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.
The story of Jacob teaches us that God is a God of pivots!
Jacob's entire life was leading him to destruction. He was going to end up being killed due to his deceptive ways. He was going to trick the wrong person at some point and although he had successfully escaped in the past the handwriting was on the wall . . . payday was coming. Jacob was constantly looking over his shoulder not only in fear, but also in regret and shame. He had done so many people wrong. He had ruptured so many relationships. His lifeline was littered with lies, deceit, manipulation, selfishness and pain. But in Genesis 32 God shows up and a pivot takes place. Jacob is changed. The trajectory of his life. The way he walked was transformed. He now walks uprightly. He now walks worthy of a new name . . . Israel.
God is still the God of pivots. He can change it all. In one touch. In one moment. In one encounter. God can turn your life completely around. Years of trouble can be transformed in one moment. Your life can be littered with deceit and destruction and He can touch you and put you on the path to destiny. He can produce pivot points for you! He kept His promise. He has provided. He has protected. You may have to own up to the fact that you messed all of that up. However, even if that is the case God can bring a pivot to your life!
I want you to notice something though. This pivot that took place in Jacob's life took place because he encountered God. We must recognize and realize that . . .
A pivot is predicated on and only possible by presence.
Jacob didn't just turn over a new leaf. He didn't just make up his mind one day to be different. If that worked, then you wouldn't need God. He didn't just choose a different path. If that worked, then you wouldn't need an encounter. He didn't just read a self-help book and all of a sudden everything changed. Our libraries are full and we continue to act like a fool. The thing that caused a pivot to take place in Jacob's life is the same thing and the only thing that will produce a pivot in ours . . . a face-to-face encounter with the presence of God. A pivot in our life will only happen when we are willing to wrestle with God. It is in His presence that we are forced to own up to who we really are so that He can change us into who He wants us to be!
Too many of us want a pivot, but we want it without presence. We want to use will power and mind power. However, I came to tell you that we need to learn from our godfather. The only real change that is ever produced in our life is the change that is brought about by a face to face, knockdown, drag out, Katy bar the door, rough and tumble, death match between us and God where we allow Him to get a hold us until we are changed! No pivot lasts that isn't produced by His presence. The habit will come back. The desire will resurface. The attitude will flare up. The bad choices will be made again.
Paul reveals this process to us in Ephesians 4 when he says, "Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him (presence), (pivot) throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy."
Then he says, "stop lying, don't be angry, quit stealing, work hard, give generously, don't use foul language, encourage others. Don't bring sorrow the Holy Spirit by the way you live. Get rid of Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you."
How in the world can you even make these types of changes? That is a complete walk in the opposite direction. Paul learned from the godfathers . . . that kind of pivot is and only can be produced by His presence. Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from Him! The changes (the pivot) don’t come first or separate from an encounter with Jesus.
Some of us desperately need a pivot. The good news is God specializes in pivots. He has this habit of turning things around. That's why we are told that when we come into a genuine, authentic relationship with Christ that "if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." Our godfather teaches and proves to us that our God is capable of changing things. If today you need a pivot, then I declare to you then you first need an encounter with His presence. Don't run from Him. Run to Him. Don't resist Him wrestle with Him. Anyone want to pivot? Anyone need a change of direction? Anyone need a change of name? Character? Mind? Then get in His presence.
