As a young man who loved and feared God, Jacob nevertheless stooped to conspire with his mother, Rebekah, to deceive his father and gain his blessing. As a consequence, he started his adult life on the wrong path, having to flee or, perhaps, face an early death. Rebekah told Jacob to “flee thou to Laban … ; and tarry with him a few days, until thy brother’s fury turn away; … then I will send, and fetch thee” (Genesis 27:43-45). Jacob was actually gone for 20 years, and he never saw his mother’s face again.
Read Genesis 32:22-31. What happened here to Jacob, and what spiritual lessons can we take from this story about God’s grace, even when we make wrong decisions?
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“Through humiliation, repentance, and self-surrender, this sinful, erring mortal prevailed with the Majesty of heaven. He had fastened his trembling grasp upon the promises of God, and the heart of Infinite Love could not turn away the sinner’s plea. The error that had led to Jacob’s sin in obtaining the birthright by fraud was now clearly set before him. He had not trusted God’s promises, but had sought by his own efforts to bring about that which God would have accomplished in His own time and way. … Jacob had received the blessing for which his soul had longed. His sin as a supplanter and deceiver had been pardoned.” — Ellen G. White, Patriarchs and Prophets, Pages 197, 198.
Read Genesis 49:29-33. Though Jacob no longer had any holdings in Canaan, what instructions did he give his sons regarding his burial? Who are also buried in that cave? Why do you think Jacob made this request?
The Bible informs us that all three of the patriarchs and their wives are buried in the same cave. Jacob’s trust in God was strong, and he considered himself a stranger and pilgrim on the earth (see Hebrews 11:13). Despite mistakes, he left home with nothing but came back to Canaan a wealthy man.
| Despite our mistakes, God can still bless us. How much better, however, to avoid the mistakes to begin with! What choices are you now facing, and how can you avoid making the wrong ones? |
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