Bible Reading
Genesis 30:25-43 (ESV) — _As soon as Rachel had borne Joseph, Jacob said to Laban, “Send me away, that I may go to my own home and country. Give me my wives and my children for whom I have served you, that I may go, for you know the service that I have given you.” But Laban said to him, “If I have found favor in your sight, I have learned by divination that the LORD has blessed me because of you. Name your wages, and I will give it.” Jacob said to him, “You yourself know how I have served you, and how your livestock has fared with me. For you had little before I came, and it has increased abundantly, and the LORD has blessed you wherever I turned. But now when shall I provide for my own household also?” He said, “What shall I give you?” Jacob said, “You shall not give me anything. If you will do this for me, I will again pasture your flock and keep it: let me pass through all your flock today, removing from it every speckled and spotted sheep and every black lamb, and the spotted and speckled among the goats, and they shall be my wages. So my honesty will answer for me later, when you come to look into my wages with you. Every one that is not speckled and spotted among the goats and black among the lambs, if found with me, shall be counted stolen.” Laban said, “Good! Let it be as you have said.” But that day Laban removed the male goats that were striped and spotted, and all the female goats that were speckled and spotted, every one that had white on it, and every lamb that was black, and put them in the charge of his sons. And he set a distance of three days’ journey between himself and Jacob, and Jacob pastured the rest of Laban’s flock. Then Jacob took fresh sticks of poplar and almond and plane trees, and peeled white streaks in them, exposing the white of the sticks. He set the sticks that he had peeled in front of the flocks in the troughs, that is, the watering places, where the flocks came to drink. And since they bred when they came to drink, the flocks bred in front of the sticks, and so the flocks brought forth striped, speckled, and spotted. And Jacob separated the lambs and set the faces of the flocks toward the striped and all the black in the flock of Laban. He put his own droves apart and did not put them with Laban’s flock. Whenever the stronger of the flock were breeding, Jacob would lay the sticks in the troughs before the eyes of the flock, that they might breed among the sticks, but for the feebler of the flock he would not lay them there. So the feebler would be Laban’s, and the stronger Jacob’s. Thus the man increased greatly and had large flocks, female servants and male servants, and camels and donkeys._
Observation Questions
- What agreement did Jacob and Laban make regarding the flocks, and how did Laban try to manipulate the outcome? ([28:47])
- According to the passage, what unusual method did Jacob use with the sticks, and what was the result? ([29:35])
- How does the text describe the increase of Jacob’s wealth? Was it attributed to his own cleverness or something else? ([49:31])
- In the sermon, what examples were given of different life stages and how God’s purpose applies to each? ([31:28])
Interpretation Questions
- Why do you think God allowed Jacob to prosper even though both Jacob and Laban were acting out of self-interest and sometimes deception? What does this reveal about God’s character? ([49:31])
- The sermon mentions the “fallout of the fall” and the ongoing struggle with sin. How does Jacob’s story illustrate the reality of sin and its effects on relationships? ([41:19])
- The pastor said that remembering God’s past provision can soothe an anxious heart. Why is it important to look back on God’s faithfulness, especially in times of uncertainty? ([01:00:20])
- The sermon asks, “Will you take God at His word?” What does it mean to trust God’s promises even when circumstances are difficult or unclear? ([01:03:56])
Application Questions
- The sermon highlighted that God has a purpose for every season of life, whether you’re a teenager, a young parent, or retired. Which season are you in right now, and how does knowing God has a purpose for you change the way you view your current situation? ([31:28])
- Jacob’s story is full of waiting and perseverance. Is there an area in your life where you are waiting for God to act? How are you tempted to “take matters into your own hands” instead of trusting God’s timing? ([53:40])
- The reality of sin was described as both “out there” in the world and “in here” in our own hearts. Can you think of a recent situation where you saw the effects of sin in your own life or relationships? How did you respond? ([39:24])
- The sermon encouraged us to remember specific ways God has provided in the past. Take a moment to name one or two times when God provided for you or your family. How can you use these memories to build trust for the future? ([01:00:20])
- When others act unjustly or selfishly, like Laban did, it’s easy to focus on their actions. Is there a situation where you’ve been wronged or treated unfairly? How might trusting God’s sovereignty change your response? ([49:31])
- The pastor asked, “Will you take God at His word?” Is there a specific command or promise from God that you find hard to trust or obey right now? What would it look like to surrender your preferences and step forward in obedience this week? ([01:03:56])
- Jesus is described as the ultimate fulfillment of God’s promise and the Redeemer who enters our brokenness. How does knowing Jesus has already secured God’s faithfulness for you affect the way you face challenges or disappointments? ([01:04:56])
