Inheriting a new name and a new life

“And Israel beheld Joseph’s sons, and said, Who are these? And Joseph said unto his father, They are my sons, whom God hath given me in this place [Egypt]. And he said, Bring them, I pray thee, unto me, and I will bless them.… The Angel which redeemed me from all evil, bless the lads; and let my name be named on them, and the name of my fathers Abraham and Isaac; and let them grow into a multitude in the midst of the earth.” (Gen. 48:8,9,16).

 

Of all the grandchildren of Jacob, only Ephraim and Manasseh took the name of Jacob, instead of their father’s name. Now they were called Ephraim the son of Jacob and Manasseh the son of Jacob, rather than Ephraim the son of Joseph and Manasseh the son of Joseph.

 

Why did Jacob do this? I believe Jacob was following the dictates of the Holy Spirit when he did it. It taught a great spiritual truth. They were now sons of heaven. They were sons of God. Jacob, newly named Israel, was the namesake of a new institution of fighting “the good fight of faith” (1Tim. 6:12). His name spoke of everyone who, until the end of time, will wrestle with the issues of sin and salvation, and overcome. They may initially fight against the humbling of heaven, but they eventually give in and surrender to it, and receive the redemption from the divine touch of God.

 

Because of Jacob’s surrendering to the Angel, that Angel Michael redeemed him from all evil that night. No more separated heart from the God of love. No more harassment by the adversary, Satan.

 

“Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience.” (Heb. 10:22).

“Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin.” (Heb. 10:18).

 

“This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put My laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; and their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.” (Heb. 10:16,17).

 

Redemption, how I love to proclaim it. Redemption by the blood of the Lamb. His child and forever I am.

 

This was the lesson of calling Ephraim and Manasseh by Israel’s name. And they became heads of the 12 tribes of Israel, each tribe representing a throne of the elders that surround God’s holy mountain. The elders spoken of in Revelation are the archetype, the model of the Israelite patriarchs and apostles from whom descended the church of God from days of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel. All of their descendents were named after them. “Now there was a man of Benjamin…” (1Sam. 9:1). “Ye which have followed Me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of His glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.” (Matt. 19:28).

 

“This is the book of the generations of Adam. In the day that God created man, in the likeness of God made He him; male and female created He them; and blessed them, and called their name Adam, in the day when they were created.” (Gen. 5:1,2). Adam and Eve were the progenitors of the human race. Every human born was named after their name of Adam.

 

But, all that was lost in Adam was redeemed under the name of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, and they became sons of God. Until the Messiah came. Then, all that was lost in Adam was redeemed in Christ. And His redemption surpassed the redemption in Israel. “For even that which was made glorious had no glory in this respect, by reason of the glory that excelleth. For if that which is done away was glorious, much more that which remaineth is glorious.” (2Cor. 3:10,11).

 

Now, everyone redeemed is given the name of God and His dear Son. Sons of God in Christ. All who surrender to His mighty humbling are no longer named after their earthly father. They no longer live by the traditions of their earthly elders.

“Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers.” (1Pet. 1:18).

God is their Father now, even as Israel became the father of Ephraim and Manasseh. All who are redeemed by the Holy Spirit, the “Spirit of Christ” (Rom. 8:9), are His children. They answer to Him and His Spirit.

 

“And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before Him. For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things. Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God. And whatsoever we ask, we receive of Him, because we keep His commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in His sight.” (1Jn. 3:19-22).

 

“What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? He that spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth. Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.” (Rom. 8:31-34).

 

This freedom is not a doctrine that must be brainwashed into new cult members. This freedom comes as common sense, a naturally drawn conclusion that loyalty should go to the Master who set the soul free from sin and guilt and shame. When the soul renounces self and bows its pride to the great Prince and Saviour, Christ Jesus, the spontaneous result is the strongest attachment, a heart to heart oneness with heaven. Earth no longer has the binding attraction that it had before. Christ has won the allegiance of another soul, and he is called by His name.

 

“Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and Thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by Thy name, O LORD God of hosts.” (Jer. 15:16).

 

“He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.” (Rev. 2:17).

 

“Behold, I and the children whom the LORD hath given Me are for signs and for wonders in Israel from the LORD of hosts, which dwelleth in mount Zion.” (Isa. 8:18).