Christ has taken our nature into heaven to represent us, and has left us on earth with his nature to represent him.
– John Newton
Author: Brian
Follower of Jesus, Husband, Dad, Grandpa, and Pastor
Reflections on Genesis 28-30
God is at work in Jacob’s life. God’s purpose will stand:
- Abrahamic Covenant – The covenant God made with Abraham continues to go forward. Having passed through Isaac, it now continues to Jacob. Land, descendants, and all nations blessed through him is the continued promise. God’s purpose will stand.
- Jacob’s lack of commitment – Interestingly, it appears that Jacob is not yet a follower of God. Jacob says that if God will bring him back, then he will serve God. God has promised to bring him back, and God will be working in Jacob’s life to bring him back a changed man. God’s purpose will stand. How have you seen God at work in your life – even before you came to follow him?
- More lies and deceit – Laban, like his sister Rebekah, is a deceiver. Jacob, also a deceiver, works seven years for Rachel, and receives Leah instead. Jacob the deceiver is deceived by another! But in the midst of this dishonest mess, God’s plan continues. He takes the bad and uses it for good. God’s purpose will stand. How have you seen God take your bad to bring about good?
Genesis 28-33: Jacob’s Journey
(28) Describe God’s appearance to Jacob (28:10-13). What promises does God make to Jacob (v13-15)?
How does Jacob respond (v16-19)? What bargain does Jacob make with God (28:20-22)?
(29) The family sin of deception comes to bite Jacob. Describe what happens. What irony is found in Laban’s excuse (29:26)?
How does God use even Laban’s sin to accomplish his plan?
What negative consequences result from this deception?
What family sin do you need to overcome?
(29-33) God promised to be with Jacob to keep him. How does God keep his promise throughout Jacob’s journey?
Chapters 29-31 –
Chapters 32-33 –
How has God been with you to keep you on your life’s journey?
(31-33) God tells Jacob to return to the land. How does Jacob respond? In what ways does he acknowledge God’s blessing?
(32-33) Esau comes to meet Jacob with 400 men. In what ways do you see Jacob still scheming to deal with the situation on his own? How do you see him looking to God for help?
What do you do when trials come your way?
(33) How does Jacob conclude his journey (33:20), and why is this significant? When did you come to this point in your life?
Passion Points
Here are some good posts for your weekend reading:
John Calvin’s 4 Rules of Prayer – Joel Beeke (Ligonier)
For John Calvin, prayer cannot be accomplished without discipline. He writes, “Unless we fix certain hours in the day for prayer, it easily slips from our memory.” He goes on to prescribe several rules to guide believers in offering effectual, fervent prayer.
The Character of the Christian: Sound Judgment – Tim Challies
When we put these traits together we see a person who has mastered his thinking and behavior so he is now capable of making wise judgments. His own life is a showcase of such wisdom.
Helping One Another Forsake Sin and Follow Jesus – Randy Alcorn
We should share the truth with humility, as an act of grace, reminding ourselves and each other that we desperately need God’s grace every bit as much as do those we’re offering it to.
How to Have Intimacy with God– Jon Bloom (DG)
The secret to drawing near to God and having him draw near to us is revealed clearly in the Bible: we draw near to God through faith in Christ who alone gives us access to him…
Hope you have a great Lord’s Day!
Use Every Means of Grace
Would you like to possess more faith? Do you find believing so pleasant, that you would like to believe more? Then take heed that you are diligent in the use of every means of grace—diligent in your private communion with God—diligent in your daily watchfulness over time, temper, and tongue—diligent in your private Bible reading—diligent in your own private prayers. It is vain to expect spiritual prosperity, when we are careless about these things. Let those who will, call it excessively precise and legal to be particular about these things. I only reply, that there never was an eminent saint who neglected them.
– J.C. Ryle
Reflections on Genesis 26-27
With the death of Abraham back in chapter 25, the narrative now shifts to Isaac and his family.
- Covenant confirmed – God confirms the covenant that he made with Abraham with his son Isaac. Again, God will give him the land, many descendants, and God will bless all the nations on earth through his offspring. Though God has certainly blessed the nations through the people of Israel, this final promise is ultimately fulfilled in Isaac’s distant descendant named Jesus. How have you been blessed through Isaac’s offspring?
- God’s presence – Twice God promises that he will be with Isaac (26:3, 24). This is not a promise directed to us. However, we do find it to be a general promise in the Scriptures to God’s people, and this is one example of that general promise. God’s presence was to be an encouragement to Isaac. How is God’s presence an encouragement to you?
- Lies, lies, lies – Like his father before, Isaac lies about his wife. Later his wife leads Jacob to lie to his father. The consequences could have been terrible, but God mercifully protected this family in spite of themselves. Our culture seems much like this family. All around we hear of scandals related to lies and deception. Are you a person of truth and honesty? When are you tempted to be less than honest?
Sermon Songs: Ephesians 2:11-13
We once were far away from You
But now the path is clear:
Christ shed His blood, our hearts You drew
And we have been brought near
In Christ we have your salvation
And Your countless blessings
Your promises and adoption
And hope of His coming
So help us now walk close to You
With thanks, humility
With living hope ‘til all is new
Proclaim Your great mercy
(To the tune of “O God Our Help In Ages Past”)
Reflections on Genesis 24-25
Today, we are reminded of God’s providence:
- God’s leading – God led Abraham’s servant to the woman God intended for Isaac. This is probably not an example of how we should pray or find a wife, but God used it to providentially lead Abraham’s servant. How has God led you?
- God’s power – Rebekah is barren. Sarah too was barren. In both cases, it is God who providentially and powerfully causes these women to conceive. God may not always answer our prayers like we want, but God is powerfully in control. How have you seen his power at work in your life?
- God’s plan – Before Esau or Jacob are born, God has a plan for them – that they will become two nations, that one will be stronger, and that one will serve the other. God has a plan for your life too. Things may or may not be turning out as you thought they would or dreamed they would, but God has a plan for you. Will you trust him?
Classic Quote
It must not be expected that the devil will let those rest who are laboring to destroy his kingdom.
– Thomas Watson
Genesis 24-27: God’s Promises Passed Down
(26) What promises does God make to Isaac in 26:1-5?
(24) In order to fulfill these promises, Isaac needs a good wife. How does God lead Abraham’s servant to Rebekah?
What part does prayer play in this account? In what areas of your life do you need to pray for direction?
What guidelines does Abraham give his servant about finding a wife for Isaac? Why are these guidelines important? What characteristics does the servant look for in Isaac’s future wife? How might young people today learn from these guidelines and characteristics as they look for a spouse?
(25) In order to fulfill God’s promises to Isaac, Isaac needs a son. What problem presents itself, and how does Isaac respond? How do you respond to your problems?
(26) A recurring family sin threatens the fulfillment of God’s promises. What is the sin? How does God protect the family?
In what ways does God provide for the family? How is he providing for you?
(25, 27) In 25:23, God chooses the younger son Jacob to be the heir and receive the Abrahamic promises. How does the birthright and blessing come to Jacob?
What does this tell you about God’s plan and your sin? How does this encourage you?
At the same time, what negative consequences come out of their sins? What warning is found here for us?
Closing Thought: God works through normal (and even dysfunctional!) families to accomplish his purposes.
Brian J. Mikul 