Through the carefully chosen words of the Bible, Gods sovereignty shows in many ways beyond the actual historical accounts we read in its pages. His sovereignty shows in His use of numbers. (If we’ve never discussed the number 7 before, remind us sometime to do that.) His sovereignty also shows in the meaning of names given to people that they actually live out.
In Genesis 27, both Rebekah and her son Jacob live out the meaning of their names. Rebekah means ensnarer. What does that mean? To trap or gain power over someone by dishonest or underhanded means. This is the chapter where she seeks to steal the patriarchal blessing from her firstborn twin Esau and secure it for her second born twin Jacob—whose name means supplanter. To supplant means to supersede and replace.
In Genesis 27 Rebekah uses underhanded means to get her blind aged husband Isaac to bless the second born with a dish of savory meat. While Isaac sends Esau out to hunt the venison so he can eat it and give Esau the official blessing, Rebekah goes to the fridge and pulls out some meat and cooks it up. She gives it to Jacob to take into his father. She dresses Jacob up in Esau’s shirt, putting animal skin on his hands and neck, so when Isaac smells and feels him, he’ll think it is Esau.
It works, and Isaac gives the official blessing to Jacob. Rebekah has gained power for her favorite son using dishonest, underhanded means—just like the meaning of her name. And Jacob supplants or supersedes to replace Esau in the patriarchal succession—just like his name.
While we like to look at true accounts like this from a prophetic standpoint in this blog, this time the purpose of pointing out this duo is to underscore God’s sovereignty demonstrated by their names. Meditate on this with us:
- Rebekah and Jacob received their names at birth—before any scheme crossed anyone’s mind.
- It appears that God had them named as He did for such a time as this account. Their names certainly highlight the story.
- The deception Rebekah and Jacob used to get the blessing was anything but godly. Yet God used it to fulfill what He had told Rebekah when the twins were in her womb. Remember? She had prayed and asked what all the activity was in her womb while she was pregnant, and the LORD said unto her, Two nations are in thy womb, and two manner of people shall be separated from thy bowels; and the one people shall be stronger than the other people; and the elder shall serve the younger. (Gen. 25:23)
- God foreknew and predetermined what He was going to do with Jacob, making our story jaw-dropping. You’d think God would use a cleaned-up method to get to His purposes. But He didn’t. Studying your Bible, you will see many examples of unsavory methods to get to God’s ultimate plan. That includes calling Judas as one of the 12 disciples of Jesus, who betrayed Him. And Jesus died. God was in control of that.
- O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! (Rom 11:33)
Before we close, just one more sovereign thing. God later changed Jacob’s name to Israel. The meaning of his name went from supplanter to God prevails. Wow. He still prevails in the nation of Israel, and let’s DO look at this prophetically. In the end, God prevails with the nation of Israel and with His kingdom established in the New Jerusalem.
And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem (means “double peace”), coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. (Rev. 21:2)
The world is sure going to appreciate peace after what comes upon it during the tribulation. If you know Jesus as your savior, your peace has already started!
R&J Shee