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Jacob Flees from Laban – Genesis Chapter 31
Jacob has been working for Laban by keeping his flock for six years now – that’s after having done this for fourteen years previously as a dowry for his two daughters. Laban has been very deceitful and has not dealt fairly with him. Plus, Jacob noticed that Laban and his sons’ countenance towards him has become quite toxic.
Jacob Prospers Despite Laban’s Treachery – Genesis Chapter 30
After Jacob has arrived in Haran, he meets Rachel his uncle’s daughter at a well. He tells her who he is and she takes him to her father’s house. Jacob after seven years marries Leah and Rachel, Laban’s daughters. Jacob loves Rachel, but is not so loving of Leah. So, God graciously opens her womb and she bears him four sons in the hope that Jacob would love her too. In this chapter we see where the two women are engaging in a race to see who can have the most children. But also, there is a note of Rachel’s spiritual lacking. God finally gives her a son and Jacob wants to go back home. However, Laban is unwilling to let Jacob leave because he has noticed how Jacob’s God has prospered him on account of Jacob. So, he bargains with Jacob once again – only to deceive him again. But God over-rules Laban’s actions against Jacob and greatly increases his wealth.
Jacob’s Deception – The deceiver is deceived! – Genesis Chapter 29
After receiving a visitation by God in a dream, Jacob’s spirit is revived and he journeys onward to Haran. After arriving there, he meets some shepherds at a well who tell him that Rachel, his uncle’s daughter, is headed to the same place. He introduces himself to Rachel; and she thereby introduces Jacob to her father Laban. Laban welcomes Jacob. After working for him for a short period, Jacob contracts with Laban to marry his younger daughter Rachel. Laban deceives Jacob and gives him the eldest daughter Leah. Jacob then has to negotiate once again a bridal price for Rachel. But, all is not well in his household. Leah is unloved. So, God favors her because Jacob does not.
Jacob’s Dream – Genesis Chapter 28
After Jacob deceives his father into blessing him with the birthright, his brother Esau plans to kill him after his father dies. Their mother Rebekah learns of this and makes another plan that will send Jacob away to take a wife from her brother’s house. Isaac openly and rightly blesses Jacob with the Abrahamic blessing and sends him to his uncle Laban’s house to get a wife. On his long journey there, no doubt Jacob is full of fear and apprehension. So, on the way, God appears to him in a dream to establish the Abrahamic covenant and reassure him of His continued presence. Although Jacob is clearly not the man God wants him to be, what awaits him is a long period of discipline and transformation.
Jacob’s Deception – Genesis Chapter 27
n this chapter we return our attention back to Jacob. Isaac fears that his death may be near, so he determines to bless his favorite son Esau, although he knows this is contrary to the will of God. Rebekah, his wife who’s favorite son is Jacob, plots to deceive Isaac and obtain the blessing of the birthright for him. The plot is successful and Jacob deceives Isaac into giving him the blessing, only with Esau coming in afterwards to find out he has lost his opportunity. He is furious with his brother Jacob and determines to kill him when his father dies. So, in all of this mess, Rebekah concocts another plan. This time to try to save the life of her son Jacob. So, she complains to her husband Isaac that she would be grieved if Jacob married one of the Hittite women as Esau had done, prompting him to send Jacob to her homeland in Haran to find a wife there.
God will provide – a lesson from the childhood of Jesus
There are times when God's children suffer hardship and turmoil. And sometimes things look quite bleak. However, we are never forgotten, as we are dear to our Lord. And we should always take comfort that God will provide for all of our needs according to His goodness and mercy. No downloads available. Podcasts [...]
The Sign of the Birth of Jesus
When the angels of God told the shepherds of Bethlehem how they would be able to identify the baby Messiah (Christ Luke 2:8-12), they gave them a sign. That they would find the baby wrapped in cloth in an animal feeder (manger). Was it more to it than just a sign to point him out? [...]
What is baptism? Is it required to be saved?
What is baptism?1. Greek meaning of the word2. the Jews would baptize converts to Judaism3. New Testament baptism4. distinctiveness in Christian Jews and Gentile baptism5. Is baptism required to be saved? No downloads available. Podcasts
What does baptism with Holy Spirit and Fire mean? – Luke 3:16
When John the Baptist said that Jesus the Messiah would baptize with Holy Spirit and fire, what did he mean? No downloads available. Podcasts
God Establishes His Covenant With Isaac – Genesis Chapter 26
God now establishes the promises that He made with Abraham with his son Isaac. But, although Isaac does indeed inherit the promises, he must receive them by faith. That is, Isaac too must learn to trust God, just as his father did. So we see similar tests of Isaac just as Abraham. And we see [...]
Reflecting on John 6:29 – Seeking Jesus for Food
In John 6 Jesus feeds the 5,000 men supernaturally from 2 fish and 5 loaves. This great sign moves the people to try to forcibly make Him king. He leaves and later crosses the Sea of Galilee. The following day some of those same people seek Him to repeat the miracle but receive correction from [...]
The Births of Jacob and Esau – Genesis Chapter 25
Genesis chapter 25 opens with Abraham taking a second wife, Keturah. She bore him 6 sons, fulfilling God’s promise to make from him a multitude of peoples. Then, it moves to dispense of Ishmael’s genealogy. Showing that his twelve sons were also God’s fulfillment of His word to Abraham. And finally, it concentrates on Isaac. [...]