Genesis Week 22 - Return

When Jacob left home, he fled from Esau to Laban afraid, alone, and owning nothing. Now he flees from Laban to Esau, still afraid but no longer alone and with great wealth. During his time with Laban, he has been cheated, deceived, and taken advantage of. Jacob has also continued using his learned pattern of deception to get what he wants. But God has kept His promise to be with Jacob, to give him children, to bring him back to the land, and to continue working out His plan of salvation for the world through Jacob’s family. Jacob is still learning who God is and how to trust Him over and above his own intellect and schemes. He lives with an inner restlessness and seeks to fill the void of his heart with things other than God. In the midst of all of this, God calls Jacob back and Jacob answers that call and heads home. He leans on his own understanding in the practical aspects of his return, but he returns nonetheless. After Jacob deals with Laban he turns his focus ahead to the problem of Esau. Does Esau still want to kill him or could his anger have cooled over the years? As you read, pay attention to the ways Jacob is growing along with the ways God meets him in his fear. Prepare for this week's teaching by reading Genesis 31-32:21