Jacob’s Divine Call

Read Genesis 28:10-22

Genesis 28:19

"And he called the name of that place Bethel:  but the name of that city was called Luz at the first."

Luz = Almond Tree            Bethel  =  House of God

The word ‘Luz’ which occurs in Genesis 30:37, which some translations have as ‘hazel’, is supposed to

be another name for the ‘almond’.

Genesis 31:13

I am the God of Bethel, where thous anointedst the pillar, and where thou vowedst a vow unto me:
now arise, get thee out from this land, and return unto the land of thy kindred."

Read Genesis 30:37-39

Notice what the 'rods' that Jacob used were made of.

Rod = authority and power

Exodus 7:10-12

"And Moses and Aaron went in unto Pharoah, and they did so as the LORD commanded:
and Aaron cast down his rod before Pharoah, and before his servants, and it became a serpent.
Then Pharoah also called the wise men and the sorcerers: now the magicians of Egypt,
they also did in like manner with their enchantments.  For they cast down every man his rod,
and they became serpents:  BUT AARON'S ROD SWALLOWED UP THEIR RODS."

Revelation 19:15

"And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it she should smite the nations:
and he shall rule with a ROD of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and
wrath of Almighty God."

God’s authority and power super-cedes all other power or authority.

Why are the three stages of maturity of almond represented both in the candlestick and Aaron’s rod?

We know that there are different levels of maturity in the Christian walk.  The writer of Hebrews mentions those
that 'still need milk' and those that can digest the 'meat of the Word'.  There are several examples in the 
New Testament of those who had a divine call on their lives and yet did not start their ministries until years
later (Jesus started when he was 30).  A student will not be greater than his master.  Wherever you are in your
Christan walk is all the further you will ever lead anyone else.  That is why a minister of the Word of God
should not be a novice.

Titus 1:7a and verse 9

"For a bishop must be blameless, as a steward of God:
Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort
and to convince the gainsayers."

Read I Timothy 3:1-15

II Timothy 2:24-26

"And the servant of the Lord must not strive: but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, in meekness
instructing those that oppose themselves:  if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging
of the truth: and that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him
at his will."

not a novice, apt to teach

must be mature in the Word of God
must be able to illuminate the Word

Determine when Paul received his call and when he started.

How much training and what kind of training did Paul receive before his call?

 

Now let’s look at the maturity of the ones being ministered to.

Knop  =  children in understanding

Flowers  =  young men in understanding

Almond  =  fathers in understanding

I John 2:12-14

"I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name's sake.
I write unto you, fathers, because you have known him that is from the beginning.
I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the Wicked one.
I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the father,
I write unto you, fathers, because you have known him that is from the beginning,
I write unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the Word of God abideth in you,
and you have overcome the Wicked one."

John is writing to three stages of maturity in the Christian walk.

John 21: 15-17

"So when they had dined, Jesus saith unto Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thous me. . .
Feed my lambs. . . (children in understanding)
Feed my sheep. . . (young men in understanding)
Feed my sheep. . . (fathers in understanding)

Paul said he was all things to all people that by chance he might save some.  It is imperative
to know when to give milk and when to feed meat.  You must be able to discern the maturity of
the ones being ministered to.

Take a look at the list below and determine if the person was chosen by God or by man for their ministry.

 

Moses  –  leader

Aaron  –  priest

David  –  king

Paul  –  apostle

Peter  –  keys to the kingdom

Philip  –  deacon

Barnabas  –  missionary

John the baptist  –  messenger of God

 

Requirements for a ‘Divine Call’

• Personal relationship with the one calling you
• Filled with the Holy Ghost
• Given authority by God
• Must be able to illuminate the Word of God to all levels of Christians
• Must be mature in the Word of God

Numbers 8:21-22

"And the Levites were purified, and they washed their clothes; and Aaron offered them as an
offering before the LORD; and Aaron made an atonement for the to cleanse them.  And AFTER
that went the Levites in to do their service in the tabernacle of the congregation before
Aaron, and before his sons:  as the LORD had commanded Moses, so did they unto them."

It is after we have all the requirements for the call that we go in to do the service of the
Lord that he has asked us to serve in.  This does not mean that one could not apprentice (Timothy under Paul)
under someone whose already fulfilling their 'divine call', or that God cannot 'hasten' his word to perform it
(The road to Damascus).  If one is going to build an house he must make sure he has all the materials and
to tools to finish the building.

How to determine a ‘Divine Call’ Today will be next.