Good evening. Well, tonight we are going to continue to work our way through Genesis, and we come to chapters 27 and 28 this evening. So if you want to go ahead and turn to Genesis chapter 27, we will go ahead and get started.
While you are turning there, let me open with a word of prayer.
As we begin taking a look at chapter 27, have you ever been able to trick someone into thinking you were someone else? Or have you ever been confused with someone else? (I am always called mam on the phone)
Well, let’s go ahead and get started with chapter 27, and see what kind of confusion takes place with Isaac, Jacob, and Esau. Whoever has the first 4 keys, go ahead and read them at this time please. (READ)
Well, in review, we remember that Esau had already traded his birthright to his brother Jacob. In this story he loses the customary blessing of the oldest son. Oral statements such as blessings and curses were considered very powerful in ancient times, and had legal force. Though acquired deceitfully, Isaac realizes that he has just given Jacob his legally binding blessing that was supposed to go to Esau. And from this point on, the relationship between Jacob and Esau takes a turn toward hatred and murderous thoughts.
Now, let’s try and work our way through this chapter in order to gain a better understanding of this story that takes place.
Which member of the family do you hold most responsible for Jacob getting Esau’s blessing, and why?
What is the hardest thing to understand about this story?
How would you have reacted if you were Esau and your brother stole your blessing?
What do you do when you feel someone is trying to take advantage of you?
Like Esau, where in your life are you facing great disappointment?
What can you apply to your daily lives from this passage?
Well, from the first part of this passage, we can see a couple of wrongs taking place. First, is a wrong decision. It was only a matter of time before the divided home would start to self-destruct, and it all began with Isaac. He knew that God had chosen Jacob, the younger son, to receive the blessings as it points to in Genesis 25:23-26. But now he announces that he will give it to Esau. It seems that Isaac was more interested in his physical appetite than in spiritual things. Reminds us a lot of his son when he traded his birthright, doesn’t it? He was no longer the spiritual person that he once was.
But in this story we also see a wrong solution. Rebekah knew what God’s promise was to Jacob, and she should have let God work it out in His own way and time. “Faith is living without scheming,” and who can hinder the Lord from accomplishing His purpose, Daniel 4:35. Instead, she made her son a liar and deceived her husband. If Isaac had trusted the Lord instead of his physical senses, verses 21, 22, 25, and 27, then he would not have been fooled.
Now, does anyone have anything that they would like to add before we move on?
Okay, let’s move on and read the rest of chapter 27, and the first part of chapter 28. But before we do that, When has been a time that someone helped you out of a jam with something major? (Speeding ticket. Amended from 88 in a 55 to 70 in a 55 phm zone.)
Well, as we look at this next section of Genesis, we see Rebekah trying to help out her son. Whoever has the 5th key, please go ahead and read that section for us. (READ)
Okay, let’s take a look at this passage for a moment. Here we see Rebekah trying to get Jacob to flee so that she would not lose both of her sons in the same day. Let’s look at a few things here before we move on.
What does it mean to you that God chooses you “anyway” (whether you’ve been good or bad) to do things for Him?
When have you held a long-term grudge?
How did or has that grudge affected you?
How did or has it affected others?
Well, just like the last passage, in this passage, we see things being handled in the wrong way. Here we see a wrong attitude. Esau had made it clear years before that he was not interested in spiritual things, and certainly he knew God’s word about the blessing. He wept and begged for a blessing, but then he plotted to kill his brother Jacob! His heart was not right with God or man. We are reminded of Cain in chapter 4 at this point of the story. He too plotted to kill his brother because his heart was not right with God or man.
Well, that is all I had for this section. So does anyone have anything that they would like to add about that section before we move on?
Okay, well let’s move on and get ready to read the rest of chapter 28. If you can remember, what are some of the dreams that you have had before?
Well, in the rest of this chapter, we are told of a dream that Jacob has, and what he does following that dream. Whoever has that last key, if you could go ahead and read that. (READ)
Okay, what is so remarkable in God’s display of grace?
Do you think that God still speaks through dreams?
What are the dangers and benefits of relying on dreams for guidance?
Well, let me read for you what my commentary had to say about this chapter. It said, “A day of disappointment in verses 1-9. Jacob was a lonely fugitive, forced to flee from home. Even though he left with his father’s blessing, Jacob faced an unknown future, and his brother still wanted to kill him. No an encouraging beginning for a new chapter in his life! But God was still in control, Romans 8:28.
Then came a night of discovery in verses 10-15. Jacob was literally between a rock and a hard place. But that night, Jacob made several discoveries that helped to change his life. He discovered that God was with him and working for him and had a perfect plan for his life. Jacob may have been separated from home, but he was not separated from Heaven. The very angels of God were caring for him, Hebrews 1:13-14. You see, “When the night is the darkest, you see the stars the brightest!”
And finally, there is a morning of dedication in verses 16-22. Jacob began his day worshiping God and turning his hard pillow into a holy altar. He gave the place a new name, “house of God.” Wherever God meets us, that place becomes a holy sanctuary. Jacob’s faith as yet was weak, but he did lay hold of God’s promises, even if there is a bit of “the bargainer” in his vow to give God the tithe. Jacob was making a new beginning, and 20 years later he would return to Bethel a more mature believer.”
Well, that is all that I have for this evening. So does anyone have anything that they would like to add before we close this evening?
Well, if there is nothing else, we are going to discuss chapters 29 and 30 in next weeks meeting. So if you want to read ahead and be ready to discuss, that is what you need to read. At this time, I will close with a word of prayer, and then we will be dismissed.
Let’s Pray |
