Jacob Faith in the New Testament
Jacob Faith in the New Testament
Written on 27 July 2026.
Introduction
The life of Jacob presents a particular pattern of faith. Jacob trusted God, yet much of his life was not characterized by continual public preaching or confrontation with the world around him. He lived largely with his own household, moved when circumstances required it, dealt prudently with dangerous people, and depended upon God to preserve him.
This may be called "Jacob faith": a life of faith in God combined with quietness, separation, prudence, and an unwillingness to enter unnecessary conflicts.
This principle is especially interesting because the Psalms state that God's rule in Jacob extends "unto the ends of the earth."
Psalm 59:13
Consume them in wrath, consume them, that they may not be: and let them know that God ruleth in Jacob unto the ends of the earth. Selah.
The expression "unto the ends of the earth" raises the possibility that the pattern seen in Jacob is not limited to one particular place. God ruleth in Jacob wherever a believer may find himself.
The New Testament contains a similar pattern. Believers are told to study to be quiet, to do their own business, to walk in wisdom toward those who are without, to avoid certain people, and to turn away from others. Jesus sometimes withdrew from dangerous places and ceased walking openly. Paul escaped from those who sought to apprehend him.
This presents a New Testament counterpart to what may be called Jacob faith.
Jacob Shall Be in Rest and Be Quiet
Jeremiah contains a remarkable description of Jacob. God promises that Jacob shall return and "shall be in rest, and be quiet, and none shall make him afraid."
Jeremiah 30:10-17
Therefore fear thou not, O my servant Jacob, saith the LORD; neither be dismayed, O Israel: for, lo, I will save thee from afar, and thy seed from the land of their captivity; and Jacob shall return, and shall be in rest, and be quiet, and none shall make him afraid.
For I am with thee, saith the LORD, to save thee: though I make a full end of all nations whither I have scattered thee, yet will I not make a full end of thee: but I will correct thee in measure, and will not leave thee altogether unpunished.
For thus saith the LORD, Thy bruise is incurable, and thy wound is grievous.
There is none to plead thy cause, that thou mayest be bound up: thou hast no healing medicines.
All thy lovers have forgotten thee; they seek thee not; for I have wounded thee with the wound of an enemy, with the chastisement of a cruel one, for the multitude of thine iniquity; because thy sins were increased.
Why criest thou for thine affliction? thy sorrow is incurable for the multitude of thine iniquity: because thy sins were increased, I have done these things unto thee.
Therefore all they that devour thee shall be devoured; and all thine adversaries, every one of them, shall go into captivity; and they that spoil thee shall be a spoil, and all that prey upon thee will I give for a prey.
For I will restore health unto thee, and I will heal thee of thy wounds, saith the LORD; because they called thee an Outcast, saying, This is Zion, whom no man seeketh after.
The passage contains several elements that fit together.
Jacob is told not to fear. God says, "I am with thee ... to save thee." Jacob shall be "in rest," shall "be quiet," and none shall make him afraid. At the same time, God himself deals with Jacob's adversaries: "all they that devour thee shall be devoured."
Jacob's preservation therefore does not depend upon Jacob personally defeating every adversary. God declares himself able to preserve Jacob and to deal with those who prey upon him.
Study to Be Quiet
One of the clearest New Testament parallels is found in 1 Thessalonians.
1 Thessalonians 4:11-12
And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you;
That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing.
"Study to be quiet" is a striking expression.
The believer is not here commanded to involve himself continually in the affairs of other people. He is told to "do your own business."
The passage also recognizes a distinction between the believer and "them that are without." The believer lives among those who are without, but his manner toward them is described as walking honestly while living quietly and attending to his own business.
With Quietness They Work
The same principle appears again in 2 Thessalonians.
2 Thessalonians 3:11-12
For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies.
Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread.
The contrast is between being a busybody and living "with quietness."
This provides a simple New Testament picture of a believer whose life does not depend upon continually entering the affairs and conflicts of others.
A Quiet and Peaceable Life
Paul also connects prayer concerning rulers and authorities with the possibility of living quietly.
1 Timothy 2:1-2
I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;
For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.
The desired condition is described plainly: "a quiet and peaceable life."
This is significant because the passage specifically mentions earthly authorities. The New Testament recognizes that believers live under governments and authorities, while presenting a quiet and peaceable life as something desirable.
Walk in Wisdom Toward Them That Are Without
The New Testament does not describe the believer's relationship with outsiders as requiring indiscriminate speech.
Colossians 4:5-6
Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.
Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.
The believer is to "walk in wisdom."
The passage also says, "that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man." Different situations therefore require wisdom concerning speech.
This agrees with the broader principle of prudence. Faith in God does not eliminate the need for wisdom concerning what is said, where it is said, and to whom it is said.
Give Not That Which Is Holy Unto the Dogs
Jesus himself placed a limitation upon indiscriminate communication.
Matthew 7:6
Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.
The verse contains both discernment and danger.
Something valuable can be given to those who will not receive it. They may first trample it and afterward "turn again and rend you."
There is therefore no New Testament principle requiring everything to be said to everyone.
When They Persecute You, Flee
Jesus also taught his disciples that persecution in one place could be answered by leaving that place.
Matthew 10:23
But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another: for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come.
The command is not to remain in every hostile situation. It is: "flee ye into another."
Withdrawal from danger therefore does not in itself represent an absence of faith.
Jesus Would Not Walk in Jewry
Jesus himself demonstrated this principle.
John 7:1
After these things Jesus walked in Galilee: for he would not walk in Jewry, because the Jews sought to kill him.
The reason is stated directly.
"He would not walk in Jewry, because the Jews sought to kill him."
Jesus did not needlessly expose himself merely because hostile people wanted access to him.
Jesus Walked No More Openly
Later the danger became still more explicit.
John 11:53-54
Then from that day forth they took counsel together for to put him to death.
Jesus therefore walked no more openly among the Jews; but went thence unto a country near to the wilderness, into a city called Ephraim, and there continued with his disciples.
The word "therefore" connects the two events.
They took counsel to kill him. Jesus therefore "walked no more openly among the Jews."
He withdrew to another place and remained there with his disciples.
There is an important distinction here between faith and unnecessary exposure. Jesus trusted the Father completely, yet there were circumstances in which he did not walk openly among those seeking his destruction.
Paul Escaped His Enemies
The same pattern appears in Paul's life.
Acts 9:23-25
And after that many days were fulfilled, the Jews took counsel to kill him:
But their laying await was known of Saul. And they watched the gates day and night to kill him.
Then the disciples took him by night, and let him down by the wall in a basket.
Paul later described the same event.
2 Corinthians 11:32-33
In Damascus the governor under Aretas the king kept the city of the Damascenes with a garrison, desirous to apprehend me:
And through a window in a basket was I let down by the wall, and escaped his hands.
Paul says plainly that he "escaped his hands."
There was no contradiction between Paul's faith in God and his escape from a hostile authority.
Avoid Them
Separation from particular people is explicitly commanded in Romans.
Romans 16:17
Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.
The final words are direct: "avoid them."
The New Testament therefore does not teach that every disagreement must become an extended confrontation.
From Such Turn Away
Paul gives similar instruction to Timothy.
2 Timothy 3:5
Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
Again the response is separation: "from such turn away."
Alexander the Coppersmith
Paul also warned Timothy concerning a particular man who had caused him trouble.
2 Timothy 4:14-15
Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord reward him according to his works:
Of whom be thou ware also; for he hath greatly withstood our words.
Paul does not say that Timothy must pursue Alexander or continually argue with him.
He says, "Of whom be thou ware also."
Paul also leaves judgment with the Lord: "the Lord reward him according to his works."
This resembles the pattern found in Jeremiah 30. Jacob does not have to personally destroy those who devour him. God declares that he himself will deal with them.
God Ruleth in Jacob Unto the Ends of the Earth
The statement in Psalm 59 is especially significant when these passages are considered together.
Psalm 59:13
Consume them in wrath, consume them, that they may not be: and let them know that God ruleth in Jacob unto the ends of the earth. Selah.
God's rule in Jacob is not described as belonging only to one country.
It extends "unto the ends of the earth."
Earthly circumstances differ from place to place. Governments differ. Laws differ. What can be said or done publicly without consequence in one country may have different consequences in another country.
Yet the geographical location does not place Jacob outside the rule of God.
"God ruleth in Jacob unto the ends of the earth."
This makes Jacob an interesting biblical picture of faith that can exist under very different earthly circumstances. Jacob's faith does not depend upon possessing political power, controlling the surrounding society, or continually confronting everyone around him.
God is able to rule in Jacob wherever Jacob is.
Quietness Does Not Mean Unbelief
The New Testament repeatedly separates quietness and withdrawal from unbelief.
Paul escaped through a window.
Jesus walked no more openly when men sought his life.
Believers are commanded to flee from persecution in one city to another.
They are told to avoid certain people.
They are told to turn away from certain people.
They are told to beware of particular adversaries.
They are told to walk in wisdom toward those who are without.
They are told to study to be quiet.
They are told to work with quietness.
They are told to pray that they may lead a quiet and peaceable life.
These passages present quietness, prudence, withdrawal, and separation as entirely compatible with faith in God.
Jacob Faith in the New Testament
Taken together, a recognizable pattern emerges.
Jacob shall "be in rest, and be quiet."
The believer is told to "study to be quiet."
Jacob depends upon God to save him.
Paul escapes those who seek to apprehend him.
Jacob's adversaries are ultimately dealt with by God.
Paul says concerning Alexander, "the Lord reward him according to his works."
Jesus withdraws when men seek to kill him.
The believer is told to "walk in wisdom toward them that are without."
The believer is told concerning some people to "avoid them" and concerning others, "from such turn away."
These things do not establish that a believer must always withdraw. Jesus preached publicly, Paul preached publicly, and the apostles sometimes confronted opposition directly.
Rather, they establish something different: faith does not require unnecessary exposure.
A believer may trust God while being quiet.
He may trust God while avoiding someone.
He may trust God while leaving a hostile place.
He may trust God while refusing to walk openly among those seeking to harm him.
He may trust God while allowing the Lord to deal with an adversary rather than attempting to settle everything himself.
Observation
Jacob faith can therefore be seen not merely as an Old Testament pattern but as something with substantial parallels in the New Testament.
Its central characteristic is not fear of the world but dependence upon God without the assumption that faith requires continual engagement with the world.
Jeremiah says:
Jeremiah 30:10
Therefore fear thou not, O my servant Jacob, saith the LORD; neither be dismayed, O Israel: for, lo, I will save thee from afar, and thy seed from the land of their captivity; and Jacob shall return, and shall be in rest, and be quiet, and none shall make him afraid.
Paul says:
1 Thessalonians 4:11
And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you;
And the Psalm says:
Psalm 59:13
Consume them in wrath, consume them, that they may not be: and let them know that God ruleth in Jacob unto the ends of the earth. Selah.
The connection is striking: Jacob shall be quiet; the believer is told to study to be quiet; and God ruleth in Jacob unto the ends of the earth.
This presents a form of faith capable of existing under different governments, different laws, different cultures, and different degrees of hostility.
The surrounding world may change.
The earthly jurisdiction may change.
The danger of public exposure may change.
But God ruleth in Jacob unto the ends of the earth.
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