Jacob Series for 2007

Selling Out Your Godly Heritage

Sunday a.m. 6/3/07

Gen. 25:27-34

4 areas of our life that will always be under attack:

I. Family!

A. The Ingredients for Sibling Rivalry Stew, 25:27-28

1. First Add a Little Natural Diversity

a. One loved the country, a hunter

b. One loved staying at home, the Geek

2. Second, Add a little Favoritism Between Mom and Dad

a. One wanted to be just like dad

b. One was a momma’s boy

B. A Lesson for parents:

1. Do not compare one sibling against the other openly,

“Why aren’t you like your brother ....”

2. Do not show favoritism

3. Learn, don’t repeat, from your parent’s mistakes;

(Abraham showed favoritism to Issac over Ishmael)

II. Lifestyle! (Our Outward Walk with God)

A. What Price Have You Placed On Being Godly? 25:29-33

B. Where will you sell out?

1. Could it be a situation? 25:29-30

2. Could it be over a possession? 25:31

3. Could it be over a position? 25:31

4. Could it be over a physical weakness? 25:32

5. Could it be over a moment of weakness? 25:32

III. Inner Peace! (Giving in to Self/Flesh)

A. “Selling your soul” 25:33

B. 4 steps to “giving in to sin!”

1. First we see something that appeals to us, Lust of the eyes.

2. Then we think we must have it, Lust of the flesh.

3. Then we choose to compromise self over Godliness, Pride of life.

4. When pleasing God looses it’s value, we will compromise every time!

IV. Our Name! (Who We Really Are When it is All Stripped Away)

A. It was just a Birthright, 25:34

1. It was a matter of Possession or great value,

a. a 1/3 more of the inheritance. Material wealth

b. Has God promised us a wealth of blessing if we remain faithful?

2. It was a Position, #1 in the family, Others looked to you for guidance

a. Do you realize that others are watching to see if and when you will fail?

b. Do we realize how many depend on our steadfast walk with God?

3. It was one of Power, Right to make decisions

If you are in a position to make decisions, I hope your trusting God.

4. It was a matter of Priority (the main message from last week)

B. He despised the greatest gift God could give him;

Respect, honor and a good reputation.

1. Is given to the humble, Jacob was a quiet man

2. Is given to those who regard its true value

3. Is given to those who will recognize its worth and protect it.

Hey Christian, are you under attack? Are you on the verge of compromise?

The 4 Ways Waiting On God’s Will to be Accomplished Affects Us:

A. Time--we don’t want to wait

B. Method--God’s methods are too diverse and surprising

C. Plan--God is too complicated

D. Impatient--I am going to do it my way, at my time, with my plan. Why? 1). Lack of trust (faith),

2). Reliance on self,

3). God is a liar--attack His character and nature

3 Deadly Sins That Will Destroy A Home

Sunday 6/10/07 a.m.

Gen. 27

Birthright--Material Heir, Esau sold to Jacob thru compromise.

Blessing--Spiritual Heir, stolen from Esau by Jacob thru deception.

God doesn’t give His blessing to the ungodly!

God’s will: Gen. 25:22-23 Jacob to be heir

I. 1st Sin: Deception and Lying

Sin in the Family: 1. Wife withholding from husband

2. Brother out to deceive brother in the power of his flesh, the will and work of God. (Gen. 25:29-34)

II. 2nd Sin: A heart that is far from God

Esau did not care about Godly things.

A. Sold his birthright--Gen. 25

B. Married ungodly women--Gen. 26:34-35

C. Cared for nothing but material gain--Gen. 27: 1-4

D. He still wanted the blessing so that he could get the inheritance!

III. 3rd Sin - A Bad Example to Be Copied

The Wife sets out to deceive the husband;

Leads children to believe deception is OK

(1st in dad, 26:6-11, then in mom, 27:5-29)

A. Lies are told; 27:18-19 --I am Esau—Jacob lies about who he is

B. My name: 27:19—Jacob lies about what he can do

C. Jacob Lies about the speed and efficiency in which he can do, 27:20

(BUT he gave the credit – “God has helped me”--27:20)

1. Out of a fear of rejection and being ourselves we impersonate and imitate others 27:21-25

2. We develop close relationships for personal gain (kiss me), 27:26-27

3. We ignorantly believe that people will forget the unresolved problems between them. 27:41-45

a). Problems don’t just go away.

b). They must be dealt with ASAP!

IV. Results of Lies and Deception

A. Bitterness in marriages --Gen. 27:12-13

B. Physical breakdowns--Gen. 27:33

C. Bitterness in families or siblings--Gen. 27:34

D. Anger and murder--Gen. 27:41

E. Separation--Gen. 27:43-45

F. Guilt takes away will to live--Gen. 27:46

G. Fear that sins will be duplicated--Gen. 27:46

Afraid that Jacob will marry ungodly women

V. How Do I Stop the Sin Cycle In My Home?

A. Do not withhold from one another

1. God’s revelations

2. Feelings

3. Truths

B. Talk things through

C. Confront in love

D. Believe that God is at work

E. Trust in God

F. Wait on God

G. Confess the sin to one another, then to God.

The Blindness of a Father

Sunday 6/17/07 a.m.

Text: 27:1

I. A Problem with a Few Lies

Issac Lived a Lie and Harmed his Testimony, 26:6-11

A. A moment of unbelief, panic and fear of men

B. Sought a Temporary man-made solution

C. Reasoned within Himself, instead of reasoning with God

II. A Problem With Leading His Sons

Issac was Displeased with Esaus choice of a mate, 26:34-35

A. Failed to relay the importance of choosing a godly wife.

B. Esau may have been spiting his father out of rebellion!

(cf.25:18 Ishmaels choice of wives and how the family interpreted it.)

C. If the family looked down on Ishmael, then they would not be happy with his choices.

D. Failed to teach the importance of the birthright.

E. Failed to teach love within the family for one another,

Esau hated Jacob, and vice-versa.

III. A Problem With Dying

Issac Paniced With Anxiety in his Old Age, 27:1-4

A. Issac feared death, and that he would not leave anything to his children.

B. Ishmael died at the age of 137, 25:17

C. Issac died at the age of 180 (35:28)

D. Issac was over 123 (some scholars say 137) when he “thought” he was near death

E. Issac suffered a panic attack!

IV. A Problem With Being a Good Father and Husband

Issac had a Marriage Full of Deceit

A. Lying - Rebekkah thought it was OK, Jacob thought it was OK.

B. God allowed Jacob to receive a name to remind dad of his sinfullness!

C. Lack of trust and communication between husband and wife; ch.27

D. Rebellion in the older son;

E. Deceit in the younger;

F. Two groups plotting against one another;

G. Parents unwilling to discipline their children!

H. Truly a typical disfunctional biblical family.

V. But He Didn’t Have a Problem With Being Blessed By God

Issac had learned how to be forgiven!

A. Noticed by those close to him, 26:23-25

B. Noticed and confirmed by those outside of him, 26:26-29

Following Jacob Up His Ladder

Sunday 6/24/07 a.m.

Text: Genesis 28

I. Following God Demands Great Sacrifice, 28:1-9.

A. You cannot marry a lost woman, regardless of how attractive she may be, 28:1. Who we cannot hang with

B. Marry a righteous woman, 28:2 Who we can hang with

C. And may El-Shaddai find you and bless you, 28:3

Trust God for provision

D. Do not seek my blessing; it is worthless w/o God’s touch! 28:4

Learn the difference between doing God’s work in the power of your flesh.

E. Jacob leaves his family, to follow God (even though he doesn’t realize yet) 28:5 “I have come to bring a sword” Matt. 10:34-39

II. Following God Demands Great Humility, 28:10-17.

A. What the Ladder represents;

1. 1st, it is a dream, not a reality.

2. As a dream, it has certain meanings and must be interpreted carefully.

3. See John 1:51 and Jesus referral, Angels ascending and descending ministering to Christ.

4. It is picturesque of an access to God

5. Notice that it is God who is at the top of the ladder

6. The ladder itself represents the uninterrupted fellowship between God and His people here on earth.

7. The angelic ministers represent the care and watch-care of God for His own!

God’s “ministering Spirits” are ascending and descending.

B. God renews His covenant with Jacob:

1. 28:13 I Am the same God of your father and grandfather

2. As I provided for them, I will provide for you. cf.28:3

3. The land on which you lie will be given to you and your descendants.

4. 28:14 Your descendants will be many

5. All of the families of the earth shall be blessed through you.

6. 28:15 I will always be with you

7. I will bring you back to this land.

C. Meetings with God should knock us off our feet, 28:16-17.

1. Jacob was surprised

2. Jacob was afraid

3. Jacob was humbled in God’s house.

III. Following God Demands Great Commitment, 28:18-22.

A. It begins at an altar!

The use of oil suggests an altar. 7 facts about an altar:

1. An altar is a place of remembrance; It is a marker, starting point. 28:18

2. If oil is representative of the Holy Spirit, then an altar must be Spirit led. 28:18

3. An Altar is a place where you meet God. 28:19 Bethel

4. Sometimes it involves a promise made to God, 28:20 vow

5. An Altar involves surrender to God’s Lordship, 28:21

6. An altar has the presence of God, God’s house or dwelling place, 28:22

7. An Altar is a choice between God and His competitors. 28:22

(mammon or master?)

B. Commitment to God should not be conditional.

1. Conditional promises however can prove our unbelief; look at all of the ifs.

“If God will be with me” 28:20a

“If God will watch over me” 28:20b

“If God will feed me, 28:20c”

“If God will bring me back to here in peace” with my older brother, 28:21

“Then I will call Him my God”!

2. What kind of miracle do I need to see God Perform to believe in Him?

3. Are we guilty of secretly believing at times that God must jump through our hoops?

The Unbridled Heart

Sunday 7/1/07 a.m.

Text: Genesis 29

I. Unbridled Passion Compromises and Perverts Legitimate Needs, 29:1-14.

Look at me ain’t I special!

A. Jacob sees Rachel and falls in love, v.10.

People need to be loved

B. Jacob works hard to win Rachel’s admiration, v.10

People need to be acknowledged when they do good.

C. Jacob kisses her to impress her, v.11

People need to release their emotions through some means.

D. Jacob uses his lineage to impress further, v.12.

People should not be ashamed of who they are, or where they come from.

E. Jacob works to impress the in-laws, vv.13-14

People strive to be accepted

II. Unbridled Passion Work’s Hard to Have It’s Needs Met, 29:15-20.

I’ll do anything to get what I want!

A. To work 7 years without a paycheck! v.18

B. I want the pretty one! v.17

C. Even Laban agrees that lost and saved should not intermingle and marry, v.19.

D. Working hard for what you want makes time fly, v.20.

III. Uncontrolled Passion Results In Sin and Deceit, 29:21-30.

The danger of relying on emotion and feelings alone.

A. Give me what I am due right now! v.21 OK, deceiver (Laban knows his name)

B. See what happens when you party with lost people, v.22.

1. Christians need to remain separated.

2. Party and drinking crowd is not God’s will for His children.

C. Jacob’s sin “comes around”:

1. In his drunken state he could not “see well”, vv.23-24.

(Isaac and his eyesight)

2. Sin’s paycheck eventually comes, “Why have you deceived me?”

3. I wonder how the deceiver felt being deceived for a change?

4. You reap what you sow!

D. How bad do you want my daughter?

Would you work another 7 years? vv. 26-29.

E. Passions need is never satisfied; 4 women to satisfy sexual thirst:

Leah - Zilpah Rachel - Bilhah

IV. Unbridled Passions and Emotions Lead to a List of Sins, 29:30-35

When I get what I want, I will be satisfied.

A. Jacob loved the things that appealed to his flesh:

1. She was his 1st love - sight and the eyes

2. She was prettier in form and face - pride of life

3. She was not as godly as Leah, compare Leah’s childrens names with Rachel’s.

B. Jacob chases after what he thinks he wants, v.30.

C. God has a way of reminding us who is in control, v.31.

D. Rejection is terrible for the initiator as well as the recipient.

1. God sees the way we treat others, v.31.

2. Leah’s cry for love, vv. 32-35.

3. The names of Leah’s sons shows her desperate need for someone to love her:

a. Now my husband will love me, v.32.

b. The Lord knows I am unloved, v.33.

c. Surely now my husband will notice me, v.34.

d. Finally she receives some attention, v.35.

E. Why was she finally noticed? To meet Jacob’s sinful sensual needs;

1. The low estate of rejection and desperation:

2. Her acceptance was not on looks, form, or godliness.

3. Her acceptance was based on how she met Jacob’s selfish needs:

Need for sex, boys, bragging (look at what I have)

To drive the knife into Rachel’s soul, “why can’t you produce for me”?

And now Leah becomes just as selfish and sinful.

You may be prettier Rachel, but I am producing the sons.

How does it feel to be unwanted and appreciated?

F. Look at the list:

sexual appetite, rejection of others, desperation, selfishness, pride,

bitterness, and vengeance.

The Private War Within Jacob’s Soul

Sunday 7/8/07 a.m.

Text: Genesis 29-31 & Galatians 5:19-23

I. 14 Deeds of the Flesh, Gal. 5:19-21 (Character Traits Checklist)

A. The person who lives after this manner unrestrained is hellbound, Gal.5:21.[1]

B. The Christian who follows these sins is bound to their passions and desires, Gal. 5:24.

C. This is the hellish behavior after the power of the flesh.

D. It shows us where sin gets it’s power!

E. The apostle then solemnly warned the Galatians, as he had done when he was in their midst, that those who live like this, who habitually indulge in these fleshly sins will not inherit the future kingdom of God.

II. The List Practiced In the Life of Jacob.

A. First, three sexual sins are mentioned.

1-3. Immorality, Impurity, and Sensuality[2] - 30:3. 9-13.

B. Second, two religious sins. (5:20)

4. Idolatry 31:19

5. Sorcery - witchcraft and drugs.[3] (See above)

C. Eight societal evils are then listed (the last one in Gal. 5:21)[4]

6. Enmities - 30:6 vindication or vengeance.

7. Strife - 31:22-30

8. Jealousy - 30:1

9. Outbursts of anger - 30:2, 31:36

10. Disputes - 30:25

11. Dissensions or divisions - 30:26, let me depart.

12. Factions, heresies - see #2 above

13. Envying - 30:1,8

D. Two sins associated with alcohol fall in a fourth category of evils.

14-15. Drunkenness and carousing[5] - 29:21-25

E. Why did God still bless Jacob?

1. Because he never followed after a strange God.

2. In spite of his sin, Jacob remained faithful to the one true God!

III. Jacob’s 7 Choices Made In the Power of His Flesh

1. Choice of Rachel - good-looking yet after the manner of the flesh.

2. Drunkenness at Laban’s party

3. Immorality. Sex with several women.

4. Flees from Laban to avoid confrontation and to be deceitful.

5. Deception of Esau

6. Deception of his own father Isaac.

7. Favoritism in wives and his son Joseph.

IV. 9 Deeds of the Spirit, Gal. 5:22-23 (Character Traits Checklist)

Most of these are exhibited in Leah - the rejected one.

1. Love

2. Joy

3. Peace

4. Patience

5. Kindness

6. Goodness

7. Faithfulness

8. Gentleness

9. Self-control

What are you wrestling with today?

The 7 Obstacles or Hurdles to Obeying God

Sunday 7/15/07 a.m.

Text: Genesis 31:1-13, 32:1-21

What is the name of the Obstacle in your life today, that keeps you from obeying God?

God Speaks to Jacob 31:1-13

7 Facts about God Jacob has Learned:

1. God has been with me, 31:5 Never Leaves Us

2. God has not allowed harm to come to me, 31:7 Protection

3. God alone has prospered me because of my obedience to Him, 31:9 God Prospered Jacob because he answered God’s call, 31:11

4. God sees all of the wrong done to us, 31:12 El-roi

5. He is the true God of God’s house (Bethel), 31:13a He is God!

6. He is a God who will uphold our vows made to Him, 31:13b Faithful

7. Now, return and claim what I have promised you! 31:13C Promises

The 7 Obstacles to Obeying A Tough Command From God

I. The Obstacle of the Past, 32:3-6

II. The Obstacle of Fear, 32:7-8

III. The Obstacle of Division, 32:8-12

IV. The Obstacle of Unbelief, 32:9-12

God YOU have called me to these things!

A. God YOU said to me that I should return, and that YOU would prosper me, 32:9

B. Save me from my past mistakes, my past sins, I alone deserve to be judged, 32:11

C. God I am only obeying what YOU told me to do, 32:12

V. The Obstacle of Buying Favor With People, 32:13-16

A. Not being yourself

B. Gifts and presents will gain me friendships

C. I can always buy my way out of trouble.

D. A true friend does not charge or expect gifts.

E. They are satisfied with your presence.

VI. The Obstacle of the Fear of Confrontation, 32:17-20a

A. Sending someone else to do what you alone must and can do.

B. Assuming the worst instead of trusting God.

1. The Twin Obstacles of Acceptance and Rejection, 32:20b-21

What is the name of the Obstacle in your life today, that keeps you from obeying God?

“Fight Night Down at the Jabbok”

Sunday 7/22/07 a.m.

Text: Genesis 32:22-31

Coming back to God and recommitting one’s life involves an intricate process.
It is a sad fact, that for most of us, we wait until we face a situation in life that is dark and dreary, before we will turn and get right with God.
Jacob is preparing to meet his past, and the consequences of past sinful actions.
Remember that it is God who has sent him back to deal with his past.
God will not, and cannot fully bless us while we still have refused to deal with sin towards our fellow man. (Horizontal relationships)
So now Jacob faces his valley of the shadow of death.
It is a dark night; it is a quiet night; it is a lonely night; and Jacob calls on God to come and meet with him.
Then out of the shadows steps a man.
They stare at one another. They circle, waiting for one or the other to make the first move.
Jacob may think it is Esau.
Then they meet in a wrestler’s grasp and begin to roll and tumble under the dim light of night.
Have you ever been there?
Away from God. Desiring to get right with Him. Afraid of the next day’s events. Hoping for a last minute rescue? This is the format for such a meeting.

I. Put Away the Distractions, 32:22-24a

A. Remove family interrupters

B. Remove yourself from your possessions

C. Remove yourself from anything you will be tempted to cling to.

D. Remember, God wants you to be alone with Him.

E. This is always the best way to prepare properly for prayer.

(Abraham, Jacob, Moses, David, Nehemiah, Jesus alone on the mountain)

II. Be Prepared to Wrestle With the Lord, 32:24b-28

A. Set your face to contend for a battle.

B. Surrender to the bold reality that I need to meet with God.

C. This will happen usually when you come to the end of yourself.

D. Tired of living life your way.

E. Do not leave until you have God’s peace that you will receive a blessing.

1. The blessing of confession;

2. The blessing of forgiveness;

3. The blessing of receiving God’s grace;

4. The blessing of being right with God;

5. The blessing of being right with man;

6. The blessing of getting a chance to live fresh and renewed;

7. The blessing of leaving a changed person for the better.

A Broken Hip That Led to a Broken Will

Sunday 7/29/07 a.m.

Text: Genesis 33

How Can My Stubborn Sinful Will be Broken? or

How Do I Know That God Has Gotten My Attention?

A True Meeting With God Leads to A Changed Life, 32:25, 27-31

“The Mark of God”

A changed name, from “deceiver” to “he who strives with God”
Changed “walk” God has now marked Jacob as one of His.
Sincere meetings with God always result in us being changed.
The injury is a reminder/warning to Jacob that he should not wrestle with God again.

I. Can only Come When We Quit Fighting With God, Gen.32:25, 27-31.

A. God has changed me,

B. God has marked me,

C. God has warned me.

II. Can Only Come When We Are Willing to Deal With Our Sins, 33:1-3.

A. Jacob’s sin of fear, 33:1a. (Fear of the Egyptian ruler)

B. Partiality, 33:1b-2. (Partiality towards Joseph)

C. Jacob was still trying to please men, 33:3.

(Sent gifts to win the Egyptian rulers favor)

D. Jacob by the way never fully dealt with these on a regular basis, they all eventually returned to almost totally destroy his family! (repeat the italics)

III. Can Only Come When We Have God’s Blessing on Our Lives, 33:4-17.

5 proofs of God’s blessing on Jacob’s life:

A. Forgiveness not bitterness from Esau, 33:4;

B. Joy between the former enemies, 33:5;

C. Respect from Jacob’s family towards Esau, 33:6-7;

D. Able to see God in the situation, 33:10; (face to face - Peniel)

E. Restoration, “come and live in the land of our fathers”, 33:12-17.

Came through invitation, not through battle!

IV. Can Only Come When the Inner Heart Has Surrendered to God, 33:18-20.

This altar is Jacob’s outward sign of the surrender within his heart.

A. Surrender to God is a place of safety and security for the Christian. 33:18

B. Surrender demands an altar, a meeting with God, to whom have I surrendered.

C. Surrender must be unconditional.

D. Surrender demands a declaration/confession of who was the victor, 33:20.

The name of the altar states: Here I declare that God has won the battle against the “one who strives with God”.

“The Sin of the Fathers”

Sunday 8/5/07 a.m.

Text: Genesis 34

Deuteronomy 5:9 “for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me,”

Revelation 14:12-13 “And their works follow them”

Galatians 6:7 “Ye shall reap what you sow”

It does not hurt the Christian to occasionally look behind them and see how their life is affecting others in their path.
Ultimately God judges salvation by the choice of what you did with Jesus.
Ultimately the world will judge us by how much we allowed that choice to conform us.
Whether it be a life of righteous works, or sin, we are free to choose either; and reap the consequences.
Jacob is now reaping the results of a life of deceit and lying.
All the devil wants us to do is to crack the door and then he busts the door down to wreak havoc in every area of our life.

I. Friendship With the World, 34:1-12

Compromise with the world is always the fruit of either; a fear of men, being rejected by our peers, or the pursuit and burning desire to feed the pleasures of the flesh.

A. It begins with fellowshipping with the lost! 34:1 (raw-aw ---more than just see or look at!)

B. Why is it that the world can so easily influence us, and not us influence the world?

Flirting with world however almost always ends in SIN!

C. Result with flirting with the lost man, rape - 34:2.

D. The world’s men are spoiled and driven by lust, 34:3-4.

1. Why do we give our kids everything they want, instead of what they need?

2. The flesh is never satisfied, it always craves for more Gen. 2:16-17, 3:1-5.

E. Flirting with the world leads to the temptation to compromise, 34:5-6.

F. Sin always leads to a grieved Spirit, 34:7.

G. Complete compromise is the desired result of the world, 34:8-12.

1. Promise of friendship, (Friendship with the world - enemy of God)

2. Promise of fleshly pleasures - “good to the eyes”;

wealth, fame land, peace with men, trade (social acceptance).

II. Deceit, 34:13-23

A. Jacob’s deceit is now bearing fruit in the lives of his sons, “like father like son”. (cf. 27:35 – They were being “Jacobly”)

B. A noble compromise, become Jewish outwardly, without the inner heart commitment - 34:14-17.

C. They that live by deceit, shall die by the same; Satan’s plan exposed - 34:18-23. (Don’t miss Hamor’s intent in vs. 23 – to plunder Jacob’s livestock!)

D. (You reap what you sow)

III. Host of Other Sins

All the devil wants us to do is to crack the door

A. Murder, 34:24-27.

B. Stealing, 34:28-29.

C. Shame to parents, 34:30.

D. Justification of the sin, 34:31.

Are you allowing a compromise with the world’s system?

There is a lot at stake here!

Have you cracked the door to compromise, or allowed in the lives of your children?

Dying Right

Sunday 8/12/07 a.m.

Text: Genesis 35

I. Destroy Your Idols Instead of Hiding Them, 35:2,4

We are to crucify the works of the flesh, Galatians 5:24

II. Settle In Your Heart Who Is Going to be Your God! 35:6-15

III. Please Conquer Disobedience, 35:16

A. Do not disobey God and leave God’s house! (Cf. 35:1 vs. 35:16)

1. Jacob made a promise to God in 28:20[6]

2. God reminded him of the promise in 31:13[7]

B. Evidently the journey was strenuous to Rachel, severe labor.

(Is this a “type” to be fulfilled in Christ birth? A pregnant mother journeying to Bethlehem?)

C. It is a short distance geographically (Bethel to Bethlehem)

(It is just a small step of disobedience!)

D. Jacob is Leaving the “House of God” to the “house of bread”. Notice the word play, he leaves the Spirit to meet the needs of the flesh; from the priority of feeding the hunger of his Spirit, to settle for the hunger of his flesh.

IV. Be Careful of What You Pray For! 35:17-19

A. 35:17 Why is another son so important to Rachel?

1. Cf.30:1 She pronounces upon herself her death sentence![8]

2. Cf. 30:24 what does she pray for?[9]

B. 35:18 The significance of the different names from:

“Son of sorrow, to son of my right hand” (pessimist vs. optimist)

1. A prophecy of the painful loss to come in the life of Joseph.

2. He is another son from Rachel’s womb to comfort Jacob in the future.

3. God is already on the scene preparing us for future pain.

C. 35:19 Rachel dies and is buried on the path. (But bless God she got what she wanted!)

V. Deal With Your Sinful Weaknesses NOW, and Do It Biblically

A. 35:20 Jacob marks the grave of one of his “favorites”.

(Does this mean that God has dealt severely enough with Jacob that this sin is gone out of his life?)

B. Showing favorites was a family tradition!

1. Issac was Abraham’s favorite;

2. Jacob was his mother’s favorite;

3. and Rachel was Jacob’s favorite;

4. BUT there is still one more favorite to be revealed!

35:21 But Jacob continues towards Bethlehem; Significance of the “Tower of Eder”?

VI. Guard Yourself Against Rebellion, or You Will See It In Your Children, 35:22-26

A. 35:22 Reuben (the oldest) goes and defiles his fathers concubine.

B. Not only incest, immorality, lust, unnatural, coveting, but forcefully trying to take the place of his father as the head!

Jacob hears of it and refuses to deal with it.

Maybe he was tired of fighting his own sins, much less those of his children!

35:23 - 26 List of Jacob’s 12 sons:

Leah - Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Zebulun

Rachel - Joseph and Benjamin

Bilhah - Dan and Naphtali

Zilpah - Gad and Asher

VII. Be Prepared to Deal With Death, the Final Curse of Sin

A. 35:27 Jacob returns to his father in order to tell him that all is well between he and Esau.

B. 35:28 Isaac is 180 years old, making Jacob 120 years old, cf. 25:26.

C. 35:29 Fitting end to Isaac’s life, his son’s reconciled.

Was he waiting for this to happen before he died?

Be sure that when you die, that all is well horizonically as well as vertically!

D. Deaths in Genesis 35

35:8 - Deborah Rebekah’s nurse dies; (any record of Rebekah’s death?)

35:19 - Rachel dies;

35:29 - Isaac dies.

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[1] This does not say that a Christian loses his salvation if he lapses into a sin of the flesh, but that a person who lives continually on such a level of moral corruption gives evidence of not being a child of God.

[2] Sexual immorality (porneia) is often translated “fornication.” Porneia refers to any and all forms of illicit sexual relationships.

Impurity (akatharsia) is a broad term referring to moral uncleanness in thought, word, and deed (cf. Eph. 5:3-4).

Debauchery (aselgeia) connotes an open, shameless, brazen display of these evils (cf. 2 Cor. 12:21 where the same words occur; aselgeia is included in Rom. 13:13).

[3] Idolatry involved the worship of pagan gods by bowing to idols, and because of its mention just after the listing of sexual sins it probably includes the male and female prostitution so often a part of heathen religion.

Witchcraft is the translation of the Greek word pharmakeia from which the term “pharmacy” comes. In ancient times the worship of evil powers was accompanied by the use of drugs to create trances. This vice will also be prominent in the Tribulation period (cf. Rev. 9:21; 18:23).

[4] Hatred (echthrai) is in the plural form, denoting primarily a feeling of enmity between groups.

Discord (eris) is the natural result of “hatred” and no doubt a problem in the Galatian church.

Jealousy (zēlos) refers not to the godly form but to the sinful and self-centered type. (These two words, eris and zelos, are also listed in Rom. 13:13.)

Fits of rage (thymoi) or outbursts of temper, often come as a final eruption of smoldering jealousy.

Selfish ambition (eritheiai) is a self-aggrandizing attitude which shows itself in working to get ahead at other’s expense (cf. Phil. 2:3).

Dissensions (dichostasiai) and factions (haireseis) describe what happens when people quarrel over issues or personalities, causing hurtful divisions.

Envy (5:21) (phthonoi) is an evil feeling, a wrongful desire to possess what belongs to someone else. Thus the sinful nature is seen to be responsible for the breakdown of interpersonal relationships in homes, churches, and in public society.

[5] Drunkenness (methai) refers to excessive use of strong drink by individuals, and

orgies (kōmoi) probably refers to the drunken carousings commonly associated with such things as the worship of Bacchus, the god of wine.

[6] 19 And he called the name of that place Bethele: but the name of that city was called Luz at the first. 20 And Jacob vowed a vow, saying, If God will be with me, and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat, and raiment to put on, 21 So that I come again to my father’s house in peace; then shall the LORD be my God: 22 And this stone, which I have set for a pillar, shall be God’s house: and of all that thou shalt give me I will surely give the tenth unto thee.

[6] 19 And he called the name of that place Bethel: but the name of that city was called Luz at the first. 20 And Jacob vowed a vow, saying, If God will be with me, and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat, and raiment to put on, 21 So that I come again to my father’s house in peace; then shall the LORD be my God: 22 And this stone, which I have set for a pillar, shall be God’s house: and of all that thou shalt give me I will surely give the tenth unto thee.

[7] 13 I am the God of Bethel, where thou anointedst the pillar, and where thou vowedst a vow unto me: now arise, get thee out from this land, and return unto the land of thy kindred.

[8] 1 And when Rachel saw that she bare Jacob no children, Rachel envied her sister; and said unto Jacob, Give me children, or else I die. 2 And Jacob’s anger was kindled against Rachel: and he said, Am I in God’s stead, who hath withheld from thee the fruit of the womb?

[9] 24 And she called his name Joseph; and said, The LORD shall add to me another son.