Invisible God

INTRO

The New American Commentary: Genesis 11:27–50:26 8. Jacob Deceives Laban (31:1–55[32:1])

The chapter consists of four scenes: (1) the decision to flee (vv. 1–16); (2) the flight and deceptions (vv. 17–21); (3) the overtaking of the fleeing party and the dispute (vv. 22–44); and (4) the peaceful settlement of the disputing parties (vv. 45–55). The four scenes are essentially a series of speeches that are connected by brief narratives.

4 Main Sections

V 1-16 being the Decision to Depart

Illustration of need addressed.

1-16 being the Decision to Depart

V 17-21 covering Jacob and Rachel's deception of Laban

17-21 covering Jacob and Rachel's deception of Laba

V 22-44 which is the Dispute Between Jacob and Laban

which is the Dispute Between Jacob and Laban

V45-55 is the Covenant Between Jacob and Laban.

s the Covenant Between Jacob and Laban.

Context

5 W’s and the 1 H

Who

5 W’s and the 1 H

What

Why

Where

When

How

Moses - Israel - Exodus

Type / Pace of the text?

Why is this section of the narrative important for Israel?

Why write this in this way to these people at this time, what is the point?

God

Man

Command

Promise

Warning

How then does this apply to me today in light of systematic and biblical theology? (NT Believer)

Connect illustration to present day hearers.

Transition = Show this need or similar issue was also the question behind the biblical text.

Clearly state the theme of the text/sermon.

Title & Text

Invisible God

Theme

Pray

THE SERMON BODY

Genesis 31:1–16 ESV

1 Now Jacob heard that the sons of Laban were saying, “Jacob has taken all that was our father’s, and from what was our father’s he has gained all this wealth.” 2 And Jacob saw that Laban did not regard him with favor as before. 3 Then the Lord said to Jacob, “Return to the land of your fathers and to your kindred, and I will be with you.” 4 So Jacob sent and called Rachel and Leah into the field where his flock was 5 and said to them, “I see that your father does not regard me with favor as he did before. But the God of my father has been with me. 6 You know that I have served your father with all my strength, 7 yet your father has cheated me and changed my wages ten times. But God did not permit him to harm me. 8 If he said, ‘The spotted shall be your wages,’ then all the flock bore spotted; and if he said, ‘The striped shall be your wages,’ then all the flock bore striped. 9 Thus God has taken away the livestock of your father and given them to me. 10 In the breeding season of the flock I lifted up my eyes and saw in a dream that the goats that mated with the flock were striped, spotted, and mottled. 11 Then the angel of God said to me in the dream, ‘Jacob,’ and I said, ‘Here I am!’ 12 And he said, ‘Lift up your eyes and see, all the goats that mate with the flock are striped, spotted, and mottled, for I have seen all that Laban is doing to you. 13 I am the God of Bethel, where you anointed a pillar and made a vow to me. Now arise, go out from this land and return to the land of your kindred.’ ” 14 Then Rachel and Leah answered and said to him, “Is there any portion or inheritance left to us in our father’s house? 15 Are we not regarded by him as foreigners? For he has sold us, and he has indeed devoured our money. 16 All the wealth that God has taken away from our father belongs to us and to our children. Now then, whatever God has said to you, do.”

Following outline from:

The New American Commentary: Genesis 11:27–50:26 (1) Decision to Depart (31:1–16)

Whereas they could not rely on their father’s word, they turn to their husband’s God.

Mathews, K. A. . Vol. 1B. The New American Commentary. Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2005.

1-16 = DECISION TO DEPART

1-3 = Dissension and Divine Directive

Genesis 31:1–3 ESV

1 Now Jacob heard that the sons of Laban were saying, “Jacob has taken all that was our father’s, and from what was our father’s he has gained all this wealth.” 2 And Jacob saw that Laban did not regard him with favor as before. 3 Then the Lord said to Jacob, “Return to the land of your fathers and to your kindred, and I will be with you.”

Gen 31

4-13 = Jacob’s Defense

4 = summons

5-7 = labans schemes

8-9 = cheating wages

10-13 = the dream theophany

14-16 = Wives Consent to Leave

Genesis 31:14–16 ESV

14 Then Rachel and Leah answered and said to him, “Is there any portion or inheritance left to us in our father’s house? 15 Are we not regarded by him as foreigners? For he has sold us, and he has indeed devoured our money. 16 All the wealth that God has taken away from our father belongs to us and to our children. Now then, whatever God has said to you, do.”

BLANK SLIDE

Husbands are you including your wife in the decisions for your family? Husbands are you leading your family as God would have you lead? Wives are you allowing and encouraging your husband to take charge and follow after God, or are you impeding them?

Proverbs 31:11 ESV

11 The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain.

(ESV) — 11 The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain.

Do you have the faith of Jacob? Are you willing to submit to the leading of the LORD? “Whatever God has said to you, do!” is this your resolve?

1 Samuel 15:22 ESV

22 And Samuel said, “Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams.

1 Sam 15

Are you willing to submit to the leading of the LORD? “Whatever God has said to you, do!” is this your resolve?

Do you have the faith of Jacob? Are you willing to submit to the leading of the LORD? “Whatever God has said to you, do!” is this your resolve?

POINT 1

When God calls we must obey.

17-21 = JACOB AND RACHEL DECEIVE LABAN

Genesis 31:19–20 ESV

19 Laban had gone to shear his sheep, and Rachel stole her father’s household gods. 20 And Jacob tricked Laban the Aramean, by not telling him that he intended to flee.

Gen 31.

Why steal the idols?

help with fertility

for divination / protection during the journey

to guard against Laban using them

future claim on Laban’s inheritance

It would appear from scripture her motivation was her own personal protection and blessing

Isaiah 46:1–2 ESV

1 Bel bows down; Nebo stoops; their idols are on beasts and livestock; these things you carry are borne as burdens on weary beasts. 2 They stoop; they bow down together; they cannot save the burden, but themselves go into captivity.

Proverbs 3:5 ESV

5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.

Genesis 35:2 ESV

2 So Jacob said to his household and to all who were with him, “Put away the foreign gods that are among you and purify yourselves and change your garments.

Gen

Why not tell Laban?

- No longer had his favor

- He was afraid

Matthew 10:28 ESV

28 And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.

Husbands are you including your wife in the decisions for your family? Husbands are you leading your family as God would have you lead? Wives are you allowing and encouraging your husband to take charge and follow after God, or are you impeding them?

Proverbs 31:11 (ESV) — 11 The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain.

Proverbs 29:25 ESV

25 The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is safe.

BLANK SLIDE

trust in the tightrope walker...

What are you afraid of? Where in your life are you being obedient in practice but not in your heart? Are you secretly content with the appearance of obedience without true heart change? Where are you seeking to do God’s will while still holding onto your own old idols?

POINT 2

We must be obedient to God’s ways not just His words.

22-44 = JACOB AND LABAN DISPUTE

22-25 = Laban Confronts Jacob = CLIMAX…!?!?

22-23 = 3 day head start / seven day pursuit

Genesis 31:24 ESV

24 But God came to Laban the Aramean in a dream by night and said to him, “Be careful not to say anything to Jacob, either good or bad.”

c

Like his fathers before him God steps in and reveals himself to those who would oppose His chosen.

Like Israel after, God would also step in and protect His people.

26-32 = Laban Accuses and Jacob Rebuts

26-30 = charges of deception and theft

Genesis 31:26–30 ESV

26 And Laban said to Jacob, “What have you done, that you have tricked me and driven away my daughters like captives of the sword? 27 Why did you flee secretly and trick me, and did not tell me, so that I might have sent you away with mirth and songs, with tambourine and lyre? 28 And why did you not permit me to kiss my sons and my daughters farewell? Now you have done foolishly. 29 It is in my power to do you harm. But the God of your father spoke to me last night, saying, ‘Be careful not to say anything to Jacob, either good or bad.’ 30 And now you have gone away because you longed greatly for your father’s house, but why did you steal my gods?”

Genesis 31:26–27 ESV

26 And Laban said to Jacob, “What have you done, that you have tricked me and driven away my daughters like captives of the sword? 27 Why did you flee secretly and trick me, and did not tell me, so that I might have sent you away with mirth and songs, with tambourine and lyre?

Gen 31:

26 - Laban was out of touch with his daughters.

27 - Laban had a warped view of his own character.

30 - Laban was out of touch with reality!

Genesis 31:30 ESV

30 And now you have gone away because you longed greatly for your father’s house, but why did you steal my gods?”

Judges 18:24 ESV

24 And he said, “You take my gods that I made and the priest, and go away, and what have I left? How then do you ask me, ‘What is the matter with you?’ ”

thief breaking in and stealing toilet paper rolls!

31-32 = jacob’s rebuttal - fear - integrity

Can we answer this way!?

Hebrews 13:18 ESV

18 Pray for us, for we are sure that we have a clear conscience, desiring to act honorably in all things.

33-35 = Rachel’s Ruse - uncleanness

36-44 = Jacob’s Complaints and Laban’s Offer

36-42 = jacob’s anger

43-44 = laban’s compromise

Genesis 31:36–42 ESV

36 Then Jacob became angry and berated Laban. Jacob said to Laban, “What is my offense? What is my sin, that you have hotly pursued me? 37 For you have felt through all my goods; what have you found of all your household goods? Set it here before my kinsmen and your kinsmen, that they may decide between us two. 38 These twenty years I have been with you. Your ewes and your female goats have not miscarried, and I have not eaten the rams of your flocks. 39 What was torn by wild beasts I did not bring to you. I bore the loss of it myself. From my hand you required it, whether stolen by day or stolen by night. 40 There I was: by day the heat consumed me, and the cold by night, and my sleep fled from my eyes. 41 These twenty years I have been in your house. I served you fourteen years for your two daughters, and six years for your flock, and you have changed my wages ten times. 42 If the God of my father, the God of Abraham and the Fear of Isaac, had not been on my side, surely now you would have sent me away empty-handed. God saw my affliction and the labor of my hands and rebuked you last night.”

Genesis 31:36–44 ESV

36 Then Jacob became angry and berated Laban. Jacob said to Laban, “What is my offense? What is my sin, that you have hotly pursued me? 37 For you have felt through all my goods; what have you found of all your household goods? Set it here before my kinsmen and your kinsmen, that they may decide between us two. 38 These twenty years I have been with you. Your ewes and your female goats have not miscarried, and I have not eaten the rams of your flocks. 39 What was torn by wild beasts I did not bring to you. I bore the loss of it myself. From my hand you required it, whether stolen by day or stolen by night. 40 There I was: by day the heat consumed me, and the cold by night, and my sleep fled from my eyes. 41 These twenty years I have been in your house. I served you fourteen years for your two daughters, and six years for your flock, and you have changed my wages ten times. 42 If the God of my father, the God of Abraham and the Fear of Isaac, had not been on my side, surely now you would have sent me away empty-handed. God saw my affliction and the labor of my hands and rebuked you last night.” 43 Then Laban answered and said to Jacob, “The daughters are my daughters, the children are my children, the flocks are my flocks, and all that you see is mine. But what can I do this day for these my daughters or for their children whom they have borne? 44 Come now, let us make a covenant, you and I. And let it be a witness between you and me.”

Gen 31:36-44

Jacob defends his Integrity [36-37]

Gen 31:

1 Peter 2:12 ESV

12 Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.

Jacob defends his Character [38-41]

Jacob gives glory and honor to God [42]

BLANK SLIDE

God often sends difficult people to us who have the peculiar gift of bringing out the worst in us. Those difficult people force us to come to grips with our hidden weaknesses. Jacob had lived his life relying on trickery and deceit to get what he wanted. Uncle Laban turned the tables on Jacob, forcing him to take a dose of his own medicine. After Haran, Jacob would at least think twice before cheating someone else.

Keith Krell - The senior pastor of Fourth Memorial Church in Spokane, WA and associate professor of biblical exposition at Moody Bible Institute [Between a Rock and a Hard Place]

Where are you seeking to fight your own fights and win your own battles? Who are you serving? Do you believe that God sees and hears your affliction and will one day reconcile it on His own? Do you view obedience to God as worth the personal cost to yourself?

POINT 3

We must find our success on the road of sanctification even when it’s marked with suffering.

43-44 = laban’s compromise

45-55 = JACOB AND LABAN AGREE - like his forefathers

14-16

45-47 = Stone Witness

stone pillar - after the dream

proof of separation

Aramean - different people group = Syria

Aramean

different language like Babel

different gods… elohim - general god

48-53a = Peace Agreement

53b-54 = Oath & Covenant Meal

Genesis 31:53–54 ESV

53 The God of Abraham and the God of Nahor, the God of their father, judge between us.” So Jacob swore by the Fear of his father Isaac, 54 and Jacob offered a sacrifice in the hill country and called his kinsmen to eat bread. They ate bread and spent the night in the hill country.

55 = Farewell

Genesis 31:53–55 ESV

53 The God of Abraham and the God of Nahor, the God of their father, judge between us.” So Jacob swore by the Fear of his father Isaac, 54 and Jacob offered a sacrifice in the hill country and called his kinsmen to eat bread. They ate bread and spent the night in the hill country. 55 Early in the morning Laban arose and kissed his grandchildren and his daughters and blessed them. Then Laban departed and returned home.

Ultimately Laban chose SELF

Saw God’s blessings in Jacob

Experienced God’s power first hand

Rather than seeking to follow the truth of God’s plan, as witnessed by Jacob, he merely resented and coveted the blessing of God on Jacob. In his vigorous pursuit of worldly success, he lost his family, his wealth, and his hope of eternal life in Christ. He chose poorly!

Keith Krell

Ecclesiastes 4:4 ESV

4 Then I saw that all toil and all skill in work come from a man’s envy of his neighbor. This also is vanity and a striving after wind.

Mark 8:36 ESV

36 For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul?

Mk 8.36

BLANK SLIDE

When you look at this narrative if you were to take an honest account of whom you are most often like who would you best relate to Laban or Jacob? Where are you most tempted to turn away from God and follow self?

POINT 4

We must choose this day whom we will serve.

Why is this section of the narrative important for Israel?

Israel in Egypt

Why is this section of the narrative important for Israel?

Israel in Egypt

Years of Oppression

God’s Provision / Blessing / Command to leave

Enemy's pursuit

God’s protection / Return land of promise

Choice to serve / submit / recognize and worship

Jacob was being called by God to leave the known for the unknown, to step out in faith trusting that God would protect him and provide for him as He calls him to return to the land of promise which is inhabited by his enemy!

Sometimes it is hard to see the invisible God even when His work is evident.

Main points should support the theme.

points should follow textual sequence unless good reason to change.

use simple and clear transitions to give structure to movement.

= Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen

Use verse references before quoting so that listeners can read along.

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen

Use personal observances to illustrate difficult concepts.

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton: Standard Bible Society, 2016), .

CONCLUSION

Be brief.

Don’t introduce new material.

Hebrews 11:27 ESV

27 By faith he left Egypt, not being afraid of the anger of the king, for he endured as seeing him who is invisible.

narrow the focus don’t expand it.

Clinch the goal.

Give concrete applications.

LUTHER QUOTE

“FAITH IS A LIVING, DARING CONFIDENCE IN GOD’S GRACE, SO SURE AND CERTAIN THAT A MAN COULD STAKE HIS LIFE ON IT A THOUSAND TIMES.”

Martin Luther

“FAITH IS A LIVING, DARING CONFIDENCE IN GOD’S GRACE, SO SURE AND CERTAIN THAT A MAN COULD STAKE HIS LIFE ON IT A THOUSAND TIMES.”

Goal

God is calling us out of the seen to the unseen!

Application

Let us seek to follow God in FAITH.

CLOSE

Pray

------------------------

What it stands for

Warning

Communion Verses

COMMUNION TOGETHER

Fellowship With Each Other

Invisible God

Why write this to Israel?

How then does this apply to us today?

How then does this apply to me today

“FAITH IS A LIVING, DARING CONFIDENCE IN GOD’S GRACE, SO SURE AND CERTAIN THAT A MAN COULD STAKE HIS LIFE ON IT A THOUSAND TIMES.”