It might seem to some to be an astonishing thing for an author to ask his readers to join him in a study of the life of Jacob. Jacob lived a very long time ago. There were no computers. Jacob did not send or receive e-mail. There were no television sets, no VCRs, and no cars. What possible value is there, then, in the study of the life of a man so far removed from our own sophisticated times?

Firstly, we study the life of Jacob simply because it is in the Bible. The Bible is a special book. The books of the Bible were written by men who were inspired by the Holy Spirit of God.

Secondly, every Christian can identify with Jacob. Jacob is indeed a picture of us all. We all come into this world with a nature that makes us oblivious to the things of God and engrossed in ourselves.

Thirdly, Jacob’s God is the God of all believers. Jacob’s God is our God. God is the hero of every story in the Bible, and is certainly the hero in the story of Jacob. There is much for us to learn.


Roger Ellsworth is the pastor of Immanuel Baptist Church, Benton, Illinois, USA. He has served as trustee of South-Eastern Baptist Seminary, North Carolina, USA, and president of Illinois State Baptist Association.