Jacob

Jacob's name was built on the Hebrew noun for "heel" meaning, "he grasps the heel" or "he cheats, supplants" (Gen. 25:26; 27:36). Later, God changed his name to Israel (Gen. 32:28; 49:2). However, when referring to him personally, we see him referred to as Jacob more often than Israel, e.g., "the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob."

He was the immediate ancestor of the nation of Israel and father of the twelve ancestors of the twelve tribes of Israel (Gen. 25:1--Ex. 1:5). He was the son of Isaac and Rebekah, younger twin brother of Esau, and husband of Leah and Rachel (Gen. 25:21-26; 29:21-30).

Jacob's story occupies about half the Book of Genesis. Living up to his name, Jacob bargained for Esau's birthright. Parental partiality fostered continuing hostility between Esau (the hunter), beloved of his father, and Jacob (the quiet, settled, integrated person) favored by his mother. The tensions between brothers seemed to threaten the fulfillment of the divine promise.

At age 40, Jacob fled his home to begin his life as an individual. In Aram with his mother's family, the deceiver Jacob met deception. Laban tricked him into marrying poor Leah, the elder daughter, before he got his beloved Rachel, the younger. Fourteen years he labored for his wives (Gen. 29:1-30). Six more years of labor let Jacob return the deception and gain wealth at the expense of his father-in-law, who continued his deception, changing Jacob's wages ten times (Gen. 31:7,41) Amid the family infighting, both men prospered financially, and Jacob's family grew. Eventually he had twelve children from four women (Gen. 29:31-30:24).

As Jacob approached the Promised Land, a band of angels met him at Mahanaim (Gen. 32:1-2). They probably symbolized God's protection and encouragement as he headed southward to meet Esau for the first time in twenty years. Esau's seemingly hostile advance prompted a call for clear evidence of God's guarding. Shrewdly, Jacob sent an enormous gift to his brother and divided his retinue into two groups. Each group was large enough to defend itself or to escape if the other was attacked. To his scheme Jacob added prayer. He realized that it was ultimately God with whom he must deal. When all had crossed the Jabbok River,

Jacob met One who wrestled with him until daybreak (Gen. 32). The two struggled without one gaining advantage, until the Opponent dislocated Jacob's hip. Jacob refused to release his Antagonist. Clinging to Him, he demanded a blessing. This would not be given until Jacob said his name. By telling it, Jacob acknowledged his defeat and admitted his character. The Opponent emphasized His superiority by renaming the patriarch. He became Israel, the one on whose behalf God strives. He named the place Peniel (face of God), because he had seen God face to face and his life had been spared (Gen. 32:30).

Jacob's fear of meeting Esau proved groundless. Seemingly, Esau was content to forget the wrongs of the past and to share his life. As two contrary natures are unlikely to live long in harmony, Jacob chose the better course turning westward to the Promised Land. Esau headed to Seir to become the father of the Edomites. The twins did not meet again until their father's death (Gen. 35:27-29).

When severe famine gripped Canaan, Jacob and his sons set out for Egypt. At Beer-sheba Jacob received further assurance of God's favor (Gen. 46:1-4). Jacob dwelt in the land of Goshen until his death. Jacob bestowed the blessing not only upon his favorite son Joseph, but also upon Joseph's two oldest sons, Ephraim and Manasseh. He was finally laid to rest at Hebron in the cave Abraham had purchased (50:12-14).

Throughout the narrative a persistent faith in the God of the fathers shines through. Jacob's life was a story of conflict. He always seemed to be running from someone or something--from Esau, from Laban, or from famine in Canaan. His life, like that of all Israelites, was a checkered history of rebellion and flight.

Jacob was human. Jacob's better nature struggled with his sinful self. What raised Jacob above himself was his reverent, indestructible longing for the salvation of his God.

Strengths and accomplishments:

• Father of the tribes of Israel
• Third in the Abrahamic line of God's plan
• Determined, willing to work long and hard for what he wanted
• Skillful businessman
  
  

Weaknesses or Noted Mistakes:

• When faced with conflict, relied on his own resources (sometime less than upright) rather than going to God for help
  
  

What we can learn from his life:

• Security does not lie in the accumulation of goods
• All human intentions and actions-for good or evil-are woven by God into his ongoing plan
  
  

Other Information:

• Where: Canaan and Egypt
• Occupation: Shepherd, livestock owner
• Relatives: Parents: Isaac and Rebekah. Brother: Esau. Father-in-law: Laban. Wives: Rachel and Leah. Twelve sons and one daughter are mentioned in the Bible Key verse:
  
  

Key verse:

"And, behold, I am with thee, and will keep thee in all places whither thou goest, and will bring thee again into this land; for I will not leave thee, until I have done that which I have spoken to thee of" (Genesis 28:15).

Want More?

Jacob's story is told in Genesis 25-50. He is also mentioned in Hosea 12:2-5; Matthew 1:2; 22:32; Acts 3:13; 7:46; Romans 9:11-13; 11:26; Hebrews 11:9, 20, 21.

Portions of the above were excerpted from:

• "Life Application Bible," published by Tyndale House Publishers
• "Thompson Chain Reference Bible," published by B.B. Kirkbride Bible Co.
• "Holman Bible Dictionary for Windows, v. 1.0d," published by Holman Bible Publishers and Parsons Technology.
  
  

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