This Bible study is all about Jacob’s example of facing many different seasons in his life and choosing to rely on God.
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What season of life are you in right now? Perhaps it feels like you are all alone in your day to day struggles. Or maybe you are in a prosperous season where you can bless others. No matter where you find yourself, the Bible shows how you can trust God in all seasons in life. Jacob was able to trust God in all seasons of his life, because he knew that God was always with him, reaching out to offer comfort and peace.
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Genesis 29-30
Preparing for future seasons in life
Rachel was a shepherdess – a common profession for young unmarried girls in that culture. Being a shepherdess not only helped out the girl’s family, but it prepared her for marriage by teaching her the value of hard work. Both Rachel and Jacob were in the process of preparing themselves for marriage when they met. But just because they saw each other does not mean that they stopped working. Jacob watered all of Rachel’s sheep before they went back to Laban, and Rachel continued to guide her sheep and lead them home.
We see over and over again in scripture how important marriage is. How can you use different seasons in your life (whether married or not) to glorify God and the sanctity of marriage (Luke 9:23)?
Related Post: Embrace the Journey | Bible Journaling Through Genesis
Becoming a servant for a season
After Jacob had been with Laban a month, Laban announces that Jacob – who was accustomed to his father’s rich household and servants to tend to his needs – would take a role of a hired servant. Laban asks Jacob what his wages would be, and Jacob replies that he will work for Laban for seven years in exchange for Rachel’s hand in marriage. This offer by Jacob was more than generous, and Laban accepts.
Jacob went from a place of honor to a place of servanthood. Why do you think this transition was seemingly easy for him? How can you humble yourself to serve others and be used by God (1 Peter 5:6)?
Deception leads to long seasons of heartache in life
When Jacob asks for his wage price to be Rachel after seven years of work, Laban agrees. It is not until after Jacob has completed the seven years of work, completed the marriage ceremony, and then wakes up next to Leah, that Laban says it is not their custom to give the younger in marriage before the older.
What is the result of Laban’s deception? Did it bring about good or heartache? Is there deception in your life, either on your part or someone else? What needs to be done to honor God (1 Peter 2:22)?
Conflict and reconciliation are both a choice
Jacob marries Leah a week after his wedding with Rachel. The two sisters were in constant conflict with each other, both wanting to out-do each other to be loved by Jacob.
What was the result of their conflict? Are you in conflict with someone? How can you be reconciled? How often do you fight against flesh and blood when you should be looking to God (Ephesians 6:12)?
Reflect on the many seasons in life
Jacob is not the only one who experienced many seasons in life, we all have. Throughout difficult circumstances we can chose to focus on God and serve Him, or we can chose our own desires. How can you align your desires to God and serve Him through every season in your life (Psalm 37:4)?
