The Blessing of Jacob

In the scriptures we find repeatedly God identifying Himself as the God of Abraham, Issac, and Jacob. This identification from God tells us something striking about His character. Most singularily, God identifies Himself as being the God of Jacob and Israel.

Phrases such as"The Mighty One of Jacob," is used repeateadly in the psalms. Psalm 14:7 states "Oh, that salvation for Israel would come out of Zion! When the Lord restores the fortunes of his people, let Jacob rejoice, let Israel be glad."

In the Old Covenant we see shadows and types of Christ in singular individuals and redemptive events. The life of Joseph is totally a story of redemption. Joseph is highlighted for his redemptive qualities, and the whole outworking of his life was to preserve a remnant of Jacob's family from the consequences of a major famine.

In the testimony of Jacob we find no such redeeming quality or character. In the reading of this man's life all we seem to find is his preoccupation with his own self-preservation. This drive and striving for life and blessing came at others' expenses repeatedly.

I am convinced the testimony of Jacob is a type and shadow of the church. Nothing of Christ comes to mind with this man for he had no reedeming quality. If I could sum up Jacob's life with one phrase it would have to be, "Lord, bless me in spite of me". There was no cause in Jacob's life for God to have reason to bless him, but even in spite of this the Lord met with him, strove with him and blessed him.

The real marvel in Jacob's life is that it screams God's grace. It screams of the preview of the blessings of Christ prepared for us before the foundation of the world (Eph. 1). Even now there is a meeting place for the people of God. Our constant default in the flesh is to rearrange everthing in our lives and THEN God will bless me and look upon me favorably and meet with me. For in the flesh we operate on this level. When we have a visitor we arrange and clean our houses for their own enjoyment. I now trust when the Lord of glory visits, He will arrange His temple as He see fits.

We need to become more of Mary and less of Martha because if not we will miss out on the blessing.