“A friend is someone who walks in when the world walks out.” God is just that kind of Friend. Sometimes, God does his greatest work through our sorrow and laments. Jacob and his family had lost Deborah. In consecrated imagination, I think of her like Aunt Bee on the Andy Griffith show. Perhaps, she always knew the right thing to do and say. Now she was gone. But God was still there.
As Jacob returned to his homeland, he discovered that God travels. He was with Jacob the whole time since he had left home. God did not abandon him now. After revival and spiritual renewal through worship, Jacob learned three names. God came to Jacob blessing him again as he did by the river Jabbok. God finished what he starts reminding Jacob that the name change was permanent. No longer a grasper, Jacob became Israel, one who prevails with God. The night he would not let God go changed his whole trajectory in life. Jacob found himself when God found him.
The God of Jacob’s ancestors reintroduced himself, too. How did you come to know God? What is your favorite name for him? God revealed himself to Jacob as El-Shaddai – God Almighty, God of the mountains. Even if we are not looking for God, the Maker of the mountains is looking for us. Lift up your eyes. Come to know him by name.
God also gave Jacob marching orders: be fruitful and increase in number. His family must grow because God would make room for them. Suddenly, Jacob remembered where he was. Just as he did when he left the land, he set up another stone pillar and poured drink offerings and oil on it. The name of the place changed to Bethel.
To this day, God comes to us when we least expect it, reminding us that our identity and future are all wrapped up in his identity. He changes us and everything around us.
