This series of 15 conversations revisits the story of a world-class liar and deceiver. The intent is to find insight and perspective as we explore together what Jacob, the father of the original 12 tribes of Israel contributes to the bigger story of Jesus— and to us. Even though he was a grandson of Abraham, Jacob turned out to be so dishonest that he had to leave home to avoid being killed by the older brother he betrayed. Yet his legacy is as wonderful as it is mysterious. God loved Jacob, and chose him to be a blessing to every family of the earth. What was God trying to tell us?

Receive

As we ponder Jacob’s life, we can find hope that God never gave up on him.

God was with Jacob as he ran from his past, was deceived by his father-in-law, and wrestled with doubts and fear before returning to face the brother he had deceived decades before.

Through every twist and turn, God was transforming Jacob into Israel, who would be a blessing to many.

How wonderful to know that God doesn’t give up on us either! He is there guiding and transforming us into the image of Jesus.

Reflect

• Even with so many reassurances of God’s protection, why was Jacob still terrified to reunite with Esau as we read in Genesis 32:3–8?
• Based on Jacob’s prayer in Genesis 32:9–12, what was going on in his heart?
• What was Jacob doing in Genesis 32:13–21? Was he adding faithful action to his prayers or was it once again a desperate attempt to try to solve his own problems apart from God?
• What did the encounter recorded in Genesis 32:22–30 mean and what was the outcome?
• Based on Genesis 33:1–11, how were Israel (Jacob) and Esau able to be reconciled with each other?

Respond

(Use this prayer to start a conversation with God)

“Dear God, thank You for never giving up on me. Help me to always seek Your will for my life. Help me to live a life that pleases You.”

Discover more about the topics in this episode with these recommended resources

Mentioned in this episode:

• Our Daily Bread Ambassador Program

Listen:

• Why Should I Forgive
• Does Jesus Really Want Me to Hate My Family?

Read:

• Forgiveness & Reconciliation
• Mending a Broken Relationship

Watch:

• Repairing Relationships | Genesis 33:5-11
• How Do I Repent? | Acts 3:19

This series of 15 conversations revisits the story of a world-class liar and deceiver. The intent is to find insight and perspective as we explore together what Jacob, the father of the original 12 tribes of Israel contributes to the bigger story of Jesus— and to us. Even though he was a grandson of Abraham, Jacob turned out to be so dishonest that he had to leave home to avoid being killed by the older brother he betrayed. Yet his legacy is as wonderful as it is mysterious. God loved Jacob, and chose him to be a blessing to every family of the earth. What was God trying to tell us?

Receive

Jacob turned out to be so dishonest that he had to leave home to avoid being killed by the older brother he betrayed. Yet his legacy is as wonderful as it is mysterious.

Although Jacob’s life and relationships raise lots of questions, we can see that God still loved Jacob and God chose him to be a blessing to every family of the earth.

As we reflect on Jacob’s story, we can rejoice that God loves us despite our flaws, struggles, and weaknesses and can still use us to be a blessing to many.

Reflect

• How might Rebekah have justified the scheme to deceive her husband as we find in Genesis 27:41– 45?
• Why would God offer not only to provide and protect a man like Jacob, but also to make him part of the story that would bring blessing to the whole world as we read in Genesis 28:10–17?
• In Genesis 28:18–22, was Jacob expressing the kind of faith that pleases God or trying to put conditions on his faith?
• Based on Genesis 31:5–7, what was happening in Jacob during those twenty years of struggle and betrayal while living with and working for his dishonest father-in-law?

Respond

(Use this prayer to start a conversation with God)

“Dear God, thank You for loving me despite my flaws, mistakes, and past. Thank You for Your mercy, grace, and forgiveness. Help me to surrender to You in every area of my life and to trust You in every season.”

Discover more about the topics in this episode with these recommended resources

Mentioned in this episode:

• Our Daily Bread Ministries' Press Giving Campaign

Listen:

• The Master of Forgiveness
• Myths of Forgiveness

Read:

• A Socially Suspect Ancestry
• The Forgiveness of God

Watch:

• Jerusalem – The City of Forgiveness (The Holy Land)
• Jerusalem – The Cost of Forgiveness (The Holy Land)

This series of 15 conversations revisits the story of a world-class liar and deceiver. The intent is to find insight and perspective as we explore together what Jacob, the father of the original 12 tribes of Israel contributes to the bigger story of Jesus— and to us. Even though he was a grandson of Abraham, Jacob turned out to be so dishonest that he had to leave home to avoid being killed by the older brother he betrayed. Yet his legacy is as wonderful as it is mysterious. God loved Jacob, and chose him to be a blessing to every family of the earth. What was God trying to tell us?

Receive

When we consider Jacob’s life and ponder his legacy, let’s remember that God is in the redemption business.

Even though Jacob was a world-class liar and deceiver God loved him. Jacob became the father of the original 12 tribes of Israel and God used him to be a blessing to every family on the earth.

God’s ways may seem mysterious to us at times, but we can trust that He is working things out for our good. We can trust God’s loving kindness, mercy, and grace even when we don’t understand His ways.

Reflect

• Keeping in mind the big picture of Scripture, how can a God who wants to be known for fairness, justice, and mercy, be a God who favors one person over another as we read in Genesis 25:21–28?
• Based on Genesis 12:1–3, how is Jacob’s story more than simply a favorite son or daughter problem?
• What could be the possible reason for Jacob’s unusual name found in Genesis 25:24–26?

Respond

(Use this prayer to start a conversation with God)

“Dear God, thank You that I can trust You even when I don’t understand how You are working in my life. Help me to overcome my doubts, fear, or confusion by knowing that You are good and You are working things out for my good.”

Discover more about the topics in this episode with these recommended resources

Mentioned in this episode:

• Our Daily Bread Stories of Impact

Listen:

• Forgiveness, The Story of Easter
• Whole Man Podcast

Read:

• God’s Promise to a Crooked People
• How We Got Here
• It's Not Fair, God

Watch:

• From Prison Walls to Purpose: The Cornelius Family’s Story of Redemption
• Our Daily Redeemer