God Of Jacob Series

The Godfathers

Pt. 4 - God of Jacob

I. Introduction

The movie, directed and written by Francis Ford Coppola and released in 1972, is considered to be one of the greatest films of all time. The film paints a chilling portrait of the Corleone family as this family rises and then nearly falls from power in America. The film focuses on this powerful Italian-American crime family. One of the quotes from the movie that has endured the years is this statement . . .

“Italians have a little joke, that the world is so hard a man must have two fathers to look after him, and that’s why they have godfathers.” – The Godfather

I am thankful for our Father. However, it struck me a while back as we sang a song that states "I call on the God of Jacob" that we too have godfathers. In over a dozen passages a statement is made in Scripture that continues to be quoted today. God is referred to and referenced as the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. These three men (Father, son and grandson) are singled out as godfathers. This phrase is used because God makes and repeats a covenant with these three men. Scripture declares in Galatians 3:6-7 - Just as Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness, so then, understand that those who believe are the sons of Abraham.

We even sing "Father Abraham had many sons and I am one of them" (complete with silly motions that have nothing to do with the song!). However, I question whether we really have any understanding of the powerful nature of the promises made to them and ultimately to us since these men are our godfathers!

I want us to go back and examine the God of Abraham. The God of Isaac. The God of Jacob. Let's see if what our godfathers experienced may have some lessons for us.

Text: Genesis 27:30-36, 41; 32:24-28; 33:3-4 (NLT)

As soon as Isaac had finished blessing Jacob, and almost before Jacob had left his father, Esau returned from his hunt. Esau prepared a delicious meal and brought it to his father. Then he said, “Sit up, my father, and eat my wild game so you can give me your blessing.” But Isaac asked him, “Who are you?” Esau replied, “It’s your son, your firstborn son, Esau.” Isaac began to tremble uncontrollably and said, “Then who just served me wild game? I have already eaten it, and I blessed him just before you came. And yes, that blessing must stand!” When Esau heard his father’s words, he let out a loud and bitter cry. “Oh my father, what about me? Bless me, too!” he begged. But Isaac said, “Your brother was here, and he tricked me. He has taken away your blessing.” Esau exclaimed, “No wonder his name is Jacob, for now he has cheated me twice. First he took my rights as the firstborn, and now he has stolen my blessing. Oh, haven’t you saved even one blessing for me?”

41 - From that time on, Esau hated Jacob because their father had given Jacob the blessing. And Esau began to scheme: “I will soon be mourning my father’s death. Then I will kill my brother, Jacob.”

32:24-28 - This left Jacob all alone in the camp, and a man came and wrestled with him until the dawn began to break. When the man saw that he would not win the match, he touched Jacob’s hip and wrenched it out of its socket. Then the man said, “Let me go, for the dawn is breaking!” But Jacob said, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.” “What is your name?” the man asked. He replied, “Jacob.” “Your name will no longer be Jacob,” the man told him. “From now on you will be called Israel, because you have fought with God and with men and have won.”

33:3-4 - Then Jacob went on ahead. As he approached his brother, he bowed to the ground seven times before him. Then Esau ran to meet him and embraced him, threw his arms around his neck, and kissed him. And they both wept.

I have read to you some of the highlights of Abraham's grandson Jacob. If you know your Bible, then you are familiar with this account. However, if you aren't no worries it is the tale of a man who lived up to his name. Jacob means trickster. He operates deceptively and steals his brother Esau's birthright and blessing and causes a family rift. This forces Jacob to run for his life because his brother wants to kill him in revenge. Finally, after approximately 20 years of separation, Jacob, once again living as a trickster, is running from his uncle who he has tricked. So, he decides to attempt to go home. He makes a stop and in the middle of the night and has a face-to-face encounter with God. He literally wrestles God and has his hip dislocated in the process. However, he holds on until finally the God blesses Jacob and changes not only his name, but also his walk (literally and figuratively). The aftermath is reconciliation with Esau and relationship is restored.