00:00Even though God's commands are clear and His blessing abundant, we often create situations
00:13through deception and manipulation that destroy our relationship. Jacob's family's actions offer
00:20us a warning. Regardless of what we think we deserve, it is always better to trust God's
00:26provision instead of trusting our plans. God was clear in His choice to bless Jacob.
00:32Romans 9 explains how God chose to bless Jacob and not Esau, Isaac's firstborn. Instead of believing
00:39in God's promise and waiting for him to act, Jacob trusted his plans and methods of receiving the
00:45blessing. He deceived his father and his brother and effectively shattered the family relationship.
00:51God indeed had a plan to bless Jacob that didn't include a moral failure. Yet despite Jacob's sin,
00:59God blessed him. God allowed Jacob to obtain the blessing this way. Though God would later discipline
01:06Jacob, He showed him mercy by giving him the blessing. God is working in all aspects of our lives,
01:13even through our sin and disobedience. Even in our failure to trust Him, He can accomplish His purposes,
01:20but we may create unnecessary heartache and pain when we go our own way. When God makes a promise,
01:27He already has a plan to fulfill it. As Isaac sent Jacob to Paddan Aram to find a wife,
01:34he reminded him of the promises God made to Abraham. God would make Jacob into a great nation,
01:41give him the land, and allow his descendants to be a blessing to all the people on the earth.
01:46God's promises had not been thwarted by poor decisions. His covenant promise to the family
01:53of Abraham would continue. Though there were always threats to the promise, God always came through.
02:00He was faithful to Abraham and faithful to Isaac. He would continue to be faithful to Jacob and his
02:07descendants in the future, fulfilling the covenant He made with Abraham. Even though we sin,
02:13God can use us. He can turn our conflicts into blessings and bring peace to shattered relationship.
02:20He can redeem and work for good through any act of sin, no matter how grievous it is.
02:26He is in the business of restoration. He is in the business of using broken people.
02:33The Bible truthfully records even the failures of the heroes of the faith,
02:37so that we can see the merciful character of God. He redeems, restores, and rebuilds even the most
02:44shattered of hearts, relationships, communities, and nations. We can trust Him.
