The gospel according to Jacob: laboring in love

Genesis 29:1-35 ESV

Then Jacob went on his journey and came to the land of the people of the east. As he looked, he saw a well in the field, and behold, three flocks of sheep lying beside it, for out of that well the flocks were watered. The stone on the well’s mouth was large, and when all the flocks were gathered there, the shepherds would roll the stone from the mouth of the well and water the sheep, and put the stone back in its place over the mouth of the well.  Jacob said to them, “My brothers, where do you come from?” They said, “We are from Haran.” He said to them, “Do you know Laban the son of Nahor?” They said, “We know him.” He said to them, “Is it well with him?” They said, “It is well; and see, Rachel his daughter is coming with the sheep!” He said, “Behold, it is still high day; it is not time for the livestock to be gathered together. Water the sheep and go, pasture them.” But they said, “We cannot until all the flocks are gathered together and the stone is rolled from the mouth of the well; then we water the sheep.”  While he was still speaking with them, Rachel came with her father’s sheep, for she was a shepherdess. Now as soon as Jacob saw Rachel the daughter of Laban his mother’s brother, and the sheep of Laban his mother’s brother, Jacob came near and rolled the stone from the well’s mouth and watered the flock of Laban his mother’s brother. Then Jacob kissed Rachel and wept aloud. And Jacob told Rachel that he was her father’s kinsman, and that he was Rebekah’s son, and she ran and told her father.  As soon as Laban heard the news about Jacob, his sister’s son, he ran to meet him and embraced him and kissed him and brought him to his house. Jacob told Laban all these things, and Laban said to him, “Surely you are my bone and my flesh!” And he stayed with him a month.  Then Laban said to Jacob, “Because you are my kinsman, should you therefore serve me for nothing? Tell me, what shall your wages be?” Now Laban had two daughters. The name of the older was Leah, and the name of the younger was Rachel. Leah’s eyes were weak, but Rachel was beautiful in form and appearance. Jacob loved Rachel. And he said, “I will serve you seven years for your younger daughter Rachel.” Laban said, “It is better that I give her to you than that I should give her to any other man; stay with me.” So Jacob served seven years for Rachel, and they seemed to him but a few days because of the love he had for her.  Then Jacob said to Laban, “Give me my wife that I may go in to her, for my time is completed.” So Laban gathered together all the people of the place and made a feast. But in the evening he took his daughter Leah and brought her to Jacob, and he went in to her. (Laban gave his female servant Zilpah to his daughter Leah to be her servant.) And in the morning, behold, it was Leah! And Jacob said to Laban, “What is this you have done to me? Did I not serve with you for Rachel? Why then have you deceived me?” Laban said, “It is not so done in our country, to give the younger before the firstborn. Complete the week of this one, and we will give you the other also in return for serving me another seven years.” Jacob did so, and completed her week. Then Laban gave him his daughter Rachel to be his wife. (Laban gave his female servant Bilhah to his daughter Rachel to be her servant.) So Jacob went in to Rachel also, and he loved Rachel more than Leah, and served Laban for another seven years.  When the Lord saw that Leah was hated, he opened her womb, but Rachel was barren. And Leah conceived and bore a son, and she called his name Reuben, for she said, “Because the Lord has looked upon my affliction; for now my husband will love me.” She conceived again and bore a son, and said, “Because the Lord has heard that I am hated, he has given me this son also.” And she called his name Simeon. Again she conceived and bore a son, and said, “Now this time my husband will be attached to me, because I have borne him three sons.” Therefore his name was called Levi. And she conceived again and bore a son, and said, “This time I will praise the Lord .” Therefore she called his name Judah. Then she ceased bearing.

Rev Dwight Yoo

This story has many similarities to God meeting Jacob at Bethel. There are echoes of how Isaac's wife is found at a water place. But there are also significant differences. Think about how we deal with counterfeit money. We compare the two to look for differences. So it is here as well, we can see how the faith of those in the story compare...

God's love Sanctifies

Jacob finds Rachel at the well. Much like Isaac's wife is found at a watering place. But something is missing. There is no mention of prayer, God is almost ignored. Jacob strives to marry Rachel... For seven years. But Laban was a schemer, he saw how Jacob was enamored with Rachel. So Laban schemed and planned a way to trap Jacob. And it was so, Jacob was tricked into marrying Leah. Jacob was a self-reliant, driven schemer. And Jacob found himself on the receiving end of a schemer... He tasted the bitter fruit of being tricked... Like he tricked his half-blind father and his older brother.

We tend to minimize our sin and enlarge the sins of others. That is human nature. So then what does God do? He disciplines his children. He brings us to difficult situations and people. He does this to bring our own sins to light. So that we would mature in faith. So we would let go of those poisons that are killing us.

God's love Satisfies

Leah was unattractive. Constantly in the shadow of her sister, Rachel. She has children and she names them as a way of narrating her life. She wishes that her husband would love her. She thinks that having sons would make her husband love her. That having her husband's love would satisfy the longings of her heart. But halfway through the passage, she decides that God is the one who satisfies. She may have realized this, but the Bible is realistic. Immediately afterwards, she has a baby bearing war with her sister. So it is with our own hearts, we are so prone to wander. From a moment of faith and resting in God, to fighting in sin and envy.

God's love Surprises

But this is not the end. This baby bearing battle between two sisters ends in the formation of the tribes of Israel. Out of this sinful malicious striving, comes salvation. From the unattractive Leah, comes Judah... From where we receive Jesus. Another unattractive person, seen as insignificant by the world, God works out salvation for us all. God works out good for those who love Him. Those who live ugly, sinful, and painful lives... God will work through your life.

The gospel according to Jacob: Sovereign Grace

Genesis 25:19-34 ESV

These are the generations of Isaac, Abraham’s son: Abraham fathered Isaac, and Isaac was forty years old when he took Rebekah, the daughter of Bethuel the Aramean of Paddan-aram, the sister of Laban the Aramean, to be his wife. And Isaac prayed to the Lord for his wife, because she was barren. And the Lord granted his prayer, and Rebekah his wife conceived. The children struggled together within her, and she said, “If it is thus, why is this happening to me?” So she went to inquire of the Lord . And the Lord said to her, “Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples from within you shall be divided; the one shall be stronger than the other, the older shall serve the younger.”  When her days to give birth were completed, behold, there were twins in her womb. The first came out red, all his body like a hairy cloak, so they called his name Esau. Afterward his brother came out with his hand holding Esau’s heel, so his name was called Jacob. Isaac was sixty years old when she bore them.  When the boys grew up, Esau was a skillful hunter, a man of the field, while Jacob was a quiet man, dwelling in tents. Isaac loved Esau because he ate of his game, but Rebekah loved Jacob.  Once when Jacob was cooking stew, Esau came in from the field, and he was exhausted. And Esau said to Jacob, “Let me eat some of that red stew, for I am exhausted!” (Therefore his name was called Edom.) Jacob said, “Sell me your birthright now.” Esau said, “I am about to die; of what use is a birthright to me?” Jacob said, “Swear to me now.” So he swore to him and sold his birthright to Jacob. Then Jacob gave Esau bread and lentil stew, and he ate and drank and rose and went his way. Thus Esau despised his birthright.

Rev. Dwight Yoo

Sincere faith

Abraham was living in Canaan. Among a foreign people in this foreign land. He was promised this land by God, but this land already had inhabitants. There is a gap between what God promised and what Abraham experienced. Abraham was living as a foreigner decades later after the promise. But faith is not what is seen, but rather believing in the unseen.

We can tell that Abraham is sincere because of how he conducts himself. He remains in Canaan in spite of the circumstances. Not only that, but he refuses to allow his son to return to his homeland. Even in the search for a bride, he makes his servant go on a search for a wife for a son. But neither he nor his son will go in this search. What a ridiculous search, from a worldly point of view.

The servant brings home a wife against all odds. But Isaac's wife was barren. So they prayed for twenty years, before God allowed his wife to conceive. Twenty years of prayer.

Serious flaws

Even with all this faith, there was plenty of flaws in them. Fear of men makes them lie and endanger the purity of their wives. They had faith, but they have made plenty of mistakes. They were fearful during times of uncertainty.

Sovereign grace

God is creating a symphony of salvation with crooked pencils and out of tune instruments. Esau sells his birthright for a bowl of stew. But Jacob is no better. He is a manipulative, conniving man. He may have decided that the birthright was of worth, but he went along the worse path to acquire it.

Sovereign mercy from God is good. It is good because of two reasons. Firstly, nothing you do can place you beyond the reach of God. We are all in equal standing before God. And even after becoming a believer, nothing we do can make God love us less. No matter what highs and lows, God still loves us the same.

The grace of giving

2 Corinthians 8:1-15 ESV

We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia, for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord, begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints— and this, not as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us. Accordingly, we urged Titus that as he had started, so he should complete among you this act of grace. But as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all earnestness, and in our love for you—see that you excel in this act of grace also.   I say this not as a command, but to prove by the earnestness of others that your love also is genuine. For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich. And in this matter I give my judgment: this benefits you, who a year ago started not only to do this work but also to desire to do it. So now finish doing it as well, so that your readiness in desiring it may be matched by your completing it out of what you have. For if the readiness is there, it is acceptable according to what a person has, not according to what he does not have. For I do not mean that others should be eased and you burdened, but that as a matter of fairness your abundance at the present time should supply their need, so that their abundance may supply your need, that there may be fairness. As it is written, “Whoever gathered much had nothing left over, and whoever gathered little had no lack.”

Rev. Won Ho Kim

Fundraising for missions is today's topic. I want to encourage and challenge you to give generously to missions in China. Not only of your money, but also your time and energy.

How did they give? Eagerly.

The church in Macedonia gave eagerly. In the midst of affliction, they gave. They gave not just as much as they had. They have beyond their means. This giving cost them something. They were poor and begging to give more. They give  sacrificially. This level of giving is a reflection of their knowledge and understanding of the grace of God.

Why did they give? Equity.

They give out of a sense of fairness. It isn't that everyone should have the same amount of money. It is so that no one is lacking. Everyone should have enough. China has spiritual lack. So we who have a solid church, should share so that other brothers and sisters can have the same opportunity.

What can empower us to give? The example in Jesus

The grace we have received through Christ shows us how we should give. Christ become poor so that we would be rich. He was rejected so that we would be welcomed. He was tempted so we could be comforted. He was killed and raised so that we could have life.

Wisdom with wealth

Proverbs 30:8-9 ESV

Remove far from me falsehood and lying; give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the food that is needful for me,  lest I be full and deny you and say, “Who is the Lord ?” or lest I be poor and steal and profane the name of my God.

Rev. Dwight Yoo

Money can affect us profoundly. When we win money or are having financial difficulties, it can change our outlook and emotions. Jesus spoke more about money than heaven or hell. It is a very important topic.

Today we will focus on our attitude towards money. Next week will address how we spend money.

Goodness of wealth

Money is not inherently evil. God created a material world and blessed people with great wealth, material wealth. God blessed Abraham with material wealth. He blessed Israel with a land flowing with milk and honey...  a material blessing. Prosperity is not evil, but rather it is supposed to point us towards the joy giver, God.

Dangers of wealth

All good gifts of God can be twisted and misused by our own hearts. Sex, for instance, is a good gift, but we often misuse it. It brings harm instead of good. So it is with wealth. It becomes an addiction rather than a blessing that points us to God.

But unlike other sins, it is easy to be deceived. What is normal for American Christians... may not be normal at all. We are living in a sexualized culture, but we also live in a very materialistic culture. Like a leper born in a leper colony, it is hard to know what normal looks like. Unless we have left our comfy life here, can we see the difference between actual needs and wants. Not only that, but it can become Lord of our life rather than Jesus.

Matthew 19:2, 21-22 ESV

And large crowds followed him, and he healed them there.  Jesus said to him, “If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.”  When the young man heard this he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.

1 Timothy 6:10 ESV

For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.

One of the dangers of wealth is it's distractive power. It can divert our attention from God, family, and friends. In pursuit of a rich lifestyle, people lose relationships, friends, family, and marriages. People work so hard that they don't have time for their relationships.

Proverbs 15:17 ESV

Better is a dinner of herbs where love is than a fattened ox and hatred with it.

Not only that, but it can distract us from our eternal standing with God. We are so consumed with money and material wealth, we do not consider God, Hell, and Heaven. We invest our time and resources in ephemeral worldly wealth rather than eternal spiritual riches. We may end up "as one escaping through the flames."

Proverbs 23:4-5 ESV

Do not toil to acquire wealth; be discerning enough to desist.  When your eyes light on it, it is gone, for suddenly it sprouts wings, flying like an eagle toward heaven.

Wrap up

1 Timothy 6:6 ESV

But godliness with contentment is great gain,

God is not calling us all to be middle class. It is not wrong to be rich. Paul even addresses the rich Christians of his day.

1 Timothy 6:17-19 ESV

As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.

We are called to live and hope in God. If we woke up tomorrow with no money, we should still be content with God and with our basic needs being met. Our hope should remain in God and heaven, rather than feeling proud of our riches. Not only the rich, but also the poor.

2 Corinthians 8:9 ESV

For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich.

We are discontent when we are mastered with money and material wealth. But when we are in Christ, we remember that we deserved wrath. But instead we received a great inheritance through Jesus. Not only that, but Jesus became poor for our sake. That realization should humble us and bring contentment. Christ's sacrifice has brought us eternal wealth.

Proverbs 18:11 ESV

A rich man’s wealth is his strong city, and like a high wall in his imagination.

Making decisions with wisdom

Proverbs 16:1-4, 9, 25, 33 ESV

The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord .  
All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the spirit.  
Commit your work to the Lord , and your plans will be established.  
The Lord has made everything for its purpose, even the wicked for the day of trouble.  

The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps. 

There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.  

The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord .

Proverbs 19:21 ESV

Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.

Proverbs 21:5 ESV

The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty.

Proverbs 27:1 ESV

Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring.

Romans 12:1-2 ESV

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Rev. Dan Whang

We often goes through times of darkness and light, but see no meaning to it. God knows but we may not know in the midst of trouble. How then can we act decide wisely?

Two extremes in decision making

Under-spiritualized frantic planner

They tend to plan and worry, but there isn't much prayer. They want to take control of their lives, but the word says this is not within our control. God is in control. We cannot predict tomorrow.

Over-spiritualized passive waiting

We pray but don't act. We wait for some sign from God. Fleeces, clouds in the sky, etc.

God's will should be seen this way:

Sovereign Will - creation
Moral Will - God's will for hour we should live our lives
Will of Direction - God's will for our lives

Views on God's will

Traditional: pray, read scripture, and observe our circumstances. God will give us peace about the right choice.

Traditional Charismatic: in addition to scripture, God can directly speak to us and guide us.

Wisdom: God's purpose is secret. Read scripture, observe our circumstances, and surrender our lives to him. Focus on acting as God desires rather than expecting to know His will.

Christ is our wisdom

We are natural fools. But Christ is our wisdom. He brings us to repentance and to new life.

Application

Commit completely to following Christ
Fully place our lives into his hands. Seek his kingdom rather than our own desires.

Store up God's commands. (Consistently and diligently.)

Turn your ear to wisdom (find good counsel and be teachable)

Call out for insight. (Pray for God's help)

Wisdom is there to grow our faith and help us become closer to God.

Working wisely

Proverbs 6:6-11 ESV

Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise.   Without having any chief, officer, or ruler,  she prepares her bread in summer and gathers her food in harvest.   How long will you lie there, O sluggard? When will you arise from your sleep?   A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest,   and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and want like an armed man.

Rev.  Dwight Yoo

Work Diligently

The sluggard lacks initiative. Proverbs describes not only their actions,  but also their life.  They don't move very far.  They take the easy way all the time.  From year to year, they make no progress. They choose comfort and ease every time. It does not apply to things we do not finish.  It is that they consistently do not finish. Additionally, they spend energy on worthless pursuits. Instead of work on things that ultimately matter, we spend it on ill-timed tasks and leisure. They make excuses to avoid work. We rationalize our own laziness. Sluggards are not just lazy. They are proud and self-centered people. They care about their own comfort and self-interest above all else.

Sluggards cause suffering to others.  They bring trouble to those around them. They suffer lack. They can cause harm to coworkers, family, and friends. The one seeking self satisfaction and comfort ends up causing themselves suffering.

The path of the sluggard isn't determined in one choice, but rather one choice after another. Choosing self comfort over the wise choice hour after hour, day after day. We will be surprised by a shock to find that we are the sluggard.

Work as one who has been called

Our lives should be lived as one bought by Christ. Work is not a curse. It existed before sin entered the picture. It is a good thing. It is not a curse. God calls us to work well.  All work is sacred, not just the work of pastors, missionaries, and church positions. All well done work is pleasing to God.

Work in light of Christ's work

Christ's work brings: HOPE, PROTECTION, & ASSURANCE

Our work comes with a measure of futility. But in Christ, our labor for the kingdom is not in vain.  We are not to be a sluggard. But we are not called to become workaholics, work is not our God. Christ died and provided for us. We don't need to prove ourselves through our work. We are to neither make too little or too much of work. Die to yourself to bear fruit for God.

Wisdom's view of Beauty

Proverbs 5:18-19 ESV

Let your fountain be blessed, and rejoice in the wife of your youth,  a lovely deer, a graceful doe. Let her breasts fill you at all times with delight; be intoxicated always in her love.

Proverbs 11:22 ESV

Like a gold ring in a pig’s snout is a beautiful woman without discretion.

Proverbs 31:30 ESV

Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.

Wisdom recognizes true beauty

Good created things to be beautiful. He not only creates for form and function, but also aesthetically. Appreciation for beauty is found in the word of God. Proverbs and song of Solomon has some examples.

Wisdom recognizes the dangers of beauty

Charm is deceitful. This means that physical beauty can deceive us into making foolish decisions and judgment. Physical beauty can captivate us into adultery or other sins. Don't overlook serious character flaws because of how attractive someone looks.

Physical beauty is vanity. It means that beauty is fleeting. We are getting older and getting less physically attractive over time.

Not only that, but the worldly trends of beauty change. From culture to culture, decade to decade, even year to year... The definition of beauty changes.

We believe that being beautiful and attractive will bring us success and fulfillment. That if we looked better, we would be happier. But we cannot achieve our goal of being beautiful enough. The goalposts are always moving and changing.

Wisdom seeks she finds true beauty

Outside beauty is deceiving and fleeting. But inner beauty, character, is true beauty. This is what should be sought out and pursued.

1 Peter 3:3-4 ESV

Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear— but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious.

We are not saying that beauty is bad. We should appreciate it. But that which matters more is inner beauty, character and godliness. Grow your inner beauty. This is where our emphasis should be. It will not fade, but grow over time.

Jesus is the personification of this beauty. He did not come as a handsome man, but an average looking Joe. His worth was in His character.

Isaiah 53:2 ESV

For he grew up before him like a young plant, and like a root out of dry ground; he had no form or majesty that we should look at him, and no beauty that we should desire him.