August 4, 2025 • 16 mins
The lesser son, desperate for blessing, and man who wrestled with God. Jacob is a symbol of Israel’s struggle for unity with God. Jesus is the ultimate fulfillment of unity with God.
Sign up for special devotionals at StoriesoftheMessiah.com.
As we dive deeply into iconic Bible heroes' enthralling narratives, we find more than just stories of faith and miracles. We discover a recurrent theme, a spiritual undertone that connects each tale to the grandeur of the Gospel.
They're not just standalone legends; they're threads in a divine tapestry, weaving a story that foreshadows Jesus Christ, the ultimate hero, the promised Messiah who brings light to the darkest corners of history.
For more Bible stories download the Pray.com app.
To learn more about Rabbi Schneider visit https://discoveringthejewishjesus.com/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Let us pray. He who believes in me, as the
Scripture has said, from within him will flow rivers of
living water. John seven thirty eight. Dear Lord, we know
that we can do nothing in and of ourselves. We
desperately search for purpose and fulfillment in other places, but
(00:24):
we come up empty. You alone satisfy us. From those
that believe in you, rivers of living water flow majestically
from them. You bring refreshment, life, and vitality to all
those who feel parched and starved for meaning. Refresh us today,
Lord Jesus, fill us to the brim and overflowing with
(00:48):
your spirit and your name. We pray, Amen, Thank you
for praying with me today. Stay tuned now for another
episode of Star Glories of the Messiah with Rabbi Schneider.
Speaker 2 (01:10):
Deception, tricks, half truths. All the sins Jacob had committed
to get ahead were catching up to him. He tricked
his father into giving him his blessing, he deceived his
father in law before fleeing with his daughters, and he
cheated his brother out of a Birthright now, his brother,
Esau was approaching with hundreds of men behind him. Years ago,
(01:33):
Esau had vowed to kill Jacob, and now it seemed
the time had come. Jacob prayed to the Lord for mercy.
He sent gifts of penance to his brother, but there
was no predicting what would come of it. Jacob looked
at his.
Speaker 1 (01:47):
Family with tears in his eyes.
Speaker 2 (01:50):
What have I done? He thought he had acquired so
much through deception and flattery, but now none seemed worth it.
His name was Jacob, heel grabber. Everyone in the land
knew what that name really meant, deceiver. At that moment,
he wished he hadn't lived up to his name. He
(02:10):
looked at his oldest son, Reuben, and held his shoulders.
Speaker 1 (02:14):
Keep the family safe, hear me.
Speaker 2 (02:17):
Ruben nodded, and the rest of the family departed down
the valley. The further away they were from him, the better.
Jacob waited on a hill overlooking his brother's camp. He
stood over the ledge, unaware of the large figure behind
him waiting to pounce.
Speaker 3 (02:37):
Hello and welcome to another episode of the Story of
the Messiah podcast. I'm your host, Rabbi Kirt Schneider from
Discovering the Jewish Jesus. If this podcast has blessed you
thus far, please take a moment to leave a comment
in review. Doing so will make sure others discover these
light changing stories. This season, we're discussing Jesus as the
(02:57):
greater hero of the Bible. Ripture showcases many heroes, men
and women of valor, wisdom, and favor who accomplish great things. However,
as we read the Bible, we discover that each character
is deeply flawed, just like us. Their lives are imperfect,
and their journeys are filled with many highs and lows.
(03:19):
As we look closer at their lives, we discover that
each points us towards someone greater, someone far more brave, wise,
and favored. Today will follow a pillar of faith Jacob.
At this point in his story, Jacob's past has caught
up to him. He's deceived his brother and provoked him
to wrath. Now he stands the precipice of judgment. But
(03:43):
before he faces his brother, he has to wrestle with
God himself. Through Jacob's struggle, we see a glimpse of
our own relationships with God. We're all resting with God
in some way. We struggle with doubt, fear, and pride.
At the end of Jacob's struggle, he receives a name,
and the greatness of his legacy is established. Let's immerse
(04:04):
ourselves in a cinematic retelling of Genesis thirty two to
discover how Jesus is the greater Jacob.
Speaker 2 (04:12):
Jacob stood over the precipice and looked down at Esau's camp.
He wondered what fate awaited him at the bottom of
that hill. Would his sins finally catch up to him,
would his brother respond to his kind gesture? Would God
answer his plea for mercy. Jacob considered these things and
turned around. A man stood behind him, his gaze intense
(04:35):
and challenging. Jacob appeared closely at him that remained silent.
There was something different about him. The ground around him
felt powerful, holy. He looked around and suddenly remembered where
he was Maha name, God's camp. Whoever this person was,
(04:56):
he was sent from God, or perhaps he was God.
This stranger walked closer and Jacob removed his tomb. His
pace became quicker, and Jacob began running towards him. They
converged into the dirt and gravel, wrestling to subdue one another.
Jacob knew instantly that he was outmatched, but it did
(05:17):
not keep him from stride. This man was God. Then
Jacob had to fight. He had to contend and accept
the challenge of struggling with him. Jacob wrapped his arms
around the man's legs and drove him into the dirt.
He tried to make him submit, but the man rapped
Jacob with his legs and threw him to the left.
Jacob released himself and walked backward. The two of them panted,
(05:40):
priming themselves for another round. Jacob made the first move
and launched himself forward, but the man tripped him onto
the dirt and held him down. As he fought, memories
of all Jacob's sins flooded back into his mind. He
wanted God's blessing so badly he was willing to do
anything for it, even lying. But now as he rolled
(06:00):
into the blood and sweat soak dirt, there was no
talking his way into a blessing, no lies, no religious babble,
just him and God struggling to gain an advantage over
the other. Jacob knew there was no winning, but that
didn't mean he would stop. The two of them wrestled
all night. Finally, when the man saw Jacob would not relent,
(06:22):
he placed a hand on his hip and popped it
out of place. Jacob shouted in intense pain.
Speaker 4 (06:28):
It shot through his.
Speaker 2 (06:29):
Hip and leg, but he didn't let go. He grasped
onto his leg, refusing to let him walk away. The
man looked at the sun's rays slowly peeking over the mountains.
Then he looked down at Jacob.
Speaker 1 (06:41):
Let me go, the man said, the day has broken.
Speaker 2 (06:45):
Tears streamed down Jacob's swollen and dirty face.
Speaker 1 (06:48):
Never he cried, I won't.
Speaker 2 (06:50):
The man tugged his leg away, but Jacob refused to
let go. Throughout the night, he had come to understand
who this person was.
Speaker 1 (06:58):
Please bless me, Jacob.
Speaker 2 (07:00):
Said, with tears streaming down his cheeks.
Speaker 5 (07:02):
I won't let you go, and tell you bless me.
Speaker 2 (07:05):
A smile appeared on the side of the man's face.
He looked again at the orange shoes of the rising sun,
then back down at the poor fellow clinging to him.
Why is your name, the stranger asked.
Speaker 1 (07:17):
It's Jacob.
Speaker 2 (07:18):
The man shook his head and placed a hand on
Jacob's shoulder. Your name shall no longer be Jacob. It
shall be called Israel, for you have struggled with God
and prevailed. Jacob looked up and slowly released his grip.
Speaker 1 (07:33):
What is your name? He asked.
Speaker 2 (07:35):
The man wiped the sweat and dirt off his brow
and chuckled. Now, why would you ask me for my name?
He extended his hand to help Israel on to his feet.
He blessed him and then vanished where he came from.
Israel limped back to the hill's edge and looked down
at ESA's camp. It was time to face his brother.
(07:56):
He limped down to meet Esau and the four hundred
men marching behind me. Israel fell to his knees in
honor of his brother Esau rad and charging with passion,
then fell to the ground and hugged his brother tenderly.
The Lord had answered Israel's prayers through all the struggle
(08:17):
in wrestling, he had been blessed.
Speaker 3 (08:23):
Could you feel the desperate tension from Jacob as he
struggled with his sin and shame? Could you feel the
battle of wills when he wrestled with the Angel of
the Lord. Until this point, Jacob's life had been wrought
with deception and shortcuts. He deceived his brother, father, and
father in law to gain favor and resources. But as
(08:43):
he struggled in the dirt with the Lord. There was
no tricking his way into a blessing. Ultimately, he was
forced into a desperate posture begging for a blessing. This
place of desperation is a place we all find ourselves in.
We want a blessing from God, we wanted on our
own terms. We, like Jacob, must realize that blessing is
(09:05):
only ever given on God's terms. Like Jacob, we can
be consumed with proud self reliance. Jacob was reduced to
a place where we could only hold on to the Lord.
Jacob could no longer fight, and that place of weakness
wasn't the worst place to be. Sometimes we need to
feel vulnerable and exposed to truly experience transformation. God violently
(09:29):
shattered Jacob's ego and reminded him that true blessing can't
be gained without humility. Jacob's old name was more like
an insult. It meant trickster usurper, or deceiver. But Jacob's
new name was noble. It meant someone who struggles with
God and shares in his victory. And discovering the Jewish Jesus,
(09:49):
we have unpacked Israel's relationship with God and Christ fulfillment
of those promises. So let's connect the story of Israel
to Jesus. We will now transport our to a different time,
but the same place where another person rustles to be
vulnerable with God.
Speaker 2 (10:08):
Jesus leaned his back against the well and used his
hand to block the scorching sun of high noon. The
well was dug by Jacob himself long ago. It was
a sacred monument in a sacred place, causing all to
remember the significance of Jacob's faith in God. As Jesus pondered,
a woman approached carrying a bucket of water on her hips.
(10:29):
Her forehead was sweating and her face was somber. It
was aught for a woman to draw water in the
middle of the day. Usually all the women traveled together
before the sun's harsh glare. Whoever this woman was, she
was an outcast among the other women. Jesus moved to
the side so she could draw water from the well.
(10:49):
As she poured water from the well into her bucket,
Jesus asked.
Speaker 4 (10:54):
Would you mind giving me something to drink?
Speaker 2 (10:56):
The woman paused and looked at Jesus, perplexed, you are a Jew,
she said sharply.
Speaker 5 (11:02):
I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me
for a drink? Aren't you breaking a dozen laws? Chows
are not supposed to talk to Samaritans, let alone a
Jewish man speaking to a Samaritan woman.
Speaker 2 (11:14):
Jesus shrugged and leaned over the well, looking down.
Speaker 4 (11:17):
If you knew the gift of God and who I am,
you would have asked me to give you living water.
Speaker 2 (11:23):
The woman peered at Jesus skeptically, Sir.
Speaker 5 (11:26):
You have nothing to draw from this deep well. Where
do you expect to find living water? Our forefather, Jacob
dug this well long ago with his sons. Are you
saying you are greater than Jacob?
Speaker 2 (11:38):
A satisfied smile curled upon Jesus's cheeks. He gestured to
the well and said, Jacob was great.
Speaker 4 (11:45):
Indeed, he dug this well for a good purpose. But
whoever drinks from this water will become thirsty again. They
will need to come back again and again to draw
from it. But whoever drinks the water offer, I'll never
thirst again. It will become oh well springing up to
(12:05):
eternal life.
Speaker 2 (12:07):
The woman's skepticism turned to desperation. She had to spend
most afternoons drawing water in the hot sun to avoid
the other women.
Speaker 5 (12:14):
Please give me this water so I don't have to
come here.
Speaker 2 (12:17):
Again, Jesus responded kindly, saying, of course, go get your
husband to return here so I can show both of you.
The woman immediately took a step back and looked off.
Speaker 1 (12:26):
To the side.
Speaker 2 (12:27):
I don't have a husband, she mumbled. Jesus, keeping an
unthreatening demeanor, responded, you are correct to say you don't
have a husband. The fact is you've had five husbands, and.
Speaker 4 (12:39):
The man you currently live with isn't your husband at all.
Speaker 2 (12:41):
Jesus's frankness disarmed the woman. She chose not to respond
directly to his statement and instead shifted the conversation.
Speaker 5 (12:49):
I can see that you are a prophet. It makes
sense that you are here. Our ancestors worshiped on this
very mountain, but you Jews claim that the temple in
Jerusalem is the place to worship.
Speaker 2 (13:00):
The woman did not know it, but she was quietly
wrestling with God. Jesus was engaging with her, gently, trying
to pole repentance and conviction out of this so she
could experience freedom. She tried to mask her insecurity with
religious babble, but Jesus planned to free her from herself.
Speaker 1 (13:18):
Believe me, Jesus said.
Speaker 4 (13:20):
A time is coming when people won't worship here on.
Speaker 1 (13:23):
The mountain or in Jerusalem. Now, a time is coming.
Speaker 4 (13:26):
When true worshiper will worship God in spirit and in truth.
Speaker 2 (13:31):
Those are the people God seeks out for himself. The
woman's hands shook and her eyes were shifty. She felt
uncomfortable with her guilt, yet was drawn to talk more.
It was a divine wrestling between her spirit and flesh.
Speaker 5 (13:46):
Well, when the Messiah comes, he will explain those things
and settle those debates, I'm sure.
Speaker 2 (13:52):
The woman sighed, with a bit of somber hope in
her voice. Jesus looked at the woman intently and said,
I when you are in speaking to The woman's eyes
widened as understanding flooded her mind. She was speaking to
the one she had been hoping for, The one who
could redeem her and set her free from her own
(14:13):
sin and shame, stood before her. Smiling. She would never
be the same. She ran to her hometown, gathering everyone
to behold the one who had given her new hope.
Speaker 3 (14:26):
Are you saying you're greater than Jacob? That's the question
this woman at the well posed to Jesus. She had
no idea who she was speaking to at the time.
We know that Jesus is not only greater than Jacob,
but he is the one that wrestled with Jacob on
that sacred hill. Jesus is the one who gave Jacob
his new name and reconciled him with his brother. Like
(14:48):
the woman at the well, Jacob struggled with pride and
self reliance, needing transformation. Jus came to rig Jacob and
the woman at the well of their self reliance. Just
as Jesus wrestled with Jacob, that faithful knight and gave
him a new purpose, so also he brought transformation to
the woman at the well. He slowly and lovingly revealed
(15:10):
himself to her, and she would never be the same.
Like Jacob and the woman at the well, we must
struggle with God to realize he alone is in control.
Our attempts at self reliance, satisfaction, and blessing all fall short.
When we humble ourselves and cry out to God for blessing,
he is swift to restore, redeem, and resurrect us. Jesus
(15:32):
humbled himself on our behalf, died on the cross and
rose again so that we might be transformed. Like Jacob.
Jesus wants to give us a new blessing and purpose.
He wants to take our sin and shame. He's done
that in my life, and he can do that in yours.
In this way, we are certain that Jesus is the
(15:52):
greater Jacob. Join us next time, as we hear the
redemptive arc of one of Jacob's sons, we will see
that through his life all things do work together for
good for those who love God and are called according
to his purpose. Next episode, we'll discover that Jesus is
the greater Joseph. Explore more about Jus in the Old
(16:15):
Testament at Discoveringthejewish Jesus dot com, and also consider checking
out my recent book, Messianic Prophecy Revealed Seeing Masai in
the pages of the Hebrew Bible. You can get your
hands on it via my website. If this podcast impacted you,
please take a moment to leave a comment and review.
Doing so will make sure others discover these life changing stories,
(16:38):
and be sure to download the Prey dot com app
to make prayer priority and experience the Bible in new ways.
Let us pray. He who believes in me, as the
Scripture has said, from within him will flow rivers of
living water. John seven thirty eight. Dear Lord, we know
that we can do nothing in and of ourselves. We
desperately search for purpose and fulfillment in other places, but
(00:24):
we come up empty. You alone satisfy us. From those
that believe in you, rivers of living water flow majestically
from them. You bring refreshment, life, and vitality to all
those who feel parched and starved for meaning. Refresh us today,
Lord Jesus, fill us to the brim and overflowing with
(00:48):
your spirit and your name. We pray, Amen, Thank you
for praying with me today. Stay tuned now for another
episode of Star Glories of the Messiah with Rabbi Schneider.
Speaker 2 (01:10):
Deception, tricks, half truths. All the sins Jacob had committed
to get ahead were catching up to him. He tricked
his father into giving him his blessing, he deceived his
father in law before fleeing with his daughters, and he
cheated his brother out of a Birthright now, his brother,
Esau was approaching with hundreds of men behind him. Years ago,
(01:33):
Esau had vowed to kill Jacob, and now it seemed
the time had come. Jacob prayed to the Lord for mercy.
He sent gifts of penance to his brother, but there
was no predicting what would come of it. Jacob looked
at his.
Speaker 1 (01:47):
Family with tears in his eyes.
Speaker 2 (01:50):
What have I done? He thought he had acquired so
much through deception and flattery, but now none seemed worth it.
His name was Jacob, heel grabber. Everyone in the land
knew what that name really meant, deceiver. At that moment,
he wished he hadn't lived up to his name. He
(02:10):
looked at his oldest son, Reuben, and held his shoulders.
Speaker 1 (02:14):
Keep the family safe, hear me.
Speaker 2 (02:17):
Ruben nodded, and the rest of the family departed down
the valley. The further away they were from him, the better.
Jacob waited on a hill overlooking his brother's camp. He
stood over the ledge, unaware of the large figure behind
him waiting to pounce.
Speaker 3 (02:37):
Hello and welcome to another episode of the Story of
the Messiah podcast. I'm your host, Rabbi Kirt Schneider from
Discovering the Jewish Jesus. If this podcast has blessed you
thus far, please take a moment to leave a comment
in review. Doing so will make sure others discover these
light changing stories. This season, we're discussing Jesus as the
(02:57):
greater hero of the Bible. Ripture showcases many heroes, men
and women of valor, wisdom, and favor who accomplish great things. However,
as we read the Bible, we discover that each character
is deeply flawed, just like us. Their lives are imperfect,
and their journeys are filled with many highs and lows.
(03:19):
As we look closer at their lives, we discover that
each points us towards someone greater, someone far more brave, wise,
and favored. Today will follow a pillar of faith Jacob.
At this point in his story, Jacob's past has caught
up to him. He's deceived his brother and provoked him
to wrath. Now he stands the precipice of judgment. But
(03:43):
before he faces his brother, he has to wrestle with
God himself. Through Jacob's struggle, we see a glimpse of
our own relationships with God. We're all resting with God
in some way. We struggle with doubt, fear, and pride.
At the end of Jacob's struggle, he receives a name,
and the greatness of his legacy is established. Let's immerse
(04:04):
ourselves in a cinematic retelling of Genesis thirty two to
discover how Jesus is the greater Jacob.
Speaker 2 (04:12):
Jacob stood over the precipice and looked down at Esau's camp.
He wondered what fate awaited him at the bottom of
that hill. Would his sins finally catch up to him,
would his brother respond to his kind gesture? Would God
answer his plea for mercy. Jacob considered these things and
turned around. A man stood behind him, his gaze intense
(04:35):
and challenging. Jacob appeared closely at him that remained silent.
There was something different about him. The ground around him
felt powerful, holy. He looked around and suddenly remembered where
he was Maha name, God's camp. Whoever this person was,
(04:56):
he was sent from God, or perhaps he was God.
This stranger walked closer and Jacob removed his tomb. His
pace became quicker, and Jacob began running towards him. They
converged into the dirt and gravel, wrestling to subdue one another.
Jacob knew instantly that he was outmatched, but it did
(05:17):
not keep him from stride. This man was God. Then
Jacob had to fight. He had to contend and accept
the challenge of struggling with him. Jacob wrapped his arms
around the man's legs and drove him into the dirt.
He tried to make him submit, but the man rapped
Jacob with his legs and threw him to the left.
Jacob released himself and walked backward. The two of them panted,
(05:40):
priming themselves for another round. Jacob made the first move
and launched himself forward, but the man tripped him onto
the dirt and held him down. As he fought, memories
of all Jacob's sins flooded back into his mind. He
wanted God's blessing so badly he was willing to do
anything for it, even lying. But now as he rolled
(06:00):
into the blood and sweat soak dirt, there was no
talking his way into a blessing, no lies, no religious babble,
just him and God struggling to gain an advantage over
the other. Jacob knew there was no winning, but that
didn't mean he would stop. The two of them wrestled
all night. Finally, when the man saw Jacob would not relent,
(06:22):
he placed a hand on his hip and popped it
out of place. Jacob shouted in intense pain.
Speaker 4 (06:28):
It shot through his.
Speaker 2 (06:29):
Hip and leg, but he didn't let go. He grasped
onto his leg, refusing to let him walk away. The
man looked at the sun's rays slowly peeking over the mountains.
Then he looked down at Jacob.
Speaker 1 (06:41):
Let me go, the man said, the day has broken.
Speaker 2 (06:45):
Tears streamed down Jacob's swollen and dirty face.
Speaker 1 (06:48):
Never he cried, I won't.
Speaker 2 (06:50):
The man tugged his leg away, but Jacob refused to
let go. Throughout the night, he had come to understand
who this person was.
Speaker 1 (06:58):
Please bless me, Jacob.
Speaker 2 (07:00):
Said, with tears streaming down his cheeks.
Speaker 5 (07:02):
I won't let you go, and tell you bless me.
Speaker 2 (07:05):
A smile appeared on the side of the man's face.
He looked again at the orange shoes of the rising sun,
then back down at the poor fellow clinging to him.
Why is your name, the stranger asked.
Speaker 1 (07:17):
It's Jacob.
Speaker 2 (07:18):
The man shook his head and placed a hand on
Jacob's shoulder. Your name shall no longer be Jacob. It
shall be called Israel, for you have struggled with God
and prevailed. Jacob looked up and slowly released his grip.
Speaker 1 (07:33):
What is your name? He asked.
Speaker 2 (07:35):
The man wiped the sweat and dirt off his brow
and chuckled. Now, why would you ask me for my name?
He extended his hand to help Israel on to his feet.
He blessed him and then vanished where he came from.
Israel limped back to the hill's edge and looked down
at ESA's camp. It was time to face his brother.
(07:56):
He limped down to meet Esau and the four hundred
men marching behind me. Israel fell to his knees in
honor of his brother Esau rad and charging with passion,
then fell to the ground and hugged his brother tenderly.
The Lord had answered Israel's prayers through all the struggle
(08:17):
in wrestling, he had been blessed.
Speaker 3 (08:23):
Could you feel the desperate tension from Jacob as he
struggled with his sin and shame? Could you feel the
battle of wills when he wrestled with the Angel of
the Lord. Until this point, Jacob's life had been wrought
with deception and shortcuts. He deceived his brother, father, and
father in law to gain favor and resources. But as
(08:43):
he struggled in the dirt with the Lord. There was
no tricking his way into a blessing. Ultimately, he was
forced into a desperate posture begging for a blessing. This
place of desperation is a place we all find ourselves in.
We want a blessing from God, we wanted on our
own terms. We, like Jacob, must realize that blessing is
(09:05):
only ever given on God's terms. Like Jacob, we can
be consumed with proud self reliance. Jacob was reduced to
a place where we could only hold on to the Lord.
Jacob could no longer fight, and that place of weakness
wasn't the worst place to be. Sometimes we need to
feel vulnerable and exposed to truly experience transformation. God violently
(09:29):
shattered Jacob's ego and reminded him that true blessing can't
be gained without humility. Jacob's old name was more like
an insult. It meant trickster usurper, or deceiver. But Jacob's
new name was noble. It meant someone who struggles with
God and shares in his victory. And discovering the Jewish Jesus,
(09:49):
we have unpacked Israel's relationship with God and Christ fulfillment
of those promises. So let's connect the story of Israel
to Jesus. We will now transport our to a different time,
but the same place where another person rustles to be
vulnerable with God.
Speaker 2 (10:08):
Jesus leaned his back against the well and used his
hand to block the scorching sun of high noon. The
well was dug by Jacob himself long ago. It was
a sacred monument in a sacred place, causing all to
remember the significance of Jacob's faith in God. As Jesus pondered,
a woman approached carrying a bucket of water on her hips.
(10:29):
Her forehead was sweating and her face was somber. It
was aught for a woman to draw water in the
middle of the day. Usually all the women traveled together
before the sun's harsh glare. Whoever this woman was, she
was an outcast among the other women. Jesus moved to
the side so she could draw water from the well.
(10:49):
As she poured water from the well into her bucket,
Jesus asked.
Speaker 4 (10:54):
Would you mind giving me something to drink?
Speaker 2 (10:56):
The woman paused and looked at Jesus, perplexed, you are a Jew,
she said sharply.
Speaker 5 (11:02):
I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me
for a drink? Aren't you breaking a dozen laws? Chows
are not supposed to talk to Samaritans, let alone a
Jewish man speaking to a Samaritan woman.
Speaker 2 (11:14):
Jesus shrugged and leaned over the well, looking down.
Speaker 4 (11:17):
If you knew the gift of God and who I am,
you would have asked me to give you living water.
Speaker 2 (11:23):
The woman peered at Jesus skeptically, Sir.
Speaker 5 (11:26):
You have nothing to draw from this deep well. Where
do you expect to find living water? Our forefather, Jacob
dug this well long ago with his sons. Are you
saying you are greater than Jacob?
Speaker 2 (11:38):
A satisfied smile curled upon Jesus's cheeks. He gestured to
the well and said, Jacob was great.
Speaker 4 (11:45):
Indeed, he dug this well for a good purpose. But
whoever drinks from this water will become thirsty again. They
will need to come back again and again to draw
from it. But whoever drinks the water offer, I'll never
thirst again. It will become oh well springing up to
(12:05):
eternal life.
Speaker 2 (12:07):
The woman's skepticism turned to desperation. She had to spend
most afternoons drawing water in the hot sun to avoid
the other women.
Speaker 5 (12:14):
Please give me this water so I don't have to
come here.
Speaker 2 (12:17):
Again, Jesus responded kindly, saying, of course, go get your
husband to return here so I can show both of you.
The woman immediately took a step back and looked off.
Speaker 1 (12:26):
To the side.
Speaker 2 (12:27):
I don't have a husband, she mumbled. Jesus, keeping an
unthreatening demeanor, responded, you are correct to say you don't
have a husband. The fact is you've had five husbands, and.
Speaker 4 (12:39):
The man you currently live with isn't your husband at all.
Speaker 2 (12:41):
Jesus's frankness disarmed the woman. She chose not to respond
directly to his statement and instead shifted the conversation.
Speaker 5 (12:49):
I can see that you are a prophet. It makes
sense that you are here. Our ancestors worshiped on this
very mountain, but you Jews claim that the temple in
Jerusalem is the place to worship.
Speaker 2 (13:00):
The woman did not know it, but she was quietly
wrestling with God. Jesus was engaging with her, gently, trying
to pole repentance and conviction out of this so she
could experience freedom. She tried to mask her insecurity with
religious babble, but Jesus planned to free her from herself.
Speaker 1 (13:18):
Believe me, Jesus said.
Speaker 4 (13:20):
A time is coming when people won't worship here on.
Speaker 1 (13:23):
The mountain or in Jerusalem. Now, a time is coming.
Speaker 4 (13:26):
When true worshiper will worship God in spirit and in truth.
Speaker 2 (13:31):
Those are the people God seeks out for himself. The
woman's hands shook and her eyes were shifty. She felt
uncomfortable with her guilt, yet was drawn to talk more.
It was a divine wrestling between her spirit and flesh.
Speaker 5 (13:46):
Well, when the Messiah comes, he will explain those things
and settle those debates, I'm sure.
Speaker 2 (13:52):
The woman sighed, with a bit of somber hope in
her voice. Jesus looked at the woman intently and said,
I when you are in speaking to The woman's eyes
widened as understanding flooded her mind. She was speaking to
the one she had been hoping for, The one who
could redeem her and set her free from her own
(14:13):
sin and shame, stood before her. Smiling. She would never
be the same. She ran to her hometown, gathering everyone
to behold the one who had given her new hope.
Speaker 3 (14:26):
Are you saying you're greater than Jacob? That's the question
this woman at the well posed to Jesus. She had
no idea who she was speaking to at the time.
We know that Jesus is not only greater than Jacob,
but he is the one that wrestled with Jacob on
that sacred hill. Jesus is the one who gave Jacob
his new name and reconciled him with his brother. Like
(14:48):
the woman at the well, Jacob struggled with pride and
self reliance, needing transformation. Jus came to rig Jacob and
the woman at the well of their self reliance. Just
as Jesus wrestled with Jacob, that faithful knight and gave
him a new purpose, so also he brought transformation to
the woman at the well. He slowly and lovingly revealed
(15:10):
himself to her, and she would never be the same.
Like Jacob and the woman at the well, we must
struggle with God to realize he alone is in control.
Our attempts at self reliance, satisfaction, and blessing all fall short.
When we humble ourselves and cry out to God for blessing,
he is swift to restore, redeem, and resurrect us. Jesus
(15:32):
humbled himself on our behalf, died on the cross and
rose again so that we might be transformed. Like Jacob.
Jesus wants to give us a new blessing and purpose.
He wants to take our sin and shame. He's done
that in my life, and he can do that in yours.
In this way, we are certain that Jesus is the
(15:52):
greater Jacob. Join us next time, as we hear the
redemptive arc of one of Jacob's sons, we will see
that through his life all things do work together for
good for those who love God and are called according
to his purpose. Next episode, we'll discover that Jesus is
the greater Joseph. Explore more about Jus in the Old
(16:15):
Testament at Discoveringthejewish Jesus dot com, and also consider checking
out my recent book, Messianic Prophecy Revealed Seeing Masai in
the pages of the Hebrew Bible. You can get your
hands on it via my website. If this podcast impacted you,
please take a moment to leave a comment and review.
Doing so will make sure others discover these life changing stories,
(16:38):
and be sure to download the Prey dot com app
to make prayer priority and experience the Bible in new ways.
Popular Podcasts
New Heights with Jason & Travis Kelce
Football’s funniest family duo — Jason Kelce of the Philadelphia Eagles and Travis Kelce of the Kansas City Chiefs — team up to provide next-level access to life in the league as it unfolds. The two brothers and Super Bowl champions drop weekly insights about the weekly slate of games and share their INSIDE perspectives on trending NFL news and sports headlines. They also endlessly rag on each other as brothers do, chat the latest in pop culture and welcome some very popular and well-known friends to chat with them. Check out new episodes every Wednesday. Follow New Heights on the Wondery App, YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen to new episodes early and ad-free, and get exclusive content on Wondery+. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. And join our new membership for a unique fan experience by going to the New Heights YouTube channel now!
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
On Purpose with Jay Shetty
I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!