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Jacob
Objective: Seeing that God still blesses people even when they fail in living moral lives, and realizing that not all families are perfect.
Opening Prayer
Anytime we read scripture, it’s great to take time to ask the Holy Spirit, who inspired the scriptures, to open our eyes, ears, minds and hearts to hear what he wants to teach us.
Heavenly Father, through these words help me understand the things you wish to teach me.
Dear Jesus, through these words let me feel the love you have for me as you feel your Father’s love for you.
Holy Spirit, through these words inspire me to live as a follower of Jesus and bring your love to everyone I meet today.
Amen
God’s Prophecy
Rebecca was barren; Isaac prayed for her to have children
The pregnancy was difficult; the twins struggled in the womb
Rebecca prayed and received a prophecy from God about Jacob before his birth
“Two nations are within you; You will give birth to two rival peoples, One will be stronger than the other; The older will serve the younger.” (Gen 25:23)
Who is Jacob?
Grandson of Abraham & Sarah
Son of Isaac & RebeccaOlder twin brother Esau –
means “hairy” or “red”Jacob – means “supplanter”
or “cheater”Favored by his mother,
RebeccaFaithful to God and Abraham,
unlike his brother
The first one was reddish, and his skin was like a hairy robe, so he was named Esau. The second one was born holding on tightly to the heel of Esau, so he was named Jacob. (Gen 25:25-26)
Brains vs. Braun
Esau was a skilled hunter; Jacob was quiet and stayed home
Jacob tricked his brother into trading his birthright for a bowl of soup
Jacob, with his mother’s help, later tricked his father into giving him the final blessing that was intended for Esau
Jacob becomes the spiritual leader of the family after Isaac's death and the heir of the promises of Abraham
One day while Jacob was cooking some bean soup, Esau came in from hunting. He was hungry and said to Jacob, “I’m starving; give me some of that red stuff.” (Gen 25:29-30)
Back to the Homeland
Fearing that Esau would kill his brother. Rebecca tells Jacob to go to Haran
Adding to the deception, Rebecca convinces Isaac to send Jacob to Haran to find a suitable wife Rebecca said to Isaac, “I am sick and tired
of Esau’s foreign wives. If Jacob also marries one of these Hittites, I might as well die.” (Gen 27:46)
Esau’s Foreign Wives
Esau married two Canaanite women in violation of Abraham’s (and God’s) command not to take Canaanite wives
Having foreign wives meant Esau’s children were not in the Abrahamic line, making Jacob the legitimate heir
Esau later married one of the daughters of Ishmael to appease his father
Esau then understood that his father Isaac did not approve of Canaanite women. (Gen 28:8)
The Canaanites worshipped many gods and idols. Their practices were immoral and sometimes included sorcery and human sacrifice.
Stairway to Heaven
On his way to Haran, God speaks to Jacob in a dream
God confirms the third part of the Covenant that Jacob’s descendants will be a great nation and through them all nations will be blessed (Gen 28:13-14)
He dreamed that he saw a stairway reaching from earth to heaven, with angels going up and coming down on it. And there was the Lord standing beside him. (Gen 28:12-13)
Recurring Themes
Difficulty having childrenMessages from God in a
vision or dreamBirthright not given to
firstborn sonTravelling back to
ancestral country for a wife
Shepherding the flockSibling Rivalry
Coming Attractions
Jacob flees for his lifeJacob is on the
receiving end of deception
Jacob takes a wife—or two
To be continued…
The plot thickens when Jacob arrives in Haran and set’s his eyes on Laban’s daughter, Rachel.
Small Groups
Go to your rooms for Small Group
Return to this room for the final 15 minutes for our closing reflection
Announcements
Friday, Oct 25……………Cagle Corn MazeOct 27……………………..Faith Exploration Day
(FED)Oct 27 & 30……………… No PSRNov 3 & 6.......................Rachel & LeahNov 10............................Catechist Certification
DayNov 10 & 13....................No PSR
Think About It
Why don’t these people in scripture listen to God?
The Road So Far
Stories about families who don’t always get along
People who don’t make good decisions
Sometimes the people in scripture don’t listen to God
They don’t do exactly what God wants
Why???
Father Knows Best
The Bible teaches by example…both good and bad
God keeps trying to bring them…and us…into a Covenant with Him
A Covenant is a sacred family bond
God wants what is BEST for us
Prayer Petitions God, let me see your hand
active in each stage of my life. We pray to the Lord.R: Lord, hear our prayer.
God, you break through into our world in many different ways. Help me recognize your presence. We pray to the Lord.R: Lord, hear our prayer.
God, give me the confidence I need to always be myself so my family can embrace the true me. We pray to the Lord.R: Lord, hear our prayer.
God, help me to deal honestly with others and to rely on truth rather than trickery. We pray to the Lord.R: Lord, hear our prayer.
Closing Prayer
Dear God,I don’t often say thanks for
my siblings. Usually, I complain to you about them. We argue, we fight, and we get in one another’s way. We also laugh a lot and have fun together. Deep down, I love them, and I know they love me. So thank you, God, for sisters and brothers. Please keep them safe and happy.
Amen
