Msg #1833 Learn From Jacob's Mistakes

What The Bible Says

Good Samaritan's Penny Pulpit by Pastor Ed Rice

As Jacob walks across twenty-six chapters of Genesis he teaches, by bad example, things about the believer's walk with God. To get the blessing he lied to his father about his name, and then tried for a deal with God,... if you bless me I'll have you as my God (Gen28:20-22). He cheated Laban out of his flocks. Lambs and calves are born at watering troughs and when drooped on pilled white strakes they are deeply stained and are “ringstraked, speckled, and spotted.” This was not magic or superstition, this was thievery. And then to cover up his cheat he made up a dream from God and said God helped me do it. (31:9-13). Jacob's great fear and flight from Laban was completely unjustified. His fear and conniving to appease his brother Esau was also completely unjustified. Worry is interest paid on tomorrow's debt before it is due. We should not be living in fear. God has things in his control. When Jacob wrestles with God to get a blessing, God, like his father, asks “What is your name?” This time he didn't say Esau. At least Jacob had learned not to lie about it. When confronting the loss of his favorite son, Joseph,... “all his sons and all his daughters rose up to comfort him; but he refused to be comforted; and he said, For I will go down into the grave unto my son mourning” (37:35). Doubtless Jacob blamed himself for the loss of Joseph, and was in depression for twenty years about it. It was unjustified, God was watching out for Jacob, but he never knew, and he never trusted God. The born-again believer has three things Jacob did not; Christ indwelling him, God as his Father, and the written record of Jacob's life; take full advantage.

An Essay for week #33 Aug 19, 2018

Msg in audio at www.GSBaptistChurch.com/audio/gs180819.mp3

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