What Goes Around Comes Around

Most people believe that is true. If you do good things, good things happen to/for you. If you do bad things, bad things happen to/for you. 

We find an example of that is the life of Jacob. (Genesis 25-30) When Rebecca gave birth to the twins, Jacob and Esau, Jacob came out second and was grasping the heal of his brother. Jacob means "He takes by the heel" OR "He cheats". Interesting that Jacob is named "he cheats" because that is just what he does.

These boys were nothing alike. Esau was red and hairy at birth and grew up to be a hunter and outdoorsman - a man's man. Jacob was more fair and smooth skinned and hung around the tents - a mama's boy. As their father, Isaac, was nearing death and at his mother's insistence and coaching, Jacob cheated Esau out of his blessing. Jacob dressed in Esau's clothes, wrapped goat skins around his arms and neck, and actually told his blind daddy, "I am Esau, your firstborn" so that he could get the blessing that traditionally went to the firstborn. 

When Jacob ran away to find a wife (and to keep Esau from killing him), he was dealt the same treatment. His father-in-law promised him Rebecca but gave him Leah as his wife. Jacob went to Laban and asked, "Why have you deceived me?"  The cheater becomes the cheated. Laban promised Jacob all the spotted, speckled, mottled and black goats and sheep, then removed them from Jacob's herds so they wouldn't breed. What goes around comes around! Serves him right! That's what we would say.

But God had different ideas. Before the twins were born, God had told Rebecca "the older shall serve the younger."  Jacob will soon be humbled before the Lord - and his brother, Esau. All of this is part of the preparation for Jacob to become Israel, to fulfill the covenant with his grandfather Abraham and with his father Isaac and eventually with him that all the nations will be blessed through their offspring.

Because of that blessing to the nations, because of Jesus Christ, what goes around does NOT come around for those who believe on His name. My sins are not counted against me. They are canceled and I never have to suffer the penalty that should be mine. How good is my God who loves me so much to take care my future before I was even born!