Learning from the Determination of Jacob

In the book of Genesis, we witness the fascinating life of Jacob. His journey in life was full of twists and turns, drama and excitement... all of which are necessary for a really good suspense movie!

However, no part of Jacob's life was a surprise to God as He already knew him full well in his mother's womb... just like He does with all of us, as we read in Psalms 139. This is why God chose him, from the womb, to be the father of the 12 Tribes because he knew Jacob had the inherent tenacity to fulfill his calling and purpose.

While still in the womb, the Lord told his mother, Rebekah in ‭Genesis‬ ‭25:23‬,

“Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples from within you will be separated; one people will be stronger than the other, and the older will serve the younger.”

According to tradition, the firstborn received the blessings and inheritance, however God appointed that the second born, Jacob, would receive the rights of the firstborn. God had plans for tenacious Jacob.

We witness the determination of Jacob throughout his life, starting before he was even born,

• he wrestled with Esau in the womb,
• he grasped his brother's heel as they were being born,
• he obtained the birthright from his less committed brother Esau,
• he pursued the blessing of the firstborn from his father Isaac,
• he pursued Rachel as his wife even after being tricked into marrying her sister Leah,
• and at a pivotal point, he wrestled with the Lord and demanded to be blessed.
When the Lord blessed him, he also changed Jacob's name to Israel because he EARNED it. He EARNED the meaning of the name Israel because he struggled with God and with man and had OVERCOME as the Lord told him in Genesis 32:28.

Jacob overcame all of the struggles in his life because he was determined to see his inheritance through. He knew what God had promised him and he clung to it and fought for it with commitment and faith. And because of his determination, the descendants of his 12 sons became the nation of Israel and the line of Judah brought us Jesus Christ, our Savior.

God desires us to have that same determination, persistence and boldness to pursue our inheritance we have waiting for us in His Kingdom. In Hebrews 11, Apostle Paul shares with us the faith of those who went before us, including Jacob, who knew what God promised and endured challenges to win the race. Paul tells us in Hebrews 12: 1-2,

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus."

In ‭1 Timothy‬ ‭6:12‬, Paul encourages us to..

"Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called..."

God desires that we fight the good fight and hold on tight and NOT shrink back. As Paul tells us in ‭2 Timothy‬ ‭1:7‬,

"God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline."

God doesn't want his children to be passive about our calling, our purpose or our inheritance. He tells us to come boldly to His throne. Apostle Paul reminds us of this in Hebrews 4:14-16 to hold firmly to what we believe AND to come boldly to the throne of our glorious God.

So let us follow the example of Jacob's determination. Let us wrestle, grasp, pursue, demand, and fix our eyes on our inheritance of eternal life with our Lord Jesus.
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