GENESIS 28:1-22 GOD’S ACTIVITY IN HUMAN INACTIVITY
INTRODUCTION Have you ever wondered what God get’s up to when you’re (or we’re) not looking? It’s not blasphemy… we all do it… when we question God We see what’s happening in the world today…
WHAT WILL GOD DO ABOUT IT? Story – youth anniversary organisation committee; I was 17 years old Bad preparation and bad implementation I quit! I can’t, but God can!
WHAT DID GOD DO WITH JACOB? Explore Genesis 28:10-22 Jacob was running away from his family because Esau wants to kill him Jacob stumbles to a place of no significance, tired and sleeps
WHAT DID GOD DO WITH JACOB? In Jacob’s darkest hour – God interrupts Jacob’s nightmare The stairway from heaven – God came to Jacob God is close and not far away
WHAT DID GOD DO WITH JACOB? God is also the God of Jacob (not just Abraham and Isaac) This is the beginning of change / transformation of Jacob The promise of blessing to Jacob and inturn Jacob becomes a blessing to many others
NO LONGER I BUT WE God is now partnering with us to fulfil HIS mission in the world; i.e. we are the hands and feet of God We are part of the solution… Jacob woke up a different man, with a different outlook
NO LONGER I BUT WE The presence of God changed not only the place, but it changed Jacob too Jacob marked the place with a pillar / altar of stoneand called the place Bethel – house of God This is where Jacob found himself… in God
JACOB’S RESPONSE Jacob respond with a few vows: God will be my God (God’s presence) To build God’s house (stone pillar) Give a tenth to God (generosity)