Bible Study Notes 12/5/2023

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., 5 Dec. 2023 Lesson 5, Parts 1

Max Lucado, God Never Gives Up On You © 2023

Quiet Time: Max Lucado, God Never Gives Up, Pages 51-65

God Comes, In Spite Of Us – The way we are at times, cannot be an impenetrable barrier, forcing God’s love away. While our behavior is not always condoned by God, we are still loved unconditionally. When we encounter some difficult situations, it may well be the result of our own making. Unfortunately, a person can become the architect of their own undoing (Read, Proverbs 11:5, NIV). Jacob’s sudden departure from their home in Canaan was at the urging of his mother Rebekah (See, Genesis 27:41-45, NLT) However, it was Jacob’s deception toward his brother Essau, that hastened his journey. In following Jacob’s trail; just when it is thought he was on the right path, some deception is exhibited. The Scriptures provide wise counsel in citing the consequences of behavior that falls short of God’s standards. Doing what is right is not complicated; doing what is wrong, brings consequence which can harm one’s self. (Read, Proverbs11:17, NIV). Schemes and devices which are intended to harm others, can only have a negative effect on the person who perpetrates the wrong, (Read, Proverbs 11:3, NIV). The story of Jacob provides us with the background for the fulfillment of the promised Messiah- who is Jesus Christ our Lord. However, we see the actors in this grand narrative, are imperfect at best. We look at their lives, and can receive a cautionary tale about our own human strivings. We get a glimpse of people, the way they were, at every stage of their journey; but not as we would like them to have been. This is intended in the Word; otherwise, we would neither understand nor come to appreciate the meaning of “redemption.” Often in the Scriptures, the consequences of human behaviors are summed up in prophetic warnings. Obadiah, who prophesied during the period when Israel was under Babylonian captivity, spoke out against the Edomites. The Edomites were descendants of Essau; they held animosity toward their Israelite relatives, and tacitly supported the enemies of Israel. The prophet warned, they would have to pay for such actions and attitudes. (Read, Obadiah 1:15b, NIV). The pendulum of life does swing back and forth. When Jacon reached his uncle Laban’s home in Haran, he had no idea that his relative’s behavior mirrored his own. In his book, God Never Gives Up On You, describing Rebeka’s brother, Laban, Max Lucado says: “He could at once, put his arm around your shoulders and his hand on your wallet. He gave Jacob a squeeze. ‘Oh, Rebekah’s boy! You will come to my tent! You will live in my house! You will want for nothing as long as you are here.’” Laban had two daughter, Leah and Rachel. From the appearance of Rachel at the well, Jacob wanted to marry her. Laban’s deception became apparent when he reneged on the agreement he made with Jacob, (Read, Gen. 29: 16; 18-21, NIV).

Key Idea: What We Believe!

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

Key Verses:

Proverbs 11:5, NIV “The righteousness of the blameless makes their paths straight, but the wicked are brought down by their own wickedness.”

Proverbs 11:17, NIV “Those who are kind benefit themselves, but the cruel bring ruin to themselves.”

Proverbs 11:3, NIV “The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their own duplicity.”

Obadiah 1:15b, NIV “As you have done, it will be done to you; your deeds will return upon your head.”

Genesis 29:13-15, NIV “As soon as Laban heard the news about Jacob, his sister’s son, he hurried to meet him. He embraced him and kissed him and brought him to his home, and there Jacob told him all these things. Then Laban said to him, You are my own flesh and blood.” After Jacob had stayed with him for a whole month, Laban said to him, ‘Just because you are a relative of mine, should you work for me for nothing?’”

Genesis 29:16;18-21, NIV

“Now Laban had two daughters; the name of the older was Leah, and the name of the younger was Rachel… Jacob was in love with Rachel and said, “I’ll work for you seven years in return for your younger daughter Rachel.” Laban said, “It’s better that I give her to you than to some other man. Stay here with me.” So Jacob served seven years to get Rachel, but they seemed like only a few days to him because of his love for her. Then Jacob said, “Give me my wife, so I can sleep with her.”