Jacob, The Deceiver Deceived

2024.08.04.Sermon Notes. Jacob the Deceiver Deceived

William Akehurst, HSWC

BIG IDEA: Jacob deceived his father Isaac for the Blessing. And after working 7 years for Laban’s daughter Rachel, he received her sister Leah as his wife.

Key Verse: Galatians 6:7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.

Scriptures: Genesis 29:1-35, Genesis 30:1-43, Hebrews 12:2, Galatians 6:7, Luke 6:35-38, Genesis 49:29-31

JACOB’S JOURNEY

Genesis 29:1-35 (NKJV)

1 So Jacob went on his journey and came to the land of the people of the East. 2 And he looked, and saw a well in the field; and behold, there were three flocks of sheep lying by it; for out of that well they watered the flocks. A large stone was on the well’s mouth. 3 Now all the flocks would be gathered there; and they would roll the stone from the well’s mouth, water the sheep, and put the stone back in its place on the well’s mouth.

A LARGE STONE THAT REQUIRES MANY TO REMOVE FROM THE WELL?

CASUAL CONVERSATION

4 And Jacob said to them, “My brethren, where are you from?”

And they said, “We are from Haran.”

5 Then he said to them, “Do you know Laban the son of Nahor?”

And they said, “We know him.”

6 So he said to them, “Is he well?”

And they said, “He is well. And look, his daughter Rachel is coming with the sheep.”

TRADITION. GATHER TOGETHER, THEN MOVE THE STONE

7 Then he said, “Look, it is still high day; it is not time for the cattle to be gathered together. Water the sheep, and go and feed them.”

8 But they said, “We cannot until all the flocks are gathered together, and they have rolled the stone from the well’s mouth; then we water the sheep.”

JACOB’S MOTIVATION

9 Now while he was still speaking with them, Rachel came with her father’s sheep, for she was a shepherdess. 10 And it came to pass, when Jacob saw Rachel the daughter of Laban his mother’s brother, and the sheep of Laban his mother’s brother, that Jacob went near and rolled the stone from the well’s mouth, and watered the flock of Laban his mother’s brother.

JACOB’S STRENGTHENED BY LOVE AT FIRST SITE?

KISS = TRADITIONAL GREETING.

11 Then Jacob kissed Rachel, and lifted up his voice and wept. 12 And Jacob told Rachel that he was her father’s relative and that he was Rebekah’s son. So she ran and told her father.

A WIFE FOR JACOB

13 Then it came to pass, when Laban heard the report about Jacob his sister’s son, that he ran to meet him, and embraced him and kissed him, and brought him to his house. So he told Laban all these things. 14 And Laban said to him, “Surely you are my bone and my flesh.” And he stayed with him for a month.

Jacob Marries Leah and Rachel

15 Then Laban said to Jacob, “Because you are my relative, should you therefore serve me for nothing? Tell me, what should your wages be?” 16 Now Laban had two daughters: the name of the elder was Leah, and the name of the younger was Rachel. 17 Leah’s eyes were delicate, but Rachel was beautiful of form and appearance.

LEAH’S EYES, DELICATE, WEAK

RACHEL’S BEAUTY AND STRENGTH (SHEPHERDESS)

JACOB’S LOVE = 7 YEARS

18 Now Jacob loved Rachel; so he said, “I will serve you seven years for Rachel your younger daughter.”

19 And Laban said, “It is better that I give her to you than that I should give her to another man. Stay with me.” 20 So Jacob served seven years for Rachel, and they seemed only a few days to him because of the love he had for her. (compare Hebrews 12:2)

LABAN’S DECEPTION

21 Then Jacob said to Laban, “Give me my wife, for my days are fulfilled, that I may go in to her.” 22 And Laban gathered together all the men of the place and made a feast. 23 Now it came to pass in the evening, that he took Leah his daughter and brought her to Jacob; and he went in to her. 24 And Laban gave his maid Zilpah to his daughter Leah as a maid. 25 So it came to pass in the morning, that behold, it was Leah. And he said to Laban, “What is this you have done to me? Was it not for Rachel that I served you? Why then have you deceived me?” (compare Galatians 6:7)

THE BIRTHRIGHT EXPLAINED. BIRTH ORDER RESPECTED. REVERSE DECEPTION

26 And Laban said, “It must not be done so in our country, to give the younger before the firstborn. 27 Fulfill her week, and we will give you this one also for the service which you will serve with me still another seven years.”