God’s story in god’s people

Rejected. Invisible. Lonely. Unloved. Pushed aside. Have you ever felt that way? Leah always came in second. Scripture reveals that her younger sister Rachel was “beautiful in form and appearance,” while Leah’s eyes lacked brightness and luster (Gen. 29:17).

Let’s start today with a question: When did you own your faith? I’m not asking when you trusted in Jesus. Certainly, that’s where it all began. But when did you have an experience—perhaps a challenge or a great blessing—that turned your simple trust in Jesus into a definite commitment to walk with him? I believe God’s story in Jacob’s life can help clarify our answer.

It sometimes surprises me how much Scripture reveals about the significant family issues Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—the patriarchs of the people through whom God would send his Son—faced. We have seen how Abraham and Sarah's family dynamics were altered and the challenges that arose when Hagar and Ishmael entered their household. We will also read about many difficult and often distressing circumstances that created emotional upheaval and tension among Jacob, Leah, Rachel, and their twelve sons. Today, let’s consider the home life of Isaac, Rebekah, and their sons. 

What comes to mind when you read or hear the word “compromise”? It’s not always a bad thing. Every healthy relationship involves give-and-take. No one should always get their way. But when we compromise in our relationship with God, we set ourselves up for failure. Let’s consider the dangers of spiritual compromise through the story of Lot, which begins in Genesis 13. 

Have you ever been tested by God? Faced a major challenge, a difficult decision, or an obstacle that felt impossible? Isn’t the journey with Jesus supposed to be smooth sailing? Why would God send trials into our lives? Today, we will consider an unimaginable test. Let’s see what we can learn and apply. 

There are moments in our lives when God shows up in a big way. It is unmistakable. Someone has said that God is never late, seldom early, yet he is always right on time. In our passage today, God reveals himself in a big way with his perfect timing.

Today, we’ll begin with a question: Do you ever get tired of waiting on God? Maybe it concerns a job, recovery from an illness, a relationship, or a prodigal child coming home. It’s not for lack of prayer. You’ve spent plenty of time crying out to God, yet still no visible action has taken place, and there has been no definitive answer. 

When we come to Genesis 15, Abram had just won a significant battle and refused to take plunder from the victory so that no one could say, “I have made Abram rich” (Gen. 14:23). However, Abram is concerned about retaliation from those he defeated. So, God gave Abram this assurance, “Fear not, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great” (Gen. 15:1).

I’ve titled our study “God’s Story in God’s People” because this is God’s story; however, we are not on the sidelines. It’s amazing that God uses people like you and me to carry out his eternal plan. The story unfolds through four interwoven threads: Who God is. Who humanity is. How to know God through Jesus. How to walk with God through the power of the Holy Spirit.