By Canaan Chapman
The Wikipedia entry on surnames is a compelling read. In an article over 9,000 words long on the history of the word that makes up your name, I learned a lot. Did you know there are major categories that Western surnames come from?
For example, there are patronymic and matronymic surnames (ones you get from your mother or father, such as “Anderson” for son of Anders). Or another one you may be familiar with, the category of occupational surnames: Smith (someone who makes things from hot metal), Miller (given to the family who makes flour), Thatcher (the guy in your village who put roofs on buildings), Shepherd, Potter, and more. One more: toponymic, or, names which are derived from a place, like Flint, London, Murray, Sutton, or Bridge, Brooks, Wood, Moore, etc. Fascinating, isn’t it?!
I’m guessing that not many of us could talk about our name, how we got it, and what it means. How many of us could answer the question, “What does ‘Jacob’ mean?” If you don’t remember this epic origin story, Jacob was the second-born twin of the born-hairy Esau. On Esau’s literal heel (Genesis 25:26) was the literal hand of his brother Jacob. When they grew older, Jacob again grasped at what wasn’t his and stole his older brother’s birthright, sinning against God and his family. For years—decades—this decision led to a vow of death from his brother. Jacob, in the middle of this story of fleeing for his life, met (and fought with) God, was given a limp, a blessing, and a new name. But probably most importantly, he was given a path toward reconciliation.
Years of fear, looking over your shoulder, the emotional baggage of wrongdoing—can we imagine for a second what Jacob must’ve felt? Though he had a new life and family, the past hung over him. While Jacob’s situation may seem extreme, unresolved conflict is something we all face, perhaps a disagreement with a friend, a family feud, or resentment for something that may or may not have been your fault. When left to fester, it impacts our ability to live a fully present life in God’s grace.
I find it beautiful that even as the main character in a “supplanter” story, Jacob ended up choosing to face the issue. Fearful, respectful, humble, and changed, Jacob prepared to ask forgiveness. Not willing to show up empty-handed, he assembled a herd of livestock as a peace offering. It’s a tangible expression of what likely he wanted more: restoration.
As Jacob—now renamed Israel—approached his brother and begged him to take his gift, he told his brother, “Seeing your face is like seeing God’s” (my paraphrase). Having seen both, how much of a burden do you think was lifted now that things were resolved?
We see in these pages how Jacob wept and sought favor. He found it. Now where do we need to show up contrite, our hands full, and ready to reconcile?
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