Gods Devine Interaction with Jacob Essay - 941 Words

As God molds and guides Jacob over the course of the Jacob Cycle, God interacts with Jacob in increasingly personal ways. I) INTRO Throughout the Book of Genesis, there are cycles of protagonists with whom God interacts. In one such cycle, the Jacob cycle, God interacts with the world in a very unique way. Instead of directly influencing an outcome, He works by using people as conduits. He utilizes people to progress toward the ultimate goal of achieving His Divine Plan. During the Jacob Cycle, God influences Jacob in four significant stages: his childhood, his journey to Haran, his journey from Haran, and a final test of will. Over the course of these stages, God’s increasing trust in Jacob parallels his guidance. 1) GOD INFLUENCING†¦show more content†¦This â€Å"support† from his mother, working as the removed hand of God, is what allows Jacob to survive. 2) GOD INFLUENCING JACOB While Jacob is on his way to Haran, God finally decides that it is time to introduce Himself to Jacob. He speaks to Jacob for the first time in a dream, during which God tells Jacob that, â€Å"I am with you and will keep you wherever you go...I will not leave you until I have done [the promises] of which I have spoken to you† (Gen 28:15). Interacting with Jacob in such a way, and telling him that God will keep him instills within Jacob a sense of security. Jacob can continue on his journey without worry as, even though Jacob has yet to receive other aspects from the blessings, God is with him and God will keep him. Following the dream, when Jacob wakes up, he makes a vow where he says that, â€Å"If God will be with me, and will keep me in this way that I go...then the Lord shall be my God†¦Ã¢â‚¬ (Gen28:20-21). Jacob’s vow [FINISH THIS]. When Jacob finally arrives in Haran, Jacob falls in love with Rachel and offers himself to her father, Laban, in return for her. However, on their wedding night, Laban tricks Jacob by switching Rachel with his eldest daughter Leah. When Jacob realizes what happened, he demands that Rachel be married to him as well. Unbeknownst to him, Rachel could not bear children as she was â€Å"barren†, however since God was