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Seth David Gruber

Finding my name, meaning, and calling

What’s in a name?

In the book of Genesis, we encounter (among many people) a man named Jacob, son of Isaac, and younger brother to Esau.  Jacob’s life was marked by struggle, as he always attempted to best his brother, even in the womb.  Esau, who was born first came out with Jacob’s hand clenched around his heel.  From then on, Jacob does all he can to strip his brother of his elderly rights and succeeds in buying Esau’s birthright for a bowl of stew and securing Isaac’s blessing for himself (Genesis 25:19-27:40).  Hence, the name Jacob came to mean supplanter (supersede and replace), and held by the heel (Genesis 25:26; 27:36).

But wait! There’s more…

But this is not the last we hear of Jacob and his name.  For my purposes, we’ll pick up the story of Jacob again, a few chapters later.  It is the eve of Jacob’s reunion with his brother Esau, whom Jacob believes wants revenge.  Before Jacob is reunited with his brother, he ends up in a wrestling match with a man that lasts all night.  Jacob refuses to let up or let the man go until this stranger blesses him.  The man responds, “What is your name?” (Genesis 32:27a).

Who are you?

Now it is my understanding that in the ancient near east, this was the same as asking, “Who are you?”, “What is your identity?”  A name had so much more meaning then.  Jacob answers saying, “Jacob” (Gen. 32:27b), but this mysterious man rejects Jacob’s answer and says, “Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with men and have overcome” (Genesis 32:28).  This man, who Jacob later realizes is God, was essentially telling Jacob that he has a new identity.  “You are no longer the man who stole your brother’s birthright and blessing.  You are no longer the man who lives in his brother’s shadow.  You are Israel”  It is like the Lord is telling Jacob, “Come struggle with me instead”.

Who we are…

I believe that the names we have can mean so much more than what we are called.  I believe they can be the very person that we are.  Perhaps God meant for there to be so much more to our names; for our name to be the very epitome of our being, our essence.

And so continues my journey of finding not just what I’m called, but who I am, and what essence God breathed into me for his glory and the furtherance of His kingdom.  By finding more of God’s divine signature upon my being, I plan to enjoy him more, and help others to do the same.

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