Jacob's life is a complex story that weaves together trust, deception, self-reliance, fear, and the guiding hand of God. His story reflects our own experiences, showing our challenges, triumphs, and the loving grace of God that guides us on our journey. Today, we'll highlight three instances where Jacob stumbled because he chose to rely on himself and gave in to fear.
Point 1: Jacob's Overconfidence and Lack of Trust in God
Let's start by thinking about Jacob's life as if he's a player in a new board game. The game creator, an expert player, is on hand to guide him through the rules and strategies. But rather than waiting for the creator's instructions, Jacob impatiently decides to impose his own rules, believing he knows better. As you'd expect, his pride leads him to make several mistakes, resulting in a loss.
This is just like Jacob's life. God, the designer and master of life, had a divine plan for Jacob, assuring him that Esau, his older brother, would serve him, the younger. However, Jacob couldn't wait for God's timing and instead hatched a scheme to trick Esau out of his birthright. This situation perfectly illustrates C.S. Lewis's point: "Experience: that most brutal of teachers. But you learn, my God, do you learn." Jacob learned the hard way that God's wisdom and timing are always best, but not before years of self-imposed exile and fear.
His story is a powerful reminder of the dangers of ignoring God's guidance and forging ahead with our own plans. So next time you're faced with a challenging decision, think of Jacob. Don't be the overconfident novice trying to outsmart the game creator. Instead, trust in God's divine guidance and perfect timing.
Point 2: Jacob's Self-Reliance Continues at Laban's House
Consider the hit cooking show MasterChef. The contestants have everything they need: top-quality ingredients, the latest kitchen tools, and expert advice. But imagine a contestant named Jacob, who decides to sneak in his homemade secret sauce, believing it will give him an edge. Despite the judges' surprise and confusion, he sticks with his plan, only to be disappointed with the outcome.
Jacob behaved similarly during his time at Laban's house. He devised a clever plan during the livestock division instead of trusting in God's providence. He put speckled and striped branches before the flock in the hope of affecting the appearance of the offspring. It's like trying to win MasterChef by smuggling in secret ingredients!
This episode is reminiscent of the parable of wheat and the weeds. Jacob's faith and trust in God (the wheat) were constantly tangled up with his own plans and self-reliance (the weeds). The parable teaches us that the harvest is God's work, not ours. So no matter what our "secret sauces" or "striped sticks" are, it's God who will determine the outcome.
Just as in the MasterChef example, Jacob learned that relying on his own "secret sauce"—his self-reliance and clever plans—didn't lead to success. Proverbs 3:5-6 reminds us to "Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight." So let's put aside our secret sauces and trust in the Master Chef of our lives.
Point 3: Jacob's Fear & God's Assurance
Let's say you're at an amusement park, about to ride the world's tallest roller coaster. You've seen other people ride it and come back safe and sound, full of excitement rather than fear. But when it's your turn, you start to doubt. The size of the coaster, the loud noise it makes, and your shaking knees fill you with fear, even though you know it's safe.
Jacob had a similar experience when he was about to face his brother Esau. After wrestling with God and receiving His assurance, Jacob still let fear take over. He came up with a plan to appease Esau, even though God had promised him safety.
This is much like the Apostle Peter's experience in Matthew 14:29-30. He started walking on water toward Jesus but got scared when he noticed the wind, despite Jesus's assurance. Both Jacob and Peter show us that human fear can often overshadow God's promises.
It's like being part of a group hiking through a dense forest with an experienced guide. Despite the guide's reassurances, one person, relying on a faulty GPS, keeps questioning the guide's directions. In this scenario, Jacob is the person with the faulty GPS, doubting God's guidance. Even though God, the ultimate guide, reassures him of safety, Jacob still leans on his own understanding.
Conclusion
Jacob's life paints a detailed picture of human challenges and divine grace. As Paul says in Romans 8:28, "We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose." Even when Jacob relied on himself, God's love and promises remained steadfast.
Let's remember that God works in our lives in mysterious ways. Even in our struggles with trust, fear, and self-reliance, He's shaping and refining us for His purpose. As we journey with God, may we learn to trust His timing, lean on His understanding, and rely on His promises.
As we wrap up, keep C.S. Lewis's words in mind: "Relying on God has to begin all over again every day as if nothing yet had been done." Let this serve as a reminder to seek God's guidance each new day and to trust in His divine plan, just like Jacob.
