sf307 - GOD CHANGING JACOB (Genesis 49 29-33)

Genesis 49:29-33

INTRODUCTION

Background

God choosing Jacob - God challenging Jacob - God chastening Jacob - God changing Jacob

Bridge

We have the idea that if we have some sort of crises with God that carries us to a spiritual cloud nine that makes us instantly holy.  There is no such thing.

The rest of the story of Jacob teaches us that there are no short cuts with God!  No one-time experience will solve all of your problems.

Many have a crises experience, may be a death, sickness...

After the crises begins the process.  The crisis only catches our attention.  It is the PROCESS that matters.

So we come to the end of Jacob’s for it is on our deathbed that we often do or best reflecting.  Spurgeon wrote,

“He who had journeyed with unwearied foot fully many a mile was not obliged to gather up his feet into the bed to die.  His life had been eventful in the highest degree, but that dread event now came upon him which is common to us all.  He had deceived his blind father in his youth, but no craftiness of Jacob could deceive the grave.  He had fled from Esau, his angry brother, but a swifter and surer foot was now in pursuit, from which there was no escape.  He had slept with a stone for his pillow and had seen heaven opened, but he was to find that it was only to be entered by the ordinary gate.  He had wrestled with the angel at the brook Jabbok, and he had prevailed; at this time he was to wrestle with an angel, against whom there was no prevalence.  He had dwelt in Canaan in tents, in the midst of enemies, and the Lord had said, ‘Touch not mine anointed, and do My prophets no harm,’ and therefore he had been secure in the midst of a thousand ills; but now he must fall by the hand of the last enemy and feel the great avenger’s sword.”

1A.      THE PERSON GOD CHANGED

1B.      He was self-centered

2B.      He was self-sufficient

3B.      He was sinful

4B.      He was subdued

2A.      THE PROCESS GOD USED

God worked through Jacob's family to make him what He wanted.  Jacob probably thought that after Jabbok he would not have any more problems.  It is only after God gets our attention that he can really begin to work on us.

1B.      The Defilement of Dinah (34:1-7)

Ø      Jacob had allowed his daughter to go to the wrong place with the wrong people.

2B.      The Deceptive Act of Simeon and Levi (34:8-31)

Ø      In an effort to avenge for their sister, they committed an even greater sin.

3B.      The Death of Rachel (35:16-26)

4B.      The Disappearance of Joseph (37:31-35)

Ø      As you look at the life of Jacob one chapter at a time, you don't see much change.

Illustration - A 500 piece puzzle

3A.      THE PATRIARCH GOD PRODUCED

1B.      Jacob knew who he was.  (47:7)

Jacob had become a prince with God

Ø      Pharaoh wanted to meet him.  The day came magnificent scene. 

Ø      Every eye on Jacob, every man was afraid of Joseph.

Jacob became a blessing to Pharaoh

Ø      Amazed that an old shepherd was coming - shepherds were an abomination to Egyptians. 

Ø      This was Jacob’s finest hour he was not ashamed.

Ø      Jacob blessed Pharaoh (text says it twice).  He said to Pharaoh "You may be a prince with man but I am a prince with God."

Ø      He was a bigger man than Pharaoh and Abraham.

2B.      Jacob knew where he was going.  (49:29-33)

He gave instructions concerning his burial.  (49:29-32)

Ø      On his deathbed ‑ do not bury me in Egypt.  Bury me in Canaan.

He gave information concerning his belief.  (49:33)

Ø      This was a different Jacob, at one time he would given anything to get his hands on the treasures of Egypt. 

Ø      He had been in Egypt for 17 years, but Egypt had not been in him for 17 seconds.

Ø      Learned to be in the world but not of the world.  Don't bury me in Egypt God has made me to live in Egypt but my heart has been in Canaan bury me with God's people!

3B.      Jacob knew why he had lived.  (49:1-28)

He had a legacy to leave.

He had prophecy to share.

Ø      In his blessing on his sons, he sees the complete history of the nation Israel.

Ø      He can see things in God's Word that other men cannot see.  (49:10)

CONCLUSION

God works on us and in us one day at a time.

Trust God's pace as well as His plan.

Submit to God's hand before we can secure His help.

GOD CHANGING JACOB
Sunday, November 15, 1998 - Genesis 49:29-33

1A.      THE PERSON GOD __________________________

1B.      He was self-____________________

2B.      He was self-sufficient

3B.      He was _________________________

4B.      He was subdued

2A.      THE PROCESS GOD _______________________

1B.      The Defilement of __________________  (34:1-7)

2B.      The Deceptive __________ of Simeon and Levi  (34:8‑31)

3B.      The __________________ of Rachel  (35:16‑26)

4B.      The ___________________ of Joseph  (37:31‑35)

3A.      THE PATRIARCH GOD _______________________

1B.      Jacob ____________ who he was.  (47:7)

Jacob had become a ___________ with God

Jacob became a ________________ to Pharaoh

2B.      Jacob knew where he was __________.  (49:29-33)

He gave instructions concerning his _______.  (29-32)

He gave information concerning his _________.  (33)

3B.      Jacob knew ____________ he had lived.  (49:1-28)

He had a legacy to leave.

He had prophecy to _____________.