Jacob was born in answer to his father's prayer, but he became the favorite son of his mother. He was nicknamed Jacob because at the birth of the twins, 'his hand took hold of Esau's heel.' He is one of the twin sons of Isaac and Rebekah. The brother of Esau, Jacob was known also as Israel. - Gen. 25:21-28 -

According to the accounts in Genesis, He continued to 'take hold of' the possessions of others - his brother's birthright - Gen. 25:29-34 - his father's blessing - Gen 27:1-29 - and his father-in-law's flocks and herds. - Gen. 30:25-43, 31:1 -

The pattern of Jacob's life is found in his journeys, much like the travels of his grand father, Abraham. Leaving his home in Beersheba, he traveled to Bethel; later he returned to Shechem, Bethel, and Hebron. - Gen. 28:10-22, 33:18-20, 35:6-7, 27 - At Shechem and Bethel he built altars, as Abraham had done. - Gen. 12:6-8 - Near the end of his life Jacob migrated to Egypt; he died there at an advanced age. - Gen. 46-49 - The most dramatic moments in Jacob's life occurred at Bethel, at the ford of the River Jabbok, and on his deathbed. - Gen 28:10-22, 32:22-32, 49:1-33 -

The experienced at Bethel occurred when he left the family home at Beersheba to travel to Haran (a city of Mesopotamia) the residence of his uncle Laban. On the way, as he stopped for the night at Bethel, he had a dream of a staircase reaching from earth to heaven with angels upon it and the Lord above, promising Jacob inheritance of the land, descendants 'as the dust of the earth' in number, and His divine presence. Jacob dedicated the site as a place of worship, calling it Bethel (literally, House of God). More than 20 years later, Jacob returned to this spot, built an altar, called the place El Bethel (literally, God of the house of God) and received the divine blessing. - Gen. 35:6-15 -

The experience at the ford of the River Jabbok occurred as Jacob returned from his long stay at Haran. While preparing for a reunion with his brother, Esau, of whom he was still afraid, he had a profound experience that left him changed in both body and spirit. At the ford of the Jabbok, 'Jacob was left alone' - Gen. 32:7, 24 - It was night. and he found himself suddenly engaged in a wrestling match in the darkness. This match lasted until the breaking of the dawn. The socket of Jacob's hip was put out of joint as he struggled with this mysterious stranger, but he refused to release his grip until he was given a blessing. For the first time in the narrative of Genesis, Jacob had been unable to defeat an opponent. When asked to identify himself in the darkness, he confessed he was Jacob - the heel - grabber.

But Jacob's struggling earned him a new name. For his struggle 'with God and with men' in which he had prevailed, his name was changed to 'Israel' (literally, Prince with God). In return, he gave a name to the spot that marked the change; it would be called Peniel - "For I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved." - Gen. 32:30 -

In these first two instances, a deep spiritual sensitivity is evident in Jacob. He appears outwardly brash and grasping, always enriching himself and securing his future. Yet, he responded readily to these night experiences - the dream and the wrestling contest - because he apparently sensed 'the presence of the Holy' in each of them. He also proved to be a man of his word in his dealings with Laban and in the fulfillment of his vow to return to Bethel. - Gen. 31:6, 35:1-3 -

At the end of his life, Jacob - now an aged man - gathered his 12 sons about his bed to tell them what should befall them 'in the last days.' Jacob addressed his sons in the order of their birth. The harshest language came against Reuben, the firstborn, who was rejected by his father for his sin - Gen. 49:3-4 - and Simeon and Levi, who were cursed for their anger and cruelty. - Gen. 49:5-7 - The loftiest language was applied to Judah, who would be praised by his brothers and whose tribe would be the source of royalty, even the ruler of the people. - Gen 49:8-12 -

Words of warning were addressed to Dan, called 'a serpent' and 'a viper' a life which would be marked by violence. - Gen. 49:16-17 - The longest speech was addressed to Joseph, Jacob's favorite son. - Gen. 49:22-26 - Following this scene, Jacob died and was embalmed by the physicians. By his own request Jacob was carried back to the land of Canaan and was buried in the family burial ground in the cave of the field of Machpelah. - Gen. 49:29-33. 50:2, 13 -

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Sunday, May 24, 2009

I have through years of reading, pondering, reflecting and contemplating, the 3 things that last; FAITH . HOPE . LOVE and I would like to made available my sharing from the many thinkers, authors, scholars and theologians whose ideas and thoughts I have borrowed. God be with them always. Amen!

I STILL HAVE MANY THINGS TO SAY TO YOU BUT THEY WOULD BE TOO MUCH FOR YOU NOW. BUT WHEN THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH COMES, HE WILL LEAD YOU TO THE COMPLETE TRUTH, SINCE HE WILL NOT BE SPEAKING AS FROM HIMSELF, BUT WILL SAY ONLY WHAT HE HAS LEARNT; AND HE WILL TELL YOU OF THE THINGS TO COME.

HE WILL GLORIFY ME, SINCE ALL HE TELLS YOU WILL BE TAKEN FROM WHAT IS MINE. EVERYTHING THE FATHER HAS IS MINE; THAT IS WHY I SAID: ALL HE TELLS YOU WILL BE TAKEN FROM WHAT IS MINE. - JOHN 16:12-15 -