185 Heber J. He is the God of Jacob. But, the point is, Jacobs life was never one of ease or devoid of challenges and conflicts. The text is silent about the nature of the additional blessing. I am The Strong God. [2] Marion G. Romney, TemplesThe Gates to Heaven, Ensign, March 1971, 16. Through these three persons, God tells us that He is the God of Abraham (the best persons), the God of Isaac (the common persons), and the God of Jacob (the evil persons). The imperfect form of the verb ending Malachi 1:2 implies God's ongoing love for Jacob, while the perfect verb beginning verse 3 shows his settled and unchanging opposition to Esau. But Gods determined ends always come to pass, without a hitch and without delay. Just as God's love implies both affection and loyalty, so hatred in the OT implies loathing and . Here we see the Old Testament at its best, for the recurring problems of the ages are laid bare in an ancient context. We get only Jacobs response to the blessing bestowed upon him at that moment. Is it not candidacy for exaltation? And so, on the other hand, it may be that the most acceptable manner in which they can serve God will be, not by engaging in something unattempted before, but by doing our first works, by reminding ourselves of our covenant vows, and seeking anew that spiritual communion which is the life of our souls.22. Jacobs renewal at Bethel necessitated several actions on Jacobs part. While this may mean little to us, I think that it was of great interest to his first readers, the Israelites, who were about to enter into the land of Canaan. But all of a sudden, when God called him to return to Bethel, he was greatly concerned about purity. Jacob wrestled all night for a blessing in the face of great trial, in which he, his family, and the fulfillment of the covenant all faced annihilation. Galatians 6:7). Gods Word is not always obeyed (sometimes we would better say, not often obeyed), even though God commanded it. And he built an altar there, and called the place El-bethel, because there God had revealed Himself to him, when he fled from his brother. And now I am making one request of you; do not refuse me. And she said to him, Speak. Then he said, Please speak to Solomon the king, for he will not refuse you, that he may give me Abishag the Shunammite as a wife. And Bathsheba said, Very well; I will speak to the king for you. So Bathsheba went to King Solomon to speak to him for Adonijah. But perhaps I am assuming too much. "I am the Lord, your God, Who took you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. . The text says, And he [the divine being] blessed him there. Jacob knew that there could be no approach to God in an impure condition. ; Joshua 4:4-7; I Corinthians 11:26). . Isaacs death is now reported, though it did not take place for another twelve or thirteen years. While Jacob dilly-dallied and drug his feet for ten years, he finally arrived. [13] Hugh Nibley, The Message of the Joseph Smith Papyri: An Egyptian Endowment (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1975), 243. . The threat of a vengeful brother probably cannot be overestimated, for it was a life crisis of staggering proportion. It is possible that she came bearing the news of Rebekahs death and then stayed on with Jacob. . From now on your name is Israel (God-Wrestler)." 11-12 God continued, I am The Strong God. You may unsubscribe from Bible Gateways emails at any time. Verse Concepts. Answer In about a dozen places in the Bible, the Lord God is referred to as the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (e.g., Genesis 50:24; Exodus 3:15; Acts 7:32 ). 18With her last breath, for she was now dying, she named him Ben-oni (Son-of-My-Pain), but his father named him Ben-jamin (Son-of-Good-Fortune). The faith of Jacob must become the faith of his children. He heard the voice of the Lord Jehovah, the premortal Christ, and, as the Apostle John later taught, the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy (Revelation 19:10). Was it of any value to speak again? Now Gods people will be begotten through all the sons of Jacob.20. In Genesis 35:1 Jacob was commanded to return to Bethel, where He had appeared to him. In other words, Rebekah saw all her lifes work, all her planning and teaching about the importance of the Abrahamic covenant, all her care in guarding and guiding its perpetuation according to divine desires, as worthless and wasted if Jacob were to follow in Esaus footsteps. He built an altar there and named it El-Bethel (God-of-Bethel) because thats where God revealed himself to him when he was running from his brother. Before the Lord touched Jacob and crippled him, Jacob probably thought that the fight was pretty evenly matched. So far as we are told, there is only one act of immorality rather than an ongoing relationship. No doubt Deborah was one to whom Jacob felt very attached, especially if he knew that his mother had died. . Reuben, Jacobs firstborn, initiated an illicit sexual union with Bilhah, Rachels maid and later Jacobs concubine. Now the days of Isaac were one hundred and eighty years. Neither does the text say that Jacobs dealings with the Lord constituted the ultimate theophany, or revelation of God, which the scriptures promise to the faithful. God Reveals Himself in History and Here and Now. But Isaac was sixty years old when Jacob was born; 108 + 60 = 168 = Isaacs age when Jacob returned home. They simply had: EGO EIMI HO THEOS SOY - I am y o u r God Is it possible that the pre-Massoretic Hebrew text had a different reading of this passage and similar ones regarding the relationship of God towards Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob? Since every one of us will face times when we have strayed from an intimate walk with God, Genesis 35 provides us with a pattern for finding the way back. But reconciliation with God and the renewal at Bethel necessitated the reconciliation described in verses 27-29. The Doctrine and Covenants tells us that these patriarchs have entered into their exaltation, according to the promises, and sit upon thrones, and are not angels but are gods (D&C 132:37). When God revealed Himself to Jacob at Bethel in the dream, Jacob was a lying, cheating, supplanting scoundrel fleeing for his life. He poured a drink offering on it and anointed it with oil. Then God said to Jacob, "Arise, go up to Bethel and live there, and make an altar there to God, who appeared to you when you fled from your brother Esau.". But then in one light touch, the Lord wiped Jacob out. Then they set out. And He blessed him there. One reason may have been that Rachel, his favorite, had set the precedent when she took with her the household gods of her father (31:19). Some commitments are rashly made, especially by those who are immature. Unfortunately, Apple's iOS doesn't support home screen shortcuts in the Chrome browser. and except the fear of God had been with me, surely you would have sent me away destitute (see Genesis 31:3642). Eventually Joesph reveals himself as their brother, and Jacob and his family move to Egypt as a result. How was Isaac called by God? - Catholic faith available In this passage, God revealed Himself to Jacob through a dream. And Isaac sent away Jacob (Genesis 28:25). Answer Speaking of the nation of Israel, Deuteronomy 7:7-9 tells us, "The LORD did not set His affection on you and choose you because you were more numerous than other peoples, for you were the fewest of all peoples. It is no more nor less than the Lord Jesus Christ Himself, . Nighttime seems to magnify challenges; at night problems seem to weigh particularly heavy on the mind. Jacob had built a house in Succoth (33:17) and formed alliances in Shechem with the Canaanites, which would have brought about the ruin of the nation that was to emerge from Jacobs descendants. Under this same oak tree, it would seem, their gods were put away, and a large stone was set up as a witness to this act (Joshua 24:19-28). Though encounters with translated beings in Jacobs day are not explicitly recorded, those beings certainly existed. 12 We can deduce that some time has passed from two lines of inquiry. When used in this way, the word also often connotes the operation of the principle of divine investiture of authoritythe authorization that God grants to others to speak in His name, even sometimes as though they were God Himself. Genesis 28:16 Commentaries: Then Jacob awoke from his sleep and said For when he got to the place he would later name Bethel, he settled down to spend the night and, while asleep, a marvelous vision was opened to him (see Genesis 28:1115). 18:9ff. Joseph was 30 years old when he was given all this power and authority, along with a new name, and a wife. Now therefore as the LORD lives, who has established me and set me on the throne of David my father, and who has made me a house as He promised, surely Adonijah will be put to death today. So King Solomon sent by Benaiah the son of Jehoiada; and he fell upon him so that he died (I Kings 2:13-25). What Jacob thought about on this first leg of his travels we do not know, but one supposes it was about the covenants of the Lord and promises of obedience. Thus, Gods appearance to Jacob the second time is recorded as though it happened shortly after he returned to the land of Canaan. Soon they must take up the torch of faith, and the purposes of God will be carried on through them. Creation Reveals God. Jacob was correct in his assessment of the danger of staying in that area (cf. Furthermore, this act is not described in terms of lust or sexual desire, such as the incident with Shechem and Dinah (cf. He slept, using a stone for a pillow (verses 10-11). He was brought to the brink of his faith and understanding. Second, there cannot be renewal without separation. How could this promise come to pass if Jacob and his family were annihilated? One cannot help but remark about Jacobs casual attitude toward separation and purity while dwelling in Shechem. He did so by asking Bathsheba to intercede with David for one seemingly harmless and innocent request: Now Adonijah the son of Haggith came to Bathsheba the mother of Solomon. Jacob in the Presence of God The way has been provided in the life, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, Who died in your place and Who offers His righteousness to all who will believe on Him alone for salvation. The first appearance of God was at Bethel, thirty years previous. No doubt Jacob intended to get around to going up to Bethel in time, but there was no hurry in his mind. that when any man obtains this last Comforter, he will have the personage of Jesus Christ to attend him, or appear unto him from time to time, and even He will manifest the Father unto him, and they will take up their abode with him, . Joseph is one of the most well-known male . Christians seem to ever be seeking some new and exhilarating experience. Personally, I view Jacobs reluctance to return to Bethel and to his father as stemming from his sense of guilt and shame. But I must say that it is not our military strength that is going to keep us secure. The angelic ministration during Jacobs return trip appears to have been a sign and a reminder of divine protection and assistance in what surely must have seemed to Jacob an inevitable and intense confrontation with Esau. These Canaanites undoubtedly kept their gods with them (or made new ones) when they were taken captive. His life is a mess. After intense persistence and endurance, Jacob was rewarded with an endowment of power as the divine minister said, for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men (Genesis 32:28). During his sleep, Jacob dreamed about a ladder reaching into the heavens. Verse 9 is unusual in that it almost seems to overlook the time which lapsed between Jacobs departure from Paddan-aram and his going up to Bethel. 19:12ff. In the context of this text, Jacob has fled from Laban, not knowing that Rachel has stolen her fathers household gods (Genesis 31:19-20). How God's Provision Is Revealed Through Joseph's Dreams Stay there and build an altar to the God who revealed himself to you when you were running for your life from your brother Esau., 2-3Jacob told his family and all those who lived with him, Throw out all the alien gods which you have, take a good bath and put on clean clothes, were going to Bethel. Jacobs journey home was remarkable for its continuing theophany. You have changed my wages ten times . One of the names God uses to describe himself is the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Many Christians are unwilling or hesitant to fully commit themselves to God for fear of what that commitment will cost them. Joseph Smith said, apparently to help us understand his own visions: Paul ascended into the third heavens, and he could understand the three principal rounds of Jacobs ladderthe telestial, the terrestrial, and the celestial glories or kingdoms, where Paul saw and heard things which were not lawful for him to utter. And Jacob asked him, and said, Tell me, I pray thee, thy name. God then told Jacob that He would not leave him until He had fulfilled His purpose for him. Study with Quizlet and memorize flashcards containing terms like In Abraham's day the peoples of the Mesopotamian valley were advanced civilizations as evidenced by their trade, libraries, astrology, and use of metals. After his dream and God's words to him, however, he was a man with a future. . After Esau saw that the daughters of Canaan pleased not Isaac his father, he took another wife from the lineage of Ishmael, Abrahams posterity (Genesis 28:89). THEISM THEISM How God Reveals Himself People sometimes wonder whether God exists because they cannot see him. Moreover, this promise has also been fulfilled as Jacobs seed have become Melchizedek Priesthood ministers and missionaries of the name and gospel of God, which gospel will ultimately bring salvation, even eternal life, to everyone who receives it (see Abraham 2:1011). Joseph Reveals Himself | Reformed Bible Studies & Devotionals at Why wont you let me go home in peace? Above the ladder was the Lord Himself, whom Jacob heard and with whom he would make the very same covenant that his grandfather Abraham had madethe same covenant his father, Isaac, had prepared him to receive. Enos said at the beginning of his record that he wanted to tell us of the wrestle which [he] had before God (Enos 1:2). In fact, these adversities and afflictions are the very things which draw us nearer to God and strengthen our faith (cf. Exodus 6:3 Commentaries: and I appeared to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob We cannot thwart the purposes of God for our lives. The third lesson has to do with reaping what we have sown (cf. Let us wrestle for this blessing as we continue to worship in the temples of our God. ), or they act in the place of God (19:10f. . In the Scriptures, however, I see little of this happening, either to Abraham, Isaac, or Jacob. There is not so much as a hint that Esau still intended to carry out his threat from years past that he would get even with Jacob once his father died (cf. He and his people wrought righteousness, and obtained heaven, and sought for the city of Enoch which God had before taken (JST Genesis 14:34). 9-10God revealed himself once again to Jacob, after he had come back from Paddan Aram and blessed him: Your name is Jacob (Heel); but thats your name no longer. These are the sons of Jacob who were born to him in Paddan-aram (Genesis 35:21-26). Matthew 5:23-24). The great promises and blessings proffered to Jacob on this occasion were conditional rather than absolute. And then His purposes will be realized in our lives. Perhaps for a moment or two they looked like empty words and hollow phrases. ; Jgs. We may be like those in the church at Ephesus, who have lost their first love (Revelation 2:4), or those at Laodicea who, due to their wealth and security, considered themselves to be doing well spiritually when they were destitute, cold, and indifferent (Revelation 3:15-17). The Prophet Joseph Smith said, The sacrifice required of Abraham in the offering up of Isaac, shows that if a man would attain to the keys of the kingdom of an endless life; he must sacrifice all things.[10] Furthermore, in an 1833 revelation, the Prophet wrote, Therefore, [the Saints] must needs be chastened and tried, even as Abraham (D&C 101:4). (For further information on this subject, consult the series Guidelines For Guidance, which I did some time ago.). He shows us more of His ways in nature, in Scripture, and in prayer when we become more aware of God's dealings with us. 27:41). . . Jacob's relentless drive to gain benefits for himself reveals how his fears made him resistant to God's transforming grace. On his journey to visit his uncle Laban, Jacob stopped for the night. He was buried with his family by his sons Esau and Jacob. Is there anything so heart-wrenching for a parent as a child of hope choosing to devalue covenants of the eternal family bond or anything so depressing as a loved one who esteems lightly matters of the Spirit? Third, Jacob learned that in his seed, or through his own lineage, all the other families of the earth would be blessed (see Genesis 28:14). He pleaded for deliverance from the impending catastrophe, reminding God that He had told Jacob to leave Padan-aram and that He had also promised Jacob that his posterity would be as innumerable as the sands of the sea. And it came about while Israel was dwelling in that land, that Reuben went and lay with Bilhah his fathers concubine; and Israel heard of it. What Jacob did at Bethel was hardly novel, and what God said to him at His second appearance was nothing new. The messengers returned with gravely distressing news: Esau was coming to meet him with four hundred men. Psalm 20:7, 33:13-22; Isaiah 30:1-3, 15, 31:1, 41:10-16; Jeremiah 5:17, 17:5-8). this [was a] ritual embrace that Jacob received.[13]. We may, of course, resist them, but we cannot prevent them. noun. 27-29Finally, Jacob made it back home to his father Isaac at Mamre in Kiriath Arba, present-day Hebron, where Abraham and Isaac had lived. At Bethel, Jacob had his first temple experience, according to President Romney. Indeed, the Apostle Paul refers to Isaac as Abrahams only begotten son (Hebrews 11:17). Jacob set up a pillar there and poured oil and wine upon it (verse 14). But it . rev. Answer (1 of 2): A keen observer would immediately confirm that GOD was actively present in the life of Jacob from birth: the day he got away with trying to arm-twist GOD into him being first-born? Consequently Jacob must have been ninety-three at Josephs birth and at the time of our chapter 93 + 15, i.e. After bemoaning the fact that Jacob took his family away before he could give them a proper farewell, he got to the real bone of contention demanding the return of his gods. Jacob has finally been broken. I have served you in the day when drought consumed me and at night in frost and sleep departed from my eyes . As God did with Jacob, He reveals Himself to humanity, calling and challenging us to recognize and admit who we are: individuals who seek our own desires, even at the expense of others. The relatives of those who were killed and those taken captive were not inclined to take the actions of Jacobs sons lightly. Now, Jacob was returning and carrying with him those troubles incident to the brotherly conflict with Esau, which had been partially responsible for his flight from Canaan in the first place. In Jacobs mind, his family, as well as the covenant itself, faced annihilation. I have previously suggested that Jacob would have felt obliged to give the tithe that he had promised (28:22), which might have been a bitter pill to swallow. What is the Abrahamic covenant to us? I do not wish to imply that I am in favor of no military defense system or in a weak or obsolete one. 36. God also said to him, I am God Almighty; Be fruitful and multiply; A nation and a company of nations shall come from you, And kings shall come forth from you. And Jacob set up a pillar in the place where He had spoken with him, a pillar of stone, and he poured out a libation on it; he also poured oil on it. This is a lesson which Jonah had to learn the hard way. . Rachel demanded children of her husband out of jealousy toward her sister Leah. What the Bible says about Jacob: Transformation of 45 Then Joseph could not restrain himself before all those who stood by him, and he cried out, "Make everyone go out from me!". How does God reveal Himself to us? | GotQuestions.org Despite his intimate contact with Deity and his temple experience twenty years earlier, the threatening situation with Esau was more than he could comprehend. We can be fully assured that what God has begun, He will finish (Philippians 1:6). Verse 9 takes us somewhat by surprise, for it seems to suggest that God may have made several appearances to Jacob since he had come up from Paddan-aram. But this life crisis set the stage for two events that would confirm forever the course of Jacobs future. Jacob was told of it but did nothing.19 This was probably because the sin had been committed only once and was not repeated. 2 Jacob said to his household and to everyone who was with him, "Get rid of the foreign gods you have with you. First, as the Prophet Joseph Smith indicated, this vision was Jacobs opportunity to begin to comprehend for himself the mysteries of Godliness.[1] From this comment we also know that Jacob was a righteous Melchizedek Priesthood holder, because the Doctrine and Covenants teaches that this greater priesthood administereth the gospel and holdeth the key of the mysteries of the kingdom, even the key of the knowledge of God (D&C 84:19). Virtually nothing new was promised Jacob here, and the former promises given to him at Bethel 30 years before were simply reiterated. Andrew C. Skinner is dean of Religious Education at Brigham Young University. And he said, Jacob. Jacob had to be aware of the presence of the foreign gods in his camp. The Prophet Joseph Smith explained the difference between an angel and a ministering spirit; the one a resurrected or translated body, with its spirit ministering to embodied spiritsthe other a disembodied spirit, visiting and ministering to disembodied spirits.[6] Furthermore, Elder Joseph Fielding Smith indicated that whenever divine messengers had a mission to perform among mortals, those messengers had to have tangible bodies and thus were translated beings. The final lesson is what we might call the certainty of sanctification. Up has reference to the higher altitude of Bethel. Nevertheless, God reveals Himself to him there, and the transformation of Jacob begins. The tragic and painful events of chapter 34 greatly improved Jacobs ability to hear and obey God. At Jabbok, Jacob faced a crossroads. Genesis 35:1. By submitting your email address, you understand that you will receive email communications from Bible Gateway, a division of The Zondervan Corporation, 3900 Sparks Drive SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546 USA, including commercial communications and messages from partners of Bible Gateway. But in the final analysis we will do what God has purposed. Surely, the Lord is in this place; and I knew it not; . These were Jacobs sons, born to him in Paddan Aram. Jacob's Fifth Encounter with God. Zacharias had no children. ; Josh. Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob desired, sought for, wrestled for, and craved the literal presence of God. As with Jacob, the task of turning candidacy into reality is up to us. So Jacob named the place where God had spoken with him, Bethel (Genesis 35:9-15). Jacob would have a long time to prove his loyalty and secure for himself the unconditional guarantee of all the terms of the covenant. Jacob is the most crafty man in the Bible. He is near Bethel but not near to the God of Bethelat least not in chapter 34. . Now there were twelve sons of Jacobthe sons of Leah: Reuben, Jacobs first-born, then Simeon and Levi and Judah and Issachar and Zebulun; the sons of Rachel: Joseph and Benjamin; and the sons of Bilhah, Rachels maid: Dan and Naphtali; and the sons of Zilpah, Leahs maid: Gad and Asher. First, Jacob yearningly prayed to God for safety; second, he wrestled that night for a desperately needed blessing at the hand of Deity (see Genesis 32:913, 2430). And God Almighty bless thee, and make thee fruitful, and multiply thee, that thou mayest be a multitude of people; and give thee the blessings of Abraham, to thee, and to thy seed with thee; that thou mayest inherit the land wherein thou art a stranger, which God gave unto Abraham. In spite of his dramatic encounter with the Angel of Jehovah in chapter 32, Jacob quickly lost any sense of urgency about doing what God had commanded. 1. As Jacob begins to fade from the spotlight, his twelve sons come to the forefront. Joseph Fielding Smith, Doctrines of Salvation, comp. Life seemed to hang in the balance. Joseph Smith taught that all that were ever saved, were saved through the power of this great plan of redemption, as much so before the coming of Christ as since; if not, God has had different plans in operation, (if we may so express it,) to bring men back to dwell with himself; and this we cannot believe.[16].