Jacob Typifies a Christian

Isaac is a type of Christ.  Christ is the king.  Thus, his son, Jacob, typifies a child of the king.  Jacob typifies a Christian.  In this study of Jacob’s life, we shall glean some important life lessons to remember as Christians.

Pay careful attention to the promises of God.  Gen 28:13-15.  The first two verses of this passage are a continuance of the Abrahamic covenant.  But the third verse, v.15, is what we should not forget.  The Lord said to Jacob:

• I am with thee, Jn 14:18.  No evidence that Jacob was aware of God’s presence when he was with Laban.  We must be aware of God’s presence in our lives.
• I will keep thee in all places whither thou goest, 2 Tim 1:12.  The Lord did this for Jacob, though Jacob wasn’t sure God would.  We are eternally secure.
• I will bring thee again into this land, Jn 14:3.  Jacob would not have feared Esau so much had he really believed this promise.  We must believe God will get us to heaven as he said.
• I will not leave thee, Heb 13:5.  God was always with Jacob and he will always be with us.

We must remember the promises of God and live by them.

Do not neglect the house of God.  Gen 28:16-19.  In Jacob’s dream, he saw a ladder, typifying Jesus (Jn 1:51) and from above this ladder, the Lord spoke to him.  Jacob said, “Surely the Lord is in this place; and I knew it not”.  So, he called the place Bethel.  This means “the house of God”.

When you first come to church, like Jacob, you may not realize that God is in this place and that he will speak to you here.  He is and he will.  So, don’t leave like Jacob did.  Jacob went on his journey, Gen 29:1, to find a wife and didn’t return for 20 years.  Contrast Abraham’s servant in Gen 24, who found Rebekah and started back home the next day.

Expect to reap some of what you’ve sown.  Gen 29:25-26.  Jacob, Isaac’s second born son, pretended to be Esau, Isaac’s firstborn son, when Isaac blessed him, Gen 27:18-29.  It wasn’t right to put the younger before the firstborn.  Later with Laban, Jacob unknowingly married Leah, instead of Rachel, by the same principle.  Leah was the firstborn.  Jacob reaped what he sowed.  And since Jacob typifies a Christian, you can expect to reap, too.

Furthermore, Jacob used the skins of the kids of goats to cover his own smooth skin, Gen 27:16, to deceive Isaac.  In turn, his sons dipped Joseph’s coat in the blood of a kid of the goats to fool Jacob into believing that Joseph had been devoured by an evil beast, Gen 37:31-33.  Jacob reaped what he had sown.  Jesus paid for your sins but he didn’t pay for your consequences.

Learn how to meet with God in prayer.  Gen 32:9-12.  Jacob was scared that Esau was coming to meet him for vengeance.  At first, he began by separating his people and herds into two bands, hoping that Esau would only destroy one and not both.  But then he decided to pray.  Notice:

• Jacob knew to pray to God because of his father and grand-father.  It helps if you have seen God work in your family’s life.
• Jacob reminded God of his promises.  It helps to remind God of his promises when you approach him with a petition.  This gives you confidence that you are praying in the will of God.
• Jacob professed that he was not worthy of God’s mercies.  Humility in prayer is essential.  Contrast this humble approach with Jacob’s very selfish vow in Gen 28:20-22.
• Jacob’s request was very specific, “Deliver me…”.  Prayer should be very specific and honest “for I fear him”.
• Jacob should have trusted God and rested in his petition.  Instead, Jacob devised an elaborate scheme to appease his brother, Gen 32:13-23, and wasted a lot of resources and effort in the process.  When we pray, we should trust the Lord and look for his peace that passeth understanding, Phil 4:6-7.  We waste a lot of time worrying and manipulating.

Grow in grace and in the knowledge of God.  Gen 32:24-31.  The night before meeting Esau, Jacob wrestled with the Lord.  Jacob stayed with him all night long and would not let him go.  When the Lord asked his name, Jacob didn’t lie this time.  And because Jacob prevailed with God in his supplication, the Lord changed his name to Israel, Hos 12:3-6.  From a supplanter to a prince, Jacob’s life changed.  And since Jacob typifies a Christian, our lives should change, too.

Jacob saw God face to face.  He went from not even knowing that God was in Bethel to knowing God intimately in Peniel.  He grew in his knowledge of God and so should we.  And as we grow spiritually we should notice a weakening of dependence on our own flesh.  Jacob limped for the rest of his life.

Return all the way back to God when you stray from him.  Gen 35:1-3.  Jacob stopped short of a full return to the place where God met him before.  Instead of going to Bethel, he stopped in Shalem, Gen 33:18.  Terrible things happened to him and his family here, Gen 34.  He should have never stopped until he was in Bethel, the house of God.

On their return to Bethel, they did some things you should do when you’re getting right with God.  Since Jacob typifies a Christian, you should:

• Put away the strange gods.  Get rid of all the idols that you pick up when you’re backslidden.
• Be clean.  Let the word of God, the Holy Spirit, and the blood of Jesus Christ sanctify you.
• Change your garments.  Put away all the worldly attire and adornments that identify you with the world instead of Jesus.
• Arise and go up to Bethel.  Get back to the house of God where you will meet with God and hear from him.

To study the previous lesson, see Isaac Typifies Christ. To study the next lesson, see Joseph Typifies Christ.