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?

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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

Have you ever struggled with the question "what am I supposed to do with my life?" From pretty early on in our lives, we begin to ask that question, only to discover that it reappears in almost every stage of life. So, this week, Daniel is going to lead Elisa and Bill and Rasool in looking at a few stories of “calling” in the Bible and see how these stories might help us think through where we currently are, how God may be leading us in whatever season we’re in, and what the answer to that question—what am I supposed to do with my life?—might be for us right now. Hearing God's Call is the focus of this series of conversations on Discover the Word.

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If you've ever struggled with the question, "What am I supposed to do with my life?" be encouraged that you're not alone. Questioning what you're supposed to do with your life, no matter what stage you're in, is a common and valid question.

As we look at a few stories of “calling” in the Bible, let's see how these stories might help us think through where we currently are and how God may be leading us in whatever season we’re in.

We can take heart that regardless of where we are in life right now, God is calling us into an ever-deepening relationship with Him, where we're being transformed into the person that God has made us to be.

Reflect

• Why is Genesis 1–3 a good passage to begin with to discuss “calling” in the Bible?
• According to Esther 4, how much of Esther’s story, or calling, has to do with what she wanted versus having to respond to what happened to her?
• Based on Ruth 1:1–18, how does Ruth's story demonstrate how faithfulness in the everyday is part of God’s calling on all our lives, especially when we can’t see what may come?
• According to Amos 1:1 and Amos 7:10–15, how does Amos' story show us that God can call us out of our comfort zones and skill sets to do the work He has for us to do?
• What can Paul and Ananias in Acts 9:1–22 teach us about our primary calling in life?

Respond

(Use this prayer to start a conversation with God)

“Dear God, thank You that You've called me to have a deeper relationship with You. Help me to follow You and serve You even if it seems ordinary and mundane, if it means stepping out of my comfort zone, or I feel unqualified."

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

Mentioned in this episode:

• 7 Bible Stories to Hear God's Calling (Reclaim Today)

Listen:

• Answer the Call
• God Hears Her Podcast: Your Everyday Purpose (Elisa, Eryn and Vivian)

Read:

• The Call to Discipleship: Embracing the Journey of Following Christ
• Discipleship and Obedience

Watch:

• Outside Your Comfort Zone | Acts 10
• A Call to Something New (Matthew 4:19-22)