Topical Bible: Protection: 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 instances of divine protection, which underscore God's covenantal faithfulness and providential care.

Protection from Esau:
Jacob's early life is characterized by tension with his brother Esau, from whom he deceitfully obtained the birthright and blessing. Fearing Esau's wrath, Jacob fled to his uncle Laban in Haran. During this journey, God appeared to Jacob in a dream at Bethel, reaffirming the Abrahamic covenant and promising His presence and protection. "I am with you and 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" (Genesis 28:15). This divine assurance provided Jacob with the confidence to continue his journey despite the potential dangers.

Protection in Haran:
While in Haran, Jacob faced challenges under Laban's employment, including deceit and exploitation. Yet, God continued to protect and prosper Jacob, ensuring that he amassed significant wealth and a large family. Jacob himself acknowledged God's protection when he said, "If the God of my father, the God of Abraham, and the Fear of Isaac, had not been with me, surely now you would have sent me away empty-handed. But God has seen my affliction and the toil of my hands, and last night He rendered judgment" (Genesis 31:42).

Protection during the Return to Canaan:
Upon God's command to return to Canaan, Jacob faced the daunting prospect of reconciling with Esau. In preparation, Jacob prayed earnestly for deliverance, saying, "Please deliver me from the hand of my brother Esau, for I am afraid he may come and attack me, and also the mothers with their children" (Genesis 32:11). God answered Jacob's prayer, and the anticipated confrontation with Esau turned into a peaceful reunion, demonstrating God's protective hand over Jacob and his family.

Protection at Shechem and Bethel:
After settling in Canaan, Jacob's family faced potential danger following the incident at Shechem, where his sons Simeon and Levi avenged their sister Dinah. Fearing retaliation from the surrounding Canaanite tribes, Jacob moved his family to Bethel. God protected Jacob by instilling fear in the surrounding cities, preventing any pursuit: "As they set out, a terror from God fell over the surrounding cities, so that they did not pursue the sons of Jacob" (Genesis 35:5).

Protection in Egypt:
In his later years, Jacob and his family moved to Egypt during a severe famine, under the protection and provision of his son Joseph, who had risen to power there. This relocation was part of God's plan to preserve Jacob's lineage, as God had assured him, "Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for I will make you into a great nation there. I will go down with you to Egypt, and I will surely bring you back again" (Genesis 46:3-4).

Throughout Jacob's life, the theme of divine protection is evident, reflecting God's unwavering commitment to His covenant promises. Jacob's experiences serve as a testament to God's faithfulness and His ability to safeguard His chosen people amidst trials and uncertainties.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Genesis 48:16
The Angel which redeemed me from all evil, bless the lads; and let my name be named on them, and the name of my fathers Abraham and Isaac; and let them grow into a multitude in the middle of the earth.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Gen. xxxi. 11
... Moreover, it is a plurality of angels that in xxviii.12, xxxii.2, serves for the
protection of Jacob, and we nowhere find the slightest trace of one inferior ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/gen xxxi 11.htm

The Heavenly Pathway and the Earthly Heart
... the translation of the vision into word and adapted to his then wants, are
given,"God's presence in his wanderings, his protection, Jacob's return to the land ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/the heavenly pathway and the.htm

Praying Saints of the Old Testaments
... With a deep sense of his utter dependence upon God, and desiring above all the help
of God, Jacob conditioned his prayer for protection, blessing and guidance ...
/.../bounds/prayer and praying men/i praying saints of the.htm

The Lord of Hosts, the God of Jacob
... The God of Jacob is our ... The realities of a divine protection, of a divine supply,
of a divine guidance, of a divine deliverance, of a divine discipline, and of ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture j/the lord of hosts the.htm

The Encamping Angel
... It reminds one of the incident in Jacob's life, when his timid and pacific ... the same
defence encircling his weakness, and though sense saw no protection for him ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture j/the encamping angel.htm

Chapter xxviii
... Lastly, protection during the time of his absence from home is promised to Jacob,
protection due to nothing less than God's personal presence""I am with thee ...
/.../leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xxviii.htm

Mahanaim: the Two Camps
... 3. Again, we learn from this incident that the angels of God come in the shape
which we need. Jacob's want at the moment was protection. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/mahanaim the two camps.htm

The Other Passages of Scripture which they Employ to Defend their ...
... name of men, when they have them for husbands and live under their protection
(Isa.4:1 ... Jacob does not do so from any anxiety to extend the celebrity of his name ...
/.../of prayer--a perpetual exercise of faith/chapter 25 the other passages.htm

Concerning Our Lord's Genealogy and Concerning the Holy Mother of ...
... Joseph, therefore, is by nature the son of Jacob, of the line of Solomon, but ... who
is versed in letters [2456] : but the marriage was both the protection of the ...
/.../exposition of the orthodox faith/chapter xiv concerning our lords genealogy.htm

The Shepherd, the Stone of Israel
... 2. The Shepherd."How that name sums up the lessons that Jacob had learned from ... him
to be but shadows of the loving care, the watchful protection, the strong ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/the shepherd the stone of.htm