January 5 - Jacob

January 5 - Jacob

There’s a lot to know about Jacob.  He was the second of the twin sons to be born, so his name means ‘one who follows on another’s heels.’  He was a shepherd, his brother Esau, a hunter.  He plotted with his mother to get his brother’s birthright, which gave him a double portion of his father’s inheritance – and it would be through him, not Esau, that the nations of the earth would be blessed.  That was a big deal!

A little guilt showed up after he got the birthright, so since he was afraid of Esau, he went to stay with some cousins. He ended up with Laban and met Rachel.  He had to work for seven years to get her hand in marriage, but was ok with that – he was still young. Turn about seems to be fair play, right?  Laban deceived him and he ended up married to the elder sister, Leah.  Seven more years of service to Laban entitled him to marry Rachel.  I wonder if he peeked under the bridal veil that time!

He returned to his family, but on the road, he hears about Esau coming with a group of 400 men.  Jacob is sure that this is going to be bad, so he prays and prays and prays, then sends gifts to Esau ahead of the traveling band.  Spending one more night in prayer, a man showed up and the two wrestled.  Jacob won the contest and in so doing, his name was changed to Israel, which means ‘wrestled with God.’  He rejoined his family who had traveled ahead and met up with Esau.  There was no anger, the two were friends and stayed that way throughout their lives.

During these years, Rachel and Leah, as well as their handmaids, gave birth to twelve sons.  While they were traveling Rachel died when giving birth to Benjamin.  Jacob arrived at his father’s home in time to be there at Isaac’s death.

More trouble came to Jacob (Israel) when his sons managed to get rid of Joseph.  A famine came and after several trips to Egypt to buy corn, he met his son, Joseph once again.

Jacob had twelve sons – Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Zebulun, Issachar, Dan, Gad, Asher, Naphtali, Joseph, Benjamin.  He blessed each of them in Genesis 49 and then died.

The twelve tribes of Israel come together again under Moses, but begin here with a man who stole his birthright, ran from guilt, served because of love, prayed, then wrestled with God.

Jacob may not have started his life walking with God, but when God showed up, he recognized him and served him.