120116 - Genesis 28-29 - I knew it not

S: And, behold, the LORD stood above it, and said, I am the LORD God of Abraham thy father, and the God of Isaac: the land whereon thou liest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed; And thy seed shall be as the dust of the earth, and thou shalt spread abroad to the west, and to the east, and to the north, and to the south: and in thee and in thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed. And, behold, I am with thee, and will keep thee in all places whither thou goest, and will bring thee again into this land; for I will not leave thee, until I have done that which I have spoken to thee of. And Jacob awaked out of his sleep, and he said, Surely the LORD is in this place; and I knew it not. (Ge 28:13-16).
O: Jacob's life shows a lot of dependence on his own cleverness, ambition and trickery -- and a little superstition. He has really thought all this time that he could manipulate a real spiritual blessing for himself by trickery. But God was there all along, and he knew it not. And God has chosen Him - certainly not for his virtue - continuing this great promise through him.
A: I'm so glad God did all that He did through this man! If everyone was like Daniel or Joseph seem to be, I might give in to despair about myself. Jacob's story helps me to have faith that if He could complete the work He was doing in Jacob, He will in me also.
P: Great is your love and mercy, Father, that you would work so hard on a man like Jacob and call yourself God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

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