One of the hardest things to understand in the Bible is why God would reward a snake like Jacob.
Seriously, why is this guy getting a blessing at all? I often say that “God rewards obedience”, and I suppose that same concept holds true for holy living. If we are honest, humble and all those other good characteristics that go along with knowing God, we can expect His continued favor. But should we expect God to bless us when we lie, cheat and steal?
Of course not.
Why then, do we see Jacob receiving a blessing? And can someone please tell me why would God want this character in His family tree? Towards the end of the text I see where Levi and Jacob (two well known tribes) are born to the wife that Jacob DOESN’T love. What? This account must be true, because no one would fabricate a story like this and claim it as their family heritage.
In all that I read this morning I come away with one key thought. God is always playing the long game. He knows what Jacob will become, He knows the decisions that Jacob will make, the roads he will travel and the children he will have. Jacob isn’t accepted because of who he is. He is chosen because God wants to reveal himself through him. I’m not sure what the world would look like if Ishmael were selected instead of Isaac, or Esau instead of Jacob. Certainly it would be different, and maybe it would be better, who knows? But God isn’t working to make the world a better place, He’s working to reveal his plan of salvation.
What if we get to heaven and then realize that Esau’s children wouldn’t have rejected one brother, and no one would have gone to Egypt to become second in command…and so there would be no gathering of wealth, etc. God chose the events that made sense to fulfill the plan over the long haul, regardless of what it looked like short term.
Everything that God does can be trusted, because He knows more than us, loves more than us and is capable of more than us. The twists and turns in human events that poor moral character has caused are no hindrance for the Lord.
He sees our potential, and works in and through us in spite of our shortcomings. As I write, I am reminded that before these two sons (Jacob and Esau) were born, God revealed to Rachael that the older would serve the younger. He knew….He always knows.
When life treats you unfairly, or when you see someone who appears to be succeeding even though they are not honorable, remember this story and leave your frustration with Jesus. He knows what He is doing, and will not allow His plans to be foiled. If the Lord required you or I to live a certain lifestyle so that His will could be done, I’m sure we would be willing to live it. God required Esau to be less, so that Jacob could be more. I don’t see Esau being godly about it, which might reveal something about his character. He desires revenge so he plots to kill his brother (Hello, Cain); and he selects a wife that he knows will make his father angry. Both of those things hint at character flaws. He’s not alone there….Jacob has plenty.
And don’t even get me started on mine….
Faithfully,
PR