God Reaffirms Jacob as Israel

And God appeared unto Jacob again, when he came out of Padanaram, and blessed him. And God said unto him, Thy name is Jacob: thy name shall not be called any more Jacob, but Israel shall be thy name: and he called his name Israel. And God said unto him, I am God Almighty: be fruitful and multiply; a nation and a company of nations shall be of thee, and kings shall come out of thy loins; And the land which I gave Abraham and Isaac, to thee I will give it, and to thy seed after thee will I give the land. And God went up from him in the place where he talked with him. And Jacob set up a pillar in the place where he talked with him, even a pillar of stone: and he poured a drink offering thereon, and he poured oil thereon. And Jacob called the name of the place where God spake with him, Bethel. Genesis 35:9-15

Steps: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 12

Israel had been so discouraged by his son’s behaviors that he had prayed to God for help. God told him to go to the place where he had met God when fleeing from Esau. Jacob obeys and God comes to him and reassures him that He is with him and that his family will turn into a great nation. God also reassures him that his name really is Israel, and no longer Jacob. God affirms that even though his sons are acting the fool today God’s plans will turn out well.

Prayer for Today: God, we thank you that even when events around us go bad, we still have our relationship with You. We pray today, that no matter what happens we will not give up on You, for You are only hope. Thank You for Your great patience with us.