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The Wonderful Name of Jacob — Introduction

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According to the US Social Security Administration, Jacob was the most popular boys name in America from 1999 – 2012. Thirteen years at the top may sound surprising given that many churches across America teach that Jacob means deceiver. For many years I have pondered this because a person’s name is their identity, and why would a mother and father name their child something with such a negative meaning? The answer is — they didn’t. The Bible does not teach that Jacob’s name means deceiver. Rather, Jacob is remembered in scripture as an honored and revered patriarch of the nation of Israel. In fact, the only place I can find a reference to “deceiver” is in the help notes at the bottom of my bible page. Here it says that deceiver is figurative, meaning it is like a metaphor. But for some reason this meaning has come about by common usage and has become widespread in Christian churches. We would be much better served to use the actual meaning of his name, which is “he grabs his heel” or in essence “one who comes after.” For this actual meaning aligns much more closely with scriptural themes and helps us in our understanding of God’s word.

In Part One of this three-part series, I explain that Jacob’s name was given to him by his mother to identify him in accordance with God’s promised blessing. Part Two looks at Jacob’s deception story and reveals his mother’s remarkable faith and God’s amazing grace. Part Three shows Jacob’s excellent character traits and explains how the meaning of “one who comes after” helps us understand God’s nature in the Holy Spirit.

The Wonderful Name of Jacob, Part One — God’s Promise

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Background

In order to understand the meaning of Jacob as “one who comes after”, it is necessary to begin with some background on his ancestry. Jacob is one of the patriarchs of the nation of Israel whose name is mentioned throughout scripture, sometimes by himself and many times as part of a thematic phrase — “Abraham, Isaac and Jacob”. Often we see these men referenced in other phrases such as “the patriarchs” and the “God of our fathers.” All together these men are mentioned hundreds of times. Their life stories are found in Genesis, the first book of the Bible, and by reading chapters 12-22 you will see that All three of these men are spoken of as heirs of God’s promise. Abraham was promised that he would be a father of a multitude and that he and his wife Sarah would have a child in their old age (Isaac). The promise was passed through Isaac and then Jacob as a result of God’s promise to the second born. Jacob’s birth is described in Genesis 25:20-34:

…and Isaac was forty years old when he married Rebekah daughter of Bethuel the Aramean from Padan Aram and sister of Laban the Aramean.

Isaac prayed to the Lord on behalf of his wife, because she was barren. The Lord answered his prayer, and his wife Rebekah became pregnant. The babies jostled each other within her, and she said, ‘Why is this happening to me?’ So she went to inquire of the Lord.

The Lord said to her, ‘Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples from within you will be separated; one people will be stronger than the other, and the older will serve the younger.’

When the time came for her to give birth, there were twin boys in her womb. The first to come out was red, and his whole body was like a hairy garment; so they named him Esau. After this, his brother came out, with his hand grasping Esau’s heel; so he was named Jacob. Isaac was sixty years old when Rebekah gave birth to them.

Notice verses 25-26 describe the brother grasping Esau’s heel, “so he was named Jacob.” Here we see that the true, actual meaning of the name Jacob is “he grabs his heel” or, in essence, “one who comes after.” Throughout history most cultures, including this one, bestowed special duties and blessings on the first born. In this case however, God’s blessings were promised to the second born, and I believe that since they were twins, Rebekah felt the need to permanently identify her second born the best way she knew how — with a name.

Jacob Receives the Blessing

Many believe that Jacob means deceiver based on the story of how he received the birthright and blessing instead of Isaac’s first born son Esau. Let’s begin with a look at Chapter 25 of Genesis, verses 29-34:

Once when Jacob was cooking some stew, Esau came in from the open country, famished. He said to Jacob, ‘Quick, let me have some of that red stew! I’m famished! (That is why he was also called Edom.)

Jacob replied, ‘first sell me your birthright.’

‘Look, I am about to die,’ Esau said. ‘What good is the birthright to me?’

But Jacob said, ‘Swear to me first.’ So he swore an oath to him, selling his birthright to Jacob.

Then Jacob gave Esau some bread and some lentil stew. He ate and drank, and then got up and left.

So Esau despised his birthright.

Now let’s take a look at Chapter 27 where it describes the deception:

When Isaac was old and his eyes were so weak that he could no longer see, he called for Esau his older son and said to him, ‘My son.’

‘Here I am,’ he answered.

Isaac said, ‘I am now an old man and don’t know the day of my death. Now then, get your weapons – your quiver and bow – and go out to the open country to hunt some wild game for me. Prepare me the kind of tasty food I like and bring it to me to eat, so that I may give you my blessing before I die.’

Now Rebekah was listening as Isaac spoke to his son Esau. When Esau left for the open country to hunt game and bring it back, Rebekah said to her son Jacob, ‘Look, I overheard your father say to your brother Esau,’ ‘Bring me some game and prepare me some tasty food to eat, so that I may give you my blessing in the presence of the Lord before I die.’ Now, my son, listen carefully and do what I tell you: Go out to the flock and bring me two choice young goats, so I can prepare some tasty food for your father, just the way he likes it. Then take it to your father to eat, so that he may give you his blessing before he dies.’

Jacob said to Rebekah his mother, ‘But my brother Esau  is a hairy man, and I’m a man with smooth skin. What if my father touches me? I would appear to be tricking him and would bring down a curse on myself rather than a blessing.’

His mother said to him, ‘ My son, let the curse fall on me. Just do what I say; go and get them for me.’

So he went and got them and brought them to his mother, and she prepared some tasty food, just the way his father liked it. Then Rebekah took the best clothes of Esau her older son, which she had in the house, and put them on her younger son Jacob. She also covered his hands and the smooth part of his neck with the goatskins. Then she handed to her son Jacob the tasty food and the bread she had made.

He went to his father and said, ‘My father.’

‘Yes, my son,’ he answered. ‘Who is it?’

Jacob said to his father, ‘I am Esau your firstborn. I have done as you told me. Please sit up and eat some of my game so that you may give me your blessing.’

The story continues for a few verses, and we pick it up again in starting in verse 30:

After Isaac finished blessing him and Jacob had scarcely left his father’s presence, his brother Esau came in from hunting. He too prepared some tasty food and brought it to his father. Then he said to him, ‘My father, sit up and eat some of my game, so that you may give me your blessing.’

His father Isaac asked him, ‘Who are you?’

‘I am your son, ‘he answered, ‘your firstborn, Esau.’

Isaac trembled violently and said, ‘Who was it, then, that hunted game and brought it to me? I ate it just before you came and I blessed him — and indeed he will be blessed!’

When Esau heard his father’s words, he burst out with a loud and bitter cry and said to his father, ‘Bless me — me too, my father!’

But he said, ‘Your brother came deceitfully and took your blessing.’

Esau said, ‘Isn’t he rightly named Jacob?’ He has deceived me these two times: He took my birthright, and now he’s taken my blessing!’ Then he asked, ‘Haven’t you reserved any blessing for me?’

Isaac answered Esau, ‘ I have made him lord over you and have made all his relatives his servants, and I have sustained him with grain and new wine. So what can I possibly do for you, my son?’

Esau said to his father, ‘Do you have only one blessing, my father? Bless me too, my father!’ Then Esau wept aloud.

Notice what Esau tells his father: “Isn’t he rightly named Jacob?”  In other words, isn’t he rightly identified as the second born? Esau is reminding his father of the birth order and, as the first born, he should get the birthright and the blessing. Now notice Esau’s lie: “He has deceived me these two times: He took my birthright, and now he’s taken my blessing!” This is interesting because remember we saw previously that Esau sold his birthright to Jacob for a bowl of soup — and now Esau is pinning the blame on his younger brother! You may say well, this is interesting but wasn’t Jacob lying? And the answer is — absolutely, but take a look at how scripture remembers the event. In the New Testament book of Hebrews Chapter 12, verse 17 we see the following: “See that no one is sexually immoral, or Godless like Esau, who for a single meal sold his inheritance rights as the oldest son.” Scripture remembers Esau’s role but not Jacob’s.

As the scriptures above show, the actual meaning of Jacob’s name, “he grabs his heel” or, in other words, “one who comes after,” is rich in contextual meaning and identifies him with God’s promise. Also, at the time of Jacob’s birth, his mother did not have any knowledge about anything good or bad that might occur in his life. She only knew that God said her second born would receive the blessing and she named him accordingly. In fact, scripture verifies this in Romans 9:6-13:

It is not as though God’s word had failed. For not all who are descended from Israel are Israel. Nor because they are his descendants are they all Abraham’s children. On the contrary, It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned. In other words, it is not the natural children who are God’s children, but it is the children of the promise who are regarded as Abraham’s offspring. For this was how the promise was stated: ‘At the appointed time I will return, and Sarah will have a son.’

Not only that, but Rebekah’s children had one and the same father, our father Isaac. Yet, before the twins were born or had done anything good or bad — in order that God’s purpose in election might stand: not by works but by him who calls — she was told, ‘The older will serve the younger.’ Just as it is written: ‘Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.’

You are probably wondering what the promise is and what it means for us today. I believe the promise is fulfilled in Jesus Christ. Consider Hebrews 11:8, which says:

By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Issac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city with foundation, whose architect and builder is God.

Galatians 3:29 says, “If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.”

Part One Conclusion

In conclusion, a person’s name is their identity, and that is exactly why Jacob received his name — it identifies him with God’s promise.

In Part Two, the next installment of this series, we will take another look at the story of Jacob receiving the blessing and see that it is a remarkable illustration of his mother’s faith and God’s amazing grace.

The Wonderful Name of Jacob, Part Two — a Mother’s Faith

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In Part One of this series we saw how Jacob identifies with God’s promise, and now we are going to see an amazing story of a mother’s faith. In Part One I posted the below passages from Genesis chapters 25 and 27. They are posted again here for your convenience.

Once when Jacob was cooking some stew, Esau came in from the open country, famished. He said to Jacob, ‘Quick, let me have some of that red stew! I’m famished! (That is why he was also called Edom.)
Jacob replied, ‘first sell me your birthright.’
‘Look, I am about to die,’ Esau said. ‘What good is the birthright to me?’

But Jacob said, ‘Swear to me first.’ So he swore an oath to him, selling his birthright to Jacob.

Then Jacob gave Esau some bread and some lentil stew. He ate and drank, and then got up and left.

So Esau despised his birthright.

Now let’s take a look at Chapter 27 where it describes the deception:

When Isaac was old and his eyes were so weak that he could no longer see, he called for Esau his older son and said to him, ‘My son.’

‘Here I am,’ he answered.

Isaac said, ‘I am now an old man and don’t know the day of my death. Now then, get your weapons – your quiver and bow – and go out to the open country to hunt some wild game for me. Prepare me the kind of tasty food I like and bring it to me to eat, so that I may give you my blessing before I die.’

Now Rebekah was listening as Isaac spoke to his son Esau. When Esau left for the open country to hunt game and bring it back, Rebekah said to her son Jacob, ‘Look, I overheard your father say to your brother Esau,’ ‘Bring me some game and prepare me some tasty food to eat, so that I may give you my blessing in the presence of the Lord before I die.’ Now, my son, listen carefully and do what I tell you: Go out to the flock and bring me two choice young goats, so I can prepare some tasty food for your father, just the way he likes it. Then take it to your father to eat, so that he may give you his blessing before he dies.’

Jacob said to Rebekah his mother, ‘But my brother Esau  is a hairy man, and I’m a man with smooth skin. What if my father touches me? I would appear to be tricking him and would bring down a curse on myself rather than a blessing.’

His mother said to him, ‘ My son, let the curse fall on me. Just do what I say; go and get them for me.’

So he went and got them and brought them to his mother, and she prepared some tasty food, just the way his father liked it. Then Rebekah took the best clothes of Esau her older son, which she had in the house, and put them on her younger son Jacob. She also covered his hands ad the smooth part of his neck with the goatskins. Then she handed to her son Jacob the tasty food and the bread she had made.

He went to his father and said, ‘My father.’

‘Yes, my son,’ he answered. ‘Who is it?’

Jacob said to his father, ‘I am Esau your firstborn. I have done as you told me. Please sit up and eat some of my game so that you may give me your blessing.’

The story continues for a few verses, and we pick it up again in starting in verse 30:

After Isaac finished blessing him and Jacob had scarcely left his father’s presence, his brother Esau came in from hunting. He too prepared some tasty food and brought it to his father. Then he said to him, ‘My father, sit up and eat some of my game, so that you may give me your blessing.’

His father Isaac asked him, ‘Who are you?’

‘I am your son, ‘he answered, ‘your firstborn, Esau.’

Isaac trembled violently and said, ‘Who was it, then, that hunted game and brought it to me? I ate it just before you came and I blessed him — and indeed he will be blessed!’

When Esau heard his father’s words, he burst out with a loud and bitter cry and said to his father, ‘Bless me — me too, my father!’

But he said, ‘Your brother came deceitfully and took your blessing.’

Esau said, ‘Isn’t he rightly named Jacob?’ He has deceived me these two times: He took my birthright, and now he’s taken my blessing!’ Then he asked, ‘Haven’t you reserved any blessing for me?’

Isaac answered Esau, ‘ I have made him lord over you and have made all his relatives his servants, and I have sustained him with grain and new wine. So what can I possibly do for you, my son?’

Esau said to his father, ‘Do you have only one blessing, my father? Bless me too, my father!’ Then Esau wept aloud.

There is something very noteworthy occurring here that is easily overlooked — for this is a story of a mother’s faith. If you remember from Part One, Rebekah believed God’s promise that his blessing would be given to the youngest son instead of Esau, and she acted on it by naming him Jacob, which means “one who comes after.” In the story above, she is again faithful to God by acting on his promise. In both stories she does not know how it will all turn out. And if you read Hebrews 11, known as the Heroes of Faith chapter, you will see the same criteria listed for at least a couple of the heroes. For example, Abraham believed God’s promise and left his home for another land, and Noah believed God’s promise and built the ark. Both men did something different with their faith, even though both used the same criteria — they believed God’s promise and acted on it. Also if you notice in Hebrews 11, many of the faith heroes were described as looking forward to better things, and I believe Rebekah was doing the same.

In this story Rebekah must act quickly. She has no instruction manual, which I am sure may resonate with you because I have no doubt there were times in your life when you needed to act but did not know exactly how. God, though he gave us the Bible, does not give us instructions in every situation we encounter. Here we see a mother who has worked hard over the years keeping her family fed and clothed, and now she uses those familiar items in a faithful act. Isn’t that remarkable? She used what she had available and made the most of it.

At this point Rebekah does not know anything about how Jacob’s life will go. She is simply acting on her faith. And although it seems as if she may be contributing to the deception, I believe her motives are pure because she is not doing this for herself. Don’t get me wrong, but sometimes perfect is the enemy of the good, and I have to think of how I might accomplish this if I were in Rebekah’s situation. How would you act? Unless we can come up with a better solution, I do not think we can criticize. Also notice that when Jacob expressed concern that he might be recognized and bring a curse down on himself instead of a blessing, Rebekah said she would take the blame. She did not say she would be willing, she just did it — she said it’s on me. She sacrificed for her son. Isn’t that what mothers do?

Rebekah’s faith is as real as it gets. Now let’s look more closely at this story to see something else very interesting. Notice how Rebekah covered Jacob to hide him from his father, so Jacob could get the blessing. Also notice the animal skins used. In the Mosaic Law, which was in effect for centuries before Christ came, animal sacrifices were used in the temple to atone for the sins of the people. Then Christ arrived and fulfilled scripture by becoming a sacrifice once and for all. And as I am sure you know, God hates sin and it is impossible in our fallen, sinful state to be in his presence — unless we have accepted Christ’s payment, which is his shed blood. Hebrews 9:22 says, “…without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.” The concept is that a sinner is covered by Christ’s shed blood, so when God looks at the sinner he does not see the sin, and the sinner is able to approach the throne of grace.

Now let’s summarize the roles of the three people involved:

  • Jacob       –> sinner (as are all of us)
  • Isaac       –> grace (unmerited favor)
  • Rebekah –> faith (believed God’s promise and acted on it)

Paul said in Ephesians 2:8-9, “For it  is by grace you have been saved, through faith — and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God — not by works, so that no one can boast.” The gospel of Christ is clearly in view, which is that a sinner is saved by grace through faith. 1 Cor 12:9 states that faith is a spiritual gift, so some bible teachers say the sinner has saving faith. I am not sure I agree with that position, because there is no scriptural support for it. But here in the story of Jacob, we see that faith is present, but it is not Jacob’s, it is his mother’s faith that carries the day. Also notice how Jacob does not present a list of accomplishments to his father — the blessing is simply a birthright and strictly by grace.

Something else is this scene is very important. Notice that once Isaac gave the blessing, nothing Esau says can change Isaac’s mind to take it back. The blessing is permanent and irrevokable. In Romans 8:38-39 Paul says:

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

I would like to add that Rebekah is not only Jacob’s mother, but she also brings the church into view because she is Isaac’s bride. And just as with Rebekah, churches should be in the business of presenting sinners to the Father for salvation and blessing. (The story of how Rebekah became Isaac’s bride is found in Genesis Chapter 24, where Abraham [the father] sent his chief servant Eliezer [representing the Holy Spirit] to find a bride for Isaac [who represents Jesus].)

I am sure Rebekah knew her actions would cause a rift in the family, but her faith was strong. And if you read the rest of the story, you will see that it has a happy ending because Jacob and Esau made peace with each other and both were extremely successful. Also, according to Paul in Hebrews 11:20, both of the boys were blessed by their father:  “By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau in regard to their future.” The brothers were together at their mother’s funeral, and I think they must have hugged each other and talked about how remarkable she was.

Rebekah’s story resonates with me because I have seen many times how Christians tend to discount the small things they do, thinking they don’t count as faith because they aren’t big. We are somehow conditioned to think we are not giving in faith unless we give more than we have available, or we may hold jobs in the church that do not seem like much. I have seen members of small groups who do not credit themselves enough for showing up for an hour to encourage others. Rebekah’s story is a prime example that our faith is not measured by how much or how big. She used very little in terms of resources, just food and clothes, which are a basic as you can get. She did the best she could with what she had, but in terms of impact her faith accomplished more than she could have ever imagined.

So what do we make of Jacob’s deception? There is no question that it occurred, but I think it serves the purpose of highlighting God’s grace. The Bible says we are all sinners — for example, Paul said in Romans 3:23: “for all have sinned and come short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.” Something else to consider is that Jacob’s deception is not remembered in scripture after this event. It’s as though God has given Jacob a clean slate. Psalm 103:12 says, “as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.” 

The Wonderful Name of Jacob, Part Three — the Advocate

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In Part One of this series we established that God promised Rebekah that the second born of her twins would receive the birthright and blessing. And Rebekah, believing in God’s promise, identified him with the name, “he grabs his heel,” which in essence means “one who comes after.” We also saw that the phrase, “Abraham, Isaac and Jacob” is mentioned many times throughout scripture. God himself spoke these names from the Burning Bush, and in that iconic scene he also said, “this is my name.” In other words, this is my identity; if you want to know who I am, look at these three men. In this post we look at some of Jacob’s excellent character traits and also see that the real meaning of Jacob as “one who comes after” is a perfect fit and helps reveal the Holy Spirit.

Let’s take a look at the Burning Bush story in Exodus Chapter 3, beginning with verses 1-8:

Now Moses was tending the flock of Jethro his father in law, the priest of Midian, and he led the flock to the far side of the desert and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. There the angel of the Lord appeared to him in flames of fire from within a bush. Moses saw that though the bush was on fire it did not burn up. So Moses thought, ‘I will go over and see this strange sight — why the bush does not burn up.’

When the Lord saw that he had gone over to look, God called to him from within the bush, ‘Moses! Moses!’

And Moses said, ‘Here I am.’

‘Do not come any closer,’ God said. ‘Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.’ Then he said, ‘I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob.’

And then again in verses 13-17 God says,

Moses said to God, ‘suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, The God of your fathers has sent me to you, and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ Then what shall I tell them?’

God said to Moses, ‘I am who I am. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: I am has sent me to you.’

God also said to Moses, ‘Say to the Israelites, the Lord, the God of your fathers – the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob – has sent me to you. This is my name forever, the name by which I am to be remembered from generation to generation.’

In the story above, God uses three names to identify himself, which correspond with the fact that the God of the Bible is revealed in three persons: the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Next I will briefly explain how Abraham and Isaac reveal the Father and Son, then how Jacob’s life reveals the Holy Spirit.

Abraham and Isaac – Revealing the Father and Son

As described previously in Part One, God promised Abram that he would be the father of many nations, and he changed Abram’s name to Abraham, which means “the father of a multitude.” God also promised Abraham and Sarah that they would have a son together, even though they were advanced in age. This promise came to pass and their son Isaac was born. Now see the following story in Genesis Chapter 22 where Isaac is offered as a sacrifice:

Sometime later God tested Abraham. He said to him, ‘Abraham.’

‘Here I am,’ he replied.

Then God said, ‘take your son, your only son, Isaac, whom you love, and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains I will tell you about.’

Early the next morning Abraham got up and saddled his donkey. He took with him two of his servants and his son Isaac. When he had cut enough wood for the burnt offering, he set out for the place God had told him about. On the third day Abraham looked up and saw the place in the distance. He said to his servants, ‘Stay here with the donkey while I and the boy go over there. We will worship and then we will come back to you.’

Abraham took the wood for the burnt offering and placed it on his son Isaac, and he himself carried the fire and the knife. As the two of them went on together, Isaac spoke up and said to his father Abraham, ‘Father?’

‘yes, my son?’ Abraham replied.

‘The fire and wood are here,’ Isaac said, ‘but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?’

Abraham answered, ‘God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.’ And the two of them went on together.

When they reached the place God had told him about, Abraham built an altar there and arranged the wood on it. He bound his son Isaac and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. Then he reached out his hand and took the knife to slay his son. But the angel of the Lord called out to him from heaven, ‘Abraham! Abraham!’

‘Here I am,’ he replied.

‘Do not lay a hand on the boy,’ he said. ‘Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear god, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son.’

Abraham looked up and there in a thicket he saw a ram caught by its horns. He went over and took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering instead of his son.

The above passage foreshadows God the Father presenting his only son as a sacrifice (compare John 3:16), and we also see that a ram was substituted — a picture of Jesus, the lamb of God (John 1:29), becoming a sacrifice for us. Now that we’ve established that Abraham and Isaac reveal the Father and Son, let’s see how Jacob represents the Holy Spirit.

 Jacob – Revealing the Holy Spirit

John 14:26 says, “But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.” After Jesus’ went to Heaven and sat down at God’s right hand, he sent the Holy Spirit back to earth to build his church (The book of Acts is a good read if you would like more information on the beginning of the church.) So if it is true that Jacob represents the Holy Spirit, his name “one who comes after” is an exact fit. In fact, Abraham’s and Isaac’s names also fit perfectly:

  • Abraham:  father of a multitude –> represents God the Father
  • Isaac:         he laughs (victory)      –> represents Jesus
  • Jacob:        one who comes after –> represents Holy Spirit.

So far, so good. Now let’s take a look at some events in Jacob’s life story to provide further evidence that Jacob reveals the Holy Spirit.

  • The Stone Rolled Away. Genesis Chapter 29 tells the story of how Jacob rolled the stone away so the sheep could get water. Compare Matthew 28:1-10, which details the the story of Jesus’ resurrection and empty tomb from which the stone was rolled away.
  • The Brides. As mentioned previously, the New Testament teaches the Holy Spirit is here in this world and is working to build the church, the bride of Christ. And someday, at the end of the church age, this bride will go to be with Jesus. Compare Genesis 28:1-5, where Isaac sends Jacob to find a bride. If you continue reading Genesis, you will see that Jacob actually returns with two brides, Leah and Rachel, whom I believe represent Israel and the church.
  • The Miracle of New Birth. The New Testament teaches that the Holy Spirit miraculously changes hearts to follow Jesus, and Jesus said, “you must be born again.” Genesis Chapters 30 – 31 describe how Jacob peeled the bark from the branches and when the sheep came to mate, their offspring would get the markings that Laban agreed for Jacob to have. It was through miraculous new birth that Jacob was able to claim the animals for himself.
  • Gifts. The New Testament describes gifts of the Spirit. Consider Romans 12:6-8, 1 Corinthians 12:4-11 and 1 Corinthians 12:28, and compare with Genesis 32:1-21. Here Jacob is returning to the land of his father with his wives and possessions, and he has received word that Esau, with 400 men, is coming to meet him. Jacob is afraid that Esau may try to harm him and his group, so he equips his people with gifts and sends them ahead (verses 13-21).

The Advocate

In Genesis 32:22-32, Jacob wrestles with a man and receives his blessing. The passage indicates the man was God, and I believe Jacob was interceding for his people.

That night Jacob got up and took his two wives, his two maidservants and his eleven sons and crossed the ford of the Jabbok. After he had sent them across the stream, he sent over all his possessions. So Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him till daybreak. When the man saw that he could not overpower him, he touched the socket of Jacob’s hip so that his hip was wrenched as he wrestled with the man.

Then the man said, ‘Let me go, for it is daybreak.’

But Jacob replied, ‘I will not let you go unless you bless me.’

The man asked him, ‘What is your name?’

Jacob, he answered.

Then the man said, ‘Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with men and have overcome.’

Jacob said, ‘Please tell me your name.’

But he replied, ‘Why do you ask my name?’ Then he blessed him there.

So Jacob called the place Peniel, saying, ‘It is because I saw God face to face, and yet my life was spared.’

The sun rose above him as he passed Peniel, and he was limping because of his hip. Therefore to this day the Israelites do not eat the tendon attached to the socket of the hip, because the socket of Jacob’s hip was touched near the tendon.

At first glance it appears that Jacob is only concerned with himself when he says, “I will not let you go until you bless me.” However, I believe in this context “me” means all of Jacob. In other words Jacob is referring to everything he is, which includes all of his people, animals and property. It is all-inclusive. Nothing is left out. As a supporting text, I would offer a previous verse, Genesis 32:16 where Jacob says, “I had only my staff when I crossed the Jordan. Now I have become two groups.” It is clear from this verse that the “I”, similar to “me”, means all of Jacob, all of his people.

I find it comforting knowing the Holy Spirit prays for everyone who belongs to him and nobody is forgotten. Notice also that he does not go to the other side of the river until he is sure everyone else gets across and nobody and nothing is left behind. But even though he stayed, his prayers are going ahead as he advocates for his people. Notice also that when he sent his people ahead that nobody questioned him, they just went. In the same way, Christians are often sent into the face of uncertainty, but we can take comfort knowing the Spirit has our backs.

The New Testament affirms that the Holy Spirit advocates for us. For example Romans 8:27 says, “and he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.”

Now back to Genesis, resuming in Chapter 33:

Jacob looked up and there was Esau, coming with his four hundred men; so he divided the children among Leah, Rachel and the two maidservants. He put the maidservants and their children in front, Leah and her children next, and Rachel and Joseph in the rear. He himself went on ahead and bowed down to the ground seven times as he approached his brother.

But Esau ran to meet Jacob and embraced him; he threw his arms around his neck and kissed him. And they wept.

Jacob, who previously stayed behind, now goes ahead of his people to meet Esau. I think it is awesome to think that the Spirit equips those who belong to him with gifts, advocates for them, has their backs and goes before them.

In studying this story, I couldn’t help but realize that Jacob’s mother taught him well. For if you recall the story where Jacob received the blessing, you will see some striking similarities. Remember that while she stayed behind, Rebekah helped prepare Jacob to go forward to receive his father’s blessing. And when Jacob expressed concern about possibly getting a curse instead of a blessing, Rebekah interceded for him by saying, “Let the curse fall on me.” Then Jacob proceeded with full assurance that she had his back. Similarly in the story above, Jacob prepared his people to go forward, and when there was concern (about Esau and his 400 men), Jacob sent them ahead while he stayed behind and had their backs by advocating for them.

It takes a tremendous amount of love and courage to say, “Lord, if there must be an injury or illness, as much as possible please let it be on me.” Indeed, this is the type of prayer a mother would say for her children, and a behavior that Jacob learned from his mom. Also notice the tenacity that both showed. Rebekah waited approximately 20 years from the time God made his promise until the time Jacob received his blessing, and then did everything in her power to see it through. It is obvious that she trained Jacob well, because he also showed staying power by wrestling the man until he secured the blessing.

Part Three Conclusion

Jacob was a man of tremendous character, and we can see that his name, meaning “one who comes after,” identifies with God’s promised Holy Spirit. And thanks to both Rebekah and Isaac, Jacob was instilled with an excellent work ethic, people skills, values and traits that allowed him to go into the land of Laban and return very successful.

 

The Wonderful Name of Jacob — Conclusion

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While In the Bible it is common for people to be given new names, the meaning of a name never changes. And Jacob’s name has always meant “he grabs his heel” or in essence “one who comes after.”  Jacob was the second born of a set of twins, and his mother named him accordingly as a faithful response to God’s promise of blessing. Jacob sinned, like we all do, but he developed into a man of solid character. Some highlights of Jacob’s story are:

  • The real meaning of Jacob’s name, “he grabs his heel” or in essence “one who comes after,” correctly aligns with scriptural themes and helps us better understand God’s word.
  • Jacob identifies with God’s promises.
  • Jacob’s deception was a sinful act, not the meaning of his name.
  • Jacob’s sin is integral to the story because it highlights God’s grace.
  • Jacob’s mother Rebekah illustrates what practical faith looks like.

When I began writing this series, I could not have imagined that a name meaning “he grabs his heel” could be so interesting, and I hope you have enjoyed reading this series as much as I did writing it. I particularly enjoyed Rebekah’s story. She was not one of the major characters, but her role was essential. For mostly overlooked and tucked away in the pages of the Bible is the story of a mother with strong faith, who honored God and placed her family above herself.

All in all a pretty good series, and I am confident that I disproved the idea that Jacob means deceiver. Jacob is a wonderful name, simple yet powerful in meaning. And if your name is Jacob, you should be extremely honored and proud.