There are bits of information in the Bible that leave us wondering, “Why are these here?” Random acts like when John wrote that Jesus “was sitting thus on the well” when talking with the Samaritan woman (4:6). Other strange bits of information are found in the genealogies, especially in the early ones of Cain, Adam and Noah (Gen. 4:17-26; 10:1ff). Did you know Tubal-cain was the “forger of all implements of bronze and iron” (Gen. 4:22)? While these are interesting facts to know and may raise more questions than answers, there is another random fact I would like us to consider.
“By faith Jacob, as he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and worshiped, leaning on the top of his staff” (Heb. 11:21). This particular piece of information, seemingly insignificant, points to the practice of faith. It is possible that Jacob used a staff for much of his life after wrestling with the angel. The Bible says that he “was limping on his thigh” (Gen. 32:31). Why was this mentioned in Hebrews eleven, the chapter of faith? A man, near the end of his life, blessed his sons and worshipped God despite the circumstances.
If I were to think of a word that accompanied the image of an old man worshipping God and leaning on his staff, it would be devotion. When others might have a reason to rest from the labor of worshipping their God, you couldn’t keep Jacob from doing it. While faith is not relegated to those of age, it is often in those years that we see the greatest examples of faith, devotion and mature love for God. Our aisles and pews are dotted with wheelchairs, walkers, canes, oxygen tanks and other implements of assistance. Each one a testament to the devotion of that individual. While we may lie in bed wondering if we feel like going to worship, other older soldiers of the faith have risen hours ahead of us to start the process of readying themselves. Every movement of the painful joints, every arthritic step is a triumph over the fleshly tabernacle in which each soul is housed—another example of bringing the body into subjection to the holy will of the soul that seeks after God (1 Cor. 9:27). This is the soul that says, “No matter the circumstances I will go up the house of the Lord. I will assemble with the saints. I will be in the presence of the Lord.”
Jacob and others like him teach us that worshipping God is more important than our health, our familial responsibilities, or any other thing. PSA: If you are contagious, then please consider yourself unclean and stay home. However, if you can possibly come to worship, for those that are looking and our God, you stand as testaments of great faith. What a seemingly random act that heralds a life of devotion.