378 - The Transformation of Jacob's Life#
378 - The Transformation of Jacob's Life
(JP Text Group - Shalom Compilation)
Dear family, peace in the Lord, welcome to your arrival.
Genesis 32:22-29
22 He arose that night and took his two wives, his two female servants, and his eleven sons, and crossed over the ford of Jabbok. 23 He took them, sent them over the brook, and sent over what he had. 24 Then Jacob was left alone; and a Man wrestled with him until the breaking of day. 25 Now when He saw that He did not prevail against him, He touched the socket of his hip; and the socket of Jacob’s hip was out of joint as He wrestled with him. 26 And He said, “Let Me go, for the day breaks.” But Jacob said, “I will not let You go unless You bless me!” 27 So He said to him, “What is your name?” He said, “Jacob.” 28 And He said, “Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel; for you have struggled with God and with men, and have prevailed.” 29 Then Jacob asked, saying, “Tell me Your name, I pray.” And He said, “Why is it that you ask about My name?” And He blessed him there.
Let us pray together:
Heavenly Father, we thank and praise You for preparing this time for us. We come before Your Word, allowing our lives to be renewed and changed by Your words, to experience You more in our lives. We do not wish to struggle on our own; we want to rely on Your Word. You have overcome this world and can lead us to victory with ease! Even in difficult circumstances, You still have ways and abundant blessings. We completely surrender this time to the Holy Spirit to lead us. In the name of our Lord Jesus, we pray, Amen!
The topic of sharing is: The Transformation of Jacob's Life.
The events recorded in Genesis 32 have significant meaning in the entire history of salvation. It mentions a man named Jacob, who eventually transformed into Israel. In the Bible, the descendants of Abraham, chosen and called by God, are referred to as Hebrews. After Jacob was renamed Israel, they were also called Israelites. Subsequently, they established a nation named after Jacob, who later became Israel, and even the nation of Israel derives its name from him.
This article describes Jacob fleeing from his uncle Laban's house, preparing to return home, and arriving at the ford of Jabbok, where God changed his life. This place was a turning point in his life. Previously, he had deceived his brother Esau, spending twenty years scheming and using improper means to deceive and seize his brother's birthright and blessing. At that time, Esau was ready to kill him, and he was filled with great fear and anxiety.
Before he was to return, he heard that his brother was coming to meet him with four hundred men, and he was extremely afraid and uneasy. Just when he was in extreme anxiety, a man came from God and wrestled with him all night. When dawn was approaching, that one touched Jacob's hip socket, and Jacob's leg became lame. Jacob's spirit was greatly shaken; he realized that the one who touched him was not an ordinary person but an angel of God with great power. So he held onto that person, refusing to let him go, and asked for a blessing. The man said that from then on, he should no longer be called Jacob but Israel!
The first point of sharing: Jacob's early life was one of grasping.
Jacob, with his twin brother, was born after his mother had been barren for a long time. About twenty years after their marriage, they prayed to God, and God granted Rebekah grace and mercy, allowing her to give birth to these two children. For their family, especially for his mother, this was God's grace and care! However, when his mother gave birth, she was already of advanced age, and having these two children posed great risks and challenges. Moreover, Jacob came out grasping his brother Esau's heel, which clearly indicated that his mother faced great difficulties and suffering during their birth. His mother named him Jacob, which means "grasp."
Genesis 25:24-26:
24 So when her days were fulfilled for her to give birth, indeed there were twins in her womb. 25 And the first came out red. He was like a hairy garment all over; so they called his name Esau. 26 Afterward his brother came out, and his hand took hold of Esau's heel; so his name was called Jacob. Isaac was sixty years old when she bore them.
Jacob, true to his name, as can be seen from the scriptures from Genesis 25 to 32, truly exemplified the act of grasping before the ford of Jabbok, scheming to seize fame and wealth to the extent of losing family ties, even at the cost of familial relationships, going to great lengths to seek benefits for himself! It can be said that Jacob's early life was filled with planning and scheming for himself, which is a reflection of many people's lives today.
Jacob's scheming grasp led to the complete loss of brotherly affection, turning brothers into enemies! We see many people who still do not understand this truth, thinking that money and fame are the most important, spending their lives grasping for these things, ultimately losing family, friendship, and love! Esau, perhaps slow to react, fell for his brother's tricks several times and, when he lost his original status, property, and blessing, decided to kill him.
In Genesis 28, at that time, Jacob began to flee from his brother Esau's pursuit, having to escape in a hurry, leaving his original home with nowhere to go. He later ended up at his uncle Laban's house, working for him for twenty years. Although Laban became his father-in-law, he was even more harsh than Jacob. He changed Jacob's wages ten times. Reading the Bible, we find that Jacob relied on his cleverness and competitiveness, spending twenty years in this scheming environment. It seemed he gained some benefits and did not suffer losses, accumulating much wealth, yet he still lacked a sense of security. His wives were not harmonious with him, and his children had poor relationships with him, leading to constant strife in the family.
Perhaps Jacob grew weary of this life and decided to leave his uncle and return home. However, leaving his uncle was not easy, so he conspired with his wives and left Laban's house. From a spiritual perspective, Jacob's ability to leave unscathed was due to God's protection! Over these twenty years, Jacob was able to retain his wealth because of God's safeguarding! But the problem was that Jacob had not relied on God for the past twenty years; he had relied solely on himself.
As a child, he may have heard stories about Jehovah God from his parents but did not take them to heart. On the night he left home alone, God appeared to him once again, speaking clearly and making a covenant with him. However, for the next twenty years, Jacob continued to live by his own schemes. From the Bible, it seems that Jacob did not rely on God or pray to Him; he had no such testimony.
Although he had encountered God in Bethel twenty years ago, for nearly twenty years, he lived in conflict, relying on his cleverness to contend with Laban and others, and later often contending with his own children! Jacob's life actually represents many believers who, after believing, still rely on themselves. In difficult times, they may learn to pray to God and negotiate with Him, but once the situation eases, they revert to relying on their own cleverness and strategies when dealing with their brothers and sisters. Some even use these tactics and schemes to establish churches. Such people may ultimately end up like Jacob, with nothing! Many people always want to grasp more in this world. Jacob's life was not happy, and he often worried about losing what he had worked so hard to earn, lacking a sense of security! He did not realize that all of this was given to him by God.
The second point of sharing: The turning point in Jacob's life.
Jacob arrived at the ford of Jabbok, ready to cross the river the next day. On this side of the river, he had his family, cattle, camels, and flocks, which could serve as a natural barrier. However, after crossing the river, he would have to face the person he had wronged in the past, his brother Esau. At the ford of Jabbok, Jacob still relied on his unique cleverness and adopted a strategy that he believed would minimize losses: Jacob divided his wives, concubines, children, and flocks into two groups and sent them across the river first.
Genesis 32:7-8:
7 Jacob was greatly afraid and distressed; and he divided the people that were with him, and the flocks and herds and camels, into two companies. 8 And he said, “If Esau comes to the one company and attacks it, then the other company which is left will escape.”
When faced with problems, Jacob's first reaction was not to pray to God but to use his own means and supposed cleverness to strategize. He had prepared to confront his brother and flee, thinking that with these strategies, he could minimize losses. He positioned himself at the back of the group, ready to escape quickly if any trouble arose!
Brothers and sisters, I share this to encourage you not to follow Jacob's old path. Life is unpredictable; we do not know what lies ahead, just as Jacob did not know how to proceed at the ford of Jabbok! When we are unsure of our direction, it is not advisable to rely on cleverness and so-called wisdom; instead, we should pray to God! Especially when facing problems, we must learn to rely on God! When Jacob faced the unknown ahead, he finally remembered to pray to God.
Genesis 32:9-12:
9 Jacob said, “O God of my father Abraham, and God of my father Isaac, the Lord who said to me, ‘Return to your country and to your family, and I will deal well with you’: 10 I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies and of all the truth which You have shown Your servant; for I crossed over this Jordan with my staff, and now I have become two companies. 11 Deliver me, I pray, from the hand of my brother Esau, for I fear him, lest he come and attack me and the mother with the children. 12 For You said, ‘I will surely treat you well, and make your descendants as the sand of the sea, which cannot be numbered for multitude.’”
Jacob had already made his plans and felt uneasy, which led him to pray to God! At that time, praying to God was not his only reliance; it was at most an additional layer of assurance. Nevertheless, God still heard Jacob's prayer. Jacob was clever; he knew to grasp God's promises in prayer. That night, Jacob sent everyone across the river, leaving only himself behind.
From this arrangement, it can be seen that Jacob truly cared only for himself. We should be cautious of friends around us; if a person is willing to grasp at all costs, such as seeking fame and fortune, they may claim to care about you, but the truth is that they only care about themselves and will not consider your well-being.
Did Jacob love Rachel? Yes, he loved Rachel. Did he love his flocks? Yes, he loved his flocks. But when his life was threatened, he sent all of them across the ford of Jabbok, leaving himself behind! Even when he was alone, he was still afraid and remembered God. Therefore, brothers and sisters, we must be careful not to befriend such people. If danger arises, they will certainly not care about your well-being and may even push you to the front. Returning to Jacob's situation, why would God listen to the prayer of such a calculating person with no good deeds and a significant psychological burden?
Looking at verses 9-12, there is a very important point: Jacob's prayer was in accordance with God's will. Many people often ask me how to pray according to God's will. If you pray aimlessly, God will not fulfill it... This is true. How can you pray according to God's will? It's simple: grasp the promises God has given us and pray based on those promises.
You only need to hold onto these promises, regardless of your behavior. Jacob's behavior was quite poor; you could say he was alienated from his family or that he was calculating only for himself, but he prayed to God. He said, "O Lord, God of my father Abraham, and God of my father Isaac!" He had never acknowledged that this God was his God; he referred to Him as the God of his ancestors!
The phrase "You said to me" is also very important. When we pray, we do not want everyone to be cunning like Jacob; instead, we hope everyone will grasp God's promises like Jacob! We must recognize that this God is indeed the God of Abraham and Isaac, but He is also your God! How do you grasp God's promises in prayer? You can also say, "You said to me," for God told Jacob to return to his country and family, promising to treat him well. This was God's promise to Jacob, and Jacob grasped this word and began to pray to God.
Verse 10 says, "I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies and of all the truth which You have shown Your servant; for I crossed over this Jordan with my staff, and now I have become two companies."
In fact, this statement is somewhat flattering and not heartfelt. He knew that God had shown him grace; if he had initially remembered God's love, he would not have acted as he did earlier. He knew these blessings were given to him by God, but he had never relied on God for his life, which is very unfortunate. Now, under duress, he began to grasp God's promises and pray for God to save his life.
Verse 11 states, "Deliver me, I pray, from the hand of my brother Esau; for I fear him, lest he come and attack me and the mother with the children."
Brothers and sisters, he truly had no other choice but to pray to God, as his life was threatened, and his schemes and calculations were ineffective. He feared for his life and prayed to God very specifically: "Deliver me from the hand of my brother Esau." This is also something worth learning: when you pray, grasp God's promises and be specific about what you want God to do for you. When Jesus was preaching, He often asked those who sought Him, "What do you want Me to do for you?" The person replied, "Lord, that I may receive my sight." Jesus said, "According to your faith, let it be done to you!" Jacob wanted God to do one thing for him: to save him from his brother Esau's hand. When he prayed to God, he was grasping God's promises.
In verse 12, "You said," I hope everyone today can grasp God's promises in prayer through Jacob's example. We can also say, "Lord, Your promises have spoken to me; Your words have said..." This is something worth imitating! At that time, Jacob said, "You said: 'I will surely treat you well and make your descendants as the sand of the sea, which cannot be numbered for multitude.'" Here, Jacob was being somewhat clever. He said, "If You do not save me from my brother's hand today, if I die at his hands, then that promise cannot be fulfilled. You told me You would treat me well and make my descendants as numerous as the sand of the sea. Now, if I and my wife and children are killed, Your words cannot come to pass!"
Jacob was not genuinely praying to his Lord as a servant; he was truly out of options. He grasped this promise and made it a condition for exchange with God. Why was Jacob able to do this that night? It was because he truly had no other way out! We must not learn this point; we should rely on Him daily and live by His words before things become so dire. Jacob had good plans, but now he faced unexpected events, and his life underwent a complete transformation.
Genesis 32:24: "Then Jacob was left alone; and a Man wrestled with him until the breaking of day."
Jacob sent his wives, children, and all his possessions across the river, and he stayed behind to see what would happen on the other side. At that moment, a man came and wrestled with him. Clearly, this was not an ordinary person; these two wrestled all night! Jacob was likely determined, thinking, "I cannot lose; I must win; I still have to confront my brother tomorrow!" Such a person truly lives a very exhausting life! Jesus said, "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."
Many Christians live this way, which is very unfortunate! As dawn approached, Jacob seemed to be on the verge of victory in wrestling with that person, but he suddenly realized at daybreak that he had no chance of winning against the one wrestling with him. When that one touched his hip socket, his leg became lame, and he realized that he was facing God's messenger, coming to understand God's power! He had always relied on himself, but now, out of options, having exhausted all his methods, he could only hold onto this messenger of God, unable to escape. His own methods were ineffective, so he clung to this messenger of God, refusing to let him go, and asked for a blessing.
Genesis 32:26-29:
26 And He said, “Let Me go, for the day breaks.” But Jacob said, “I will not let You go unless You bless me!” 27 So He said to him, “What is your name?” He said, “Jacob.” 28 And He said, “Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel; for you have struggled with God and with men, and have prevailed.” 29 Then Jacob asked, saying, “Tell me Your name, I pray.” And He said, “Why is it that you ask about My name?” And He blessed him there.
Let me explain this passage. Many people refer to this scripture and say that if God has not fulfilled something for us, we must be like Jacob, holding onto God's feet and not letting Him go until He blesses us! In fact, under the New Covenant, this situation cannot occur. As long as you willingly pray to God, He is eager to give you all His blessings. How could there be a situation where He does not want to bless you, and you have to hold onto Him to prevent Him from leaving? Such a situation does not exist.
The reason for writing this passage is to reveal Jacob's true inner state. If this angel of God wanted to leave, do you think Jacob could truly hold onto him? He could not! That one came specifically to bless him; God had been blessing Jacob for these twenty years, but Jacob's eyes were not opened, and he did not see God's blessings, thinking it was all due to his own efforts.
Many believers are like this, relying solely on their own efforts and not seeing God's blessings. If it were not for God's protection, he would not have received so many blessings! The man asked him, "What is your name?" He replied, "My name is Jacob." The name Jacob means "grasp," relying on his own means to seize what belongs to others and even to grasp God's blessings. The man said, "From now on, your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel." What does Israel mean? In Hebrew, Israel has two meanings: one is "prince of God," and the other is "to struggle with God and prevail." The one said to him, "Do not call yourself Jacob anymore; call yourself Israel."
It depends on how you understand it. If you understand it as "I have wrestled with God and prevailed," then you will continue to rely on your own cleverness and wisdom to live. There is another understanding: believe that you are a prince of God, no longer relying on grasping what belongs to others to become your own, but trusting that God is your giver of blessings. After receiving God's blessings, you can become a giver.
In fact, the ford of Jabbok represents Jacob's transformation in life. This experience took place in a very short time, but it changed Jacob into Israel. He no longer made grasping the main part of his life but became someone who could give. Thus, from chapter 32 onward, sometimes God refers to him as Jacob, and sometimes as Israel. Whenever the name Israel is mentioned, he recognizes himself as a prince of God, able to bless others and do the right things. When God still calls him Jacob, it indicates that he is still relying on himself to grasp! This also foreshadows the believer's life, sometimes relying on God and sometimes relying on oneself.
However, our Lord hopes that we will completely submit to God, allowing our Lord to supply everything. We only need to grasp God's promises to live, and we must not place all our focus on people, hoping to grasp a little more from them. This is all temporary and unreliable. Even if you grasp these blessings, the speed of loss may be very fast because the Bible tells us that money has wings and will fly away one day. Only what God gives you is solid.
In one night, he originally thought that his family would pay the price for his mistakes and prepared to face swords and danger, only to find that he could not exert his strength; his leg was lame. If Esau sought revenge, he would have to face it personally. After Jacob became Israel, he became a true warrior, receiving blessings and strength from God to face his life.
The third point of sharing: Jacob's later life was a life of blessing.
Genesis 33:3-4:
3 He himself went on before them and bowed down to the ground seven times as he approached his brother. 4 But Esau ran to meet Jacob and embraced him; he threw his arms around his neck and kissed him. And they wept.
After the angel blessed Jacob and said that his name would be Israel, he ran like a warrior to the front of the two groups, no longer pushing the two groups forward and placing himself last. He needed to think and see how things were going ahead. Now blessed by God, he had strength and ran to the front of the group, displaying great humility, bowing down to the ground seven times before approaching his brother. Before he met his brother, he bowed down at least seven times. If he had been this humble from the beginning, there would not have been so many issues. Esau, interestingly, ran to meet him as if nothing had ever happened.
I want to ask everyone a question: do you think it was Jacob's piety that touched Esau's heart, or did God change Esau's heart? The same question can have different answers from different people. Personally, I believe that God gave Jacob promises, but before he saw the results, he was still very afraid and worried. When he met his brother, he genuinely felt he could not prevail against him and bowed down in humility. This humility was real, but what Jacob did not know was that God had already changed Esau's heart! If you do not live relying on God's promises, you will always encounter problems that cause fear and worry. But those who trust in the Lord will find rest, Amen.
Psalm 127:1-2:
1 Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it; unless the Lord guards the city, the watchman stays awake in vain. 2 It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows; for so He gives His beloved sleep.
What does this passage mean? It seems that people are building houses, but if God does not protect what they build, all their efforts are in vain. Take Jacob's situation as an example: Jacob, in order to have his own possessions, used strange methods during the breeding of the sheep. In fact, if God does not bless him, even with those clever tricks, there will be no results. Jacob always thought that what he gained was due to his cleverness and wisdom, but it was actually given to him by God, Amen.
Unless the Lord guards the city, the watchman stays awake in vain. This means that relying on our own cleverness, wisdom, and abilities cannot block all the breaches in life. There will always be oversights; we are imperfect beings. When we encounter natural dangers and difficulties, we realize how small we are. If we recognize this, we should look up to God.
Unless the Lord guards the city, the watchman stays awake in vain. God protects you and what you do; that is the reality. Every day, we should thank the Lord for what we have in our hands, Hallelujah! Thank God for our businesses, our families, and our possessions, for He is the one guarding and watching over all of this; otherwise, it would all become meaningless!
You rise early in the morning and lie down at night, eating the bread of your labor; if you rely on yourself, all of this becomes meaningless, and you never know when problems will arise. Only those whom the Lord loves will find rest, meaning that if you believe you are loved by God, you can trust that God will protect everything about you. Even if problems arise, God will help you get through them safely, and you will surely sleep well at night!
Why is it that as technology advances, many people suffer from severe insomnia? This is a common phenomenon because there are too many worries in their hearts, too many things to be concerned and afraid of! But if you learn to rely on God and live humbly, there will be no problems; God will surely protect what you do, Hallelujah! Just as God had already changed Esau's heart, even without needing to be so humble, God had already prepared everything, Amen! Jacob's life truly experienced God and transformed into a life of giving, which actually began when he encountered his son Joseph.
Genesis 45:25-28:
25 Then they went up out of Egypt and came to the land of Canaan to Jacob their father. 26 And they told him, saying, “Joseph is still alive, and he is governor over all the land of Egypt.” And Jacob’s heart stood still because he did not believe them. 27 But when they told him all the words which Joseph had said to them, and when he saw the carts which Joseph had sent to carry him, the spirit of Jacob their father revived. 28 Then Israel said, “It is enough! Joseph my son is still alive. I will go and see him before I die.”
Although after the ford of Jabbok, Jacob recognized this God, many times he still relied on himself. This is truly the unfortunate part of Jacob's life. He became a life that gives after encountering his son Joseph. We know that in the Bible, Joseph symbolizes the heavenly Jesus Christ. In other words, a person's heart can only change when they personally encounter Jesus Christ. Otherwise, they will only hear others' testimonies and read about that God in the Bible, never having personally experienced Him. Although his life underwent some changes, it was still inconsistent. Unless one personally experiences this God and encounters Jesus, their life will change.
Let’s look at Genesis 45; the verses we just read are quite interesting. After Jacob's other sons returned home and told him that Joseph was not dead but was now the governor of Egypt, Jacob's heart stood still because he did not believe them. Have you noticed that he had turned his family into this state? He had always relied on his cleverness and scheming, resulting in a lack of trust between him and his children. His sons told him everything Joseph had said to them, and Jacob's heart began to change!
Brothers and sisters, if similar situations arise in your family, with poor relationships with others, family members, or children, and everything is going wrong, where is the solution? The answer lies in hearing the words of Christ and allowing others to tell you everything about Christ! Do not impose your own understanding on them.
If Jacob's sons had imposed their understanding on Jacob, his heart would have remained still, with no change. But they told him everything Joseph had said to them. Joseph's words had power, and Jacob's heart began to turn. When he saw the carts Joseph had sent to carry him, this was a testimony.
First, we must place God's words in our hearts for our hearts to move. Secondly, we must see the testimonies of what God has done to believe! Many people often make the mistake of wanting to tell others the testimonies first, hoping they will believe. In fact, we should first give them the words of Jesus, allowing God's words to take root in their hearts before showing them what Jesus has done and the real testimonies left by Jesus. Then their hearts will awaken!
In verse 28, the titles change. Previously, Jacob would say this or that, and his heart would stand still. In Genesis 45:28, it says, "Then Israel said, 'It is enough! Joseph my son is still alive. I will go and see him before I die.'"
Have you noticed that God used another name here, Israel? This means that only when our inner life is fully connected to Jesus can we restore our identity as God's children and princes to do things. Although Jacob was already a prince of God, he had been living like a servant, pitifully struggling on this earth, relying on himself and fighting, which was exhausting. I hope brothers and sisters remember that you are princes of God, Amen! We should not be called Israel today and Jacob tomorrow. Jacob represents a life of grasping, relying on his own cleverness and wisdom to seize everything; whereas Israel represents a prince's identity. A prince does not need to grasp because everything is freely given by the father.
By believing in Jesus Christ, you are also children of God, princes of God. There is no need to grasp everything like the world does, whether in church service, family life, or work. In any situation, pray to God: "Lord, Your promises have spoken to me." Tell God your intentions, and God will bless what you do, Hallelujah! Then you will find rest! When Jacob truly saw Joseph, his life changed.
Genesis 47:7-11:
7 Then Joseph brought in his father Jacob and set him before Pharaoh; and Jacob blessed Pharaoh. 8 Pharaoh asked Jacob, “How old are you?” 9 Jacob said to Pharaoh, “The days of the years of my pilgrimage are one hundred and thirty years; few and evil have been the days of the years of my life, and they have not attained to the days of the years of the life of my fathers in the days of their pilgrimage.” 10 So Jacob blessed Pharaoh, and went out from before Pharaoh. 11 And Joseph situated his father and his brothers, and gave them a possession in the land of Egypt, in the best of the land, in the land of Rameses, as Pharaoh had commanded.
What do we see from this passage? Joseph brought his father Jacob before Pharaoh. If one day our lives are willing to follow Jesus, Jesus will lead us before those in power, rather than relying on our own cleverness to seize all blessings. God will bring you before these people. What will you do? Bless them, just as Jacob blessed Pharaoh!
Brothers and sisters, there is a spiritual principle: the one with a higher position blesses the one with a lower position. Do you know who has a higher position? In the spiritual realm, your position is high, so you should bless others! Do not always think about what you can take from others; that would make you of a lower position, Amen. Please remember that you are princes of God, Hallelujah!
The dialogue between Jacob and Pharaoh is very interesting. When Pharaoh asked Jacob, "How old are you?" it was essentially asking, "Old man, how old are you now?" Jacob reflected on his past life, which was indeed bitter and exhausting! He said to Pharaoh, "The days of my pilgrimage are one hundred and thirty years; few and evil have been the days of the years of my life."
Brothers and sisters, have you ever thought that long ago, when he was young, God promised him: "I will bless you, and I will bless you and your descendants. Your descendants will be as numerous as the stars in the sky!" Is this not God's blessing? His grandfather also received such a blessing from God. His life was not filled with bitterness and hardship; yet now he says, "I have not attained to the days of the years of my fathers in the days of their pilgrimage." But the promises he received were exactly the same as those of his ancestors!
What I want to convey is that the words, promises, and blessings we receive from God are the same. Some Christians live like Joseph, filled with power, blessings, and rest; while others live like Jacob, with days that are few and bitter. Why do they feel their days are few and bitter? They have lived for one hundred thirty years, yet most of those years were spent scheming, grasping this and that, calculating this person and that person. Such a life is exhausting, and when they reach one hundred thirty years, they look back and see how many days were wasted!
Therefore, I do not wish for anyone to waste their days fighting for blessings. Our blessings are given by God, and we need to grasp God's promises to live. I still suggest that everyone take some time each day to read the Bible and listen to sermons, allowing God's words to fill your heart. Then you will not fluctuate between being Israel and Jacob. I hope everyone will always be Israel, following in the footsteps of Jesus. The places Jesus leads us to are filled with blessings, and not only will we be blessed, but we can also become a blessing to others, Hallelujah!
Genesis 47:10 says: "Jacob blessed Pharaoh again."
Have you noticed that Jacob has changed at this point? Why is it that this passage does not refer to him as Israel? It is because Joseph brought him before Pharaoh. I have been emphasizing that Joseph symbolizes our Jesus Christ. In other words, Jesus accepts you as you are, willing to walk with you in your original state and then change you, transforming your life of grasping into a life of blessing! You are a prince of God, and your life of blessing will manifest.
At the beginning, we need someone to lead us in our faith life, guiding us to declare and speak the right words. Why? Because without mutual supervision and encouragement, it is easy to live with past thinking. This is why it is said that new believers need someone to guide them; without guidance, they will live their faith life using secular methods. After some time, as their lives, thoughts, and experiences of Jesus increase through listening to sermons, reading the Bible, and sharing testimonies, they will change, Hallelujah!
Have you noticed what happened after he blessed Pharaoh? Pharaoh did not receive his blessing for free! In Genesis 47:11, "Joseph obeyed Pharaoh's command and gave his father and brothers a possession in the land of Egypt, in the best of the land, in the land of Rameses."
Isn't this the simplest thing? Previously, he always wanted to turn what belonged to others into his own. His relationships with his children and brothers were poor because he always wanted to seize what belonged to others. In the end, he gained nothing, losing his family and friends. When Jacob became a life that continuously blesses others, he effortlessly obtained what he had not received before, and the blessings he received were the best!
Egypt was the most powerful empire at that time, and what he received was the best land in Egypt, which was not earned through his cunning or scheming but was given to him by Pharaoh. Joseph did not go against Pharaoh's wishes; it was Pharaoh who willingly wanted to give these possessions to Jacob after receiving Jacob's blessing. As children of God, we are princes! A prince continuously blesses others! How can your business grow? It is simple: use what you do to become a blessing to many. How do you become a successful person? It is simple: use your words to build others up or help more people succeed with what you do, and you will be the most successful, Amen!
Jacob blessed Pharaoh and received great blessings himself, which became his inheritance. Therefore, we must rely on Jesus' words to live. You already have the best teacher and the best provider—our Heavenly Father. There is no need to scheme against others or harm them with cunning! Even if there are people around you who do this, I suggest you distance yourself from such people. There is no need for that; we are the recipients of blessings, receiving blessings from God and then giving blessings away. You should become such a person, continuously living a life that blesses others! Genuine blessings, not superficial ones, which can be quite exhausting.
Regardless of the current environment, you should look up to our Heavenly Father, for there are abundant blessings above. Use your mouth to declare God's promises every day and to bless those around you, Amen! Jacob's transformation of life began when he recognized Joseph; your transformation of life begins when you experience Jesus! May each brother and sister experience the power of Jesus in the new week, changing your family and your life, turning your later life into one that continuously blesses others, Hallelujah!
Let us pray together:
Heavenly Father, we thank and praise You for awakening us through these words, allowing us to see Jacob's life, which relied on himself and lived a life that was few, bitter, and exhausting! We do not wish for our lives to be wasted in this way. Lord, You placed this experience in the Bible to prevent us from walking the old path of Jacob, granting us wisdom and vision to see that Jesus is always with us, and the Holy Spirit accompanies us, giving us wisdom and strength every day. Help us to grasp Your promises and live; I do not look at how others in the world live; I want to grasp Your promises and live because You bless me and give me Your promises, not because of my good behavior, but because You have spoken these words. I believe in the eternal covenant You made with me through Jesus, allowing me to receive such blessings from You.
I am willing to grasp Your promises and live, transforming me into a person who continuously gives, sharing what You have given me with more people. Thank You and praise You; all glory belongs to You. In the name of our Lord Jesus, we pray, Amen. Jesus loves you!