Normally, I, being a woman, prefer to do a character study on a woman mentioned in the Bible. It wasn't long after starting this character study that I found myself capitivated by the life journey of Jacob. Each place that he traveled to and named was a testimony of how God was working in his life.
The Backstory:
Imagine with me just for a few moments that you are a twin. You may be thinking that one of you is enough, but just for our studies sake put yourself in Jacob's sandals. You are the youngest of the pair of twins, of course only by a few minutes, but you were the lucky one to come out last. Even though you were the exact same age, your father coddled and cooed over your older twin the most. When he took his first step, they threw a great party, and it was your older brother who was always at Daddy's side, holding Daddy's hand, and being carried around by Daddy. You lived in your brother's shaddow. You think it would have been better if you had been born a few years later, or never been born at all. Bitterness was bred early in your life by the feeling of injustice and contempt for the older. Competiveness became the game as you did what you could to gain your parent's approval, and attention. As you grew and matured, it wasn't enough to compete, you had to win. Manipulation became your strategy, and using your mother's empathy, you almost always got what you wanted. Until one day, you got more than you bargaind for. You received a misblessing, and for many years your trophy became a curse. Now you are forced to wander with strangers, and for the first time you are alone. For the first time you meet God.
Bethel: Genesis 28
Bethel means "God's house". It was in this special place that God revealed himself to Jacob for the first time, giving him the same promise that had been given to grandfather Abraham. Jacob in turn viewed this promise as a business agreement. He being accostumed to the family business understood that nothing comes without a price, a trade for a trade. So Jacob promised his undying loyalty to God, if God would hold His end of the bargain. Here are a few verses revealing Jacob's attitude.
- vs. 17 Jacob's promise is made out of fear and respect, not love or devotion.
- vs. 20-21 Jacob's promise was made because of the promise of prosperity.
- vs. 21-22 Jacob's promise is made as an appeasement.
What God chooses to teach Jacob in the years ahead is that their are no bargaining chips with God. It is by God' grace and love that He sends us a blessing. He owes us nothing, and there is absolutely nothing we can do to earn His blessing. Throughout Jacob's journey you will see over and over again Jacob toiling to fulfill God's blessing through his own manipulation. It is interesting to note that God does not fulfill His promise until Jacob returns to Bethel almost twenty years later, by this time Jacob has been brought to the end of himself, and God is able to bless.
Time to Ponder:
Is there in area of you life that you are choosing to bargain with God? What will you not give to Him in complete submission? Your marital status, future occupation, family member, finances, habits, a possession you just don't want to live without? God will never bless what we manipulate. Adam and Eve, Abraham and Sarah, Saul- these are just a few examples of "best laid plans" gone arwy.
How spiritually mature are you? I didn't ask if you were perfect, but is there some basic new-believer steps that you are still unwilling to take? Baptism, daily reading of your Bible and prayer are marks of spiritual maturity. Is there a blessing God wants to give you, but can't because you are not ready to receive it?
Is there something that you want that God has not given you yet? How far would you go to get it?God promises to give us good things. God may be choosing to hold back something you really desire, because you are not mature enough to handle the "promotion", or because it would not be "good" for you.
You will never stop manipulating until you learn to trust God. You will never trust God until you know Him, and you will never know Him unless you spend time with Him. Let today be your Bethel.
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