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The God of Israel and the God of Jacob are, of course, the
same Person, but the two titles present two different aspects of
truth. Jacob was frail, erring and sinful, the man who lied and
deceived. Israel, on the other hand, was a princely title. And
yet, though the name Jacob is associated with weakness and
need, it is `the God of Jacob', and not `the God of Israel', Who
is the Refuge of Psalm 46. This title - `The God of Jacob' - is
very much like the N.T. `God of all grace', for it was grace
indeed that chose and forgave and blessed Jacob.
This leads us to another truth. We read once or twice the title,
`The God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel', but the usual title is
`The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob'. This is God's great
covenant name. The Church of the One Body, of course, is not
blessed under the terms of this covenant, but rather in
accordance with His purpose and grace, that chose every
member in Christ `before the foundation of the world'.
Nevertheless it is certainly true that if `Jacob' could find his
refuge in God, so may those who, though `aliens' and
`strangers', are made nigh by the blood of Christ.
The fact that underlies the title we are considering is well
expressed in Psalm 135:4 : `The LORD hath chosen Jacob unto
Himself, and Israel for His peculiar treasure'. The opening
verses of Psalm 20 are also relevant :
` The LORD hear thee in the day of trouble; The name of the God of Jacob
defend thee; send thee help from the sanctuary, and strengthen thee out of
Zion' (Psa. 20:1, 2).
The title `The God of Jacob' must not be thought of, however,
as purely defensive in character, for in Psa. 76:6 we read: `At