How did Jacob seek God's will?
How did Jacob seek God's will? [∞]
Jacob, often remembered for his deceptive actions—stealing his brother Esau's birthright and blessing—was indeed fulfilling God’s will, even though his methods were flawed and done in the flesh. To understand this, we must look beyond Jacob’s actions and focus on God’s overarching plan.
1. God's Sovereign Plan and Choice (Genesis 25:23)
Before Jacob and Esau were even born, God declared that the older would serve the younger, and this prophecy was given to Rebekah. In Genesis 25:23, God said, “The older will serve the younger.” This was a divine decree that, despite Jacob’s flawed character and methods, would be fulfilled.
In the ancient world, the birthright and blessing were highly significant. The firstborn, Esau, was expected to receive the inheritance, but God had chosen Jacob, the younger son, to inherit the promises made to Abraham and Isaac. While Jacob’s actions were deceptive, they were part of God’s sovereign plan to establish His covenant with the line of Jacob, the future nation of Israel.
2. The Fleshly Nature of Jacob’s Actions (Genesis 25:29-34; 27:1-41)
Jacob’s methods, particularly when he deceived Esau into selling his birthright for a bowl of soup and later tricked Isaac into giving him the blessing, were clearly done in the flesh. These were not acts of faith but rather acts of self-reliance, manipulation, and deception. Jacob's actions were driven by his own desire for the blessing and his fear that God’s promises might not come to pass without his interference.
His story shows us that even when we take matters into our own hands and try to fulfill God’s will through our own efforts and understanding, God can still use those actions for His purposes. In this sense, Jacob’s actions reveal the tension between human fallibility and divine sovereignty.
3. God’s Redemptive Plan and Grace
Despite Jacob’s deceit, God’s grace was evident in his life. Even though Jacob tried to manipulate circumstances, God used those very circumstances to accomplish His will. God's covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob was never dependent on human effort or moral perfection but on His grace and faithfulness.
In Romans 9:10-13, Paul reminds us that God’s choice to bless Jacob over Esau was not based on their deeds but on God’s sovereign will: "Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated." This passage demonstrates that God’s choice is not always in line with human expectations or actions. He chooses whom He wills, and His purposes are carried out despite our failures.
4. Jacob’s Transformation and the Role of Faith (Genesis 32:22-32)
Though Jacob acted in the flesh initially, his life reveals a gradual transformation. In Genesis 32, Jacob wrestles with God and is given a new name, Israel. This encounter represents a turning point where Jacob, now facing the consequences of his earlier actions, seeks God’s blessing in humility rather than through deceit.
This moment marks the transition from Jacob the deceiver to Israel, the one who struggles with God and prevails. It shows that while Jacob's early actions were fleshly and flawed, God was molding him into the man of faith He had called him to be. Jacob’s encounter with God reveals that, even when we fail and try to act in our own strength, God can still transform us and fulfill His purposes in our lives.
5. The Bigger Picture: Christ as the True Firstborn (Colossians 1:18)
Ultimately, the story of Jacob points to Christ. Jacob, through his deception and struggle, received the blessing that was meant for Esau, but Christ is the true Firstborn who came not through human manipulation but through divine fulfillment. In Christ, the perfect Firstborn, we see that God’s will is not dependent on human effort or deceit, but on faith and God’s grace.
Jacob’s story reminds us that God can use even our flawed actions to bring about His will. Our flesh may fail, but God’s purposes will always prevail, and through faith in Christ, we can receive the true blessing—eternal life with God.
Conclusion:
Jacob’s story is a powerful reminder that, though we may act in the flesh and make mistakes, God’s sovereign will is not thwarted by our actions. Just as Jacob, despite his deceit, was part of God’s redemptive plan, we too can find hope in knowing that God can use even our mistakes to fulfill His purposes. Jacob’s journey shows us that God’s grace is greater than our failures and that His plans will unfold according to His perfect timing, often in ways we do not understand. Ultimately, Jacob’s life points us to Christ, the true Firstborn, through whom we are fully blessed.
