United Church of God

The Life of Jacob and Some of His Family

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The Life of Jacob and Some of His Family

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MP3 Audio (46.43 MB)

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The Life of Jacob and Some of His Family

MP3 Audio (46.43 MB)
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Jacob’s grandfather, Abraham, had a promise made by God to have many descendants, just as the stars in the sky. Abraham's son, Isaac, had twin boys, Esau and Jacob with his wife Rebekah. Esau was the firstborn,and had little interest in his birthright which allowed Rebekah to plan the deception of Isaac into blessing Jacob instead of Esau. As a result of the deception Esau became enraged and Jacob was forced to run away to his Uncle Laban’s house. Jacob worked for Laban seven years to marry Laban’s youngest daughter, Rachel, but Laban deceived Jacob and on the wedding night sent his older daughter Leah. Jacob worked another seven years for Laban to marry Rachel. Jacob had twelve sons and one daughter with his two wives and their maidservants. Jacob worked to build, not only his family but also his flock and personal belongings; God helped Jacob and thwarted Laban's plans to keep Jacob subservient to him. Jacob left Laban and returned to his homeland. While devising a plan to keep safe a part of his household, from the threat he perceived from his brother Esau, the one who would become Jesus met Jacob and wrestled with him through the night. God changed Jacob's name to Israel and Israel began to trust and look to God instead of himself. Jacob's youngest son, Joseph, went through dramatic hardship yet in Egypt, God watched over Joseph and did great things through him. The story of Jacob is one that shows: we can be short sighted yet God looks to the outcome; that we can believe God can't work with us. Yet we can take encouragement in that, if God can work with Jacob and all the drama that surrounded him, God can work with us. God follows through on His promises and what we do can come back on us, good or bad.