Israel as a word or term is associated with many different entities or persons. This one fact has led to some of the confusion among the denominations. Let us look at this list.
First, it is the new name given to Jacob. Yet, in the New Testament, Jesus still refers to him as Jacob.
Matthew 1:2 Abraham was the father of Isaac, Isaac the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers.
1:15 Eliud was the father of Eleazar, Eleazar the father of Matthan, and Matthan the father of Jacob.
:16 Jacob was the father of Joseph the husband of Mary, by whom Jesus was born, who is called the Messiah.
8:11 "I say to you that many will come from east and west, and recline at the table with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven;
22:32 'I AM THE GOD OF ABRAHAM, AND THE GOD OF ISAAC, AND THE GOD OF JACOB'? He is not the God of the dead but of the living."
It is also used for the nation of Israel. Jehovah describes Himself as the God of Israel. As we just read, He also refers to Himself as the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob! So it would appear that He uses these names interchangeably.
The tribes of Israel refers to the 12 sons of Jacob/Israel and their extended families.
Genesis 32:28 He said, "Your name shall no longer be Jacob, but Israel; for you have striven with God and with men and have prevailed."
While we read that God changed his name on his way from the house of Laban, He still uses Jacob as well.
Genesis 46:1 So Israel set out with all that he had, and came to Beersheba, and offered sacrifices to the God of his father Isaac.
46:2 God spoke to Israel in visions of the night and said, "Jacob, Jacob." And he said, "Here I am."
46:3 He said, "I am God, the God of your father; do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for I will make you a great nation there.
46:4 "I will go down with you to Egypt, and I will also surely bring you up again; and Joseph will close your eyes."
46:5 Then Jacob arose from Beersheba; and the sons of Israel carried their father Jacob and their little ones and their wives in the wagons which Pharaoh had sent to carry him.
This seems rather confusing and contradictory. Is his name Jacob or Israel? Both are used in these 5 verses. This certainly has added to the differences in opinions on this important matter. God spoke to Israel by calling out Jacob. The sons of Israel carried their father Jacob.
Genesis 48:1 Now it came about after these things that Joseph was told, "Behold, your father is sick." So he took his two sons Manasseh and Ephraim with him.
48:2 When it was told to Jacob, "Behold, your son Joseph has come to you," Israel collected his strength and sat up in the bed.
This is the passage where Jacob/Israel blesses his sons and the sons of Joseph. Again we read of this dichotomy of references, Jacob and Israel in the same passages and verses.
We will continue on our study of this important division within Protestantism by adding to this confusion before God’s Word begins to reveal what is really meant. We can understand how godly men could have disagreed, but God is not a God of confusion.
More next Saturday.