Jacob

I have different thoughts about Jacob this time around. He normally gets a bad rap. And I think it is very tempting to read the Bible with our stereotypes. Since we have labeled Jacob as the worst of the three patriarchs, the prototype of "the carnal Christian," we -- or I should say "I" - tend to read his story the same way year after year after year.

But I have thought a little differently this time. It struck me that Jacob always gave God the credit. He seems to be acutely aware of his unworthiness and God's favor toward him, a favor he didn't ask for. It was God that initiated the blessing with the vision of the angels descending and ascending.

At least nine times Joseph specifically credits God with sovereign work.

1. "Am I in the place of God?" (30:2)
2. "The Lord has blessed you" (30:30)
3. "God has been with me" (31:5)
4. "God did not permit him" (31:7)
5. "God has taken away" (31:9)
6. "This is God's camp" (32:1)
7. "God has graciously given me" (33:5)
8. "God is on my side" (31:42)
9. "God has dealt graciously with me" (33:11)

Jacob seemed to have a strong sense of grace ("graciously"); sovereign grace if you will.

And, one more thing: Jacob was a prophet of God. His final words to his sons were prophecy that have been permanantly recorded in sacred writing. Did not Peter say that these men were moved with the Holy Spirit?

Sure, Jacob was a supplanter. But he was also Israel. He wrestled with God and his prayer became sacred legend among the people of God, a part of Hosea's message to the people of Israel centuries later. He was a trophy of grace.

Aren't all great men of God trophies of grace? And, isn't it remarkable that there is actually a significant amount of suggestion in the narrative to imply that Jacob may have had a more profound sense of grace and sovereignty than we normally credit him with?