Jacob, the Deceiver, Becomes a Prince

Jacob, the Deceiver, becomes a Prince

Genesis 24-32

(Sermon by Jack Nazary - Colonial Hills 1971)

Introduction

I. Jacob Wandered from God
(a) Deceived his father - Genesis 27:18-29
It was easy for him to do wrong - came natural. He's the kind who would throw dirt in a man's eyes in a pile-up on a football field or elbow in basketball, or try to spike a man in baseball. To deceive his father was the wrong step for a young man for the Bible says "Do not be deceived" Galatians 6:7. "According to what I have seen, those who plow iniquity And those who sow trouble harvest it." Job 4:8

Can't sin and get by with it!
Exodus 1:22 - Pharaoh charged all the people that all boy babies should be drowned and in Exodus 14:28 - Pharaoh drowned in the Red Sea.

Korah in Numbers 16:2-3 causes a cleft in congregation and in Numbers 16:32 - Korah was swallowed in a cleft of the earth.

Adonibezek cut off seventy kings thumbs and big toes - Judges 1:6-7 - Later, his thumbs were cut off also.

Ahab caused Naboth to be slain and dogs licked his blood, later, Ahab was slain and dogs licked his blood.

II Chronicles 16:10 - Asa caused Hanani the prophet to be placed in stocks and in old age Asa died of foot disease.

Haman died on gallows he prepared for Mordecai - Esther

Paul watch and held garments while Stephen was stoned - Later, Paul was stoned.

Jacob deceived his father - received the blessing - Laban deceived Jacob - changed his wages ten times - His sons deceived him - sold his son Joseph into slavery in Egypt.

(b) He departs from home - Genesis 28:10. He made a big mistake - Don't get heart peace by running away from difficulties - the part of a coward...One must make things right before heart peace comes. Matthew 5:23-24 - "Therefore if you are presenting your offering at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your offering there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and present your offering.

(c) He develops difficulties - Genesis 28:11 - Jacob used a pillow at home but not now - a stone. Prodical desired to eat the husk that the swine did eat.

II. Jacob wrestled with God - Genesis 32:24-25

(a) Jacob was at ease in Zion - Self satisfied. "Feel that we have need of nothing" Revelation 3:15-17
Example - A preacher of mission dreaming that he was pulling a covered wagon, a symbol of the church, by the end of the tongue. It seemed that the wagon was going down grade - marshy at the bottom - people working together, but the load became heavier and heavier slower and slower then it stopped. Deacons, members, stopped pushing crawled on and were riding criticizing the way hie was pulling.
(b) Jacob awakened - Genesis 22; 26
(c) Jacob humbled in heart - Genesis 32:27-8 Must lean on God - Paul learned this on Damascus road, Peter prostrated himself after denial and wept.

III. Jacob walked with God - Genesis 33:19-20
(a) In separation - Genesis 35:4
(b) In sacrifice and satisfaction - Genesis 35:7