Nazarene Israelite Two House Congregation of Port Elizabeth
What can we learn from the lives of Jacob and Job?
Most people know Jacob as the father of the twelve tribe nation, known in the Scriptures as the children of Israel. Jacob was like those of us called out of the religions of the world, born into a family that G-d had chosen and was working with. His father Isaac was the son of Abraham and Sarah and G-d chose to work with their descendants. Jacob’s father Isaac was a righteous man and like his father Abraham, he was a servant of G-d. As a result Jacob was blessed with an abundant life with enough to eat and wear.
Even so, whilst Jacob was growing up he most probably did not think about his blessings much. Like many siblings Jacob and his brother Esau were very different in character and as a result were not very close. Isaac, Jacob’s father spent more time with Esau, because Esau was an outdoors type and liked hunting and roughing it in the wild, whilst Jacob felt closer to his mother, Rebekah. Because Esau was the first born son in their family, he was therefore also the one to receive a double portion of the family inheritance. Knowing that, Jacob was obviously concerned and as a result, when his brother came home from one of his many expeditions in the wild absolutely famished, Jacob saw his chance to negotiate with Esau for his birthright to the family inheritance.We read the account in Genesis 25: 27 – 34, in this way: ‘When the boys grew up, Esau became a skillful hunter, a man of the field, but Jacob was a peaceful man living in tents. (28) Now Isaac loved Esau, because he had a taste for game; but Rebekah loved Jacob. (29) And when Jacob had cooked stew, Esau came in from the field and he was famished; (30) and Esau said to Jacob, “Please let me have a swallow of that red stuff there, for I am famished.” Therefore his name was Edom(meaning red). (31) But Jacob said, “First sell me your birthright.” (32) And Esau said, “Behold, I am about to die; so of what use then is the birthright to me?” (33) And Jacob said, “First swear to me”; so he swore to him, and sold his birthright to Jacob. (34) Then Jacob gave Esau bread and lentil stew; and he ate and drank, and rose and went on his way. Thus Esau despised his birthright.’
Even though we as modern day descendants of Jacob do not think much of the discussion between these two brothers, HASHEM was not pleased that Esau gave up his birthright for a meal of lentil stew, as witnessed in Malachi 1: 2 – 4, as follows: “I have loved you,” says HASHEM. But you say, “How hast Thou loved us?” “Was not Esau Jacob’s brother?” declares HASHEM. “Yet I have loved Jacob; (3) but I have hated Esau, and I have made his mountains a desolation, and appointed his inheritance for the jackals of the wilderness.”(4)Though Edom says, ‘We have been beaten down, but we will return and build up the ruins”; thus says HASHEM of hosts, ‘They may build, but I will tear down; and men will call them the wicked territory, and the people toward whom HASHEM is indignant forever.” Rebekah, their mother later contrived a scheme to ensure that Jacob will receive the inheritance legitimately, by instructing Jacob to obtain his father’s blessing by disguising himself as his brother Esau. As a result of this, Esau became bitter against his brother Jacob, and he swore to kill him. Jacob had to flee from his parent’s home and went trekking across the barren wilderness not knowing what lay ahead in the future. One night whilst he was sleeping under the stars with a rock as his pillow, Jacob heard G-d speak to him in a dream. We read the account from Genesis 28: 12 & 13, in this way: ‘And he had a dream, and behold, a ladder was set on the earth with its top reaching to heaven; and behold, the angels of G-d were ascending and descending on it. (13) And behold, HASHEM stood above it and said, ‘I am HASHEM the G-d of your father Abraham and the G-d of Isaac; the land on which you lie, I will give it to you and to your descendants.’
In a dramatic vision G-d told Jacob that He would work with him the same way He did with Abraham his grandfather and Isaac his father. Jacob wondered if he will ever see his family again, upon which HASHEM tells him in verses 14 & 15, saying: “Your descendants shall also be like the dust of the earth, and you shall spread out to the west and to the east and to the north and to the south; and in you and in your descendants shall all the families of the earth be blessed.” (15) And behold, I am with you, and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land; for I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.” HASHEM promised Jacob a country, children and protection but also that He would bring him back home one day in the future. However, at this time HASHEM did not tell Jacob that He would be Jacob’s G-d, since he wanted Jacob to make that decision for himself. Rav Shaul tells us in first Corinthians 7: 14 that even if one parent of a family is converted and follow the way of G-d, the children are also set-apart, saying: ‘For the unbelieving husband is sanctified through his wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified through her believing husband; for otherwise your children are unclean, but now they are holy.’ Therefore our children and grandchildren still have a chance to have a relationship with G-d in a similar way that we are having. We read a second witness about this in Isaiah 61: 6 - 9, showing how we will be priests to G-d and how our children will be blessed during the millennium, in this way: ‘But you will be called the priests of HASHEM; you will be spoken of as ministers of our G-d. You will eat the wealth of nations, and in their riches you will boast. (7) Instead of your shame you will have a double portion, and instead of humiliation they will shout for joy over their portion. Therefore they will possess a double portion in their land, everlasting joy will be theirs. (8) For I, HASHEM, love justice, I hate robbery in the burnt offering; and I will faithfully give them their recompense, and I will make an everlasting covenant with them. (9) Then their offspring will be known among the nations, and their descendants in the midst of the peoples. All who see them will recognize them because they are the offspring whom HASHEM has blessed.’ We read further about this from Isaiah 44: 2 – 3, as follows: ‘Thus says HASHEM who made you and formed you from the womb, who will help you, ‘Do not fear, O Jacob My servant; and you Jeshurun whom I have chosen. (3) For I will pour out water on the thirsty land and streams on the dry ground; I will pour out My Spirit on your offspring, and My blessing on your descendants.’ However, G-d has given every human being freedom of choice; He will never force His will on us. Instead it is our responsibility to let Him know what we want.
Although Jacob did not at the time accept HASHEM as His G-d, HASHEM told him that He would be with him wherever he goes. What a fantastic promise – imagine if you have that guarantee from HASHEM. It would mean that He will be with you when you are trying to get a suitable job; when you are not feeling well; when you are discouraged; and even when you are preparing for a test. This had a tremendous influence on Jacob’s life, knowing that G-d would always be with Him. When Jacob woke up from his sleep that night, HASHEM was no longer the G-d who only spoke to his father and grandfather; HASHEM had now also communicated with him. It was at this point that Jacob made a vow as recorded in Genesis 28: 20 – 22, saying: “If G-d will be with me and will keep me on this journey that I take, and will give me food to eat and garments to wear, (21) and I return to my father’s house in safety, then HASHEM will be my G-d. (22) And this stone, which I have set up as a pillar, will be G-d’s house; and of all that Thou dost give me I will surely give a tenth to Thee.” Similar to some of us, when we were new to the faith in G-d, Jacob bargains with G-d. It is only later when we truly get to know who G-d really is; we realize that we are in no position to bargain with Him. The point is that everything we have and are belongs to G-d anyway. We have nothing to offer Him, but He has everything, including eternal life to offer us.
We also see at this point the only needs that Jacob could think of was the basic needs of man such as food, clothing and to return home safely. Many years later in Jacob’s life his needs would shift to things far more important. Whilst living in the land of Haran, Jacob’s relationship with his father-in-law took a turn for the worst and he decided that it was time for him to return home. But the thought of his brother’s desire to kill him was still fresh in his mind. What kind of reception would he receive from Esau? At that time HASHEM again spoke to Jacob as recorded in Genesis 31: 3, saying to him: “Return to the land of your fathers and to your relatives, and I will be with you.” Jacob left his father-in-law Jethro and he returned home, after serving him for many years. On his way home, Jacob sent messengers before him to his brother Esau. Inspired by G-d, he picked out two hundred female goats and twenty male goats, two hundred ewes and twenty rams, thirty camels and their colts, forty cows and ten bulls, twenty female donkeys and ten male donkeys. Then he divided each kind of stock into groups, sending each group out at a different time to approach Esau as one of several gifts. He instructs his servants in charge of each of these groups to tell Esau that their master Jacob hopes he (Esau) will accept his gifts. In this way Jacob made Esau to change his attitude towards him.
After the animals intended for Esau had gone on, Jacob moved the two sections of his entourage on ahead a short distance to camp for the night, whilst he remained behind alone to pray. We read about this as well as the strange thing that happened to him that night, in Genesis 32: 22 -30, as follows: ‘Now he arose that same night and took his two wives and his two maids and his eleven children, and crossed the ford of the Jabbok. (23) And he took them and sent them across the stream. And he sent across whatever he had. (24) Then Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him until daybreak. (25) And when he saw that he had not prevailed against him, he touched the socket of his thigh; so the socket of Jacob’s thigh was dislocated while he wrestled with him. (26) Then he said, “Let me go, for the dawn is breaking.” But he said, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.” (27) So he said to him, “What is your name?” And he said, “Jacob.” (28) And he said, “Your name shall no longer be Jacob, but Israel; for you have striven with G-d and with men and have prevailed.” (29) Then Jacob asked him and said, “Please tell me your name.” But he said, “Why is it that you ask my name?” And he blessed him there. (30) So Jacob named the place Peniel, for he said, “I have seen G-d face to face, yet my life has been preserved.”’We read in Hosea 12: 3 – 5 that Jacob actually wrestled with G-d, as follows: ‘In the womb he took his brother by the heel, and in his maturity he contended with G-d. (4) Yes, he wrestled with the angel and prevailed; He wept and sought His favor. He found Him at Bethel, and there He spoke with us, (5) even HASHEM, the G-d of hosts; HASHEM is His name.’ However, because we know that nobody has ever seen or can see HASHEM, this must have been the visible (form or) image of G-D that Jacob beheld, as we read in Numbers 12: 8; This was the Word who later became flesh and dwelt among us about 2000 years ago, namely Messiah ben Joseph.
It was a trying night for Jacob, when he realized that he was dealing with more than a human being. He struggled to get a blessing from this Superior being. Before sunset the next morning he was blessed and praised for his determination. Jacob was determined to strive with all his might not to lose G-d’s blessing and eternal promises. Jacob’s determination was greater than that of Esau, who sold his birthright for a bowl of stew. He proved that he had strength of character to overcome his spiritual problems. The wrestling match was actually a test of character. Before Jacob’s wrestling partner left, He told Jacob that his name would be changed from Jacob to Israel, which means one who overcomes. G-d would not give His blessing and a birthright to a man who had taken them from a weaker brother unfairly. HASHEM appeared as a man to give Jacob the chance to prove himself as one who is able to overcome. In fact this is exactly what HASHEM expects of each and every one of us individually. Like Jacob HASHEM wants each one of us on an individual basis to prove that he or she is indeed an Israelite. How do we prove that? How did the man whose name was changed to Israel prove that? Jacob had to strive with G-d and to become Israel; he had to get to know HASHEM our G-d more intimately. Similar as to how our father Jacob had to overcome to prove his strength of character, each one of us, whom HASHEM called at this time, has to overcome those sins which so beset us, before we will be allowed access into the coming Kingdom of G-d.
Each one of us has our own set of circumstances to overcome; one might have a problem with immersion; another might have a problem with circumcision; whilst another might have a problem with wearing head coverings during prayer and worship services; and yet another might have a problem with accepting the Oneness of G-d. Yes, each person has his own cross to bear.However, we are assured that those of us who have been immersed in Messiah ben Joseph’s saving name (as per Acts 2: 38[1]) and had hands laid upon us by the elders (as we read in Acts 8: 16 & 17[2]), have already received a portion of the Set-apart Spirit as a pledge of inheritance, with a view to redemption as we read from Ephesians 1: 13 -14, in this way:‘In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation-having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Set-apart Spirit of promise, who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to redemption of G-d’s own possession, to the praise of His glory.’This is confirmed for us in 1 John 5: 4, as follows: ‘For whatever is born of G-d overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world – our faith.’ The question is: do these attacks or challenges come from Satan? Or is it a challenge directly from HASHEM, who wants you Jacob – the latter day descendants of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, to prove who He (HASHEM) is – like in the case with father Jacob?
To find the answer, let’s turn to the book of Job in the Scriptures. Reading from Job 1: 8, we notice that HASHEM identifies Job as blameless and an upright man, fearing Him and turning away from evil. Continuing on in Job 1, we notice that Satan is not able to see anything wrong in Job, saying that he is such a good person, because HASHEM has built a hedge around him and his belongings, protecting him from Satan. In addition Satan says to HASHEM, that if He allows Job to be harmed by him, Job will curse HASHEM to His face. Next we see that HASHEM allows Satan to reach Job, but that he is forbidden from harming Job’s life. We read in verse 13 of Job 1, that Job’s children were having a party in the eldest brother’s house. From verse 14 to 19 we see Satan unleashing disaster upon Job’s family and property. The Sabeans attacked his servants stealing all the oxen and donkeys. We also read that lightning struck from heaven burning all the sheep with the servants caring for them. In addition the Chaldeans formed three bands raiding the camels and killing all the servants who took care of the camels. Only the few servants reporting these disasters to Job survived the ordeal. Finally we read about a great wind which struck the house where Job’s children were partying and all of his children died. Again, only the servant reporting this final disaster to Job, survived. In one day Job lost all of his children and possessions and only a few servants survived. But we read in verse 20 - 22 of Job1, that Job did not curse HASHEM because of what happened to Him. Instead we see: ‘Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head, and he fell to the ground and worshipped. (21) And he said, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I shall return there. HASHEM gave and HASHEM has taken away. Blessed be the name of HASHEM.” (22) Through all this Job did not sin nor did he blame G-d.’
Self-righteous people like Job regard themselves to be very important and often exalt themselves above G-d. It is because of self-righteousness that many do not believe HASHEM or follow Messiah ben Joseph: Without thinking they regard themselves above G-d and He tells us in Isaiah 43: 11, that He is HASHEM and that there is no savior besides Him; such people will still argue the point. Similarly when Messiah ben Joseph tells us that He was in the grave for three full days and three full nights, these people deny Him by believing that He was buried on ‘Good Friday’ and resurrected on Easter Sunday (i.e. only one and a half days in total). Self-righteousness is a sin comparable to pride. It is this very same sin which caused Satan to fall as we read in Isaiah 14: 12 - 14, as follows: “How you have fallen from heaven, O star of the morning, son of the dawn! You have been cut down to the earth, you who have weakened the nations! (13) But you said in your heart, ‘I will ascend to heaven; I will raise my throne above the stars (angels) of G-d, and will sit on the mount of the assembly in the recesses of the north (where G-d’s throne is). (14) I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.’ Like Satan, Job was afflicted with the sin of self-righteousness. HASHEM knew about Job’s problem and allowed Satan to persecute him, to bring the problem to his attention. Similarly HASHEM will also allow attacks on us, to bring problems in our faith to our attention. So even though the attacks on our faith might come from Satan and his agents, HASHEM might allow it, to help us improve our character and strengthen our faith.
Both Jacob and Job got to know HASHEM our G-d intimately in their respective struggles in life. Jacob proved to himself that the one he wrestled with was the one who later became Messiah ben Joseph, or Immanuel meaning G-d with us. Job also knew that the life of everything living is in the hand of HASHEM, as witnessed in Job 12: 9 & 10, in this way: “Who among all these (talking about the beasts of the field, the birds of the heavens and the fish of the sea) does not know that the hand of HASHEM has done this. (11) In whose hand is the life of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind.” Job also wrote about G-d in Job 9: 8 & 9, saying: ‘Who alone stretches out the heavens, and tramples down the waves of the sea; (9) Who makes the Bear, Orion, and the Pleiades, and the chambers of the south.” Job a very wise man knew His Creator, (but as we see here, he also knew about the different planets long before Copernicus discovered them). In the same way HASHEM wants each one of us to get to know Him intimately. It is as we read from Deuteronomy 4 where HASHEM told the ancient nation of Israel, that even though He will scatter us throughout the world because of idolatry, one day in the distant future a remnant of us will return to Him, saying in verses 27 – 30:‘And HASHEM will scatter you among the peoples, and you shall be left few in number among the nations, where HASHEM shall drive you. (28) And there you will serve gods, the work of man’s hands, wood and stone, which neither see nor hear nor eat nor smell. (29)“But from there you will seek HASHEM your G-d, and you will find Him if you search for Him with all your heart and all your soul.(30) When you are in distress and all these things have come upon you, in the latter days, you will return to HASHEM your G-d and listen to His voice.” Like Jacob, each one of us has to discover who or what G-d is, before our names can be changed from Jacob to Israel.
We need to stop speculating about G-d’s Being when He tells us in Deuteronomy 6: 4 (KJV), saying: ‘Hear O Israel: HASHEM our G-d is one HASHEM.’ Messiah ben Joseph is as we read from Colossians 1: 15, ‘the image of the invisible G-d.’ This is confirmed in the first part of Hebrews 1: 3, in this way: ‘(And)He is the radiance of His (G-d’s) glory and the exact representation of His nature.’ It was for this reason that Messiah ben Joseph said to His disciples in John 14: 6 & 7, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but through Me. (7) If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; from now on you know Him, and have seen Him.” In response to this Philip asked Messiah ben Joseph to show him the Father, upon which Messiah ben Joseph replied in John 14: 9, saying: “Have I been so long with you, and yet you have not come to know Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; how do you say, ‘Show us the Father?’ In fact earlier when we read how our Jewish Brothers are blinded to the identity of Messiah ben Joseph the arm of HASHEM in John 12: 37 – 41, as follows:‘But though He had performed so many signs before them, yet they were not believing in Him; (38) that the word of Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spoke, “HASHEM, WHO HAS BELIEVE DOUR REPORT? AND TO WHOM HAS THE ARM OF HASHEM BEEN REVEALED?” (39) For this cause they could not believe, for Isaiah said again, (40) “HE HAS BLINDED THEIR EYES, AND HE HARDENED THEIR HEART; LEST THEY SEE WITH THEIR EYES, AND PERCEIVE WITH THEIR HEART, AND BE CONVERTED, AND I HEAL THEM.” (41) These things Isaiah said, because he saw His glory, and he spoke of Him. (42) Nevertheless many even of the rulers believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees they were not confessing Him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue; (43) for they loved the approval of men rather than the approval of G-d.’ We also read from verses 44 & 45: ‘And Messiah ben Joseph cried out and said, “He who believes in Me does not believe in Me, but in Him who sent Me. (45) And he who beholds Me beholds the One who sent Me.”HASHEM is the eternal, immortal, invisible One, who manifests Himself in heaven as His everliving Word and on earth as His Salvation.
If we do not stumble over the identity of Messiah ben Joseph, the rock of our salvation any longer, and are obedient to the Word of G-d, we too become a chosen race and the royal priesthood referred to in 1 Peter 2: 6 -10, in this way:‘For this is contained in Scripture: “BEHOLD I LAY IN ZION A CHOICE STONE, A PRECIOUS CORNER stone, AND HE WHO BELIEVES IN HIM SHALL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED.” (7) This precious value, then, is for you who believe. But for those who believe, “THE STONE WHICH THE BUILDERS REJECTED, THIS BECAME THE VERY CORNER stone,” (8) and, “A STONE OF STUMBLING AND A ROCK OF OFFENSE”; for they stumble because they are disobedient to the word, and to this doom they were also appointed. (9)“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation(the Israel of G-d), a people for G-d’s own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; (10) for you once were NOT A PEOPLE, but now you are THE PEOPLE OF G-D; you had NOT RECEIVED MERCY, but now you have RECEIVED MERCY.”Since we are already a royal priesthood and the Israel of G-d, who will meet our Torah observant Jewish Brothers on the mountains of Israel at Messiah coming (provided we remain faithful to the end),we already wear head coverings during worship services and keep all of Torah applicable to each one of us as individuals. Baruch HASHEM!
[1]Acts 2: 38, ‘And Peter said to them, “Repent, and let each of you be immersed in the name of Messiah ben Joseph Messiah for the forgiveness of your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Set-apart Spirit.”’
[2]Act 8: 16 -17, ‘For He (the Set-apart Spirit) had not yet fallen upon any of them; they had simply been immersed in the name of the Master Messiah ben Joseph. Then they began laying their hands on them, and they were receiving the Set-apart Spirit.’