“In Search of Meaning”
Intro: Jacob Begins A Common Story
“The promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. The Scripture does not say “and to seeds,” meaning many people, but “and to your seed,” meaning one person, who is Christ.” (Galatians 3:16)
“The Lord said to her, “Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples from within you will be separated; one people will be stronger than the other, and the older will serve the younger.”” (Genesis 25:23)
I. I’ve Gotta Be Somebody
“After Jacob had stayed with him for a whole month, Laban said to him, “Just because you are a relative of mine, should you work for me for nothing? Tell me what your wages should be.”” (Genesis 29:14–15)
“Now Laban had two daughters; the name of the older was Leah, and the name of the younger was Rachel. Leah had weak eyes, but Rachel was lovely in form, and beautiful. Jacob was in love with Rachel and said, “I’ll work for you seven years in return for your younger daughter Rachel.”” (Genesis 29:16–18)
II. For Jacob: His Dream Cannot Deliver
A. My Dream Come True?
“So Jacob served seven years to get Rachel, but they seemed like only a few days to him because of his love for her.” (Genesis 29:20)
“Then Jacob said to Laban, “Give me my wife. My time is completed, and I want to lie with her.”” (Genesis 29:21)
B. In The Morning It’s Always Leah
“So Laban brought together all the people of the place and gave a feast.” (Genesis 29:22)
“But when evening came, he took his daughter Leah and gave her to Jacob, and Jacob lay with her …. When morning came, there was Leah!” (Genesis 29:23,25)
“No matter what your hopes for a project, no matter what your hopes for marriage, no matter what your hopes for love, no matter what your hopes for a career, no matter what you have hopes in, in the morning it will always be Leah. No matter what you think is Rachel, it will always be Leah.” (Tim Keller)
“You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless, until they can find rest in you.” (Augustine)
“So you also are complete through your union with Christ.” (Colossians 2:10 NLT)
III. For Leah: Finding Validation
A. Make the Best of Life
“Finish this daughter’s bridal week; then we will give you the younger one also, in return for another seven years of work.”” (Genesis 29:27)
“Jacob lay with Rachel also, and he loved Rachel more than Leah. And he worked for Laban another seven years.” (Genesis 29:30)
B. Make My Kids My Life
“Leah became pregnant and gave birth to a son. She named him Reuben, for she said, “It is because the Lord has seen my misery. Surely my husband will love me now.”” (Genesis 29:32)
IV. My Identity Is Jesus
“She conceived again, and when she gave birth to a son she said, “This time I will praise the Lord.” So she named him Judah. Then she stopped having children.” (Genesis 29:35)
[picture: Line of Promise ]
“So you also are complete through your union with Christ.” (Colossians 2:10 NLT)