Bible Biography: Jacob

SCRIPTURE: Genesis 25:21 - 50:13; Hebrews 11:21.

BIOGRAPHY

Jacob received his name at birth when he was born second, clutching the heel of his elder brother Esau. Jacob means "he clutches" or "the supplanter". The eldest son received rulership of the family. He was the priest and had the double portion as a birthright. Esau sold Jacob his birthright for a meal. This custom of selling the birthright is confirmed on the Nuzi tablets which were found south east of Nineveh. Isaac blessed Jacob irrevocably (Genesis 27:35f.) thus Jacob became the inheritor of Canaan (Romans 9:10-13). Esau received Edom.

After the blessing Jacob fled to Bethel where his grandfather had built an altar (Genesis 12:8). Here he received the vision of Jacob's ladder. Continuing to the north east he traveled to Haran where he met Rachel at the well as Eleazer had met Rebekah (Genesis 24:11) (see Isaac). Jacob served Laban 20 years, seven for Leah, seven for Rachel and six for flocks. Whilst there he was blessed with eleven sons and a daughter. He became very prosperous and left Haran while his father-in-law Laban was out shearing (Genesis 31:22f.). Laban pursued Jacob to Gilead where a pact was drawn up between them.

Traveling to Mahanaim, Jacob sent out scouts to discover Esau's attitude (Genesis 32:1f.). Just as he was about to ford the river Jabbok, he wrestled with a "man", receiving a permanent hip injury. His name was changed here from Jacob to Israel, and is probably the place of Jacob's conversion (Genesis 32:24-30, cf. Genesis 28:20,21; Hosea 12:4). Jacob now purchased land at Shechem. After Isaac's death he settled in Hebron (Genesis 35:28,29). Jacob the patriarch gave one of the three great prophecies in Genesis - the prophecy of the twelve tribes (Genesis 49) prior to his death at the age of 130. He was buried at Machpelah near Hebron (Genesis 50:13).

SUMMARY

a) Jacob is considered the child of favor (Malachi 1:2; Romans 9:10-13).

b) He is described as the heir of the divine promise (Hebrews 11:9).

c) Jacob is a man of blessing (Hebrews 11:20,21).

d) He is linked with Abraham and Isaac (2 Kings 13:23; Mark 12:26,27).

e) Israel is called the house of Jacob (Isaiah 8:17; Micah 2:7).

f) Israel is called the sons of Jacob (1 Kings 18:31; Malachi 3:6).

g) Israel is called the seed of Jacob (Isaiah 45:19; Jeremiah 33:26).

h) Israel is called the community of Jacob (Deuteronomy 33:4).

i) Israel is called Jacob (Hosea 10:11).

j) God had a plan for Jacob's life, to form a major role in His nation Israel.

k) Jacob went from Bethel, "the house of God", to Haran, "a dried up place".

l) He spent a night at Bethel and twenty years at Haran.

m) He eventually entered fully into God's plan after a long and arduous struggle.

n) The supplanter Jacob became the prince Israel.

LIFE LESSONS

a) God in His foreknowledge loves the believer even prior to his birth (Romans 9:10-13).

b) Yet He does not coerce the free will of the believer (Revelation 3:20).

c) We become new creatures in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17).

d) Preferential treatment in a family causes jealousy (1 Samuel 1:5,6).

e) God can convert our weakness of character and stubbornness to His glory (2 Corinthians 12:10).

f) The plan of God is always superior to the plan of man (Job 42:2-6).