Genesis 27 - Outline

v1-10

Rebekah came up with a plot to get Jacob blessed instead of Esau

v11-17

Jacob talked back to his mother, so she gave him a very clever disguise

v18-29

Jacob lied to his father Isaac, so Isaac gave him a unmatchable blessing

v30-40

Esau was very sorry and cried for the blessing, but it was too late

v41-46

Rebekah sent Jacob to Laban to keep Esau from killing him

last chance for fruit

Luke 13

v7

Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground?

There are certain long-standing problems that the Lord has been working on in my life, like wasting time. It's as if He has come looking for fruit in that area for years. He does everything He can to help us be fruitful.

We should take advantage of the Lord's help, to grow in areas where we have weaknesses, while we still have a chance to do that.

beware of hypocrisy

Luke 12

v3

Therefore whatsoever ye have spoken in darkness shall be heard in the light; and that which ye have spoken in the ear in closets shall be proclaimed upon the housetops.

What we think and do in our time by ourselves will eventually be shown to everyone.

For example, we shouldn't waste time on entertainment, like games and videos, especially bad videos, when we should be working at home or working on homework.

prayer has an effect

Luke 11

v9

And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.

We should remember the importance of seeking the Lord in prayer. Here we have promises that it will be effective.

one thing is needful

Luke 10

v39

And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word.

The one good part that was needful and wouldn't be taken away, was to sit as Jesus' feet and hear His Word. We should serve much, but we shouldn't let our much serving get in the way of our Bible time.

Dating

1 Timothy 5:1&2

Rebuke not an elder, but intreat [him] as a father; [and] the younger men as brethren;

The elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, with all purity.

I believe that this verse teaches that single men and women we should treat each other like brothers and sisters. I think that we shouldn't be completely separated from each other, but I don't think we should act like we're married either. I think we should be just friends. It says, with all purity. (I added the emphasis.) That includes not just physically, but also in mind and heart.

Genesis 26:7-9, Especially v8

And it came to pass, when he had been there a long time, that Abimelech king of the Philistines looked out at a window, and saw, and, behold, Isaac [was] sporting with Rebekah his wife.

When Abimelech saw the way Isaac was playing with Rebekah, he knew for sure that she wasn't just Isaac's sister. I don't agree with the dating game, because I feel that as singles, we shouldn't have fun with each as if we're married, but without the commitment. If we do, we're not treating each other as just brothers and sisters.

Should a brother and sister in the Lord just suddenly get married then? I don't think so.

Proverbs 19:2

Also, [that] the soul [be] without knowledge, [it is] not good; and he that hasteth with [his] feet sinneth.

Proverbs 14:15

The simple believeth every word: but the prudent [man] looketh well to his going.

In order to avoid haste, and consider our steps, I believe in courtship: spending time together to seek the Lord for His will about the relationship.

don't look back

Luke 9

v62

And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.

One of the Lord's followers has to be a focused worker. If we're going to be His servants, we have to be faithful and follow through with our work for Him.