Leaning on a Stick

Jacob was unwilling to do things God's way. He tricked Esau out of his inheritance, even though it would have been Jacob's had he only trusted in the Lord, God. Every step of the way he resisted, even when fighting the Angel sent by God to subdue him. It wasn't until Jacob finally surrendered to God that he changed from Jacob the supplanter/manipulator, to Israel the upright, retainer of God! Matthew 16:24-27 Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works. John 12:24-25 Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain. He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.