This series of 15 conversations revisits the story of a world-class liar and deceiver. The intent is to find insight and perspective as we explore together what Jacob, the father of the original 12 tribes of Israel contributes to the bigger story of Jesus— and to us. Even though he was a grandson of Abraham, Jacob turned out to be so dishonest that he had to leave home to avoid being killed by the older brother he betrayed. Yet his legacy is as wonderful as it is mysterious. God loved Jacob, and chose him to be a blessing to every family of the earth. What was God trying to tell us?

Receive

Jacob turned out to be so dishonest that he had to leave home to avoid being killed by the older brother he betrayed. Yet his legacy is as wonderful as it is mysterious.

Although Jacob’s life and relationships raise lots of questions, we can see that God still loved Jacob and God chose him to be a blessing to every family of the earth.

As we reflect on Jacob’s story, we can rejoice that God loves us despite our flaws, struggles, and weaknesses and can still use us to be a blessing to many.

Reflect

• How might Rebekah have justified the scheme to deceive her husband as we find in Genesis 27:41– 45?
• Why would God offer not only to provide and protect a man like Jacob, but also to make him part of the story that would bring blessing to the whole world as we read in Genesis 28:10–17?
• In Genesis 28:18–22, was Jacob expressing the kind of faith that pleases God or trying to put conditions on his faith?
• Based on Genesis 31:5–7, what was happening in Jacob during those twenty years of struggle and betrayal while living with and working for his dishonest father-in-law?

Respond

(Use this prayer to start a conversation with God)

“Dear God, thank You for loving me despite my flaws, mistakes, and past. Thank You for Your mercy, grace, and forgiveness. Help me to surrender to You in every area of my life and to trust You in every season.”

Discover more about the topics in this episode with these recommended resources

Mentioned in this episode:

• Our Daily Bread Ministries' Press Giving Campaign

Listen:

• The Master of Forgiveness
• Myths of Forgiveness

Read:

• A Socially Suspect Ancestry
• The Forgiveness of God

Watch:

• Jerusalem – The City of Forgiveness (The Holy Land)
• Jerusalem – The Cost of Forgiveness (The Holy Land)