That’s true for nations… …and for us as individuals.

Aftermath – Gen. 28:6-9 When we don’t deal with our issues they spread to others.

Aftermath – Gen. 28:6-9 The unchosen seed of Isaac marries into the unchosen line of Ishmael.

Aftermath – Gen. 28:6-9 Esau is still living according the flesh, not understanding the Abrahamic Covenant.

Aftermath – Gen. 28:6-9 He still longs for his parent’s approval.

Jacob’s dream (Sparkly version)

Artist’s Rendition

Jacob’s encounter with God – Gen. 28:10-22 It’s not uncommon that God brings us grace when we least deserve it so we will most appreciate it.

Jacob’s encounter with God – Gen. 28:10-22 Nothing changes us like grace.

Jacob’s encounter with family – Gen. 29:1-15 Jacob is no longer simply running from Esau, but seeks a bride to carry on the promise.

Jacob’s encounter with family – Gen. 29:1-15 Like Jacob, we just “happen” upon important people, places, and events and know it’s of the Lord.

Jacob’s encounter with Laban – Gen. 29:16-30 Interesting that Sarah (12:11), Rebekah (24:15-16), and Rachel (29:17) were all said to be beautiful.

Jacob’s encounter with Laban – Gen. 29:16-30 All of them, like their husbands, are flawed, showing manipulation and deception, among other issues.

Jacob’s encounter with Laban – Gen. 29:16-30 Both men and women need to realize that looks can be deceiving and to learn to value more than that in a person.

Jacob’s encounter with Laban – Gen. 29:16-30 The Deceiver is deceived (25-26). And, he knows how his brother felt.

Jacob’s encounter with Laban – Gen. 29:16-30 This was divine retribution. What a man sows, he will reap. Gal. 6:7

For example… Rearing children goes a long way toward helping us understand our own parents, both what to do…and what not to do…

Like scary masks

Or, playing on the bed…

Or, in the back yard…

Then, there’s creative parenting…

Remember: What we say impacts our children

Jacob’s encounter with Laban – Gen. 29:31-35 Favoritism, partiality, and the impact on our children’s lives is a strong theme.

Jacob’s encounter with Laban – Gen. 29:31-35 Rather than simply criticize, we need to learn from and correct our parent’s mistakes in our own lives.

Jacob’s encounter with Laban – Gen. 29:31-35 Am I teachable?

Jacob’s encounter with Laban – Gen. 29:31-35 Jacob was wrong to not love Leah. But, God cared.

Jacob’s encounter with Laban – Gen. 29:31-35 How sad that the naming of these children came from a lack of parental love and competition.

Jacob’s encounter with Laban – Gen. 29:31-35 Generally, children should not be made to suffer as part of parental dysfunction.

Jacob’s encounter with Laban – Gen. 29:31-35 Children should not be a substitute for love in a marriage.

Jacob’s encounter with Laban – Gen. 29:31-35 Names reflecting hurt, jealousy, and competition ensured the conflicts would be remembered for generations.

Jacob’s encounter with Laban – Gen. 29:31-35 Families need to minimize, not remember, the drama in them.

The names; Group #1 – Gen. 29:31-35 Reuben = God had “seen…her misery” or “see, a son” Simeon = God had “heard” her. Levi = In the hopes her husband would be “attached” to her Judah = “Let Him be praised” as she had faith through all of this

Jacob’s encounter with Laban – Gen. 29:31-35 Rachel’s reaction was not with the same faith as Leah and reminds us of how acted Sarah with her maid.

Jacob’s encounter with Laban – Gen. 30:1-8 They reflect her bitter struggle, as her words to Jacob demonstrate – vv. 1-2

The names; Group #2 – Gen. 30:1-8 Dan = God had been “Judge” to her and had vindicated her barrenness. Naphtali = “My wrestling” or “I fought” is an indication of her struggle with her sister.

The names; Group #3 – Gen. 30:9-13 Gad = “Fortune” or “Troop”, God had prospered her with many children. Asher = With all the children now born, Leah felt she was blessed by God and named him, “Happy”.

The mandrakes – Gen. 30:14-21 Mandrake contains hallucinogenic aspects and the roots sometimes contain bifurcations causing them to resemble human figures Their roots have long been used in magic rituals.

The names; Group #4 – Gen. 30:17-21 Some have thought they can help women bear children. Rachel agreed with this thinking, so Leah “hired” Jacob with the Mandrakes. Issachar = “My hire” was born from this Zebulun = Feeling God had given Leah a endowment and hoping Jacob would treat her with honor, her last son is born, meaning both “gift” (as a dowry) and “honor”.

Professor Sprout likes what she sees…

Ron does not…

And, then there’s always Malfoy…

Did I mention that mandrakes have a hallucinogenic effect?

The names; Group #5 – Gen. 30:22 Finally, Rachel has a son, but not from the mandrakes. It is God who gives children! Joseph = Double meaning here, too. God had “taken away” her disgrace and she had prayed that God would “add” a son.

Esau reminds of the consequences of the bad choices we make the relationships they ruin.

Esau also reminds of the sad results of showing partiality in families, a theme that continues in Jacob’s story.

Bethel is a wonderful example of the mercy and grace we all receive in spite of our poor choices.

God’s faithfulness is once again seen as Jacob “happens” to find Laban’s family.

How often have we all seen God’s quiet work? How often do we failed to thank Him? How often do we later forget the way He is and panic? Are we teachable?

Whether in time or in eternity, what we sow, we will reap.

God often uses events in our lives to teach us to empathize with others… In particular, those whom we have wronged. Can we be taught?

Ignoring our weaknesses won’t make them go away. They will worsen and repeat themselves, often at the worse times, and the infection will spread to the lives of those we most love.

It is simply a self- centered lack of love to involve our children in our conflicts.

Later, we will see the continued impact of favoritism rather than faith when we read the account of Joseph.

While there are consequences for our refusal to deal with our issues, there is also hope in the grace and mercy of God.

Aftermath – Gen. 28:6-9 When we don’t deal with our issues they spread to others.