Making A New Man Out Of Jacob Series

Jacob had not experienced being on the other side of deception!

Jacob also experiences the reverse of what he did to Esau

Esau - OLDER one submits to the younger

Leah - OLDER one takes precedent over Rachel, the younger one. Genesis 29:26-27

Genesis 25:23 "The Lord said to her, “Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples from within you will be separated; one people will be stronger than the other, and the older will serve the younger.”"

Jacob is learning from adversity. The lesson is difficult, but Jacob fulfills his vows and submits to the Lord. He stays faithful rather than running away, and he learns the important lesson of walking with God.

LESSON # 3: Jacob Learns that Every Commitment to God is Followed by the Opportunity to Prove it.

Jacob received a Mountaintop experience at Bethel. There he heard from God and built an altar, signifying his commitment to God.

Now, he is filled with excitement and joy over meeting Rachel. I can imagine that Jacob was saying to himself “things are really working out for me!”

But almost as soon as Jacob begins his journey with the Lord, trials and obstacles come into his life.

He is forced to work for Laban for 20 years. 7 years for Leah, the wife he didn’t want. Then seven years for Rachel, and then after telling Laban that his requirements were fulfilled, Laban entices Jacob to work for another six years to earn the flocks that Jacob had built on his own. Jacob’s reaction to all of this, and his twenty years of pent up frustration is revealed in Genesis 31:38-42.

He has been tricked by Laban

In a far away land

Deprived of his mother and father

There is a HARAN in the life of every Christian who desires to follow God

My own PERSONAL TESTIMONY in this goes back to the time that Kim and I were in our twenties. I distinctly remember telling the Lord, “I’ve never had to face an issue like so many strong Christians have faced. I’ve never lost a loved one, or faced an overwhelming trial. Would I really love God if any of these things happened? Was there a reason that my life had been so easy? THEN, seemingly instantly, we faced sever trials regarding Brittany’s health at the time of her birth. Then later, we faced our HARAN - a difficult church experience that caused us to face our willingness to stay in ministry and continue to trust God even after others mistreated us.

You see, there is a Haran for everyone who would desire to walk with God.

CHARACTERISTICS of HARAN PLACES in your life

They often come after making commitments to the Lord

They always include suffering.

Hebrews 2:10 "In bringing many sons to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the author of their salvation perfect through suffering."

1 Peter 2:21 "To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps."

They usually include an antagonist

They indicate that God has something more for you to accomplish for Him.