By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and worshiped, leaning on the top of his staff. (Hebrews 11:21, NKJV).
Like his father before him, Jacob earns a mention here in Hebrews 11, literally at the very end of his life.
In studying Jacob's biography, comprising a significant portion of the last half of Genesis' 50 chapters, it is easy to conclude that he was devious, opportunistic, mercenary, and ambitious - just like most of us.
But be careful in your analysis, for God Himself has voiced nary a criticism of this man, and the events of his earthly sojourn illustrate perfectly the chronic struggle of a child of God wanting simultaneously to both take control, and surrender control, of his life.
In the end, he surrendered, blessing Joseph's younger son, rather than the elder, crossing his arms to lay the hand of benediction on the Chosen One.
Perhaps in doing so deliberately, and without guile, he understood what would have been his own fate with Isaac, had he not conspired with Rebekah, his mother, to steal the blessing that God had ordained from the womb would be his regardless of his own feeble and injurious scheming.
And Joseph took them both, Ephraim with his right hand toward Israel’s left hand, and Manasseh with his left hand toward Israel’s right hand, and brought them near him. Then Israel stretched out his right hand and laid it on Ephraim’s head, who was the younger, and his left hand on Manasseh’s head, guiding his hands knowingly, for Manasseh was the firstborn. Now when Joseph saw that his father laid his right hand on the head of Ephraim, it displeased him; so he took hold of his father’s hand to remove it from Ephraim’s head to Manasseh’s head. So he blessed them that day, saying, “By you Israel will bless, saying, ‘May God make you as Ephraim and as Manasseh!’” And thus he set Ephraim before Manasseh. (Genesis 48:13, 14, 17, 20, NKJV).
Jacob's personal struggle with his God is perhaps best exemplified by his wrestling with the Angel of God (purposely capitalized to indicate that this was that Personage who spoke for God, as God, in the Old Testament - in my view a manifestation of the Second Person of the Trinity prior to the Incarnation - technically known as a Christophany).
In that wrestling match, lasting for hours, Jacob prevailed only when He surrendered.
Then Jacob was left alone; and a Man wrestled with him until the breaking of day. 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. And He said, “Let Me go, for the day breaks.” But he said, “I will not let You go unless You bless me!” So He said to him, “What is your name?” He said, “Jacob.” 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.” 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. And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: “For I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved.” (Genesis 32:24-30, NKJV).
Jacob, like many of us throughout our lives here on this planet, wanted to retain control of all his circumstances despite knowing better.
It is the classic tragic flaw of Fallen Man, and each time Jacob's own will was victorious, personal and/or familial disaster ensued, from being duped by his wife's relatives (much as he had deceived his own father), to his life-long enmity with Esau, to raising 11 rebellious sons, to losing his beloved Joseph for years due to fraternal treachery.
What glaring lessons for us, who, with a far more comprehensive view of God's purposes in redemption through the entirety of His Word, repeatedly fail to heed the many warnings embodied in Jacob's checkered life.
But in the end, he understood, finally, that God is sovereign and all-powerful, and intensely committed to guiding the lives of His children according to His perfect will.
In the end, Israel understood that by surrendering, he became more than a conquerer through Him who loved him.
That he learned this lesson is shown by his final prophetic words to his sons, and two grandsons, ultimately setting aside pathetic human wisdom for divine guidance.
And when Jacob had finished commanding his sons, he drew his feet up into the bed and breathed his last, and was gathered to his people. (Genesis 49:33, NKJV).
Look, God's will for each one of us will be carried out. We can either cooperate, or kicking and screaming, be dragged along like a spoiled child.
The right choice takes no brains at all - just a heart that knows and loves God, and a will that, despite repeated struggle, purposes to obey the Eternal King as a good and faithful servant.
Thankfully (and perilously), he rewards (and judges) intent as well as result.
