Devotion:
Read Genesis 28:10-17.
Throughout Scripture, we see God choosing unlikely characters to do God’s work, and Jacob is indeed an unlikely character. His name literally means “Grabber,” given to him at birth as his little hand reached out to grab the heel of his twin brother Esau in a futile attempt to be born first and receive the birthright. As a young man, Jacob had given his hungry brother Esau a bowl of stew only if Esau would give him the birthright, and then he tricked his aging father Isaac into giving him the blessing meant for Esau. Now on his way to Harran to live with his mother’s brother in Harran, Jacob is running to escape Esau’s plan to kill him for his trickery.
Would God honor Isaac’s blessing of Jacob that included the covenant, the promise originally made to Abraham, then passed to Isaac, and hopefully to the next generation? The answer came in this dream in which Jacob saw angels moving up and down a stairway (Jacob’s “ladder” in the children’s song) from earth to heaven and God. Then God spoke to Jacob, promising the land to him and his descendants and to be with Jacob wherever he goes, bringing him home safely. God’s promise to protect Jacob was the beginning of Jacob’s journey toward carrying on the covenant.
Personal Worship Option:
When we think about it, all of us are unlikely characters whom God chooses to do God’s work. Like Jacob, we are not perfect. But give thanks that God sees deep within us, knows our hearts, and uses us to do the work of God’s Kingdom, often through the church. Pray for clarity in understanding God’s role for you.
No comments:
Post a Comment