TEXT: Heb.11:21
INTRODUCTION
Jacob, is a man who through several encounters with God and divinely orchestrated experiences had his earlier nature of a deceiver and a cheat dealt with. He was transformed as he wrestled all night long with the Angel of the Lord, who at almost the breaking of the day had to give him a new name, a new nature and a new purpose. This particular encounter changed him for good and he became a man of faith, love and peace. He now had a purpose for living and combined this well with the presence of God that he now enjoyed.
THE GENESIS OF THE STAFF OR ROD
A. Recast the background story of Heb.11:21 as told in Gen,48:8-22
· He depended or leaned on it to:
– Bless his grandsons and engraft them into Israel – a Special privilege.
– To worship
· 1st Mention of staff
– Referring to His crossing the Jordan – Gen.28:10-22
– Prayers for protection from Esau -Gen.32:10
· 2nd Mention –Reference to wealth transfer -Gen.30:37-39,41
B. THE IMPORTANCE OF THE STAFF
– The staff therefore represented the totality of his life, his victories, call, grace, commission and encounters with God e.t.c. It is symbol of Divine presence and his dependence of God.
– Pls. note – it had to be his staff –see: Num.17:2-5, Acts19:14-16, IJohn1:1
– You can only fulfill your commission or take your place, through the rod in your hands only. You can’t do it with another person’s
e.g
· The children of Israel –Exo.12:11-12
· Moses, Aaron and Hur Exo.17:11-12;4:17-20
· Elijah/Elisha – IIKings 2:8-14
· Elisha/Gehazi –IIKings 4:31
· Aaron’s Rod – Num.17
· David and Saul’s armour –Isam.17:38-41.
– Explain David’s staff
– Shepherd’s staff/kings scepter
· Benaiah – 2Sam.23:20-22
– Egyptain –The past
– Lion in a pit – The present at the time of weariness/ vulnerability.
– 2 Men of Moab – The future
* 1Pet.5:8
* Num.22 – Balaak and Balaam
* Num.23:23
CONCLUSION
Learning on your staff, bless the people
Reference May 1st 2001 – Consecration into the Ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ.
– Matth.4:23; 9:35 – Teaching, Preaching and Healing
– Acts 10:38; Lu.4:18-19
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