Jacob proves that God answers prayer - study on Genesis
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Sermon Notes:
Jacob proved that God answers prayer. Genesis 28:10-29:20
He experienced God’s guidance.
Jacob had left his home in Beersheba - meaning “well of the oath” this was where God had met his father and given him promises. Gen 26:23-25.
He was travelling to Haran to find a bride and on the way he had his own personal encounter with God in a dream where God promised to take care of him. Genesis 28:10-22
Because of this encounter - Jacob journeyed with an awareness of angels around and a sense of God’s Presence with him. Genesis 29:1-2 Amp Bible.
Genesis 29:1-8 Jacob arrived in Haran at the very place where his extended family lived. God was guiding him in response to his prayer request. Genesis 28:20-21. Maybe you feel you are on the run away from problems. Are you aware that God is still guiding you? You can choose to worry about things or live with a sense of God’s Presence.
Jacob finds love at a well. Genesis 29:9-20.
As Jacob had left the well at Beersheba so God guided him to another “well” where he would find the love of his life - Rachael - and it was here that he also found refreshment! God knows we need love in our lives and especially His love -if we trust Him we will experience the joy of His love and He will connect us to people we can truly love - who will love us in return.
Jacob serves Rachael.
There was a large stone at the mouth of the well and when Rachael arrived, Jacob’s first thought was to serve her by rolling the stone away for her flocks. She was a shepherdess. 29:9. Later he served 7 years without wages in order to marry Rachael and “it seemed like a few days to him because of his love for her!” Genesis 29:20.
Jacob as a picture of Jesus.
1. Like Jacob - Jesus left His Father house to search for His bride.
He came as a servant. (The gospel of Mark presents Jesus at the suffering servant who loved us.)
2. Jacob was willing to roll away the stone so that Rachel could water her sheep. Water in the Bible symbolises “salvation and the Holy Spirit.” Check out Isaiah 12:3 43:20 44:3 55:1 John 4:14 & 7:38-39.
3. As Jacob rolled away the stone for Rachael - see Jesus standing in resurrection beside the tomb where another stone has been rolled away by an angel. Matthew 28:2. When this stone was rolled away it revealed that Jesus had paid the price of salvation so we could drink from the well of salvation and enjoy spiritual refreshment from the Holy Spirit.
4. The Hebrew word used for “roll away” in Genesis 29 is “Galal” and it actually means “commit. Jesus came to “roll” or “commit” Himself to us.
5. This same word “Galal” is also used in Proverbs 16:3 and Psalm 37:5 and it reminds us that God wants us to learn to commit (or roll) our “works” and our “way” unto Him…check out the results of doing this.
Rachael as the Bride of Christ.
1. Rachael was Jacob’s first love and she is a picture of the Bride of Christ or the Church. Jesus loved the church and gave Himself for her. Eph 5:25.
2. When Rachael realised who Jacob was she ran off to tell her family v12. When we have a revelation of who Jesus is and His great love for us - we are to go and tell. Compare the woman at the well in John 4.
3. Rachael was a shepherdess. Do you see yourself as a shepherdess? If you know the Shepherd then God wants you to recognise that there are little lambs around you that need encouraging and you can have the joy of watering them at the well of salvation.
Lessons for life
God loves YOU and He will guide you to others who need love.
Sin blocks the well of salvation but Jesus died and is “committed” to rolling away the stone that would block you from salvation and spiritual refreshment through the Holy Spirit. You can have a drink anytime!!!!
Learn to roll (commit) your works and your way onto the Lord and see Him work things out for you. 2 Timothy 1:12.
Know that an encounter with Jesus changes everything and empowers you to go and tell others. Matt 28:10 Mark 16:15
Finally know that God wants YOU to feed His little lambs. Jn 21:15-17