i

August 6 Daily Devotional

My Name Is Jacob

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

God asks Jacob to confess his name. And Jacob shows the Lord his ugly name. His name is Jacob. The name means “deceiver.” Now all Jacob’s coverings fall away. Man, like Jacob, invents all kinds of nice coverings for himself. But here we see how a sinner becomes honest before God and man. He will never be like that unless God Himself asks for his name. When God asks our name we recognize that because of God’s justice, we can expect nothing but eternal damnation.

And yet, how blessed it is to be made honest before God. We then experience the truth that the Lord is too holy to enter into communion with such people. But by God’s astounding grace these people receive another name, just like Jacob did, and can have fellowship with Him. It is a name that no one knows except he who receives it.

Oh, the miracle that God asks for their name in order to give them a different name! He asks for our sinful name in order to give us a better name. When Jacob explains who he is, then God gives him the name Israel. From now on God will call him by this new name: Israel. In this new name we find “El,” the name of God, included. What a great blessing for Jacob that God throws away his old name and unites His own name to his! Communion with God is still possible for those who cannot dare hope for this, as they look to self. God is gracious and merciful to those who see their own unworthiness and admit that of themselves they can never be saved. God is gracious to those who confess that they have no rights before Him.

But all this is only possible because of the name of Jesus. There is no other name given under heaven by which we can be saved. Jesus was cast out as a Jacob so that deceivers could receive a better name. What answer do we have to that question: What is thy name?

 

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.

 

CONTACT US

+1 215 830 0900

Contact Form

Find a Church