First we have to look at what type of guy he was. He was a twin, so shared the womb with his brother Esau. While in the womb of their mother, Jacob grabbed the heal of his brother Esau. (Genesis 25:24-28) The Hebrew name Jacob means, “He grabs the heel”, and has the connotation of deceptive behavior. So right from the start, we gather that he wanted to be firstborn, by somehow pulling his brother back into the womb so he himself could come out first. It didn’t work though.
Next we see that the mother, Rebekah favored Jacob, and Isaac loved Esau. She helped Jacob to be deceptive to gain the birthright of Esau. This is a lesson to parents, that showing favoritism towards certain children is not a healthy or godly way to parent. It causes sibling rivalry, and contention in family relationships.
Next we see the deceptive actions to gain the birthright. We can read the entire story, beginning with the Lord explaining to Rebekah, His intentions and purposes for the children in her womb (Genesis 25:22-23)
If Rebekah and Isaac had sought the Lord for further revelation and understanding of His purposes and will for these two children, many hardships could have been prevented. In the way you’ve handled things in your own life, have you ever heard Father God whispering to you, “How’s that working for you ?” I have.
That is not how they decided to move forward through; yet God’s purposes and will would be accomplished.
Jacob grew up and practiced deception as a way to gain his position. God would later allow Jacob to meet Him face to face with a showdown. God had intended to bless Jacob and use his seed to bring forth the nation of Israel all along. But Jacob thought he had to struggle, strive, and fight for it. God used Jacob’s persistence to teach him though. He uses everything !
When we get to the point of Jacob going back to meet his brother, after all the deception, and years of separation, this is when Jacob meets the angel of the Lord and wrestles with Him. Jacob won’t let go until God blesses him. (Genesis 32 and 33)
Jacob feared his brother’s wrath because of everything that had happened between them, but he believed what God had promised him as well. The wrestling match was where God renamed Jacob and called him Israel.
Jacob had a determination that would not give up. We all need that. But we also need to come to a complete surrender to God, and not rely on our own strength or wisdom. God blessed him, (Did what He intended to do all along) but also put the socket of Jacob’s hip out of joint.
We get to deal with all the consequences of our choices. God uses all of our upbringing and ways we’ve learned to operate. The beautiful thing about it is that He will bring us to the place we need to be as long as we don’t give up; no matter how painful it may be, and as long as we see that it’s not by our might or power, but by His Spirit, that we can do anything at all.
Can you imagine hanging on during the wrestling match after your hip was put out of joint ? To me that’s like suffering the consequences of my choices, but not giving up on the promises that God gave to me. I’m determined to not let go of Him, or His promises. He hasn’t let go of me.
In everything give thanks for this is the will of Your Father. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)