Good morning,
Jacob was a product of his upbringing. His grandparents lied. His parents lied and played favorites with Jacob and Esau. So, Jacob learned all these traits and more. His early years were spent deceiving others. He even tried bargaining with God. It was not till he wrestled with the angel of God, did his life change.
When he met God, his named was changed to Israel, and he began living for God.
This week we look at the life of Jacob.
INTRO: Functional vs Dysfunctional Families
Jacob PRE and POST Gen 32
Functional: Dysfunctional:
1. Puts God first No relationship with God or not first
2. Husband and wife Any kind of relationship
3. Quiver full of children No children
4. Bible foundation No foundation
5. Obey God Do their own thing
WHO ARE THE PLAYERS?
1. God-See lesson 1
2. Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Rebekah, Jacob, Esau, Laban
WHAT did God do?
Exodus 34:7 Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children’s children, unto the third and to the fourth generation.
God gives our own free will. We may choose to obey God and be blessed or disobey God and be judged.
Our study this week begins with Abraham and Sarah. They were Jacob’s grandparents. Last week we saw how Abraham’s lack of faith in God’s promise has had lasting implications, even today. We also see that he lied about his relationship to Sarah. Jacob’s parents, Isaac and Rebekah, also lied about their relationship and played favorites with their boys.
So Jacob watched his grandparents and parents and learned how to live life. Unfortunately, in some cases they were not good examples. They failed to teach their children about God. About sin and its consequences. About repentance when we do sin.
It is so important for us to teach our children, grandchildren, and anyone else, who is God, what He requires, the meaning of sin, and what to do when we sin. To teach them about salvation, by faith in Jesus Christ.
A lot of needless heartache could be avoided if we would focus in on our relationship with God.
As we study Jacob’s younger, rebellious days, think about what Jacob’s parents could have done to prevent this rebellion.
Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001
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