In a Fighting Mood

Esau was born first, a baby covered with hair (his name means ‘hairy’), but his twin brother Jacob grabbed his heel while still in the womb. What a shock the midwife must have had when she saw Esau come forth with a tiny hand gripping his heel!

“He took his brother by the heel in the womb, and in his strength he struggled with God. Yes, he struggled with the angel and prevailed; he wept, and sought favor from him. He found him in Bethel, and there he spoke to us” (Hosea 12:3-4, NKJV).

In this very brief passage about Jacob, the prophet Hosea sums up how to overcome and prevail with God. His message was “Here was a man greedy for God, hungry for everything God had for him.” Jacob came out of the womb in a fighting mood, longing for the blessings of God. There was something of a godly instinct in this child. It was as if he was saying, “Brother, if you don't want the fullness of God, I do. Get out of my way. I will not be left behind in God's blessings.”

The birthright and blessing of Jacob's desire throughout his life represents all the blessings that are in Christ Jesus. Ultimately, it was not the double portion of his father's wealth that Jacob was after, nor was it the promise of the land. No, Jacob wanted something more. He wanted the blessing of God so he could be in the lineage of the Messiah, and he wanted the priestly blessing. This meant not only being priest of the clan, but also being able to bless others.

We see this priestly ministry throughout Genesis 27 and as Isaac laid hands on Jacob and blessed him: “…that your soul may bless me” (Genesis 27:19). It meant the high honor of having God's hand on him and the power to bless others.

Beloved, this is what is being required of believers in these last days. God wants to raise up a people who are not concerned only about making their own living, owning a house or driving a nice car. He is seeking those who are greedy for the blessings of God, not to consume it on themselves but to be used of him to help others!