This post is Day 3 in a series of studies about “Psalms 146-150”. I strongly suggest you begin with the introduction to this study, please click here to read it.

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Psalms 146-150 – Day 3

Jacob was the father of 12 sons who became the twelve tribes of Israel which form the Jewish nation as it exists today. He died at an old age with all his sons around him. The Lord revealed Himself to Jacob, forgave him, and blessed him through his whole life.

Psalm 146:5

Blessed are those whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord their God.

The Thought

The psalmist can say these words with confidence, because he has seen God at work among His people. He also knows their history, which was not always a history to be proud of! Jacob was the younger brother of Esau, son of Isaac and Rebecca, and grandson of Abraham. He was a schemer! Encouraged by his mother, he cheated his brother out of his birthright, and later out of his father’s blessing (Genesis 25-27).

Cheating seemed to have been a family trait! When he wanted to marry Rachel who was his cousin, Jacob found that he had married her sister instead! His uncle Laban had cheated him (Genesis 29)! Later in the story Jacob cheated Laban with the speckled animals (Genesis 30:35-42)!

So why would the psalmist talk about the God of Jacob who seemed to approve these things?

Possibly because much later in Jacob’s life, he had a “head on collision” with The Lord and then things changed, including his name! From then on he was called Israel (Genesis 32:22-32).

Jacob was the father of 12 sons who became the twelve tribes of Israel which form the Jewish nation as it exists today. He died at an old age with all his sons around him (Genesis 49:33).

Thinking of all that history, we can see that the God of Jacob was one who forgave sins, and fulfilled His plans in spite of mistakes, and scheming by His people. The Lord revealed Himself to Jacob, forgave him, and blessed him to continue the plan that He had for His people.

Action

Praise God today that He has plans for your life, and no matter what you do, His plans will be fulfilled. Praise Him that He forgives our cheating, and our mistakes.

Read some of Jacob’s story and ask God to show you its relevance for you today.

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