February 08, 2024 | Pastor Robert Lee
Passage: Genesis 29:15-30
God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble; therefore, we need humility! In this message titled, Humiliation Before Humility, we see how an utterly humiliating moment in Jacob's life contributes to his radical spiritual transformation by teaching him the all-important lesson of humility.
► Genesis 29:15-30
15 Then Laban said to Jacob, “Because you are my kinsman, should you therefore serve me for nothing? Tell me, what shall your wages be?”
16 Now Laban had two daughters. The name of the older was Leah, and the name of the younger was Rachel. 17 Leah’s eyes were weak, but Rachel was beautiful in form and appearance. 18 Jacob loved Rachel. And he said, “I will serve you seven years for your younger daughter Rachel.” 19 Laban said, “It is better that I give her to you than that I should give her to any other man; stay with me.” 20 So Jacob served seven years for Rachel, and they seemed to him but a few days because of the love he had for her.
21 Then Jacob said to Laban, “Give me my wife that I may go in to her, for my time is completed.” 22 So Laban gathered together all the people of the place and made a feast. 23 But in the evening he took his daughter Leah and brought her to Jacob, and he went in to her.
And in the morning, behold, it was Leah! And Jacob said to Laban, “What is this you have done to me? Did I not serve with you for Rachel? Why then have you deceived me?” 26 Laban said, “It is not so done in our country, to give the younger before the firstborn. 27 Complete the week of this one, and we will give you the other also in return for serving me another seven years.” 28 Jacob did so, and completed her week. Then Laban gave him his daughter Rachel to be his wife. 29 (Laban gave his female servant Bilhah to his daughter Rachel to be her servant.)
30 So Jacob went in to Rachel also, and he loved Rachel more than Leah, and served Laban for another seven years.
Cross References
- 6…Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” (James 4:6)
- 9 Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you. (James 4:9–10)
Discussion Questions
- What were some of the highlights and lowlights of your week? Everyone needs to get a chance to answer!
- When you think of what it means to be a humble person, what comes to your mind? What character traits? If some people or examples from your own life come to mind, please share!
- How might the music, athletes, celebrities, television, movies, TikTok, Instagram and other forms of popular media make it difficult to value and practice humility?
- What are the areas of your life—strengths, talents, achievements, etc.—that tempt you toward thinking too highly of yourself? What areas tempt you to think too low of yourself?
- For Jacob, humiliation had to come before humility. The same will likely be true for us. Why do you think humiliation is often necessary to grow in humility? And have you ever been so humiliated that it helped you see your true self?
- What are some reasons that humility is necessary to experience spiritual transformation?
- Pray!
RISEN is a ministry of the Sheboygan eFree Church for students in grades 6 - 12 that aims to transform lives by proclaiming the resurrected Jesus Christ in all of His grace and glory.
Would you like to join us? Find more information at our website.
► Student Ministries
CONNECT WITH SHEBOYGAN EFREE STUDENT MINISTRIES
► Instagram
LISTEN TO OUR PODCAST
► Apple Podcasts
► Spotify
Series Information
