10 Let God Prevail

Let God Prevail

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/come-follow-me-for-home-and-church-old-testament-2026/10?lang=eng



The name Jacob means supplanter. While Esau was barely born first, Jacob was chosen to be first.

Genesis 25:30–34 Jacob took Esau’s birthright for a mess of pottage.
26:34–35 Esau married outside the covenant.
27:36 Esau realized what he lost when he realized that Jacob also took his father’s blessing from him.

Jacob needed to leave, not only to find and marry a wife in the covenant, but for his own safety too.

When Jacob was commanded to go home, he made many preparations before he went to meet Esau. (See your Seminary notes)

Genesis 32:26 He wrestled with God until he knew that he received the blessing he desired. His name was changed to Jacob, or to Let God Prevail. He made covenants with God and promised to pay tithes.

“Israel learned that to receive God’s most valuable blessings, His covenant blessings, it’s not necessary to supplant someone else. His blessings aren’t purchased or seized or won. He gives them freely to all who live up to the name of Israel—who let God prevail in their lives.”

When he returned to Esau, theirs was a friendly meeting. Brothers are to live together In love and seek the best for each other.

Covenant marriage is essential to God’s eternal plan.
Genesis 24

Covenant marriage has always been important to our Heavenly Father. It was important to Abraham for Isaac, and it was important to Isaac for Jacob. How important is it to you and to your posterity?

verses 15–28, 57–61 Rebekah was a beautiful and a faithful woman, who wanted to obey God’s will.

Marriage

I can value eternal things over temporal things.
Genesis 25:29–34

While there are many things that can and do claim our interests, it is important to “Think Celestial” so that we never sell ourselves short of the birthright that God has given us.

Matthew 6:19–33 19 ¶ Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:

20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven

Remember What Matters Most

The covenants of the Lord’s house bring God’s power into my life.
Genesis 28

Genesis 28 16 ¶ And Jacob awaked out of his sleep, and he said, Surely the Lord is in this place; and I knew it not.

Jacob conversed with God in His dream and struggled until he obtained the desired blessings. It was such a sacred experience that Jacob named the place Bethel, or “house of God.”

Jacob must have had a temple like experience, like his father and grandfather had also had.

verses 10–22 Jacob’s ladder

Nearer, My God, to Thee: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WyxXGdG3-Io

The Temple and Your Spiritual Foundation

The Temple Endowment: 27.2: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/general-handbook/27-temple-ordinances-for-the-living?lang=eng&id=title_number11-p69#title_number11

The Lord remembers me in my trials.
Genesis 29:31–3530:1–24

God recognized both Leah’s and Rachel’s struggles, and he has recognized mine too.

Genesis 29:32 32 And Leah conceived, and bare a son, and she called his name Reuben: for she said, Surely the Lord hath looked upon my affliction; now therefore my husband will love me.

30:22 22 ¶ And God remembered Rachel, and God hearkened to her, and opened her womb.

The Savior can heal my family.
Genesis 32–33

 

Genesis 32:7 Then Jacob was greatly afraid and distressed: and he divided the people that was with him, and the flocks, and herds, and the camels, into two bands;

How would Esau receive Jacob? This concerned him.

Jacob went through many preparations that he hoped would soften Esau’s heart. What have you done in hopes that other’s hearts will be softened? Truly the Lord had also worked on Esau during that 20 years.

Genesis 32:9–12 Jacob prayed in humility for the Lord’s help and for his deliverance from Esau.

Scripture Helps

Click to see more.

For Kids:

I can be kind to others.
Genesis 24:10–21

Genesis 24:10–21 Rebekah showed kindness to Abraham’s servant by giving him water to drink, and then by giving water to all of his camels.

Kindness Begins with Me

Eternal things are more important than worldly things.
Genesis 25:21–34

Jacob and Esau

How will you choose things of eternal significance over things of immediate pleasure or distraction? What will you do to remind yourself of what is important?

Covenants help me return to Heavenly Father.
Genesis 28:10–22

Read Genesis 28:10–22 together. Use handout, and talk about how our covenants are like a ladder. God elevates us when we choose His covenant path, giving us power to become better.

We promise to obey God when we get baptized, when we take the sacrament, and when we go to the temple. God promises us great blessings in return. When we make covenants and choose to follow the Lord and keep our covenants, we grow closer to the Lord and He blesses us with peace, safety, and power to do the things we need to do.

Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ can help me love my family.
Genesis 32:6–1133:1–4

After 20 years being away from home, Jacob was going back with his big family. He was going to meet Esau again. He felt scared that Esau might still be angry with him.

Read Genesis 32:6–11

Jacob knew that Esau had a lot of people with him. He prayed that the Lord would bless and protect his family.

Read Genesis 33:1–4

Jacob took precautions and then went forth with faith. He humbled himself before his brother. Esau ran to Jacob and hugged him. They had both missed each other. Twenty years is a long time. The Lord had blessed both Esau and Jacob. He prepared the way so that they were friends again. Jacob’s prayers were answered.

How can we help to mend hurt feelings in our own families?

More activities for children: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/games-stories-activities/2026/march/10-genesis-24-33?lang=eng

 

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

18 Holiness to the Lord

15 Remember This Day, in Which Ye Came Out from Egypt