I Am With You and Will Keep You

“Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land; for I will not leave you until I have done what I have spoken to you” (Genesis 28:15).

God had promised Abraham that His covenant would be established with Isaac, and with his seed after him (Genesis 17:19). Thus was Jacob involved in the confirmation of the covenant, which eventually was called “God’s covenant with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob” (Exodus 2:24; 2 Kings 13:23).

Jacob himself received in addition this beautiful personal promise from God regarding His presence, protection and provision. So then, Jacob having left Beersheba because of Esau’s hostility after the blessing incident, and to seek a wife, received a dream from God. In this dream a ladder, upon which angels ascended and descended, reached from earth to heaven, with God at the top of it. This was when God confirmed His covenant with Jacob. In John 1:51 our Lord interpreted this dream as applying to Himself, the Son of Man, who would bridge heaven and earth, picturing the complete provision which grace has made for sinners, and Jacob was a recipient of this grace. He called the place “Bethel.”

God would reiterate His covenant twenty years later, and give Jacob the name Israel (meaning “God rules” or “prince with God”).

Many dislike Jacob, calling him a cheat, a liar, and a schemer. However, Jacob pictures the believer with two natures in conflict. Lessons from Jacob’s life can be learned based upon the fact that God made promises to him, and positive aspects can be seen in his being submissive and obedient, rendering faithful service with sincerity (see Genesis 27:13; 28:7; 30:29; 31:38).

Jacob can also be viewed as the substitute, replacing Esau, a principle seen in Scripture, such as, the Lord Jesus and Adam, Abel and Cain, Isaac and Ishmael, David and Saul.

Lessons in family life can also be gleaned from Isaac’s family. Favoritism led to much sorrow, strife, rivalry, deception and separations.

So the promises God gave to Jacob were all given through His sovereign grace alone and this is the basis upon which He gives grace to us today.

Adapted and modified excerpts from Day by Day: Bible Promises
Unless otherwise noted, Scripture taken from the New King James Version®, NKJV © 1982 by Thomas Nelson.
Used by permission. All rights reserved.