We’re picking up in Genesis 31 where Jacob, Abraham’s grandson and the current heir of God’s covenant promises, finds himself in a bit of hot water again. Even though Jacob engaged in some questionable tactics, God blessed him. And even though his in-laws fared better than they had apart from Jacob, it was also clear that Jacob was getting the better end of the deal. For that reason, combined with their own selfishness, Jacob's father and brothers-in-law grew increasingly frustrated with him. With that backdrop God commanded Jacob to return to the Promised Land, promised to be with him, and followed through on His promise even through his wife’s foolishness and his father-in-law’s opposition.

Sermons – Grace Evangelical Free Church // Wyoming, MN

Do Whatever God Says

For years as a new Christian I never even thought to ask those questions. Then for a few more years I thought of them, but didn't bother to chase down the answers. Eventually, however, as I continued to grow in my faith and understanding of God’s Word, God burrowed the question of the significance of the resurrection deeply enough into my mind and heart that I knew I needed to settle on some things. And by God's grace, as I did, I came to realize that the resurrection is better news than I had ever imagined. As I share some of that with you, I hope you find it to be soul-satisfying, worship-producing, and life-changing.

Why Is The Resurrection Good News?

The key for us to see today is that the same determination of God (the determination to preserve and transform a people for Himself regardless of their failures) is for the world today. Just as Jacob's hope of gaining and remaining in God's favor was not owing to his own goodness, neither is ours. If we are to gain or remain in God's favor, it will be because (and only because) God saw fit to unite us with Jesus and His saving work; to grant us faith in Him and the righteousness that comes from it.

A Deceiver Of A Deceiver

In considering this passage we’ll find the unlikely (and sketchy) origin of the tribes of Israel, and in that a few more familiar lessons. We’ll see clearly that God is greater than anyone could ever imagine (particularly in His power to write history and give life), that going against the will of God is always foolish (even if God turns it for good), and that Jacob truly was the chosen one (though not based on any merit of his own).

The Unlikely Origin Of The Tribes Of Israel

God is accomplishing his purposes both in the story of redemption, and in, and through, Jacob’s life. God uses Jacob’s circumstances to provide a family for the promised people of God, first through wives and later offspring. But we can also see God’s sanctifying work in the life of Jacob as a way to bring him to greater faith and reliance on his God.

Jacob, Laban and Two Wives

In this short story we see a few things. We see that God was indeed a glorious God, that God was still committed to the gracious covenant He'd made with Abraham, that Jacob was still the beneficiary of the covenant promises of grace, and that Jacob acknowledged God as the gracious and glorious God. And in these things, we find a big, bright, flashing arrow pointing directly at Jesus and the fulfillment of God's promises He brings to all who hope in Him.

Jacob’s Dream

There are two final scenes, plus an epilogue that we will look at this morning. The last two scenes are the resolution of the big blowup over the blessing. Each character responds to the blessing in different ways and each help move the focus of Genesis from Isaac and Rebekah to the third generation, focusing on Jacob. One thing to keep in mind as we work through the text is that God ensures that his plans and promises will prevail, despite how foolish and wicked his people act.

Lying, Hatred, and Murder (Part 2)

And above all, from all of this, I want you to see a few familiar things: 1) God's will, will be done—even through the foolish choices of His people; 2) Seeking to manipulate God's will is folly of the highest order—even if God turns it to good; 3) Choices have consequences—even if God largely shields us from them; and 4) If God's grace is able to reach this family, it can reach anyone—even if we don't deserve or seek it.

Lying, Hatred, And Murder

I think there are two main points to this passage of Scripture: (1) Isaac was the chosen one of God and (2) God is the gospel. To help you see those two things we'll consider the three main sections of this passage (12-17, 23-25, and 26-33).

Isaac Is The Heir And God Is The Gospel

The main things I hope to help you see concerning this passage and that question are: (1) while our circumstances often, necessarily determine our actions, they are not meant to determine our hearts, (2) God gives sufficient instructions to His people to navigate any circumstances in a manner pleasing to Him, and (3) God ultimately responds to His people according to His promises, not our actions.

How To Respond To Unforeseen Circumstances

Do you believe you deserve God's love and mercy and grace? Do you believe you deserve God's kindness and blessing? Do you believe you deserve to be in fellowship with God? Your answer to these questions will determine almost everything about how you live. In our passage for this morning we find the beginning of the Bible's answers to these questions.

Five Ways To Earn The Unconditionalness Of God’s Love

From Ishmael, Jacob, and Esau we find four key themes and one more to rule them all. God's promises are certain, conflict is inevitable, prayer is God's primary solution to conflict, and all life is from God. The one that binds them all together and makes them possible is the sovereignty of God. All of that and a bit more are in this short passage.

Promises, Conflict, Prayer, Life And Sovereignty

The main point of all of this is this: God would be perfectly faithful to the covenant He made with Abraham, but He would do so at a time and in ways no one could have predicted. And from that we catch a wonderful glimpse of the creative, faithful, gracious, omnipotent and triune nature of God. And from that we gain more and more understanding of what we must do to be saved and fuel for our worship of our Savior.

Abraham’s Death And God’s Salvation

Genesis 24 is one of the longer chapters in the bible, but its basic story can be summed up in just twelve words: God provided a wife for Isaac through the faithful submission of others. Wrapped up in the length and simplicity we find two absolutely profound themes that continue on throughout the entire bible: providence and submission. While these words often illicit all kinds of thoughts and emotions, the main gift this passage provides is that it helps us see the preciousness of both when they are rightly understood and applied.

The Preciousness Of Providence And Submission

What are we to make of this passage? It's kind of strange, isn't it? It gives us a few short verses reporting Sarah's death and then lets us look in on an ancient Middle Eastern land negotiation. Perhaps the biggest question before us is why this story is in the bible. In fact, as I worked through the text this week I became increasingly convinced that answering that question is probably the best way to help you see the meaning and implications of this passage. For that reason, this sermon is structured around explaining why this passage is in the bible from a historical, theological, and practical perspective. Ultimately, as I think you'll clearly see, all three come together to show us the unwavering faithfulness of God even through death. Through this text and this particular approach to it, it is my great hope to help you see the glory of God in new ways and therefore hope in God in new ways as well.

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Sermons – Grace Evangelical Free Church // Wyoming, MN

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