Wrestling with God - Life Lessons from Jacob pt. 1

Wrestling With God pt.1

Life Lessons from Jacob

Survival of the Fittest
Though we may not believe in Darwin's evolutionary theories, we can still be influenced to a degree by hearing the concept's taught in school from young.  We may believe in God but only really turn to Him when all else fails.

We are born into this world separate from God as the result of the fall.  We are taught how to survive in the world, how to eventually be independent of others.  Life is about striving to get ahead, working hard by the sweat of our brow, to find success.  Most careers are highly competitive, we become good at something and soon find out someone else is better.   We may get on top, but then we deal with those below us trying to pull us right down.  It is obvious why so many of us struggle with stress, anxiety, and fear! 

The biblical character of Jacob should be one that most of us can relate with.

Stolen Birthright - Gen. 25:27As the boys grew up, Esau became a skillful hunter. He was an outdoorsman, but Jacob had a quiet temperament, preferring to stay at home. 28Isaac loved Esau because he enjoyed eating the wild game Esau brought home, but Rebekah loved Jacob.29One day when Jacob was cooking some stew, Esau arrived home from the wilderness exhausted and hungry.30Esau said to Jacob, “I’m starved! Give me some of that red stew!” (This is how Esau got his other name, Edom, which means “red.”)31“All right,” Jacob replied, “but trade me your rights as the firstborn son.”32“Look, I’m dying of starvation!” said Esau. “What good is my birthright to me now?”33But Jacob said, “First you must swear that your birthright is mine.” So Esau swore an oath, thereby selling all his rights as the firstborn to his brother, Jacob.34Then Jacob gave Esau some bread and lentil stew. Esau ate the meal, then got up and left. He showed contempt for his rights as the firstborn.

Life Is Not Fair

In this fallen world we have disadvantages, we may feel it is our family line, race, physical appearance, disability, rejection, etc.  It is easy to find an excuse why we fall short.  Many people we can blame, many reasons we can point out.  People usually have much more to complain about than to rejoice in.    

Jacob was born in a time where the firstborn was favored above all others.  He was a twin but Esau came out first, yet it was prophesied that Jacob would receive the blessing.  The cultural tradition nullified Rebecca and Jacob believing the promise of God.

Favoritism

Have you ever had a parent show more favor towards another sibling?  This creates jealousy that leads to anger and rage.  Favoritism creates pride in the one receiving it and resentment in the ones that don’t.  It is easier to relate and spend time with those whom share common interests.  My oldest son Elisha loves basketball so the two of us play ball often which is a bonding time.  Israel and I share less interests so I have to make an effort to spend time with him doing something I don’t really enjoy.  

Jacob from the beginning had to try to earn Isaac’s love for Isaac loved Esau because Esau was a hunter.  Jacob had to plot and scheme to steal what was Esau’s for he was at a disadvantage.  Those whom feel they are at a disadvantage often do whatever it takes to get ahead, which bring with it shame and regret.

Stolen Blessing - Read Genesis 27 (Jacob steal’s Esau’s blessing)

Those who do others wrong to get ahead live in fear that it will come back to haunt them.  It is hard to enjoy something that came at the expense of someone else’s rejection.  Satan’s agenda is to steal, kill, and destroy for he has been cast out of Heaven, losing everything, so he has to deceive us so he can steal back what he lost.  We become pawns of Satan when we don’t trust God, we think we serve ourselves but we really serve Satan.

 Generational Blessings - Read Genesis 28 (Jacob dreams of the stairway to Heaven)

God had promised Abraham that He would bless His offspring continually.   God has a way of getting a hold of those who are running from His promises.  If we have a family member who seems to not get it regarding the call of God on their lives, just keep believing and confessing God’s promises in prayer.   They may not listen but God will reveal Himself in one form or another.

God revealed himself to Jacob through a dream.  God opened Jacob’s eyes to the reality of Abraham’s blessing that Jacob has direct access to heaven, that he is not alone, the angels of God are at his disposal, God will protect and provide for him, and be with him forevermore.  Jacob awakened to the reality of God and was forever changed.  He anointed the place naming it Bethel the house of God. 

Spiritual Awakening

Let us awaken to the reality that we are anointed by God and have become the temple of the Holy Spirit!

We too often operate like Jacob striving and conniving, operating in survival mode, rather than trusting and believing, operating in faith mode.   

Jacob made a vow to God if He would protect and provide for him, he would follow suit and serve Him.  He set up a memorial declaring everything you give me, I’ll return a tenth to you. Money is a determining factor regarding trusting God.  The tithe is an act of faith acknowledging God as the source of all.  If we limit our obedience to what is in our wallet, we will never have enough.   This world revolves around money, if we limit what we can do to our wallet, then we will be limited to the conditions of this world and closed off from the blessings of Heaven.