Living in the Spirit : Jacob's Desire for the Blessing, Divine Purpose, and God's Prosperity — Part 2

Living in the Spirit : Jacob's Desire for the Blessing, Divine Purpose, and God's Prosperity — Part 2

A Vow at Bethel

After receiving Isaac's blessing, Jacob fled from home with almost nothing. The man who possessed the covenant blessing had no food, no wealth, no security, and no certainty about the future. At Bethel, God appeared to him in a dream and reaffirmed the covenant promises. In response, Jacob vowed that if God would give him food to eat, clothing to wear, protection on his journey, and bring him home safely, then the Lord would be his God, and he would give a tenth of all God gave him. God must have been amused, for all of this was already part of the package in his blessing.

Labor Without the Blessing

Yet Jacob's journey to prosperity was not immediate. He served his uncle Laban for twenty years. Laban repeatedly cheated him and changed his wages ten times. Had God not intervened, Jacob's labor alone would never have made him wealthy. Hard work is honorable, but labor without God's blessing has limits.

Then God intervened. The Angel of the Lord appeared to Jacob in a dream and showed him exactly what to do. God gave him supernatural wisdom, and from that point his flocks multiplied exceedingly until Jacob became a very wealthy man (Genesis 30:43). It was not merely his effort that produced wealth; it was God's instruction. As Moses later declared, "The Lord thy God... giveth thee power to get wealth" (Deuteronomy 8:18).

The Holy Spirit's Instruction Today

The same principle applies to believers today. The Holy Spirit teaches us to profit and leads us in the way we should go (Isaiah 48:17). He gives divine ideas, wisdom, direction, and opportunities that no human effort or calculation can produce. Sadly, many believers grieve the Holy Spirit through sinful habits, relying on their own reasoning, emotions, and determination instead of learning to hear His still small voice from their spirit.

When we align ourselves with God's purpose and walk in fellowship with the Holy Spirit, we position ourselves to experience His prosperity, which includes wealth as a by-product of God's assignment.

Gideon: Obedience Before Reward

Gideon's story teaches the same lesson. Because of Midian's oppression, Israel cried to the Lord. God appeared to Gideon and commissioned him: "Go in this thy might... have not I sent thee?" (Judges 6:14). Along with the assignment came God's presence, His power, and His promise of victory.

After God delivered Midian into Gideon's hands, the people asked him to rule over them. Gideon refused the throne, recognizing that the Lord alone was Israel's King. However, he requested a portion of the spoil from the victory. The people gladly gave him the gold earrings taken from the Midianites, amounting to about twenty kilograms of gold, besides ornaments, pendants, royal garments, and valuable chains from the camels.

Notice the pattern. Wealth followed obedience to God's assignment. Gideon did not pursue riches; he pursued God's purpose. The prosperity came as a result of God's victory.

Our Inheritance in Christ

Jacob and Gideon both reveal the same truth. God calls ordinary people into extraordinary purposes. Along with His calling comes His blessing, His wisdom, His empowerment, and His provision. Prosperity is not an end in itself; it is part of God's equipment for accomplishing His will on earth.

As believers in Christ, we have inherited the blessing of Abraham. Our focus should never be chasing wealth but discovering and fulfilling God's purpose. As we walk with Him, listen to the Holy Spirit, and obey His leading, He will teach us to profit, give us the power to get wealth, and provide every resource necessary for the work He has called us to do. Seek God's purpose before pursuing prosperity. When you walk in the path He has ordained, His blessing will provide everything required to fulfill your divine assignment.

Hassan Thomas Nenger Living in the Spirit