From Messed to Blessed: Genesis 27

From Messed to Blessed: Genesis 27

Summary:

1. Isaac wants to bless Esau before he dies
2. Rebekah plots with Jacob how to steal the blessing from Esau
3. Jacob tricks Isaac into giving the blessing to him instead of Esau
4. Isaac’s blessing to Jacob reiterates God’s covenant with Abraham
5. Esau is crushed by his brother’s betrayal and causes Jacob to flee for his life

Analyze:

1. Who did Isaac intend to bless?

1. Why does Rebekah plot with Jacob to steal Esau’s blessing? (Gen 25:22-28)

Read 1 Peter 3:15, Acts 24:16, Ephesians 4:14-15

2. Is it ok for Rebekah and Jacob to lie to Isaac if they are accomplishing God’s will?
3. What are some examples of ways people may justify sin to accomplish God’s will? What are some things you have said or done to justify sin you’ve committed?

2. How many times did Jacob have the opportunity to come clean with Isaac about not being Esau?(18-27)

1. Is Jacob absolved of wrong because he honored his mother by obeying her?

Read Jeremiah 31:30, Ezekiel 18:20, Romans 14:12, Galatians 6:5-8

2. What do these passages tell us about accepting responsibility for our actions? What causes us to want to shift blame to others? How has this theme of shifting responsibility been shown in previous redemptive stories?

Read 1 Corinthians 10:13, James 1:12-15, 1 Peter 1:3-9, Hebrews 6:10-12

3. What do the above passages tell us about the purpose of the testing of our faith?  What is the key to passing the test?

Read 1 Thessalonians 5: 16-24

4. What habits can we develop to help us persevere in the testing of our faith?  What are some preparations and resources God has given us to endure in faith?  
5. What does perseverance in faith look like in your life? How does 1 Thessalonians give you confidence that you will persevere in faith?

3. What similarities do you find between Isaac’s blessing to Jacob and God’s covenant with Abraham?(Gen 12:1-3)

A common theme in the story of redemption is that God blesses and uses evil people that don’t deserve His blessing. Jacob is pictured as both a thief and a liar, yet God chooses to bestow blessing on Him. (Read Romans 9:10-15)

1. How does the display of God’s compassion on undeserving people shape your understanding of grace?

The covenant God makes with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob contains both a blessing and a responsibility.  This paradox of grace is a common theme found throughout scripture including in the garden.  God made man in His image and likeness but also gave him responsibility to steward over everything God made.

2. What is the blessing and the responsibility in the covenant God makes with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob?

Read Matthew 28:18-20, Ephesians 2:8-10, Romans 8:28-29, 2 Timothy 1:8-11

3. What do these passages teach us about the blessing and responsibility Christ followers have been given?
4. How do these passages challenge your understanding of the purpose of your salvation? How does it challenge church people’s perception of the purpose of salvation?
5. How do these passages functionally change the way you live? How does this affect decision making? (i.e. Career, education, time management, money management)

The end of Genesis 27 paints a bleak picture for Jacob, driven from home and family, fleeing in fear of his life, and without any resources. Jacob is heading into uncertain waters, yet time and again we see God revealing Himself in the murky waters of change. God chooses to reveal Himself to Jacob in the midst of these life altering changes and extends the same promise that He did to Jacob’s fore-bearers, trust Me and I will bless you.”

Contextualize

1. We are responsible for our actions and will experience the consequences of our choices
2. God’s blessings can’t be separated from the responsibility He also gives us
3. God calls and saves His children to accomplish His purposes

Actualize

Set aside 1 hour this week to evaluate your life.  Have an honest chat with God about how you are spending your time time.  Ask God to give you wisdom on how to step into the responsibility of being His child. Write down your thoughts.