Advent 9/25

 DAY NINE (week two; lineage)

Yesterday we went from the first man- Adam, to our common ancestor- Noah, to the father of many nations- Abraham. Abraham's firstborn, Ishmael, was born from Hagar (Egyptian slave of Sarah), and he was cursed to be against everyone, and to have everyone against him (Genesis 16:12). Yet His second son, Isaac, was a promise fulfilled by God that Sarah would have a son. From Isaac came Jacob, and his children made up the beginning of Israel. 

So to continue our line from yesterday;

Abram/Abraham

Isaac

Jacob/Israel

Judah

Just to clarify, this is a very simplified version of their family tree; Abraham has 8 sons, and possibly more if he had daughters! This is simply following who led to Jesus.

Jacob’s name means “heel-grabber, trickster, supplanter”. He was a twin, born directly after Esau, and he came out holding his brother’s heel. Later on, Jacob deceived his father, Isaac, by pretending to be Esau to get the firstborn’s blessing. This name was changed when Jacob came to Esau again as a much older adult; he wrestled with God until morning. God forced him to stop by simply touching the socket of his hip, which dislocated it.

He was re-named Israel, which means ‘to wrestle with God’. This is not only a title for the experience Jacob had with God, but the people that would form from his descendants. God’s people were known for going back and forth between sin and choosing faith, which is still true today.

I encourage you to pray with me for Israel, that they (there are many Messianic Jews, though I am referring specifically to those who practice Judaism or any other false religion) may turn to their savior, Jesus Christ, and that God can use them in His perfect plan.