Created & Formed

     Isaiah 43 is one of my favorite passages of scripture. I refer back to it often for encouragement in times of struggle. It is basically a love note from our Savior - a reminder of His redeeming love, His grace, His faithfulness, and His ever-presence in our lives. It exemplifies how great our God truly is. Please read it if you haven't already, I promise you will not regret it. Here are some of the highlights...

"...Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee." 

(v. 1-2)

"For I am the Lord thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Savior..." (v. 3)

"Since thou wast precious in my sight, thou hast been honorable, and I have loved thee..." (v. 4)

"Fear not for I am with thee..." (v. 5)

"I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea I have made him." (v. 7)

"Ye are my witnesses, saith the Lord, and my servants whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me. I, even I, am the Lord; and beside me there is no savior." 

(v. 10-11)

"Yea, before the day was I am he; and there is none that can deliver out of my hand..." (v. 13)

"...I give waters in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert, to give drink to my people, my chosen." (v. 20)

"This people have I formed for myself; they shall show forth my praise." (v. 21)

"I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins." 

(v. 25)

     These verses are basically God telling us, "I love you, I chose you, and I'm here for you." We're reminded that we are loved and chosen by God. We're reminded that He is always present, and always working in our lives, always interceding on our behalf. But no matter how many times I read the same scripture, God always reveals something new and different to me each time. This week, I couldn't seem to get past the first verse. "But now thus saith the Lord that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel..." These are usually the parts of scripture that I just skip right over and don't ever take a second glance. But I noticed something different this time. I usually just assumed that "O Israel" was referring to the children of Israel, God's chosen people. But what if that was not the case? Israel is also a biblical name, a name given to Jacob after he wrestled with the angel and was not overpowered. This verse is telling us that God created Jacob, and formed Israel. So what's the difference? Why is there a need to separate the two?
     I heard a story on the radio once, and it has stuck with me years later. If I remember correctly, the discussion was about unusual child names and the meanings behind them - or something along those lines. Well, one man called in and said that his son was named Israel. The father, who was named Jacob, said that all throughout the pregnancy they had been planning to also name their son Jacob. However, the man said that God reminded him of the fact that he changed the biblical Jacob's name to Israel, and that name change represented a change that happened within Jacob. He decided to name his son Israel, because God had made a change in his life, and he wanted his son to be the better version of himself.
     There was a difference. Jacob was created, Israel was formed. To "create" something means to bring it into existence. Just as God breathed life into Adam's nostrils, bringing him into existence. To "form" something means to arrange it, shape it, and mold it into something different. Like a piece of clay in the potter's hands, broken apart and formed into something useful and something of beauty. The day we are born is the day God brings us into existence. Genesis tells us that He created us in His own image. But the day we are born again, God makes us a new creation. He takes the broken parts of us and He forms, molds, and shapes us into something beautiful. This is a process that begins the day we accept Christ, and continues until the day He calls us home.
     The name Jacob means "supplanter" - one who wrongfully takes the place of another. Jacob was causing trouble and discord in his family before he even came into this world, literally. He stole his brother's birthright, and deceived his own father. Just like Jacob, we are born into sin. We were the ones in the wrong, but Jesus Christ stepped in and took our place. He bore the weight of our sins, making us new creatures. He changed our name to Israel, which means "perseveres with God." With God on our side, nothing is impossible. He takes our brokenness and makes something beautiful out of it. We are forgiven, We are redeemed, and no matter the circumstance - we will persevere! Because of God's sacrifice, we have the glorious hope of a promised land - a land without sin, a land without tears, a land without death.
     Here's something else to think about... Adam was God's son. He was created by God, and breathed into existence by God. His name means "man" or "earth" and that is exactly what His name represents - the fall of man, this sinful world that we are born into. Jesus Christ is also the son of God, His only begotten son. The word begotten means born. Jesus was not simply created and breathed into existence - He was knit together in His mother's womb. He was formed. And His name means "God with us" - He is our salvation from the sins of this world. He is our deliverance, our redeemer. It is through Him that we receive the hope of eternal life. It is through Him that we are able to be made new and receive new names. So with that said, who is your namesake? Are you an heir of Adam, or an heir of Christ? Is your name Jacob, or Israel? Have you been born again, or just born? Have you received a new name? Have you been created and formed, or just created? Today is the day of salvation. You can be made new today. When you accept Christ as your Savior He will give you a new name, and He will begin forming you into the person that He created you to be.