God draws near and shows grace to undeserving sinners (Gen 28)

In Genesis 27, we saw how favoritism often backfires, bringing the opposite of our heart's desire. When Isaac found out Jacob lied, he cursed Esau, to a path of sadness, servitude, and violence (instead of owning his mistakes and going to the LORD). Now we see a change of heart in Issac.

Genesis 28:1-4

"Isaac called for Jacob and blessed him" with specific instructions on marriage. He said, "May God Almighty bless you and make you fruitful," and extended God's grace to his descendence. 

Genesis 28:6-9

"Esau learned that Isaac had blessed Jacob" with specific instructions on marriage and did the opposite of obeying, he "realized how to displease his father" with his life choices. 

Genesis 28:12-15

Jacob's response to God’s grace is to simply and gratefully receive it. We do this when we follow God's specific instructions.  Question 10a tonight, we see God’s grace in action. God would give Jacob and his descendants the actual physical land upon which Jacob now lay. It was a gift of grace from God, not won through clever conniving or deceitful scheming (Genesis 28:13-15)

BSF gives this wonderful teaching

• Grace is the free and unmerited love, mercy, and favor of God given to the undeserving.
• We have done and can do nothing to earn God’s grace.
• The assurance of God’s grace gives confidence and hope.
• Our proper response to God’s grace is to simply and gratefully receive it.
• When I do not believe, I continually wrestle with a guilty, confusing past and face an anxious, uncertain future.
• When I believe, I long to share the grace of God with those who are drowning under the burden of their sin, guilt, and shame.

The call-out in the notes “Two brothers, two paths,” we see how grace and our choice work together. One brother turned to God; one brother turned away from God.

What does daily life reveal about your response to God? Do you struggle against self-denial and surrender to God? Are you quick to humble yourself and yield to God?

• Common Grace, “He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.” (Matt 5:45)​
• Saving Grace, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith–and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.” (Eph 2:8)​
• Sanctifying  Grace, “he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion” (Philippians 1:6).​
• Provisional   Grace, “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights.” (James 1:17)​
• Miraculous Grace, “Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, performed amazing miracles and signs among the people” (Acts 6:8)​
• Serving Grace, “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” (1 Peter 4:10) ​
• Sustaining Grace, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Cor 12:9), “Let us, therefore, draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and may find grace to help in time of need” (Heb 4:16)​

“I believed in God, so I spoke.”  & ​God’s grace reaches more and more people

What makes grace hard to receive? What makes it difficult to extend grace to others? ​