January 8-Jabez
Day 3
WHO ELSE IN THE BIBLE WAS EXTRAORDINARILY BLESSED?
ABRAHAM: THE MAN GOD CHOSE TO BLESS.
Read Genesis 12:1-3
Jabez traced his “blessing inheritance” back to Abraham, the father of the Jewish people. One day God promised Abraham, “I will bless you…and you shall be a blessing” (Genesis 12:2). It was an unconditional covenant of generosity initiated by God.
Abraham believed God and traveled to the Promised Land (Canaan) in pursuit of the blessing. But Abraham didn’t earn God’s goodness. In fact, if you trace his life story (Genesis 12—25), you’ll see a man who made a lot of mistakes. But he never stopped reaching for God’s favor. That’s why the Bible calls Abraham “friend of God” (James 2:23) and “father of all those who believe” (Romans 4:11).”
1.Abraham saw God as the source of guaranteed blessing. Read Hebrews 11.1-2, 6, and 8-12. What one thing did Abraham do that pleased God?
2.How does a person’s faith in God relate to the blessings that he or she receives?
Who in your life is the best example of a person that seems to enjoy God’songoing blessing?
How do you account for the difference between his or her life and yours?”
JACOB: THE MAN WHO WRESTLED TO BE BLESSED.
Read Genesis 32:22-29
God renewed His promise of blessing to Abraham’s son Isaac (Genesis 26:24) and again to Isaac’s son Jacob (35:9). Jacob, whose name meant “schemer” or “grabber,” started out his life manipulating others to get ahead. But one night, Jacob came face to face with the real source of blessing. An angelic being met him in the dark, and they wrestled. All night, Jacob struggled to win. By morning, Jacob knew what he was really fighting for. He cried out, “I will not let You go unless You bless me!” (Genesis 32:26).
It was a cry that God was waiting to hear. The angel gave Jacob God’s blessing. And Jacob received a new name—Israel, or “prince with God.”
3. How do you think people today struggle and wrestle with God? Why did Jacob wrestle with God before he asked for the blessing?
4. What would you have said if you had been Jacob and the angel said to you: “I will bless you! Now, what specific blessing do you want?”
DAVID: THE MAN WHO UNDERSTOOD THE SOURCE OF BLESSINGS.
Read 1 Chronicles 29:9-18
The lavish generosity of the Jewish people in donating to the temple highlighted the last days of King David. Perhaps more than any other person in the Old Testament, David understood the profound role of God in this act of sacrificial worship.
5. List the blessings found in this passage that David reveals come from God.
6. Describe the best thing that happened to you in the last three months. Read James 1.17. Did you link it to God’s blessing and thank Him for it?”
WHO ELSE IN THE BIBLE WAS EXTRAORDINARILY BLESSED?
ABRAHAM: THE MAN GOD CHOSE TO BLESS.
Read Genesis 12:1-3
Jabez traced his “blessing inheritance” back to Abraham, the father of the Jewish people. One day God promised Abraham, “I will bless you…and you shall be a blessing” (Genesis 12:2). It was an unconditional covenant of generosity initiated by God.
Abraham believed God and traveled to the Promised Land (Canaan) in pursuit of the blessing. But Abraham didn’t earn God’s goodness. In fact, if you trace his life story (Genesis 12—25), you’ll see a man who made a lot of mistakes. But he never stopped reaching for God’s favor. That’s why the Bible calls Abraham “friend of God” (James 2:23) and “father of all those who believe” (Romans 4:11).”
1.Abraham saw God as the source of guaranteed blessing. Read Hebrews 11.1-2, 6, and 8-12. What one thing did Abraham do that pleased God?
2.How does a person’s faith in God relate to the blessings that he or she receives?
Who in your life is the best example of a person that seems to enjoy God’songoing blessing?
How do you account for the difference between his or her life and yours?”
JACOB: THE MAN WHO WRESTLED TO BE BLESSED.
Read Genesis 32:22-29
God renewed His promise of blessing to Abraham’s son Isaac (Genesis 26:24) and again to Isaac’s son Jacob (35:9). Jacob, whose name meant “schemer” or “grabber,” started out his life manipulating others to get ahead. But one night, Jacob came face to face with the real source of blessing. An angelic being met him in the dark, and they wrestled. All night, Jacob struggled to win. By morning, Jacob knew what he was really fighting for. He cried out, “I will not let You go unless You bless me!” (Genesis 32:26).
It was a cry that God was waiting to hear. The angel gave Jacob God’s blessing. And Jacob received a new name—Israel, or “prince with God.”
3. How do you think people today struggle and wrestle with God? Why did Jacob wrestle with God before he asked for the blessing?
4. What would you have said if you had been Jacob and the angel said to you: “I will bless you! Now, what specific blessing do you want?”
DAVID: THE MAN WHO UNDERSTOOD THE SOURCE OF BLESSINGS.
Read 1 Chronicles 29:9-18
The lavish generosity of the Jewish people in donating to the temple highlighted the last days of King David. Perhaps more than any other person in the Old Testament, David understood the profound role of God in this act of sacrificial worship.
5. List the blessings found in this passage that David reveals come from God.
6. Describe the best thing that happened to you in the last three months. Read James 1.17. Did you link it to God’s blessing and thank Him for it?”
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