"...I am the Lord, the God of your father Abraham and the God of Isaac. I will give you and your descendants the land on which you are lying. Your descendants will be like the dust of the earth, and you will spread out to the west, and to the east, to the north and to the south. All peoples on earth will be blessed through you and your offspring. I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you."

Genesis 28:13-15

The name "Jacob" implies, "deceiver". Jacob was the third link in God's plan to start a nation from Abraham (Abraham, Isaac, Jacob) and he eventually, through his twelve sons, became the father of the twelve tribes of Israel. Jacob most certainly lived up to his namesake by being deceitful on numerous occasions and to numerous people. One such deceitful acts was to deceived his brother Esau out of the first-born birthright. However, prior to his birth, God promised that His plan would be worked out through Jacob and not his twin brother Esau.

Although Jacob didn't always choose the respectful way in making decisions, his skill, determination, and patience cannot go without notice. He would be identified by four significant events in his life.

First, Jacob deceitfully stole Esau's birthright before fleeing and then later manipulated his father-in-law Laban out of livestock before eventually going back home to beg for Esau's forgiveness of stealing his birthright. During his flight God first appeared to him confirming His blessings, thus, awakening a personal knowledge of himself.

Second, Jacob was served with some of his own medicine when he was manipulated and deceived by Laban. Here first reveals the transformation of Jacob as the Jacob of old would have simply left Laban, whereas the new Jacob, after deciding to leave, waited six years for Gods permission.

Third, Jacob played a new role as "grabber." This time, by the Jordan River, he grabbed onto God and wouldn't let go as he realized his dependence for the God that had continued to bless him. His relationship to God became essential to his life and his name was changed to "Israel - he struggles with God."

The fourth significant event Jacob would experience was the hold God now had on his life. In responding to Joseph's invitation to come to Egypt, Jacob was clearly unwilling to make a move without God's approval.