Whilst God describes His holy wrath against sin and sinners, He also declares His love for His people. In His sovereign wisdom, He has set His love upon His elect. The story of Jacob is a story of this love of God. Discover how God’s love is Sovereign: He does not love His elect because of who they are or what they have done (or will do). He loves “not because of works but because of him who calls” according to Rom 9:11. It is a love that is entirely based on Him, and not because of us. They who belong to God through Jesus Christ is a blessed people indeed. Then see how God’s love can be Spurned: Jacob did not receive God’s love into his heart for decades, even if he could see his father and grandfather love God. There are many who are surrounded by witnesses of God’s love, but who for many years, choose not to know God or His love. Yet we see God’s love is Steadfast: God never gave up on Jacob. He blessed him all the years he was a fugitive. And at the age of 97 (20 years after he ran from home), Jacob finally acknowledged God as his own God, and not just the God of Abraham or Isaac. Perhaps it is a good encouragement that we should never give up on our loved ones and friend, but to keep praying and laboring that they will one day repent and believe in Jesus too.