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August 5 Daily Devotional

What Is Your Name?

Frans Bakker

And he said unto him, What is thy name? And he said, Jacob. —Genesis 32:27

Bible Reading

Genesis 32:24–30

Devotional

Jacob was left alone and he wrestled with a man—God Himself—until the breaking of the day. Jacob has to tell his name to his opponent. In doing so he explains who he really is. The meaning of his name tells who he is, for his name is not just randomly chosen. It is the expression of his sinful existence. God knew Jacob’s name. He knew Jacob better than Jacob himself did. Still Jacob had to tell who he was. If not there would be no blessing for him.

“What is thy name?” Jacob had to answer. He had to say: “I am Jacob,” which is to say, “I am a deceiver”; “I am someone who plays tricks on other people; I am always trying to maintain myself and I am the one who schemes and manipulates.” Jacob had to explain to God exactly who he was. In doing so, Jacob is put to shame before God by means of his own name. By saying his name, “Jacob,” he at the same time confesses that he is unworthy to receive the blessing for which he had been wrestling. To have the blessing of God is to have God with you. But by confessing his name, Jacob can only expect God to be against him. For what communion can there be between the holy name of God and the filthy name of Jacob?

When Jacob tells his name to God, according to God’s justice he can expect no blessing from God whatsoever. Jacob has to sink down in the pool of his own unworthiness, for does God not have the right to cast such a name forever into hell? What else can Jacob expect?

Jacob’s wrestling match occurs at the border of the Promised Land. His name already shows that he has sinned away the privilege of receiving the fulfillment of the promises. Jacob had remained true to his name in spite of all God’s promises.

Who then has any excuse or protection when God Almighty asks what your name is? Who dares then to still hope for anything? You, too, may wrestle with God to receive a blessing. You realize that it is a blessing you cannot do without. But at the same time you see that you cannot receive the blessing because of your sins. The name you bear has made this impossible. Your name is “sinner.”

God had Jacob right where He wanted him to be. Jacob had to be at the point where he could see that he had forfeited every blessing. That is the point where you also have to be. You have to learn to confess your own unworthiness and shame. Otherwise you cannot become the object of free and sovereign grace. You will only experience God’s blessing when you learn to confess your own name before Him.

 

From The Everlasting Word by Frans Bakker, compiled and translated by Gerald R. Procee. Reformation Heritage Books and Free Reformed Publications, 2007. Used by permission. For further information, click here.

 

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