Genesis Part 3: Jacob and the Struggle for Salvation

The story of Jacob (Genesis 25:19-35:29) begins with Jacob struggling with his twin brother in the womb of their mother. God announces that Jacob will prevail over his brother, a feature of the fact that he is the one chosen by God to carry on the Abrahamic promise. Jacob’s entire life is a struggle; he even wrestled with God at one point. His name is changed to Israel, reflecting his own life of struggle but also pointing toward the anticipation that God’s chosen people will in the end prevail over all their opponents. God’s covenant promise of salvation endures even through the various struggles that characterize the life of God’s chosen.