Some might say Jacob had overstayed his welcome in Haran. He’d served his father-in-law, Laban, twenty years, including fourteen years for Laban’s daughters and six years for his flocks, (Genesis 31:41). Laban had changed his wages ten times. Each time Laban rewrote the rules, God blessed Jacob and turned the adversity to Jacob’s advantage. It was embarrassing; the wealth Laban’s family had accumulated over generations, flowed steadily to Jacob. Laban’s herds diminished, while Jacob’s flocks increased. Laban’s sons were not pleased; Jacob knew an invitation to leave when he saw it.
Jacob fled Haran with his wives, children, and flocks. He snuck away while his father-in-law was shearing in another city. We might be tempted to think of him as a young, impetuous man; but Jacob was by no means young. Rachel bore Joseph before the family’s flight from Haran and Joseph is identified later as the son of his old age, (Genesis 37:3). Scholars place Jacob in his late seventies or older, as he returned to his father in Hebron.
An Incomplete Life
As you no doubt know, Jacob was the second-born of fraternal twins. He and his brother, Esau, struggled together within Rebekah’s womb. Due to the contentious birth, he was named, Jacob, meaning, “heel-grabber” or “supplanter,” (Genesis 25:26). Without apology, he tempts his brother, Esau, into surrendering the “birthright” for a bowl of soup. Without shame, Jacob deceives his aged, blind father into bestowing the paternal blessing on him, rather than the rightful owner, his brother Esau. Though Jacob possesses God’s blessing, he is, by nature, a grabber.
God meets us as we look down from the ledges of our fears into the disasters of our imaginations Click To Tweet
Jacob lives without apology. He has known only wealth and blessing. On his return from Haran to Canaan, his thoughts toward his brother, Esau, are not remorseful or repentant. To the contrary, Jacob is motivated solely by fear.
“Then Jacob was greatly afraid and distressed; and he divided the people who were with him, and the flocks and the herds and the camels, into two companies; for he said, ‘If Esau comes to the one company and attacks it, then the company which is left will escape.’ ” (Genesis 32:7-8 NASB).
Jacob is alone. He has sent his wives, maids, and children ahead across the stream named, Jabbok. Jacob has left tainted relationships behind him in Haran. His worst fears are before him, as Esau closes with four hundred men. Jacob worries to lose his possessions; he fears for his life. Hebrews 11 lists Jacob as one of the heroes of the faith. At this moment, Jacob is not feeling very heroic.
Jacob’s Hip… A Reminder to Walk Differently
Isn’t it amazing how God meets us as we look down from the ledges of our fears into the disastrous possibilities of our imaginations? Until this point in his life, Jacob has received God’s blessings like a child tearing a gift from the hands of the giver. Now, he wishes he’d spent more time getting to know his benefactor.
“Then Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him until daybreak. When he saw that he had not prevailed against him, he touched the socket of his thigh; so the socket of Jacob’s thigh was dislocated while he wrestled with him. Then he said, ‘Let me go, for the dawn is breaking.’ But he said, ‘I will not let you go unless you bless me.’ So he said to him, ‘What is your name?’ And he said, “Jacob.’ ‘He said, ‘Your name shall no longer be Jacob, but Israel; for you have striven with God and with men and have prevailed.’ ” (Genesis 32:24-28 NASB).
God confronts this slippery, elusive, deceiver called Jacob. When asked his identity, Jacob must confess that, by name, he is a “Heel Grabber.” In exchange, Jacob receives a blessing, a new name, and a dislocated hip. As many have pointed out, both spiritually and physically, Jacob’s hip reminds him to walk differently from this day forward. God expects that Jacob will receive His blessings with humility and grace. Jacob becomes the man God intended, and we remember him with these words in Hebrews.
“By faith Jacob, as he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and worshiped, leaning on the top of his staff.” (Hebrews 11:21 NASB).
Why was Jacob leaning on his staff? His hip still hurt.
Blessings,
Joel
The featured image is © mrmohock / Shutterstock.com
Amen
Sir, that study was awesome! I enjoyed every jubilant moment of that theological teaching. Amen! Awesome word today.
Thanks, Terry. I appreciate you taking the time to read it and comment. God bless you. – Joel
Thank You
You are very welcome, Diana. Thank you for reading. Blessings, Joel
Amen
Amen
Thank You Jesus
Amen
Amen
Amen
Amen
Marcy Laning, Trish Rocco
Thank you Joel for sharing this amazing info, the girls I tagged and I grew up in abusive home, today we all walk much different, me today actually a limp,. Since we have met our God we have much unity and share the message continually. Thank you again.
God bless you, Loretta. I really appreciate your testimony. We really can do all things through Him who strengthens us. Thank you for commenting.
Thank you Jesus Amen and Amen ❤️❤️
Amen
i love this. i want to bless my children. how i love them.
Amen
Amen
Amen you can believe that
AMEN
Amen
Amen!
Amen
Amen
Amen
Amen
Amen
Amen
Good Word! Thank you for sharing.
You’re welcome, Donna. Thank you for reading and commenting. God bless you!
You’re welcome, Donna. Thank you for reading and commenting. God bless you!
Good Word! Thank you for sharing.
AMEN THANK YOU JESUS.
In Jesus name amen!!!
In Jesus name amen!!!
God bless you, Mykwan.
Loved this! Thank you!
You’re welcome, Carol. Thanks for reading and commenting. Bless you. – Joel
You’re welcome, Linda. Thanks for reading and commenting. Bless you.
You’re welcome, Linda. Thanks for reading and commenting. Bless you.
Amen thank you ❤️
I just love these old testament stories which make the Bible easier to understand and they are for today because people never really change.
the whole chapter of Hebrews 11 is deep , a lot in there to read and study about.
Amen to that, Lela. Thanks for sharing!
You’re welcome, Rosie. Thanks for reading and commenting. Blessings, Joel.
Great message!
Thank you, Charlotte. God bless you!
Ty for sharing …God, bless you,…
God bless you, too, Gab. I hope you and Ricky are well.
Joel, thank’s to our Father’God, and you’r pray’ers Ricky, is doing great & i am too…💛/& blessing…
Amen
Glory!!!
Glory!!!
Amen! 🙂
Bless my children oh Father, Amen!
Good message
AMEN AND AMEN. THANK YOU LORD JESUS OUR ALMIGHTY GOD FOR ALL YOUR MERCY AND GRACE!!!!!!!
AMEN!!!!
GOD bless you all AMEN
Hallelujah!
What a great take from this, to walk differently.. How can we ever walk the same after an encounter with our GreatvGid and King! Thank
never fails to amaze m,,The place called Bethel
Powerful. As much as God loves Jacob He still demonstrated His impartiality in letting Jacob understand that humility is the key in walking with the Lord. And God was patient in teaching Jacob this lesson in his old age as He’s still patient with us. Thank you so very much Mr. Joel Townsend for this in depth look into Jacob’s life.
Thank you for sharing Omo. God bless you!
Thank you for sharing Omo. God bless you!
I love this God bless you and thank you!
Thank you, Patsy. God bless you, too!
Thank you, Patsy. God bless you, too!
AMEN ALWAYS AND FOREVER :))
Thank you for sharing. It reminds me that sin will take you further than you want to go! Sin will keep you in it longer than you want to stay! However, if we confess our sins, repent, turn, and follow Jesus Christ we will be saved and our life healed and restored. The scars of sin might still be there but we overcome by the Blood of Jesus Christ ♡ Blessed be the Name of the Lord ♡
Amen, Charlotte! Thanks for sharing.
Amen, Charlotte! Thanks for sharing.
Amen.
Thanks for sharing!
You’re welcome, Jim. Thank you for reading and commenting!
You’re welcome, Jim. Thank you for reading and commenting!
Thanks for sharing!