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Worship Guide for March 10

March 08, 2024


Prepare for Sunday morning worship by using the guide below.

Genesis 33

1And Jacob lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, Esau was coming, and four hundred men with him. So he divided the children among Leah and Rachel and the two female servants. And he put the servants with their children in front, then Leah with her children, and Rachel and Joseph last of all. He himself went on before them, bowing himself to the ground seven times, until he came near to his brother.

But Esau ran to meet him and embraced him and fell on his neck and kissed him, and they wept. And when Esau lifted up his eyes and saw the women and children, he said, “Who are these with you?” Jacob said, “The children whom God has graciously given your servant.” Then the servants drew near, they and their children, and bowed down. Leah likewise and her children drew near and bowed down. And last Joseph and Rachel drew near, and they bowed down. Esau said, “What do you mean by all this company that I met?” Jacob answered, “To find favor in the sight of my lord.” But Esau said, “I have enough, my brother; keep what you have for yourself.” 10 Jacob said, “No, please, if I have found favor in your sight, then accept my present from my hand. For I have seen your face, which is like seeing the face of God, and you have accepted me. 11 Please accept my blessing that is brought to you, because God has dealt graciously with me, and because I have enough.” Thus he urged him, and he took it.

12 Then Esau said, “Let us journey on our way, and I will go ahead of you.” 13 But Jacob said to him, “My lord knows that the children are frail, and that the nursing flocks and herds are a care to me. If they are driven hard for one day, all the flocks will die. 14 Let my lord pass on ahead of his servant, and I will lead on slowly, at the pace of the livestock that are ahead of me and at the pace of the children, until I come to my lord in Seir.”

15 So Esau said, “Let me leave with you some of the people who are with me.” But he said, “What need is there? Let me find favor in the sight of my lord.” 16 So Esau returned that day on his way to Seir. 17 But Jacob journeyed to Succoth, and built himself a house and made booths for his livestock. Therefore the name of the place is called Succoth.

18 And Jacob came safely to the city of Shechem, which is in the land of Canaan, on his way from Paddan-aram, and he camped before the city. 19 And from the sons of Hamor, Shechem's father, he bought for a hundred pieces of money the piece of land on which he had pitched his tent. 20 There he erected an altar and called it El-Elohe-Israel.

Watch the Sermon

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Summary: Our story of Jacob and Esau began with the conflict over Jacob stealing the blessing of the first born.  It is now coming full circle to the reconciliation of these brothers as Jacob returns home.  If you were here last week, Jacob sends messengers to Esau to announce his return and the messengers return with the news that Esau is coming with 400 men.  While this seems quite ominous, we learn that Jacob has had the struggle of his life with God.  In God's way, he left this struggle humbled and defeated but victorious in receiving the blessing of God the right way.  He has a new name, a new orientation and a new understanding of God.  He enters this story strong and yet limping in weakness.  Jacob has experienced the incremental grace of God in what began with deception will now end with reconciliation (Ross).  The question remains: will Esau forgive or get even?  What will God do?

Review and Apply

How does Jacob reflect his humility and submission to his brother? 

How does Esau respond to Jacob?  How does it look similar to the truth of the Prodigal in Luke 15?

How does this scene explain true reconciliation?

How do Jacob's actions still reflect fear and faithlessness?

What are the costs of partial obedience in the life of faith?

How can the church help us walk out obedience with faith and joy?

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