Day 24, Chronological Bible Study
Timeline. Map. Go to today’s Bible reading (use your browser arrow to return): Genesis 28:10–30:43
A Ferris Wheel Life
An audio version of this Bible study is available here
When it’s wintertime, if you don’t like the cold, snow, and ice, you might dream of going to a warm place and have summer fun. What would you like to do? Tan on the beach? Slide down the tubes in a water park? Ride on a Ferris Wheel to enjoy the stars or lights in the evening?
In a different way, life is sometimes like a Ferris wheel—what goes around comes around. Whatever we do, good or bad, it returns our way.
The Ride Starts
In our last Bible reading, we learned about Jacob’s deception. He tricked his older brother Esau into trading away his birthright for some stew. Jacob caught him in a weak moment when he was hungry from hunting all day.
Many years later, when Isaac was old and blind, he wished to pass on the firstborn’s blessing to his oldest son, Esau. Isaac told Esau to kill him a deer and prepare some venison for him to eat and then he would bless him. While Esau was in the field hunting deer, Jacob and his mother deceived Isaac into believing Jacob was Esau, the firstborn. Although Jacob received his father’s blessing, he and his mother forced God’s will.
When Esau returned from hunting, his father told him that Jacob craftily stole his blessing. Now, Esau hated Jacob. His hatred was so fierce that he wanted to kill him. Jacob’s mother sought to protect her favorite son. She convinced Isaac to send Jacob away to Haran (Northwest Mesopotamia) to find himself a wife from her brother Laban’s family. This would give Esau time to cool off and establish his own life without Jacob (which he does).
Another reason for Jacob to find a wife from Laban’s family was the preservation of God-fearing people. The Hittite women in Canaan distressed Rebekah, two of which Esau married. The LORD doesn’t want his people mixing with other people who worship idols. Isaac reveres God and wants the LORD’s continued blessings on his descendants.
Are any of us lonely and single? Are we willing to jeopardize God’s blessings on our future children and us by marrying someone who is not a genuine follower of Christ? How will our children come to know God? Perhaps they will follow the godless ways of our spouse. We shouldn’t sacrifice the desire for companionship of someone who doesn’t revere God. If we feel compelled to search for a mate, we should search in places where the godly are more likely to gather. If we compromise with the world, we might lose out on the blessings of the LORD. Let’s make godly choices.
A Dream and Promises
On his way to Uncle Laban’s house, Jacob stops to sleep. In a dream, he sees angels ascending and descending a stairway that reaches from earth to heaven.
When Jacob awoke from his sleep, he thought, “Surely the LORD is in this place, and I was not aware of it.” He was afraid and said, “How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God; this is the gate of heaven” (Genesis 28:16-17, NIV).
Jacob calls the place where he meets with the LORD, Bethel (meaning “house of God”). Here, the Almighty makes an unconditional promise to Jacob in a dream. He says,
“I am the LORD, the God of your father Abraham and the God of Isaac. I will give you and your descendants the land on which you are lying. Your descendants will be like the dust of the earth, and you will spread out to the west and to the east, to the north and to the south. All peoples on earth will be blessed through you and your offspring. I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you” (Genesis 28: 13-15, NIV).
How does Jacob respond to God's generous offer? He responds with a conditional promise.
Then Jacob made a vow, saying, “If God will be with me and will watch over me on this journey I am taking and will give me food to eat and clothes to wear so that I return safely to my father's house, then the LORD will be my God and this stone that I have set up as a pillar will be God's house, and of all that you give me I will give you a tenth” (Genesis 28: 20-22, NIV).
Jacob doesn’t know God and is bargaining with him. Do we bargain with God, or do we trust him? The LORD is good, and he keeps his promises. There is no need to make deals with him. Do we know God? He promises spiritual life, forgiveness, and peace to those who trust his Son to save them from their sins (more...).
The Ride Returns
Laban Tricks Jacob
Jacob deceived Esau and Isaac to get Esau’s birthright and blessing. Now, in today’s Bible reading, like a Ferris wheel, which goes around and comes around, Laban would deceive Jacob. The young man travels to Haran, meets a beautiful young woman named Rachel, and instantly falls in love. He asks his uncle if he can marry her, and he consents for a price. Here the deception begins.
Jacob serves seven years for Laban’s daughter, Rachel. Finally, when the wedding night comes, Laban switches her for his older daughter, Leah! The next morning when Jacob discovers Leah in his bed, he is confused and furious! When he confronts Laban, his uncle claims it’s his cultural duty to marry off his oldest daughter first. If Jacob completes the seven-day marriage ceremony, he will also give him Rachel. But, Jacob must work seven more years for her. Frustrated but desperately in love, Jacob agrees to the terms (Genesis 29:16-25).Laban swindles Jacob’s wages
Not only is Jacob deceived in marriage, but Laban also swindles him in his employment. When the time of service for his wives is complete, Jacob wants something for his family. Laban agrees to trade some flocks of sheep for Jacob’s labor, but he keeps changing the agreement’s terms (ten times). Here is a lesson for us: When we deceive others, they may deceive us—what goes around comes around.
Turmoil in Jacob’s home
Having two wives causes a lot of trouble for Jacob (Genesis 29:28–30:24). Jealousy and contention are in their home because Jacob loves Rachel, not Leah. Leah and Rachel begin a competition for the number of children to bear for Jacob—it’s a matter of pride and gaining his favor. They even marry off their handmaids to Jacob so the children they birth will count for them (this was culturally acceptable).
Because God allows Jacob to have four wives, it doesn’t mean God endorses polygamy or condones it. Later, God officially forbids the practice (Leviticus 18:18; Deuteronomy 17:17). From the beginning God approves monogamy—a loving relationship between a man and his wife (Proverbs 5:18-19; Malachi 2:15; Mathew 19:4-6). Jacob bears a lot of strife for having multiple wives.Another lesson we might learn from Jacob’s life is that we shouldn’t show favoritism and set up a competition between family members if we want peace in our home. As much as possible, although we may love each one in different ways, we must try to love each one equally. Let’s not give any of them cause to doubt it.
Discussion
How does Jacob lead a Ferris Wheel life? How can we prevent that from happening to us?
By marrying both Leah and Rachel, Jacob sets up a sibling rivalry. What does that do to their home?
When they need help, many people bargain with God. Why is that not necessary or advisable?
Focus Verse
Luke 6:38 (NIV) “Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”
You can watch a video presentation of this lesson here. Begin at 46:47 and end at 58:00
Write a private prayer response to today’s Bible study:
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Looking Ahead: What goes around comes around. Is there ever an End of Struggling for Jacob (or us)? How? Find out in our Next Lesson.
Photo by Hello I'm Nik �� on Unsplash
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