T A K E F I V E D E V O T I O N A L S
by David McQueen
"Let me go, for it is daybreak." But Jacob replied, "I will not let you go unless you bless me." Gen 32:26
I am really fascinated by the meaning and purpose of names. My intrigue started way back when I read the commandment by God instructing Israel and subsequent nations not to take his name in vain. It is also a source of fun when people see my name David McQueen, and expect to see a short ginger haired Scottish man instead of a tall chocolate brown man of Caribbean extraction!!!
An example of the importance of a name can be seen when Daniel and his three compatriots, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah, became special ministers in the Babylonian court. There names were changed because, their names declared their belief and the God whom they worshipped, and it was a constant reminder to the Chaldeans who had captured them of their culture from which the Hebrew men had been extracted.
- Daniel, "God is my judge," was changed to Belteshazzar, meaning "Bel's prince." Bel being the main god of Babylon.
- Hananiah, "the Lord is gracious," was changed to Shadrach, meaning "illumined by the sun-god Shamash."
- Mishael, "who is like God," to Meshach, meaning "who is Ishtar," the Babylonian queen of heaven.
- Azariah, "the Lord is my help," became Abednego, "the slave of Nabu," the Babylonian god of wisdom and education.
Jacob also was born with a name, but this time unlike the Hebrew boys it suggested negativity. His name literally is interpreted as usurper/theif. Esau even states "Isn't he rightly named Jacob ? He has deceived me these two times: He took my birthright, and now he's taken my blessing!" (Gen 27:36). It would appear that the deceiver/usurper got his come uppance though when he worked seven long hard years to win his beautiful bride and woke up the morning after (how did he not know?) to a "tender eyed" alternative.
Jacob had learned his lesson and although he worked another seven years for his true desire, he still suffered with the tremendous guilt he suffered from cheating his brother. The night before he met Esau the Bible states that Jacob wrestled with "El" until dawn. Whether an angel or God himself, we realise that the struggle was more spiritual than physical one (see the displaced hip for further reading). Jacob refused to let go until he got the blessing. Not the blessing given by his father but the true one he had been destined to from God. No longer the trickster but one who prevailed with God.
How long are we willing to hold onto God to get our blessing? To become as a new creature? Do we actually ever let go?
Blessings
Dave
by David McQueen
"Let me go, for it is daybreak." But Jacob replied, "I will not let you go unless you bless me." Gen 32:26
I am really fascinated by the meaning and purpose of names. My intrigue started way back when I read the commandment by God instructing Israel and subsequent nations not to take his name in vain. It is also a source of fun when people see my name David McQueen, and expect to see a short ginger haired Scottish man instead of a tall chocolate brown man of Caribbean extraction!!!
An example of the importance of a name can be seen when Daniel and his three compatriots, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah, became special ministers in the Babylonian court. There names were changed because, their names declared their belief and the God whom they worshipped, and it was a constant reminder to the Chaldeans who had captured them of their culture from which the Hebrew men had been extracted.
- Daniel, "God is my judge," was changed to Belteshazzar, meaning "Bel's prince." Bel being the main god of Babylon.
- Hananiah, "the Lord is gracious," was changed to Shadrach, meaning "illumined by the sun-god Shamash."
- Mishael, "who is like God," to Meshach, meaning "who is Ishtar," the Babylonian queen of heaven.
- Azariah, "the Lord is my help," became Abednego, "the slave of Nabu," the Babylonian god of wisdom and education.
Jacob also was born with a name, but this time unlike the Hebrew boys it suggested negativity. His name literally is interpreted as usurper/theif. Esau even states "Isn't he rightly named Jacob ? He has deceived me these two times: He took my birthright, and now he's taken my blessing!" (Gen 27:36). It would appear that the deceiver/usurper got his come uppance though when he worked seven long hard years to win his beautiful bride and woke up the morning after (how did he not know?) to a "tender eyed" alternative.
Jacob had learned his lesson and although he worked another seven years for his true desire, he still suffered with the tremendous guilt he suffered from cheating his brother. The night before he met Esau the Bible states that Jacob wrestled with "El" until dawn. Whether an angel or God himself, we realise that the struggle was more spiritual than physical one (see the displaced hip for further reading). Jacob refused to let go until he got the blessing. Not the blessing given by his father but the true one he had been destined to from God. No longer the trickster but one who prevailed with God.
How long are we willing to hold onto God to get our blessing? To become as a new creature? Do we actually ever let go?
Blessings
Dave
