Joseph or Jacob

Jacob and Joseph, two big men in the Bible who were very different in action.

Jacob always seemed to try to trick or bargain. Remember how Jacob tricked his father to steal his older brother Esau’s blessing (Genesis 27). Jacob conspired with His mother Rebekah to trick his blind father into believing Jacob was Esau. Jacob’s actions so infuriated his brother that he had to run away (Genesis 27:41-45). In Genesis 28, Jacob dreamt of the ladder and exclaimed “surely the Lord is in this place” (Genesis 28:16). This didn’t keep Jacob from bargaining with God shortly afterwards, “If God will be with me, and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat and clothing to wear, so that I come again to my father’s house in peace, then the Lord shall be my God” Genesis 28:20-21. After more examples of his trickery and conspiring, Jacob would learn his lesson later in Genesis.

In contrast, Joseph never bargained with the Lord nor made deals to better his life. After learning of his betrothed’s pregnancy, Joseph didn’t work to conspire, he simply “resolved to quietly divorce her.” (Matthew 1:19). But, when in a dream the Lord told Joseph of the conception of this pregnancy, Joseph “took her into his home.” (Matthew 1:24). He didn’t try to make excuses or cover it up despite the talk that would have ensued. Joseph didn’t look to God to make a deal to profit himself in exchange for being Jesus’ foster father. He woke and acted. And, then after a difficult journey from his home to Bethlehem and then delivering his new son in a lowly manger, when told to take his wife and son to Egypt to hide until told to return, Joseph didn’t get angry or say this wasn’t part of some bargain. Joseph again, simply packed up his new family and went.

Jacob spent a lot of time chattering and dealing while Joseph said not one single word in scripture. Joseph heard of God’s plan and simply did as God asked without question or complaint or bargain.

Joseph/Jacob: Who do you choose to be?

“God works in a silent soul without hindrance.” Divine Mercy in My Soul # 477