For He established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel, which He commanded our fathers, that they should make them known to their children. (Psalm 78:5)
As important as Abraham and Isaac were to God’s plan in regard to revealing Himself to the nations, Jacob was the one He called “Israel” and who was ordained to bring forth the twelve tribes of Israel. His life, including the trials and tests that helped to shape him into the man who would bear the name, “Israel,” is an example to be followed. It was, in fact, his response to difficulty that serves as a standard for those commissioned to be a light to all other nations. His example speaks to the spiritual walk all those who have followed in his footsteps are to exhibit to the world as evidence that Israel is called to be a set apart family.
Recall that, as Jacob sojourned in Syria for two decades, he was mistreated, cheated, accused and abused; yet we have no record to suggest he returned evil with evil. To the contrary, his testimony is one of a man determined to endure all that was thrown at him because it was the right thing to do. I would argue that his willingness to submit even to those who were oppressive and unjust marked him as someone worthy to be called Israel. If he was going to be the patriarch of the family of faith, he must be a man who is faithful in all things. In short, during his time in Syria, Jacob proved himself to be a man of integrity, not the deceiver many try to make him to be.
As he prepared to cross the Jordan and reenter Canaan, he was visited by a man who gave him a new name and a new walk. In a sense, he was born again as Israel and, from that point forward, he never walked the same. His walk, in fact, identified him as Israel. All of this is to say that the testimony established in Jacob was for the benefit of all those who would come after him — those who desire to follow the God of Israel. When we were born again, we received a new way to walk and to live, and like Jacob, it is imperative that we teach those who are following us as we follow Messiah. May all who see us be able to identify us as His people because our words and deeds testify of the one and only God — the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
Blessings and Shalom,
Bill
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