Crushing Jacob’s Self-Reliance
Genesis 29:1-30
November 9, 2014
As you know we are working through the book of Genesis,
It is the “The Gospel According to Moses”
Most recently we’ve been dealing with the Patriarchs
(Abraham, Isaac, & Jacob)
And it is impossible to miss the fact that
God’s work in each of these 3 lives has been strikingly similar.
• He chose all three
• He made promises to all three
• He sanctified all three
• He glorified all three
We certainly saw that in Abraham and Isaac,
We are now seeing it unfold again in Jacob.
We have said from the beginning that we learn a great deal about GRACE
As we examine how God works in Jacob’s life.
By now you’ve got a pretty good handle on Jacob.
He was the second of twin boys, but God chose him to be first.
That means that according to God’s sovereign decree
Jacob was going to receive the birthright and the blessing.
God promised it, it was going to happen.
But if you’ll remember this is where
The main flaw in Jacob’s character began to reveal itself.
Jacob was not primarily a man of faith
Jacob was not primarily a man who sought God
JACOB WAS A SELF-RELIANT MAN
That doesn’t mean that Jacob wasn’t interested in God, he was.
That doesn’t mean that Jacob didn’t believe in God, he did.
We all remember last week as Jacob had a dream
And God revealed His plan to bless Jacob and be with him.
Jacob appreciated that and believed that
And even promised that if God would do that then God would be his God.
The problem was that even though Jacob knew God,
Jacob wasn’t to the point where he was fully depending on God.
He was not yet a man of faith.
And we have seen that haven’t we?
Jacob has routinely been a man who took matters into his own hands.
• Have you seen Jacob pray yet?
• Have you heard Jacob petition God yet?
• Have you observed Jacob waiting on God yet?
And the answer is no.
• Jacob had a plan for getting the birthright and he pulled it off
• Jacob had a plan for getting the blessing and he pulled it off
The one encounter Jacob had with God,
Was initiated by God in one of Jacob’s dreams.
THE POINT IS THAT JACOB IS FAR TOO SELF-RELIANT.
PRESENTLY IN OUR STORY
Jacob is about to enter what we have called “Laban’s University”
(It is not much different from the “Wilderness University” we have often spoken of)
And Jacob is about to earn a faith degree.
He is going in depending on self, he’ll come out depending on God.
By the time we get to chapter 32, Jacob will be on the run.
He’ll have Esau (whom he cheated) in front of him with 400 men
He’ll have Laban (whom he cheated) behind him.
And in that chapter Jacob will wrestle with God
Until God promises to bless him.
In short, Jacob enters Laban’s University depending on self,
He’ll come out so dependent on God
That he won’t let go until God promises to bless him.
So it’s not hard to see what God is up to.
• God is pruning Jacob
• God is molding Jacob
• God is sanctifying Jacob
And we call this GRACE
It is nothing short of the grace of God
That God is willing to mold Jacob into the man he must become.
Titus 2:11-14 “For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus, who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds.”
Grace certainly saves us, but it also instructs us “to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, and righteously and godly in the present age”
It also causes us to look “for the blessed hope”
That God has set before us.
This is the type of grace that is now at work in Jacob’s life.
If you want a little more of an outline, let me give it to you like this.
Jacob’s time with Laban will be characterized by three major events.
All three events are steeped in intrigue, deception, and strife.
The first time Jacob is a VICTIM of Scheming – bride swap
(Namely because he is disregarding God)
The second time Jacob is a VIEWER of Scheming – Leah vs. Rachel
(And here he acknowledges that he is not God)
The third time Jacob is VICTOR over Scheming – earning Laban’s flock
(And here he is fully dependent upon God)
That is what God is doing in Jacob’s life.
• It is a process of pruning
• It is a process of transformation
• It is a process of education
• It is a process of sanctification
IT IS NOTHING SHORT OF GRACE AT WORK IN JACOB’S LIFE
Hopefully you’ll see that clearly as we study through these texts,
Hopefully you’ll be able to recognize that same grace at work in your life.
Well, this morning
Let’s look at that first major lesson that Jacob is about to learn.
It’s not a pleasant one, but there is little doubt that it would grab Jacob’s attention.
Jacob will fall victim to Laban’s scheme of swapping brides.
There are two main points we’ll look at this morning
As we see God begin to crush Jacob’s self-reliance.
#1 JACOB’S CONFIDENCE
Genesis 29:1-20
Hopefully you remember where Jacob is in the story.
He has just secured the blessing from Isaac,
But because he did it in a deceptive way, Esau wants to kill him.
To keep that from happening
Rebekah devised a plan for Jacob to flee to Laban for a wife.
Genesis 28:2 “Arise, go to Paddan-aram, to the house of Bethuel your mother’s father; and from there take to yourself a wife from the daughters of Laban your mother’s brother.”
No doubt Jacob would have been rattled by this request,
For leaving the land of promise was never part of the plan.
However we heard Isaac encourage Jacob’s faith,
Asking him to trust in the God of Abraham
Then we saw God specifically encourage Jacob’s faith
With a dream and a divine promise.
Genesis 28:12-15 “He had a dream, and behold, a ladder was set on the earth with its top reaching to heaven; and behold, the angels of God were ascending and descending on it. And behold, the LORD stood above it and said, “I am the LORD, the God of your father Abraham and the God of Isaac; the land on which you lie, I will give it to you and to your descendants. “Your descendants will also be like the dust of the earth, and you will spread out to the west and to the east and to the north and to the south; and in you and in your descendants shall all the families of the earth be blessed. “Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land; for I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.”
The ladder was a picture of God working on earth.
(Children sing “We are climbing Jacob’s ladder” but that is wrong.
That ladder is not for us to go up, it is for God to come down)
God has come down to work specifically for Jacob.
• God is going to secure the land for him (good for a man leaving)
• God is going to turn him into a blessing (good for a man of contention)
• God is going to be with him and secure the promise
And what we learned was that these promises and revelations
Must have greatly lifted Jacob’s spirits.
In fact verse 1 says, “Then Jacob went on his journey”
The Hebrew translates “Then Jacob lifted up his feet”
It is a connotation of excitement and enthusiasm.
Jacob’s joy and excitement for the trip have been restored.
He may have been perplexed at having to flee the Promised Land,
But Isaac’s reminder and God’s revelation
Have certainly lifted Jacob’s spirits.
And everything you see for the next 20 verses
Drips of a man overflowing with optimism and self-confidence.
First you notice that
• Jacob comes to the land
• Sees a well and makes acquaintance with the people there.
• He asks if it is Laban’s land and inquires how Laban is doing.
• And Jacob learns that Laban is doing well.
And after he learns this you will see
Jacob’s first expression of self-confidence.
1) SHEPHERDING ADVICE
(7) “He said, “Behold, it is still high day; it is not time for the livestock to be gathered. Water the sheep, and go, pasture them.”
Now I don’t know about you, but I always enjoy it
When total strangers come up to me and tell me how to do my job better.
When you think about it, this was pretty brass thing Jacob did.
These were shepherds from this reason
They obviously knew why they were doing what they were doing
And yet Jacob didn’t mind jumping right in there and giving his advice.
But Moses makes it clear why they are waiting.
(3) “When all the flocks were gathered there, they would then roll the stone from the mouth of the well and water the sheep, and put the stone back in its place on the mouth of the well.”
Verse 2 tells us that “the stone on the mouth of the well was large.”
That hardly seems like pertinent information
Until you learn that this is why the shepherds were all gathered.
Jacob wondered why they’d be watering flocks in the middle of the day
Instead of pasturing them.
(8) “But they said, “We cannot, until all the flocks are gathered, and they roll the stone from the mouth of the well; then we water the sheep.”
The reason they were there is because they couldn’t move the stone by themselves. It was a large stone and they couldn’t move it.
Well, Rachel arrives and this leads to
Jacob’s second display of self confidence.
2) SHOW OF STRENGTH
(9-10) “While he was still speaking with them, Rachel came with her father’s sheep, for she was a shepherdess. When Jacob saw Rachel the daughter of Laban his mother’s brother, and the sheep of Laban his mother’s brother, Jacob went up and rolled the stone from the mouth of the well and watered the flock of Laban his mother’s brother.”
You ladies might not know why Jacob went and moved that stone by himself, but every man in here does.
This was his opportunity to show off for Rachel.
“I’ll move a stone that none of these can move by themselves!”
And come on, if you’re one of those other shepherds
You’ve had about all of Jacob that you can stand.
This arrogant punk walks in here questions our shepherding skills and then he-mans this rock out of the way to show how strong he is.
“This guy thinks he is really something special!”
Self-confidence right?
Well that’s not all
3) STEALING A KISS
(11-12) “Then Jacob kissed Rachel, and lifted his voice and wept. Jacob told Rachel that he was a relative of her father and that he was Rebekah’s son, and she ran and told her father.”
You can call this just a customary greeting if you want,
But I say, “No way”. Jacob’s biorhythms are sky high.
He’s a big shot with big plans
He’s laying claim to all he wants and not afraid to show it
He is flying high.
And that still doesn’t change.
4) SERVICE OF LABAN
READ VERSES 13-20
Because Jacob fled Canaan with no money,
He has nothing to offer Laban for Rachel’s hand.
Jacob’s only recourse is to work off the debt,
And Jacob instantly pops off that he’ll give 7 years for Rachel as a wife.
I can’t help but detect a little boldness in this as well.
Do you think such a sacrifice impressed Rachel? I think it was supposed to.
And of course we notice that even the service
Went right according to Jacob’s plan.
(20) “So Jacob served seven years for Rachel and they seemed to him but a few days because of his love for her.”
SO WHAT IS THE POINT SO FAR?
Namely that Jacob is dripping with self-confidence
• He’s making plans
• He’s chasing dreams
• And everything is working exactly as it should
If there was ever a man who has the world by the tail it’s Jacob.
• He planned and got the birthright from Esau
• He planned and got the blessing from Isaac
• He planned and got Rachel from Laban
I promise you, in Jacob’s mind, he has the Midas touch.
He’s even got God in his hip pocket
Just to make sure everything goes according to plan.
This is a man walking in extreme self-confidence.
And let me tell you:
THAT HAS TO GO
James said it best about people who trust in their own plans:
James 4:13-16 “Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, and spend a year there and engage in business and make a profit.” Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away. Instead, you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and also do this or that.” But as it is, you boast in your arrogance; all such boasting is evil.”
That is another way of saying:
DON’T EVER GET TOO BIG FOR YOUR BRITCHES!
It may seem like your plans are dipped in butter,
Coated with gold, and as solid as iron.
You may think your capable of outrunning speeding bullets
And leaping tall buildings in a single bound
But let me remind you:
Proverbs 11:2 “When pride comes, then comes dishonor, But with the humble is wisdom.”
Proverbs 16:18 “Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before stumbling.”
Proverbs 29:23 “A man’s pride will bring him low, But a humble spirit will obtain honor.”
All those who got too self-confident fell flat on their face.
Just ask Peter:
Mark 14:29 “But Peter said to Him, “Even though all may fall away, yet I will not.”
Just ask the guy who had so much grain in his barns
He decided to build bigger ones and rest in security for the rest of his life.
Luke 12:20 “But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your soul is required of you; and now who will own what you have prepared?’”
Just ask Job
TURN TO: Job 29:1-20
Self-confidence in what you’ve done or can do is a very dangerous thing.
That is why Scripture says:
Proverbs 26:12 “Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.”
Jeremiah 9:23-24 “Thus says the LORD, “Let not a wise man boast of his wisdom, and let not the mighty man boast of his might, let not a rich man boast of his riches; but let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD who exercises lovingkindness, justice and righteousness on earth; for I delight in these things,” declares the LORD.”
Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the LORD with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight.”
And now you’re catching on to the problem with Jacob.
He wasn’t necessarily a bad man
And his plans weren’t necessarily bad plan.
It’s just that it is pretty clear Jacob was trusting in his own abilities
And leaning on his own understanding.
He was full of self-confidence
And he was RIPE to have the rug pulled right out from under him.
Enter Laban…
Jacob’s Confidence
#2 JACOB’S CONSEQUENCE
Genesis 29:21-30
Now there is a familiar story
(and again eerily similar to one we’ve already read)
Jacob’s plan has worked to perfection
And so he approaches Laban with his familiar cocky confidence and says, “Give me my wife, for my time is completed, that I may go in to her.”
You can hear his tone can’t you?
(I don’t think those were the exact words I used when I spoke to Carrie’s dad)
Jacob is used to getting what he wants
Simply because he has always been a step ahead of the game.
(He’s a J.R. Ewing if there ever was one.)
But look out Jacob, you’re not the only one with a trick up your sleeve.
Laban throws the party,
Laban invites the guests,
Laban presents the bride.
(23-24) “Now in the evening he took his daughter Leah, and brought her to him; and Jacob went in to her. Laban also gave his maid Zilpah to his daughter Leah as a maid.”
People often ask how Jacob could not have known.
Granted parts of this story seem a little far-fetched.
(But I remind you it wasn’t nearly as far-fetched as the trick he played on Isaac)
There are two reasons that Jacob was fooled.
Thick veil and dark tent
Laban played this thing cool.
• He brought a bride (customary)
• He gave a maid (customary)
Everything here looked like normal and thus Jacob had no red flags
Because Jacob is used to his plan always working.
(25) “So it came about in the morning that, behold, it was Leah! And he said to Laban, “What is this you have done to me? Was it not for Rachel that I served with you? Why then have you deceived me?”
Now would probably be a good time to insert the verse.
Galatians 6:7 “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap.”
Perhaps Jacob should write home to Isaac
About what it feels like to have someone dress up and pretend they are someone they really aren’t in order to get what they want from you.
Had Jacob forgotten that Rebekah (who masterminded the first deception) was Laban’s sister?
JACOB HAS JUST MET HIS MATCH.
And let me remind you.
When you live by your wits, you are prone to get out-witted.
There is always someone craftier, smoother, or better at it than you.
That is why trusting in your own plans, schemes, abilities, discernment
Is a foolish endeavor.
You are asking to be hood-winked.
Proverbs 26:12 “Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.”
Laban just got the best of Jacob.
(26-30) “But Laban said, “It is not the practice in our place to marry off the younger before the firstborn. “Complete the week of this one, and we will give you the other also for the service which you shall serve with me for another seven years.” Jacob did so and completed her week, and he gave him his daughter Rachel as his wife. Laban also gave his maid Bilhah to his daughter Rachel as her maid. So Jacob went in to Rachel also, and indeed he loved Rachel more than Leah, and he served with Laban for another seven years.”
Now let me ask you,
Can you feel some of the starch just come right out of Jacob?
Where is that cocky, confident, take the bull by the horns boy
We saw at the beginning of the chapter?
Well, that boy is gone.
He has just been brought down to size.
He has just been taught that he is not the most clever
He has just been taught that he is not the most wise
And he is finally learning that if he is going to succeed in life,
He might need some help.
JACOB’S SELF-CONFIDENCE JUST GOT CRUSHED.
And friend this is a necessary work
That God must do in the life of every person He calls to Himself.
You cannot succeed while trusting in yourself,
Your faith must move from you to God.
Jeremiah 17:5-8 “Thus says the LORD, “Cursed is the man who trusts in mankind And makes flesh his strength, And whose heart turns away from the LORD. “For he will be like a bush in the desert And will not see when prosperity comes, But will live in stony wastes in the wilderness, A land of salt without inhabitant. “Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD And whose trust is the LORD. “For he will be like a tree planted by the water, That extends its roots by a stream And will not fear when the heat comes; But its leaves will be green, And it will not be anxious in a year of drought Nor cease to yield fruit.”
Those that trust in self are cursed
Those that trust in God are blessed
AND SO A NECESSARY WORK OF GRACE
Is for you to be taken through situations that force you to quit trusting your own abilities and to start trusting His.
Psalms 30:6-9 “Now as for me, I said in my prosperity, “I will never be moved.” O LORD, by Your favor You have made my mountain to stand strong; You hid Your face, I was dismayed. To You, O LORD, I called, And to the Lord I made supplication: “What profit is there in my blood, if I go down to the pit? Will the dust praise You? Will it declare Your faithfulness?”
Did you catch how a little adversity
Turned the Psalmist to begin trusting God?
Listen to Paul.
2 Corinthians 1:8-9 “For we do not want you to be unaware, brethren, of our affliction which came to us in Asia, that we were burdened excessively, beyond our strength, so that we despaired even of life; indeed, we had the sentence of death within ourselves so that we would not trust in ourselves, but in God who raises the dead;”
The point is that self-confidence is not where God wants you.
And this has been one of the major lies of our society.
This country (especially our school systems) spend great amounts of effort promoting Self-Esteem and Self-Worth and Self-Confidence
And even Self-Love
But those things are contrary to God’s plan for your life.
In fact to follow Jesus at all the very first thing you must do is deny self.
Matthew 16:24 “Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me.”
God does not want you confident in yourself or your own abilities.
God wants you confident in Him.
And part of His greatest work of grace
Is when He takes you through those moments that teach you that.
• So you had a financial dilemma that was beyond your control…
• So you had a medical dilemma that was beyond your control…
• So you had a physical dilemma that was beyond your control…
• So you had a relationship dilemma that was beyond your control…
• So you had an emotional dilemma that was beyond your control…
That’s good – it was meant to teach you to trust in God
Because none of those things are beyond His control.
But even that is not the final objective.
Because financial, medical, physical, relational, emotional issues
Are not the most important.
The most important issues you will ever face in life are spiritual issues.
And you most certainly must learn
That those issues are beyond your control.
If you are allowed to think that you are in control own fate
Then it’s possible you’ll take the matter of your soul into your own hands
AND THIS RESULTS IN CERTAIN FAILURE.
So God, in His grace, teaches you just how fragile you are
Because if you learn nothing else in this life
You had better learn to trust Him.
Jacob is on that path.
And so are the children of Israel whom Moses is preaching to.
God ripped them from Egypt and placed them in the wilderness and if they were learning nothing else it was that they had to daily depend on God for everything!
Self-Reliance would get them nowhere!
And it won’t get you anywhere either.
• So learn from your struggles
• Recognize just how weak and hopeless you really are
• Quit leaning on your own abilities and understanding
AND CAST IT ALL ON THE BACK OF GOD
Jacob isn’t doing that yet, but in about 13 more years he will.
That’s grace at work!
Titus 2:11-12 “For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age,”
