The Trickster and the Promise
Hello my friend, and welcome back to A Miracle Every Day.
Yesterday, I talked about how, as a young person, I had a personal desire to change my last name. You do have to agree… Fishbook is a strange last name!
This is what is interesting to me! There are several instances in the Bible where God chooses at a strategic time and for a strategic reason to change the name of one of his followers. One of my favorite Old Testament characters is Jacob. You can read his full story in Genesis 25-32—it is so worth the read!
Jacob, whose name means “heel-catcher” or “trickster,” truly lived up to his name.
His early life was marked by deception and self-serving actions. He manipulated his brother out of his birthright and then cunningly stole his father’s blessing. He was an opportunist who exploited other people’s weak moments. He left a trail of broken relationships behind him as he was caught in a web of deception and selfishness. These acts, meticulously detailed in Genesis, paint a picture of a flawed and fractured individual, someone seemingly far from God’s favor.
Consider the weight of Jacob’s name. It was not merely a neutral identifier—it was a descriptor of his character, a constant reminder of his manipulative tendencies. He carried the burden of his past actions, evident in the broken relationships and the fear that haunted his steps as he fled his family. He was, in essence, lost – not just geographically, but in terms of his identity. He was a man defined by his mistakes, a “loser” in the eyes of the world.
BUT, in the midst of this brokenness, God intervened! Despite Jacob’s flawed character and the negative connotations of his name, God revealed a profound promise:
"I am the Lord, the God of your Father Abraham and the God of Isaac. I will give you and your descendants the land on which you are lying. Your descendants will be like the dust of the earth and you will spread out to the west and to the east, to the north and to the south. All peoples on the earth will be blessed through you and your offspring. I am with you..." (Genesis 28:13-15, NIV)
This divine declaration, given to a man whose name spoke of deceit, reveals God’s sovereign grace and his ability to see beyond our present failings to a future filled with purpose.
My friend, take a moment and reflect on areas in your own life where past mistakes or negative self-perceptions define you. Do you carry a metaphorical “trickster” name? I want you to know that God’s promises are not contingent on our flawless performance or perfect past. He sees potential where we see only failure!
God was just getting started with a remake of Jacob’s name. He was highly invested in this young man and friend, He is highly invested in YOU!
I would love to pray for you right now.
Lord God, just as you saw a future for Jacob despite his flawed past, I pray that you would help us to see beyond our own mistakes and shortcomings. Release us from the burden of past failures and help us to embrace the promises you have for our lives. Thank you for your grace that extends even to those who feel unworthy. Amen.
Never forget my friend, you are a miracle!
