The Faith of Jacob

By an act of faith, Jacob on his deathbed blessed each of Joseph's sons in turn, blessing them with God's blessing, not his own—as he bowed worshipfully upon his staff. Hebrews 11:21

By this time Jacob could not see well. When Joseph’s two sons were brought to him it was customary to bless the eldest first and then the other. Jacob, at the time of blessing crossed his hands and blessed the youngest first and then the eldest. By this… breaking tradition through his trust in God.

There are many religious traditions that are cross-ways of scripture. When religious traditions trump scripture there are problems. Most of the problems place God’s people in legalistic bondage.

There is a time and a place to break with tradition. There is never a time to break from scripture. There is a difference.

Sometimes faith causes us to walk… a different pathway. A pathway different from our religious denomination… or oral tradition. When that occurs we will need the same faith that Jacob demonstrated since others will not understand and may condemn...

Jacob’s life was one of trial, problems, and mistakes. He was much like many of us… yet his belief in God… his trust… carried him through and in the end… he was deemed faithful… and our example.