not favor children. Parents must give equally. In the perspective of Joseph’s brother, Jacob’s favoritism made them unhappy. However, in Joseph’s perspective, it is a surprising event. Joseph was treated specially. Joseph probably thought he would be forgiven if he ever made a mistake. Joseph was certain of and never doubted his father’s love. This is very important. Parents must give their children the belief that they will be forgiven and that they will always be loved. Nothing is more important than knowing that one is being loved. Our tragedies are result of feeling rejected. One’s personality faces a crisis when he or she is not loved by parents, when nobody trusts him or her, and when one believes he or she is being used. In the other hand, when one believes that he or she is loved, he or she grows to be special. Joseph was certain that his father loved him. Joseph was loved as he grew but, Joseph’s brothers grew up with distrust in their father’s love. This can be seen symbolically to salvation. God’s love is favored. Even though we are not worthy to be loved, God one-sidedly loved us enough to kill his one and only son. Even when we declined God’s love, He waited until we turned back. God’s love never ceases. For this reason we melt before God’s love. Do you know that you came this far because of God’s favored love? Believe in this. God overflowed us with immeasurable love. I pray that your children will grow up with your love and depend on you.
Third, Joseph grew up with his dreams. This is a characteristic of youths. Joseph’ grew up honestly, with love, and with dreams.
It is written in verses 5-10: 5 Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers, they hated him all the more. 6 He said to them, “Listen to this dream I had: 7 We were binding sheaves of grain out in the field when suddenly my sheaf rose and stood upright, while your sheaves gathered around mine and bowed down to it.” 8 His brothers said to him, “Do you intend to reign over us? Will you actually rule us?” And they hated him all the more because of his dream and what he had said. 9 Then he had another dream, and he told it to his brothers. “Listen,” he said, “I had another dream, and this time the sun and moon and eleven stars were bowing down to me.” 10 When he told his father as well as his brothers, his father rebuked him and said, “What is this dream you had? Will your mother and I and your brothers actually come and bow down to the ground before you?”
Joseph’s greatest characteristic was being a person with a vision. He lived with dreams. When he was 17, he dreamt a dream he would never forget. He was able to survive his crisis and troubles because of this dream. Those with a dream have a future. There are two types of dreams. One type of dream, humans make up. The other is a dream of God. There is a great difference between my own dreams and dream from God. Joseph’s dreams were not his own dreams but a dream by God. First, Joseph and his brothers were binding sheaves of grain out in the field when suddenly Joseph’s sheaf rose and stood upright, while his brothers’ sheaves gathered around mine and bowed down to it. The dream does not fit with common sense. However, it is the truth; the dream turned into the truth 13 years later. People generally cannot understand God’s dreams. It foretells the events of the future. Joseph’s second dream consisted of stars. The sun and moon and eleven stars were bowing down to Joseph. What nonsense! In the perspective of Joseph’s father and his brothers, his dreams are difficult to understand and difficult to take in. Dreams given by God sometimes seem nonsense. Joseph was at the age of understanding common sense. He was able to judge for himself whether he will be harmed or gain benefits for telling his dreams. He knew he would be rebuked. However, Joseph honestly told his dreams.
God’s dreams are difficult to hold inside. Take a look at Jeremiah. When he received a revelation that his nation would be destroyed, he spread the news. Jeremiah did not want to prophesy because of the pain he would receive. However, the fire inside him prevented from being silent. This was the dream similar to that of Joseph. This is the Gospel. It is the story of Jesus. If you believe in Christ but are okay not talking about Christ, you did not meet Christ. If you are able to sleep comfortably without spreading the word of the Gospel, you did not receive the Gospel. You must not be able to stay silent. You must cry out “Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life, and no one can go to heaven except through him” even if you know you will be persecuted. When Joseph talked about his dreams, his father and brothers rebuked him. Then the brothers began to hate him. People with God’s dreams are lonely for they are rejected. Still, they live with the dream. Noah had the dream to build an ark. No one would rebuke Noah if he built an ark by the ocean. However, because he built an ark on the mountains people did not understand. Noah only held onto the dream and built an ark for several hundreds of years. What is your dream? What is the dream given to you by God? We do not live by food but by dream. A characteristic of animals is the lack of dreams. If we do not have dreams and visions, we are no different from animals. Even in moments of death, people who can talk about the dream, people with faith, and people with revelations open their future. They change the world. Jesus had the dream to carry the cross. Jesus did not protest when he carried the cross. He stood boldly in front of it. Because he carried the cross, he saved humanity.
There is a reason for not being able to hear God’s voice. If one’s own voice is loud, listening to other’s voice becomes difficult. Those with their own thoughts, own dream, and own plans cannot hear God’s voice. However, if you let go of yours, you will be able to hear God’s voice. I pray that you will live by God’s dreams.
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Path of Obedience and Change (Genesis 35:1-15)
Jacob trusted God, was filled with grace, and was helped by God. However, Jacob did not change. By God’s grace, Jacob was able to reconcile with his brother Esau. Then he settled in the land of Shechem. Now Jacob seemed happy; he seemed to be filled with blessings. However, unexpectedly, unfortunate circumstance greeted Jacob. Jacob’s one and only daughter was raped. Happiness was torn into pieces. Jacob’s sons were unable to overcome their anger and committed a cruel revenge. They did not only kill Shechem and Hamor, but they also killed all the males of Shechemites and destroyed everything. The situation turned into a great affair. Genesis 4:30 says, “Then Jacob said to Simeon and Levi, ‘You have brought trouble on me by making me a stench to the Canaanites and Perizzites, the people living in this land. We are few in number, and if they join forces against me and attack me, I and my household will be destroyed.’” At first Jacob seemed to show sadness in his daughter’s rape, but he was consumed by fear of losing his happiness. Jacob’s sons became angry after hearing their father, “Should he have treated our sister like a prostitute?” In fact, Jacob brought the situation upon himself. Jacob’s sons saw their father living a life as a deceiver to not face a loss. Also, Jacob was supposed to go to Bethel, but just because he reconciled with his brother and things seem to be better, he settled in Shechem.
When Jacob was filled with fear and despair, God intervened. Whenever Jacob faced a crisis, God intervened. Genesis 35:1 says, “Then God said to Jacob, ‘Go up to Bethel and settle there, and build an altar there to God, who appeared to you when you were fleeing from your brother Esau.’” In Genesis 28, Jacob ran away from his brother and wandered around the wilderness; he faced the darkest moment of his life. In that situation, he had a dream of a latter where angels ascended and descended on it; there Jacob met God. In the darkest moment of his life, Jacob met God for the first time. When God first met with Jacob, He said, “I am the LORD, the God of your father Abraham and the God of Isaac. I will give you and your descendants the land on which you are lying. Your descendants will be like the dust of the earth, and you will spread out to the west and to the east, to the north and to the south. All peoples on earth will be blessed through you and your offspring. I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.” When God said this to someone without anything, Jacob was shocked. Jacob was touched and at that moment, he got up, took the stone he had placed under his head and set it up as a pillar, and poured oil on top of it. Then Jacob promised three things. First, he promised that God will always be his God. Second, the stone that he set up will be the house of God. Third, he promised to give the tenth of what he received from God. This was the oath and promise of Bethel.
God was telling Jacob to rise up. Rise up from the darkness he was experiencing. To go to Bethel signified remembering Bethel-remember God and hold unto the God who blesses. God said to Jacob, “Build an altar there to God, who appeared to you when you were fleeing from your brother Esau”-this means worship.
It is written in verse 2-3 of today’s passage: 2 So Jacob said to his household and to all who were with him, “Get rid of the foreign gods you have with you, and purify yourselves and change your clothes. 3 Then come, let us go up to Bethel, where I will build an altar to God, who answered me in the day of my distress and who has been with me wherever I have gone.”
As soon as he heard God’s words, Jacob’s eyes opened. His spiritual eyes opened and his dark future brightened. We are in despair because we forget God’s promise. There will be miracles when God’s promise is revived. As Jacob reflected on God’s promise, the power of the Holy Spirit began to work-similarly to the one who only attended church for a long time one day discover the cross and change. I hope you would experience these changes today. As soon as Jacob heard God’s words, he gathered his family and proclaimed to get rid of all the foreign gods, purify themselves, and change their clothes. Then Jacob proclaims to head towards Bethel. Then Jacob said that he will build an altar to God, who answered him in the day of his distress and who has been with him wherever he had gone. I hope you would make a similar proclamation.
It is written on verse 4: So they gave Jacob all the foreign gods they had and the rings in their ears, and Jacob buried them under the oak at Shechem.
Interestingly, Jacob’s family obeyed. The foreign gods probably was important to them. However, they gave it up. Rachel had stolen a household god from her father. She got rid of all idols in her home and returned to God. Jacob buried all idols under an oak. The consequence is written in verse 5: Then they set out, and the terror of God fell upon the towns all around them so that no one pursued them. When Jacob headed towards Bethel, God prevented other tribes from harming Jacob. The enemies Jacob feared were unable to attack him. God prevented them.
It is written in Genesis 35:6-7: 6 Jacob and all the people with him came to Luz (that is Bethel) in the land of Canaan. 7 There he built an altar, and he called the place El Bethel, because it was there that God revealed himself to him when he was fleeing from his brother.
Jacob immediately obeyed God’s words. He gathered his family and made a decision. Nothing shows greater faith than obedience. For this reason the Bible says that obedience is better than burnt sacrifices. Those who change by faith begin to obey. Jacob led his family to Bethel, where he had met God. Jacob called the place El Bethel, meaning God of Bethel. We see the change in Jacob. Based on today’s message, I want to encourage you to discontinue living your life as you please. Here is an important truth. We cannot change the past. However, if we seek God’s help, our future changes. Jacob’s blessing was breaking away from his past. As soon as Jacob heard God’s voice, he escaped the past, fear, and anxiety. I pray that you would rise up from your struggles.
As Jacob gained faith, the changes that took place in him is surprising. It is written in verse 8: Now Deborah, Rebekah's nurse, died and was buried under the oak below Bethel. So it was named Allon Bacuth.
Jacob’s mother Rebekah whom he loved, had a nurse. Her name was Deborah. The Bible introduced the story without any other explanation. It seems like an unnecessary story. However, we can learn something important about Jacob here. Rebekah already passed away. And Deborah was elderly. Because of her status, Jacob did not have to look after her. However, Jacob helped Deborah live her final years happily. Then after she died, he earnestly buried her under an oak and named the place Allon Bacuth, meaning ‘oak of weeping’. Jacob grieved over Deborah’s death. Through this event, we see that Jacob matured because even though it is easy to nurse one’s mother, it is not easy to take care of the nurse of one’s mother. Mature people love and take care of those who are in lower status. Those who are mature take care of those who are pitiful and worthless. In the other hand, those who are immature only take care of self. They only associate with popular people or people who will bring benefits to them. One with faith must show maturity. Jacob was growing into a mature person. He used to be selfish and trick others so he may gain benefits.
It is written in verses 9 and 10: 9 After Jacob returned from Paddan Aram, God appeared to him again and blessed him. 10 God said to him, “Your name is Jacob, but you will no longer be called Jacob; your name will be Israel.” So he named him Israel.
Jacob’s name signified a deceiver or one who makes others fall. Jacob could not prevent the difficulties in life carried by his name. Then in front of Jabbok, he was renamed Israel by God. He discontinued living by the name of the past and started to live by his new name. Our problem is continuing to live as we did in the past even after we believe Christ. True salvation is not the development of our faith but it is in change. Even if we are born again and believe in Christ, we do not change because we do not discontinue living by our old self. I pray that you would truly be born again. God gave Jacob a new name Israel. Israel means “he struggles with God”. Jacob was approved by God. God acknowledged Jacob’s existence and faith. The most unfortunate people are those who are not acknowledged. The husband not acknowledged by his wife and the wife not acknowledged by her husband are unfortunate people. I hope you acknowledge your spouse. Then will there be happiness in your family.
It is written in Genesis 35:10: God said to him, “Your name is Jacob, but you will no longer be called Jacob; your name will be Israel.” So he named him Israel.
Jacob did not rename himself. God renamed him. God must use the new name for it to be a blessing. Do you know the fact that God changed your name? We were a sinner turned into a righteous person. God called us, who used to be the Satan’s children, His children. God said that we will not inherit this world, but inherit heaven.
It is written in verses 11-13: 11And God said to him, “I am God Almighty; be fruitful and increase in number. A nation and a community of nations will come from you, and kings will come from your body. 12 The land I gave to Abraham and Isaac I also give to you, and I will give this land to your descendants after you.” 13 Then God went up from him at the place where he had talked with him.
God who changed our named described himself in three ways. First, he said that he is God Almighty. A promise can be fulfilled by one who has the ability. God is able to keep the promises he made with us because he is God Almighty. Being almighty means that nothing is impossible for God, He does not lack, and His powers are eternal. Second, God blesses us to be fruitful and increase in number. God wants to bless us. Being fruitful and increasing in number is the original form of blessing. God promised abundance to all Christians. Third, even if the one to receive God’s promise is not fit for the blessing, God changes him or her to fulfill the promise. God promised Abraham a large nation. Isaac inherited that blessing. Then the blessing had to pass on to Jacob, but Jacob was not fit to be blessed. However, God did not give up on him. God changed Jacob so he would be fit for the blessings. God keeps His promise and He planned to bless us. If you are not fit for the blessings, God will change you to bless you.
Finally, Jacob kneeled down before God. It is written in verses 14 and 15: 14 Jacob set up a stone pillar at the place where God had talked with him, and he poured out a drink offering on it; he also poured oil on it. 15 Jacob called the place where God had talked with him Bethel.
Jacob set up a stone pillar, poured out a drink offering on it, and worshipped God. The place was called Bethel. Where ever you get down on your knees before God, whether it be home, workplace, or church, look unto the God of Promise. Depend on Him.
Change starts from obedience. I hope your obedience towards God’s promise and your heart of worship and praise to God will rise like fire.
When Jacob was filled with fear and despair, God intervened. Whenever Jacob faced a crisis, God intervened. Genesis 35:1 says, “Then God said to Jacob, ‘Go up to Bethel and settle there, and build an altar there to God, who appeared to you when you were fleeing from your brother Esau.’” In Genesis 28, Jacob ran away from his brother and wandered around the wilderness; he faced the darkest moment of his life. In that situation, he had a dream of a latter where angels ascended and descended on it; there Jacob met God. In the darkest moment of his life, Jacob met God for the first time. When God first met with Jacob, He said, “I am the LORD, the God of your father Abraham and the God of Isaac. I will give you and your descendants the land on which you are lying. Your descendants will be like the dust of the earth, and you will spread out to the west and to the east, to the north and to the south. All peoples on earth will be blessed through you and your offspring. I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.” When God said this to someone without anything, Jacob was shocked. Jacob was touched and at that moment, he got up, took the stone he had placed under his head and set it up as a pillar, and poured oil on top of it. Then Jacob promised three things. First, he promised that God will always be his God. Second, the stone that he set up will be the house of God. Third, he promised to give the tenth of what he received from God. This was the oath and promise of Bethel.
God was telling Jacob to rise up. Rise up from the darkness he was experiencing. To go to Bethel signified remembering Bethel-remember God and hold unto the God who blesses. God said to Jacob, “Build an altar there to God, who appeared to you when you were fleeing from your brother Esau”-this means worship.
It is written in verse 2-3 of today’s passage: 2 So Jacob said to his household and to all who were with him, “Get rid of the foreign gods you have with you, and purify yourselves and change your clothes. 3 Then come, let us go up to Bethel, where I will build an altar to God, who answered me in the day of my distress and who has been with me wherever I have gone.”
As soon as he heard God’s words, Jacob’s eyes opened. His spiritual eyes opened and his dark future brightened. We are in despair because we forget God’s promise. There will be miracles when God’s promise is revived. As Jacob reflected on God’s promise, the power of the Holy Spirit began to work-similarly to the one who only attended church for a long time one day discover the cross and change. I hope you would experience these changes today. As soon as Jacob heard God’s words, he gathered his family and proclaimed to get rid of all the foreign gods, purify themselves, and change their clothes. Then Jacob proclaims to head towards Bethel. Then Jacob said that he will build an altar to God, who answered him in the day of his distress and who has been with him wherever he had gone. I hope you would make a similar proclamation.
It is written on verse 4: So they gave Jacob all the foreign gods they had and the rings in their ears, and Jacob buried them under the oak at Shechem.
Interestingly, Jacob’s family obeyed. The foreign gods probably was important to them. However, they gave it up. Rachel had stolen a household god from her father. She got rid of all idols in her home and returned to God. Jacob buried all idols under an oak. The consequence is written in verse 5: Then they set out, and the terror of God fell upon the towns all around them so that no one pursued them. When Jacob headed towards Bethel, God prevented other tribes from harming Jacob. The enemies Jacob feared were unable to attack him. God prevented them.
It is written in Genesis 35:6-7: 6 Jacob and all the people with him came to Luz (that is Bethel) in the land of Canaan. 7 There he built an altar, and he called the place El Bethel, because it was there that God revealed himself to him when he was fleeing from his brother.
Jacob immediately obeyed God’s words. He gathered his family and made a decision. Nothing shows greater faith than obedience. For this reason the Bible says that obedience is better than burnt sacrifices. Those who change by faith begin to obey. Jacob led his family to Bethel, where he had met God. Jacob called the place El Bethel, meaning God of Bethel. We see the change in Jacob. Based on today’s message, I want to encourage you to discontinue living your life as you please. Here is an important truth. We cannot change the past. However, if we seek God’s help, our future changes. Jacob’s blessing was breaking away from his past. As soon as Jacob heard God’s voice, he escaped the past, fear, and anxiety. I pray that you would rise up from your struggles.
As Jacob gained faith, the changes that took place in him is surprising. It is written in verse 8: Now Deborah, Rebekah's nurse, died and was buried under the oak below Bethel. So it was named Allon Bacuth.
Jacob’s mother Rebekah whom he loved, had a nurse. Her name was Deborah. The Bible introduced the story without any other explanation. It seems like an unnecessary story. However, we can learn something important about Jacob here. Rebekah already passed away. And Deborah was elderly. Because of her status, Jacob did not have to look after her. However, Jacob helped Deborah live her final years happily. Then after she died, he earnestly buried her under an oak and named the place Allon Bacuth, meaning ‘oak of weeping’. Jacob grieved over Deborah’s death. Through this event, we see that Jacob matured because even though it is easy to nurse one’s mother, it is not easy to take care of the nurse of one’s mother. Mature people love and take care of those who are in lower status. Those who are mature take care of those who are pitiful and worthless. In the other hand, those who are immature only take care of self. They only associate with popular people or people who will bring benefits to them. One with faith must show maturity. Jacob was growing into a mature person. He used to be selfish and trick others so he may gain benefits.
It is written in verses 9 and 10: 9 After Jacob returned from Paddan Aram, God appeared to him again and blessed him. 10 God said to him, “Your name is Jacob, but you will no longer be called Jacob; your name will be Israel.” So he named him Israel.
Jacob’s name signified a deceiver or one who makes others fall. Jacob could not prevent the difficulties in life carried by his name. Then in front of Jabbok, he was renamed Israel by God. He discontinued living by the name of the past and started to live by his new name. Our problem is continuing to live as we did in the past even after we believe Christ. True salvation is not the development of our faith but it is in change. Even if we are born again and believe in Christ, we do not change because we do not discontinue living by our old self. I pray that you would truly be born again. God gave Jacob a new name Israel. Israel means “he struggles with God”. Jacob was approved by God. God acknowledged Jacob’s existence and faith. The most unfortunate people are those who are not acknowledged. The husband not acknowledged by his wife and the wife not acknowledged by her husband are unfortunate people. I hope you acknowledge your spouse. Then will there be happiness in your family.
It is written in Genesis 35:10: God said to him, “Your name is Jacob, but you will no longer be called Jacob; your name will be Israel.” So he named him Israel.
Jacob did not rename himself. God renamed him. God must use the new name for it to be a blessing. Do you know the fact that God changed your name? We were a sinner turned into a righteous person. God called us, who used to be the Satan’s children, His children. God said that we will not inherit this world, but inherit heaven.
It is written in verses 11-13: 11And God said to him, “I am God Almighty; be fruitful and increase in number. A nation and a community of nations will come from you, and kings will come from your body. 12 The land I gave to Abraham and Isaac I also give to you, and I will give this land to your descendants after you.” 13 Then God went up from him at the place where he had talked with him.
God who changed our named described himself in three ways. First, he said that he is God Almighty. A promise can be fulfilled by one who has the ability. God is able to keep the promises he made with us because he is God Almighty. Being almighty means that nothing is impossible for God, He does not lack, and His powers are eternal. Second, God blesses us to be fruitful and increase in number. God wants to bless us. Being fruitful and increasing in number is the original form of blessing. God promised abundance to all Christians. Third, even if the one to receive God’s promise is not fit for the blessing, God changes him or her to fulfill the promise. God promised Abraham a large nation. Isaac inherited that blessing. Then the blessing had to pass on to Jacob, but Jacob was not fit to be blessed. However, God did not give up on him. God changed Jacob so he would be fit for the blessings. God keeps His promise and He planned to bless us. If you are not fit for the blessings, God will change you to bless you.
Finally, Jacob kneeled down before God. It is written in verses 14 and 15: 14 Jacob set up a stone pillar at the place where God had talked with him, and he poured out a drink offering on it; he also poured oil on it. 15 Jacob called the place where God had talked with him Bethel.
Jacob set up a stone pillar, poured out a drink offering on it, and worshipped God. The place was called Bethel. Where ever you get down on your knees before God, whether it be home, workplace, or church, look unto the God of Promise. Depend on Him.
Change starts from obedience. I hope your obedience towards God’s promise and your heart of worship and praise to God will rise like fire.
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