GLEANINGS - GenesisНамуна

Lessons on faith from Jacob.

For most of his life, Jacob was not a model of faith. It is interesting that when the book of Hebrews recognizes Jacob as a man of faith, it mentions only his actions at the end of his life (Heb. 11:21). Faith is not something that grows dim as we grow older, but our faith should grow stronger and shine brighter than ever for everyone to see.

As he is dying, Jacob prays for two of his grandsons. "God who has been my Shepherd all my life to this day."

1. Know the Shepherd. Faith starts by knowing the Shepherd and the Shepherd knowing his sheep. It's not knowing about him, but do you know him personally in your life? God spoke to Jacob in Genesis 28:10-17. God initiated a relationship with Jacob. He does the same with all of us in many different ways.

2. Jacob took a small step of faith in Genesis 28:18-22. Jacob bargained with God. It isn’t what a mature believer would do but it shows a glimmer of faith. But it was not until Jacob stopped manipulating and asked God to take over and bless him that he started walking with God.

3. Jacob turned to God in his time of need in Genesis 32:9-12. At the most difficult time in his life, he turned to God. Jacob needed to give up his own scheming and planning when he met with Esau after many years. Earlier in his life he would have tried to trick his way out of his problem. But now he was willing to show his dependence on God.

4. Jacob had faith in God for the future. Even though he knew that he would die in Egypt, he had faith that God would keep His promise and take his descendants into the Promised Land. Knowing this, he gave a blessing to his grandsons and then he worshiped, leaning on the top of his staff.

5. Jacob worshiped God in faith, even though he had not seen the fulfillment of God’s promise. Jacob’s faith is seen in his last words to all his sons in Genesis 49:29-30, “I am about to be gathered to my people; bury me with my fathers in the cave that is in the field of Ephron the Hittite, in the cave that is in the field of Machpelah….in the land of Canaan [the Promised Land]”.

We need to remember that God’s work continues even after we are gone. The fact that not all prayers are answered in our lifetimes does not mean that they will not be answered. We need faith like Jacob’s, faith so solid that we worship God not just for what He has done, but for what He will do in faithfulness to His Word.

What a fantastic thing it is for us to be able to say to our children, “Behold, I die, but God will see you through. I guarantee it because He has seen me through.”

APPLICATION QUESTION:

Do you always believe God despite your circumstances? Do you believe that God will keep His promises, even if you do not see them fulfilled in your lifetime?

QUOTE:

Faith is like radar that sees through the fog-the reality of things at a distance that the human eye cannot see. Corrie Ten Boom

PRAYER:

Lord, help me not to desire and manipulate my plans for my life, but help me to trust that You have the best plan for me. Help me always to desire to be in the centre of Your plan for my life and see You fulfilling it. Not in ways that I want it, but in ways that You see fit. Renew and strengthen my faith in You today. Amen