#FunFactFriday – Because TGIF!

Did you know, that Israel is another name for Jesus!

Let’s trace this back to its origins…

He had a dream, and behold, a ladder was set on the earth with its top reaching to heaven; and behold, the angels of God were ascending and descending on it. And behold, the LORD stood above it and said, “I am the LORD, the God of your father Abraham and the God of Isaac; the land on which you lie, I will give it to you and to your descendants. 

“Your descendants will also be like the dust of the earth, and you will spread out to the west and to the east and to the north and to the south; and in you and in your descendants shall all the families of the earth be blessed. 

“Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land; for I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.” Then Jacob awoke from his sleep and said, “Surely the LORD is in this place, and I did not know it.” 

— Genesis 28: 12-16 (NASB)

In that passage, Jacob had a dream about a ladder that reached to heaven with the angels of God ascending and descending on it, with the Lord standing above it.

This event foreshadowed Jesus’ statement that heaven would open up with the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man.

And He *said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see the heavens opened and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.”

— John 1:51 (NASB)

After that dream Jacob’s name was changed to Israel.

He said, “Your name shall no longer be Jacob, but Israel; for you have striven with God and with men and have prevailed.”

— Genesis 32:28 (NASB)

This particular event foreshadowed the nation of the true Israel, Jesus Christ.

Israel is the chosen servant of God, and Jesus is the chosen servant of God. Compare the two scriptures below. The fulfilling of Hosea 1:11 is seen in Matthew 2:15.

When Israel was a youth I loved him,
And out of Egypt I called My son.

—Hosea 1:11 (NASB)

He remained there until the death of Herod.

This was to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet:

“OUT OF EGYPT I CALLED MY SON.”

— Matthew 2:15 (NASB)

Therefore, Israel is another name for Jesus!

Selah!