Jacob: Faith Worships Only God (Hebrews 11:21)

"By faith Jacob, when dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, bowing in worship over the head of his staff." (Hebrews 11:21).

Jacob's Pain

The author to the Hebrews knew a Christian life mixed with even the lightest persecution would be difficult. He imagined his audience, outcast Jewish Christians, no longer accepted in their old Jewish communities, in need of help for their journey. So he told his hearers to live by faith. He quoted Habakkuk, "the just shall live by faith" (Habakkuk 2:4).

Then he went on to describe the life of faith. He spoke of Abraham and Enoch, Abel and Sarah, and other great Old Testament characters who believed God and demonstrated their belief through their actions.

Jacob was one such figure. His story, found in Genesis, was not always filled with faith. He stole his father's blessing through deception. He fled from Esau, his twin brother, because he feared his wrath. And, though God spoke promises of blessing into his life, he endured many trials and pains.

One such pain was the supposed death of his favorite son, Joseph. After having many sons through four different women, Jacob took the son of Rachel and clothed him with a coat of many colors as a sign of his affection.

Joseph, younger than his brothers, was despised by his less favored siblings. Eventually, Joseph dreamed God would put him in a position of prominence over his entire family. When he told his family about these dreams, they hated him. For them, it was the last straw. Eventually, the brothers sold Joseph into slavery and fabricated a story that a wild beast had killed him.

Jacob believed the tale. As the years ticked by, God proved his faithfulness to Joseph, but Jacob had no idea. To him, his son was dead. One day, he sent his sons to Egypt to buy grain because a severe famine had come upon the land. By that time, Joseph had, through God's sovereign interaction, elevated to the second in command in Egypt. Joseph recognized his brothers, they did not recognize him, and he coordinated a way to bring forgiveness and reconciliation back into the family. Everyone rejoiced, Joseph was alive, and Jacob was invited to join the family in Egypt.

Nearing his death, Jacob then decided to bless his sons. But rather than declare a blessing on Joseph, Jacob chose to put a blessing on Joseph's sons. Jacob's other sons would represent various Israelite tribes: the tribe of Reuben, Judah, Dan, and so forth. But there'd be no tribe of Joseph. Instead, Joseph's two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, would become the figureheads of tribes bearing their names. So Jacob, nearing death, declared a blessing upon each of them, following the habit of the family of blessing the younger above the elder.

And when he did, he leaned in worship over the head of his staff. Each word is significant.

Jacob Learned to Crave God

Jacob, you see, was a man in constant pursuit of God's blessing. For much of his life, it seems he craved the blessing of God much more than he craved God. For instance, one night, early in his life while on the run from Esau, God gave Jacob a dream of a ladder descending from heaven with the angels ascending and descending upon it (and him). God put the promise of Abraham and Isaac onto Jacob (not Esau) at that time. When Jacob awoke, he responded, "If God will be with me and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat and clothing to wear, so that I come again to my father's house in peace, then the Lord shall be my God" (Genesis 28:20-21). For Jacob, if God blessed him, then God would be Jacob's God.

Later in his life, before reuniting with Esau, Jacob endured a wrestling match with a mysterious man who had come from God. All night, they struggled. Eventually, the figure said, "Let me go, for the day has broken." But Jacob said, "I will not let you go unless you bless me" (Genesis 32:26).

Both episodes help us understand Jacob. He was in relentless pursuit of God's blessing. His heart more in love with God's blessings than with God.

But, when aiming for blessings, Jacob's life was hard. His beloved wife, Rachel, died in childbirth (Genesis 35:19). Reuben, his oldest son, betrayed him through sexual sin (Genesis 35:22). He lived much of his life believing his favored son Joseph had been killed by wild beasts (Genesis 37:34-35). He endured a time of famine and struggled to provide for his family (Genesis 42:2).

Though all he wanted was blessings, all he got was battles. When he, in his old age, was reunited with Joseph in Egypt, he met Joseph's boss, Pharaoh. He said to Pharaoh, "Few and evil have been the days of the years of my life, and they have not attained to the years of the life of my fathers" (Genesis 47:9). He felt his life was a pain-filled journey.

But, in his last moments, Jacob saw clearly. He had Joseph and Joseph's sons with him. He had his staff, the one he needed because God had dislocated his hip in the wrestling match by the brook. And he worshiped. He had no blessings, but he had God, and God was enough. At that moment, Jacob's faith became dynamic, powerful, and exemplary. Dynamic in that it was alive. Powerful in that it was effective to calm his soul. And exemplary in that it shows us a better path.

God vs. Blessings

You see, we often crave the blessings of God more than God. We want the stuff, not the Savior. But at the end of his life, Jacob had learned. He leaned on his staff, drew his feet up into bed, and with only God, far from the Promised Land and blessings, died. In the end, he realized there is more to life.

And we cannot imagine Jacob wasn't blessed, for he was, to the highest degree. He had discovered how God could bless with flocks and family, but nearer the end of his sojourn, he saw how God blesses in stronger and more invisible ways than those. He learned of peace, contentment, and joy in God. Rest began to permeate his heart. As he worshiped, his worries faded, and his soul became strong. Like a rising flood, gladness developed within.

While his entire life had been a pursuit of the eternal blessings God could give, Jacob finally learned what true blessing from God looks like. For him, "#blessed" no longer meant finer things, but stronger love. He sensed God's favor, calling and promise on his life, and he loved God alone.

Caught in the Good Life

We are easily caught up in the good things of life, making them the ultimate things of life. The community I live in, for example, is known for its naturally beautiful setting. People visit from around the world to witness its perfect collision of land, sky, and sea. As a result, opulence abounds, and the trappings of wealth are easy to find. And if believers aren't careful, the beauty of our homes, the extravagance and ease our modern lives afford us, can collide with our need for God alone. Like a baby in the backseat of the minivan, we can easily get lulled to sleep by the outward blessings of life.

Additionally, we can also become distracted by family, children, friendships, and community. Life is good when relationships are healthy, but we must take care to avoid soul erosion. We cannot forget God amid the good times. We must remember there is more to life, lest the blessings God gives become the idols we worship. Remember, "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change." (James 1:17).

I love Jacob's journey. Watching him come to the end of his life with little, but with God, is inspiring. I know all too easily how much my heart is prone to want the outward blessings of God, and they are often abundantly good, but it is the inward blessings of God which make the most significant impact on my soul. And, in Christ Jesus, I already possess them. Without any work or effort on my part, I have been blessed with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 1:3). His work secured my blessing. I want to run in his great spiritual benefits today, knowing full well I will run in the physical blessings of his utterly new creation tomorrow.