(Gen 35:18 MSG) With her last breath, for she was now dying, she named him Ben-oni (Son-of-My-Pain), but his father named him Ben-jamin (Son-of-Good-Fortune).
This morning we continue our new series entitled, “Faith and Patience VOL III – Never Give Up!” by sharing one last message about Jacob. Yesterday we left off with Jacob getting rid of the sin in his camp. He collected up all the idols and buried them under an oak tree near Shechem. He then traveled with his entire household to Bethel to worship. At Bethel, they worshipped and God reminded Jacob of both his name change and the blessing of Abraham. God reiterated that his name would be “Israel” and that he would be blessed with many children, many of which would become kings, and that he would possess the land promised to Abraham. When the encounter with God was over, Jacob set up a large rock so that he would remember what had happened there. It is important to establish altars (they don’t have to be physical) in your life to remember the goodness of God.
After such an encounter with God you would think that it would be smooth sailing afterward. But divine promises do not exonerate us from earthly problems. As believers the onus is on us to put more focus on the promises than the problems. Jacob and his household left Bethel and when Rachel went into labor. She was having a rough time with the delivery, but the midwife said, “Don’t worry! It’s a boy.” However, Rachel was dying and she knew it. With her last breath she named the boy Benoni. Her last words were an expression of her pain. Benoni means, “Son of sorrow,” or “Son of pain.” I can only imagine the pain Jacob was in. He fell in love with Rachel at first sight and she was unquestionably the love of his life. But even through the pain Jacob knew that naming the boy Benoni would be a mistake. If he allowed the boy to have that name then he would: 1) curse the boy by giving him a terrible name and 2) be reminded of the pain of Rachel’s death every time her called the boy’s name. So Jacob, in the middle of the pain, overrode her dying request and named him Benjamin. Benjamin means, “Son of my right hand,” or “Son of good fortune.” The right hand is the position of power.
If anyone understood the power of a name it was Jacob. Jacob “trickster,” or “conniver;” and he lived up to that name. It took God to change his name to something more respectable. Also, practically speaking, the name Benoni could have negatively affected the child’s psyche. He would have grown up reminding himself that his mother died while giving labor to him. This could have caused guilt, pain, and possibly bitterness. Jacob avoided all of this by simply refusing his wife’s request and naming him something that would promote a positive future for the child.
So what does this mean to you today? A few things:
1. Names are important. In biblical times your name was indicative of your character, attributes, and nature. To a lesser degree this holds true today. Be careful what you decide to name your children.
2. Don’t make permanent decisions based on temporary emotions. There is no question Jacob was in tremendous grief over his wife, but if he would have allowed the grief to cloud his judgment, there is no telling how the name Benoni would have affected Benjamin. Even in the midst of the pain, Jacob made a quality decision. People who refuse to quit are conditioned to make faith-based and Godly decisions, even in the midst of painful situations.
3. Life is what you make of it. Jacob could have complained to God. Between a father-in-law who cheated him, a brother wanted to kill him, a daughter who was raped, a gang of murdering sons, and the premature death of the woman he loved, it would be understandable if Jacob threw in the towel, but he didn’t. Jacob went on to live the remainder of his days as “Israel” and he became the father of the 12 tribes that became the nation that stands today. It’s amazing what God can do with you in life if you refuse to quit!
Closing Confession: Father, I thank You for the example I see in Jacob. No matter what life dished his way, he refused to quit. He kept moving forward by faith. He kept worshipping You. He kept trusting in Your goodness and relying on Your grace. I learn from him and I do the same. Instead of whining and complaining about the hand I have been dealt, I am determined to make the most of it. I trust in You and I look to You for strength and peace. I am still alive, You still want to use me, so I will make myself available to You daily. No matter what comes my way, I SHALL NEVER QUIT! I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name. Amen!
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper!
