In the middle of the many blessings that Jacob as a parting father may pass on to his sons we find one interjection referring to himself. Throughout all the words of blessing, he wants his children to know that he expects all his help and deliverance from the LORD alone. It seems to us as a rather sudden and even inopportune interjection. Why would Jacob wish to say this? And why did he choose to give expression to his faith here?

These few words reflect Jacob's continued struggle of faith even to his parting words. Jacob's whole life in the service of the LORD is marked by the antithesis between faith and unbelief. He had been set apart by the LORD as the son of promise even before he was born. The LORD had announced his special place to Rebecca in the mysterious but clear prophetic saying: "The elder shall serve the younger," Genesis 25:23b.

From the first Jacob sought the fulfilment of the promise in devious and underhanded ways. And even when he found his uncle Laban playing similar tricks on him, he had not completely unlearned following the desires of his natural heart. Was not Rachel his beloved, the chosen one of his heart? Yet the LORD had closed her womb so that she was barren. Her infertility became a point of conflict between her and her sister, and also strained her relationship with Jacob, cf. Genesis 30:2. When Rachel suggests that Jacob take Bilhah her maid as wife, Jacob consents. A son is born and Rachel calls his name Dan, saying, "The Lord has vindicated me!"

The intensity of the family conflict here indicates that Jacob was also caught up in the divine wrestling for priority that existed between the two sisters. And where did his sentiments lie? Repeatedly we find him siding with Rachel. She was the apple of his eye! So Joseph and Benjamin were his favourite sons. So obvious was the internal preferences in the family that it was enough to lead the other brothers to violent deeds of rivalry and envy.

Yet Jacob had to learn that his own preferences and choices were not those of the LORD. He had to learn to sacrifice the flesh to the Spirit! And his final words of confession here indicate that he did learn this lesson! Much as he had joined in Rachel's schemes, and fervently prayed with her for a child, in the end he came to rest in the good pleasure and grace of God. Leah was the chosen in the eyes of the LORD! And he had to look to Leah as mother of the chosen Son of promise!

Jacob's words, however, also form a warning for Dan and his brothers. In his parting words, Jacob confesses his own guilt, and acknowledges that the desired promise comes outside of ourselves and our works, by grace alone! He learned to rest in the promised gift, and wait for the LORD to show His grace and mercy! That is also what he enjoins on his sons in these words.

But Dan does not follow this final appeal of his father. He carries on in the same deceitful way in which he was conceived and born. He chooses the style of his mother, and abandons the faith of his father. Although he joined in Israel's battles along with his brothers, he became a ruthless and cruel fighter, exacting vengeance far exceeding what the LORD had asked for. And rather than wait for the LORD, Dan joined in the institution and propagation of graven images. Dan chose for the road of self-willed religion. In the end he looses his place in the salvation register of those who wait on the LORD, cf. Revelation 7:5ff.

Dan's absence in the final list of the chosen sons of Israel shows the significance of Jacob's parting words for the church today. These simple words have been the song of the saints throughout the ages. Among David and the prophets we often find a similar confession. Yet these words do not come automatically. Each generation anew must learn the secret of undivided devotion to the LORD, and of simple expectant hope in His redeeming hand.

For the long-awaited Messiah has come! The Son whom Jacob longed for has entered into our world and has completed His work on earth! He has given us redemption from sin apart from ourselves. But human nature has not changed. Countless are times and ways by which we try to determine our own salvation, or take matters in our own hands. The heart remains deceitful, and resistant to God's continual leadership and direction.

So Jacob's struggle of faith becomes the continued struggle of the Church today. As the father carried forward in faith, so the spiritual sons from every tribe and nation are called to follow in his steps. We must persevere in the struggle against the flesh which continually seeks salvation along its own, self-chosen ways.

Then – and only then – does this simple confession become the final chorus of the church's song through the ages. Only then does this word become the fully eschatological confession through which we are lifted up and prepared through testing to enter the kingdom of glory. For Jacob persevered to the end, and so spoke these words. So we are called to endure to the end, and so enter His glory!