LOCKDOWN: IN DECISIVE MOMENT: JACOB

I love Jacob’s story of his life. Please read it through from Genesis 25 to 49. There is much that will inspire you.

Jacob was born fighting!

Read Genesis 25:22-23.

“The babies jostled each other within her. (Rebekah’s womb) and she said, “Why is this happening to me?” So, she went to inquire of the Lord. The Lord told her, “Two nations are in your womb, and two people from within you will be separated, one people will be stronger than the other and the older will serve the younger.”

When the boys were born Esau, the red haired one was born first, Jacob held onto his heel.

“Jacob” means: “Heel catcher,” “Supplanter,” “Corkscrew.” But Ungar’s Bible Dictionary says that it may also mean, in Arabic and Ethiopic: “He Whom God Protects” – That is a phrase that comes up in the text across his life story, “God protected Jacob”.

Jacob was Mum Rebekah’s favourite, he stayed at home, living in the tents, a peaceful man not a hunter like Esau.

JACOB: FIGHTING WITH OTHERS!

*Jacob took Esau’s Birth right – For a pot of stew. Jacob bought it cheaply because Esau despised his birth right. (Gen 25:34b)

*Jacob stole Esau’s Blessing – He pretended to be Esau, with the help of his mum, making Dad’s favourite meal. Putting animal skin on his hands he deceived his nearly blind Dad. (Gen27:24-30).

*Esau planned to kill Jacob – Esau fled to mum’s brother Laban

JACOB: FIGHTING WITH SELF!

Genesis 28: 10-22 we read of Jacob’s “Dream at Bethel.” He sees a ladder ascending and descending Angels confirm to him God’s promises to protect given to his fathers. He promises to protect Jacob on the journey and bring him home safely.

He fights with himself, his desires for his life and recognising God’s Presence in this place, calls it BETHEL = “HOUSE OF GOD”. He makes a vow (Genesis 28; 20-22). “If God will be with me and watch over me on this journey I am taking and will give me food to eat and clothes to wear so that I return safely to my father’s household, then the Lord will be my God this stone I have set up as a pillow will be God’s House and all that you give me I will give you a tenth.”

Jacob arrived at Laban’s house, serving him for 7 years for the hand of Rachel in marriage – “It seemed like a few days because of His love for her…. However, Laban, using a local custom that said the youngest daughter could not marry before the oldest daughter – switched them. Unwittingly Jacob married Leah first. Jacob had to serve Laban another 7 years for Rachel. He then served a further 6 years …… fleecing his father in law out of his wealth, making it his own. Realising that Laban was not happy with him Jacob leaves with his wives, children and

possessions (Gen 31).

JACOB’S: FIGHTING WITH SELF:

Is about to enter a new dimension as he sends messengers ahead of him to his brother Esau with gifts (Gen 32). Jacob remembers what he did fighting Esau – stealing his birth right and his blessing. Jacob’s past is catching up with him in his thinking – HE’S FIGHTING WITH HIMSELF.

JACOB: FIGHTING WITH GOD!

I love this story! JACOB: LOCKED DOWN; IN A DECISIVE MOMENT!

Read: Genesis 32. 22-32

JACOB FIGHTING WITH GOD BECAME ISRAEL FIGHTING FOR GOD.

Genesis 33:1a “Jacob looked up and there was Esau!

Read: Genesis 33: 1-4

JACOB FIGHTING WITH OTHERS BECAME ISRAEL FIGHTING FOR OTHERS!

Read: Genesis 35 :1 -10

JACOB FIGHTING WITH SELF BECAME ISRAEL FIGHTING FOR SELF!

Not selfishly! Being who God called him to be. Fighting to leave a legacy in, with and for God and what a legacy! – That is another message…

CONCLUSION:

Look back over our own life to see the special moments of lockdown -DECISIVE MOMENTS – the highlights – when God stepped in. Bringing revelation of Himself and telling us what He plans for us. REMEMBER WHAT HE HAS PROMISED…. AT OUR “FORD JABBOK”.

Because of those moments we can never be the same.

During this lockdown we are in a decisive moment. After what God reveals to us, and does to us, we may walk with a limp from this moment onward. Just like Jacob we will know that we have been “touched” by God afresh. Then we can concentrate on leaving a legacy.