Prof. Biju Issac

God's heart for man whom He created in His owe image, is something our minds would never comprehend. You can be an utter failure in life, but I tell you, God still has an eye on you. Don't give up or quit! He still can make something `great' out of you. That is the gospel of Jesus Christ - the gospel which proclaims life to the dead, which proclaims the possible to the impossible, which brings in revival to the backslider. If it took only His word to create this awesome universe, it would take only His word to shape your life to its full purpose and meaning.

Even at His birth, Jesus identified with sinners and the lowly ones. His family tree had three to four immoral women, whose background story we would be ashamed to speak about (namely Tamar, Ruth the Moabitess, Rahab and Bathsheeba). At His death, He was identified with criminals, one crucified to His left and the other to His right. Oh, sinner, He identifies with you from His birth to death.

One of the titles that He takes upon Himself is- "God of Jacob" : The word `Jacob' means - `a schemer or deceiver' It would be worthwhile if we understand the story of Jacob.

Jacob was bore to Issac along with brother Esau. Even at his birth he caught hold of his brother's heel, in order to come out first from the womb. But Esau came first and the blessing of the firstborn belonged to him. Some how Jacob, as his name suggested wanted to deceive Esau of his birthright blessings. He looked for an opportune time.

One day when his brother Esau was hungry, Jacob schemed the situation to his favour. Easu was mad with hunger and he offered a pot of stew in exchange for the birthright. Later he would put some animal skin to appear hairy as his brother Esau, and stole the blessing of the firstborn from His father Issac, by telling a lie that he is indeed Esau. Thus he deceived both his brother and father. That's a bit of Jacob's background. Now let's see what God is going to do with Jacob.

Because of his fear for Esau, Jacob would rue away to his uncle Laban's house. God meets with this tramp, and would declare thus - "I am the LORD I will give you and your descendants the ground you are lying on All the families of the earth will pronounce blessings on one another using your name and that of your descendants. I am with you! I will protect you wherever you go and will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I promised you!" (Gen. 28:13-15).

God is not telling these words to a holy man' He is saying it to a deceiver who duped his father and brother. God confirms that He is not going to go back on His promise. He reaffirms that the life of Jacob would become a blessing to many people. Not only that, He tells to Jacob - I will be with you... working with you and will protect you. and will bring you back to the same land from where you are running of . and I will not leave you until I HAVE ACCOMPLISHED WHAT I HAVE PROMISED TO YOU.