Genesis 35:10 – “And God said to him, “Your name is Jacob; your name shall not be called Jacob anymore, but Israel shall be your name.”
The first verse of this chapter God wants Jacob to move. It’s time to go to a NEW place. When he arrives to a place called Luz, he gives it a NEW name: El Bethel, which means God of the house of God.
Then in our text God reaffirms Jacob’s NEW name. The Angel of the Lord gave him the name “Israel” a few chapters ago. But sometimes life will cause you to forget who you are.
In the very next verse God reveals Himself in a NEW way to Jacob by giving him His name: El Shaddai. The meaning? God Almighty. With all this NEW going on you need to know that the Almighty is with you.
Finally, Jacob’s wife Rachel was giving birth to a NEW child and she was dying as the baby, a NEW-born son, was coming into the world. Rachel named him Ben-Oni, which means “son of my sorrow.” But his dad gave him a NEW name: Ben-Jamin, which means “son of my right hand.” Thank God Jacob did not allow his son to carry the disappointment of Rachel. We cannot allow our generation to pass on our hurts and disappointments to the next generation.
Whatever NEW God has for you this year know that the Almighty will walk with you. Let the old pass away and embrace the NEW with confidence.