Jacob was one of the patriarchs of the Bible and a key figure in the history of the Israelites. He was the son of Isaac and Rebekah, and the grandson of Abraham. There are several reasons why Jacob had a special relationship with God and was chosen to carry on the covenant that God had made with Abraham.
Jacob was part of God’s chosen family line
God had made a covenant with Abraham promising to make him the father of a great nation and blessing all the families of the earth through his offspring (Genesis 12:1-3). This covenant was passed down to Isaac, and then to Jacob. Though Isaac had another son named Esau who was the firstborn, God chose Jacob to be the heir of the covenant promise (Genesis 25:23, Malachi 1:2-3). So Jacob’s special standing with God came through God’s choice to work through Abraham’s family line.
Jacob yearned for God’s blessing
From birth, Jacob grasped Esau’s heel as if trying to pull himself forward as the firstborn (Genesis 25:26). This showed how strongly Jacob desired the birthright and blessing of the firstborn son. Though Jacob tricked his brother out of the birthright and blessing (Genesis 25:29-34, 27:1-40), this revealed an underlying yearning for God’s favor and calling on his life. God honored Jacob’s desire and confirmed him as the son through whom the covenant would continue (Genesis 28:13-15).
God reaffirmed His covenant with Jacob
After Jacob fled from his brother Esau, God appeared to him in a dream at Bethel and made many great promises to him. God told Jacob “I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go” (Genesis 28:15). He promised Jacob numerous descendants, possession of the land, and that all peoples on earth would be blessed through him (Genesis 28:13-14). God later reaffirmed these promises when Jacob returned to Bethel years later (Genesis 35:9-12). So Jacob was special because God chose to continue the Abrahamic covenant through him.
Jacob wrestled with God
One unique encounter that showed Jacob’s special standing with God was when he physically wrestled with a “man” who was actually God Himself (Genesis 32:22-32). Jacob refused to let go without a blessing, so God blessed him by changing his name to Israel, which means “struggles with God.” This symbolic new name showed that Jacob had persevered and prevailed in his seeking of God. His tenacious wrestling represented Israel’s ongoing struggle to cling to the Lord despite hardship.
Jacob prayed and relied on God
Though Jacob was known for his craftiness early in life, he later demonstrated a powerful prayer life and dependence on God. When preparing to meet his estranged brother Esau, Jacob spent the whole night in prayer, pleading for God’s help and deliverance (Genesis 32:9-12). And when his favored son Joseph went missing, the heartbroken Jacob refused to be comforted, saying “I will continue to mourn until I join my son in the grave” (Genesis 37:34-35). Jacob relied on God through prayer in these times of fear and sorrow.
God renamed Jacob Israel
As mentioned earlier, God gave Jacob the new name Israel following their intense night of wrestling. Names were very meaningful in ancient Near Eastern culture. By renaming Jacob as Israel, God gave him a new identity and destiny. This signified Jacob’s spiritual maturation and showed that God would use this renamed people to glorify His name on the earth. They would have an important role in God’s redemptive plan.
Jacob fathered the 12 tribes of Israel
One of the covenant promises God gave Abraham was that his descendants would become a great nation (Genesis 12:2). Jacob’s twelve sons and their descendants fulfilled this, becoming the twelve tribes of Israel. The tribes descended from Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob became the foundation of the nation of Israel. So Jacob’s significance is seen in how his offspring multiplied and formed the people of Israel.
Key Points
- Jacob was part of God’s covenant family line tracing back to Abraham.
- Jacob yearned for God’s blessing and calling, grasping Esau’s heel at birth.
- God appeared to Jacob and reaffirmed His covenant promises.
- Jacob wrestled with God and prevailed, being renamed Israel.
- Jacob relied on God through prayer in times of fear and sorrow.
- God renamed Jacob as Israel, giving him a new identity and destiny.
- Jacob fathered the 12 sons who became the 12 tribes of Israel.
Conclusion
In summary, Jacob was clearly special to God in a number of ways. God chose him as the patriarch to inherit the Abrahamic covenant. Jacob desperately sought after God’s blessing and calling. God appeared to Jacob multiple times to confirm His promises. Jacob wrestled with God and demonstrated spiritual perseverance. As Jacob matured, he turned to God more in prayer. God gave him the name Israel, establishing his new identity and purpose. And Jacob’s 12 sons founded the 12 tribes of Israel. Through all this, we see God’s hand of election, confirmation, and blessing on Jacob’s life, showing why he was so special to God.