Lessons From the life of Jacob in the bible has to do with the useful pieces of Practical wisdom acquired from the life of Jacob.In the second half of Genesis we are introduced to a primary figure—Jacob . He lived a colorful live. Let’s look at him and the lessons his live have for us.
1. GOD KNOWS WHO YOU ARE
Jacob, because of his conniving, deceitful ways, is estranged from his family. He finds himself out in the middle of the wilderness and on his way to his Uncle Laban’s house. God reveals Himself to Jacob when he is by himself out in the wilderness away from everyone who knows him. God comes to him in a vision at night with angels ascending and descending on a ladder and God standing above. God talks to him and promises to bless his life.
God knows who you are. He knows what you are thinking. He knows what your life is all about.
2. GOD DOESN’T NEED YOUR HELP
In the stories of Jacob, Joseph, and Abraham God had promised to do something great. It is interesting that each of them determines to try to help God out so that their dream can be fulfilled. Abraham and Sarah tried to help God out by giving Hagar, Sarah’s handmaid, to Abraham as a second wife. This brought problems into Abraham’s life that he would have to deal with the rest of his life. We should never violate God’s principles in order to accomplish God’s will.
Jacob tried to help God out by stealing his brother’s birthright and blessing. There is a very interesting story that is told in Genesis 30. Jacob put poplar rods in the feeding troughs of cows so that they would produce ring-straked and spotted cattle. This must have been a popular superstition in his day. It did nothing. God was in control, and Jacob just made himself look foolish trying to help God out.
God does not need our help to fulfill His purpose in our life. All He needs is our obedience.
3. GOD HAS NOT FORGOTTEN YOU
It is clear from the story of the patriarchs that God does not forget us. Time can go by in our lives and we can think that God has forgotten the promises He made to us. Abraham waited twenty-four years for the birth of Isaac and laughed when God told him that Sarah would have a child in her old age.
Jacob served a deceitful and wicked man, his Uncle Laban. For twenty years, he was separated from his family. During that time, his father grew old and his mother evidently passed away. It would be easy to think during this long period of trial that God had forgotten. God had not forgotten Jacob, and God has not forgotten you.
4. GOD HAS A PLAN FOR YOUR LIFE
While Jacob was serving Laban for those twenty years, God’s plan had not diminished. God had a plan for Jacob’s life, and it would be completed. God promised to bless Jacob, and He did.
Just as God had a plan for Jacob’s and Joseph’s lives, God has a plan for yours. Keep being faithful to Him.
5. GOD WANTS YOU TO SEEK HIS FACE
The Bible tells us in Genesis 32:24–30, that Jacob wrestled with God. As he wrestles with God, God tells Jacob it is time for Him to go, but Jacob will not allow the LORD to go until he receives his blessing. God wants us to come to a point in our lives where our relationship with Him is more important than anything else. He will allow us to go through times of struggle so that we will seek His face.
Other Lessons
1. GOD WANTS YOU TO BE OBEDIENT TO HIM NO MATTER THE CIRCUMSTANCES
This is obvious from the life of Jacob and the life of Joseph. God visited Jacob and told him to return to his homeland. Of course, that is exactly what Jacob wants to do. Once Jacob determines to do what is right, he heads home. He sends some of his men to let Esau know that he is returning. The last thing he knew about his brother was that he was out to kill him. When the messengers come back from seeing Esau, they return with this message, “Your brother is heading back with 400 men.” Jacob could have determined to run, but instead, he determined to obey God and face Esau and his 400 men.
2. GOD WILL BLESS YOU FOR YOUR OBEDIENCE
The Bible tells us in Genesis 5 that everyone is going to die. The Bible also tells us that Jacob died at a good old age. He lived to be over 130 years old. He was able to see Joseph again and meet his grandchildren. What a blessing! Jacob was disobedient in many things, but because of areas of obedience, God blessed him.
God will bless you if you continue to be obedient to Him in the midst of your difficult circumstances.
3. GOD WILL ALLOW YOU TO REAP WHAT YOU SOW
In Galatians 6:7, we learn the lesson of reaping and sowing. We can see this in the life of Jacob. Jacob had a hard life—twenty years serving Laban. He was fearful of Esau all of his life, and his children dishonored him because of his disobedience. It is true that God is merciful and that, at the end of his life, Jacob received the blessings of God. He also reaped a lot of negative things in his life because he sowed deceit and discord.
what does isaac represent in the bible?
The principle of sowing and reaping is true in every aspect of our lives. It is important to remember that we will reap what we sow.