We must remember that God still has ongoing promises relating specifically to the people of Israel.

Israel, while in Egypt, were to live in the light of a promise given to Abraham. 400 years is a long time to wait for deliverance: though the promise was sure and true, but could sadly be forgotten over centuries of waiting.

The prophecy of Jacob over Judah is a profound statement of expectation of the coming Messiah, in which every word – indeed every letter – has meaning.

We are reminded over and over again that God knows us by name and has a particular purpose for us to fulfil.

There is no precise formula from which we can predict how things will work out in our lives, or in the way God will complete His covenant purposes in the world.

The greatness of God’s covenant lies in His mercy. How, in all His majesty and perfection, He was willing to walk with sinful men – even the fallible patriarchs of the covenant – to fulfil His promises of redemption, is awesome to contemplate.

There is much for us to learn from Jacob’s walk that helps us to understand our own walk.

God’s ways are beyond our human logic. He separates to Himself, as Jacob divided the flocks of Laban, those who are called and respond to His covenant purposes, and cares for them as a shepherd does his flock.

As we consider this week’s Torah portion, we might also consider our own situations as present-day custodians and witnesses of God’s covenant promises.

Abraham was chosen as the father of people from all nations who would join his family through faith in the God of Abraham.