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Lesson 28

Competition At Its Worse

Genesis 30

Me-

As far back as I can remember I have been competitive.  I have not liked to lose at anything.  Even when we used to play cowboys and Indians, Yes I know that dates me, I always wanted to be the good guy or the cowboy because they always won.  In sports it was the same way, I either wanted to be on the winning team or cheer for the best.  That is one reason I have always rooted for the New York Yankees because they have been a great team for a long time. 

The older I have gotten I have come to realize that I cannot always win.  There are things that are completely out my control.  One of the lessons learned, which has not been easy, is I do not have to get in the last word in a discussions.  Sometimes another person makes a point that just cannot be disputed. 

The type of competition mentioned above is not bad in itself.  However, if it brings on irrational behavior or division between parties it has gone too far.  My hope and desire as I get older is to understand that God does admire passion in people.  It however must be under His control and direction.  Competition unrestrained will bring about damage in the life of someone.

We-

It is said of Christians, that we are the only ones who shoot our own.  Paul wrote in Galatians, “For the whole law is fulfilled in one word, in the statement, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ But if you bite and devour one another, take care that you are not consumed by one another.”  (Galatians 5:15)  Sadly, we do this all the time.  How, may you ask?  It occurs because we are in competition with each other to achieve our own agendas.  We also do this when we find ourselves competing with other churches for the same people rather than cheering them on when they reach people for Christ.  We do this when, even subconsciously, we do not want others to be doing better than we are.  In a subtle way this comes out when we brag, yes brag, about the number of members we have.  Usually this is a very inflated number since true membership is not the number on role but those who actually attend and serve on a regular basis.  The sooner we learn that we are on the same team the sooner we can focus on what God has called us to be.

Our narrative continues as the struggle between Leah and Rachel continues. Each uses the children to try to gain first place in the heart of Jacob.  We also see the maneuvering by each of the men, Jacob and Laban, to outsmart each other and to get the upper hand in the battle for position and power between them.  In either case the competition only brought with it bitterness, jealousy and pain.  The actions of the adults would impact the family of Jacob for the rest of his life.

God-

Genesis 30:1-24

In the following verses there was a conflict going on that would have long term consequences.  It involved the four women in Jacob’s life, but primarily it was between Leah and Rachel.  Although the interaction is between the two sisters one almost has to wonder where Jacob is during all of this time.  The tension, jealousy and mistrust occurring was becoming a way of life for the two.  It would eventually affect the children in an adverse way, but that part of the narrative will come later.

Jacob of course was present but appeared almost oblivious to what was going on around him in his own family.  He seems to have done better tending the sheep than dealing with squabble of his wives.  As the head of the family he had responsibility for the climate that existed.

Again one must wonder if he had not inherited the trait from his father of wanting to avoid conflict at all costs.  Even in his negotiations with Laban, he gave in to the schemes and deceptions without holding his father-in-law responsible for his actions.  Other than his one comment to Rachel, he allowed his family to be torn apart and did nothing about it.

By remaining neutral Jacob produced an environment where all involvement would not know where they stood.  It certainly would have caused the women to have a feeling of insecurity as can be seen by the meaning that each gave to their children.  Frustration, jealousy and confusion would result from his non-involvement.   

Genesis 30:1-2

Rachel’s reaction to what was taking place was natural.  Like any woman of her day, she wanted to have children.  She could not understand how Jacob could produce children through Leah and she could have none. Her jealousy of her sister turned into blaming Jacob. She actually demanded that he give her a child.  Unlike Isaac who prayed that Rebekah might have children Jacob only rebuked Rachel in her time of hurt and frustration.  His response showed that he understood and stated clearly, but not very lovingly, that it was in the hand of God to do as she commanded.

1. In what ways was Rachel’s reaction to her inability to have children natural?
2. What did she expect Jacob to do about her situation?
3. What could have Jacob have done on behalf of his wife?
4. What do you think of Jacob’s response?
5. Why did God not allow her to have children at that point in time?

Genesis 30:3-6

Like Sarah before her, Rachel took matters into her own hands.  Rather than waiting on God she planed to use her servant to fulfill her own selfish desire of having a child. Of course Bihah had no say in the matter. Rachel gave Bilhah to Jacob as a wife to become a surrogate mother for Rachel. To keep the peace in the family, Jacob complied with Rachel’s wishes. Indeed Bilhah did provide Jacob with a son.  Rachel named him Dan concluding that God had vindicated her and had listened to her petition.  What she truly desired was to find meaning in life which she decided could only happen by having a son. Since the child was born of a servant he automatically became the possession of Rachel. She did not understand that God would have no part in her plan.

1. What does this event tell us about Rachel?
2. Why would Jacob go along with her plan?
3. What does this say about the attitude of both of them towards Bilhah?
4. What does this whole episode say about her understanding of God?
5. In what way was she wrong by naming the boy Dan?
6. What was Rachel really trying to accomplish?

Genesis 30:7-8

Rachel was not satisfied with the one son.  Again Bilhad conceived and had another son.  Her name for the second son indicated what was truly on her mind.  It was the competition and jealousy she felt toward her sister. She had to be the winner in her struggle for the affections of Jacob.  The boy born to Bilhah was named Naphtali which literally means, “Wrestlings with God.”

1. What was Rachel trying to achieve by giving Bilhah to Jacob once again?
2. What was truly behind all of her maneuvering?
3. What does the name of the second son tell us about Rachel?
4. Although “Wrestlings with God” was mentioned because of the boy’s name,  in what way did it define Rachel’s struggle with her sister?  
5. What place did God have in the life of Rachel and Jacob at this point in time?

Genesis 30:9-13

Not to be outdone and thinking the time of having children was over, Leah followed Rachel’s example and gave Zilpah, her maid, to Jacob.  Zilpah had two children. The first Leah named Gad which means fortunate.  The second was named Asher.  His name meant happy.  In a way these two names were paradoxical.  Because of the underlying conflict and competition to outdo each other being waged by these two sisters the results would not bring happiness to either one of them. Although she named one of them Gad the whole circumstance under which he was born was an unfortunate example of using others for personal gain.  Leah said women will call me happy because she had given Jacob six sons. It is obvious that neither she nor Rachel could be thought of as content. 

1. Why was Leah not satisfied with the four sons she had already had?
2. Why did she feel it necessary to repeat Rachel’s misguided act?
3. Looking at the names given, how accurately do you think their names convey what was going on in the lives of the two sisters?
4. Why could they not find happiness?
5. Why would Leah consider herself fortunate?  Was this true?

Genesis 30:14-15

In these two verses the feelings of Leah toward her sister come to the surface. When Rachel asked for some of the plants that Reuben had found, Leah reacts with harsh words.  She actually accused her sister of stealing her husband.  For whatever reason, Rachel was willing to give up spending the night with Jacob for some of the mandrakes. It was thought that the plant would arouse passion and bring children to a woman who was barren.  Rachel was desperate and if the mandrakes would be a remedy to her situation she was willing to give up time with Jacob. 

1. What evidence do we have of Leah’s true opinion of her sister?
2. How did Rachel act to diffuse the situation?
3. Why would Rachel even ask for some mandrakes?
4. What did the people think the mandrakes could do for a person?
5. What did her desperation cause her to do?

Genesis 30:16-21

As a result of the bargain Leah began to conceive and have children once again. She gave God the credit for allowing her to have more children.  Leah had two more sons. Her two sons were:

• Issachar – She incorporated the word hire in his name, as if the decision she made with Rachel led to having additional children.
• Zebulon – From her words again is seen the insecurity that she felt in her relationship with Jacob.  She believed the sheer number of sons was payment to buy his loyalty.  Probably long before this she had given up on ever gaining the love that Jacob felt for Rachel.  That would never change.  She did believe, however, that he might live with her as father of the six sons she had given to him.

Finally after having six sons of her own a daughter was born to her.  Her name was Dinah.  Dinah would play a role in the future of Jacob’s family.

1. Why did Leah see the addition of thee more children as by the hand of God?
2. What does the naming of the boys tell us about what was going on in her life?
3. What are some of hurts that seem to still exist in the life of Leah?
4. What are the hurts  that still control your life?
5. What was her expectation of a relationship with Jacob?
6. How would her life change even if Jacob became a full time husband? 
7. What does this show about her relationship with her sister?

Genesis 30:22-24

In God’s timing Rachel was finally given a son.  Her response was twofold.  First, she affirmed that the son was from God.  With his birth the shame she had experienced for all the years of her marriage was gone.  Even with the birth of Joseph, she was not content because she immediately asked for another son.  Joseph’s name expressed her thought process.  His name carried with it the idea of, “The Lord shall add to me another son.”  At a later time God answered her prayer and gave her Benjamin.

1. Why would it take so long for Rachel to have children of her own?
2. What would you say that God was trying to do in the life of Rachel and Jacob with the delay in giving Rachel a son?
3. How was she after so many disappointments able to give God the credit for her son?
4. Why was she not satisfied with the birth of one son?
5. What did she mean by talking about the fact that her shame was removed?

You-

• Be aware when members of your family become competitive with each other to the detriment of family unity.
• Provide a climate by your behavior where love for each person is all important.  That love should manifest itself in ways that indicate it is unconditional for the whole family.  
• In times of joy and tribulation remember that God’s timing is perfect in dealing with every situation..
• Do not make decisions that put you ahead of God.
• Pray before making decisions.
• Do not allow emotions to be the determinate factor in making a decision?

We-

Sometimes we find ourselves in the midst of a bad situation, not of our own making. At some point someone acted in such a way that brought about conflict and chaos.  There are two paths that can be taken.  The first is we can become part of the problem by continuing to depart from all that God intends for us to be.  In Jacob’s family there was a lack of dependence on God or seeking of His guidance.  Like so many of us they plowed ahead making decisions based on jealousy and emotional needs.  Lacking was wisdom or discernment of the direction to take. 

The second path that can be taken is the high road of life.  Rather than continuing to wallow in the troubles in which we find ourselves we need to look for God size solutions. We faced with any dilemma our first act is to fall on our knees and ask God if we are part of the problem seeking forgiveness.  With the boldness of God we are not to withdraw but deal with the problem head on.  Paul in Philippians 4 was aware of strife between two godly women, Euodia and Syntche.  He knew if allowed to continue it would divide the church so he called on the two to resolve their differences with the guidance of the leadership of the church so that unity would once again prevail.  We can only do this if we are willing to listen to God and follow His direction.

 

Additional Notes:

BL-   We studied Genesis 30, in which Jacob’s ladies got down to the very serious business of producing heirs.  Rachel, now four sons behind her sister Leah, grew jealous and asked Jacob what he’s going to do about it! Jacob rightly pointed out that this matter was in God’s hands. That answer did not satisfy Rachel. Following in the errant footsteps of Jacob’s grandmother, Sarah, Rachel decided to help God out by giving her maid to Jacob.  Bilhah produced not one, but two sons, whom Rachel named “Dan,” meaning “He has vindicated me,” and “Naphtali,” meaning “my struggle.”  Leah, in fear of losing her trump card, then gave her maid to Jacob, and Zilpah had two sons–“Gad,” meaning “good fortune,” and “Asher,” meaning “happy.”  (Thus far, we have Leah 6–Rachel 2!)  Rachel was falling behind so she made a deal with Leah to secure some mandrakes, an ancient aphrodisiac, that Leah’s son had found.  Leah agreed to hand them over in exchange for a night with Jacob. The result of their encounter was “Issachar,” meaning “reward.”  Then Leah bore Jacob yet another son whom named “Zebulun,” meaning “honor.”  Lastly, she had a daughter, Dinah, who would play an important part in a later chapter. Not to be outdone, Rachel finally had a child of her own. She named him Joseph because she believed that God had taken away her disgrace. Following Joseph’s birth, Jacob asks Laban for leave to go back home. He was now a man with two wives, two concubines, and twelve children, but still had no property or wealth to show for himself.  Laban, who is smart enough to realize that Jacob was his ticket to success, begged Jacob to stay.  The two men finally work out a way to pay him for his efforts.  He was to give Jacob all the speckled and spotted lambs and goats, which were the less desirable animals, from his flocks and keep the rest for himself.  Jacob accepted, and then through a strange combination of divine influence and superstitious remedies, he influenced the flocks and herds to produce a bumper crop of strong, healthy animals!  Using the strange methods the Bible says, Jacob grew exceedingly prosperous–and pretty soon, Paddam Aram was not big enough to hold both Jacob and Laban. Jacob, it seemed, was finally learning to do things God’s way.  He found out it is always the best way!  If only he had figured it out twenty years before. Rachel, it seemed, had yet learned her lesson, but it was coming! 

C-Because Rachel could not have children she gave Bilhah to Jacob as his wife to bear a child for her.  Bilhah had sons who were named Dan and Napthali. (Gen. 30:1-8)

C-Not to be out done Leah, when she stopped bearing, got into the act and gave Zilpah to Jacob as a wife.  Zilpah bore two sons in Leah’s name, Gad and Asher. (Gen. 30:9-13)

C-Once again Leah began to have children.  She had two more sons and called them Issachar and Zebulun.  She also had a daughter and named here Dinah.  At this time Leah thought sure that the relationship between she and Jacob would surely change because she had given him six sons and a daughter.  (Gen. 30:16-22)

C-Finally Rachel conceived and gave birth to Joseph.  We may ask, why did God wait before allowing her to conceive?  God’s timing is perfect.  The child of Jacob’s old age would one day preserve his family in Egypt.  (Gen. 30:22-24)

C-In the naming of Joseph Rachel gives us a glimpse of human nature. Even having Joseph brought to light hear desire to have additional children. Her response upon his birth seems to be a strange one.  She said, “May the Lord give me another son,” which is in the Hebrew Joseph.  It would seem that one who had waited for a child would be filled with joy at his birth and not looking beyond caring for him. It appears from this brief glimpse into her thinking that we might conclude that how no matter fulfilling we might think an event to be, man is never satisfied totally with the status quo. (Gen. 30:24)

 

 

Lesson 27

The Deceiver Out Deceived

Genesis 29

Me-

Seeing how the world operates I have become somewhat cynical in my old age.  I have learned to be suspicious of those who are offering what they claim to be a good deal.  The old saying, “If it sounds too good to be true then it is actually too good to be true.”  Anyone offering something for nothing is probably trying to deceive.  Today more than ever I find that people are trying to prey on especially the elderly attempting to cheat them out of their money. 

Many years ago some individuals I know got caught up in a Ponzi scheme. As much as I tried to warn them they would not listen and lost money in the process.  I have found the only way to discover whether something is valid is to research it.  The second and most important thing for each of us who call ourselves followers of Christ is to ask does our actions line up with the word of God.

We-

The Bible is full of examples of individuals, including those in our present study, who made it a practice to mislead others.  Even in churches today, people are being led by false shepherds in to believing false teachings.  Just look at the issues of homosexuality, abortion and accepting conduct not proper for believers in which God’s word has been twisted to suit themselves. 

Throughout the studies for the last few weeks, we have seen the trouble brought on in the lives of Abraham and his descendents because they did not seek God’s guidance.  We should know by now that He will never mislead us.  Paul met a group of people who would not be fooled.  In Acts 17:11 we are told of the attitude of the Bereans.  It was said of them, “Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so.”  They heard Paul but verified what he said to be true by God’s word.  This should be our practice as well.  One reason that we do not is because it takes work and most of us are not willing to take the time to do so.

God

Genesis 29:1-3

With the promise of God ringing in his ears Jacob proceeded on his journey to Padam-Aram.  Looking around, upon his arrival, he saw shepherds with their flocks at a well so he would have known that he was close to the city. The writer makes special note of the fact that the stone covering the well was very large, therefore quite heavy.  As one would imagine the stone was there to keep the water and the well clean.  With the winds the well could very easily be filled with sediment.  Also it was probably to keep people or animals from falling into it.  To keep from having to moving the stone continually the shepherds would wait until all the flocks of the area came together before moving the stone and watering the sheep.

1. How did Jacob know that he was close to a city?
2. What was the reason for the gathering of the shepherds and their sheep?
3. What was the means they used to protect the water supply?
4. Why did the writer allude to the fact that the stone was large?

Genesis 29:4-6

Jacob initiated the conversation with the shepherds.  Notice his boldness.  He began by calling these perfect strangers, brothers.  He may have felt a certain kinship with those men who were in the same possession as he.  Once he had greeted them he then asked where they lived.  To each of his questions their answers were very short and to the point.  They did not know this man and were not about to volunteer any more information than was necessary. Look at the questions and answers.

• Where is your home? Haran
• Do you know Laban? We know him.
• Is everything ok with him? It is well.

They did inform him that Laban’s daughter Rachel was approaching.  Whether they did this to be friendly or to deflect him from asking other questions is unknown.

1. Why did Jacob open the conversation?
2. Why did he call them brothers?
3. Why were the answers to Jacob’s questions so short?
4. What was the importance of knowing where those men lived?
5. What did their answers say about how they viewed Jacob?
6. How was the coming of Rachel different from what had taken place with Rebekah?

Genesis 29:7-8

Jacob’s statement was pretty bold in light of the fact that he was a stranger to the shepherds.  By questioning them he set himself up as an authority on the proper care of sheep. He seemed to imply that the men had wasted a good portion of the day waiting by the well when the sheep could have been in the pasture.   That they even answered him at all is quite surprising.  Their reason rested on the fact that the stone was heavy and large and they did not want to have to move it but once during the day.  It seems to indicate that it would take more than one man to roll it off of the well. To have done it any earlier would have left Rachel to fend for herself.

1. What right did Jacob have in speaking to the shepherds as he did?
2. What does this tell us about Jacob?
3. What does it say about the men that they even answered him at all?
4. What was the advantage for them to wait?
5. Who benefited by their actions?

Genesis 29:9-12

Upon seeing Rachel, Jacob leaped into action.  In a way proving the men wrong about the size and weight of the stone, he rolled it away by himself.  He then watered Rachel’s sheep.  The roles are reversed in the narrative as compared with the servant of Abraham and Rebekah.  Previously Rebekah watered the camels and the servant stood by in amazement.  Here Jacob does the watering while Rachel stood by wondering what was taking place.  It was only after he had finished his task that he identified himself as her relative.  The text gives a good picture of the emotion that he felt having been directed to the right place by God.  Like Rebekah, Rachel left the place and ran to tell her brother, Laban, what had just occurred.

1. Why was Jacob able to do what the other men seemingly could not do by themselves?
2. In what ways was this incident different that the one involving Rebekah?
3. Why did Jacob react as he did?
4. Why did he wait until he had finished watering the sheep did he identify himself?
5. How was the fact that Rachel ran back to Laban’s house reminiscent of Rebekah’s reaction?

Genesis 29:13-14

It should not be surprising that Laban ran to meet Jacob.  Knowing that he was the son of Isaac, who was very wealthy, he might have the same outpouring of generosity that been extended to him previously by Abraham’s servant.  What a shock it would have been when he found Jacob, by himself without any possessions.  He still invited him into his home.  There Jacob told the family about his trip and how God had led him to the home of Laban.  Omitted, most likely, were the details of the reason he had to make the journey. He then spent a month in the home as their guest.

1. Why would Laban run to meet a total stranger?  Remember it had been over 60 years since Rebekah had gone into Canaan to marry Isaac?
2. What did he expect from Jacob?
3. What does Laban’s actions show about his character?
4. Why would Jacob have omitted any reference to the fact that he was actually fleeing from his brother as the reason he was now at Laban’s house?
5. What do you think he shared with the family?

Genesis 29:15-20

Even though Jacob had stayed a month with Laban, from the wording in the text it is obvious that he had not taken advantage of the situation but had actually done some work.  Reading between the lines, one can see that he would have been more than willing to help Rachel with the sheep. After that month it was clear that Jacob was in no hurry to return home, so Laban determined to pay him for the work he was doing. 

Laban had two daughters. Leah was described as having some type of eye problem.  Her sister, Rachel, was beautiful in body and face. Jacob saw this as an opportunity to get Rachel as his wife. He agreed to serve Laban for seven years for her.  His decision was based totally on emotion and not reason.  He still had major lessons to learn about seeking what God wanted him to do and not his own desires.  His agreement was to soon lead to problems because he did not consult God before deciding his future.  Laban knew he had a good deal.  He appeared to be gracious when promising her to Jacob.  Jacob was so in love with Rachel that Moses wrote that the seven years only seem to have lasted a few days.

1. What was the advantage for Laban in asking Jacob what he wanted for wages?
2. What drew Jacob to Rachel and not Leah?
3. How did Jacob’s desire for Rachel give Laban the upper hand in the agreement?
4. What was missing in Jacob’s response?
5. What was the lesson he still needed to learn?
6. If he had sought God’s counsel what might he have done differently?
7. What does it show about him that he was willing to give years of his most productive years to acquire a wife?
8. If you were Laban how would you have handled the situation?
9. If you were Jacob how would you have maybe handled the situation differently?

 

Genesis 29:21-27

Jacob had served Laban faithfully for seven years.  He now came to collect on their agreement.  It was time for Rachel to be given to him as his wife. Laban seemed to go along with the request of Jacob and gave had a feast.  That night however, Laban showed his true character.  He sent Leah into Jacob instead of Rachel.   Instead of Rachel Leah became the wife of Jacob.  Laban knew exactly what he was doing. He even provided a maid for Leah whose name was Zilpah.

This act was one of the most unscrupulous, underhanded, deceitful and hurtful things that could have been carried out on all of the parties involved.  Jacob was deceived thinking Laban an honorable man.  Rachel did not become the wife of Jacob as she expected. Leah was forced to marry a man who she knew did not love her.

Upon waking the following morning Jacob realized what had happened.  Evidently he did not understand Laban’s ground rules which probably changed to meet the situation as shall be seen later.  When questioned he explained the older daughter had to be married before the younger one.   He then proposed that Jacob spend the wedding week with Leah and then he would be given Rachel if he would serve Laban another seven years. 

1. What does this incident show us about Laban’s character?
2. How did he feel about Jacob, Rachel, Leah and even Zilpah?
3. How would you respond if someone had deceived you in some way?
4. Why did Laban know he could get away with that despicable act?
5. What do you think of Jacob’s response?
6. How do you think Rachel and Leah felt about what had been done to them?

Genesis 29:28-30

Jacob knew that he was trapped.  He still loved Rachel so he was willing to be a husband to Leah in order to get Rachel as a wife.  After the week of the wedding festivities, Rachel became his wife.  Laban gave Bilhah as Rachel’s maid.  The last sentence of verse 30 is a good indicator of the problems that were to come.  Moses wrote, “He loved Rachel more than Leah.”  From this one statement it would be expected that each of the women would be treated differently.

1. Why did Jacob not call it quits with Laban after having been deceived by him?
2. What tactic did Laban use to keep Jacob working for him?
3.  What indication do we have of the problems that were coming?
4. What would be the source of the problem?
5. In what ways would the women be treated differently?
6. How does this play out in families today?

Genesis 29:31-35

Two things are known right away.  Rachel, at that point, could not have children.  God saw the situation that existed between Jacob and his two wives and between the two women.  He saw that Rachel was the favorite, but He allowed Leah to be the one to have children.  The names of the four sons she was to bear give a clear picture of her understanding of the relationship she had with Jacob.  Each of the names had a special meaning which expressed her feelings at their birth.

She said of:

• Reuben- God has seen how I am afflicted and has given me a son.  For this reason my husband will love me.
• Simeon-Still on the idea of being unloved, God had given her a second son.
• Levi- Because she had provided three sons surely Jacob would become attached to her.
• Judah- She turned from her focus on Jacob and offered praise to God for the birth of her fourth son.

At that point she stopped having children.  She had given Jacob a good family.  Even though she had given birth to four boys, she surely still felt rejected by Jacob.  With four sons he could look forward to the posterity of his family as God had promised.   

1. Why would the writer conclude that it was God who kept Rachel from having children?
2. Why would God allow Leah to have four sons while Rachel had none?
3. From the way she named her sons what can be concluded about what Leah was experiencing in her life?
4. Why is there no mention of Jacob during that time?
5. Who was really guilty of the tension that was occurring in the lives of the two sisters?
6. What did it mean for Jacob to have four sons?

You-

• Put God at the center of any decision to be made.
• Review your own family situation to see if there is any favoritism taking place.
• Treat those around you with the same respect that you would want to receive.
• Before deciding what to do make sure that you take into consideration the feelings and well-being of others.
• Before taking action make sure that everyone involved understands the rules by which the game is to be played.

We-

As we worked through the by-laws in the church last year one of the main priorities was to make sure that there was a climate of unity.  It was decided that to have winners and losers was not what God intended for His people. The way to achieve this is to make sure that everything we do is in accordance with God’s word and through prayer.  To do otherwise is to create an climate of distrust and divisiveness.  People will act according to the environment in which they work, play and worship.  One last point to remember is that the church will be a reflection of the people who participate.  The basis of a strong Christ like church is to have families who follow the teachings   found in the Bible.  Let us pray as a body that God will build our families as we attempt to build His church

Additional Notes:

C-Upon meeting Rachel Jacob began a journey that would last for 20 years.  This new life would take many different kinds of twists and turns before Jacob ever returned to Canaan. (Gen. 29:9-15)

C-Jacob began working for Rachel’s father.  His wages at the end of the seven years were to be to have Rachel as his wife. The Bible tells us that this time went very quickly because he had a purpose in his work.  His work had a great deal of meaning because instead of Rachel just be given to him he had actually worked for someone he loved deeply. (Gen. 29:15, 18-20)

UE-Jacob, man who was characterized by instant gratification, was willing to serve seven years for a wife. (Gen. 29:18-20)

M-Love is a strong motivator.  Jacob ultimately served Laban for fourteen years for the hand of Rebekah.  Even when he was deceived, he completed his service.                  (Gen. 29:20, 30)

C-The deceiver met his match in Laban.  By deception Leah became Jacob’s wife instead of Rachel.  For her to become his wife he had to work another 7 years. (Gen. 29:21-28)

UE-Through Leah, the unloved wife would come the Christ who like His ancestor was unloved by the world into which He was born.  The child who would be the father of the tribe from which Jesus would come was named Judah which means, “Praise the Lord.” (Gen. 29:31-35M-Laban was a selfish and deceitful man as he showed himself to be over and over again in his relationship with Jacob. (Gen. 29:26)

C-Through Leah Jacob became the father of a son who he called Reuben.                   (Gen. 29:31-32)

RT-Lord saw that Leah was unloved and opened the womb.  It is very informative that we are also told that Rachel was barren. Why did God allow for Rachel to be unproductive at this point in time? (Gen. 29:31)

M-For Leah and Rachel to find fulfillment was to be loved by their husband and to provide him with children. (Gen. 29:32-35, 30:8, 13)

RT-At the birth of each son Leah’s responded making by making the following statements:

1. The Lord has seen my affliction. My husband will love me. (Reuben)                                                                    
2. The Lord has heard I am unloved.  He has given me a son. (Simeon)                                                                    
3. My husband will become attached to me. (Levi)                                       
4. This time I will praise the Lord.  (Judah)                                                                                                             

(Gen. 29:32-35)

WM-In this chapter we begin to see a pattern of deceit from a man who lacked integrity. Laban’s first act was to give Leah to Jacob as his wife instead of Rachel for whom he had served for seven years. (Gen. 29:25-26)

WM-There was a void in Leah’s life.  She desired to have the love of her husband.  The names of her children showed the deep longing she had to receive more attention from Jacob. (Gen. 29:31-35, 30:20)

WM-Laban immediately set to motion a harmful family situation with his scheming.  It led to unhealthy competition between the two sisters who used children and handmaids in their battle for the love and attention of Jacob. (Gen. 29:31-35; 30:1-21, 23-24)

 C-Additional sons were born to Jacob and Leah, Simeon, Levi and Judah. (Gen. 29:33-35)

 

 

 

 

Lesson 26

Jacob’s Encounter with God

Genesis 28

Me-

One of the lessons I have learned over the years is that no matter how hard I might try I cannot hide from God. Sometimes I might think I don’t want Him around especially when there is conflict in my life.  At those times I in effect am telling God that I can handle the situation myself.  Usually my way of taking care of it is trying to avoid facing it.  I do not like conflict and will do everything I can to pretend that it does not exist or it is someone else’s problem.  I can identify with Jacob as he tried to run away from his problems. Eventually, God will cause me to have to face Him when I have sinned or made bad decisions.  He uses my conscience to let me know when I have strayed.  The Psalmist definitely had it right when he spoke of the omnipresence of God in Psalm 139. 

I can take comfort in the fact that God does not leave me where I am but, desires for me to have an ongoing relationship with Him.  Therefore he works in my life through His word, events in my life and others to let me know how much He truly cares for me.  I am glad that He will only let me go so far before He draws me back to Himself.

We-

Churches quite often do not handle sticky situations very well.  We will do everything in our power to avoid dealing with issues. The main reason is do not want to hurt any person’s feelings.  How often have churches put up with someone who is always negative and complaining.  We so often say that is just the way that person is so we pay no attention to him or her.  Allowing this kind of behavior to continue is both disruptive and divisive.  We cannot carry on the work of the Lord unless we are united in on mission and vision.  Of course there are ways that of dealing with the situation that can make it worse.  We must always handle all conflicts and personalities in a Christ like manner.  Although expedient Isaac’s family did not truly resolve anything by their actions, but just sweeping it under the rug.  The current term that is used is “To kick the can down the road.” 

God-

Genesis 28:1-2

In the event to be covered, once again a picture is painted of the personalities of Isaac and his two sons.  Although not mentioned Rebekah still influenced Isaac decision to send Jacob away.  She allowed him to avoid the conflict that surely would have taken place if Jacob had remained in the home.  He was more than happen to agree with her wishes.  Isaac called Jacob to him and blessed him again.  He then gave the command for Jacob not to marry any of the women of Canaan.  His instructions were for Jacob to go to Syria and marry one of Laban’s daughters.

1. In what ways was Rebekah still in charge of what went on in the family?
2. What does this say about the personality of Isaac?
3. What are the real dynamics behind the decision made by both Isaac and Rebekah?
4. Why was Isaac more than willing to comply with the request of Rebekah?
5. How does this indicate that Isaac was not aware of Esau’s threat?
6. What would this mean for Jacob?
7. Why would he be more than willing to obey his father?

Genesis 28:3-5

After all that had occurred Isaac prays for Jacob.  He asked that God fulfill the covenant promised to Abraham.  With the blessing ringing in his ears Jacob was sent away for his journey to Paddan-aram to the home of Laban, Rebekah’s brother. By leaving, he would certainly avoid for the time being the wrath of his brother. 

1. Why did Isaac now call on the name of God?
2. What did his prayer include?
3. How did the details match up with what God had promised to Abraham?
4. Why was the journey important to Jacob at that point?
5. What can be seen by the fact that Rebekah was no longer mentioned?

Genesis 28:6-9

Esau must have been listening to the conversation between Isaac and Jacob.  How else could he have known of the command for Jacob to take a wife from Laban’s household and the blessing given to him? He also knew that Jacob had obeyed his father and departed for Syria.

Jacob was gone so Esau could no longer do anything to him.  He could however still take out his hurt, anger and frustration on his parents but doing the very thing they had kept his brother from doing.  To pay his mother, in particular, for her role in the deception he went to Ishmael and took a new wife named Mahalah.  This man who lived according to this world further disqualified himself from receiving the blessing of God by marrying someone from a godless family.

1. Why would Esau eavesdrop in on the conversation between Isaac and Jacob?
2. What does his response to that conversation say about him?
3. Why would he do anything else to alienate himself from his father and mother?
4. How did his actions show that he was disqualified to receive the blessings of God?

Genesis 28:10-11

 

Jacob who had received the blessing of his father that included all of the promises made to Abraham left home with nothing.  As the sun was going down he had to use rocks as a pillow.

1. At that point what had Jacob gained by all of his deception?
2. What had he lost, at least for that present time?
3. What kind of future did he have?
4. What guarantees did he have that he would be accepted into Laban’s home?

Genesis 28:12-14

Even though he was alone, God had not forgotten him.  The picture he saw was of a ladder reaching to heaven with angels ascending and descending on it.  At the top was the Lord. His words could have been, I know all about you and what you have done. In a way, by identifying  Himself as the Lord, the God of Abraham and his father Isaac, He could have been saying, you have done it your way and what has it gotten for you.

Jacob needed to hear that it was only by God’s grace that any of the promises made to Abraham and now to him could be fulfilled. His first promise to him, who at that point had nothing, was that he would possess the land on which he was resting. Then once again, all of the covenant provisions previously given were now spoken for Jacob’s benefit.  Like Abraham before him he received the message while still a single man without descendants. 

1. What does the appearance of the angels and Lord indicate to Jacob?
2. Why did God identify Himself to Jacob as He did?
3. Why would God even bother with Jacob?
4. What does it say about Him?
5. Why were the promises important to Jacob at that moment?

Genesis 28:15

There was one more promise to be made.  God told Him that Jacob could depend on God being present with him no matter where he went.  His promise would last as long as it took to accomplish everything that He had said.

1. Why was the last promise as important or more so than any of the others?
2. What did the promise entail?
3. How is that promise still in force today?
4. When might it be completely fulfilled?
5. How long can we expect for God to hold up His end of the deal with the nation of Israel? 

Genesis 28:16-17

To Jacob what had happened was more than a dream it was the reality of God presence in the very place where he had camped out.  It is interesting that Jacob was not aware of God.  He had been so wrapped up in his own agenda there was no place for God.  God had made Himself known in a real way to Jacob.  Before he proceeded with his journey on his own terms, he needed what God had planned for his life.  Jacob was to become the keeper of the covenant and had to be aware of what he could expect from God which would affect the way he lived from that point on. 

His response to the appearance of God was one of reverence that he had never displayed before in his life.  The words “How awesome is this place,” took the place full of sand and rocks and raised it to the level of a holy place.  He called it the “The house of God” which is the way into the throne room of God.  What a picture of the Son of God who became the way of entering into the very presence of the Father.  

1. Why would Jacob sense that what had happened to him was more than a dream?
2. Why was Jacob not aware of God’s presence in that place?
3. Why did God choose that time and place to reveal Himself to Jacob?
4. What did the writer mean when speaking of the fear Jacob had of God?
5. In what way did Jacob see the House of God as the gateway to heaven?
6. How does Jesus represent this idea?

Genesis 28:18-19

Jacob recognized the spot as extremely important by creating what could be considered a small altar for incense using the stone upon which he had slept.  He then renamed Luz and called it Bethel to recognize it as the House of God.

1. Why did Jacob take the time to set up a pillar/altar on the spot?
2. Why use the stone on which he had slept to make the pillar?
3. What does the word Bethel mean?
4. What did Jacob want to remember?

Genesis 28:20-22

What a difference between the words of God and those of Jacob is seen in these verses.  God made unconditional promises while Jacob tried to negotiate with Him.  He stated that God would be his God if He protected him in all the places he would be going.  If as He promised Jacob would return to the land of Canaan then he would serve Him and give him a tithe.  His words indicated that what Jacob would do was conditional. It all depended on what God would do for him.  God did not attach strings to His promises.

1. How did the words of Jacob differ from those of God?
2. After all that had occurred why did Jacob believe he had the right to negotiate with God?
3. How often have you tried to negotiate with God?
4. What kind of vows have you made that you have not fulfilled?

You-

• If there is conflict going on in your life be willing to face it.
• Seek to never be the source of conflict in your family or church.
• Do not avoid or run away from problems.
• Eliminate those things that distract you from truly sensing God’s presence in your life.
• Do not make vows that you cannot keep.
• Never make your love conditional on what you would have God do for you.
• Learn to stand in awe of God as you behold His glory.

We-

There are two aspects of the lesson that are important for all of us in the church.  We need to understand that even though conflict will come we must be part of the solution and not part of the problem.  We will be able to do this only if there is a genuine effort to stop it before it becomes embedded in the life of the church.  If we seek God’s direction He will give us the answers we need.  Let us trust Him and never try to deal with a situation in our own power.

If we desire to hear God we must establish the kind of environment where He can be heard and worshipped.  Jacob did not know God was present in that place because he was too busy thinking about himself and his own agenda.  Let us stop, slow down and realize that to accomplish anything for the kingdom we have to be still in our spirits so that we can truly hear what He is trying to say to us.  If we will change our attitudes and get out of the way God will truly provide resources to grow His kingdom through the church.

 

Additional notes:

RT-In meeting God at Bethel in such a personal way, Jacob had to decide what his relationship with Father would be.  No longer could he depend on the fact that God was the God of Abraham and Isaac but was now to be his God also. (Gen. 28:13)

BL-  In  Genesis 28, Isaac, sent Jacob to Rebekah’s brother’s home in Paddan Aram (today’s Syria).  Rebekah had complained that living near Esau’s Hittite wives is killing her, so she urged Isaac to sent Jacob to Laban’s to find a wife.  Isaac does so, imparting the blessing to Jacob that God first gave his grandfather, Abraham.  The blessing promises that from Jacob will come a “community of peoples” and that these descendants will inherit the land that God gave to Abraham in Genesis 13:14-17. (Although Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob never saw this promise come true in their own lifetimes, it has been partially fulfilled in the establishment of the nation of Israel-with more land to come in the future!)  Christians, too, have a part in this promise-God had told Abraham in Genesis 12 that through him, all nations on earth would be blessed-and we have received a spiritual heritage and the greatest blessing of all through Abraham’s descen!
dant, Jesus Christ!  (This is what Paul is talking about in Romans 11 when he speaks of the Gentiles being “grafted in” to the tree of the Abrahamic covenant.)
    In vv. 6-9, Esau adds to his “harem” by marrying a daughter of his half-uncle, Ishmael.  Whether he did it out of spite or out of a desire to please his father (perhaps thinking that a relative was better than taking another Hittite woman), the result was the same.  Esau proved once again that sensual pleasures, rather than spiritual things, were what mattered most to him.
   In vv. 10-15, Jacob, exhausted from his travels, lies down and dreams of a stairway that extends from earth to heaven, with angels ascending and descending its stairs.  At the top of the stairway, he sees the Lord, who says, “I am the Lord, the God of your father Abraham and the God of Isaac.”  The Lord goes on to reiterate the blessing He has given Abraham, promising fruitfulness, land, and a blessing for all the peoples of the earth.  Then God adds a new point.  In v. 15, He tells Jacob, “I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go and I will bring you back to this land.  I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.”
   When Jacob awakes in vv. 16-17, he says in wonder, “Surely the Lord was in this place, and I was not aware of it . . .How awesome is this place!”  Why was Jacob so amazed by his dream?  It may be hard for us, who have been taught that God is everywhere, to understand Jacob’s amazement-but Buddy pointed out that in ancient times and religions, people associated gods with a certain locale.  In Jacob’s case, he probably believed that God was approachable only where his parents and their relatives dwelled.  Yet here was God, out in the middle of nowhere, identifying Himself not only as the God of Abraham and Isaac, but also as Jacob’s PERSONAL God!  Jacob might be friendless, tired, discouraged, ashamed, lonely, and confused about his future-but God was right there with him, no matter where he went.  No wonder Jacob was blown away by this revelation!   Jacob had it half right-he DID have an awesome experience-but it was God, not the place, that made it awesome!  Have YOU ever had a personal encounter with the living God?  He’s real-and He wants to be your God, too.  Ask Buddy or Al how you can know Him personally.  And if you do know Him as Lord of your life, when was the last time that you and I thanked Him for being faithful, even when we are not?  Lastly, Buddy asked how we can make Bethany Place into an “awesome” place-a place where we can introduce others to this wonderful, personal God Who loved us so much that He became flesh and died on a cross in order to draw us to Him!  That news is too great NOT to share! 

BL-We studied Genesis 28:18-22, which outlines Jacob’s response to God’s great promise to watch over him and make him into a great nation.  Buddy began by asking us why it was so important that God made Himself known in such an intimate way to Jacob.  Class members came up with several reasons, including:  God reveals Himself to us in times of the deepest valleys in our lives;  God gives His children encouragement when they need direction; and that God seeks US out wherever we are, even when (especially when!) we are sinful and lost, as Jacob was. To put it simply, Jacob was a recipient of God’s grace and mercy!
   However, Jacob’s gratitude was rather underwhelming!  In vv. 20-22, we saw him making a deal with God-“If God will be with me and will watch over me . . . and give me food to eat and clothes to wear so that I return safely to my father’s house, then the Lord will be my God . . .”  Buddy called this “foxhole faith,” the kind that says, “If you get me out of this mess, then I will make you my God.”  However, God doesn’t work that way!  God says, “If you will obey Me and follow Me, THEN I will bless you!” The problem with Jacob (and with so many of us!) is that he laid out his own agenda and then asked God to bless it.  He wanted God to be his “sugar daddy,” not his Lord. He desired tangible blessings, things he could touch and enjoy right now.   But God already HAD an agenda planned for  Jacob, one that went far beyond Jacob’s immediate wants, or even his immediate future.  God planned to make Jacob into a great nation–and all He required of Jacob was faith!
  It sounds simple, doesn’t it-to just trust God to handle our future!  But sometimes it seems so hard to hand Him the reins!  Is there an area of your life or mine where God is asking us to trust Him?  Listen to Jeremiah 29:11-“‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'”  His plans are far, far better than any you and I can ever come up with on our own!  Hopefully it won’t take us as long to learn that lesson as it did Jacob!
  In chapter 29, Jacob makes it to Haran, where he meets Rachel, Laban’s daughter.  He falls in love and agrees to work for Laban for seven years in exchange for the privilege of marrying her.  However, on Jacob’s wedding night, Jacob the deceiver meets the master of deceit!  Laban, looking to unload his older and less desirable daughter, Leah, sneaks her into the marriage tent in place of Rachel.  The next morning, when Jacob discovers the deception, he is furious–but he agrees to work for Laban another seven years if he can marry Rachel the following week. 
  Leah realizes that Jacob doesn’t love her, and God has pity on her.  He enables Leah to give Jacob four sons, while Rachel remains barren.  When Leah bears the first three boys, it is obvious from their names that she is desperate to win Jacob’s affection; but by the time she has the fourth son, she names him “Judah,” meaning “praise the Lord.”  Finally, she is learning to depend on God, not Jacob, to find fulfillment as a woman.  Leah, too, is learning some painful lessons about trusting God!  However, her fertility and Rachel’s barrenness have set the stage for yet another round in the continuing tale of the “Ultimate Dysfunctional Family!” 

RT-If there was one positive from this whole episode was that it helped Jacob break away from his past and to get a new start in life.  To have stayed in Canaan would have only been a constant reminder of what he had done and caused a tension between Isaac and Rebekah. (Gen. 28:1-5)

UE-Isaac blessed Jacob who had deceived him as he was being sent off to Syria to protect him and to find a wife. (Gen. 28:3-5)

M-The one thing that Esau could do to inflict hurt on his family was to take another wife from a heathen people. (Gen. 28:8-9)

UE-Even though Jacob had done wrong, God saw that he would be one through whom the great nation would be built.  This shows that God will use all kinds of people to carry out His purpose. (Gen. 28:13-15)

RT-Jacob is one of the best examples we have in the Old Testament of God’s grace.  God constantly had to deal with Jacob, who at different times could be described as:

1. Grabber
2. Deceiver
3. Liar
4. Selfish
5. Arrogant
6. Disrespectful of others
7. Manipulator
8. Weak

His decisions were always getting him into one jam after another. His family life was a disaster.  Ten of his sons hated their brother. One had a relationship with his father’s concubine.  One son even had a sexual relationship with his own daughter-in-law.  Jacob not only deceived his own father but his father-in-law as well. God still loved him enough to wrestle with him to bring to him a new revelation of who God was.  Jacob played his hand and God called his bluff and he became Israel.

E-As He had done with his grandfather, Abraham and his father God affirmed His covenant with Jacob.  This time He spoke of being the God of both Abraham and Isaac.  Once again one of Abraham’s descendents was told that the family would possess the land of Canaan and there would be so many descendents that they could not be counted.  Also through those born in the line of Jacob all nations would be blessed. God specifically promised him that He would:

1. Be with him
2. Keep him safe wherever he went
3. Bring him back to the land of Canaan
4. Not leave him until He had done all He promised

Jacob’s response to the dream was as follows

1. He awoke afraid because God was in the place where he had slept.
2. He was overcome with awe at being in the house of God and at the gateway to heaven.
3. His first act was to set up and altar and pour oil on it
4. His name for that holy place was Bethel which means house of God.
5. He made a vow.  This was true to his nature as a wheeler-dealer.  It followed these steps in the process.
   1. If God would be with him as He had promised
   2. To keep him on his journey
   3. Provide sustenance for him
   4. Provide clothing to wear
   5. Return him safely back to his family and home, then

(1)   The Lord would be his God

(2)   The stone he placed there would be God’s house

(3)   He would tithe                                                                                                          (Gen. 28:10-22)

GC-The promise made to Abraham and Isaac was now given to Jacob.  God was going to give him the land on which he stood as his possession forever.  Through him God was also going to bless the world.  It seems strange that God was speaking to a deceiver and liar in this way.  God however was going to bring changes in Jacob that he would not have understood at that point in his life.  What does this say about grace?  Who would be the recipient of the glory when all of this took place?  How much of it did Jacob actually bring about himself? (Gen. 28:13-15)

RT-In the encounter with God at Bethel in such a personal way began to shape the kind of relationship he would have with the Father.  His bargaining with God showed his faith was in its infancy and would need to be fleshed over the years as he faced many trials.  No longer could he depend on the knowledge that God of his ancestors but not was to be his God also.  He would have to take responsibility for his actions in regard to that relationship. (Gen. 28:13)

GC-There is a time in every person’s life when he confronted with god in a real way.  Jacob’s response as ours should be one of reverence and total awe of Him.                (Gen. 28:16-17)

GC-”The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” When we are in His presence, we are to respond with awe and reverence.                                                                         (Gen. 28:16-17; 42:18; Job 28:28; 37:24; Ps. 111:10; Prov. 1:7; 9:10; 14:2; 15:33)

RT- The call of God is two-fold.  First it is a call for action on the part of the individual (obedience).  Then there is the promise that God will make the call result in fruitfulness (covenant). (Gen 28:13-15, 20-21)

M-When truly confronted with the Lord we are brought to a time of decision.  The one Jacob made was made was conditional.  He asked God to provide for him and if He did Jacob would return a portion back to Him but even more important than that he would call the Lord as his God. (Gen. 28:20-22)

WM-In spite of all of the promises God had just made to him, Jacob could not overcome his personality traits and tried to make a deal with Him.  A person who is enslaved to his ambitions as Jacob was cannot hear the voice of God and be free.  (Gen. 28:20-22)

GC-Jacob as was his practice placed conditions on his commitment to God.  His conditional promise occurred at the beginning of his pilgrimage with God.                  (Gen. 28:20-22)

RT-The call of God comes to each and all but there must be a response by the hearer before God will act. (Gen. 28:21-22)

GC-Jacob promised to tithe when he had nothing at all. (Gen. 28:22)

C-When God appeared to him on his journey, Jacob changed the name of the place from Luz to Bethel, the house of God. (Gen. 28:19)

 

 

Lesson 25

The Deceived and Supplanted React

Genesis 27:30-46

Me-

There have been times in my life when I believed that I had been treated unfairly. It is possible that some of those incidences were of my own making. The greatest injustice to me, in my opinioned, occurred when I worked at an industrial plant.  I was in charge of a storeroom of 10,000 which was open to the maintenance people twenty-four hours a day.  This made it very difficult to maintain a good inventory.  This eventually led to me getting fired.  The strange thing is that I was asked to train my successor and was also allowed to continue in the Purchasing Department for several months. There was one maintenance supervisor who went to bat for me even though it meant trouble for him.

I have often wondered if because of my faith I just did not fit into that environment. There was at least one instance when the plant manager made a very disparaging remark about those of us who were followers of Christ.  I am not bitter because my firing led to the opportunity to work for the mission board and to travel overseas.  God eventually worked about my situation which has allowed me to grow in my faith.

We-

Churches are not exempt from wanting to respond strongly to those who have hurt them.  We have had our own struggles with divisions and conflicts.  To be honest we have not always handled them well.  There are probably still some wounds resulting from the way that members have treated each other that need to be healed.  We also have to understand that it is our failures that sometimes bring about conflict.  As finite human beings we all too often leave God out of the life of the church until we find ourselves in a situation from which we cannot extract ourselves without God’s intervention.  His working out solutions will only come when we turn the control of our lives over to Him. It is not necessary to go into details, but it is important that we learn to respond to such situations in a Christ-like manner.  God tells us that we are not take revenge against anyone.  God will ultimately be the final judge and arbiter of every matter.

Genesis 27:30-31

Jacob left in the nick of time with Isaac’s blessing ringing in his ears.  No sooner had he departed from his father than Esau came in from his hunt.  He prepared the game and took it into his father so he could receive the promised blessing.

1. What do you think about the timing of Jacob’s departure and Esau’s arrival?
2. In what way was Esau carrying out his end of the bargain?
3. Why would he not suspect that Jacob would commit the act of deception before Isaac?
4. What are some instances when you thought that you had gotten away with a particular sin?

Genesis 27:32-33

At that point Isaac was a confused and shaken man. What was to be made of the events that were occurring?   He immediately wanted to know who it was that had brought another meal and wanted to be blessed. Esau tried to clarify things by exclaiming that he was Isaac’s first born son.

Isaac then asked a very obvious question.  From the way he stated it one can tell that he was very distraught.  He knew in that moment that he had been deceived.   There also came to him how his own lifestyle had set the tone for the family. Since he and his whole family were living apart from God, one could only expect for them to live according to the values of the world.  The damage had been done the blessing according to the world had been given to the wrong person. It could not be revoked. He wanted to know who had beaten Esau to the punch and brought the meal and received the blessing.

1. Why was Isaac shaken with the arrival of Esau?
2. What were his questions to Esau that indicated his confusion?
3. What do you think might be going through Esau’s mind at that point?
4. Why did he emphasize the fact that he was the first born of Isaac?
5. What is obvious from Isaac’s statement?
6. Why did he say that the one who had received the blessing would be blessed?

Genesis 27:34-36

Esau’s initial reaction was to weep bitterly.  He knew that all was lost for him if his father did not have a blessing for him also.  Isaac’s response would have torn the heart out of him as it would have any man. At that moment Isaac realized that he had been deceived. He used strong words in describing the actions of Jacob.  His younger son had taken, in an underhanded way, the blessing meant for Esau.  The pathos in Esau’s voice leaps off the pages of the Bible as he realized what he had lost.  The meaning of Jacob’s name, one who supplants, was used as Esau spoke of what his brother had done.  He had

• Taken his birthright
• Taken away his blessing.

His claims were only half true.  As was written earlier he actually sold his birthright to his brother for some bean soup.  His final plea to his father was to see if there was a blessing that he could receive. Even if there were more blessings to be given they would not carry with them the significance of the one given to Jacob. One can see that Jacob had been given everything that his father had, position, power and possessions.

1. What was Esau’s immediate reaction?
2. How would you have handled such a situation if it happened to you?
3. Why did Isaac only realize at that moment that he had been deceived?
4. What one thing did he forget in this whole event that maybe would have kept all of these events from happening?
5. How did it dawn on Esau the magnitude of what he had lost?
6. In what way was Jacob innocent of Esau’s downfall?
7. What do we see in the way that he described his brother?
8. Why would any blessing given to Esau by Isaac not have the same significance as the one Jacob had received?

Genesis 27:37

Isaac’s answer to Esau’s plea had to be crushing to one who was so confident in his own abilities.  All that he had hoped to gain from his father had now been given away. According to Isaac, Esau and all of his relatives would serve his brother.  Not only that but Isaac with the blessing, had asked that Jacob reap all the benefits that this life had to offer.  As far as Isaac was concerned there was nothing else to give to Esau. 

1. Why would the statement by Isaac be so hurtful to Esau?
2. What did the blessing mean for Esau’s future?
3. What had been given to Jacob?
4. Why was there nothing else that Isaac believed that he could do for Esau?

Genesis 27:38

Esau did not give up.  He did not want to walk away from his father empty-handed.  Again he wanted to know if there was not one other thing that Isaac had to give.  It turned out to be a highly emotional time for Esau as he wept because of all that had happened.  His last plea indicated the deep need in his life to have meaning.

1. Why did Esau not give up?
2. What did he expect his father to do about something that was irreversible?
3. What did his reaction show about how much he valued the blessing?

Genesis 27:39-40

Isaac did respond to the plea from Esau.  It is sad to say, they were not the words that Esau was expecting to hear. They were pretty blunt and could have been very discouraging. It is obvious from what has been written that Esau could not truly expect a blessing because of the fact that he had disqualified himself from even deserving one.  His father promised him that

• He would not be able to provide for himself from the soil as the land where he lived would be infertile.
• His life would be filled with warfare.
• For a while he would serve his brother.
• After a period of time he would no longer depend on Jacob.

 

1. Why did Isaac even respond to Esau’s pleas?
2. In what ways was the words spoken to Esau different from those to Jacob?
3. In what ways did the promises to Esau fit his character?
4. What disqualified Esau?

Genesis 27:41-45

Esau’s reaction is what would be expected from a godless man.  His plan was to wait until his father died and then to kill his brother.  What he could not get legitimately he would strive to acquire by violence. Here again is a display of his character. Rather than moving on he was one who held grudges when he did not get his way.

1. Why would one expect Esau to react as he did?
2. Why would his plan, if carried out, get him what he desired?
3. What does this tell us about his character?
4. Why are holding grudges detrimental to one’s life?

Genesis 27:42-45

Once again Rebekah steps in to the fray.  She heard of Esau’s threats and decided she knew what needed to happen to correct it.  Her plan was for Jacob to go and spend a few days in the home of her brother, Laban, in Haran.  In her mind it would only take that length of time for Esau to cool down and Jacob would be able to return home. To think that Esau would forget what had happened to him in a short period of time was ludicrous.  The excuse that she gave Jacob was that she did not want to lose both of her sons on the same day. Her ill conceived ideas cost her the respect of one son and would now lead to the loss of the son who she loved.  She should have considered that possibility before the episode even began. As far as the Bible indicates at the end of this episode would be the last time she would ever see Jacob. 

1. Why did Rebekah think she could undo all of the problems she had caused?
2. How could she believe that Esau would forget the events that had just occurred in a short period of time?
3. What would be the cost to Rebekah for her part in the deception?
4. In what way did Rebekah lose both of her sons?
5. Why would she want Jacob to go all the way to Haran in Syria for safety?

Genesis 27:46

  Rebekah could not carry out her scheme with the approval and assistance of Isaac. As weak and old as he was he was still the head of the family and any major decision still had to come from him.  Her approach was that she did not want Jacob to marry one of the local women.  To have that happen would take all meaning from her life. Notice she did mention the events that just occurred.  She played on the fact that Isaac also was not pleased when Esau had married a Canaanite woman.

1. Why did Rebekah now approach Isaac to get her wish?
2. What was her real motive?
3. In what way does this discussion still show her lack of respect for Isaac?
4. In what way was her reason a way of protecting Isaac?
5. What did she not bring up?
6. What was her reasoning for sending Jacob away to Haran?

You-

• Consider your attitude towards someone who has hurt you, what does the Scripture call you to do about it?
• Remember it is not what happens to you that matters but the way you deal with it that makes all the difference.
• Reflect on the words spoken by Isaac to both Jacob and Esau.  Even though the blessing was meant for Esau, Jacob went on to prove that he was more deserving of it than Esau.
• What words do you want others to say about you?
• Strive to be worthy of the words of God that say, “Well done good and faithful servant.” Matthew 25:23
• Do not let events in your life destroy the righteousness and holiness to which God calls you.

We-

“Do not let the sun go down on your anger,” Ephesians 4:27 is easier said than done.  God calls us to be forgivers and forgetters.  The church certainly is not exempt from having to deal with situations that cause us to rely on God’s strength to get us through them.  Jesus over and over gives instructions of how we are to handle situations in which we have either wronged someone or they have hurt us in some way.  Each and every time He directs us to be reconciled to our brother or sister.  In Ephesians Paul wrote that our attitude is to be one of, “Forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.” Ephesians 4:32. Even on the cross, Jesus said, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.” Luke 23:34.  Let this be our heart.  It is better to suffer than to take revenge.  That is what Christ calls us to do.

Additional notes:

DM-After Jacob had stolen the blessing meant for Esau, Esau must have come to the stark realization of what he had so flippantly given up for a bowl of stew.                    (Gen. 27:36-38; Heb. 11:30)                                                                                             

GC-Favoritism, deception, jealously and hatred have no place in a Christian home.  By these attitudes and behavior many homes have been torn apart.                                   (Gen. 27:2-5, 8, 11)

C-Jacob deceived his father and stole Esau’s blessing thus making first in the family although he was the younger of the two brothers. Now the package was complete Jacob had both the birthright and blessing.  It would appear that he was set for a long successful life once his father died. (Gen. 27:6-30, 33-35)

WM-Sometimes you never appreciate what could have been yours until it is not longer available to you.

C-Esau partly because he despised his birthright, selling it to his brother and partly through the deception of Jacob could now only receive the blessing due to the second son.  At this point all rights and privileges had become the property of Jacob.                  (Gen. 27:34-40)

C-What would your reaction be at such a turn of events in your life?  Esau began going through the grieving process that occurs when such a traumatic experience has taken place in a person’s life.  Part of that process is the emotion of anger.  In this kind of mindset he planned to kill his brother after the death of his father. (Gen. 27:41)

WM-There was no genuine love among the members of Isaac’s family as shown by their treatment of each other. (Gen. 27:41-46)

C-Rebekah caught wind of Esau’s plans.  This brought about a number changes in the life of this family.  They took place in rapid succession because of the explosive nature of the situation.  They were:

1. Jacob was sent away in reality to protect him.  However, it was done under the pretence of searching for a wife from Rebekah’s family back in Syria (Aram).
2. Rebekah lost the trust, respect and affection of Esua.
3. She for practical purposes also lost Jacob.  There is no indication that she ever saw him again.
4. Esau took revenge on his mother and father because Jacob was gone by marrying additional local wives.  This added to the hurt his parents were experiencing.
5. Jacob had to leave the family environment in he had always lived.
6. He began a journey which carried with it inherent risks and uncertainty.

In the final analysis what did Rebekah and Jacob achieve from all of the planning and carrying out the deception on Isaac and the consequences that each of the family had to endure. (Gen. 27:42-46; 28:1-9)

RT- Humanly speaking, the solution for ridding oneself of an obstacle that may be blocking our path has not changed in all of these thousands of years.  After the fall we see it in the murder of Abel.  Following in Cain’s footsteps Lamech then kills two people.  Now we get a glimpse of anger and revenge in the words of Esau as he made plans to killed Jacob after his father’s death to regain the birthright and blessing he had lost.   (Gen. 27:41)

RT-Did Rebekah truly believe that Esau’s anger would go away in a few days?  The reality was that this situation had been brewing for a long time.  The stealing of Esau’s blessing by Jacob was the straw that broke the camel’s back.  The problem was that both brothers were guilty of playing on their parent’s favoritism.  It is easy to say that surely Isaac and Rebekah must have seen how they were favoring one son over the other. Out of this kind of family environment there had to be a great deal of competition as each of the brothers vied for the love of both of their parents.  The Scripture is very specific in its description that each parent had a favorite son. (Gen. 27:43-44) 

 

 

 

 

Lesson 24

The Supplanter at Work

Genesis 27:1-29

Me-

All of us have deceived someone at some point in our lives.  In my own life I have pretended to be what I was not.  To be hypocritical is a form of deceit.  In order to get a position I am sure that I have built myself up to impress the human resources person.  There have been a couple of times that I found myself in a situation over my head because I thought that I knew more than I actually did.  One time in particular I made such a move because the place I was working had a freeze on promotions and my family needed more money, because we wanted to send our children to private school.  Fortunately, because there was eventually a need for which I was more qualified I was able to move into another position.  The one person I have found that I cannot fool is God.  I will always be guilty before Him anytime I vary from what is true about my life.  The saying, “Your sins will find you out” is very true.  It certainly has been so in my life.

We-

Churches cannot escape this sin.  How often have we promoted ourselves by inflating the attendance or have given a false impression about the quality of what we do.  One of the biggest falsehoods of which many churches is guilty is the assumption that they are a friendly church when the only people with whom they are friendly are those already there and not a guest coming through the door. 

One of the aspects of church life that needs to be mentioned is how we present ourselves to a potential new church leader.  All too often it would appear that we totally have our act together when in reality we may be coming loose at the seams.  To keep from being like Abraham and his descendents, let us be a church full of integrity in the way we present ourselves to the world.

Genesis 27:1-4

Isaac had reached the age when he realized that he needed to turn the reigns over to a new generation.  He was blind and old and did not know how much longer that he might live.  With the reality of the finiteness of life before him he called Esau, his oldest son, to him.  It is interesting that before he would give the blessing to him, Esau was required to fix his father one of his favorite dishes of wild game. 

It may not be important but there is no indication that Isaac was aware of the deal that Esau had made with Jacob previously.  He had given the birthright to his brother and in that regard was not entitled to the blessing that he was about to receive.  He had given away the rights to two thirds of Isaac’s possessions. This is one of the areas in which Esau had disqualified himself from receiving God’s blessing.  One other has already been mentioned in the previous lesson.  He had married Canaanite women.  The third and probably the most important had to do with the prophecy given to Rebekah concerning the two boys before they were born.  Through those words God indicates that it was to be Jacob and not Esau who would receive His special blessing.

In spite of all these factors, Isaac was going to bless Esau anyway because of tradition and the fact that Esau was Isaac’s favorite son.

1. What are some of the driving forces in our lives that cause us to make decisions one way or another?
2. How much is age a factor in the way we make decisions?
3. What do you think of Isaac’s plan to bless Esau in spite of the fact that he had disqualified himself from receiving God’s blessing?
4. What do the verses show us about Isaac?
5. In what ways was Esau disqualified to be blessed?

Genesis 27:5-10

Rebekah heard the conversation between Isaac and Esau and set in motion a plan of her own to make sure that it was Jacob and not Esau that received the blessing.  Remember that Rebekah loved Jacob more than she loved Esau. For her to decide to deceive Isaac shows a lack of respect for her husband.  One has to wonder if there was ever the kind of love that was mentioned in Genesis 24:67 when it talked about Isaac’s love for Rebekah, but nothing of her love for him.

Because Jacob was complicit in the deception shows a lot about his character.  He had learned well from his parents the art of deception.  It is clear that he was a very ambitious or would stop at nothing to get what he wanted.  Although he went along with the plot it was completely Rebekah’s plan.  She had probably been looking for the right opportunity for her to advance Jacob’s position.  Isaac played right into her hands with his decision to have Esau go hunting.

To make her plan work she was going to prepare a meal for Isaac from the goats that Jacob was to bring her.  Her command to Jacob was to take it into his father and receive the blessing meant for Esau.

1. Why did Rebekah dream up the devious scheme to deceive Isaac?
2. Why was her plan so important to her?
3.  What would indicate that she was looking for just such an opportunity?
4. How did Isaac play right into her hands?
5. Why was Jacob in agreement with what she was doing?
6. What does this say about the relationship between Isaac and Rebekah?
7. What does this kind of favoritism do to a family?

Genesis 27:11-12

In all of the planning there arose one small problem.  Esau was a hairy man while the Scriptures say that Jacob was a smooth man. It is important to note that Jacob showed how unscrupulous he was by his response to Rebekah.  He was only worried about getting caught in their scheme, not by the fact that what they were doing was wrong.

1. Why was Jacob only worried about getting caught in the deception?
2. Why did he not have a problem with the deception he and Rebekah were planning?
3. What does this show about the relationship between he and his brother Esau?

Genesis 27:13

Little did she know at the time but her words would be prophetic to the events that were to occur.  It may be jumping ahead a bit but there is no indication that Rebekah ever saw Jacob again after the fallout from this episode. She called down a curse upon herself and a curse she got.

1. How far was Rebekah willing to go to promote Jacob’s future?
2. Why do we have to be careful about the words that come from our mouths?
3. How did what she said come true?

Genesis 27:14

Up to that time what the two were planning was just that, planning.  When Jacob went to get the goats he and Rebekah stepped over the line of being guilty of sinning against Isaac, Esau and God. 

1. At what point did the planning become sin?
2. What was the sin they committed?
3. When do we find ourselves guilty of sinning?

Genesis 27:15-17

Although Isaac could not see, Rebekah still made sure that Jacob was dressed for the part.  She provided him with Esau’s clothing. To compensate for his smooth skin she took the skins of the goats on his hands and at his neck.  To complete the deception she gave Jacob the meal to take into his father.

1. Why did Rebekah feel that it was necessary to dress Jacob as she did?
2. How did she try to fool Isaac since Esau was a hairy man and Jacob was not?
3. What are some of the ways we use to hide our true identity?
4. Why is it wrong to do so?

Genesis 27:18-19

With all of the preparations made, it was time for Jacob to go to his father and receive the blessing meant for Esau.  When he went into his father and gave notice that he was there, Isaac sensed something was not right by asking Jacob who he was.  Jacob told his first lie, identifying himself as Esau.

1. What was the final step to get Isaac to bless Jacob?
2. What did Isaac sense something was not right?
3. In what way did his lying show disrespect for his father?
4. In what ways have you lied to gain what you have wanted to happen?

Genesis 27:20-24

Isaac was still not certain of the identity of the person before him.  He first asked a question, wanting to know how his son had been able to complete the assignment of killing and preparing a meal of wild game.  When he answered his father he invoked God’s name by claiming that it was He who had give him success. Secondly, he commanded Jacob to come close to him, so he could determine the identity of his son by the smell of the outdoors on his clothing. He also felt the places that Rebekah and put the goat’s skins.

The trickery of the two worked.  Isaac was confused by what the two had done, for he said the clothing and hands are like Esau, but the voice belongs to Jacob.  The fact of the clothing was enough to convince him because he had no other way of identifying him.

Although Isaac blessed Jacob because he could not recognize him, after giving the blessing he asked one more time whether he truly was Esau.  Jacob’s answer at this point had to be that he was.  Otherwise he would have been unmasked as the deceiver and liar that he was.

1. Why was Isaac still uncertain about his son’s identity?
2. What were the ways by which he thought he could identify his son?
3. What was the lie that Jacob told? 
4. Why was it so offensive?
5. If he had known his children better, what would have been a dead give-away that the person before him was not Esau?
6. Why did Isaac finally bless Jacob?
7. Why did he wait until he had given him the blessing before asking him once more about his identity?
8. In what ways have you possibly taken advantage of someone that did not know that you were not telling the truth?

Genesis 27:25-28

At that point there was nothing else Isaac could do but have Jacob bring him the meal to receive the blessing as promised.  Jacob obeyed his father and brought it to him. It appears that Isaac still was not sure of what was going on.  He commanded Jacob to come close once again and give him a kiss.  Once again he obliged his father.  When he did Isaac assured himself that it was Esau because he again smelled the garments which carried in them the smell of outside world.  At that point his blessing included the mention of the fact of the clothing.  It was almost as if the blessing came to Jacob because of Isaac’s love of the outdoors.  As mentioned before he was living vicariously through Esau and blessed him for a life that did exist for him. 

1. Why did Isaac bless Jacob after he had brought the meal to him?
2. Why did he try once again to assure himself that it was indeed Esau before him?
3. Why did Jacob no longer speak?
4. In what ways was he living vicariously through Esau?
5. In what ways do we live vicariously through others?
6. What may be the end results of living this way?

Genesis 27:28-29

The blessing included both financial success but also leadership over the family from that point on.  The essence of what Isaac said applied to one in an agrarian society.  The one that carried with it more importance and would not really occur in Jacob’s life time was the second part of the blessing.  In the future through Jacob’s line, particularly in David and his descendent Jesus all nations and his people

• Serve him.
• Bow down to him
• Call him master

The final words were the same as given to Abraham earlier:

• Those who cursed him would be cursed
• Those  who blessed him would be blessed

Jacob had achieved what he desired.  He had both the birthright and the blessing. His ambition superseded his regard for his brother’s feelings and show disrespect for his father.  If the commandments had been in place he would violated the admonition to honor father and mother.  He obviously broke the ones about lying, stealing, coveting and dishonoring God.  Although, Isaac had given the blessing, would God honor it?  God was silent at this point.  This was a blessing of one man conferred upon another.  Although, Isaac referred to God, it was truly Isaac’s desire for his son Esau and not Jacob.

1. What were there two separate parts to the blessing?
2. What did each of them cover?
3. What was the difference between the blessing given by Isaac and the one received by Abraham?
4. What were the most important points of the blessing?
5. Why were they important?
6. Why was God silent while all of this was taking place?
7. When can we expect Him to be silent in our own lives?

You-

1. Think about an incident when you have tried to deceive someone.  If you have not done so, ask for forgiveness and make it right with that person.
2. Consider ways in which you have not regarded the well-being of others.  Ask for forgiveness if you have not done so.
3. Ask for forgiveness for the times that you have dishonored your parents.  Age is not a factor.
4. Remember the times when you let your ambitions bring about division between you and others.  As for forgiveness if you have not done so.
5. Always being a blessing to others in the integrity of your heart.

We-

We have not even come to the consequences of the actions of these two people and can already sense trouble ahead.  Let each of us give consideration to what the results will be of any decisions we might make as a follower of Christ or the church as a whole.  We must never do anything for the wrong motives that might bring disgrace on our Lord.  God really does expect for us to be totally above board in all of our action.  Remember the things we do have eternal consequences.  The way we act sometimes might indicate that others may think differently. Our thoughts and deeds should be those which will cause God to bless those things we do and are planning to do. He will be silent if we try to deceive ourselves or others to bring about the desires of our own hearts.  To wait on Him will carry with it much greater rewards

Additional notes:

Jacob began as a grabber or supplanter and had all of the attributes that at any time of history make one successful.  He had ambition, drive and did not mind using any means to achieve his goals.  In today’s society he would be considered a successful man when viewed by those outside the family.  He was a driven man who saw what he wanted and went after it with a vengeance.  Sometimes to achieve his end he had to overlook how his actions might advice he heeded was that which was in his best interest, even when his actions were detrimental to his relationship with others.  He deceived his father, stole his brother’s blessing and caused mistrust between his parents.  When Jacob met God at Bethel, his life slowly began to change into one who:

1. Feared God
2. Promised God his life and for God to have complete ownership of what he might acquire in the future.
3. Lead to his willingness to become a servant to gain Rachel and Leah to be his wives.
4. Developed patience to wait for results rather than forcing others to give in to his desires and ambitions.  The twenty years he served Laban was a prime example of this attitude shift.
5. Had communion with God in dreams, visions and face to face.
6. Followed God’s directives especially when it came to material gains.
7. Gave God credit for who he was and what he had been given.
8. Faced up to the consequences of his earlier actions.  He never forgot them as is seen with the real possibility of seeing his brother again.  To his credit he was not as much afraid of personal harm but what might happen to his family.  He put family above personal safety.
9. A man who had such a personal relationship with God that he could truly give thanks in even the most difficult times.                                                                  

BL- We studied Genesis chapter 27 (ALL OF IT!), as Isaac’s family continued their dysfunctional ways(boy, could they make a great soap out of these peoples’ lives, or what?).  This week, Rebekah overheard Isaac preparing to bless his eldest son, Esau, as soon as Esau returned from the hunt.  Rebekah, determined that her favorite son, Jacob, should receive the blessing, cooked up a scheme (couldn’t resist!) to deceive Isaac. She prepared Isaac’s favorite stew and dressed Jacob in Esau’s clothes and some hairy goatskins in order to pass him off as his brother. Isaac, who was now blind, fell for the trick and blessed Jacob instead of Esau with just about everything he could think of!  Now that patriarchal blessing might not seem significant to us, but in those days, great importance was attached to it–they believed that God’s hand was in it (and it WAS!) and that it directly affected the future of the individual who was blessed.  Evidence of the blessing’s importance can be seen in Rebekah’s and Jacob’s use of trickery to obtain it and in Esau’s and Isaac’s anguish over giving it to Jacob. Once Isaac realized his “mistake,” he blessed Esau, too, but Esau’s blessing was far less bountiful than the one that Jacob received.  This was all, of course, a part of God’s plan–He had prophesied that the older son would serve the younger before the boys were even born–but the way in which Jacob obtained the blessing was not in accordance with His ways. Rebekah and Jacob would end up paying a great price for manipulating God’s will, as we shall see in later chapters. Buddy pointed out that people today are often guilty of this same faulty thinking–we believe that if we are successful in reaching goals that we have set for ourselves, then God’s hand must be in it. While it is true that God DOES have a plan and a purpose for each of us, His plans may not be the same as ours!  Moreover, with God, the ends NEVER justify the means–He cares very much how we reach the go!
als He has planned for us.  If our methods are not in accordance with His (i.e., in keeping with His Word), then we, too, will suffer as Jacob and Rebekah did–with broken relationships to God and others, with worry, fear, even physical problems.  God loves us, and He will discipline those He loves in order to teach us to wait on Him!  Are the goals that you and I have set for ourselves in keeping with God’s goals for us?  Are the methods we are using to obtain them in accordance with His Word?  There is a lot we can learn from the life of Jacob–which is why the “Old” Testament is never really old!

C-Isaac’s physical condition comes into play as the next episodes of his family unfold.  With old age came blindness.  This fact played into the hands of Rebekah as she plotted to have Jacob receive the blessing due Esau.  How the relationship had changed over the years from the time Isaac and Rebekah loved the boys equally.  Now there was a competition and division between them.  Isaac loved Esau because he was a man’s man.  He lived vicariously through Esau’s love of the outdoors and his hunting skills, abilities Isaac had never possessed.  In lifestyle he was more like Jacob than Esau.  That is probably the reason he gravitated towards Esau.  We generally do not like to be around those completely like us because they always remind us of the attributes we do not like about ourselves. (Gen. 27:1, 12; Ps. 78:36; 144:11; Prov. 24:28; 26:19; 27:6; 30:8)

WM-Both Jacob and his mother Rebekah, lacked integrity.  To get what they both wanted for Jacob they were willing to deceive and lie to Isaac and even invoke the Lord’s name as part of the ruse.  They acquired the blessing for him, but at a great cost.  Rebekah lost her son because he had to flee for his life never to return during her lifetime.  Esau took  revenge on his family and married another Ishmaelite. (Gen. 27:

TM-Rebekah’s part in the deception of Isaac shows an attitude of anything goes.  Her actions provide us a glimpse of the personality trait that most likely had a profound influence throughout Jacob’s life.  God’s word tells that she loved Jacob more than Esau, so naturally she would look out for what she would have perceived as his best interest.    (Gen.27:5-29)

UE-Rebekah conspired with Jacob to deceive Isaac into blessing Jacob thus depriving Esau of his rightful blessing. (Gen. 27:5-29, 33-36)

TM-Deception brings heartache, anger, mistrust and division in families, churches and other organizations.  (Gen. 27:5-46)

M-Often the desire to excel overshadows what is right.  Jacob succumbed to his mother’s ambition for him and his own drive to succeed in carrying out the scheme to deceive his father. (Gen. 27:8-29)

DM-Rebekah’s part in the deception would change her life forever.  It was her defining moment.  She is probably remembered for this one act than anything else she did in her life. GC-Jacob should not have deceived his father, not because he was afraid of being caught but because it was wrong. She:

1. Influenced Jacob to take part in her scheme
2. Lost the trust of her husband.  Surely he would come to know that Jacob could not have accomplished the deception alone
3. Angered Esau to the point that he planned to murder his brother. He also married more heathen women as a way to retaliate against his parents
4. Never saw Jacob again that can be found in the Scriptures.  Later only Isaac is mentioned.

We have to wonder as she reflected on her actions was it truly worth it committing such an act of deception. (Gen.27:5-41)