Genesis 50
JACOB WHO WAS DECEIVED
(Gen 29:21-35)
Introduction:
After serving his uncle Laban for 7 years, Jacob asks for Rachel as his wife.
However, Laban tricks Jacob by giving him Leah. Laban had a feast and took Leah to Jacob 'in the evening'. Perhaps Jacob had a wedding feast
and drank alcohol like wine, so his discernment was considerably blurred, and it seems that the time was dark and he could not discern his bride well.
It is not until the next morning that Jacob realizes that it is Leah, not Rachel. Previously, Jacob tricked his blind father into obtaining the blessing of
the firstborn. But now he himself is blinded and deceived.
Afterwards, Jacob serves another 7 years to get Rachel (vv. 21-30).
Jacob loves Rachel more than Leah. Jehovah God sees that Leah is not loved and opens her womb. Leah gives birth to four sons (Reuben, Simeon, Levi,
and Judah) (vv. 31-35).
The answer for the suffering of man is important. But the origin and analysis of that problem is more important.
1. The suffering of believer.
1) Because of faith they face tribulation.
2) There is suffering because they could not receive the grace of God.
3) What is hardship that believer receive because they did not know?
Genesis 3:1-20 The fundamental problem of man and the only solution
Genesis 6:1-14 Nephilim Age and Ark Covenant
Genesis 12:1-10 The baton of the covenant given to Abram,
Genesis 14:1-14 Lot in war and the victory of Abram.
Genesis 25:33-34 Abraham's servant testifying to Laban
Genesis 28:10-22 The throne of heaven Jacob saw at Bethel
* Believer is God’s blessed children. If they do not know this fact they will face hardship.
2. The hardship that Jacob received.
1) He left his house and live like Stranger.
2) Conflict with his brother.
3) Dishonesty of uncle.
4) But this true suffering make Jacob to realize the reason why he must to receive the grace of God.
5) Jacob who was deceived.(text)
14 years of labor was the dowry, and the wages after that were overturned several times, but Jacob had amassed a large fortune,
and he managed to escape and head to his father's house
6) We should not see the failure of believer lightly.
(Failure make believer to realize about humanism, Unbelief, worry, deception etc.)
3. God allowed hardship to Jacob for his future.
1) It is God’s grace that make Jacob to pray.
2) Jacob has a family in the midst of hardship to fulfill the will of God.
3) The hard ship that make Jacob to see only God is continually come.
4. Application. Does God really with in our lives? or does hardship come to our lives continually?
(Both of them are in God’s hand. )
Conclution:
1) God opened the womb of Leah, who was hated by her husband, and gave birth to Levi, the future priestly family, and Judah, the lineage of Christ. From a human
point of view, it is right to be born in Rachel's womb, not Leah, but God was merciful to Leah, who prayed even though she was ugly and was treated poorly by
her husband.
2) Wouldn't it be the same for us? We too are undeserving of love. However, God covered us with compassion and made us believe in Jesus Christ and made us
children of God. What a wonderful grace this is!
3) We can really learn mature love through Leah. Despite being coldly treated and treated badly by her husband and the people around her, Leah only loved God
and sought comfort through Him. We, too, should bring our problems to God without conflicting and fighting over these and other problems in our lives.
We must obtain answers and comfort through God.
There is no meaningless word in life like the word ‘if’, but what if Jacob had not accepted Laban’s second offer and had only received his first daughter ‘Leah’ as the wife God had given him, and lived content with it? I think Jacob would have lived a happier life if he had humbly accepted the situation that had already happened and followed the law given by God and focused only on Leah, who became his wife.
The events that plagued Jacob's later years were all events that occurred due to a dispute between brothers who had a split heart through Leah and Rachel, and because of these events, Jacob lived a life where he could not rest comfortably until he was old.
However, despite Laban's deceit and Jacob's foolish judgment, God faithfully fulfilled His own will and the plan of salvation history without wavering. Judging from human
short calculations, it may seem that God took advantage of human sin, but in reality it is not. The progression of such amazing history is a mysterious realm that we
cannot fully understand of God, who is outside the time of the world. Even in the free will that God has given to human beings, God faithfully carries out His plans
and works.
God loves us and runs the earth for the salvation of mankind. Each individual who lives in a certain age and region must keep in mind that the life given to him is
a unique opportunity to be saved. The remaining life of those who are saved is to be used as co-workers in the ministry of salvation.