God Has Been With Me and Will Be With You

The job of the church is to pass down our hope from one generation to the other. We see Jacob do that right before he dies for his succeeding generation.

Spurgeon notes there are four places where Jacob speaks of God being with him throughout his story in the book of Genesis.

“I am with you” (Gen. 28:15).
This was the first promise of God's presence while fleeing from Esau. He had just robbed his father and scorned his brother. God appears and promises to be with this boy who has really nothing good about him other than God's Word. The text tells us he was alone. He had been raised in a wealthy home with a loving mother who looked out for him constantly. He had been surrounded by servants and cattle and family all his life. Now he ends up in the desert laying his head upon a rock because he literally has nothing. Yet in the most deserted moment of his life God shows up and promises His presence.

“I will be with you” (Gen. 31:3).

The second word of God's presence comes to Jacob before he returns home from Laban's and has to face Esau. It was Jacob's true "face the music" moment. He hear's God's promise in the face of the overwhelming obstacle of Esau's 400 soldiers. We should note, this is another huge transition again for Jacob. Instead of the steady work at Laban's he's on his own. He's got a large family to support and no promises from anyone there except the God who led him back.   

“God … has been with me” (Gen. 31:5; 35:3).

The third promise of God's presence is used at the end of Jacob's life and he says God was with him from his womb to his death bed. Here he actually refers to God as His "Shepherd". That's a term for God we assume originates with David in Psalm 23. But it started here with Jacob. Jesus will refer to Himself as the Good Shepherd. But the first person to refer to God as Shepherd is the one who perhaps needed it the most. Philip Keller writes a book titled, "A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23." He talks about how of all livestock animals, sheep need the most attention and care. They require 24-7 protection and direction. And this is what the Bible calls us! If you look at the state of the world it is no wonder we are labeled sheep. People are misled and deceived by all sorts of lies and trickery. We need our Shepherd. Jacob knew Him. It made all the difference.

“God will be with you” (Gen. 48:21).

The last promise of God's presence is instructive to those he would leave behind after he died. Jacob was living proof that we do not earn God's presence. It is His gracious gift. Jesus is God's ultimate promised presence - the "Word made flesh... and dwelling among us." Jacob could promise God's presence to his successors because he understood grace. He experience God's gracious goodness when he least deserved it. And he passed that sure promise down to succeeding generations.

Spurgeon said, "The Lord shall never lack a champion to bear his standard high among the sons of men. Only let us pray God to raise up more faithful ministers. God will keep up the apostolic succession, never fear of that. When Stephen is dying, Paul is not far off. When Elijah is taken up, he leaves his mantle behind him.”

I'm so glad God has been with me. 

I know He will be with you.

Pass it on.