THE BLESSING PASSES TO JACOB

 

 

BY THE END OF THE LESSON, WE WILL

EXPLAIN the meaning of Jacob's vision; CHERISH God's presence in our personal experiences; and DETERMINE how to better hear and heed God's voice in our daily activities.

 

FOCAL VERSES GENESIS 28:1, 10-22

KEEP IN MIND

"And behold, I am with thee, and will keep thee in all places whither thou goest, and will bring thee again into this land; for I will not leave thee, until I have done that which I have spoken to thee of " (Genesis 28:15).

 

 

AT-A-GLANCE

1. A Solitary Place (Genesis 28:1, 10-11)

2. Jacob's Dream of God's Promise (vv. 12-15)

3. Jacob's Response to the Promise (vv. 16-12)

 

IN FOCUS STORY

"Honey, maybe you should reconsider leaving," said Layla's mother as she watched her daughter pack.

"Ma, I've been praying for a long time and I believe this the path God wants me to take."

When her mother took ill ten years ago, Layla put off her mission trip and moved back into her mother's house to take care of her. However, even after her mother had received a clean bill of health from the doctor, Layla stayed and continued to put her dream of helping orphans on hold. But now she really felt the Lord nudging her to go. "What if something happens? I'll be all alone," her mother cried.

"Oh Ma, don't cry," Layla said as she hugged her mother. "I don't know what the future holds, but I do know God is with me. If we have submitted our lives to Him, He promised to keep us. Guess who taught me that when she was sick?

"I did." Layla's mother could only laugh. "See, God was with you through you illness and He continues to be with you. We're never alone. And I, for one, am glad about that."

Just as God assured Jacob of His presence and promises, He promises to always be with us.

 

 

THE PEOPLE, PLACES, and TIMES

Jacob. Jacob was the younger of the twin sons of Rebekah and Isaac, who was the son of Abraham and Sarah. Jacob and his brother, Esau were always at odds with each other, even fighting in the womb (Genesis 25:22). In fact, Jacob's name means "he takes by the heel or he supplants" because when he was born, he was grasping his brother's heel as if he wanted to take Esau's place as firstborn. Jacob had a trickster nature and was skillful at making schemes, as was illustrated when he later used Esau's weakness to trick him into selling his birthright. Jacob "was a plain man, dwelling in tents" (v. 27), meaning he was quiet (a trait that no doubt afforded him the opportunity to better observe people's action and nature so he could better deceive them) and was more at ease in the home, "a man of the domestic domain, a man of culture." His character changed, however, after a divine encounter with an angel of God in which he wrestled with the "man" and was able to last until dawn (32:24-32). Jacob was then given the name Israel, which means "he struggles with God." He no longer was arrogant (32:9-10) and desired to make peace with Esau (33:1-20).

 

BACKGROUND

When an aging Isaac was ready to bless Esau, he told his son to go hunt wild game and make a stew for him before he would bless him (27:3-4). Rebekah devised a plan for Jacob, a willing participant, to steal Esau's blessing. She instructed Jacob t put on his brother's clothes and goat's skin to mimic Esau's hairiness while she made the stew herself. Isaac, who was going blind, though it was Esau who brought the stew, but it was Jacob. Isaac, then blessed his younger son, saying, "Therefore God give thee of the dew of heaven, and the fatness of the earth, and plenty of corn and wine: Let people serve thee, and nations bow down to thee: be lord over thy brethren, and let thy mother's sons bow down to thee: curse be every one that curseth thee, and blessed be he that blesseth thee" (27:28-29).

When Esau heard what Jacob had done, he plotted to kill his brother. To save both sons (Esau would have been put to death for murdering Jacob), Rebekah told Jacob to run away to her brother, Laban, then plated in Issac's mind that it would be greatly bothersome to her if Jacob were to marry a local Canaanite woman (v. 46) as Esau had already done (26:34-35).

 

 

SEARCH THE SCRIPTURES

1. Who is Jacob's father and what did he do (Genesis 28:1)?

2. Briefly describe Jacob's dream (vv. 10-12).

3. List the details of God's promise to Jacob (vv. 13-15).

4. How did Jacob respond to the dream and God's promise (vv. 16-22)?

 

DISCUSS THE MEANING

1. The issue of Jacobs ladder has been an inspiration through generations. Why do you think Jacob's vision involved a ladder rather than just angels descending? What might this mean for your life?

2. Why do you think the Lord delivered the message to Jacob rather than the angles delivering the message or even Jacob ascending the ladder to the Lord?

3. Jacob had found the place appropriate the night before, but in verse 17. he is said to be afraid. Why is that?

4. Why did Jacob's vow begin with the word "if"? How often have you made an "if" vow to the Lord?

5. Layla, in the In Focus story, believed God for a mission that he placed in her heart years before. What did God place in your heart that you have yet to act on? What stopped you? What will empower you to undertake it now?

 

LESSON IN OUR SOCIETY

Many young people and adults today fail to "be all they can be" because of economic hardship, socioeconomic status, lack of education, lack of opportunity, illness, or some other issue. The media and our peers sometimes cause us to forget about pursuing the dreams God placed in our hearts or our parents' hearts. As Apostolic believers, what power do we have to help encourage ourselves and others to pursue our destinies? Should we do so?

 

MAKE IT HAPPEN

1. Through the sacrifice of Jesus, we are able to commune with the Lord and to have the Holy Ghost guide our lives. What spiritual practices are you engaged in that help you more effectively tap into the power God has given you?

2. God informed Jacob that He would always be with him. In what ways has God shown He is with us? How can we invite God into all areas of our lives? If you do not have the Holy Ghost, you are missing an opportunity to commune with the Lord. Speak to the pastor today and ask to be baptized in Jesus' Name and to receive the Holy Ghost if you have not already done so.

(Except from Apostolic Light P.A.W.)