FEATURE
Events in Jacob’s Life
JACOB was favored by God because he demonstrated deep appreciation for sacred things. (Heb 12:16, 17) Jehovah assured Jacob that his offspring would inherit the land promised to Abraham, and he added: “By means of your seed all the families of the ground will certainly bless themselves.”—Ge 28:4, 10-15.
Though he was blessed with material wealth and 12 sons, Jacob’s life was not without difficulties. Yet Jacob never lost his faith in Jehovah and the reliability of his word. Even on his deathbed, he expressed faith in the Messianic promise. (Ge 49:10) Among Jacob’s offspring was born Jesus Christ, through whom God will eternally bless mankind.
MAP: Jacob
Ruins of ancient Shechem. Here, association by Jacob’s daughter with Canaanite girls led to her being violated (Ge 34:1, 2)
Beitin, near the ruins of ancient Bethel. At Bethel, Jacob was twice told by God that he was heir to the Abrahamic covenant (Ge 28:13-19; 35:6-13)
Step Pyramid at Saqqara, Egypt; evidently it existed in Jacob’s day. Jacob spent the last 17 years of his life in Egypt