After 19 years of marriage, Isaac prayed that his wife Rebekah would be cured of her infertility. God answered his prayers and she became pregnant with twin sons. They wrestled strenuously with each other within her womb so that she asked the Lord, "Why is this happening to me?" (Gen 25:22). He replied, "Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples from within you will be separated; one people will be stronger than the other, and the older will serve the younger" (Gen 25:23).
The younger son was named Jacob and he was born clasping the heel of Esau. Isaac favored Esau but Rebekah preferred Jacob. Legend claims that while Rebekah carried the twins within her, Esau struggled and tried to get out whenever she passed an idol. Jacob, on the other hand, tried to get out whenever she passed an institute for Torah study. However, the Bible states that God had determined to fulfill the Abrahamic covenant through Jacob's line before either child had done good or evil.
Once when Esau came home from hunting he was very hungry and asked Jacob for some of the food he smelled cooking. Jacob traded a bowl of stew to his brother for the birthright traditionally due to the elder son. Later, when Isaac was ready to pass the patriarchal blessing on to his oldest son, Rebekah placed Esau's clothes and some goat hair on Jacob so that he might trick his blind father into blessing himself instead.
When Esau discovered his brother's deceit he flew into such a rage that his twin was sent to Paddan Aram to hide out with his Uncle Laban. On his way there, Jacob experienced a vision commonly known as "Jacob's Ladder." In this dream he saw a stairway to Heaven with angels going up and down it. From its top, God promised that his descendants would be as numerous as the dust of the earth and that they would inherit the land of Canaan and be a blessing to all the earth. God also promised to watch over the patriarch and bring him safely home. The next morning Jacob named the place Bethel and vowed that if the God of Abraham kept him safe and provided for him on his journey, he would accept him as his own God when he returned to his father's house.
Laban had 2 daughters and Jacob fell in love with the younger, prettier one, Rachel. He worked Laban's flocks 7 years in exchange for her hand in marriage. However, the day after his wedding the young man discovered his uncle had tricked him into marrying the unattractive older daughter. He then agreed to work 7 more years for Rachel's hand. The two sisters strove to produce the most sons, even offering their maid servants to their husband as concubines. When it was all over, Jacob was the father of the 12 tribes of Israel.
Laban tried to cheat Jacob of his wages several more times over the 25 years he spent in exile but somehow his nephew always seemed to come out a rich man. Finally he decided to head for home. On the way he wrestled with a mysterious being and refused to let it go until it blessed him. Some people believe it was Esau's guardian angel but most think it was the Lord because the creature gave Jacob a new name - Israel which means "he struggles with God."
Gen 25-49
All scripture quotes are from the NIV Bible unless otherwise indicated.
Comments© 1998 by Suzetta Tucker
To cite this page:
Tucker, Suzetta. "Jesse Tree Advent Calendar - December 9
- Jacob." ChristStory Christian Bestiary. 1998. http://ww2.netnitco.net/users/legend01/9jacob.htm
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