This morning my educational mentor asked me a religious question that honestly stumped me to some degree. She wanted to know why God blessed Jacob even after he lied to get the birthright. It is a great question. Jacob finagled Esau out of his birthright and lied directly to his father to get what he wanted (at the encouragement of his mother). It is easy to see that God did eventually bless Jacob, but it wasn't without some punishment for his actions.
Jacob was separated from his mother which was a real punishment for him. They loved each other deeply and spent a lot of time together prior to the sins they committed. Jacob was broken (literary) by God. God had been spiritually wrestling with Jacob for twenty years after he betrayed his brother before He wrestled with him at Peniel. God struck Jacob's hip socket so his femur would dislocate. This is one of the strongest places in the body and that is where God brought Jacob to his knees. Scripture clearly states that Jacob never walked the same again. God waited 20 years while Jacob was hiding, running, and still living a lie before asking him who he was after the wrestling match... but the question still remains: Why did God bless Jacob?
I think the answer comes in several parts. One, he was alone with God. Two he hungered for God. Jacob cried out, "I will not leave you until you bless me." Three, He was finally honest with God... The Lord asked him what his name was and initially he responded that he was Esau. Then God asked again, to which Jacob replied, "I am Jacob- a grabber, deceiver and bargainer." He repents for his actions. And God responds to his contrition with these words, "From this day on your name will not longer be Jacob, but Israel because you have wrestled with God and with man and you have overcome."
I think this shows several things... there are consequences of every action and God will redeem those who truly repent. Jacob went from the place where he wrestled God to become the father of 12 tribes.
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