Jacob Bellman Fellowship

Personal File Birth Place: Canaan Profession: Shepherd Families: Isaac (Dad), Rebecca (Mom), Esau (elder brother), Laban (Uncle), Leah and Rachel (wives) Forefather of the twelve tribes of Israel Third generation starting from Abraham blessed by God.

A person who “grasps” Grasp his elder brother’s feet when was born Grasp birthright by selling his brother a cup of red bean soup Grasp the blessing from his father by cheating What A greedy and crafty character! (Genesis Ch25 V21-34 and Ch 27 V1-45)

Climbs the heaven ladder Flee from home to Haran at the age of 77 Meet God at Bethel (God’s house) First spiritual turning point: repent before God Receive God’s blessing and promise Give God a tenth (Genesis Ch28)

A faithful lover Fall in love with Rachel at the first sight Work for Rachel for 14 years Suffer hardship from Laban, a man who is more shrewd and foxy than him Wish he could love God more (Genesis Ch29 V1-30)

Makes a fortune by trick Increase flocks in the last 6 years of working for Laban Use branches of poplar, almond and planes trees to help his flocks mate Separate strong flocks for himself and left weak ones for Laban Really it’s God who helped him to prosper (Genesis Ch30V25 & Ch 31V55)

Wrestles with God Prepare to meet Esau Grasp God’s promise and to save him from the threaten of his brother “I will not let you go unless you bless me” “Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with men and have overcome” (Genesis Ch32)

Makes up with Esau Humble himself as servant to Esau Give all he has to Esau to beg his forgiveness What a moving scene! Esau forgives him because God forgives Jacob tries to “give” instead of “grasp” (Genesis Ch33)

Returns to God’s house God calls Jacob to return to Bethel Build a altar for God “Go up to Bethel and settle there” (Genesis Ch35)

Gives blessings Move to Egypt at the age of 130 Give blessings to Pharaoh Give blessings to his 12 sons Give blessings to Joseph’s two sons What a change! Let’s give the glory to God! (Genesis Ch )

Returns to his forefathers Pass away in Egypt “Bury me with my fathers in the cave in the field of Ephron the Hittite, the cave ……. In Canaan…….” Though there are ups and owns in Jacobs’ early life, he grasps the promise of God and draws his later life to be a beautiful picture. Egypt is just a foreign town but Canaan is our real homeland. Genesis Ch49 V29 &Ch50V14