TEXT: Genesis 29:1-31
TITLE: The Day Jacob Met His Match
THEME: What a person plants, he will harvest.
SERMON IN A SENTENCE: We reap what we sow, but this does not thwart our Father’s eternal plan.
OUTLINE:
I. Jacob Finds Laban (29:1-13)
A. Jacob’s Arrival 29:1-8
B. Jacob’s Appraisal 29:4-10
C. Jacob’s Approval 29:11-13
II. Laban Fools Jacob (29:14-30)
A. Laban’s Daughters (29:14-19)
1. Leah the elder
2. Rachel the younger
B. Jacob’s Delight (29:20)
C. Laban’s Deceit (29:21-30)
1. A Spiritual Principle: Galatians 6:7-10
III. God Fulfils His Promise (29:31,35; see 28:14)
A. God’s ways are not our ways:
1. The Younger Preferred Over the Older: Our Father does not follow man’s order (ex. Esua and Jacob).
2. The Inward Preferred Over the Outward: Our Father looks on the heart not the outward appearance (ex. David).
3. The Despised Preferred Over the Honored: Our Father lifts up the downtrodden and (ex. Leah and Rachel).
B. This follows a spiritual principle laid out in
1 Corinthians 1:26-31.
C. The lineage of Jesus comes through Leah not Rachel.
CONCLUSION:
Our Father is always using unconventional means and overlooked people to fulfill His purposes. Just because someone is smart, talented, and attractive does not mean God will use them. He wants a willing heart surrendered to do His will. Are you that kind of person?