So our reading this morning is Genesis chapter 29, and we're going to be reading verses 1
to 30 as we continue our studies looking at the life of Jacob and all that we can learn
from him and his God. So Louise and Kirsty are going to read this morning. Thank you.
Then Jacob continued on his journey and came to the land of the eastern peoples. Then he
saw a well in the open country with three flocks of sheep lying near it, because the flocks
were watered from that well. The stone over the mouth of the well was large. When all
the flocks were gathered there, the shepherds would roll the stone away from the well's
mouth and water the sheep. Then they would return the stone to its place over the mouth
of the well. Jacob asked his shepherds, My brothers, where are you from? We're from Haran, they
replied. He said to them, Do you know Laban, Nahar's grandson? Yes, we know him, they answered.
Then Jacob asked them, Is he well? Yes, he is, they said. And here comes his daughter Rachel
with the sheep. Look, he said, the sun is still high, and it is not time for the flocks to be
gathered. Water the sheep and then take them back to pasture. We can't, they replied, until
all the flocks have been gathered and the stone has been rolled away from the mouth of the
well. Then we will water the sheep. While he was still talking with them, Rachel came
with her father's sheep, for she was a shepherd. When Jacob saw Rachel's daughter of his uncle
Laban and Laban's sheep, he went over and rolled the stone away from the mouth of the well and
watered his uncle's sheep. Then Jacob kissed Rachel and began to weep aloud. He had told
Rachel that he was a relative of her father and a son of Rebekah. So she ran and told her
father. As soon as Laban heard the news about Jacob, his sister's son, he hurried to meet
him. He embraced him and kissed him and brought him to his home. And there Jacob told him all
these things. Then Laban said to him, you are my own flesh and blood.
After Jacob had stayed with him for a whole month, Laban said to him, just because you
are a relative of mine, should you work for me for nothing? Tell me what your wages should
be. Now Laban had two daughters. The name of the elder was one Leah and the name of the
younger was Rachel. Leah had weak eyes, but Rachel had a lovely figure and was beautiful.
Jacob was in love with Rachel and said, I'll work for you seven years in return for your younger
daughter, Rachel. Laban said, it's better that I give her to you than to some other man.
Stay here with me. So Jacob served seven years to get Rachel, but they seemed like only a few
days to him because of his love for her. Then Jacob said to Laban, give me my wife. My time
is completed and I want to make love to her. So Laban brought together all the people of the
place and gave a feast. But when evening came, he took his daughter Leah and brought her to
Jacob. And Jacob made love to her. And Laban gave his servant Zilpah to his daughter as her
attendant. When morning came, there was Leah. So Jacob said to Laban, what is this you have
done to me? I served you for Rachel, didn't I? Why have you deceived me? Laban replied, it
is not our custom here to give the younger daughter in marriage before the elder one. Finish this
daughter's bridal week. Then we will give you the younger one also in return for another seven
years of work. And Jacob did so. He finished the week with Leah and then Laban gave him his daughter
Rachel to be his wife. Laban gave his servant Bilhah to his daughter Rachel as her attendant.
Jacob made love to Rachel also and his love for Rachel was greater than his love for Leah.
And he worked for Laban another seven years.
Thanks very much, Louise and Kirsty. Let's keep our Bibles open. As we look at this
account together, we're going to pray and ask for God's help. So let's do that now.
Father, again, we thank you for your word. Thank you for its truthfulness. Thank you for its
honesty. And we pray that your word would search our hearts so that we would respond as we should
in a way that is filled with humility and honours you. Father, would you change us this morning
to be a people who are dependent on you for all things? Amen.
Well, Jacob is on the run, isn't he? Having deceived his father and cheated his brother, he's running for
his life. And when we think Jacob is down and out, God in his kindness intervenes. If you go back to
chapter 28, God meets Jacob in a vision, in a dream, and he shows him grace and promises Jacob his presence.
And so with this great vision, Jacob is on a spiritual high. Look at chapter 28, verse 16.
When Jacob woke from his sleep, he thought, surely the Lord is in this place, and I wasn't aware of it.
He was afraid and said, how awesome is this place. This is none other than the house of God. This is the gate
of heaven. And he called it Bethel, which means house of God. So this great experience that he's had
with God has given Jacob a renewed encouragement and hope. And so chapter 29, verse 1,
Jacob continued on, Jacob continued on his journey and came to the land of the eastern peoples. We can see him
there brightly, jumping along as he walks his journey, perhaps singing a song. His mercy is more.
My sins, they are many. His mercy is more.
Well, it seems like we have a new Jacob. God's grace offers him a new beginning and a fresh start. He's a new man.
Well, not so fast. Jacob may have made great progress in his journey, but it seems that change
is a slow process. Like Jacob will see that we need to learn that as we journey through life, we are always in need
of God's grace. We never move on from grace. You see, pride is never far from us, and pride trips us up.
We have this natural disposition to go it alone in life, which will only lead to disaster.
Sadly, that's what we're going to see this morning. Three things that cause us to fall
and show us our desperate need of grace.
First, tempted by desire. The story begins, doesn't it, with Jacob at a well. And it seems we're to note a particular detail
about this well. We see it at the end of verse 2. The stone over the mouth of the well was large. It was a very heavy stone.
So heavy, in fact, verse 3, that when all the flocks were gathered there, the shepherds would roll the stone away from the well's mouth and water the sheep.
So it took a communal effort. This wasn't a one-man job. All the shepherds would push the stone away.
Then they would return the stone to its place over the mouth of the well.
What's with this heavy stone?
Well, Jacob gets chatting with some of the shepherds who've gathered there, and to his delight,
they seem to know his uncle Laban, his mother's brother.
But it seems he's more interested in why all the shepherds are hanging around the well.
Why is nobody moving this great big stone?
Verse 8.
We can't, they replied.
Until all the flocks are gathered and the stone has been rolled away from the mouth of the well,
then we will water the sheep.
Who could they possibly be waiting for?
Ah, verse 9.
While he was still talking with them,
Rachel came with her father's sheep,
for she was a shepherd.
They're waiting for Rachel.
And as we discover in verse 17,
Rachel has a lovely figure and was beautiful.
It seems the testosterone levels were hitting 90 at the well.
It's what I observe when I go to the gym.
It might look like it, but I do go, yes.
And all the lads are there posing in front of the mirror,
flexing their pecs.
And they're hovering, waiting for some young damsel
who needs help manoeuvring some weights.
Well, it seems something similar is happening down at the well.
They all know that Rachel is going to be arriving soon,
but there's no way she's going to move that stone.
Opportunity arises, perhaps to earn a date night.
Jacob has been observing, verse 10,
when Jacob saw Rachel, daughter of his uncle Laban,
and Laban's sheep.
He went over and rolled the stone from the mouth of the well
and watered his uncle's sheep.
This was meant to be done by many,
but here he is, he man himself,
a demonstration of great strength.
What's going on?
Well, back at Bethel,
where Jacob had had his vision and dream
and his encounter with God,
remember God had promised him
that he would be a great nation
and that he would have a great land.
So when Jacob puts his eyes on Rachel
and when he sees the sheep,
he sees nation and land.
Someone who's going to give him children
and someone who has property.
Now's his chance.
He seizes the opportunity.
He steps up and with all his strength,
he moves that stone.
I'm going to have my nation
and I'm going to have my land.
Jacob sees and he wants.
He's tempted by desire.
You see, we all have desires, don't we?
We're all shaped and motivated by what we want.
Desires drive our choices and decisions.
It might not be a nation and a land,
but it might be a desire for a partner and a career.
Or it might be that we so want
a home of our own or a better pension.
We set our eyes on what we want
and we will do whatever is required
to get what we want.
You see, Jacob has a history of seeing and wanting.
He saw his brother's blessing and he took it.
He sees Rachel and sheep and he's after it.
But God's blessings are not to be taken.
They are to be received.
God's promises are not to be forced,
but to be trusted.
They are always given by grace
and received by faith.
You would hope that Jacob has learned,
but it seems that change is slow.
And we need to be careful.
Desires that go unchecked are dangerous.
Paul's words to a young Timothy are helpful here.
You can read it on the screen.
Those who want to get rich
fall into temptation and a trap
and into many foolish and harmful desires
that plunge people into ruin and destruction.
So let's ask ourselves the question,
what is it that you want?
What have you set your eyes on
that is controlling you
and consuming you?
Look at that verse again.
Those who want,
you fill in the blank for yourself.
Those who want
fall into temptation and a trap
and into many foolish and harmful desires
that plunge people
into ruin and destruction.
Be careful.
Jacob saw and wanted,
and as we will see,
it plunged him into a very destructive life.
So as we journey through life,
be careful about being tempted by desire.
We are always in need of grace.
So, tempted by desire.
Second, blinded by love.
The story deepens as Jacob meets Laban.
In fact, it becomes very clear to us
that Jacob doesn't tell the whole story
and Laban doesn't disclose all the story either.
After all the greetings in verse 13,
Laban embraced Jacob and kissed him
and brought him to his home
and there Jacob told him all these things.
Now, we're not given any detail.
It's just kind of like all these things.
You get the impression that
Jacob isn't telling the whole story here.
He's just telling them the bits he wants them to hear.
I mean, would Laban really have been so happy
if he knew the mess Jacob had left behind?
Would he want that kind of character
hanging around his daughters?
Well, it seems Jacob's careful deception
has been working.
Look at verse 14.
Then Laban said to him,
You are my own flesh and blood.
You're in the family now.
You're one of us.
It seems being economic with the truth
can be rather prosperous.
It's a bit like altering your grades on your CV
or misleading with details of experience.
Rather than be truthful and trust God,
we find it more advantageous to deceive
so we get what we want.
Let's make no mistake.
Jacob is ruthless.
He sees what he wants
and he's going to get it.
Look at verse 15.
Laban said to him,
Just because you are a relative of mine,
should you work for me for nothing,
tell me what your wages should be.
Well, Laban had two daughters.
The name of the elder one was Leah.
The name of the younger was Rachel.
Leah had weak eyes
or soft and tender eyes.
They were soft, compassionate eyes.
But that's as far as it went.
Rachel had a lovely figure
and was beautiful.
Jacob was in love with Rachel
and he said,
I'll work for you seven years
in return for your younger daughter, Rachel.
Now it all seems kind of quite normal, doesn't it?
Jacob is in love with this girl, Rachel,
and well, he's going to do whatever it takes.
He'll work seven hard years.
But isn't this just Jacob pursuing his own agenda?
Doesn't it strike you that God doesn't enter into the equation?
We don't find Jacob here reading his Bible
and praying about it.
He doesn't take time out to ask some wiser grey beard,
what should I do?
He's blinded by love.
Verse 20.
So Jacob served seven years to get Rachel
but they seemed like only a few days to him
because of his love for her.
Now you may think that there's something familiar
about this story of Jacob
because it's very similar
to a parallel story
of his own father Isaac.
If you go back to chapter 24 with me,
we'll see there that Jacob,
Jacob's father Isaac,
has no wife
and his father Abraham
sends his servant off to his people
to find a suitable partner.
But what I want us to see here is
just look at the God involvement in this.
We're going to pick it up in verse 12,
chapter 24, verse 12.
So the servant is going out
to look for a wife for Isaac
and just look at the God involvement.
Then he prayed,
Lord God of my master Abraham,
make me successful today
and show kindness to my master Abraham.
See, I am standing beside this spring
and the daughters of the townspeople
are coming out to draw water.
May it be that when I say to a young woman,
please let down your jar
that I may have a drink.
And she says,
drink and I'll water your camels too.
Let her be the one
you have chosen for your servant Isaac.
By this,
I will know
that you have shown kindness
to my master.
And sure enough,
he meets Rebecca.
She does everything
the servant had prayed about.
And when the servant then
recounts the whole story
back to Rebecca's brother,
the same Laban as we're looking at,
and to her father,
look at verse 50.
Verse 50,
Laban and Bethuel answered,
this is from the Lord.
We can say nothing to you
one way or the other.
Here is Rebecca.
Take her and go
and let her become
the wife of your master son
as the Lord directed.
You see,
in this whole account,
there's a humble dependence
on God.
They're praying.
They're talking.
They're committing it all to God.
You get the clear impression
that they don't trust
their own hearts.
They're trusting God.
Now let's go back
to chapter 29.
Do you see the difference?
Jacob can't even muster
a God,
please help me here
as I make a decision.
He just dives straight in,
blinded by love.
Jacob is doing life his way,
trying to secure
the blessings of God
by his own initiative.
Now we too
can be blinded by love.
Young people,
wakey, wakey,
listen up.
Of course,
it might be love for you,
love for a young man
or a young woman.
We see
and we want.
We don't bother
to inquire of
what's their Christian faith?
What's their commitment
to the local church like?
Do they give to mission?
Are they devoted
to learn from God's word?
We just like what we see.
I mean,
I always knows best.
It seems that
beautiful figures
are more important
than godly character.
And successful careers
are more important
than a servant heart.
but for maybe
others of us,
it's other loves
that have blinded us.
Love for a job
or
love for your hobby.
Love for a comfortable
and easy life.
Love for money.
Love for popularity.
Love for
what's
what's your love?
love for God.
You see,
our pursuit
of these things
can just
blind us
to our true
love for God.
We just
plough on ahead.
My life,
my choice.
It seems
that Proverbs 3
goes out the window.
Look at it
on the screen.
Trust in the Lord
with all your heart
and lean not
on your own
understanding.
In all your ways
submit to him
and he will
make your path
straight.
You see,
we do very well
not to trust
our own hearts.
Our hearts
are deceitful.
It's wise
when we
submit
all things
to God.
And if we
are Christians,
God has given
to us
the church
he's given
to us
his word,
his Holy Spirit,
we would do
well not to
follow Jacob's
path.
Inquire
of the Lord.
Talk to an
old
grey beard
or grey haired.
They have
experience.
Be accountable
to those
around you.
Stop
making
independent
decisions.
It just
might save
you
a very
destructive
life.
So as
we journey
through life,
be careful
that we are
not blinded
by love.
We are
always in
need
of grace.
So,
third,
tempted by
desire,
blinded by
love,
deceived
by pride.
after seven
years of
hard work,
Jacob and
Rachel were
ready to
get married.
Verse 21,
Jacob said to
Laban,
give me my
wife,
my time is
completed and
I want to
make love to
her.
It's time to
consummate the
marriage.
Let's make it
legal and
official.
But old
Laban has
grown cunning
over the
years,
hasn't he?
He's got
two daughters
and he
doesn't have
any concerns
about marrying
off Rachel.
I mean,
she was
gorgeous.
That's not
going to be
a problem.
Leah,
on the other
hand,
well,
she has
tender eyes
and
compassionate
eyes,
but that's
as far as
it went.
Who's
going to
marry Leah?
Laban has
a plan.
Verse 22,
Laban brought
together all
the people of
that place
and gave a
feast.
It's wedding
time.
Plenty of
food,
plenty of
wine.
But when
evening came,
under the
cover of
darkness and
after the
wine had
taken its
effect,
he took
his daughter
Leah and
brought her
to Jacob.
Well,
he hadn't
got a clue.
Jacob made
love to
her.
And Laban
gave his
servant
Zilpah to
his daughter
as her
attendant.
When
morning came,
there was
Leah.
What?
This can't
be.
Talk about
sobering up.
My goodness
me, what's
happened?
Then it
dawned,
verse 25,
So Jacob
said to
Laban,
what is
this you
have done
to me?
I have
served you
for Rachel,
didn't I?
Why have
you deceived
me?
Well,
Jacob couldn't
see the
irony in it
all,
could he?
He's been
deceiving all
his life.
Now he's
outraged that
someone close
to him,
even his own
father-in-law,
would do
such a thing.
Could he
really be
angry and
annoyed after
all he had
done?
You see,
Jacob's
desires and
loves have
not satisfied
him or
fulfilled him.
Yes, he
got Rachel,
but it came
at a price.
It took
another seven
years hard
labor, and
he got
another wife
he doesn't
love,
verse 30.
Jacob made
love to
Rachel also,
and his
love for
Rachel was
greater than
his love
for Leah.
It's stronger
than that,
it's he had
no love
for Leah,
and he
worked for
Laban another
seven years.
Anyone could
see that
marrying two
sisters was
never going
to work out.
It's not
going to be
a happy
home,
and as we'll
see in the
coming weeks,
it's an
absolute
mess.
Yeah, we
could argue,
and you
might point
out that
Laban was
the one who
deceived
Jacob, which
he did,
but at the
same time,
let's not
lose the
fact that
Jacob is
deceived by
his own
pride.
He's to
blame for
the whole
fiasco.
The effects
of his
selfish choices
and stubborn
pride have
come home
with disastrous
consequences.
We like to
point the
finger and
blame others.
He said,
she did,
they always,
why have
you deceived
me?
But the
reality is,
Jacob only
has to
blame himself,
as Proverbs
reminds us.
There it
is on the
screen.
Pride goes
before destruction,
a haughty
spirit before
a fall.
You see,
it could have
been so
very different.
Remember back
to Jacob's
encounter with
God?
Look what
God promised.
Chapter 28,
verse 15.
Remember what
God had
promised Jacob
back then?
I am with
you.
I'll watch
over you
wherever you
go.
I'll bring
you back to
this land.
I will not
leave you
until I
have done
what I
have promised
you.
All of
this I'm
for you,
Jacob.
All Jacob
needed to
do was to
ask and
to trust.
The sad
thing is,
Jacob never
talked to
God.
He never
asked God.
He never
inquires of
God.
In fact,
in the whole
text that we
read,
there's no
mention of
God.
God is
absent.
It's as if
Jacob has
left God
back in
Bethel and
headed off
on his
own.
I can
do life
my way.
Jacob had
been promised
God's
presence,
but he
ignores it.
Well,
how quickly
we forget
the privilege
we have as
brothers and
sisters of
the Lord
Jesus Christ.
How we've
been given
access to
our generous,
kind Father
in heaven,
the God
who made
us,
who has
promised us
every
spiritual
blessing in
Christ,
wisdom,
grace,
mercy,
strength,
it's all
yours,
but we
don't ask.
Instead,
we follow
our desires,
we pursue
our loves,
we take
pride in
our self
dependence.
Like
Jacob,
we need
God's
continued
grace.
And
thankfully,
God doesn't
give up on
us.
We have a
saviour,
Jesus,
who followed
not his own
desires,
but followed
the desire
of his
Father in
heaven,
who didn't
chase his
own loves,
but pursues
us in
love.
Who comes
to deal
with our
pride by
dying our
death,
taking our
punishment so
that we can
depend upon
him.
In Christ,
our desires
are fulfilled.
In Christ,
our loves
are satisfied.
In Christ,
we receive
grace for
the journey.
we have a
generous and
kind
father who
loves to
give good
gifts to
his children.
All we
need to do
is to be
humble and
ask and
not full of
pride.
We're going
to pray.
As we do,
I'm going to
read three
verses from
scripture.
As I read
them, just
listen to
their
invitation.
And maybe
there's one
that you want
to respond
to.
Let's just
take a moment
to reflect
on what we
hear as we
need God's
grace.
Listen to
the invitation
of the
Lord.
Matthew
11.
Come to
me, all
who are
weary and
burdened, and
I will give
you rest.
Take my
yoke upon
you and
learn from
me, for
I am
gentle and
humble in
heart, and
you will
find rest
for your
souls.
Hebrews
4.
Let us
approach
God's
throne of
grace with
confidence,
so that
we may
receive
mercy and
grace to
help us
in our
time of
need.
And
James
4.
But he
gives us
more grace.
That is
why
scripture
says,
God
opposes
the proud,
but shows
favor or
grace to
the humble.
Come near
to God, and
he will come
near to
you.
Humble
yourselves,
and he
will lift
you up.
Father,
we come
to you
because we
need you.
Our
desires,
our
loves,
are so
often
twisted.
We are
deceived by
our own
pride.
How we
need your
grace and
mercy.
How we
need your
help.
Thank you,
generous
Father, that
you now
give us
what we
need for
our
journey.
You
withhold no
good thing
from those
who love
you and
trust you.
So please
help us as
we now
ask.
Give us
what we
need.
That we
may follow
you all
the days
of our
life,
trusting in
your grace
alone,
knowing that
will be
sufficient.
thank you,
Jesus.
Thank you
that you
are enough
for us
today.
Amen.
We're
going to
sing.
Christ is
my reward
and all
of my
devotion.
This is
our true
desire,
our true
love.
This song
helps us
to express
our trust
for our
need of
Christ.
If you're
able to,
I invite you
to stand
as we
sing our
song together.
Amen.