In chapter 34 of Genesis, we are presented with a story of a great injustice done to the family of God as they settle in the land. It is how they handle it that seems to make everything worse. While the outcome of this story is less than satisfying, it is a true reflection of the world in its fallen state.

Jacob has met God face-to-face, and he is now, in chapter 33, ready to meet his estranged brother. But things don't go as Jacob had thought they would. This week's text shows us a beautiful picture of God's reconciling work as well as his faithfulness to keep his promises to his people.

In chapter 32 of Genesis, we find Jacob back in the land of promise. Jacob isn’t quite settled because of one major, outstanding issue; he is going to have to face his brother whose birthright and blessing he stole. Though the fear that Jacob feels is crippling, it leads him to a unique encounter with God that defines him from that point forward.

After our short break with VBS week, we are back to the story of Jacob where we find him still working for his uncle Laban. It is now time for Jacob to go back to the promised land of his fathers. Although, it isn’t as easy as just picking up and leaving. This week’s text gives us a living example of how God is willing and able to get us out of the messes we create, and even the ones we don’t.

As we focus this week on a passage that has been an integral part of our VBS this year, we see one of the most familiar verses in the Bible. In spite of its familiarity, let’s look again at it together and see what the Holy Spirit may use regarding this “I Am” statement of Jesus to help us grow in our love and worship of him this week. 

In this portion of Genesis, the focus is on Jacob’s two wives, Leah and Rachel. It is another story of questionable decisions on the part of God's people, and we get to view how God is working through them. This “baby boom” serves as another example of the Lord’s certainty to keep his promises through his providential work. 

In this saga of Jacob’s life, we come to the moment where he arrives at his journey’s intended destination in the east. While it may seem that all is going as planned, Jacob is met with significant unintended troubles. Genesis 29 lays out for us events that are crucial in Jacob’s formation as a man of God going forward. 

As we continue through the story of Jacob, we see him departing his home, both due to the conflict between himself and his brother, and also to find a wife from his family's relatives. As he travels, God reveals himself to Jacob in a dream and Jacob’s response is one of fear and awe.

Genesis 27 brings us a key story in the history of redemption with Jacob fooling his father to receive his blessing. It is a passage that presents sinful people acting sinfully within the sovereign plan of a gracious God. This story is a key moment that will frame up the events of Jacob’s life going forward as we see how he is transformed through his striving with God.

As we press on into this summer series in the life of Jacob, we run across this week’s passage covering some important events in the life of his father Isaac. As they are still wandering in the Promised Land, we get a look at God’s covenant family interacting with those who were currently residing there at the time. This gives us a glimpse of God’s sovereign grace to his people and what it means to be blessed by him.