SERMON SERIES

Jacob’s story begins in utero, as he and his twin wrestle for superiority even before birth. Their names seem to tell their destinies, and, in the early going, each seems destined to be trapped in their identities. The first episode challenges our belief that God works through moral people who work hard. This week, we discover that God can work with you, no matter where you start.

To his credit, Jacob seems to have a vision for his life to live into the promises of God. On the other hand, he is willing to bend rules, lie, and exploit to get what he wants. Jacob is good at board games; he is good at strategy, and he does whatever it takes to win. Jacob seems to be living up to his sneaky name with not much hope of growing up, but this episode shows that God can work with someone who desires God’s promises.

As Jacob flees for his life, he has an encounter with God that changes his trajectory and lays the foundation for the work of Jesus nearly 2000 years later. Experiences with God change your life, which is just as true today as it was 4000 years ago.

In this episode, Jacob gets his just deserts. His father-in-law is almost exactly like him, scheming and seeking the upper hand. Jacob was taken advantage of, but somehow God made something good from the setback.

Jacob tried to leave his father-in-law’s household, but Laban roped him back in with a deal Jacob could not refuse. As Jacob explained his terms, was he taking a step toward integrity, or merely appearing to so he can get a better deal? Will Laban get away with another caper? Spiritual growth is not linear, and it is possible that Jacob moved forward and slid back in the same episode.

Jacob re-enacted his departure from his parents’ household, but when Laban pursued, he stopped for a confrontation. For maybe the first time, Jacob laid all his cards on the table. The foes created a boundary that they both vowed never to cross again. It was an ugly scene, but it is undeniable that Jacob has been in the presence of the God who never leaves him long enough to be changed.

In the second-to-last episode, Jacob’s transformation is complete. He has notified his brother that he is returning. He has wrestled with God directly rather than scheming to steal God’s promise. As the sun rose, Jacob’s name was changed to Israel to reflect his transformation, and in the process, to let us know that God can work with doubt.

Esau and Jacob reunite. Esau has done well, if not quite as well as Jacob. The prophecies about them have come true, but both are blessed. God’s promise, spoken and reiterated throughout Jacob’s life, has transformed him into a solid foundation for Judaism and Christianity. God’s promises change you, and the final episode depicts Jacob enjoying the restoration that comes with the transformation.