THE CRISES IN JACOB'S LIFE

  I.  Before Jacob was born, God told Issac that his older twin, Esau, would serve his younger twin Jacob.

 II.  Jacob is a contradiction.

      A.  On one hand Jacob loves and serves God.

      B.  On the other hand Jacob deceives others for his own gain.

      C.  The question is "Which one will overcome Jacob?"

III. Jacob cheats his brother.  Genesis 25:29--34, 27:1-29

      A.  He buys Esau's birthright with porridge.

      B.  He and his mother trick Isaac to get the blessing.

      C.  Esau promises to kill Jacob.

      D.  Jacob flees to his Uncle Laban who is 450 miles away.

  IV. Jacob had many crises in his life.

      A.  There was a crisis at Bethel .  Genesis 28:10

           1.  He dreamed of a ladder from earth to heaven.

           2.  He promised to give God a tithe.

      B.  There was a crisis at Haran .  Genesis 30:25-43

            1.  Jacob asks Laban for permission to leave with his

                 family and flocks.

            2.  Laban realized that because of God's love for Jacob

                 he had been blessed.

            3.  Jacob asked for all the speckled, spotted and brown animals.

            4.  Jacob gave Laban the weaker animals and kept the stronger.

       C.  There was a crisis at Peniel.  Genesis 32:24-30

            1.  Jacob wrestled with an angel from night until dawn.

            2.  When Jacob would not let go the angel caused his hip to come
out of it's socket.

            3.  The angel changed Jacob's name from "trickster" (Jacob) to
"struggled with God and prevailed" ( Israel ).

       D.  There was a crisis with Esau.  Genesis 33:1-18

             1.  Jacob is afraid for his life when he sees Esau and his 400 men.

             2.  Esau greets Jacob and has forgiven him.

             3.  Jacob suggests that they all live in Seir as a family.

             4.  Instead of going to Seir Jacob goes to Shechem and builds a house.

       E.  Jacob made a decision at El Bethel.  Genesis 35:1-15

            1.  Jacob's family put away foreign gods.

            2.  Jacob built a pillar of stone as a memorial of his commitment to  God.

  V.  Take homes

       A.  God will not spare present pain if it brings eternal profit.

       B.  God will preserve his children even when we give up on ourselves.

             Genesis 47:7, Malachi 1:3

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COMING EVENTS

Please be back tonight at 6 PM for our evening Worship, with Daryl Cobb speaking.

W ednesday B ible S tudy A t 7:00 pm. We will be continuing our class in a series of lessons on the book of Acts. You don't want to miss this series.

March 24, 2007 , 4th Saturday workday. 9 AM to Noon.
Saturday, April 7 . Ladies Bible Class 10:30 AM See Betty Randolph or Tricia Cobb for further info.