Topical Bible: Answers To Prayer: Jacob

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Jacob, the son of Isaac and Rebekah, and the twin brother of Esau, is a significant patriarch in the biblical narrative. His life is marked by numerous encounters with God, where his prayers and supplications are met with divine responses that shape his journey and the future of the Israelite nation.

1. Prayer for Deliverance from Esau (Genesis 32:9-12):

One of the most poignant moments of prayer in Jacob's life occurs as he prepares to meet his estranged brother, Esau. Fearing retribution for having previously deceived Esau out of his birthright and blessing, Jacob turns to God in earnest prayer. He acknowledges God's past faithfulness and promises, saying, "O God of my father Abraham, God of my father Isaac, O LORD, who said to me, 'Return to your country and to your kindred, and I will do you good,' I am unworthy of all the kindness and faithfulness You have shown Your servant" (Genesis 32:9-10). Jacob pleads for deliverance from Esau's wrath, expressing his fear and reminding God of His promise to make Jacob's descendants as numerous as the sand of the sea.

God answers Jacob's prayer not only by softening Esau's heart but also by transforming Jacob himself. This encounter is followed by a mysterious wrestling match with a divine being, where Jacob's name is changed to Israel, signifying his struggle and prevailing with God (Genesis 32:28).

2. Prayer at Bethel (Genesis 28:10-22):

Earlier in his life, Jacob experiences a profound encounter with God at Bethel. Fleeing from Esau's anger, Jacob stops for the night and dreams of a ladder reaching to heaven, with angels ascending and descending on it. The LORD stands above it and reiterates the covenant promises made to Abraham and Isaac, assuring Jacob of His presence and protection.

Upon waking, Jacob responds with a vow, saying, "If God will be with me and watch over me on this journey, and give me food to eat and clothes to wear, so that I return safely to my father's house, then the LORD will be my God" (Genesis 28:20-21). This prayerful vow marks a turning point in Jacob's spiritual journey, as he acknowledges God's sovereignty and commits to worshiping Him.

3. Prayer for Guidance and Protection (Genesis 35:1-15):

After the tumultuous events involving his sons at Shechem, God instructs Jacob to return to Bethel and settle there. In obedience, Jacob purifies his household, instructing them to rid themselves of foreign gods and prepare to worship the LORD. At Bethel, God appears to Jacob again, reaffirming the covenant and blessing him.

Jacob's prayerful response is one of worship and dedication. He sets up a stone pillar and pours out a drink offering on it, calling the place Bethel, meaning "House of God." This act of worship and prayerful dedication signifies Jacob's renewed commitment to God and his reliance on divine guidance and protection.

4. Prayer for Blessing (Genesis 48:15-16):

In his later years, Jacob prays for his grandsons, Ephraim and Manasseh, the sons of Joseph. As he blesses them, Jacob invokes the God of his fathers, saying, "May the God before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac walked, the God who has been my shepherd all my life to this day, the Angel who has redeemed me from all harm—may He bless these boys" (Genesis 48:15-16). This prayer reflects Jacob's deep faith and recognition of God's providential care throughout his life.

Jacob's prayers throughout his life demonstrate a dynamic relationship with God, characterized by moments of fear, gratitude, and worship. His experiences of answered prayer reveal God's faithfulness to His covenant promises and His willingness to engage with His people in their times of need.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Genesis 32:24-30
And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Secret of Effectual Prayer
... the mysteries and difficulties connected with answers to prayer ... Here is the place
where Jacob becomes Israel, and the power of prevailing prayer is born ...
/.../murray/the ministry of intercession/chapter ix the secret of.htm

Letter v. Prayer and Fasting.
... When Jacob heard that his brother Esau was coming against him, with an army ... With
the evidence here presented, who can doubt that God hears and answers prayer? ...
/.../letter v prayer and fasting.htm

Prayer Answered, Love Nourished
... God whose memorial is that he hears and answers prayers. ... he sees that all his attempts
at prayer in the ... there thou oughtest to have wrestled as Jacob did, but ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/prayer answered love nourished.htm

1861-1869. Prayer of Hon. And Rev. Baptist Noel --Residence in ...
... and convulsed in every limb, at times compelled to be fastened to his bed,"one whose
garret reminded one of the dream of Jacob; for answers to prayer were so ...
//christianbookshelf.org/lowe/gods answers/chapter i 1861-1869 prayer of.htm

The Christian Prayer
... ANSWERS TO PRAYER. ... Notable Instances of Prayer, and the response of God, are shown
in the ... Abraham (Genesis 20:17), Jacob (Genesis 32:24-31), Moses (Numbers 11:2 ...
/.../sell/studies in the life of the christian/study vii the christian prayer.htm

Prayer Perfumed with Praise
... Prayer may climb to heaven, for God has himself prepared the ... just by the head of
his lonely Jacob, so that ... and sending his attendant angels with answers to our ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 25 1879/prayer perfumed with praise.htm

A Poor Man's Cry, and what came of It
... constantly witnessing the most unmistakable instances of answers to prayer ... no more
doubt the efficacy of prayer than I ... or to any of the seed of Jacob, "Seek ye ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 37 1891/a poor mans cry and.htm

Prayer and Faith
... Lord, what wilt Thou have me to do?" and answers quickly, "Speak ... But before that
prayer could be answered, there was much to be done with, and for Jacob. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bounds/the necessity of prayer/i prayer and faith.htm

Bear up the Hands that Hang Down, by Faith and Prayer...
... and pray, and hear no voice, but stay till God answers. ... God gave to Rebecca Jacob
and Esau because Isaac prayed ... as she was, in answer to the prayer of Zacharias ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bounds/purpose in prayer/chapter ix bear up the.htm

God's Dealings with the Earth During the Tribulation Period.
... It is spoken of as "the day of vengeance" (Is.61:2). It is called "the time of Jacob's
trouble" (Jer.30 ... Then will be the time when God answers that prayer. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the redeemers return/3 gods dealings with the.htm