Genesis Series: Chapter28

EXPLORING GENESIS

 

THE BIBLE: EXPLORING GENESIS ICON.

Chapter 28 

Fearing his brother’s vengeance, Jacob takes to flight and seek refuge in the land of his kinsfolk at Haran.  Jacob wants to succeed in life and is not afraid to make use of all means, even dishonest ones to gain his end.  For the moment he trusts only in his own strength and is far from being a docile instrument in the hands of God.

Later on, after experiencing the power of God, he will subject to the Almighty, and will acknowledge God.

Jacob’s dream is a symbolic representation of the relations between God and His people. 

How does this chapter speak to us?

·                     Is our desire to succeed in life so strong that we will use dishonest means like
           Jacob?

·                     Do we trust our own strength or are we docile in God’s hands?

·                     Do we accept the promise of God offered to Jacob in vs 15 as our own also?

As we read this chapter, we recall God’s faithfulness to us. We might also reflect on our own personal spiritual journey with God, as this assists us in acknowledging the power of God in our lives.   Perhaps there have also been times in our relationship with God that we have been like Jacob, in that he set his conditions for accepting God into his life. It need not be as radical as Jacob’s stipulations, but our prayer life may at times resemble it. 

We also might like to consider how God speaks to us in our dreams. These can be very powerful encounters, as we are receptive at our unconscious level to what God says.  It is then that our spiritual consciousness is alert and awake.

Another aspect we may gain from this chapter is our ability to give back to God from what He has given to us such as time, talents and treasure.


Next week we continue on the journey-stay tuned for Chapter 29.