By Faith...Jacob

Jacob seemed to be bent on changing what was perceived to be the natural order of things, even since before his own birth. You remember the stories - of Jacob grabbing Esau's heel in the womb, conspiring with his mother to get the blessing from old Isaac, manipulating the herds through selective breeding to take advantage of his father-in-law, lying to his brother on the return trip to Canaan...on and on.

Now, in the closing days of Jacob's life he gathers his descendants before him to receive their "blessing." Here he does it again, the life-long act of manipulation. Is this wrong? What are we doing when we "motivate" our children to do what we want or need for them to do? Is rewarding our children for performance and obedience wrong? What role does coercing behavior play in raising good kids or obtaining a more civilized society? When we see and/or know the natural proclivities of our children, grandchildren, or mankind in general or specific, do we have a responsibility to try to direct that toward either the advancement of those individuals and society, or limit it - as the case might demand -  for the safety of individuals and society?

As I read the account of Jacob's proclamation of blessings upon his children and grandchildren in Genesis 47-49 I am convinced that he refused to just allow the natural order of things to go on undirected. He intervened, as he had in all those occasions previously mentioned, in order to improve the lot and well-being of his future "nation" of people. I don't think we can assume other than this, that Jacob had heard his entire childhood the blessings God had promised his grandfather Abraham and his father Isaac. He KNEW this HAD TO BE! He also knew that if it WAS TO BE...it was up to him!

I see an acceptance of responsibility in Jacob from his earliest years to do whatever needed to be done in order for life to be as he perceived it ordered, or meant, to be. Jacob was not a placid individual who took whatever blew in with the wind as the way things had to be. Nor was he willing to accept as final the predeterminations of others when he felt it should be otherwise. The difference between Jacob's attitude and an attitude of general rebelliousness on the part of some people, is that Jacob knew the promises and expectations of God for a people yet to be. He was not willing for those promises and expectations to be thwarted by the natural proclivities of human nature.

Jacob was willing to make happen what needed to happen despite any obstacles! God blessed Jacob and because of Jacob's determined blessings upon his children and grandchildren, they, too, were Divinely blessed.

Be Blessed!