Topical Bible: Early Rising: Jacob

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In the biblical narrative, early rising is often associated with diligence, devotion, and divine encounters. Jacob, one of the patriarchs of Israel, provides a notable example of early rising in the context of his spiritual journey and relationship with God.

Jacob's Early Rising at Bethel

One of the most significant instances of early rising in Jacob's life occurs during his journey to Haran. After fleeing from his brother Esau, Jacob stops for the night at a place called Luz, later named Bethel. Here, he experiences a profound dream in which he sees 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's response is immediate and reverent. Genesis 28:18 records, "Early the next morning, Jacob took the stone that he had placed under his head, and he set it up as a pillar. He poured oil on top of it." This act of early rising and consecration signifies Jacob's recognition of the sacredness of the encounter and his commitment to the God of his fathers. Jacob's early rising here is emblematic of his readiness to respond to divine revelation and to establish a memorial of God's faithfulness.

Jacob's Early Rising in Preparation for Reconciliation

Another instance of early rising is found in the narrative of Jacob's reconciliation with Esau. After years of separation and tension, Jacob prepares to meet his brother. The night before the encounter, Jacob wrestles with a mysterious man until daybreak, an event that leaves him with a limp and a new name, Israel, meaning "he struggles with God."

Genesis 32:31 notes, "The sun rose above him as he passed by Penuel, and he was limping because of his hip." Although not explicitly stated as an early rising, the context suggests that Jacob's encounter with God through the night leads to a new dawn, both literally and figuratively. This early rising marks a pivotal moment in Jacob's life, symbolizing transformation and preparation for reconciliation with Esau.

Significance of Early Rising in Jacob's Life

In the life of Jacob, early rising is closely linked to moments of divine encounter and significant life transitions. It reflects a posture of readiness and responsiveness to God's leading. Jacob's early rising at Bethel and his journey from Penuel highlight his evolving relationship with God and his role in the unfolding covenantal promises.

Jacob's example serves as an encouragement for believers to seek God earnestly and to be attentive to His voice, especially in the quiet and stillness of the early morning. Through early rising, Jacob demonstrates a heart inclined toward God, setting a pattern for spiritual devotion and commitment.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Genesis 28:18
And Jacob rose up early in the morning, and took the stone that he had put for his pillows, and set it up for a pillar, and poured oil on the top of it.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Early Ministry in Judea
... gospel is confirmed by the probability, rising almost to ... In this way the summer and
early autumn seem ... chance conversation with a woman at Jacob's well, where ...
/.../rhees/the life of jesus of nazareth/ii the early ministry in.htm

Sight and Blindness
... of a surprise, which seems to have been prevented by the unusually early rising
of Elisha's ... has several features of resemblance to that given to Jacob, in his ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/sight and blindness.htm

Prayer and Faith
... chase, told me the following story: 'Rising early one morning ... He come who shall come,
and that right early. ... Jacob prayed, with point and ardour, to be delivered ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bounds/the necessity of prayer/i prayer and faith.htm

Jacob Boehme: his Life and Spirit
... did the humble shoemaker-prophet of Silesia, Jacob Boehme. ... breaking and the Day Dawn
is rising.[8] In ... almost overwhelmingly impressed in his early years"with ...
/.../chapter ix jacob boehme his.htm

Jacob's Waking Exclamation
... house there may have been this troublous thought rising in his ... be as useful to us
as to Jacob, if God ... In the early Christian Church, there was a wicked heresy ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 7 1861/jacobs waking exclamation.htm

The Trials and visions of Devout Youth
... Jacob seems to have been wise enough to make ... let young hearts be true to their early
visions, whether ... possibilities of no ignoble sort, and rising higher than ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/the trials and visions of.htm

The Peculiar Sleep of the Beloved
... not condemn you for it; we do not forbid rising up early ... It is vain for you to rise
up early, to sit ... Such a hallowed sleep also was that of Jacob, when, with a ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 1 1855/the peculiar sleep of the.htm

Jacob Boehme's Influence in England
... possession"; and, with the name of Jacob Boehme, he ... of sinful flesh, suffering, dying,
rising, ascending in ... any direct influence upon the early Quaker movement ...
/.../chapter xii jacob boehmes influence.htm

Jacob Boehme's "Way of Salvation"
... Like the early prophets of Israel, in their sweeping attacks ... soul finds itself "at
the top of Jacob's ladder," and ... to Boehme, at one time, like the rising of a ...
/.../chapter xi jacob boehmes way.htm

The Blessing of Jacob Upon Judah. (Gen. Xlix. 8-10. )
... Patriarch, there is the prophecy of the rising of a ... And then,"Jacob would, in that
case, not have allowed ... itself sufficient, since it occurs so early as in ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/the blessing of jacob upon.htm