god fulfills his promises genesis 28:15 – 31:55. god’s promises to jacob genesis 28 the purpose...

God Fulfills His PromisesGod Fulfills His Promises

Genesis 28:15 – 31:55Genesis 28:15 – 31:55

God’s Promises to Jacob God’s Promises to Jacob Genesis 28Genesis 28

The Purpose of His BlessingThe Purpose of His Blessing– So that we may be a blessing to So that we may be a blessing to

othersothers The Promises of His Message - The Promises of His Message -

Genesis 28:15Genesis 28:15– I am with youI am with you– I will keep youI will keep you– I will bring you backI will bring you back– I will not leave youI will not leave you

““Better Late Than Never”Better Late Than Never”Genesis 28:10 - 29:13 Genesis 28:10 - 29:13

A Poor StartA Poor Start– Jacob made a bad name and a horrible life Jacob made a bad name and a horrible life

for himselffor himself• He deceived his father - Genesis 27:35He deceived his father - Genesis 27:35• He angered his brother - Genesis 27:45He angered his brother - Genesis 27:45• His mother had sent him 500 miles away to His mother had sent him 500 miles away to

Haran, where her brother livedHaran, where her brother lived

– Jacob had a lot of spare time to reconsider Jacob had a lot of spare time to reconsider his wayshis ways

• He was a changed man by the time he reached He was a changed man by the time he reached Haran Haran

– What was different in his life?What was different in his life?

What was different?What was different?

He Began to See God’s Providence - He Began to See God’s Providence - 28:1-1428:1-14

– Jacob’s ladder - God’s deliberate disclosure of His Jacob’s ladder - God’s deliberate disclosure of His involvement in our lives involvement in our lives

Jacob’s StairwayJacob’s Stairway

John 1:51John 1:51. . . “Most . . . “Most assuredly, I say to assuredly, I say to you, hereafter you you, hereafter you shall see heaven shall see heaven open, and the open, and the angels of God angels of God ascending and ascending and descending upon descending upon the Son of Man”the Son of Man”



– Jacob’s ladder - God’s deliberate disclosure of His Jacob’s ladder - God’s deliberate disclosure of His involvement in our lives involvement in our lives

• God literally threw down a ladder of hopeGod literally threw down a ladder of hope• God promised His presence and providence in a God promised His presence and providence in a

powerful and unmistakable way powerful and unmistakable way – From then on Jacob began to look for and see From then on Jacob began to look for and see

God’s provision in his lifeGod’s provision in his life



He Changed His Perspective of LifeHe Changed His Perspective of Life– Previously: “The LORD your God gave me success” Previously: “The LORD your God gave me success”

- Genesis 27:20- Genesis 27:20– God was in the second person and a second-hand God was in the second person and a second-hand

experienceexperience– Jacob vowed to make a changeJacob vowed to make a change

• He offered to God an altar (Genesis 25:3), a tithe (v He offered to God an altar (Genesis 25:3), a tithe (v 22), and a commitment22), and a commitment

• He did not ask for what God was not willing to giveHe did not ask for what God was not willing to give• Instead of relying on his abilities, he began to trust Instead of relying on his abilities, he began to trust

God to supply His needsGod to supply His needs



He Changed His Perspective of LifeHe Changed His Perspective of Life He Began to Care About Others More He Began to Care About Others More

Than Himself - 29:4-11Than Himself - 29:4-11– The new Jacob was friendly, helpful, and more realThe new Jacob was friendly, helpful, and more real

• He addressed strangers as “my brothers”, politely He addressed strangers as “my brothers”, politely asked about his uncle’s welfare, and was genuine in asked about his uncle’s welfare, and was genuine in his interactions with peoplehis interactions with people

• He readily helped strangers and relatives without He readily helped strangers and relatives without being asked, worked for freebeing asked, worked for free

– His education is not complete, but it is off to a His education is not complete, but it is off to a good startgood start

– Priorities: God first, family and others next, and Priorities: God first, family and others next, and himself lasthimself last

– Then God really began to work in Jacob’s lifeThen God really began to work in Jacob’s life

Ways God Works in the Lives of Ways God Works in the Lives of His PeopleHis People After the dream, Jacob continued on After the dream, Jacob continued on

his journey his journey Chapters 29-31 - summary of the Chapters 29-31 - summary of the

next 20 years of Jacobs’ lifenext 20 years of Jacobs’ life– More than a biographyMore than a biography– A history of God’s presence and activityA history of God’s presence and activity– An example of the way that God works in An example of the way that God works in

the lives all of His peoplethe lives all of His people

By Guiding Them By Guiding Them Genesis 29:1-14Genesis 29:1-14

The Lord is guiding His people’s The Lord is guiding His people’s lives so that His plan is fulfilledlives so that His plan is fulfilled

– Our lives are not controlled by fate, Our lives are not controlled by fate, chance, or luck, whether good or badchance, or luck, whether good or bad

– God’s guidance may not always be God’s guidance may not always be obvious but it is always thereobvious but it is always there

– It is easy to see God’s guiding hand in It is easy to see God’s guiding hand in Jacob’s lifeJacob’s life


The Lord is guiding His people’s The Lord is guiding His people’s lives so that His plan is fulfilledlives so that His plan is fulfilled

– Did Jacob just happen to arrive at the very well Did Jacob just happen to arrive at the very well where there were shepherds who were from where there were shepherds who were from Haran and knew Laban? - Genesis 29:4,5Haran and knew Laban? - Genesis 29:4,5

– Was it just coincidence that Laban’s daughter Was it just coincidence that Laban’s daughter Rachel shows up at the very time Jacob is asking Rachel shows up at the very time Jacob is asking about the family? - Genesis 29:6about the family? - Genesis 29:6

– Was Jacob just lucky enough to have encountered Was Jacob just lucky enough to have encountered lazy shepherds who were unwilling to move the lazy shepherds who were unwilling to move the large stone from a well? - Genesis 29:8-11 large stone from a well? - Genesis 29:8-11

– The circumstances were not coincidence - God The circumstances were not coincidence - God was actively working in Jacob’s lifewas actively working in Jacob’s life


The Lord is guiding His people’s lives so The Lord is guiding His people’s lives so that His plan is fulfilledthat His plan is fulfilled

What is true Jacob is also true of all of usWhat is true Jacob is also true of all of us– Good circumstances like Jacob Good circumstances like Jacob – Bad circumstances like Joseph Bad circumstances like Joseph – You can be sure that God is present and active to You can be sure that God is present and active to

bring about his planbring about his plan– Sometimes life may seem out of control and it may Sometimes life may seem out of control and it may

seem that were heading in the wrong direction seem that were heading in the wrong direction – Sometimes it may seem that we are all alone Sometimes it may seem that we are all alone – During those times we need to know by faith in God’s During those times we need to know by faith in God’s

word that God is guiding and directing our livesword that God is guiding and directing our lives

By Disciplining ThemBy Disciplining ThemGenesis 29:14-30Genesis 29:14-30 After seven years of hard work, Jacob was After seven years of hard work, Jacob was

deceived by Labandeceived by Laban– He woke up to discover that he had married Leah He woke up to discover that he had married Leah – He would have to work another seven years for RachelHe would have to work another seven years for Rachel

Not just a coincidence or bad luck!Not just a coincidence or bad luck!– It was God’s discipline of Jacob for his deception of his It was God’s discipline of Jacob for his deception of his

father, Isaac father, Isaac – Similarities - Laban’s deception and his own of IsaacSimilarities - Laban’s deception and his own of Isaac

• Jacob pretended to be the oldest son in order to deceive Jacob pretended to be the oldest son in order to deceive Isaac, now he is Leah pretending to be the youngest Isaac, now he is Leah pretending to be the youngest daughterdaughter

• Jacob deceived Isaac by the disguising himself and most Jacob deceived Isaac by the disguising himself and most likely he himself was deceived because Leah was likely he himself was deceived because Leah was disguised by veils disguised by veils

• Laban specifically mentions the rights of the “firstborn” as Laban specifically mentions the rights of the “firstborn” as his reason for deceiving Jacobhis reason for deceiving Jacob

By Disciplining ThemBy Disciplining ThemGenesis 29:14-30Genesis 29:14-30

Sometimes circumstances cause pain Sometimes circumstances cause pain and trouble and trouble

– Discipline for sins we have committed so that we Discipline for sins we have committed so that we can learn not to do them again can learn not to do them again

– Not to harm us or in anger but to shape and Not to harm us or in anger but to shape and develop us as His peopledevelop us as His people

We must learn that actions have We must learn that actions have consequences!consequences!

– When we disobey God’s standards or act in distrust When we disobey God’s standards or act in distrust of him we’re going to pay a priceof him we’re going to pay a price

– We’re going to be disciplined by our loving FatherWe’re going to be disciplined by our loving Father

By Disciplining ThemBy Disciplining ThemGenesis 29:14-30Genesis 29:14-30

Jacob had discovered a spiritual truth Jacob had discovered a spiritual truth – You reap what you sowYou reap what you sow

– God will work in our lives so that we take sin God will work in our lives so that we take sin seriouslyseriously

– Illustration: Billy Graham Illustration: Billy Graham

God’s purposes in His correction are to God’s purposes in His correction are to shape us for the work He has prepared shape us for the work He has prepared for us to do!for us to do!

By Prospering ThemBy Prospering ThemGenesis 29:31-30:23Genesis 29:31-30:23 God prospered Jacob by providing the God prospered Jacob by providing the

two most important things that he two most important things that he lacked: children and flockslacked: children and flocks

– God still does the same today for his people God still does the same today for his people ““Prosper” does not always mean Prosper” does not always mean

money, wealth, or possessions money, wealth, or possessions – God prospers us by providing us with what we God prospers us by providing us with what we

need to fulfill God’s plan and promises need to fulfill God’s plan and promises – Jacob needed offspring and flocks but the Christian Jacob needed offspring and flocks but the Christian

today can prosper in other waystoday can prosper in other ways• We can prosper in our ministriesWe can prosper in our ministries• We can prosper in our relationship with the LordWe can prosper in our relationship with the Lord• We can prosper in our growth in Christian characterWe can prosper in our growth in Christian character

God is actively working to provide all God is actively working to provide all that we needthat we need

LeahLeah

She was not the most beautiful woman, She was not the most beautiful woman, but God was going to bless her but God was going to bless her tremendouslytremendously

– God knew that Leah was not loved by Jacob as she God knew that Leah was not loved by Jacob as she should have been, so he had compassion on her and should have been, so he had compassion on her and blessed her with being the mother of six of Jacob’s blessed her with being the mother of six of Jacob’s sons directly, including Levi and Judah, and two sons directly, including Levi and Judah, and two more sons indirectly by her maidservantmore sons indirectly by her maidservant

Genesis 29:35Genesis 29:35 “This time I will praise the “This time I will praise the Lord” Lord”

Genesis 30:17 Genesis 30:17 “God listened to Leah”“God listened to Leah” – Leah turned to the Lord to seek his blessing Leah turned to the Lord to seek his blessing – Rachel who turned to superstitionRachel who turned to superstition

JacobJacob

Failure to exhibit leadership in his Failure to exhibit leadership in his familyfamily

– Abraham with Sarah and Hagar Abraham with Sarah and Hagar – Isaac with Rebekka, Jacob, and EsauIsaac with Rebekka, Jacob, and Esau– The end result is a very messed up familyThe end result is a very messed up family– When Christian husbands and fathers abdicate the When Christian husbands and fathers abdicate the

leadership role they have been given by God then leadership role they have been given by God then the family will not function correctlythe family will not function correctly

RachelRachel

Beautiful but she lacked the godly Beautiful but she lacked the godly characteristics of Leahcharacteristics of Leah

– Blames Jacob for her barrenness instead of going Blames Jacob for her barrenness instead of going to the Lord for answers - Genesis 30:1-3to the Lord for answers - Genesis 30:1-3

– Turns to superstition as a means of resolving her Turns to superstition as a means of resolving her barrenness instead of to prayer - mandrake root - barrenness instead of to prayer - mandrake root - Genesis 30:14-15Genesis 30:14-15

– Steals idols from her father’s house - Genesis Steals idols from her father’s house - Genesis 31:19 31:19

– Rachel finally prayed and Genesis 30:22 says, Rachel finally prayed and Genesis 30:22 says, “God listened”“God listened”

– God in his grace and mercy blessed Rachel with God in his grace and mercy blessed Rachel with two children her own – Joseph and Benjamin two children her own – Joseph and Benjamin

By Prompting Them in the Right By Prompting Them in the Right Direction Direction - Genesis 31:1-16- Genesis 31:1-16

God uses various means to encourage God uses various means to encourage us or prompt us to do His will us or prompt us to do His will

– Opens and closes doorsOpens and closes doors– Puts the pressure onPuts the pressure on– Remind us of what His will is for our lives Remind us of what His will is for our lives

God’s will for Jacob is to return to the God’s will for Jacob is to return to the Promised LandPromised Land

– Jacob learns that Laban’s sons are angryJacob learns that Laban’s sons are angry– He notices Laban’s attitude has become bad He notices Laban’s attitude has become bad

toward himtoward him– His wives agree that their father has acted unfairly His wives agree that their father has acted unfairly

and that there’s no reason to stayand that there’s no reason to stay– In a dream God reminded Jacob of his vow to In a dream God reminded Jacob of his vow to

return to Bethel and instructed him to leave at return to Bethel and instructed him to leave at onceonce

By Protecting ThemBy Protecting ThemGenesis 31:17-55Genesis 31:17-55

Leaving Haran was very riskyLeaving Haran was very risky– A strong chance that Laban and his sons would A strong chance that Laban and his sons would

interfere forcefully interfere forcefully – A strong chance that Esau was still angry and A strong chance that Esau was still angry and

would kill Jacob would kill Jacob God was the only source of protection God was the only source of protection

Jacob neededJacob needed– If we are doing God’s will, we can be confident that If we are doing God’s will, we can be confident that

He will protect us so that His work in us and He will protect us so that His work in us and through us is completedthrough us is completed

By Protecting ThemBy Protecting ThemGenesis 31:17-55Genesis 31:17-55 Jacob and Rachel’s faith that God would Jacob and Rachel’s faith that God would

protect them was not as strong as it protect them was not as strong as it should have beenshould have been

– They turn to their own devices to provide protection They turn to their own devices to provide protection and in the end this caused them more trouble and in the end this caused them more trouble

Rachel stole her father’s household Rachel stole her father’s household idols idols

– Something she could fall back on in case things Something she could fall back on in case things didn’t work outdidn’t work out

– We too may find our security in other things We too may find our security in other things besides Godbesides God

• Our bank accountOur bank account• A relationshipA relationship• A certain jobA certain job

– Because we trust in these things and find our Because we trust in these things and find our security in them we desperately try to hold on to security in them we desperately try to hold on to them, but God wants us to trust in him alone!them, but God wants us to trust in him alone!

By Protecting ThemBy Protecting ThemGenesis 31:17-55Genesis 31:17-55

Jacob doesn’t trust God to protect him Jacob doesn’t trust God to protect him eithereither

– He depends once again on deception instead of GodHe depends once again on deception instead of God– Jacob’s deception and Rachel’s theft come from a lack Jacob’s deception and Rachel’s theft come from a lack

of faith and they only produced more hostility with of faith and they only produced more hostility with Laban. Laban.

Life lessonsLife lessons– When we act in distrust of God we only bring more When we act in distrust of God we only bring more

trouble to ourselvestrouble to ourselves– God protects His people despite their foolish choicesGod protects His people despite their foolish choices

• Laban intends to harm Jacob but God intervened in a Laban intends to harm Jacob but God intervened in a dream dream

• ““Do not say anything to Jacob either good or bad” Do not say anything to Jacob either good or bad” • A Hebrew idiom which means: Don’t mess with Jacob! A Hebrew idiom which means: Don’t mess with Jacob! • God was watching over him just as he has promised and God was watching over him just as he has promised and

does with usdoes with us

Be Encouraged!Be Encouraged!

God is present and working to God is present and working to accomplish His willaccomplish His will

– Trust His promisesTrust His promises• I am with youI am with you• I will keep youI will keep you• I will bring you backI will bring you back• I will not leave youI will not leave you

– Watch for God’s providence in your lifeWatch for God’s providence in your life– Change your perspective to God’s perspectiveChange your perspective to God’s perspective– Care more about others than about yourselfCare more about others than about yourself

Be Encouraged!Be Encouraged!

Then you will see that:Then you will see that:– God is guiding your lifeGod is guiding your life– God is disciplining you when you sinGod is disciplining you when you sin– God is prospering you so that you can God is prospering you so that you can

accomplish His will in your lifeaccomplish His will in your life– God is prompting you in the right directionGod is prompting you in the right direction– God is protecting youGod is protecting you

god fulfills his promises genesis 28:15 – 31:55. god’s promises to jacob genesis 28 the purpose...

Documents

gods providence

jacob genesis

brother genesis

promises genesis

life slide

lives god

altar genesis

message genesis