This Article: (3 Pages)
- 1. A Maimed and Contrite spirit
- 2. Jacob's trouble
- 3. Strength in Infirmity
3) Strength in Infirmity
A descendant of Jacob, Paul, was shown why Jacob was made to limp, in a parallel experience. Paul when he was made weak was told by God,
And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
(2Co 12:9)
There was a spiritual principle established in the physical witness of the limp, and the Israelites not eating the sinew that shrank. Yahweh dwells everywhere, but he seeks people of a certain sort, such as Jacob was,
Thus saith the LORD, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool: where is the house that ye build unto me? and where is the place of my rest? For all those things hath mine hand made, and all those things have been, saith the LORD: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite (or lamed) spirit, and trembles at my word. (Isaiah 66:1-2)
Jacob was physically lamed to show, or develop, an internal state of a lamed spirit.
In this state his whole life became a sacrifice that was not despised by God,
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise. (Psa 51:17)
Human strength does not impress God. How important is the lamed spirit? If a person wishes their prayers to be heard, and to be saved from their inevitable afflictions in life, a lamed, or even a broken spirit is crucial,
The righteous cry, and the LORD hears, and delivers them out of all their troubles. The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saves such as be of a contrite spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivers him out of them all. (Psalm 34:17-19)
At one point, all those such as Esau, who have caused the humble and broken in spirit to fear, will themselves be put in fear, because it has already been announced that the God of Jacob, who helps the humble who trust him and lean on him, such as Jacob did, will openly reveal his presence.
Tremble, thou earth, at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the God of Jacob; (Psa 114:7)
Jacob, who for the majority of his life was caused to limp and lean on a staff, whose days were few and evil (when compared to his fathers), will be honoured in that time as a prince with the mighty ones. Already it is written that the great building from where teaching will come in the future in the place where Yahweh Elohim will put his name, will be called “the house of the God of Jacob.” It is so important a point that two prophets witness to it.
And many nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for the law shall go forth of Zion, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. (Mic 4:2, cp Isaiah 2:3)
For more see To seek God's face
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