Homiletics Genesis 29-31

5 March 2013

Contents:            Where?                  Paddan-aram, Gilead, Mizpah  Who?  Jacob, Laban, Rachel, Leah, Bilhah, Zilpah

1	29:1-6	On his journey, Jacob came across a well and flocks, learned Laban was well and Rachel approached with sheep.
2	29:7-12	After sheep gathered, Jacob uncovered well, watered flock, kissed Rachel and she ran to tell Laban about Jacob.
3	29:13-20	Jacob stayed with Laban a month and agreed to serve seven seemingly short years for Rachel.
4	29:21-30	Jacob asked for Rachel, Laban had a feast and brought Leah, Jacob confronted deceit and married Rachel too, serving seven more years.
5	29:31-35	Leah conceived four sons: Reuben, Simeon, Levi and Judah but Rachel was barren.
6	30:1-8	Jealous Rachel gave Bilhah (maid) to Jacob, who conceived two sons: Dan and Naphtali.
7	30:9-13	Leah gave Zilpah (maid) to Jacob, who conceived two sons: Gad and Asher.
8	30:14-18	Rachel  wanted Reuben’s mandrakes, so Leah slept with Jacob and conceived 5th son Issachar.
9	30:19-24	Leah conceived 6th son Zebulun and daughter Dinah and Rachel conceived Joseph.
10	30:25-36	Jacob wanted to leave but Laban asked him to stay, they agreed on wages and Jacob took the spotted, speckled and black animals and put 3 days’ distance between them.
11	30:37-43	Jacob prospered, breeding the strongest animals for himself while Laban’s were weak.
12	31:1-8	Laban’s attitude changed, he cheated Jacob and changed his wages, so Jacob prepared to leave.
13	31:9-16	God gave Laban’s wealth to Jacob, Rachel and Leah agree Jacob should do what God says.
14	31:17-21	Jacob put his family on camels and drove toward Canaan, Rachel stole Laban’s idols and they deceitfully fled toward Gilead.
15	31:22-24	The third day, Laban overtook Jacob but God told Laban in a dream not to say anything to Jacob.
16	31:25-28	Laban and asked about fleeing secretly so there was no celebration send-off or goodbyes.
17	31:29-30	Laban could hurt Jacob, God said be careful about speaking, why steal gods?
18	31:31-35	Jacob fled from fear but the one with the gods won’t live, Laban searched and didn’t find them in Rachel’s saddle.
19	31:36-42	Angry Jacob confronts Laban and says God is for him and has rendered judgment.
20	31:43-55	Laban and Jacob make a covenant at Mizpah for God to judge between them, then Laban left.

 

Divisions:

1	29:1-30	Jacob goes to Paddan-aram, stays with Laban and marries his daughters Leah and Rachel, serving 14 years.
Principle:		God keeps His promises, and so should His people. A man should only have one wife. Marriage is sacred. People, even family, may deceive and disappoint us.
2	29:31-30:24	Leah has 6 sons and 1 daughter, Bilhah has 2 sons, Zilpah has 2 sons, and Rachel finally has 1 son.
Principle:		A man should only have one wife. God is in control of when children are conceived and born. Marriage and child bearing is not a competition. God, not our husband, must be our all-in-all.
3	30:25-31:55	Jacob prospers and leaves Laban after making a covenant for God to watch between them.
Principle:		God protects His people. God is sovereign over all things. God is the giver of wealth and prosperity.
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Principle:

 

Subject Sentence:

Jacob meets Laban, marries Leah and Rachel, prospers and leaves.

 

Aim (Christian and Non-Christian):

TCMCATK that God is sovereign over all things and that He keeps His promises, protects His people and is the source of all wealth and prosperity.

TCMNCAT

 

Application:

1	How have you experienced that God keeps His promises? What experience have you had with deception and what were the consequences?
2	What have you learned from godly role models of marriage? What have you learned from godly parenting role models? How would you order your list of priorities including family, friends, work, God and church, and why would you order it that way? What family blessings has God bestowed upon you?
3	How have you experienced God’s protection? What have you experienced that proves God’s sovereignty? In what way has God made you wealthy and prosperous?
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