Jacob’s Trouble Genesis 27-32. Religion: Exploiting a Remote God God is powerful, big and...

Jacob’s TroubleJacob’s Trouble

Genesis 27-32Genesis 27-32

Religion: Exploiting a Remote GodReligion: Exploiting a Remote God

God is powerful, big and mysterious…God is powerful, big and mysterious…– This makes Him scary to me…This makes Him scary to me…

My temporal life is what concerns me…My temporal life is what concerns me…– I need God to advance my agenda…I need God to advance my agenda…

How do I get God to deliver?How do I get God to deliver?– God is disengaged, stingy, reluctant…God is disengaged, stingy, reluctant…– I’ll have to pay Him for His assitance…I’ll have to pay Him for His assitance…

God needs me to do most of the work…God needs me to do most of the work…– Whatever good happens, it will be up to me…Whatever good happens, it will be up to me…

The SettingThe Setting27:41 Esau hated Jacob because he had stolen his 27:41 Esau hated Jacob because he had stolen his

blessing, and he said to himself, “My father will blessing, and he said to himself, “My father will soon be dead and gone. Then I will kill Jacob.” soon be dead and gone. Then I will kill Jacob.”

42 But someone got wind of what Esau was planning 42 But someone got wind of what Esau was planning and reported it to Rebekah. She sent for Jacob and and reported it to Rebekah. She sent for Jacob and told him, “Esau is threatening to kill you. told him, “Esau is threatening to kill you.

43 This is what you should do. Flee to your uncle 43 This is what you should do. Flee to your uncle Laban in Haran. Laban in Haran.

44 Stay there with him until your brother’s fury is 44 Stay there with him until your brother’s fury is spent. spent.

45 When he forgets what you have done, I will send 45 When he forgets what you have done, I will send for you. Why should I lose both of you in one day?” for you. Why should I lose both of you in one day?”

First Encounter with GodFirst Encounter with God

28:10 Jacob left Beersheba and traveled 28:10 Jacob left Beersheba and traveled toward Haran. toward Haran.

11 At sundown he arrived at a good place 11 At sundown he arrived at a good place to set up camp and stopped there for to set up camp and stopped there for the night. Jacob found a stone for a the night. Jacob found a stone for a pillow and lay down to sleep. pillow and lay down to sleep.

12 As he slept, he dreamed of a stairway 12 As he slept, he dreamed of a stairway that reached from earth to heaven. And that reached from earth to heaven. And he saw the angels of God going up and he saw the angels of God going up and down on it. down on it.

First Encounter with GodFirst Encounter with God13 At the top of the stairway stood the Lord, 13 At the top of the stairway stood the Lord,

and he said, “I am the Lord, the God of your and he said, “I am the Lord, the God of your grandfather Abraham and the God of your grandfather Abraham and the God of your father, Isaac. The ground you are lying on father, Isaac. The ground you are lying on belongs to you. I will give it to you and your belongs to you. I will give it to you and your descendants. descendants.

14 “Your descendants will be as numerous as 14 “Your descendants will be as numerous as the dust of the earth! They will cover the land the dust of the earth! They will cover the land from east to west and from north to south. All from east to west and from north to south. All the families of the earth will be blessed the families of the earth will be blessed through you and your descendants.”through you and your descendants.”

First Encounter with GodFirst Encounter with God15 What’s more, I will be with you, and I will protect you 15 What’s more, I will be with you, and I will protect you

wherever you go. I will someday bring you safely back wherever you go. I will someday bring you safely back to this land. I will be with you constantly until I have to this land. I will be with you constantly until I have finished giving you everything I have promised.” finished giving you everything I have promised.”

16 Then Jacob woke up and said, “Surely the Lord is in 16 Then Jacob woke up and said, “Surely the Lord is in this place, and I wasn’t even aware of it.” this place, and I wasn’t even aware of it.”

17 He was afraid and said, “What an awesome place 17 He was afraid and said, “What an awesome place this is! It is none other than the house of God—the this is! It is none other than the house of God—the gateway to heaven!” gateway to heaven!”

18 The next morning he got up very early. He took the 18 The next morning he got up very early. He took the stone he had used as a pillow and set it upright as a stone he had used as a pillow and set it upright as a memorial pillar. Then he poured olive oil over it. memorial pillar. Then he poured olive oil over it.

19 He named the place Bethel— “house of God”19 He named the place Bethel— “house of God”

This is scary!

It’s not the place that’s special!

De-personalizing God

How Will he Handle This?How Will he Handle This?20 Then Jacob made this vow: “If God will 20 Then Jacob made this vow: “If God will

be with me and if he will protect me on this be with me and if he will protect me on this journey and if he will give me food and journey and if he will give me food and clothing, clothing,

21 and if he will bring me back safely to my 21 and if he will bring me back safely to my father, then I will make the Lord my God. father, then I will make the Lord my God.

22 This memorial pillar will become a place 22 This memorial pillar will become a place for worshiping God, and I will give God a for worshiping God, and I will give God a tenth of everything he gives me.”tenth of everything he gives me.”

29:1 Jacob hurried on29:1 Jacob hurried on

Jacob’s PursuitsJacob’s Pursuits29:1 Jacob hurried on, finally arriving in 29:1 Jacob hurried on, finally arriving in

the land of the east. the land of the east. 9 … [at a well], Rachel arrived with her 9 … [at a well], Rachel arrived with her

father’s sheep, for she was a father’s sheep, for she was a shepherd. shepherd.

11 Then Jacob kissed Rachel, and 11 Then Jacob kissed Rachel, and tears came to his eyes. tears came to his eyes.

12 … So Rachel quickly ran and told 12 … So Rachel quickly ran and told her father, Laban. her father, Laban.

Jacob’s PursuitsJacob’s Pursuits29:14 After Jacob had been there about a 29:14 After Jacob had been there about a

month, month, 15 Laban said to him, “You shouldn’t work for 15 Laban said to him, “You shouldn’t work for

me without pay just because we are me without pay just because we are relatives. How much do you want?” relatives. How much do you want?”

16 Now Laban had two daughters: Leah, who 16 Now Laban had two daughters: Leah, who was the oldest, and her younger sister, was the oldest, and her younger sister, Rachel. Rachel.

17 Leah had pretty eyes, but Rachel was 17 Leah had pretty eyes, but Rachel was beautiful in every way, with a lovely face beautiful in every way, with a lovely face and shapely figure. and shapely figure.

Jacob’s PursuitsJacob’s Pursuits18 Since Jacob was in love with Rachel, he 18 Since Jacob was in love with Rachel, he

told her father, “I’ll work for you seven told her father, “I’ll work for you seven years if you’ll give me Rachel, your years if you’ll give me Rachel, your younger daughter, as my wife.”younger daughter, as my wife.”

19 “Agreed!” Laban replied. “I’d rather give 19 “Agreed!” Laban replied. “I’d rather give her to you than to someone outside the her to you than to someone outside the family.” family.”

20 So Jacob spent the next seven years 20 So Jacob spent the next seven years working to pay for Rachel. But his love for working to pay for Rachel. But his love for her was so strong that it seemed to him but her was so strong that it seemed to him but a few days. a few days.

Jacob’s PursuitsJacob’s Pursuits21 Finally, the time came for him to 21 Finally, the time came for him to

marry her. “I have fulfilled my marry her. “I have fulfilled my contract,” Jacob said to Laban. contract,” Jacob said to Laban. “Now give me my wife so we can “Now give me my wife so we can be married.” be married.”

22 So Laban invited everyone in 22 So Laban invited everyone in the neighborhood to celebrate the neighborhood to celebrate with Jacob at a wedding feast. with Jacob at a wedding feast.

Jacob’s PursuitsJacob’s Pursuits23 That night, when it was dark, 23 That night, when it was dark,

Laban took Leah to Jacob, and he Laban took Leah to Jacob, and he slept with her. slept with her.

25 But when Jacob woke up in the 25 But when Jacob woke up in the morning—it was Leah! “What sort morning—it was Leah! “What sort of trick is this?” Jacob raged at of trick is this?” Jacob raged at Laban. “I worked seven years for Laban. “I worked seven years for Rachel. What do you mean by this Rachel. What do you mean by this trickery?” trickery?”

How could he not realize…?Like Esau…in reverse!

Jacob’s PursuitsJacob’s Pursuits29:26 “It’s not our custom to 29:26 “It’s not our custom to

marry off a younger daughter marry off a younger daughter ahead of the firstborn,” Laban ahead of the firstborn,” Laban replied. replied.

27 “Wait until the bridal week is 27 “Wait until the bridal week is over, and you can have over, and you can have Rachel, too—that is, Rachel, too—that is, ifif you you promise to work another seven promise to work another seven years for me.” years for me.”

Jacob’s PursuitsJacob’s Pursuits28 So Jacob agreed to work seven 28 So Jacob agreed to work seven

more years. A week after Jacob more years. A week after Jacob had married Leah, Laban gave had married Leah, Laban gave him Rachel, too. him Rachel, too.

30 So Jacob slept with Rachel, too, 30 So Jacob slept with Rachel, too, and he loved her more than Leah. and he loved her more than Leah. He then stayed and worked the He then stayed and worked the additional seven years.additional seven years.

The Quandary of a Temporal LifeThe Quandary of a Temporal Life

Jacob was on his own: no family.Jacob was on his own: no family.– Jacob versus the world.Jacob versus the world.

Yet he was a hard worker, shrewd, etc.Yet he was a hard worker, shrewd, etc.– He had plans, plans, plans.He had plans, plans, plans.– He didn’t He didn’t needneed God’s interference… God’s interference…– Just put the blinders on and focus…Just put the blinders on and focus…

Sooner or later: LABAN ENTERS!Sooner or later: LABAN ENTERS!– Out-smarted, out-maneouvered: surprised!Out-smarted, out-maneouvered: surprised!

God offers a better way…God offers a better way…– He created us: is He not a fitting leader?He created us: is He not a fitting leader?

Jacob’s TroublesJacob’s Troubles30:25 Soon after Joseph was born to Rachel, 30:25 Soon after Joseph was born to Rachel,

Jacob said to Laban, “I want to go back home. Jacob said to Laban, “I want to go back home. 26 Let me take my wives and children, for I have 26 Let me take my wives and children, for I have

earned them from you, and let me be on my earned them from you, and let me be on my way. You know I have fully paid for them with way. You know I have fully paid for them with my service to you.” my service to you.”

30 “You had little indeed before I came, and 30 “You had little indeed before I came, and your wealth has increased enormously. The your wealth has increased enormously. The Lord has blessed you from everything I do! But Lord has blessed you from everything I do! But now, what about me? When should I provide now, what about me? When should I provide for my own family?” for my own family?”

Jacob’s TroublesJacob’s Troubles31 “What wages do you want?” Laban 31 “What wages do you want?” Laban

asked again. asked again. 31,2 Jacob replied, “Let me go out among 31,2 Jacob replied, “Let me go out among

your flocks today and remove all the your flocks today and remove all the sheep and goats that are speckled or sheep and goats that are speckled or spotted, along with all the dark-colored spotted, along with all the dark-colored sheep. Give them to me as my wages.sheep. Give them to me as my wages.

34 “All right,” Laban replied. “It will be as 34 “All right,” Laban replied. “It will be as you have said.”you have said.”

Jacob’s TroublesJacob’s Troubles35 But that very day Laban went out and 35 But that very day Laban went out and

removed all the male goats that were removed all the male goats that were speckled and spotted, the females that speckled and spotted, the females that were speckled and spotted with any were speckled and spotted with any white patches, and all the dark-colored white patches, and all the dark-colored sheep. He placed them in the care of his sheep. He placed them in the care of his sons, sons,

36 and they took them three days’ 36 and they took them three days’ distance from where Jacob was. distance from where Jacob was. Meanwhile, Jacob stayed and cared for Meanwhile, Jacob stayed and cared for Laban’s flock. Laban’s flock.

Cheated again!Jacob Counter-

CheatsLaban changes the rules…Jacob was

helpless!

Years Pass…Years Pass…3 Then the Lord said to Jacob, “Return to the land of 3 Then the Lord said to Jacob, “Return to the land of

your father and grandfather and to your relatives your father and grandfather and to your relatives there, and I will be with you.” there, and I will be with you.”

4-5 Jacob called Rachel and Leah out to the field 4-5 Jacob called Rachel and Leah out to the field where he was watching the flocks, so he could talk where he was watching the flocks, so he could talk things over with them. “Your father has turned things over with them. “Your father has turned against me and is not treating me like he used to,” against me and is not treating me like he used to,” he told them. “But the God of my father has been he told them. “But the God of my father has been with me. with me.

6-7 You know how hard I have worked for your 6-7 You know how hard I have worked for your father, but he has tricked me, breaking his wage father, but he has tricked me, breaking his wage agreement with me again and again. But God has agreement with me again and again. But God has not allowed him to do me any harm. not allowed him to do me any harm.

Troubles Continue…Troubles Continue…17 So Jacob put his wives and children 17 So Jacob put his wives and children

on camels. on camels. 20 They set out secretly and never told 20 They set out secretly and never told

Laban they were leaving. Laban didn’t Laban they were leaving. Laban didn’t learn of their flight for three days…learn of their flight for three days…

23 But when he did, he gathered a 23 But when he did, he gathered a group of his relatives and set out in group of his relatives and set out in hot pursuit…He caught up with them hot pursuit…He caught up with them seven days later in the hill country of seven days later in the hill country of Gilead. Gilead.

Troubles Continue…Troubles Continue…

26 “What do you mean by sneaking off 26 “What do you mean by sneaking off like this?” Laban demanded. “Are my like this?” Laban demanded. “Are my daughters prisoners, the plunder of daughters prisoners, the plunder of war, that you have stolen them away war, that you have stolen them away like this? like this?

29 I could destroy you, but the God of 29 I could destroy you, but the God of your father appeared to me last night your father appeared to me last night and told me, ‘Be careful about what and told me, ‘Be careful about what you say to Jacob!’you say to Jacob!’

Jacob’s shifty ways gain him no advantage, but nearly get him killed!

A A HardHard Lesson Lesson41 Yes, twenty years I’ve worked for you—41 Yes, twenty years I’ve worked for you—

fourteen of them earning your two daughters, fourteen of them earning your two daughters, and six years to get the flock. And you have and six years to get the flock. And you have reduced my wages ten times! reduced my wages ten times!

42 In fact, except for the grace of God—the 42 In fact, except for the grace of God—the God of my grandfather Abraham, the God of my grandfather Abraham, the awe-inspiring God of my father, Isaac—you awe-inspiring God of my father, Isaac—you would have sent me off without a penny to would have sent me off without a penny to my name. But God has seen your cruelty my name. But God has seen your cruelty and my hard work. That is why he appeared and my hard work. That is why he appeared to you last night and vindicated me.”to you last night and vindicated me.”

What Jacob wants is also what God wants…Only after 20 years of pointless struggle did

Jacob begin to realize God was the one blessing him!

“I will be with you, and I will protect you wherever you go. I will someday bring you safely back to this land. I will be with you constantly until I have finished giving you everything I have promised.”

- Gen. 28:15

From learning lessons From learning lessons to to real change…real change…

Guess who’s waiting for Guess who’s waiting for Jacob in Canaan?Jacob in Canaan?

Esau!Esau!


32:3 Jacob now sent messengers to his 32:3 Jacob now sent messengers to his brother, Esau, in Edom, the land of Seir. brother, Esau, in Edom, the land of Seir.

4 He told them, “Give this message to my 4 He told them, “Give this message to my master Esau: ‘Humble greetings from your master Esau: ‘Humble greetings from your servant Jacob! I have been living with Uncle servant Jacob! I have been living with Uncle Laban until recently, Laban until recently,

5 and now I own oxen, donkeys, sheep, goats, 5 and now I own oxen, donkeys, sheep, goats, and many servants, both men and women. I and many servants, both men and women. I have sent these messengers to inform you of have sent these messengers to inform you of my coming, hoping that you will be friendly to my coming, hoping that you will be friendly to us.’”us.’”

6 The messengers returned with 6 The messengers returned with the news that Esau was on his the news that Esau was on his way to meet Jacob way to meet Jacob

- with an army of - with an army of four hundred men!four hundred men!


Under stress, Jacob Under stress, Jacob defaults to his old defaults to his old methods – “When all methods – “When all else fails, else fails, manipulatemanipulate the situation!”the situation!”


7 Jacob was terrified at the news. He divided his 7 Jacob was terrified at the news. He divided his household, along with the flocks and herds and household, along with the flocks and herds and camels, into two camps. camels, into two camps.

8 He thought, “If Esau attacks one group, perhaps the 8 He thought, “If Esau attacks one group, perhaps the other can escape.” other can escape.”

9 Then Jacob prayed, “O God of my grandfather 9 Then Jacob prayed, “O God of my grandfather Abraham and my father, Isaac—O Lord, you told me Abraham and my father, Isaac—O Lord, you told me to return to my land and to my relatives, and you to return to my land and to my relatives, and you promised to treat me kindly.promised to treat me kindly.

10 I am not worthy of all the faithfulness and unfailing 10 I am not worthy of all the faithfulness and unfailing love you have shown to me, your servant. When I left love you have shown to me, your servant. When I left home, I owned nothing except a walking stick, and home, I owned nothing except a walking stick, and now my household fills two camps! now my household fills two camps!


11 O Lord, please rescue me from 11 O Lord, please rescue me from my brother, Esau. I am afraid that my brother, Esau. I am afraid that he is coming to kill me, along with he is coming to kill me, along with my wives and children. my wives and children.

12 But you promised to treat me 12 But you promised to treat me kindly and to multiply my kindly and to multiply my descendants until they become as descendants until they become as numerous as the sands along the numerous as the sands along the seashore—too many to count.” seashore—too many to count.”


13 Jacob stayed where he was for the 13 Jacob stayed where he was for the night and prepared a present for Esau: night and prepared a present for Esau:

14 two hundred female goats, twenty 14 two hundred female goats, twenty male goats, two hundred ewes, twenty male goats, two hundred ewes, twenty rams, rams,

15 thirty female camels with their young, 15 thirty female camels with their young, forty cows, ten bulls, twenty female forty cows, ten bulls, twenty female donkeys, and ten male donkeys…donkeys, and ten male donkeys…


32:21 So the presents were sent on 32:21 So the presents were sent on ahead, and Jacob spent that night in the ahead, and Jacob spent that night in the camp.camp.

22 But during the night Jacob got up and 22 But during the night Jacob got up and sent his two wives, two concubines, and sent his two wives, two concubines, and eleven sons across the Jabbok River. eleven sons across the Jabbok River.

23 After they were on the other side, he 23 After they were on the other side, he sent over all his possessions. sent over all his possessions.

24 This left Jacob all alone in the camp…24 This left Jacob all alone in the camp…


24 …and a man came and wrestled with him 24 …and a man came and wrestled with him until dawn.until dawn.

25 When the man saw that he could not 25 When the man saw that he could not overpower him, he touched the socket of overpower him, he touched the socket of Jacob’s hip so that his hip was wrenched as Jacob’s hip so that his hip was wrenched as he wrestled with the man.he wrestled with the man.

But Jacob panted, “I will not let you go unless But Jacob panted, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.” you bless me.”

28 “Your name will no longer be Jacob,” the 28 “Your name will no longer be Jacob,” the man told him. “It is now Israel, because you man told him. “It is now Israel, because you have struggled with both God and men and have struggled with both God and men and have won.” have won.”

31 The sun rose as he left Peniel, and he was limping because of his hip.


33:1 Then, in the distance, Jacob saw Esau 33:1 Then, in the distance, Jacob saw Esau coming with his four hundred men. coming with his four hundred men.

3 …As he approached his brother, he bowed 3 …As he approached his brother, he bowed low seven times before him. low seven times before him.

4 Then Esau ran to meet him and embraced 4 Then Esau ran to meet him and embraced him affectionately and kissed him. Both of him affectionately and kissed him. Both of them were in tears.them were in tears.

5 Then Esau looked at the women and children 5 Then Esau looked at the women and children and asked, “Who are these people with you?” and asked, “Who are these people with you?”

““These are the children God has graciously These are the children God has graciously given to me,” Jacob replied… given to me,” Jacob replied…


From From JacobJacob to to IsraelIsrael

The mature Jacob:The mature Jacob:– Constantly refers to God Constantly refers to God

from here on.from here on.– Never again resorts to a Never again resorts to a

pattern of manipulation.pattern of manipulation.– Discovers God gives what Discovers God gives what

he wanted all along!he wanted all along!

– Discovers that God Discovers that God gives!gives!

– Gave God his Gave God his identityidentity..

The Immature Jacob:The Immature Jacob:– Largely avoided God and Largely avoided God and

restricted God.restricted God.– ““Whatever good happens is Whatever good happens is

up to me.”up to me.”– Viewed God as someone Viewed God as someone

disengaged, with a separate disengaged, with a separate agenda.agenda.

– Thought God was like Thought God was like himself: stingy and reluctant, himself: stingy and reluctant, requiring bribes.requiring bribes.

– Gave God token sacrifice.Gave God token sacrifice.

The Key to a successful life is what God GIVES us!

Wrestling With GodWrestling With GodThe essence of Jacob’s life.The essence of Jacob’s life.

A frustrating, pointless effort:A frustrating, pointless effort:– Jacob and God wanted the same thing!Jacob and God wanted the same thing!– Did Jacob ever stand a chance of winning?Did Jacob ever stand a chance of winning?

Yet Jacob had one redeeming qualityYet Jacob had one redeeming quality– He clinged to God, despite all else.He clinged to God, despite all else.– God could work with thisGod could work with this– God could God could changechange Jacob to Israel. Jacob to Israel.

His limp was a reminder of weakness.His limp was a reminder of weakness.

– ““You don’t have to remind a guy with a bad hip to You don’t have to remind a guy with a bad hip to walk softly”walk softly”

Issues Raised:Issues Raised:Trust our ability to control, or an all-wise, self-Trust our ability to control, or an all-wise, self-giving God?giving God?

Are you prepared to surrender to the need for Are you prepared to surrender to the need for God?God?– While striving in self-promotion, we can’t fully While striving in self-promotion, we can’t fully

experience what God has for us!experience what God has for us!

Are you ready to receive a new name from him?Are you ready to receive a new name from him?

Are you walking with a limp yet?Are you walking with a limp yet?

Will you cling to God through the process?Will you cling to God through the process?

“I myself no longer live, but Christ lives in me. So I live my life in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me” (NLT) Gal. 2:20

Jacob’s Trouble Genesis 27-32. Religion: Exploiting a Remote God God is powerful, big and...

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Transcript of Jacob’s Trouble Genesis 27-32. Religion: Exploiting a Remote God God is powerful, big and...