Many of us in reading this verse would just assume that a country is depicted as being favored by the Lord and that would be partially right. However, most who are not familiar with Bible history are probably unaware that Israel is the name given to Abraham’s grandson, by God Himself. We read this account of name-reassignment in Genesis 32 – 28; And he said, “Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel; for you have striven with God and with men and have prevailed”. It is marvelous to see that as many choices as anyone may choose, it is God’s choice of working His wonders, through and for, specific individuals and peoples all through the ages that are recorded for us to remember. We may read an account of the lineage of Jesus in the Gospels, which reaches all the way back to Adam, and all are linked to Abraham through Jacob, Israel.
There are so many voices today pointing to the thoughts that anyone can come to God through any name or means. In the Old Testament, God established an order by which He could be approached, namely in the covenants which He made with His people; so also today in the New Testament, He has established an order by which man may approach Him. In the Book of Acts chapter 4: 10 and 12, Peter says, “Let it be known to all of you, and all the people of Israel, that the Name of Jesus Christ, the Nazarene whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead – by this name this man stands before you in good health. And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men, by which we must be saved.”
1 Peter 1: 10 and 11 says, “As to this salvation, the prophets who prophesied of the grace that would come to you made careful search and inquiry, seeking to know what person or time the Spirit of Christ within them was indicating as He predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories to follow.”
Dearest Holy Lord Jesus: Thank You that today we may accept God’s plan for salvation through Your Name, and that we may see the wonders of transformation right before our eyes. Come by Your Holy Spirit and remove the covering over the eyes of so many who have been deceived by so much error and deception. Let the truth of Your Word take precedence in a mighty powerful way, and lead many out of bondage into Your marvelous freedom. May You be greatly glorified today, and always. Glory to You alone!
