Israel: A Transformed Jacob
Jacob was “a plain man” (Genesis 26:27) and his brother Esau was a cunning hunter. His name meant “deceiver,” and it didn’t take him long to live up to it. First he tricked his brother into giving up his rights as eldest son, and then their mother Rebekah helped Jacob to fool his father so he could receive a blessing that didn’t rightfully belong to him. As a result, Jacob fled home to escape his brother’s fury.
During Jacob’s flight he stopped to camp overnight, and while he slept God blessed him with a dream, showing him the multitude of blessings He was willing to give. On waking Jacob built an altar and made a vow: “If God will be with me, and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat, and raiment to put on, so that I come again to my father’s house in peace, then shall the Lord be my God.”
Arriving at the house of Laban, a relative of his mother’s, Jacob fell in love with Rachel, one of Laban’s daughters. He was willing to work however long he must to marry her. But now Jacob was the one being deceived, as Laban tricked him into marrying his other daughter, Leah, after having worked seven years for Rachel. Yet his love was so great he agreed to work yet another seven years so he could marry the woman his heart was with. After Rachel and Jacob were married, God relentlessly protected and blessed Jacob with a multitude of gifts, including twelve sons.
After staying in Laban’s house for twenty years with Leah and Rachel, Jacob was ready to return home and reunite with his brother. Laban begged him to stay, for his land and cattle had proliferated while Jacob had taken care of them. God had been blessing Laban for the sake of protecting Jacob the whole time!
Jacob feared that Esau still had anger lingering in his heart, especially when his servant reported that Esau was coming to see him along with four hundred men. Though God promised to deliver him from his brother’s ferocity, Jacob divided his family into groups so they wouldn’t all be killed. He needn’t have done so: “Esau ran to meet him and embraced him, and fell on his neck and kissed him; and they wept” (Genesis 33:3)
As I read this story again, I was confused about why God wanted Jacob as a servant. Why would He want a lying, cheating man to serve and represent His holiness? Then I realized that Jacob listened and did everything that God asked him. It doesn’t matter who you are; what that matters is whether you’re willing to listen and then act. Many of us are like the beginning Jacob, only focusing on our own needs. Remember that he begins to hear God’s voice as the story continues, and by following His guidance Jacob’s life is filled with joy.
And just like Jacob, many times we don’t think we deserve the blessings that God gives. He wants to develop us just like he developed Jacob. God turned him from selfishness to servanthood. He wants to help, love, and comfort you. He’s ready and waiting to jump into your life! It starts with your next choice and whether or not you’re going to acknowledge the Almighty in your decision, no matter how small. Don’t settle for the life of a deceiver — let God change you into an Israel.
I like the part where you understand that God is blessing Laban for the sake of Jacob. It is so true that He will bless others around someone who is living for God. He is wonderful, gracious and kind that way and wants all to come to Him. That is His ultimate desire, and blessings are one way He gets our attention.
However the blessings that come to the one who totally and continually submits his/her life and thoughts are deep, personal, sustaining and can not even be described to another. It is that personal and can only be known in the spirit. One has to experience it for one’s self and will be affected by it til we meet in eternity. That is the ultimate blessing and hope that we have for each other as Spirit-led Christians today.
This is incoraging and hopeful. No matter what stage you are in your life or what your past mistakes are; “God is ready and waiting to jump into your life.”
I hope everyone’s next choice for as long as you live “acknowledges the Almighty in your decision”
This is excellent!
Great article, Genevieve! This story gives me hope. Sometimes I wonder why God would want to use me, someone who has both deceived and been deceived. But if God wanted Jacob as a servant, than my faults don’t “scare” Him.
Awesome insight: “It doesn’t matter who you are; what that matters is whether you’re willing to listen and then act.”
You’ve encouraged us to want to go from selfishness to servanthood.