Month: August 2024

Israel—Chosen by God: A Blessing to All

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The nation of Israel was chosen by God to be a blessing to all people.

In my nine previous posts, the Israel—Chosen by God series, scripture has been clear about this promise God made to Abraham, the father of Israel, and to every generation of Israel until the end of time.    

God chose Israel to be His nation, to follow His ways (which results in blessing), and to provide the ultimate blessing—a Savior.

This promise was first made to Abraham in Genesis.

Now the LORD said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”

                                                                                                             Genesis 12:1-3

This same promise was reiterated by God to Isaac, Abraham’s son of promise in Genesis 26:2-5, and later to Jacob, Isaac’s son, in Genesis 28:13-15.

Jacob’s name was changed by God to Israel when he was on his way back to Canaan. Israel means “he strived with God and prevailed.” (Genesis 32:24-31)

So, it is from the nation of Israel that the blessed promise was given to all mankind.

This promise is salvation through Jesus Christ, a descendant of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

So all the generations from Abraham to David were fourteen generations, and from David to the deportation to Babylon fourteen generations, and from the deportation to Babylon to the Christ fourteen generations.

                                                                                                           Matthew 1:1-17

Jesus’s birth was planned from the beginning of time. The Bible is about the creation of the world, sin, redemption, and defeating evil.

Jesus Christ is the center theme of the Bible and He was with God the Father at the creation of the world. (John 1:1-3)

Jesus is our redemption that was promised and prophesied throughout the Old Testament by the prophets, and He is the God man who left the throne-room in heaven and came to earth as a baby in Bethlehem of Judea in Israel.

He came to this world to teach truth, love, and forgiveness, but most importantly, to be the sacrificial Lamb.

The apostle John who walked with Jesus during His ministry here on earth testifies to this.

My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. He is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.

                                                                                                                 1 John 2:1-2

The only perfect human to live on this earth was destined to become the sacrifice for our sins—perfection taking on the iniquity of the whole world.

This is how God the Father planned the redemption of mankind, past, present, and future.    

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.

                                                                                                               John 3:16-18

Jesus did not come to this earth to condemn it, but to save the world through drawing the lost to Himself.

He is the fulfillment of the Law given by Moses, not the replacement of the Law, as some may think.

“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished.” 

                                                                                                         Matthew 5:17-18

One of the godly men that I have followed over twenty years is John F. McArthur, pastor of Grace Community Church and host of Grace to You, national Christian media ministry.

He explains Matthew 5:17-18 stating, “Jesus was neither giving a new law nor modifying the old, but rather explaining the true significance of the moral content of Moses’ law and the rest of the OT…Christ was indicating that he is the fulfillment of the law in all its aspects. He fulfilled the moral law by keeping it perfectly…And he fulfilled the judicial law by personifying God’s perfect justice.”

McArthur further clarifies, “Christ was affirming the utter inerrancy and absolute authority of the OT as the word of God—down to the smallest stroke or letter…This should not be seen as supplanting and abrogating the OT, but as fulfilling and explicating it.”

Therefore, the ceremonial requirements of the law (Colossians 2:16-23) were fulfilled by Jesus Christ and are no longer required to be followed by Christians. However, other mandates of the law are not to be abolished and very much remain as a standard of scriptural truth in the New Testament. 

Because Jesus obeyed His Father in heaven and died for our sins—the whole world’s sins, we are resolved of our past wrongs if we surrender our lives to Him, ask Him for forgiveness of our sins, and abide in Him.

Jesus’s sacrificial love for us along with our personal acknowledgment of His deity and following Him in obedience shields us from eternal damnation.  

We are indeed blessed through Israel; if from Israel we were given Christ, what better blessing can we acknowledge?

From the twelfth chapter of Genesis, we have been called to bless Israel.

We should certainly want to because of what God has given us through the nation of Israel: Our Lord and Savior—and with Him, forgiveness, freedom, blessings, and eternal life with God.

If you have not yet surrendered your life to Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, who gives us eternal life through His loving sacrifice, I hope you will do so today.

I will be happy to help you in making your decision for Christ in any way that I can. Send me a message in the comments and I will respond.

I hope this series has been a blessing to you and has helped you understand why we should bless Israel.

Join me next for Why Stand with Israel?

Below is a song that glorifies our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. May it bless you.

“Thank You Jesus for the Blood” – Charity Gayle

Israel—Chosen by God: Jacob – Part 7

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In the previous post, Israel—Chosen by God: Jacob – Part 6, we learned about the preservation of Israel through Joseph, Jacob’s first son by Rachel.

Joseph was sold in to slavery by his jealous half-brothers, which landed him in Egypt where he suffered many wrongs. God, however, was watching over Joseph, and preparing him for a great role—one that would make him second in charge under Pharaoh over all Egypt.

Impressive?

Yes, but Joseph had a role to play in God’s plan, just as we all do if we’re surrendered to Him.

God chose Joseph to carry out His plan to save the nation of Israel, just as he chose Abraham, Issac, and Jacob to bring about the greatest blessing of all time.

But first, Let’s see how the rest of Jacob’s life unfolds.

We resume with Joseph’s brothers on their way back to Canaan to their father Jacob to give him the good news about Joseph.

When they arrived in Canaan, they told Jacob that Joseph was alive and ruled over the land of Egypt. At first, he did not believe them, but when he saw all the provisions that Joseph sent, he became a renewed man. The Bible says his spirit revived.

Jacob was looking forward to leaving Canaan and going to Egypt to see his son Joseph before he died.

So Israel took his journey with all that he had and came to Beersheba, and offered sacrifices to the God of his father Isaac. And God spoke to Israel in visions of the night and said, “Jacob, Jacob.” And he said, “Here I am.” Then he said, “I am God, the God of your father. Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for there I will make you into a great nation. I myself will go down with you to Egypt, and I will also bring you up again, and Joseph’s hand shall close your eyes.”

Genesis 46:1-4

Did you read what Jacob did?

He didn’t forget to thank God for His faithfulness by worshiping Him and offering sacrifices to Him.

When God makes a way for us, it benefits us to give Him praise and thank Him for His faithfulness, protection, provision, miracle—whatever it is that only He could have done for us.

Next, God spoke to Jacob and assured him that it was okay for him to go down to Egypt and that He would be with him.

Often, when God purposes something in our lives, He will confirm it. Whether it be through His speaking to us through the Holy Spirit, through someone who speaks to us, or through something that we read.    

Don’t forget that God also reiterated His promise of making a great nation of him.

So, Jacob took all his family (sixty-six in number), servants, belongings, and livestock with him down to Egypt.

Jacob and Joseph were reunited with tears of love and joy. Imagine being reunited with your loving father or lost son for over twenty years. No doubt it was an emotional day.  

Joseph tells his father and brothers that when they meet Pharaoh and he asks their occupation to tell him that they are keepers of livestock. This was done so that they could live in Goshen which was a great place to graze herds. Also, shepherds were not well accepted in Egyptian society, they were looked down on and thought of as an abomination.

Joseph’s wisdom about where to place his family came from God. This distance between Israel and the Egyptians was to keep the Israelites from intermingling with the Egyptians and picking up their customs.

Remember that God chose Israel for His own. He did not want them to follow the customs of other cultures because they were set apart and were to be different from all the rest of the world.

Joseph chose five of his brothers to meet with Pharaoh, and he asked them about their occupation. They told Pharaoh they were shepherds just as their fathers were. They stated they needed land for their livestock to graze, because the famine was severe in Canaan.

Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Your father and your brothers have come to you. The land of Egypt is before you. Settle your father and your brothers in the best of the land. Let them settle in the land of Goshen, and if you know any able men among them, put them in charge of my livestock.”

Genesis 47:5-6

What favor!

God not only saved Jacob and his family from famine, He took them to another land that was at that time better for them and their livestock. He gave them the best land in Egypt perfectly suited for them and their livestock.

What is it that God is moving around in your life, child of God?

Even if it feels uncomfortable and “way out there,” you can trust Him. He will only give you His very best and provide opportunities you never dreamed of.

The Bible tells us that God even gave Pharaoh, a Gentile, the opportunity to be blessed. Yes, Joseph brought his father in to meet with Pharaoh, and after they spoke to each other, Jacob blessed Pharaoh.

My friends, we are blessed to be a blessing to others.

It doesn’t matter whom we meet, we have the privilege to bless others. This is serving the LORD, this is our mission, this is our calling.

Israel settled in Egypt and became successful and grew greatly in number.

When Jacob was dying, he called Joseph and made him promise that he would not bury him in Egypt, but in Canaan where his fathers were buried.

Jacob told Joseph that his two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, although born in Egypt before Jacob came to Egypt, were his (Jacob’s), and any other children born to him would be Joseph’s own. 

So, two Egyptian-born citizens instantly became citizens of Israel and were blessed accordingly with all the other children of Jacob.

Jacob then blessed Joseph and told him that God would be with him and take him back to Canaan where he had a plot of land for him.

Then he called his other sons to bless them and prophesy their future. 

Some received good news and others did not. Those who caused him grief and trouble did not get positive news in Jacob’s blessing. (Genesis 49)

Jacob’s sons are the Twelve Tribes of Israel: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Zebulun, Issachar, Dan, Gad, Asher, Naphtali, Benjamin, and Joseph.

All these are the twelve tribes of Israel. This is what their father said to them as he blessed them, blessing each with the blessing suitable to him. Then he commanded them and said to them, “I am to be gathered to my people; bury me with my fathers in the cave that is in the field of Ephron the Hittite, in the cave that is in the field of Machpelah, to the east of Mamre, in the land of Canaan, which Abraham bought with the field from Ephron the Hittite to possess as a burying place. There they buried Abraham and Sarah his wife. There they buried Isaac and Rebekah his wife, and there I buried Leah—the field and the cave that is in it we bought from the Hittites.” When Jacob finished commanding his sons, he drew up his feet into the bed and breathed his last and was gathered to his people.

Genesis 49:28-33

Jacob died at the age of 147 years after having lived 17 years in Egypt.

Although Jacob was not perfect and endured some difficulties during his life, he was blessed by God.

He kept the promises of God forever on his mind and believed Him for not only his own life, but the lives of his children, his grandchildren, and his descendants for years to come.

It’s important to note that over 400 years later, one of his descendants from the tribe of Levi, Moses, led the Israelites out of Egypt and into the promised land. The land was divided among the following twelve tribes: Reuben, Simeon, Judah, Zebulun, Issachar, Gad, Dan, Asher, Naphtali, Benjamin, Ephraim, and Manasseh.

Although Joseph was given land, it was not listed as part of the land of the twelve tribes. The lands of his sons (Ephraim and Manasseh) were.

Levi’s descendants did not inherit land because they served the LORD at the tent of meeting and later in the temple. Some were priests and others were laborers, and their inheritance was the LORD Himself. They received tithes from the congregation and lived in cities among the twelve tribes where they pastured their flocks.

Please join me next for Israel—Chosen by God: A Blessing to All

I have included a song for your listening pleasure and to help you in your walk with God.

“Faithful Still” – KingsPorch

Israel—Chosen by God: Jacob – Part 6

On By Carmen3 Comments

In my previous post, Israel—Chosen by God: Jacob – Part 5, we learn about some of Jacob’s sorrows after moving to Shechem.

One of these tragedies was the loss of Rachel, the love of his life. She died giving birth to their youngest son, Benjamin.

Jacob loved his children by Rachel as he was older when they were born. If you remember from a previous post, Joseph was the oldest child of Rachel—and he was Jacob’s favorite.

Joseph was hated by his jealous half-brothers because of this. When Joseph was in his teens, Jacob gave him a beautiful robe of many colors which only caused more jealousy. He would often send Joseph out to check on his older brothers when they were working in the field tending to the livestock. One day, Joseph gave his father a bad report about them making their relationship even worse.     

Joseph was a special child to whom God gave the gift of interpreting dreams. One day Joseph told his brothers about one of his dreams in which their sheaves bowed down to his. The dream was prophetically true, but his brothers did not receive it well; they understood that it meant they would bow down to him and he would reign over them.  

It is true that God gives to each of us special talents and gifts, but it’s probably best to not share them with others if it’s going to insult people and make them jealous.

Joseph was around seventeen years of age and had some learning to do.   

Once again, Jacob sent Joseph out into the field to check on his brothers, but this time they decided to get rid of him and sold him to an Ishmaelite caravan that was passing by. They, in turn, sold him into slavery to the Egyptians.

His brothers told their father that he was killed by a wild animal and showed him his robe of many colors ripped and covered in blood.

Just imagine Jacob’s response when he heard this.

And they sent the robe of many colors and brought it to their father and said, “This we have found; please identify whether it is your son’s robe or not.” And he identified it and said, “It is my son’s robe. A fierce animal has devoured him. Joseph is without doubt torn to pieces.” Then Jacob tore his garments and put sackcloth on his loins and mourned for his son many days. All his sons and all his daughters rose up to comfort him, but he refused to be comforted and said, “No, I shall go down to Sheol to my son, mourning.” Thus his father wept for him.

Genesis 37:32-35

Jacob “the deceiver” was deceived by his own sons.

Some years later, there was famine in all the land except for Egypt where they had prepared for the famine by storing up grain seven years prior under Joseph’s command.

Yes, Joseph—Jacob’s beloved son, sold to the Ishmaelites by his brothers some twenty years prior.

Joseph had severe trials while in Egypt, but God was with him, and in time placed him second in command under Pharaoh. Joseph took care of all Pharaoh’s business in Egypt and was responsible for the abundance of grain in Egypt’s storehouses.

When the famine began, the Egyptians purchased grain from Joseph, and then other countries began traveling to Egypt to purchase grain to survive.

When Jacob found out that Egypt had grain for sale, he sent ten of his sons down to Egypt to purchase from them, and his brothers had to purchase from no other but Joseph.

When they met him, they bowed down to him, just as he had dreamed so many years ago.

When God gives us a vision for His purpose, He is faithful to carry it through.

Although they didn’t recognize him, he certainly recognized them, the very ones who sold him into slavery.

He did not let them know who he was and accused them of being spies. They denied being spies and told him that they came from Canaan where their father still lived with their youngest brother.  

Joseph tested his brothers by insisting they were spies and kept Simeon while he sent them away with their grain to bring Benjamin back to prove their story.

They became fearful and while talking among themselves admitted their wrong so many years ago in selling Joseph to the Ishmaelites. They understood that their sin had finally caught up to them.

When we sin, we can be sure that there will be consequences—sometimes immediately, other times it may take years.

The good news is that if we admit our sin and repent, God is faithful to forgive us and He will help us through the consequences.  

When they returned to Canaan and told their father all that had transpired, Jacob was very angry with them for mentioning Benjamin—and he was heartbroken. He was not about to allow Benjamin to go down to Egypt with them, especially being bereaved of Joseph for so many years.  

After some time, they were running out of grain again and Jacob had to allow Benjamin to go to Egypt with them, so Judah took responsibility for bringing Benjamin back to him.

When they returned to Egypt, they were invited to eat with Joseph in his house. They were afraid, but the steward of Joseph’s house put them at ease and brought Simeon out to them.

When Joseph returned home, they came to him and bowed down to him again. Joseph recognized Benjamin and inquired of their father. They told Joseph that their father Jacob was alive and well.

Then Joseph saw Benjamin and asked if he was their youngest brother, and immediately became so emotional that he had to leave the room to find a place to cry. Once he regained composure, he returned and commanded the food be served.

Joseph sat separately from his brothers because it was forbidden for Egyptians to eat with Hebrews. In fact, it was considered an abomination to the Egyptians. 

At their table, they were seated in order of birth, youngest to oldest, and they were amazed at this. In addition, Benjamin, Joseph’s brother by his mother Rachel, was given more food than the others.

Portions were taken to them from Joseph’s table, but Benjamin’s portion was five times as much as any of theirs. And they drank and were merry with him.

Genesis 43:34

I would have liked to have known what was going on in their minds when this was happening—their reaction to their table setting in birth order, Benjamin being given more food than them, and still, they had no idea who Joseph really was.  

Soon it was time for them to return to Canaan and they all started back with their grain. Joseph tested them once more by placing a silver cup in Benjamin’s sack. Then, he pursued them after they departed and accused them of stealing the silver cup. It was found in Benjamin’s bag, and Judah pleaded with Joseph to hear him out.

Judah tells him about how his father is already broken due to the loss of Benjamin’s brother, and now if he doesn’t return with Benjamin to Canaan, it will be the end of his father.  

Joseph becomes emotional and finally tells his brothers that he is the brother they sold into slavery.

The brothers are in disbelief!

I imagine Joseph saw the fear in their eyes and told them that although they meant to do him harm by their actions twenty years prior, God meant it all for good. And this good was for stored up for that particular day when Joseph could help them in a time of severe hardship.

What an amazing person to forgive such affliction. Joseph had a committed relationship to God and was willing to be used for His purposes no matter how it affected him. He was humbled in his trials in Egypt, and because he remained obedient to God, he was lifted up to a high place of power. In essence, God could trust him to do the right thing.

He tells them that the famine will continue for another five years and he has made provisions for them to travel back to Canaan to bring their father back to Egypt, that they would not succumb to poverty and he would give them all they needed to live in Egypt.

Throughout all the hardship that Jacob and Joseph endured, God had a plan. It was to preserve and strengthen Israel, to allow Israel to grow in number, and to give Israel only the best.

They could not have known all this at the time of their suffering, but God knew. He was behind the scenes working everything for the good of his chosen people. (Romans 8:28) 

We serve an amazing God!

Join me next week for the rest of Jacob’s story in Israel—Chosen by God: Jacob – Part 7.

Below is a song about how God takes care of us through trials that serve to build faith in us.

May it bless you while you walk with God.

“Good to Me” – Rhett Walker

Israel—Chosen by God: Jacob – Part 5

On By Carmen2 Comments

In the previous post, Israel—Chosen by God: Jacob – Part 4, we left off with Jacob getting ready to meet his brother Esau whom he hadn’t seen in 20 years. He feared Esau would harm him and his family, so he sent his servants ahead of him and his family away from him, just in case. Then the Angel of the LORD came to Jacob and struggled with him. God renamed him “Israel” for contending with Him and prevailing.

Today we will learn about Israel’s encounter with Esau.

Jacob was now limping as he was walking toward Esau because his hip was pulled from its socket during the encounter with the Angel of the LORD. He went ahead of his family to meet Esau and bowed seven times before Esau as a sign of peace and humility. Esau surprised him by embracing and kissing him, and after meeting Jacob’s family, he asked Jacob why he sent all the gifts by his servants. Jacob explained that he wanted favor from him.  

Esau was also wealthy and told Jacob to keep the gifts for himself, but Jacob insisted that he take them.

Jacob said, “No, please, if I have found favor in your sight, then accept my present from my hand. For I have seen your face, which is like seeing the face of God, and you have accepted me. Please accept my blessing that is brought to you, because God has dealt graciously with me, and because I have enough.” Thus he urged him, and he took it.

Genesis 33:10-11 ESV

This is a good lesson in making amends with estranged family members.

There were no harsh words traded, no past wrongs brought up; just every effort made by both parties to make peace and get along with each other.

Be humble and do everything possible to make peace; and accept the peace offering made by the person who humbles himself to start the healing process. 

This is how our heavenly Father wants us to be—at peace with one another.

After 20 years of separation, perhaps they both learned that nothing is worth harboring hurt and doing harm to one another.

Esau wanted Jacob to travel back with him, but Jacob insisted that he would only slow him down with children and so many livestock.

Jacob traveled on to Shechem where he made his home and Esau went back to his home in Seir.

Shechem and Seir were a great distance from each other and it was probably best that these brothers settled so far apart. Who knows what could have happened to their relationship if they had lived near each other. Remember that Jacob was the youngest and was given the blessing to rule over Esau and his offspring.

I believe that it was by God’s design that they lived apart from one another due to His plans for Jacob, now called Israel.

Israel was chosen by God to become a mighty nation, even though they were at this time few in number. God would fulfill His promise through Jacob and his descendents that he made to Abraham many years before.

This would not happen overnight and would take many years to fulfill.

In the meantime, Jacob would continue to live his life and wait upon the LORD to bring about His promises knowing that He is faithful.

In Shechem, Jacob’s life was filled with joyful moments and he, like us, had his share of sorrowful moments.

First, his daughter Dinah was defiled by the son of Shechem, the prince of the Hivites. It turns out that this son of Shechem did love Dinah and asked his father, the prince, to arrange for them to be married.

The prince of Shechem went to Jacob and told him that his son loved his daughter and wanted to marry her. He also told Jacob about what had already transpired with his son and Dinah.

Shechem asked for her hand in marriage to his son and asked for favor from Jacob. He also said he would pay whatever price Jacob asked. He invited Jacob’s sons to marry their daughters and to live in the land with them and do business there.

Jacob was surely distressed, but “held his peace” until he spoke with his sons who were out in the field tending to the animals.

Upon learning this news, Jacob’s sons were indignant at their sister’s defilement and deceived Shechem and his son by telling them all the men of their tribe must be circumcised so that his son may marry Dinah. Shechem agreed and once all the men were circumcised, Jacob’s sons, Simeon and Levi, went into their village and attacked and killed all the males. They took Dinah out of their city and plundered it by taking their wives, children, and livestock.  

When Jacob found out, he was furious with Simeon and Levi telling them that they were few in number compared to the Canaanites and would be attacked because of their deceitful actions.

Then God appeared to Jacob and told him to leave the area and go to Bethel (“house of God” in Hebrew) where he first met God after he fled from Esau more than twenty years prior.

The Bible says that as Jacob and his family were on their way to Bethel, God caused the cities around them to fear Jacob so that they would not attack them.

When Jacob and his family arrived at Bethel, God spoke to him.

And God said to him, “I am almighty God: be fruitful and multiply. A nation and a company of nations shall come from you, and kings shall come from your own body. The land that I gave to Abraham and Isaac I will give to you, and I will give the land to your offspring after you.”

Genesis 35:11-13 ESV

Soon after this, Rachel gave birth to her second and last son, Benjamin. She died just as Benjamin was born. Even though Jacob was married to Leah, Rachel’s sister, and had two concubines, it was Rachel that he loved most.

Then Reuben, his eldest son, slept with Bilhah, his father’s concubine. She was also Rachel’s servant and mother of his half-brothers Dan and Naphtali.

To add to all these sorrows, Isaac, his father died. He was 180 years of age.

This must have been a very difficult time for Jacob. The loss of his beloved Rachel and his father probably created a mountain of loneliness in his life. Then his only daughter being defiled, not to mention the hurt and betrayal caused by Reuben, Simeon, and Levi were surely grievous.

Jacob’s relationship with God must have been very strong to keep him going and looking forward to the promises that God made to him.

We are told by our LORD Jesus Christ that in this life, there will be trouble. (John 16:33)

None of us are exempt. This life is worth living despite the losses, upsets, and betrayals.

God is still on the throne and is very much in control of all things. Be encouraged and trust God with your life.

If you belong to Him, He has a plan for your life filled with joy and purpose.  

When we have a relationship with God, we may have hurts, but we know Whom to turn to for consolation and strength. He is faithful!

Join me next for Israel—Chosen by God: Jacob – Part 6

Below is a beautiful song from one of my all-time favorite Christian bands. I hope it blesses you.

“God of All My Days” – Casting Crowns

Israel—Chosen by God: Jacob – Part 4

On By Carmen2 Comments

In my last post, Israel—Chosen by God: Jacob – Part 3, we learned about Jacob’s life in Haran after marrying Leah and Rachel, both daughters of his uncle Laban who lived in Paddan-aram (Haran).

We resume today with Jacob having just left Haran to return to his home in Canaan. He was actually fleeing Laban due to his deceit and hostility.

Laban found out about Jacob’s departure three days later and began to pursue him. It took him about seven days to catch up to him and he found him near Gilead, a hill country.

God sent Laban a warning to not harm Jacob.

But God came to Laban the Aramean in a dream by night and said to him, “Be careful not to say anything to Jacob, either good or bad.”

Genesis 31:24

When Laban encountered Jacob, he accused him of fleeing without allowing him to say goodbye to his daughters and grandchildren and send him off with a celebration. He also accused him of stealing his gods.

He told Jacob that he had every right to attack him, but the God of Jacob’s father spoke to him and warned him to not harm Jacob.

Jacob explained that he left without telling Laban because he was afraid that he would not allow him to leave with his wives. He also told him that he did not steal his gods and that he could search his camp for them. He also said that if he found them, the person who had them would die for stealing them.

Jacob didn’t know that his beloved Rachel had stolen them, but Laban never found them because she was sitting on top of them and made an excuse for not getting up to greet her father Laban.

I am certain that God protected Rachel because of His relationship with Jacob. She was not found out, so she lived.  

We can say that Rachel was blessed through this protection.

Jacob confronts Laban and tells him that he (Laban) has not been good to him even though he worked for him for 20 years (14 years for his wives) and made him wealthy; that he never took anything from Laban even though Laban cheated him by changing his wages ten times.

He acknowledged God’s blessing and protection in his life.

“If the God of my father, the God of Abraham and the Fear of Isaac, had not been on my side, surely now you would have sent me away empty-handed. God saw my affliction and the labor of my hands and rebuked you last night.”

Genesis 31:42

So, Laban and Jacob made a covenant between each other with God as a witness to their actions toward each other and their families. They set up stones as a pillar and marker that each would not cross over to do the other harm once they started back to their homelands.

Laban leaves the next morning after saying goodbye to his daughters and grandchildren and pronounces a blessing over them.

With Laban behind him, Jacob continues his journey toward Canaan with yet another concern on his mind.

His focus has turned toward Esau his brother, from whom he fled Canaan twenty years earlier.

Jacob sent servants as messengers ahead of him to meet Esau to ask for favor and to determine the safety of his family. They reported that Esau was on his way to meet him with four hundred men. Jacob divided his family into two camps so that one group would be able to escape if the other was attacked.   

The Bible says that Jacob greatly feared Esau and he called upon God to protect him.

And Jacob said, “O God of my father Abraham and God of my father Isaac, O LORD who said to me, ‘Return to your country and to your kindred, that I may do you good,’ I am not worthy of the least of all the deeds of steadfast love and all the faithfulness that you have shown to your servant, for with only my staff I crossed this Jordan, and now I have become two camps. Please deliver me from the hand of my brother, from the hand of Esau, for I fear him, that he may come and attack me, the mothers with the children. But you said, ‘I will surely do you good, and make your offspring as the sand of the sea, which cannot be numbered for multitude.’”

Genesis 32:9-12

Jacob then sent servants one by one ahead of him with droves of different animals as gifts for Esau to appease him, so that he would not attack him and his family.

He also sent his wives and children across the Jabbok River away from him for safety. He slept alone that night prior to meeting Esau.

God changes Jacob’s Name

That night the Angel of the LORD, Jesus Christ Himself, wrestled with Jacob until morning.

And Jacob was left alone. And a man wrestled with him until the breaking of the day. When the man saw that he did not prevail against Jacob, he touched his hip socket, and Jacob’s hip was put out of joint as he wrestled with him. Then he said, “Let me go, for the day has broken.” But Jacob said, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.” And he said to him, “What is your name?” And he said, “Jacob.” Then he said, “Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel, for you have striven with God and with men, and have prevailed.” Then Jacob asked him, “Please tell me your name.” But he said, “Why is it that you ask my name?” And there he blessed him. So Jacob called the name of the place Peniel, saying “For I have seen God face to face, and yet my life has been delivered.” 

Genesis 32:24-30

Israel means “striver.” We have seen Jacob strive with several people, and now finally, God—and fighting with all his might, Jacob prevailed. He went from being a deceiver to a fighter.

Jacob just did not give up!

Jacob received a two-fold blessing from God. He was not only blessed, but was able to see God’s face and live. Jacob was not about to let go of the Angel of the LORD without a blessing. I believe that his intent was understood and favored by God probably because of his faith.

At this point, Jacob knew where he stood with God. He was His chosen son and would live for God out of relationship and love for Him.

When we surrender our lives to God and repent, He forgives us and protects us, but this does not mean that we will not have consequences.

Jacob certainly had consequences and learned his lesson about deceiving others.

My sincere wish for you is that you would not look at your past with shame, fear, or disillusionment, but that you would surrender to and trust God—right here, right now.

He loves you and will show Himself to you if you sincerely turn to Him in faith.

Jacob had great faith, and we are told that without faith, it is impossible to please God. (Hebrews 11:6)

The Bible also says that we need faith only the size of a mustard seed. (Matthew 17:20)

Below is a song about never giving up in prayer to God.

“Don’t Stop Praying” – Matthew West

Join me next for Israel—Chosen by God: Jacob – Part 5