Good morning,
Jacob was a product of his upbringing. His grandparents lied. His parents lied and played favorites with Jacob and Esau. So, Jacob learned all these traits and more. His early years were spent deceiving others. He even tried bargaining with God. It was not till he wrestled with the angel of God, did his life change.
When he met God, his named was changed to Israel, and he began living for God.
This week we look at the life of Jacob.
JACOB’S DYSFUNCTIONAL FAMILY
GENESIS 12-31
INTRO: Functional vs Dysfunctional Families
Jacob PRE and POST Gen 32
Functional: Dysfunctional:
1. Puts God first No relationship with God or not first
2. Husband and wife Any kind of relationship
3. Quiver full of children No children
4. Bible foundation No foundation
5. Obey God Do their own thing
WHO ARE THE PLAYERS?
1. God-See lesson 1
2. Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Rebekah, Jacob, Esau, Laban
WHAT did God do?
Exodus 34:7 Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children’s children, unto the third and to the fourth generation.
1) Jacob’s grandparents and parents dysfunction passed to him
Genesis 20:1-8 And Abraham said of Sarah his wife, She is my sister: and Abimelech king of Gerar sent, and took Sarah. (v2) Abraham lied
Genesis 26:6-11 And the men of the place asked him of his wife; and he(Isaac) said, She is my sister: for he feared to say, She is my wife; lest, said he, the men of the place should kill me for Rebekah; because she was fair to look upon. (v7) Isaac lied
Genesis 27:1-46 And he said, Art thou my very son Esau? And he said, I am. (v24) Jacob lied
2) Jacob’s dysfunctional life
Genesis 25:28 And Isaac loved Esau, because he did eat of his venison: but Rebekah loved Jacob. (Parents playing favorites)
Genesis 25:29-34 And Jacob said, Sell me this day thy birthright. (v31) (Opportunist, taking advantage of others)
Genesis 27: 6-17 And his mother said unto him, Upon me be thy curse, my son: only obey my voice, and go fetch me them. (v13) (Rebekah’s manipulation teaching Jacob to deceive his father)
Genesis 27:18-29 And he said, Art thou my very son Esau? And he said, I am. (v24) (Jacob lied, stole the blessing from Esau)
Genesis 28:10-22 And Jacob vowed a vow, saying, If God will be with me, and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat, and raiment to put on, So that I come again to my father’s house in peace; then shall the LORD be my God: (20-21) (Jacob bargains with God. IF GOD…)
3) Jacob reaps what he sowed Genesis 29-31
Genesis 29:15-27 And it came to pass, that in the morning, behold, it was Leah: and he said to Laban, What is this thou hast done unto me? did not I serve with thee for Rachel? wherefore then hast thou beguiled me? (v25) (Jacob deceived others, now he has been deceived)
Genesis 31:7 And your father hath deceived me, and changed my wages ten times; but God suffered him not to hurt me. (Jacob reaps what he sowed)
CONCLUSION:
- Dysfunction breeds dysfunction
- Break the cycle and obey
- God is not mocked. We reap what we sow!
- Biblical principles must guide us
Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001
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