Jacob lied to his father. He cheated his brother. He ran away from home. He ran away from God. Yet, despite Jacob’s deception and shortcuts, God told Jacob that he would make him and his descendants a great people who would cover the earth. God repeated to him the blessing he gave Abraham and Isaac: “I am with you and will watch over you where you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you” (Genesis 28:15 NIV). The fugitive had not been abandoned.
Had Jacob done anything to show he was worthy of the blessing? No – he leaked integrity. God did not turn away, however, from the one who had turned away from him. He was faithful, and he still is. God never gives up on you.
