Character Studies - ElectronicGospel

Jacoba character study by Jeff S. SmithIntroductionThe list of Jacob’s inadequacies and crimes would be an impressive one, I am afraid. He did great wrongby his brother, even from the womb and earned his name, which means “supplanter” and implies adetermined and obstinate self-reliance. In Jacob, however, we are taught a lesson on reclamation andsecond chances. God recognized a goodness deep in Jacob’s heart and directed it to serve His higherpurpose. The greatest thing that ever happened to me was learning that in Christ, I had the prospect ofstarting my life over. This, my friends, is the greatest gift that you can give another. We will look at theseminal even in Jacob’s life today and take from it a lesson on rebirth, a lesson designed to be shared withthose outside Jesus.DiscussionI. Jacob’s New Beginning (Genesis 32:22-32)A. Wrestling With God1. we are painfully reminded of Jacob’s often heartless opportunism here, for husband and fathersets his family as a human barrier between Esau and himself (cf. the phrase “women and children first”was never intended to send them into harm’s way)2. Jacob was left alone in selfish security, or so he thought3. as the night wore on, God, having taken the appearance of a man, began to wrestle with hima. Jehovah sagely permitted the self-reliant patriarch to hold his own until dawn began tobreak over more than the eastern skyb. just then, God stopped playing and with the slightest touch disabled the self-involved Jacob4. his perceived and proud independence had been dislocated forever and the dawn’s early lightshined upon his and each man’s true and needful estateB. Supplicating the Lord1. God feigns his departure while Jacob writhes in pain and immobility, giving him theimpression that he is to remain hobbled2. but Jacob has learned a lesson without even realizing ita. he does no longer trust in self, but has seen what the hand of God can accomplish, andpetitions the Lord to bless him somewhatb. but first, he must be taught more3. God asks him what his name is, though he knew it alreadya. he is reminding Jacob of more than his name, but his natureb. Jacob is a supplanter, one who looks out for self and has no use for the feelings of others,nor of God abovec. Jacob was a name aptly chosen, but now maturity and a second chance at a better lifebeckonedd. it was a sign of concession to tell an opponent one’s name and when Jacob uttered his, hewas “crying uncle” to more than a wrestling adversary, but to a way of lifeC. Second Start1. with a stroke of grace, God erases the blemished name of Jacob from his tongue and calls hisnew friend, Israel, meaning “Prince with God”2. he asks God to reciprocate and name himself, but the Lord refuses this foolishness (Israelknows to whom he is speaking alreadya. he names this spot after the face of God, which image he had witnessed and praised him forhis preservationb. the sun finally broke over the horizon, shedding light on a newly reborn prince and Israelcrossed over to stand with courage instead of cowardice against Esauc. but he limped as he walked, a reminder of where he had been and what it had taken torescue him3. because of his new humility and courage, he was reconciled to his brother, but moreimportantly, to GodCharacter Studies! 37