Hits and Misses
Jacob's long way home gives us all hope
I’m proud, stubborn, envious, cynical, and prone to anger—even if I don’t show it. Sometimes I wonder how God could ever make any use of me.
Believe it or not, I draw encouragement from Jacob (Genesis 25-50)—the J.R. Ewing of the Old Testament. His life included more misses than hits—a son only a mother could love.
Jacob’s name means he clutches, overtakes or supplants. He got the name for grasping his twin brother’s heel at birth after several wrestling matches in their mother’s womb. Jacob turned out to be a deceiver and manipulator.
You could say he got what he deserved. He took refuge with an uncle, more cunning than himself, to escape a brother bent on killing him for stealing the birthright. Uncle Laban tricked Jacob into marrying his homely, eldest daughter after Jacob worked seven hard years for the younger sister’s hand. Then good ole uncle required him to work another seven years for the girl who made his heart palpitate. Laban profited, and Jacob felt underappreciated. Jacob tried primitive genetic engineering to get even and wore out his welcome. He fled once more to an uncertain future.
Jacob was still clutching when he wrestled with an angel on the way home, but with a subtle difference. Now he grasped for something of true value—a blessing. Now he sought from the right source—God. God even changed his name from Jacob to Israel, from deceiver to he struggles with God. And God’s good with that!
Jacob literally and figuratively wobbled like many of us do when learning to walk by faith. Along the way, Jacob’s brother came out to meet him. Jacob resorted to a bribe to appease him, but God had prepared the brother’s heart and welcomed him with a hug.
One might suspect that Heaven’s HRD was out on vacation when Jacob was hired for God’s eternal plan, but God loved Jacob and poured upon him the same blessings and promises He made to his grandfather, Abraham, and his father, Isaac. Although Jacob took the long way home, God’s grace and mercy ultimately changed him.
When I look at myself, I see a life of hits and misses—just like Jacob. Some days I throw up my hands and say, “I’m a child only God could love.” Fortunately—He does!
Copyright © 2010 by David Harlen Brooks