'Changed" January 16 Readings: Genesis 31-36

Today's Reading - Genesis 31-36

Background

Jacob finally decided to return home and face the music. Decades had passed and he wanted to see his family again. He separated from Laban (and some of his scheming past came out) and headed back. Surprisingly, Esau welcomed him back and all was forgiven.

The most significant aspect of these readings are two encounters Jacob has with God at Bethel (House of God), one in chapter 32 and the second in chapter 35. In the first, Jacob wrestles with God and finally, he encounters God in power, the covenant with Abraham is renewed with him and his name is change to Israel (He struggles with God).

Jacob became Israel, a changed man.

Devotional - Changed

One of the fundamental assertions of modern pop-psychology is that people don't really change. You are what you are and that is what you always will be. An alcoholic may be able to stop drinking, but he remains an alcoholic to the end of his days. It is assumed that people's sexual desires are hard-wired into them and to ask people to change is unfair, even cruel.  

There is a very different message in the pages of Scripture. When people come into contact with the living God, their lives are radically changed. Ever noticed how often someone who came to know God was renamed by the Father?  Abram became Abraham.  Saul became Paul.  And in Genesis 35:10, God gives a new name to Jacob.  It is a significant change.

Jacob was a troubled man with a troubled name.  His name meant "deceiver" and that is exactly what Jacob was.  He was a schemer, tricking his father and his brother. This was not a good man. 

But God does not look simply at what a man is; he looks at what he intends to make him. God got a hold on Jacob and he became a new man. Since a new man needs a new name, God gave him one. The new name was Israel. God was working out his new purpose in this man's life and the new name referred to the triumph of God's will that now prevailed in his life. Jacob was a new man and needed a new name. 

  

In 2 Corinthians 5:17 we are told that in Christ we are “new creations” and that the old is gone, replaced by the new work that God in doing in our hearts.  In Christ, I do not have to be today what I was yesterday and I do not have to be tomorrow what I am today.  I can change in Christ.

God is in the business of giving new names to his children.  The drunk gets called by a new name – sober.  The pervert can become pure.  Those who live to indulge their sinful natures can walk in self-control. It can happen - not because of me but because of the God I serve, the One who makes all things new. 

Lord, I thank you for your life-changing and renewing power.  Because of you, I do not have to be tomorrow what I was yesterday. You are the name-changer, the life-transformer. I rely on your power and strength to become tomorrow what I am not today. 

Think and Pray

When we come to Christ we become new creations.
In what ways have you been changed by Jesus?
What changes is he making in you today?