Topical Bible: Blessing: Temporal, from God: To Jacob

◄ Blessing: Temporal, from God: To Jacob ►

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The concept of temporal blessings from God to Jacob is a significant theme in the biblical narrative, illustrating God's providence and favor upon Jacob, the patriarch of the Israelite nation. These blessings encompass material prosperity, protection, and familial growth, reflecting God's covenantal promises.

Material Prosperity

Jacob's life is marked by divine favor manifesting in material wealth. After fleeing from his brother Esau, Jacob arrives at his uncle Laban's house, where he works for many years. Despite Laban's attempts to deceive him, God blesses Jacob with substantial wealth. Genesis 30:43 states, "Thus Jacob became exceedingly prosperous. He owned large flocks, maidservants and menservants, and camels and donkeys." This prosperity is a direct result of God's intervention, as Jacob himself acknowledges in Genesis 31:9 : "Thus God has taken away your father’s livestock and given them to me."

Protection and Guidance

God's temporal blessings to Jacob also include protection and guidance throughout his journey. When Jacob flees from Esau, God appears to him in a dream at Bethel, promising His presence and protection. Genesis 28:15 records God's assurance: "Look, I am with you, and I will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. For I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you." This divine promise is fulfilled as God protects Jacob from Laban's pursuit (Genesis 31:24) and later from Esau's potential wrath (Genesis 33:4).

Familial Growth

Jacob's temporal blessings are also evident in the growth of his family, which becomes the foundation of the twelve tribes of Israel. Despite the complexities and challenges within his family dynamics, God blesses Jacob with twelve sons and a daughter. This expansion of his family is a fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, ensuring the continuation of the covenantal line. Genesis 35:11 reiterates this blessing: "And God said to him, 'I am God Almighty. Be fruitful and multiply. A nation—even a company of nations—shall come from you, and kings shall descend from you.'"

Covenantal Context

The temporal blessings bestowed upon Jacob are deeply rooted in the covenantal relationship between God and the patriarchs. These blessings are not merely for Jacob's personal benefit but serve a greater divine purpose in the unfolding of God's redemptive plan. Jacob's experiences of material prosperity, protection, and familial growth are tangible expressions of God's faithfulness to His promises, as initially given to Abraham and reiterated to Isaac and Jacob.

In summary, the temporal blessings from God to Jacob are multifaceted, encompassing material wealth, divine protection, and the growth of his family. These blessings underscore God's faithfulness and the unfolding of His covenantal promises, setting the stage for the emergence of the nation of Israel.

Nave's Topical Index

Genesis 35:9-15
And God appeared to Jacob again, when he came out of Padanaram, and blessed him.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

Lii. Trust in God.
... concerns, He will see that our temporal affairs do ... that his brother had received
the first blessing, he cried ... get for thyself all these things." God before all ...
/.../the village pulpit volume ii trinity to advent/lii trust in god.htm

The Blessing of God on Filial Piety.
... God knew, and had probably informed the prophet, that the ... to the eternal, if not
to the temporal interests, of ... it is rather a curse, than a blessing, to the ...
/.../lee/sermons on various important subjects/sermon xxiii the blessing of.htm

part 2
... to open the windows of heaven and pour out a blessing, it is not a spiritual one,
it is a temporal one. ... Do you suppose Almighty God would be your debtor? ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/tithing/part 2.htm

City of God
... But Also in Connection with Temporal Prosperity, Because ... Chapter 41.--Of the Blessing
Which Jacob Promised in ... 2.--At What Time the Promise of God Was Fulfilled ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/city of god/

Psalm LXXXIV.
... we were borne towards those worldly, secular, temporal, unstable, and ... And what has
that grace and blessing given unto us ... hear my prayer: hearken, O God of Jacob ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm lxxxiv.htm

God's True Treasure in Man
... the men who recognise the source of their blessing, and turn ... of the things that are
seen and temporal; they are ... And so God estimates, and teaches us to estimate ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/gods true treasure in man.htm

The Sovereignty of God in Reprobation
... Does the (temporal) goodness of God lead them to ... Assembly of the Presbyterian
Church-declares, "God, by an ... one unto, the other not unto the blessing of eternal ...
/.../pink/the sovereignty of god/chapter five the sovereignty of.htm

Chapter xlvii
... battebh?�'oth ""in the harvest" "be being temporal rather than ... the land of Canaan,
and the blessing of all ... tied up with these promises of the Word of God. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xlvii.htm

The Patriarchs.
... Joseph, their sin was bringing about God's high purpose. ... He gave his blessing to
all his sons, and ... children should have the choicest temporal inheritance; but ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/lesson ii the patriarchs.htm

Psalm CV.
... he addeth this also to the praises of God, that He ... as yet despise the just and due,
though temporal, reward of ... This also was a great blessing of God, that in ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm cv.htm