AM Devo Character Counts And [God] said, Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel; for you have struggled with God and with men, and have prevailed. Genesis 32:28 Recommended Reading Genesis 25:19-34 Given names (first names) came first in history, with surnames (last names) being added later. Its easy to see how some name combinations were formed: John the miller became John Miller; Thomas the blacksmith (or ironsmith) became Thomas Smith; Joseph the farmer became Joseph Farmer. Surnames were also derived from geography, nature, and character traits. That last category -- character traits and responsibilities -- describes how many biblical names were assigned or changed. For example, Jacob (tripper or supplanter) received his name because he grasped his firstborn twin brother Esaus foot when they were born. And later, Jacob tripped Esau up by stealing his birthright and blessing from their father Isaac. But then God humbled Jacob in an encounter and changed his name to Israel -- he who struggles with God. Characteristically, Israel the nation took Israel the patriarchs name, and rightfully so: Israel as a nation has struggled all its life with God, and remains in that struggle today. If God ascribed a name to you, based on character, what would it be? Character, like embroidery, is made stitch by stitch. Anonymous David Jeremiah
Posted on: Wed, 05 Nov 2014 16:12:05 +0000