The Mandate of Jacob

Instead of waiting on God to fulfill his promise concerning her sons (see 25:22–23), Rebekah manipulated the process. Ironically, the result of her deception was personal misery; she never saw her favorite son Jacob again. Leaders who willfully deceive others as they try to achieve their goals are sometimes forced to live with permanent consequences.

Jacob may have felt justified in deceiving his father, since Esau had already sold him the birthright. Esau had clearly demonstrated his contempt of the position (including the spiritual responsibility) which was his by right, while Jacob valued and desired it. However, lofty purposes and aspirations cannot justify deceit and trickery. We must be content to leave the fulfillment of God’s promises in His hand and wait for His time.

Was Jacob the called one, yes, the scripture says, God loved Jacob and hated Esau. Was Jacob right to steal the blessing when he did. No. He should have waited for the timing of God. He paid the price by being cheated by his uncle Laban. He worked for 14 or more years before he could get away to build the 12 tribes of Israel.

Every one of us has been called by God and we have a mandate, however we have to heed the timing of the Lord or we will incur troubles at every turn until the timing or fulfilment of time comes for us to go and do what God has called us to do.

We have a clear instruction from Jesus to go and make disciples of all men. We need to heed the voice of the spirit of God on how to fulfill the mandate on our lives.