This is Jacob, the generation of those who seek Him, who seek Your face. Selah. (Psalm 24:6)
As we begin to consider how this passage might inspire us, it is important to bear in mind the things we have gleaned from the previous verses, especially in regard to being sons and daughters of God — i.e. having clean hands a pure heart. With that in mind, David identifies those who desire to stand in His Holy Place as a generation of seekers; that is, people who embrace the admonition to seek God with all of their heart. These are people who desire to ascend the hill of the LORD and go beyond the courtyard experience; they want to be in His Presence. In fact the Hebrew, literally translated, is “Those who search for Your face” (alternately, “Those who strive for Your Presence”).
It is written, “You will find Him if you seek Him with all your heart and with all your soul” (Deuteronomy 4:29). God is not so far away or aloof that He cannot be found or accessed; His Word makes it clear that He is desperate to have an intimate relationship with all of His people. The breakdown is always on our end because, too often, we deem the costs of intimacy too extreme and too hard. In other words, it is one thing to say “I love God with all my heart,” it is another thing to actually do it. Likewise, there are many who seek the face of God superficially but how many actually strive for His Presence with their whole hearts?
Speaking prophetically, David said that there will be a generation who will seek God with clean hands and pure hearts; a generation he collectively referred to as “Jacob.” Rabbinical writers suggest this name, as opposed to Israel, was used because Jacob is the one subjected to trial and oppression (e.g. Jacob’s trouble). That would mean the “seekers” would be provoked by their tests and trials to seek God with all their being. Interestingly, Moses also addressed this issue and said God’s people would begin to diligently seek the LORD when they found themselves in distress in the latter days; then they would turn to the Lord and obey His voice (Deuteronomy 4:30).
That might not be the only reason David referred to this generation of seekers as “Jacob”; it might also be that, among the patriarchs and in spite of his deficiencies, Jacob is the only one referred to as תם tam — a Hebrew word that means “whole, lacking nothing, perfect” (plural form of the word is תמים tamim). So might we conclude that David, along with Moses, prophesied that, in the last days, there would be a generation of people — scarred by battle, tested by trials but still limping forward — who would strive to seek God’s face with whole hearts, holding nothing back? Might it be that we are that generation? If so, it is incumbent upon us to do as we have been called — to become a people who desire to be in the Presence of God more than anything in this world. May it be that we answer that call and mature into a people likened unto Jacob — a man who served God to perfection.
Blessings and Shalom,
Bill
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