Message Notes

INTRODUCTION

1. A brief history of Jacob

a. His grandfather: Abraham

b. His parents: Isaac and Rebekah

c. He was the younger twin brother (Esau and Jacob)

2. Jacob in Padan Aram

a. Married 4 times over

b. His wives:

i. Leah

ii. Rachel

iii. Bilhah (Rachel’s maidservant)

iv. Zilpah (Leah’s maidservant)

c. He had 13 children

i. Reuben (firstborn)

ii. Simeon

iii. Levi

iv. Judah

v. Issachar

vi. Zebulun Genesis 35:23 (sons of Leah)

vii. Joseph

viii. Benjamin Genesis 35:24 (sons of Rachel)

ix. Dan

x. Naphtali Genesis 35:25 (sons of Bilhah)

xi. Gad

xii. Asher Genesis 35:26 (sons of Zilpah)

xiii. Dinah Genesis 34:1 (daughter of Leah)

THREE DEATHS NOTED

1. The death of Deborah, the nurse of Rebekah Genesis 35:8

2. The death of Rachel, the favourite wife of Jacob
She died giving birth to Benjamin Genesis 35:16-20

3. The death of Isaac Genesis 35:27-29

THE EVIL DEED OF REUBEN

1. He lay with Bilhah, Rachel’s maidservant

a. She was Jacob’s concubine Genesis 35:22

b. She was the mother of:

i. Dan

ii. Naphtali Genesis 35:25

2. Israel (Jacob)

a. He heard about this Genesis 35:22

b. He did nothing

REMEMBERING GOD’S PROMISE TO ISRAEL

9 Then God appeared to Jacob again, when he came from Padan Aram, and blessed him.

10 And God said to him, “Your name is Jacob; your name shall not be called Jacob anymore, but Israel shall be your name.” So He called his name Israel.

11 Also God said to him: “I am God Almighty. Be fruitful and multiply; a nation and a company of nations shall proceed from you, and kings shall come from your body.

12 The land which I gave Abraham and Isaac I give to you; and to your descendants after you I give this land.”

Genesis 35:9-12

1. Significant name change
Jacob to Israel Genesis 35:10

2. God’s promise to Jacob concerning his descendants

a. A nation will proceed from him

b. A company of nations will proceed (one day)

c. Kings shall come from his body

WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO BELIEVE IN THESE PROMISES OF GOD?

1. The children of Jacob

a. They were idolatrous

b. Simeon and Levi were cunning and wicked

c. Reuben was also wicked!

2. It would take the following:

a. Knowledge of the Lord as “God Almighty”

b. A growing Faith in God

c. A strong relationship with God

THE AREAS OF WEAKNESSES AND SINS THAT HINDER

1. Poor parenting

a. Jacob was not a great father

b. Leah and Rachel were too caught up with fighting each other

c. The maid-servants did not appear to be very significant as mothers

2. Poor growth on the part of the children

a. They are responsible for their own personal growth

b. They did not grow very well

c. Hence, the problems that arose!

CONCLUSION

1. Be challenged to cultivate:

a. A strong faith in God

b. A significant walk with the Lord

2. Take responsibility:

a. For personal growth

b. To find a Faith that is genuine

c. To grow a vibrant Faith