More Than We Expect

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Sunday - 9:15 AM Sunday School, 10:30 AM Worship Service

by: Denise Robinson

01/07/2022

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Three weeks ago, with breaks for Christmas and New Year's Day, in our look at the life of Jacob (through the book "Escaping with Jacob" by David Ramos), we found Jacob coming closer to the end of his life. God, however, isn't quite finished with Jacob yet. The storyline may be shifting to Joseph and his other sons, but Jacob still has more to learn and more to do.  
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Week 25: Read Genesis 46:28-34 (More Than We Expect)


"After an extended retelling of Jacob's descendants up to this point, the story returns to Jacob on his way to Egypt. Finally, after decades of sorrow and ignorance, Jacob and Joseph are reunited. The scene is incredibly short for how vital it is to both of their stories. Here is the father who believed he had lost his favorite son, now seeing him as a man and as a ruler. Also, here is a boy who was betrayed in the worst way by his own family, who hoped and trusted God that somehow all of this would work out for good, and it did. The two men embrace, weeping. For Jacob, God had literally brought his son back to life. 
The verses go on to prepare the family to meet Pharaoh. Joseph already has a plan in mind on where and how his family should be taken care of. So long as everyone plays their part, he will secure the future for his brothers and their children. 


If you really take the time to look at Jacob's story, you'll see a common theme appear over and over again. God always gave Jacob more than he was expecting. Jacob worked for the right to marry a woman and ended up with two (edit: not sure that was really a plus or God's intent, but it did result in the twelve tribes of Israel). He went through great trouble to get his brother's forgiveness and ended up being his welcomed guest - completely free of his previous wrongdoing. Jacob planned to have a family and at this point has 70 direct descendants. Finally, he prayed for a peaceful end to his days and ended up receiving Joseph to see him off. 

For all the obvious flaws Jacob has, one thing is clear; he was completely open to what God had for him. Sure, at times he tried to do things his own way which veered him in the wrong direction. But the instant God spoke or pushed him towards a certain goal, there was no turning back. Jacob availed himself to God, through pain and prosperity, and ended up with more than he ever could have dreamed.

We are going to make mistakes on our Christian journey. The question is, when God confronts us about those mistakes will we continue on our path, or will we stop and tell God that we are open for whatever he wants? The best life for us is the one God already has planned."
__________________________________
Takeaway from today's lesson: God always gives us more than we expect when we completely open ourselves to him. 

Prayer: God, thank you that you have my best in mind. Help me to trust you and let you direct my path. Amen.
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Three weeks ago, with breaks for Christmas and New Year's Day, in our look at the life of Jacob (through the book "Escaping with Jacob" by David Ramos), we found Jacob coming closer to the end of his life. God, however, isn't quite finished with Jacob yet. The storyline may be shifting to Joseph and his other sons, but Jacob still has more to learn and more to do.  
__________________________
Week 25: Read Genesis 46:28-34 (More Than We Expect)


"After an extended retelling of Jacob's descendants up to this point, the story returns to Jacob on his way to Egypt. Finally, after decades of sorrow and ignorance, Jacob and Joseph are reunited. The scene is incredibly short for how vital it is to both of their stories. Here is the father who believed he had lost his favorite son, now seeing him as a man and as a ruler. Also, here is a boy who was betrayed in the worst way by his own family, who hoped and trusted God that somehow all of this would work out for good, and it did. The two men embrace, weeping. For Jacob, God had literally brought his son back to life. 
The verses go on to prepare the family to meet Pharaoh. Joseph already has a plan in mind on where and how his family should be taken care of. So long as everyone plays their part, he will secure the future for his brothers and their children. 


If you really take the time to look at Jacob's story, you'll see a common theme appear over and over again. God always gave Jacob more than he was expecting. Jacob worked for the right to marry a woman and ended up with two (edit: not sure that was really a plus or God's intent, but it did result in the twelve tribes of Israel). He went through great trouble to get his brother's forgiveness and ended up being his welcomed guest - completely free of his previous wrongdoing. Jacob planned to have a family and at this point has 70 direct descendants. Finally, he prayed for a peaceful end to his days and ended up receiving Joseph to see him off. 

For all the obvious flaws Jacob has, one thing is clear; he was completely open to what God had for him. Sure, at times he tried to do things his own way which veered him in the wrong direction. But the instant God spoke or pushed him towards a certain goal, there was no turning back. Jacob availed himself to God, through pain and prosperity, and ended up with more than he ever could have dreamed.

We are going to make mistakes on our Christian journey. The question is, when God confronts us about those mistakes will we continue on our path, or will we stop and tell God that we are open for whatever he wants? The best life for us is the one God already has planned."
__________________________________
Takeaway from today's lesson: God always gives us more than we expect when we completely open ourselves to him. 

Prayer: God, thank you that you have my best in mind. Help me to trust you and let you direct my path. Amen.
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