A Man of Faith

“Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land; for I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you” (Genesis 28:15, ESV).

— Jack Whittaker

Jacob, the son of Isaac and a Biblical patriarch, can also be considered a prophet. He received direct messages from God, including his dream of a ladder to heaven. At the end of his life, he gathered his sons to his deathbed to tell them, “what shall befall you in the last days” (Genesis 49:1), describing the long-term providence for the tribes of Israel, especially revealing the Messianic line through his son Judah (Genesis 49:10).

Many lessons can be garnered from Jacob’s life that the consecrated follower of Christ will find helpful and encouraging. He is presented in scripture as an example of character development, discipline, faith in the Abrahamic Promise, and the transformation required of anyone who wants to be pleasing to God, including the Church class. Jacob is also an example of how God deals with imperfect, yet faithful individuals. He provides many lessons to those being prepared for a higher purpose, a spiritual life in God’s glorious heavenly Kingdom.

The Elder Shall Serve the Younger

The life of Jacob illustrates how God chooses those who will share in the work needed to fulfill His plan. Genesis 25:23 directs our thoughts to what God told Rebekah prior to the birth of Jacob and Esau. “Two nations are in thy womb, and two manner of people shall be separated from thy bowels; and the one people shall be stronger than the other people; and the elder shall serve the younger.” God’s foreknowledge chose Jacob to carry the promise made to Abraham and reiterated to Jacob that “in thee and thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed” (Genesis 2814).

The Apostle Paul confirms that only God chooses who will further His Divine Plan, as expressed in Romans 9:10‑13. “When Rebecca also had conceived by one man, even by our father Isaac (11) (for the children not yet being born, nor having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works but of Him who calls), (12) it was said to her, ‘The older shall serve the younger.’ (13) As it is written, ‘Jacob I have loved, but Esau I have hated’” (i.e. loved less).

God decided who would serve His purpose before either Jacob or Esau had done anything that would influence His choice. Jacob was physically weaker and milder in character than his firstborn brother, Esau. Because of his first-born status, Esau had the right to receive the blessing of Isaac and carry forth the promise. But natural weakness does not prevent divine calling. Issac was deceived by Rebekah so that the blessing went to Jacob after Esau sold him the birthright for a “mess of pottage.” What an exchange! A temporary satisfaction of a human need compared to the spiritual privilege of furthering and serving God’s eternal plan. This caused much tension between the brothers. Esau was so angry that he sought murderous revenge against Jacob and decided to wait until after Isaac’s death (Genesis 27:41). Consequently, Jacob left his home and abandoned his earthly inheritance of flocks, goods, and the wealth of his father, Isaac, to which he was entitled. He traveled on foot into a faraway land.

Yet because Jacob sought God’s Kingdom first, temporal blessings were later added as he journeyed through life. Is this not like the experiences of a consecrated believer? They are willing to give up earthly inheritances and privileges because they appreciate more than all else the blessed inheritance of the Abrahamic Covenant. Jacob left his home in Beersheba. His father, Isaac, had charged him not to take a wife of the daughters of Canaan, but rather to seek his uncle Laban and possibly find an acceptable bride there. He therefore headed toward Haran, where Laban lived. A similar lesson for the Church is found in 2 Corinthians 6:14: “Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness?” Isaac’s instruction regarding selecting a wife was very wise.

A Ladder to Heaven

Along his journey, Jacob stopped at Bethel for a night of rest and had his famous dream of a ladder set up on the earth and extending to heaven. On this ladder angels of God were ascending and descending. “Behold, the Lord stood above it and said: ‘I am the Lord God of Abraham your father and the God of Isaac; the land on which you lie I will give to you and your descendants. (14) Also, your descendants shall be as the dust of the earth; you shall spread abroad to the west and the east, to the north and the south; and in you and in your seed all the families of the earth shall be blessed. (15) Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land; for I will not leave you until I have done what I have spoken to you’” (Genesis 28:13‑15).

What a revelation! What an assurance that God was with Jacob. God had confirmed that the promise to Abraham was real, and he, Jacob, had a part in its fulfillment. From the standpoint of the prospective Church, the lesson is even greater. We understand the symbolism that the angels represent the Ancient Worthies, establishing peace and fellowship between heaven and earth in the Millennial Kingdom. Jesus himself, being the mediator between God and man, the link, or ladder, will bring the spiritual and earthly creations together under God. Jacob received this message with surprise and elation. “Then Jacob, being awakened spiritually, made a vow, saying, ‘If God will be with me, and keep me in this way that I am going, and give me bread to eat and clothing to put on, (21) so that I come back to my father’s house in peace, then the LORD shall be my God’” (Genesis 28:20‑21).

As believers, we understand that the land given to Abraham will never again depart from his descendants. The natural seed, the earthly part described as dust of the earth, will bless all the nations of the world. When we first heard of the goodness in God’s plan that all mankind would be saved and God has complete control over who will be the seed of blessing, we, like Jacob, expressed our devotion, “the LORD shall be my God.”

Laban’s Deception

Jacob finally arrived in Haran and found Laban, his mother Rebekah’s brother, and met Laban’s two daughters, Leah and Rachel. The scriptures are replete with Jacob’s attraction and love for Rachel, the younger of the two daughters. But Laban took advantage of Jacob by saying he could have Rachel’s hand in marriage if he worked seven years for him. This Jacob gladly did, but when the seven years expired, Laban secretly offered Leah instead of Rachel. He later explained that in his country, the younger daughter could not be married before the firstborn (Genesis 29:26). Laban responded to Jacob’s anger, saying, “Fulfill her week and we will give thee this also for the service which thou shalt serve with me yet seven other years” (Genesis 29:27). So, Laban tricked Jacob into working an additional seven years for Rachel’s hand in marriage. However, Laban’s request was for Jacob to observe Leah’s customary sevenday marriage feast, and then he would be allowed to marry Rachel. Because of his intense love for Rachel, Jacob agreed and worked the additional seven years. Despite the hardships Jacob experienced in marriage to multiple wives, he fulfilled his commitments, and his family prospered. A lesson for the Church is that prolonged trials are God’s means of refining character. If properly exercised in our trying experiences, we too will prosper in the most meaningful ways.

Jacob’s experience reflects Christ, head and body, during the Gospel Age. He left his home and was rejected by his natural brother. Jesus, too, was rejected by his brethren, natural Israel. Jacob’s wives may also be significant. The older sister, Leah, may represent the ancient Law Covenant. Her children were born first and represent fleshly Israel.

The first seven years of Jacob’s service for Rachel picture Christ’s work during the Gospel Age, the time he labors for the bride he deeply loves. Leah’s bridal week may suggest the Law Covenant’s temporary role before the development of the promised seed.

The second seven years show that laboring for a less‑preferred class is still divinely recognized. But the Law is not the covenant that God will employ to bless all nations. Rachel, Jacob’s beloved wife, points to the Abrahamic Covenant. Her children, Joseph and Benjamin, are apt pictures of the spiritual class (the Church and Great Company) that result from the spiritual seed of Abraham.

After serving the additional seven years for Rachel, Laban convinced Jacob to continue serving for six more years. After some time, the sons of Laban falsely accused Jacob of taking what belonged to Laban. As a result, Laban’s attitude towards Jacob became more hostile. God then instructed Jacob to return home, saying, “I will be with thee” (Genesis 31:3). The reality was that over the years, Laban had deceived Jacob in unfulfilled promises and controlled Jacob’s entitlements. Actually, Laban received exceptional gains that Jacob produced for him.

Laban’s deception of Jacob may be viewed by some as “just retribution” for the deception Jacob and Rebekah previously devised for Isaac in blessing Jacob instead of Esau. In any event, the Christian learns lessons from Jacob’s experiences. Despite Jacob’s years of suffering and serving others, he was assured of God’s protection. We, too, can learn to grow in humility and endurance. We learn to recognize God’s providential care amidst trials of injustice. Through these experiences, we can develop a greater reliance on prayer and divine direction. It is a matter of faith and application.

Jacob’s Encounter with Esau

As Jacob neared his home, he sent messengers to Esau requesting his favor. After the messengers returned, they told Jacob that Esau was on his way to meet him with 400 men. Jacob feared for his life and the lives of his wives, children, and servants. Jacob’s sincerity and trust in God are seen in the prayer he offered. “Then Jacob said, ‘O God of my father Abraham and God of my father Isaac, the Lord who said to me, “Return to your country and to your family, and I will deal well with you”: (10) I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies and of all the truth which You have shown Your servant; for I crossed over this Jordan with my staff, and now I have become two companies. (11) Deliver me, I pray, from the hand of my brother, from the hand of Esau; for I fear him, lest he come and attack me and the mother with the children. (12) For You said, ‘I will surely treat you well, and make your descendants as the sand of the sea, which cannot be numbered for multitude’” (Genesis 32:9‑12).

Jacob displayed the sincerity of his heart. He recognized God’s omniscience and offered humble adoration, recognizing God’s leading in his life. Many years earlier, he had started with only his staff, but he was now prosperous, with large flocks and herds, wives, and children. He petitioned God to protect him from the hate of his brother Esau and emphasized his role in the promise to Abraham. Our prayers must be similar. We should show deep humility and appreciate our privilege of praying to the heavenly Father, knowing we are being guided by His holy Spirit. We recognize and accept that deliverance must come from God. We walk by faith and not by sight, trusting that God will provide the lessons, the guidance, and the outcome as we travel home to please Him, and prosper us as we prepare for our role in the Abrahamic Promise.

Wrestling With an Angel

Jacob made efforts to seek reconciliation with Esau by dividing his flocks and herds into two groups and sending his wives, eleven sons, and servants along with one group of animals to a safe place. The other animals would be offered to Esau as a peace offering. The scriptures inform us that, although Jacob was alone that night, “a man wrestled with him until daybreak.” It was an angel in human form (R3969). The angel, sent by God, helped Jacob consider his role in life, that he should be determined and trusting, and seek God’s blessings. Some have speculated that this may have been Jacob wrestling with the angel in his mind. Whether true or not, we do face a mental struggle as we strive to overcome, and serve, and be pleasing to God.

However, the record described how the angel put Jacob’s thigh “out of joint” (Genesis 32:25), which suggests a physical encounter intended to remind Jacob of his special role in life and how this was all provided through God’s providence. Jacob showed fortitude and determination not to end this “fight” until the angel blessed him, which he finally did. He then changed Jacob’s name to Israel. And thus began the formation of the nation of Israel, with Jacob’s twelve sons representing the twelve tribes who are considered God’s people (Amos 3:1‑2).

What lessons could this experience illustrate in a Christian’s life? It takes perseverance in seeking divine blessings. It is sometimes a long mental struggle, where the battle often takes place. The mind discerns, reasons, and approves what is true (Romans 7:22). The heart desires and motivates action (Proverbs 4:23). Jacob eventually had a spiritual awakening of where his real strength came from. We, too, must recognize that deliverance and spiritual fortitude come from God. And, if faithful, we too will be given a new name which no one will know except him who receives it (Revelation 2:17).

There was good news when Esau and Jacob finally met, and Jacob’s fears were relieved as described in Genesis 33:4. “And Esau ran to meet him, and embraced him, and fell on his neck, and kissed him: and they wept.” Jacob expressed God’s grace toward himself in this difficult trial when he said, “Take, I pray thee, my blessing that is brought to thee; because God hath dealt graciously with me, and because I have enough. And he urged him, and he took it” (Genesis 33:11). Esau accepted Jacob’s gifts, and peace was made between them.

An Essential Heart Attitude

Reviewing Jacob’s life, we see that he possessed a heart attitude that valued spiritual things, while Esau sold his birthright for a mess of pottage, an unworthy consideration (Hebrews 12:16). Jacob desired God’s blessing and responded to divine correction. In Jacob’s early years, he took advantage of Esau’s weakness and participated in the deception of Isaac. Yet God would have His purposes fulfilled through Jacob, who had strong faith in the covenant promise. Although Jacob showed some immaturity in his experience with Isaac, his character was developed through various trials, including his deception by Laban, his hardship of labor, a competitive household, the lessons of wrestling with an angel, and his fear of Esau. These led to a transformation of character, a persistent faith, and a reliance on God for reconciliation and blessing.

As Jacob grew and matured in faith, he continued to be awakened to his need for reliance upon God and surrender to His will. After his encounter with Esau, Jacob led his household to Bethel and obeyed God’s request to make an altar and destroy the strange gods among them (Genesis 35:1‑3). Many years later, Jacob suffered unbelievable grief over the apparent death of his favored son Joseph (Genesis 37:34‑35). What a trial! And finally, he was thrilled by the unexpected joy of finding Joseph alive and prospering as Jacob and his family were forced by famine to travel to Egypt. God reassured Jacob that going to Egypt would bring them blessings, saying. “Fear not to go down into Egypt; for I will there make of thee a great nation” (Genesis 46:3).

Jacob worshipped God in faith to the end of his life. He is named in the 11th chapter of Hebrews as one of the heroes of faith (Hebrews 11:21) and will one day be resurrected as an Ancient Worthy. Jesus confirms this in Matthew 8:11. “Many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven.”

Jacob’s life is an encouragement to the prospective Church members. He represents the natural man undergoing discipline, one whose character was shaped through adversity, and whose faith was tested and matured. Those who also have a faith- filled heart can appreciate the covenant of promise that God can develop their hearts. Jacob is a blessed example for all to consider. He was a prophet who also conveyed deep spiritual lessons.