I really didn’t respect or understand him much at all. The third Patriarch of the Bible, the last twin boy to be born of Isaac and Rebekah, seemed to lack character. He deceived his father, ran away from his brother, and didn’t have courage to stand up to his uncle. He showed favoritism among his wives and his sons. No contemporary leadership conference would invite him to be their keynote speaker.
Yet despite his shortcomings, God chose him to continue the promise He made to Abraham in Genesis 12:2 –3: “I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.”
While studying Genesis this month, I’ve seen a different side of Jacob, the wandering Jew I used to sing about while growing up in Sunday school. Soon to be named Israel, Jacob was a deceiver, yet a leader, fearful yet courageous, reluctant yet determined. Perhaps God and his mother Rebekah saw in Jacob a faithfulness that his older brother lacked, as illustrated by Esau’s marrying Hittite women in direct violation of God’s command. Disobedience is a serious thing with God.
Jacob, in all his flaws, still believed God’s promises and protection over his life. He was not one to sell a God-given birthright for a bowl of soup to satisfy his appetite. Jacob’s prayer in Genesis 32:9-12 acknowledges his unworthiness to receive all of Jehovah’s kindness and promises. In other words, Jacob saw God for who He is and himself in comparison. Confessing his sin while asking for forgiveness and trusting in God’s grace is what makes Jacob’s prayer pleasing to God. A heart song from sinners to their Savior, prayer always pleases God.
Soon after that, Jacob wrestles with God and receives a new name—Israel, “because you have struggled with God and with men and have overcome.” Genesis 32:28 Jacob was outgrowing his former self—no longer a deceiver in hiding, but a man about to return to his Promised Land.
Thank you for reading.
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