'Street Jacobs' would benefit from a name change

Bermuda is on the verge of major change (at least it is hoped). Let me put it another way. The “family” of Bermuda is about to experience a change in headship.

The reason that is so major is because whatever spirit is leading a country is an indication of how we can expect that country (or island) to go.

Genesis 27:36 And he said, Is not he rightly named Jacob? For he hath supplanted me these two times: he took away my birthright; and, behold, now he hath taken away my blessing. And he said, Hast thou not reserved a blessing for me?

In that Biblical family, lies and deceit continually hounded generation after generation, because that family was founded on lies.

1. Jacob’s grandfather lied.

2. Jacob’s father lied.

3. Jacob’s mother lied.

4. Jacob lied.

5. Jacob’s father-in-law/uncle lied.

6. Jacob’s wife (Leah) lied.

Any family or country formed on deceit will result in a decline of the moral fibre of that family or country.

Hatred, division, violence, immorality, and the like will result when the headship of any family or country is in agreement with that spirit.

Bermuda, by and large, has forgotten the things of God and has turned to the things of man.

Now Bermuda is experiencing what happens when men and what men want are top priority, irrespective of what God thinks

of it.

Genesis 35:10 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.

How do you recover from a history (family history) of bad baggage, a bad name, and a bad reputation?

You must experience a change. There must be a name change. The head of the family must go through a reformation and a name change, so that what he used to look like is a vast contrast to who he has become.

Jacob’s name means surplanter, and that name is an indication that his

natural character and tendency was to do what he had to do (right or wrong) to get what he wanted to get.

Thank God indeed, that Jacob received a new name. His name became Israel, which means soldier of God or contender with God.

What a change! From selfish to selfless; from “It’s all about me,” to “God, it’s all about you.”

The wonderful thing is that the name change

was not for the sake of simply having a different name.

No. Now Israel walked with dignity and destiny in his view. Things would now be different because he was a different person.

So much has taken place in our island since’98. Let’s be real. Murders, crime, drug use, and immorality have all risen to levels unheard of.

Yet, because Christians have faith in God and in His Word, they believe that as long as there is life there is the hope that a people who have in vast numbers forgotten God will choose to remember God again.

What would it be like if our street-Jacobs decided to become street-Israels?

Wow! Wouldn’t it be wonderful to see soldiers of the street, off the wall, and

off the gang become soldiers of the cross! Hallelujah!  By faith I see a better Bermuda. Change is in the atmosphere.

The time is now for you to take charge and command your atmosphere. Goodbye Jacob and hello Israel.

Respice finem.

Dr. Maria A. Seaman is the Pastor of Shekinah Worship Centre, located at 98 North Shore Road, Hamilton Parish CR 01.