“For thus says the LORD, ‘I have heard a sound of terror, of dread, and there is no peace. Ask now, and see if a male can give birth. Why do I see every man with his hands on his loins, as a woman in childbirth? And why have all faces turned pale? Alas! for that day is great, there is none like it; and it is the time of Jacob’s distress, but he will be saved from it.” (Jeremiah 30:5-7)
This passage refers to Jacob’s distress, also known as the Time of Jacob’s Trouble, which is one of the terms for the final three and a half years of this age. Other names for this period include the Great Tribulation. Sadly, over the course of history, Jacob’s people have suffered various troubles or distresses, some of which we will consider in this chapter.
In the book of Genesis, we read how, after Jacob wrestled with the Lord, God renamed him Israel.[1] The meaning of this new name is one who fights victoriously with God. The last two letters of his new name, el, is Hebrew for God. When we feel burdened to pray for Israel, but do not know how to pray, we can appeal to God on the grounds that the nation bears His name. We can echo the sentiment of Jeremiah who said, “we are called by Your name; do not forsake us!”[2]
We see both names concurrently in the Bible, such as when “God spoke to Israel in visions of the night and said, ‘Jacob, Jacob.’”[3] So, when we are talking about Jacob’s trouble, this is a reference to Israel’s affliction. The twelve tribes of Israel descend from Jacob’s twelve sons. Scripture shows us the value God places upon Jacob’s family. Outstandingly, and of special significance to Jews and Christians, is the faith of Jacob’s grandfather Abraham, who was willing to offer his son Isaac on the altar to the LORD. We see the value Jacob places on his prophetic birthright compared to the attitude of Esau, and read of God’s perspective on the situation, how He loved Jacob and hated Esau.[4] We learn from the New Testament that the whole family of Israel is beloved for the sake of the patriarchs (Abraham, Isaac and Jacob).[5] We are told that in the New Jerusalem the names of the twelve tribes will be written on the gates.[6] In the New Testament, we are still reminded about the tribal divisions, like where we read of Anna, the prophetess from the tribe of Asher.[7] The Apostle Paul tells us twice that he was from the tribe of Benjamin.[8] ...
[1] Genesis 32:24-28
[2] Jeremiah 14:9
[3] Genesis 46:2
[4] Genesis 25:29-34; Malachi 1:2-3
[5] Romans 11:28
[6] Revelation 21:12
[7] Luke 2:36
[8] Romans 11:1; Philippians 3:5
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Scripture quotations taken from the NASB © The Lockman Foundation. www.lockman.org