07/23/2024 – Day 051 – Genesis – Chapter 28 – 31 / “A testimony to the truthfulness of the Bible: No other book narrates with such utter candor the weaknesses of its heroes, and things so contrary to ideals which it aims to promote.”
Two cycles past, dated 07/21/2020, there is a post on Jacob’s vision at Bethel, with a quote from John Wesley.
Here is the commentary on these verses from “The Apologetics Study Bible”, Genesis 28: 10 – 22:
“Because Jacob’s vision at Bethel was his closest encounter with God up to this point in his life, he was convinced this place was unique. For him it was “the house of God,” (the literal meaning of Bethel), and ‘the gate of heaven (v. 17). At his stage in God’s progressive revelation, he could not see that no earthly spot could play this role (Acts 7: 48-50). Like his brother Esau, Jacob had not been a man of faith. But, even thought the conditions he states toward the Lord (Genesis 28: 20-22) fall short of true faith, they represent a step in the right direction.”
Under his commentary for Chapters 29 -30, here is Henry H. Halley’s comments in “Halley’s Bible Handbook” on “Jacob’s Family“:
He had two wives and two concubines, whom, except one, he did not want, and who were forced on him. Of these, 12 sons were born. ….
This polygamous family with many shameful things to their credit, was accepted by God as a whole, to be the beginning of the Twelve Tribes, which became the Messianic Nation, chosen of God to bring the Saviour into the world. This shows:
‘1. That God uses human beings as they are , to serve His purposes, and, so to speak, does the best He can with the material He has.
2. It is no indication that every one that God thus uses will be eternally saved. One may be useful in serving God’s plans in this world, and yet fail to qualify the the eternal world in the day when God shall judge the secrets of men for final disposition (Romans 2: 12 – 16).
3. It is a testimony to the Truthfulness of Bible writers. No other book narrates with such utter candor the weaknesses of its heroes, and things so contrary to ideals which it aims to promote.
Thoughts? / Reflections?
Here again are our fellowship generators for discussion:
- What does the text reveal about God’s character?
- How has this reading generated prayer for you and/or us?
- What themes stand out to you in this bible study?
- How does our reading fit into the bigger picture (creation, the fall, restoration, etc.)?
- What verse(s) jumped out at you like never before? Is it explainable at this point?
- Do you have any questions you would like to put before the group as to how to interpret any particular verse(s) in our reading. Let scripture testify to scripture: Share with us where you sense contradiction between passages elsewhere.
- What did you find convicting and inspiring at the same time? Share with us how the Spirit of God is working within you as a messenger, both within and outside of our fellowship group.
- Share with the group how our study is calling or confirming to you a new mission to glorify God in our times.
Soli Deo Gloria!