As we look at the lives of the patriarchs in our Friday Bible in American Culture class, I've been reminded again that God uses unlikely characters to fulfill His purposes. Take, for example, Jacob, son of Isaac and Rebekah. (Genesis 25-50)
Jacob came out of his mother's womb a fighter, grabbing the heel of his twin brother Esau. Even at birth, he was already jockeying for position. He lost. He came out second. Yet it did not deter him from getting the birthright and his father's best blessing. First, he took advantage of his brother's hunger and impulsive nature to take the birthright that rightfully belonged to the firstborn. Then, when his mother enlisted him in her scheme to fool old. blind Isaac, so he could get his brother's blessing, how did Jacob respond? He did not protest with, "Mom, that would be wrong." Instead, his concern was, "What if I get caught?!?" (Genesis 25; 27)
Jacob came out of his mother's womb a fighter, grabbing the heel of his twin brother Esau. Even at birth, he was already jockeying for position. He lost. He came out second. Yet it did not deter him from getting the birthright and his father's best blessing. First, he took advantage of his brother's hunger and impulsive nature to take the birthright that rightfully belonged to the firstborn. Then, when his mother enlisted him in her scheme to fool old. blind Isaac, so he could get his brother's blessing, how did Jacob respond? He did not protest with, "Mom, that would be wrong." Instead, his concern was, "What if I get caught?!?" (Genesis 25; 27)
Why would God use an unscrupulous character like Jacob to inherit the promise that He had given to Abraham and Isaac? Everyone makes mistakes from time to time, but Jacob seemed chronically inclined toward destroying family relationships so he could be first.
I don't know. But here are a few things I do know.
First, God's ways are beyond my understanding. He uses people and situations that I wouldn't never dream of using. God sees the big picture outcome; I only see the here and now. His plans encompass the whole of human history, and He places each of us in each location and time according to His plans.
Second, Jacob was single-minded in his pursuits. Perhaps that's why God chose him. Jacob sought the firstborn's inheritance. He knew how precious that was. Surely as a child, he had heard his father's stories of how God came to Abraham and promised him innumerable descendants, the land, and massive influence on people around them. Isaac must have also told his sons how God appeared to him as well. Perhaps both boys heard the stories, but only Jacob valued the promise. Esau disdained the birthright and thought nothing of trading it in for a bowl of stew. (Hebrews 12:16-17)
All his life, Jacob sought blessing. Even when he wrestled with God, he wouldn't let go until God blessed him. As a young man, Jacob may have sought the birthright and the blessing because of the accompanying power and material possessions. Perhaps God looked deep into his yearning heart and saw a cry for God Himself.
By the end of his life, Jacob had experienced a reversal of roles. He started out by deceiving his brother, then his father. But then he became the dupe, deceived by his father-in-law on his wedding night and later, by his own children. He spent many years a heartbroken man, grieving the supposed death of his beloved son Joseph.
Jacob is a complex character who doesn't fall into a "good guy" or "bad guy" category. He's simply a human who is transformed, from a scoundrel who thinks he has to fend for himself to get the upper hand to a broken man who acknowledges God. God deals with him, and God uses him to continue His plan for human history.
In this sense, Jacob is a character I identify very much with. I think many - if not all - Christians can identify with Jacob. I know what my life was like before Christ: pride, strife, darkness. By God's mercy and grace, He chose to bring me into His family and into His promises. For His purposes, for His glory, He is transforming me so I can surrender my own plans and follow His.
I don't know. But here are a few things I do know.
First, God's ways are beyond my understanding. He uses people and situations that I wouldn't never dream of using. God sees the big picture outcome; I only see the here and now. His plans encompass the whole of human history, and He places each of us in each location and time according to His plans.
Second, Jacob was single-minded in his pursuits. Perhaps that's why God chose him. Jacob sought the firstborn's inheritance. He knew how precious that was. Surely as a child, he had heard his father's stories of how God came to Abraham and promised him innumerable descendants, the land, and massive influence on people around them. Isaac must have also told his sons how God appeared to him as well. Perhaps both boys heard the stories, but only Jacob valued the promise. Esau disdained the birthright and thought nothing of trading it in for a bowl of stew. (Hebrews 12:16-17)
All his life, Jacob sought blessing. Even when he wrestled with God, he wouldn't let go until God blessed him. As a young man, Jacob may have sought the birthright and the blessing because of the accompanying power and material possessions. Perhaps God looked deep into his yearning heart and saw a cry for God Himself.
By the end of his life, Jacob had experienced a reversal of roles. He started out by deceiving his brother, then his father. But then he became the dupe, deceived by his father-in-law on his wedding night and later, by his own children. He spent many years a heartbroken man, grieving the supposed death of his beloved son Joseph.
Jacob is a complex character who doesn't fall into a "good guy" or "bad guy" category. He's simply a human who is transformed, from a scoundrel who thinks he has to fend for himself to get the upper hand to a broken man who acknowledges God. God deals with him, and God uses him to continue His plan for human history.
In this sense, Jacob is a character I identify very much with. I think many - if not all - Christians can identify with Jacob. I know what my life was like before Christ: pride, strife, darkness. By God's mercy and grace, He chose to bring me into His family and into His promises. For His purposes, for His glory, He is transforming me so I can surrender my own plans and follow His.