Jacob. His name means "the one who supplants", or "he who grasps the heel". He was a deceiver and manipulator who stole the blessing that rightfully belonged to his elder brother. Out of fear of the revenge his brother would take on him, Jacob ran away. On his journey, he had an encounter with God in which the covenant God had originally made with Abraham was reaffirmed to him and his descendents. God is gracious and looks past human weaknesses to the heart. He has a far greater purpose for us than we can fathom, and He fully understands what a weak man can become in the hands of a powerful God. But God is also just. One wonders if the deception Jacob had to endure under the hand of his uncle, Laban, is not a consequence of his actions towards his brother. (Genesis 29:25, 31:7,8) For many years it seems that Jacob struggled with his tendency to manipulate - even when it came to his relationship with God. "God, you bless me then I will do this for you." But this all came to a culmination when Jacob approached his home and his brother Esau. Jacob was afraid for his life and the life of his family. He was at the point of greatest need. And here, we find him wrestling with God. Hosea 12:4 tells us how he contended with God - weeping bitterly, he sought God's favor. Daylight was approaching and he would not let go, fully knowing that should he see the face of God he would die. As if he was saying, "I would rather die than live apart from Your blessing, Your favor." He had come to a point where he understood the depth of his need and was ready to lay it all down. And there, God gave him a new name. He would no longer be the supplanter, the deceiver, but "God prevails"; and it was out of his heritage, the Messiah would come.
Discussion Questions
1. Read Genesis 28:4. What does Isaac ask God to do for his son? Read the last part of verse 4 where Isaac specifies what God should do for his son. Do you think Isaac understood the full scope of the Abrahamic blessing?
2. Who did Jacob see in his dream? What promise(s) did God make to Jacob?
3. Compare Genesis 28:12 to John 1:51 - Who is the ladder between heaven and earth?
4. What would you like to learn from Jacob's life?
