JACOB'S JOURNEY

GENESIS 28:10-29:14

Pastor Rick Jackson

I was shocked to find some commentaries finding fault with every move Jacob made. The writers seem to have come to this section with a preconceived notion of Jacob's utter lack of character. Jacob had his share of faults to be sure but who doesn't? Where he was wrong let us take heed lest we fall, where he was right let us give him credit but give the glory to God, where we are not sure let us apply the golden rule!

I. THE FIRST LEG OF THE JOURNEY [v. 6-7, 10-12]

1. Jacob obeyed the charge [v. 6-7, II Tm. 4:1-2]

2. Jacob attacked the challenge [v. 10-11]

Ecclesiastes 9:10 Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.
John 9:4 I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.

3. Jacob enlightened by the Lord [v. 12]

2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

II. THE FAITHFUL LORD OF THE JOURNEY [v. 13-22]

1. Reception of the Word [v. 13-15]

2. Reaction to the Word [v. 16-17]

Psalm 34:9 O fear the LORD, ye his saints: for there is no want to them that fear him.
Psalm 89:7 God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints, and to be had in reverence of all them that are about him.
Psalm 112:1 Praise ye the LORD. Blessed is the man that feareth the LORD, that delighteth greatly in his commandments.
Psalm 119:63 I am a companion of all them that fear thee, and of them that keep thy precepts.
Psalm 130:4 But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared.

3. Response of Worship [v. 18-22, Eph. 2:8-10]

III. THE FINAL LEG OF THE JOURNEY [29:1-14]

1. The land entered [v. 1-3]

2. The locals engaged [v. 4-8]

3. The lass encountered [v. 9-14]