Bible Study Notes 11/7/2023

Word Alive! Bible Study ©2023

Fall /Early Winter Series:

God Never Gives Up On You!

Concord Baptist Church of Boston in Milton

Conley Hughes, Jr., Senior Pastor

Tues., 7 Nov. 2023 Lesson 3, Part 1

Max Lucado, God Never Gives Up On You © 2023

Quiet Time: Max Lucado, God Never Gives Up, Pages 13-30

Alone But Not Forgotten – Our faith in God is calibrated to such a degree, that even when life takes a sharp turn; a deep dive; a slight change; or seem to reach rock bottom, we are not forgotten. The assurance we have in God’s presence is not one we can orchestrate. The reliability of God’s ever-presence is within His divine character. There are times, such as in the life of Jacob, a person could initiate an action or create some harm, for which the consequences are severe. A person may find themselves in a state of distance, or exile; that leaves them frightened and living on the edge of panic and shame. Although God intended to fulfill the promise given to Abraham, through his grandson Jacob (Israel); Jacob’s theft of his brother Esau’s inheritance, was not sanctioned by God. Esau’s anger toward his brother Jacob, grew more intrenched as time ensued; until Esau made it clear he was going “to kill” his brother. Their mother Rebekah, knew the only option for Jacob was to leave their home in Beersheba, and travel over 600 miles to Haran (modern-day Turkey; also, parts of Iraq). (Read, Genesis 27:41-45, NIV). Despite his family’s wealth, Jacob took only a staff and a skin pouch with water and a little food. He was now alone; no family, no friends, no persons to assist him. Jacob was alone. In his book, “God Never Gives Up On You,” Max Lucado offers this observation: “Had [Jacob] lived today, he would have been raised in a mansion, pampered by his servants, and educated in the finest schools. He had everything he needed. And then, from one moment to the next, he had nothing. He ran for his life, suddenly and utterly alone.” There are at least two things, Jacob did not do after he had harmed his brother: He did not confess his sins; nor ask God for forgiveness; he showed no remorse for his wrong; and, he refused to apologize to his brother and his father. These omissions drove Jacob into exile; as much as his mother’s directing him to leave the homestead – assuming things would “blow over” and Jacob later would be reunited with her at home. Jacob was on the run for 20 years. During that period, Rebekah died, and never saw her son again. The Scripture teaches us, whatever our circumstance, God does not give up on us. This is especially true when we repent. Within the first two days of Jacob’s flight to exile, he rested at a place called Luz. He had travelled under 50 miles within 48 hours. Resting his head on a hard stone, he fell asleep with exhaustion and fear. He was alone. It was in that lonely place, God met Jacob. He discovered a heavenly vision of angels, ascending and descending a ladder or stairway to heaven, Jacob heard God speaking to him about the promises he had made to Abraham; and to his destiny. (Read, Genesis 28:10-12; 16-19, NIV). Jacob honored God’s presence; consecrating the stone with oil, he called the place Beth-El.

Key Idea:

What We Believe!

1. “God’s grace never quits.” – Max Lucado

Key Verses:

Genesis 27:41-45, NIV “Esau held a grudge against Jacob because of the blessing his father had given him. He said to himself, “The days of mourning for my father are near; then I will kill my brother Jacob.” When Rebekah was told what her older son Esau had said, she sent for her younger son Jacob and said to him, “Your brother Esau is planning to avenge himself by killing you. Now then, my son, do what I say: Flee at once to my brother Laban in Harran. Stay with him for a while until your brother’s fury subsides. When your brother is no longer angry with you, and forgets what you did to him, I’ll send word for you to come back from there. Why should I lose both of you in one day?”

Genesis 28:10-12;16-19, NIV “Jacob left Bathsheba and set out for Harran. When he reached a certain place, he stopped for the night because the sun had set. Taking one of the stones there, he put it under his head and lay down to sleep. He had a dream in which he saw a stairway resting on the earth, with its top reaching to heaven, and the angels of God were ascending and descending on it… When Jacob awoke from his sleep, he thought, “Surely the Lord is in this place, and I was not aware of it.” He was afraid and said, “How awesome is this place. This is none other than the house of God; this is the gate of heaven.” Early the next morning Jacob took the stone he had placed under his head and set it up as a pillar and poured oil on top of it. He called that place Bethel, though the city used to be called Luz.”

2 Timothy 2:13, NIV

“If we are faithless, He remains faithful; can’t disown Himself.”