We are promised to become one holy nation – How did Jacob overcome to become one great nation Israel ?

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By Bill Brady

May 2021  edited 7/6/2021

Israel = The Great Nation

  • First, it must be seen that The LORD promised Abram that He would make Abram a Great Nation. 

This promise was fulfilled after at least 5 generations.

  1. Abram / Abraham
  2. Isaac
  3. Jacob overcame & was given the name “Israel”.
  4. Jacob’s 12 Sons each became a Head of a Tribe.  Together they became a Nation.  
  5. I am not sure how many generations it took to become a Great nation.

 

Jacob overcame & became Israel in the 4th Generation.

  • Does this mean that we must be the 4th Generation in order to Overcome?
  • Does this mean that we must be the 5th Generation in order to become a Nation?
  • Yes & no.

It is not only the 4th Generation that overcomes.

  • It is that each of us becomes 4 Generations one after another.
  • It is likely that we overcome as each Generation.
  • It is also likely that we are each destined to become generations both personally & generationally.
  • We are meant to have generations of spiritual Sons.
  • We are also meant to have generations within us personally.

How do we know this?

  • Noah was perfect in his generations.
  • This had nothing to do with his Sons who got off The Ark with him.
  • There was nothing perfect about them.
  • Somehow, Noah was perfect in his generations within himself.

 

Jacob overcame & became Israel.

  • This was his new name.
  • So, Israel is he new name of one person previously name Jacob.
  • Israel is also the name of The 12 Tribes togethe as One Great Nation.

What did Jacob do to overcome?

‘And He said, “Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel;  for you have struggles with God and with men, and have prevailed.”  Genesis 32:28

 

Prevail = Overcome

  • Jacob struggled with God and with men. 
  • He prevailed in both of these struggles.

When did Jacob struggle with God?

  •  See Genesis 32:22-28.
  • He wrestled with God all night.
  • What was Jacob struggling for?
  • The Blessing.
  • He struggled until God blessed him.
  • He had likely been struggling with God for a long time before that night.

When did Jacob struggle with men?

  • He struggled with his brother Esau.
  • He struggled with his uncle Laban.
  • He struggled with his father Isaac who wanted to give The Blessing to his brother Esau.
  • Jacob’s whole life was a struggle to get The Blessing.

Have you been struggling with God and with men?

  • Keep on struggling.
  • The prize that you are ultimately struggling for is The Blessing & The Great Nation.
  • The Blessing is ultimately Life Forever more = Everlasting Life.
  • The Great Nation is both Personal & Corporate.
  • The promise of Great Nation has already been fulfilled in The Natural.
  • Natural Israel became a Great Nation long ago.
  • It will be fulfilled in The Spiritual in those who do not give up the struggle for it.
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Meet The Author

CEO. Jane Johnson B.Com Grad Dip LD, Dip Coaching.
Founder of the ECCLESIA framework in 2013, and the Heavenly Realms Support Group. Jane has worked in many different leadership capacities from being a professionally qualified Christian Leadership Coach for 13 years to many Christian leaders, to leading a ministry with the Navigators, to being a Senior Learning and Development Manager of a multimillion corporation, advising the management team on strategic approaches to get the best out of their people. She has developed considerable experience with Investors in People taking several companies through to successful accreditation and training as a consultant for them. Hence she understands the amazing impact a tool based on this principle can have.