THE REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST: GENESIS AND EXODUS (10)

GENESIS 27-31

JACOB’S BIRTHRIGHT and DREAM

Key Passage: Genesis 27,29

CHAPTER 27	CHAPTER 28	CHAPTER 29 -30	CHAPTER 31
Jacob’s Stolen Blessing	Jacob’s Dream	Jacob’s Wives and Children	Jacob’s Quick Exit
Jacob’s	Spiritual Life	Jacob’s Family	Life

OVERVIEW Chapter 27-31 introduce the third major character of the patriarchal era: Jacob (“he grasps the heel”, supplanter”, or “deceiver”), a man who lives up to his name. The theft of the family blessing intended for his twin brother, Esau, demonstrates his scheming character. But it is through Jacob that God’s promises – made more than a century and a half earlier – begin to be fulfilled in greater degree. During a 20-year stay in Haran, Jacob works for one wife and gets three more in the bargain, fathers 11 sons and a daughter, and amasses huge quantities of livestock and servants – the nucleus from which God will fashion a new nation.

OUR DAILY WALK For every Jacob, you’ll usually find a Laban. For every individual who insists on doing things his own way, giving God a helping hand, there is often a painful head-on collision with someone who is a least his equal as a schemer.

Laban became God’s rod of discipline in Jacob’s life. There’s no doubt God was accomplishing His purpose with Jacob despite his stubbornness and conniving (28:15), but Jacob could have spared himself 20 years of grief if he had learned to wait on God.

Have you noticed “The Laban Principle” at work in your own spiritual life? God’s stroke of discipline may be applied by a family member, a fellow employee, a creditor. But the goal is always the same: to help you develop spiritual maturity.

Write out a one-paragraph description of what you are going to do the next time you feel like rushing ahead of God. Chances are, before the week is out you’ll need it – and use it.

INSIGHT Marital Bliss . . . or Marital Blisters?

The wisdom of God’s original one man/one-woman blueprint for marriage is illustrated in the sad example of Jacob’s household, where jealousy, bickering, and scheming between Leah and Rachel were regular occurrences. Refresh your memory of family life God’s way by rereading genesis 2:23-24. Then look up 1 Kings 11:1-8 to discover another man for whom multiple wives meant multiplied woes.