Today we commemorate Jacob, Patriarch of OT Israel. Born the younger of Isaac and Rebekah’s twin sons, Jacob was the third of the patriarchs of OT Israel. After wrestling with the Angel of the Lord, Jacob (whose name means ‘deceiver’) was renamed to Israel (which means ‘he strives with God’). Jacob lived a life of strife and trouble, due in no small part to his own deceptions toward his brother and father. The deceptive nature of Jacob would carry on to his sons, who would sell their brother Joseph into slavery and lie to their father. By the grace of God, Joseph became prominent in Egypt and was reunited with Jacob, who then died in Egypt after blessing and prophesying about his sons.

Today we commemorate Aquila, Priscilla, and Apollos. Remembered as missionaries, Aquila, and his wife, Priscilla, met Paul in Corinth, where he joined them in their trade — tent-making. Later traveling with Paul from Corinth to Ephesus, they established a home in the city which served as a sort of headquarters for new converts to Christianity. One such convert was Apollos, who would become known for his preaching and teaching of the Christian faith. He would later travel to Achaia to continue his efforts to spread the Gospel.