Leahs in your life

Warren D. Carter – Elder

Wien, Österreich

21.11.99

Leah’s in Your Life ??

Genesis 29

overview of the book of Genesis … or the 1^st Book of Moses

The name in English is Genesis, which means: origins, or the coming into being of something

aptly named since this book lays the groundwork for the whole Bible – almost all the great doctrines of the Bible are started in Genesis, or hinted at here and more fully developed elsewhere in God’s Word – including:

• the revelation of God as creator, covenant-maker, all-powerful, possessor of heaven and earth

• the Triune Godhead [Gen 1:26]

• man as a creation of God, who then falls out of fellowship with God because of sin, and is brought back to Him [Gen 6:9]

• salvation … God clothed Adam & Eve in animal skins [Gen 3:21], requiring death/ innocent blood be shed so that man’s shame could be covered before a holy God

• incarnation [Gen 3:15]

• the existence and workings of Satan, whose strategy is to cast doubt on the will and Word of God, and whose tactics are initiated in the spiritual realm [Gen 3:1-13/ 4:5-7/ 11:4/ 19:31-32/ 34:23]

• the Antichrist [Gen 3:15/ 10:8-12 + 11:1-9]

• sovereign selection of people … Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, et al.

• justification by faith … Abraham believed in God, and God declared him righteous because of his faith [Gen 15:6]

• believer’s security [Gen 6:18/ 31:29]

• separation from evil [Gen 19:12-13/ 24:3/ 28:1/ 35:2/ 5:24 + Jude 14-15]

• God’s discipline [Gen 2:16-19/ 4:10-15]

• God’s judgement on the wicked [Gen 6:5-7 / 17:14/ 19:24-25]

• importance, value, and necessity of prayer [Gen 18:23-33/ 20:17/ 24:12-15]

• rapture to heaven [Gen 5:24]

• death and resurrection [Gen 8:13-18/ 22:2,9-13]

• our Saviour’s coming exaultation – the life of Joseph

• the priesthood of Christ – the order of Melchizedek [Gen 14:18-20 + Ps 110:4/ Heb 5:5-10]

• giving Canaan land to the Hebrew nation [Gen 12:7/ 13:15]

• blessed future for true followers/ sons of God [Gen 22:18/ 28:14-15]

some Family Tree information

Terah

__________________________________________________________

Abraham Haran Nahor

{Milcah}

[2 wives of Abraham]

--------------------

{Sarah} {Hagar}

Isaac Ishmael Lot Bethuel

{Rebekah} Milcah {married Nahor}

Iscah

Esau Nebaioth Rebekah {married Isaac}

Jacob Kedar Laban

Abdeel

Mibsam

Mishma

Dumah

Massa Leah {married Jacob}

Hadad Rachel {also married Jacob}

Tema

Jetur

Naphish

Kedemah

[ the four wives of Jacob ]

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{Rachel} {Leah} {Bilhah} {Zilpah}

Rachel’s servant Leah’s servant

Benjamin (12) Reuben (1) Dan (5) Gad (7)

Joseph (11) Simeon (2) Naphtali (6) Asher (8)

Levi (3)

Judah (4)

Issachar (9)

Zebulun (10)

Manasseh the land of Canaan was divided between the 12 “tribes” of Israel –

Ephraim Joseph’s 2 sons + 10 of Jacob’s sons [excluding Joseph and Levi (whose

descendants served in the Temple)]

Types and Truths foreshadowed by the patriarchs for believers today

patriarch re: Godhead lived a life reflecting principle of

Abraham Fatherhood sovereignty/ faith election

Isaac Sonship submission new birth

Jacob the Spirit at work grace in conflict faithful service

God’s purposes and working in Jacob’s life

are a preview of His plans and promises for us

• the matchless grace of God shown to one so unworthy as Jacob

• the incredible patience for someone so slow to learn

• the enduring love that followed Jacob wherever he wandered

• the unchanging faithfulness despite Jacob’s many acts of unfaithfulness

• the power that preserved him in the face of many threats/ dangers

• the strength that carried him through times of weakness or vulnerability

• the wisdom that was so freely given at just the right moments

• the comfort provided when heartache or privation threatened

• the discipline necessary to refine his character

• the mercy, blessings, and favor that others would receive because of Jacob

after reading Genesis chapter 29

Do you have a “Leah” in your life ??

(a) someone or something that you didn’t seek/ want/ desire/ love?

(b) what you unexpectedly receive after long, hard work?

If so, consider this:

1. Leahs will not bring out the worst in us – they’ll reveal what’s inside us!

2. Leahs will open our eyes and ears to the Lord’s ways and discipline

3. Leah was fruitful – Judah and Levi were her sons

4. God will use Leahs to purify us

5. it’s God’s provision for us, even tho’ it’s not what we think we need or deserve

6. it’s not a mark of God’s abandonment or displeasure or rejection

7. Leahs prepare us for our Rachels

8. God has Rachels in store for us … but He also picks or allows our Leahs

Five (5) key principles to think about

i. IF we expect God … wait for God … trust God – we will grow wings like eagles/ soar with Him

-- not chickens who flap around, peck at each other, and never get off the ground

-- not crows who attack the weak and weary

ii. IF you attach yourself to people/ gifts/ ministry/ things – you will burn out/ wither from pride

-- so attach/ entwine/ cover yourself with God, His love, and His identity that He’s given you

iii. the enemy bites/ attacks us when he smells our flesh

-- when we operate in the Spirit, he just swipes at the wind or has to keep his mouth shut

– Daniel in the den

iv. we need to embrace/ love our Leahs with an agape love – the love of Christ

-- this may be our whetstone to sharpen our character and integrity

v. God’s blessings will flow IF we persevere in love

are there Leahs in your life that you want to do something about ??

are you out of communion with God ?

do you want to trust in God in a new way today ??

is there something you’d like to confess or get straight with God about ??

Truth(s) from God’s Word for me today/ this week: _____________________________________

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Leahs in Your Life h-o

19.11.99