VOTD - Genesis 35:10

Today's verse from Logos is Genesis 35:10 (ESV), which reads, "And God said to him, 'Your name is Jacob; no longer shall your name be called Jacob, but Israel shall be your name.' So he called his name Israel." This verse marks a significant event in the life of Jacob, as it signifies a change in his identity and relationship with God.
To understand the significance of this name change, it's essential to look at Jacob's backstory. Jacob was the son of Isaac and Rebekah and the twin brother of Esau. From a young age, Jacob was known for his deceitfulness, as he tricked his brother Esau out of his birthright and then later deceived his father Isaac into giving him Esau's blessing.
Jacob's name itself was also symbolic of his character. This name referred to the fact that Jacob was born holding onto the heel of his brother Esau as if trying to supplant him.
However, after years of struggle and hardship, Jacob had a life-changing encounter with God. In Genesis 32, Jacob wrestled with an angel of the Lord and received a blessing. During this encounter, Jacob refused to let go of the angel until he received a blessing, and the angel changed Jacob's name to Israel. This name reflected Jacob's new identity and relationship with God. He was no longer the deceitful supplanter but a man who had wrestled with God and been transformed.
The significance of this name change is not just about Jacob's personal transformation but also God's character. The name "Israel" reflects God's sovereignty, power, and willingness to strive with His people and bring about change in their lives.
For today's Christians, the story of Jacob's name change is a reminder of God's transformative power in our lives. Just as Jacob overcame his deceitful nature and became a new person through his encounter with God, we, too, can be transformed through our relationship with Him.
Furthermore, the name "Israel" has significance for Christians as well. In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul refers to Christians as "the Israel of God" in Galatians 6:16, emphasizing that our identity as believers is tied to our relationship with God.
In conclusion, Genesis 35:10 marks a significant moment in Jacob's relationship with God. The name change from Jacob to Israel reflects Jacob's personal transformation and God's sovereignty and power. For Christians, this event serves as a reminder of God's transformative power in our lives and our identity as His people.