Sermon on Jacob | Lessons from the Life of Jacob
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INTRODUCTION:
A. The life of Jacob recorded in Genesis 25-49 can be divided into four periods:
1. The first period deals with his birth and life with his parents, Isaac and Rebekah, in Canaan
a. Had a twin brother – Esau
b. Almost from the very beginning trouble was inevitable in the life of Jacob _ Genesis 25:28
c. Jacob took advantage of his brother in obtaining his birthright … but Esau was not without blame
d. Later, Rebekah urged Jacob to deceive Isaac in order to receive a blessing
2. The second period of Jacob’s life relates to his residence with Laban in Syria
a. His parents encouraged him to leave because of the anger of Esau
b. On the way to Padan-aram, Jacob had a dream of a ladder that reached from earth to heaven with angels ascending and descending on it … the Lord was above the ladder and renewed the Messianic promise
c. Rachel and Leah … working seven years … then seven more … the Lord closed Rachel’s womb
d. God prospered Jacob mightily
3. The third period of Jacob’s life centers around his own family back in Canaan
a. This was when Jacob wrestled with an angel, and his name was changed to Israel
b. Benjamin was born … Rachel dies
4. The fourth period of Jacob’s life has to do with his migration to Egypt and his death there
a. The stage was set for this migration because of Jacob’s partiality shown to Joseph and his brothers selling him into slavery
b. God prospered Joseph … this led to the saving of his family from the famine
B. Let us now look at the life of Jacob more closely and learn some valuable lessons that will help us in our Christian walk
DISCUSSION: (Discussion of this sermon on Jacob.)
A. Jacob took advantage of the weakness of his brother
1. Genesis 25:29-34
2. Ordinarily one would expect a brother to be more than happy to render aid, but in this case that help would come at a price.
3. The birthright represented the exclusive right of inheritance belonging to the first-born
4. Esau, in a moment of carelessness and craving, gave up something very valuable … sadly, many do similar things today
5. This transaction showed the greedy, selfish spirit that Jacob had at this time.
6. One of the most valuable and central lessons for our lives today that can be drawn from this episode is that instead of taking advantage of others, we are to receive and support the weak©
a. Acts 20:35
b. Matthew 25:41-46
c. Romans 15:1
B. With the prompting of his mother, Jacob lied to his father and received his father’s blessing (Gen. 27:1-29)
1. Relate the story…
2. Many wrongs stand out in this story, let us notice a few:
a. First, there was deception:
1) There were four:
a) Jacob lied when he claimed to be Esau
b) Jacob lied when he declared that he had done as his father directed him
c) He deceived Isaac by telling the Lord had brought the venison to him quickly
d) The wearing of Esau’s clothes and putting skins on his hands and neck
2) There has never been a time when lying of any sort was acceptable unto God
a) The Gentiles were condemned for changing the truth of God into a lie (Rom. 1:25)
b) Paul said some would believe a lie rather than the truth and be condemned (2 the. 2:11)
c) Revelation 21:8
b. A second wrong involves Jacob as a victim of his mother’s partiality
1) There were far reaching consequences:
a) Alienated his brother from him
b) Separation of a son from his family
c) A family torn apart by disorder
d) Jacob followed in his mother’s footsteps with Joseph
2) Most would agree that the way toward the future happiness and welfare of our children is not through deceit and partiality
c. A third wrong involves influence on others.
1) There is no way to measure the harm done to others by unfaithfulness.
2) Society is quick to point out inconsistencies, especially among Christians
3) Deeds are more powerful than words
4) Matthew 5:16
5) 1 Timothy 4:12
C. A dream that changes Jacob’s life for ever (Gen. 28:10-22)
1. Genesis 28:10-15 … Jacob’s dream symbolizes that:
a. God is interested in man, and in this instance Jacob
b. Fellowship with God – God is with us
2. God renews the Messianic promise
3. Genesis 28:16-22 – Jacob’s life is changed
a. People can change
b. Paul did …
c. “The Meanest Man in Texas”
Finally, in this sermon on Jacob…
D. Jacob was willing to work for that which was beautiful and worthwhile
1. Genesis 29:15-20
2. We are living in a day when many in our nation are trying to get out of good old fashion hard work
a. Our government is giving handouts to many who don’t really need it
b. Many are learning how to work the system
3. Notice what the Bible says about work
a. 2 Thessalonians 3:10-12
b. Romans 12:11
c. Ephesians 4:28
d. Proverbs 13:4; 20:4
e. Proverbs 21:25; 24:30-34
E. God changed Jacob’s name to Israel
1. Genesis 32:24-30
2. Perhaps, the moral design of this mysterious event was to revive the sinking spirit of the patriarch and to arm him with confidence in God, while anticipating the dreaded scenes of the morrow – the main focus should be on the name change
3. The name Jacob means supplanter.
a. In the earlier episodes of Jacob’s life, his name truly fit what he did.
b. Now God said … Genesis 32:28
c. Israel means “prince of God”? or “prevailer with God”?
d. The purpose of this name change indicated a working relationship with God by the people of God
4. The same principle is seen today when people become God’s people and are called Christians.
a. This is the new name by which we are to be called (Isa. 62:2)
b. It indicates who we are and the one with whom we are affiliated, and whose disciples we are.
c. We must live up to the name Christian
CONCLUSION: (End of this sermon on Jacob.)