Monday, May 15, 2006

Jacob (Part One)

Jacob (Part One)

"When the time came for her birth, there were twin boys in her womb...After
this, his brother came out, with his hand grasping Esau's heel; so he was
named Jacob." (Gen 25:24, 26a) Now get this. His name means grasps the
heel; figuratively meaning, he deceives. How about that for not beginning
well?
Jacob and his twin brother grew, and from the beginning were divided
by their differences. We know that Esau was a skillful hunter, while Jacob
was a quiet man. Esau was loved by his father and Jacob, by his mother.
Time passes and Jacob becomes a pretty good cook, as well as good at getting
what he wanted. We know this from verves 29-34 of Genesis 25. Jacob
convinced his brother to sell his birthright for a bowl of stew. Boy, that
must have been some good stew, and Esau must have been pretty hungry to give
up his birthright, simply to fill his belly. Hmmm? Have we ever done
anything like this?
Anyway, time passes and we find Jacob, once again, scheming to take
something of value from his brother. This time its Esau's blessing! Sadly,
Jacob accomplished this with his mother's encouragement and help. Jacob has
not yet learned to wholly trust God in the details of his daily life.
Up until now, Jacob's sin is pretty obvious. We see his struggle for
position and identity. We see the steps he's willing to take, to get what he
wants. We also see how easily he was led astray to participate in the sin
of others, namely his mother. We see how Jacob allowed his circumstances to
predict his plans, rather than trust, or even seek God.
At this point in Jacob's life, it appears that he has no relationship
with the God his father serves.
Isn't that just like us? So quick; so eager to get what we want, when
we want it that waiting on God and trusting Him to be God, is not given any
consideration.
As a result of Jacob's deeds, Esau's anger is murderous and he vows to
kill his younger brother. Once again, Jacob's mother intervenes and
convinces the son she loves to flee to her brother Laban's hometown in the
land of Haran, and tells him to stay until his brothers anger subsides.
Thus, with his father's blessing Jacob leaves the home of his birth.
Amazing love! In spite of his willful deception, his father still sent him
off with a blessing! How cool is that!! Grace! Grace! And more grace!
That's all I have space to write today. So come back tomorrow and see
how Jacob is transformed and renewed for this new journey he is on.

Question: When you think back over your conversion story, can you see
the clear hand of God in your life? Can you see a life covered by many
moments of glorious sustaining grace? Pause, ponder, and then praise the
Lord, your God for all that comes to your mind.

Stephanie

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