God's Ultimate Purpose (a case study on Jacob Part 1)

One of the most interesting persons in the Old Testament is Jacob.  He is the grandson of Abraham and the only son of his father Isaac.  The most intriguing aspect of Jacob's life is God's choice of a completely undeserving character.  There was absolutely nothing in Jacob's life that deserved God's love and favor.  But isn't that what grace is all about?  I enjoy the story of Jacob so much, because I see myself as "Jacob."  Fiercely independent, bull-headed, willing to give his all to accomplish a task, and the belief that he could accomplish anything he set his mind to.  Sure, the world would applaud Jacob's self-assertedness.  Today, Jacob would probably be in Forbes top 100; but God doesn't want heroes of skill and determination only.  God desires someone who will depend on His grace completely.  The story of Jacob is a story of God's grace in action. 
From the very beginning, Jacob was destined for success.  God had promised to his parents that the younger twin would be served by the older.  Jacob was born grabbing on to his brother Esau's heel.  His name means "heel-grabber or deceiver."  Most know the story of Jacob buying Esau's birthright for a bowl of soup.  I am sure Jacob thought he was pretty clever to be able to weasle the partriarchal blessing and rights to the huge inheritance from his older brother.  Understandably, Esau was so angry that Jacob had to run for his life from his brother.  Jacob, always ready to please mom and dad, fled to his Uncle Laban's house where he would be safe and could marry a "good" girl of his own heritage while his brother married a pagan Caananite.  On his way there, he stopped off for the evening to rest.  While he slept, God sent him a vision.  A ladder was stretched from earth to heaven with myriads of angels ascending and descending.  More impressive, God Himself was above this ladder, and with authority proclaimed who He was, "I am the LORD God of Abraham thy father, and the God of Isaac."  It is interesting that God did not say that He was the God of Jacob here.  God then promised Jacob that the very place where he was sleeping would be Jacob's land forever.  He told Jacob that He would never leave him.  He promised that He would protect him.  He covenanted with Jacob that his family would grow great; and that through his descendants, the nations would be blessed with the Messiah.  What a tremendous blessing from God. But Jacob's response was far different than what one might expect.  Jacob woke up and was afraid!  God had given him a blessing and Jacob responded with fear.  Jacob called the name of the place Bethel (house of God) and took off.  God had promised him this very land, and Jacob couldn't wait to get out of there.  Instead of accepting God's promise, Jacob bargained with God.  He vowed a vow saying that if God would be with him (God had already promised that), and if God would protect him (that too had been promised).  If God would give him clothes, food, and bring him back home in peace (Esau wanted to kill him) then God would be his God–then he would serve Him.  The unbelieving heart fears God's promises and wants to deal with God on his own terms.  Jacob would not submit to God's provision, promise, and purpose because Jacob was sure he could take care of his own provision, make his own promise, and live for his own purpose.  So, completely deprave Jacob left his encounter with God unchanged.  It would take many years and a return to Bethel for Jacob to see otherwise.