REVIVAL – JACOB’S JOURNEY

Week 2: Content vs. Intent

Introduction

During this study, we will be doing a ‘deep dive’ into a scriptural passage. It is strongly encouraged that you study the passage and entire chapter ahead of the study. Also be prepared with your research tools, for example Google or your study Bible, as you will need to reference it during the study. Spend time answering and discussing each question with the intention to gain sufficient understanding to help your own private Bible study as you further explore these topics.

Study Chapters: Genesis 27-28

Pilot text

Genesis 27:20; 28:20-21 

27:20 But Isaac said to his son, “How is it that you have found it so quickly, my son?” And he said, “Because the Lord your God brought it to me.”

28:20-21 20 Then Jacob made a vow, saying, “If God will be with me, and keep me in this way that I am going, and give me bread to eat and clothing to put on, 21 so that I come back to my father’s house in peace, then the Lord shall be my God.

Discussion Points

Having understood what happened in Genesis chapter 27, consider what happened in chapter 28. Looking beyond just the content of the chapter, what can we infer about the intention behind this narration? The key thing to note is that God starts to show Jacob His nature, and the type of relationship that He wants with him. Some points to consider here include:

• Jacob did not know God for himself while he was at home. Why do you think this was the case?

• Jacob did not hear from God until he got to the place that he later called Beth-El, or the house of God. What can you infer from this about how God sometimes chooses to reveal Himself to us?

• No matter how messy the background, God can work with it. Did God lead Jacob to make the choices that brought him to where he was? Nonetheless, God met Jacob along that journey and started to steer him in the right direction.

What do you think about Jacob’s conditions to God in Gen 28:20-21?

Closing thoughts: Jacob’s experience with God starts to give us insights into how God relates with His people. First we see the same call to separation (holiness) that was the case with Abraham, Isaac and now Jacob. Until Jacob was separated from the main shaping influences in his life, he did not encounter God. Second, we see that God knows exactly how to reach us when He wants to. God used vivid imagery to get Jacob’s attention, while again confirming the immutability of the promise the He made to Abraham. Third, we see that God is able to make all things work together for good, to those that are called according to His purpose. Jacob may have made a mess, but God made it a message.