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The Scriptorium

Jacob

Meet a man a lot like you and me - loved in spite of himself.

The Heart of God: Genesis (4)

And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself. Luke 24.27

Read and meditate on Genesis 28-32.
Having obtained his brother’s birthright by guile and manipulation, Jacob became the next generation to receive the promises and covenant of God. His story provides us an opportunity to see the glory of God in His continuing faithfulness toward sinful people.

For reflection
1.  How can you see in Genesis 28.1-4, and 10-15 the continuity of God’s covenant from Adam to Jacob? What specific words connect the blessing of Jacob to Adam, Noah, and Abraham?

2. How should we interpret the symbolism of the ladder Jacob saw in his dream? What was the impact of this vision on Jacob? How did Jesus interpret this symbol in John 1.50, 51?

3.  As we see him in these chapters, what kind of man was Jacob? How should this encourage us in our relationship with God?

4.  How did God help Jacob become a man of true faith? Did Jacob change or grow during the course of these chapters? In what ways? What does Jacob’s experience suggest to us about how we should expect to grow in the promises and blessings of God?

5.  Jacob wrestled with the angel in order to receive a blessing from him. What did he actually receive? How did Jacob interpret the meaning of this event (v. 30)? What should we learn from Jacob about God, His covenant, and our calling as His people?

Summary
In bringing the blessings of His covenant to the world, God uses sinful, imperfect people. He often puts them through trials and trepidations, but He never forsakes those on whom He has set His love. God’s patience and faithfulness persist even when His people are struggling through the consequences of their own sin. What’s the most encouraging lesson you learn from the story of Jacob?

Closing Prayer
I will bless the LORD at all times;
His praise shall continually be in my mouth.
My soul shall make its boast in the LORD;
The humble shall hear of it and be glad.
Oh, magnify the LORD with me,
And let us exalt His name together.
I sought the LORD, and He heard me,
And delivered me from all my fears.
They looked to Him and were radiant,
And their faces were not ashamed.
This poor man cried out, and the LORD heard him,
And saved him out of all his troubles.
The angel of the LORD encamps all around those who fear Him,
And delivers them.
Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good;
Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!

Psalm 34.1-8

Next steps – Conversation: How does your church work to transfer the blessings and promises of God’s covenant to its children? Talk with a church leader about this question. See if you can discover specific ways the promises of God’s covenant are explained to the children of your church.

T. M. Moore

Two books can help you gain a fuller understanding of the terrain we will be covering in this series. Kingdom Documentsprovides a concise overview of the primary teaching of the Old and New Testaments, and shows, through early Church creeds, how our forebears understand the primary teachings of God’s Word. (click here to order). I Will Be Your God develops more fully the idea of God’s covenant and leads us to consider the practical implications of our covenant relationship with God (click here).

Visit The Ailbe Seminary, where our course,
Introduction to Biblical Theology, offers a parallel study of our theme in this series, using brief video presentations and the workbook God’s Covenant: An Introduction. All courses at The Ailbe Seminary are available without charge.

We are happy to be able to offer each week’s Scriptorium studies in a free weekly PDF, suitable for personal or group use. You can download all the studies in this series by clicking here. Please prayerfully consider sharing with The Fellowship of Ailbe through your giving. You can contribute to The Fellowship by clicking the Contribute button at the website or by sending your gift to The Fellowship of Ailbe, 19 Tyler Drive, Essex Junction, VT 05452.

Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

T.M. Moore

T. M. Moore is principal of The Fellowship of Ailbe, a spiritual fellowship in the Celtic Christian tradition. He and his wife, Susie, make their home in the Champlain Valley of Vermont.
Books by T. M. Moore

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