"My Morning Coffee" Devotional: Jacob's Journey: Success Through Failure

 

    After studying Jacob's life together, we could be tempted to come to the conclusion that Jacob failed. We read about him constantly doing things his way regardless of the effect that it had on others. His wives suffered through bouts of rejection leading to their jealousy. His sons, caught in the middle, were neglected by their work-a-holic father, and their training left to their scheming mothers. Jacob's only daughter, pampered and spoiled, was raped and disgraced due to the lack of discipline and willingness to protect her. The people of the land feared Jacob and his family wanting nothing to do with them for fear that the same violence shown to Shechem would be shown to them. By the time Jacob thought to train his children they were past the age of listening and far too bitter to respect his wishes. Yet in this dire time for Jacob, God remembered him, and send him a "second chance" through his son, Joseph.

   The life of Joseph is worth the study as we see a young man rise graciously from tragedy to the throne of Egypt. We see the hated and envied son persecuted by his brothers, disbelieved by his father, sold to his extended relatives, demoted from man of the house to manservant of a house, harassed and accused by his mistress, wrongly convicted by his master, forgotten by his prison mate, until God in his perfect timing deemed Joseph ready to rule and save his people. Joseph's integrity and strong belief in God was not inherent nor instinctive. It was taught. Very little is known about Rachel, but it is safe to assume that she, being an idol worshiper for most of her life and wrapped up in her self-made war with Leah, did not take much time to teach Joseph about Jehovah, the God of their fathers. So,who was responsible for his reverent attitude toward God? I believe that Jacob, looking back at all of the damage that he had done, realized that Joseph was his last chance to leave behind a legacy for God. Genesis 37 says that Jacob favored Joseph. Could it be that this was because after twelve children, including Dinah, he finally got it right?

   We understand from a human and biblical sense, specifically Genesis 37-38, that favoring among children can have tragic consequences. Yet can we take just one moment before again dwelling on Jacob's downfalls, and rejoice with him? God is a God of grace and mercy. It is estimated that there are over 248 mentions of the word mercy, and over 150 mentions of the word "grace"in the KJV. Joseph was Jacob's "grace child". Stop and read Psalms 136 to see how many time it mentions the mercy of God. Though Jacob failed many times, he still served a faithful and gracious God. I would encourage you reread Jacob's story this time from beginning to end (Genesis 25-49), and focus on God's journey with Jacob.

Time to Ponder:
   Many times we look at person in the Bible and see ourselves. Their failures are the same that we struggle with. Through our study today, what has God shown you that he will give you grace for? -The obvious wrong that you have excused, the demeaning way you have viewed the unsaved co-worker or fellow Christian, the sin you refer to as a "bad habit", the ways that you have failed to show love to a husband, Christian sister, or store clerk that "rubbed you the wrong way". These all and more are under the blood if you will put them there. Read Proverbs 24:16. What does a righteous or just person do when he has failed? In what area does God want to give you more grace? Take a moment to consider your failure. Confess it to Him and those you have failed. Thank the Lord for a new "day of grace", and face your challenges with Him.

He giveth more grace when the burdens grow greater,
He sendeth more strength when the labors increase;
To added affliction He addeth His mercy;
To multiplied trials, His multiplied peace.
Annie J. Flint