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Lesson 32

An Encounter with Esau

Genesis 33

Me-

There have only been a few times in my life when I have been genuinely afraid.  Thankfully, I have not found myself in a situation that could have resulted in possible bodily harm.  Once when I was a child my mother had sent me up the street to a small grocery store after dark.  As I was walking along I thought I heard footsteps behind me. Afraid to look behind me, I began to run as fast as I could to the store.  Someone there went out and looked down the street and saw no one.  You can imagine my trip home just waiting for someone to pounce on me.  To this day I do not know if I was being followed or it was just the echo of my shoes hitting the road as I ran.  The one thing I do know is that the trip back home was a scary time.

We-

Even though most of our fears are personal in nature, the church has fears as shown by the decisions it makes and the culture that exists in the body.  We have listened to the world so long that we have come to believe its lie that our Christian faith and virtues are not to be expressed in the public arena but are to be private.  We have allowed ourselves to be marginalized and cast aside as the world marches to the drumbeat of the humanistic worldview. The gospel has been compromised if believed at all with the fear that we might offend someone if we claim the promises of the Scriptures to be valid.  When are we going to have the courage to face the enemy of the faith head on in the same way that Jacob did by conquering the fear of what lay ahead for us.

God-

Genesis 33:1-2

No sooner had Jacob finished his wrestling match with God and crossed over to his family he looked up and saw Esau and the four hundred men with him coming toward him. Once again he attempted to minimize the lost of his family if Esau meant to do him harm.  The order indicated the preference he had for each of his wives and their children. He put Bilhah and Zilpah with their children first, making them the most vulnerable to an attack by Esau.  Leah with her children were next.  Last to come were Rachel and Joseph. What was done had to have an effect on Jacob’s sons as they understood that he loved Rachel and Joseph more than he loved them.

1. What took place almost immediately after the encounter with God?
2. How did he hope to minimize the loss of family members?
3. Why did he put the maids, Bilhah and Zilpah in front of the other family members?
4. Why did he then put Rachel and Joseph behind Leah and her children?
5. What do you think of that kind of favoritism?

Genesis 33:3

After lining up his family Jacob went ahead of them to meet Esau.  He did not hide behind the wives and children but approach of Esau bowing to the ground seven times in homage to his brother. By doing so he would try to approach Esau as a servant and not one who wanted to do battle.  It was his way of saying I want to put all that had happened between the two behind them.  He had to be hoping that such a display of humility would have a calming influence on Esau and possibly averting an armed conflict. 

1. What does the fact that Jacob went ahead of his family say about him?
2.  How had the encounter with God changed him?
3. Why did he need that time alone with God after dealing with Laban?
4. What did he mean to show by bowing down before his brother seven times?

Genesis 33:4-7

Much to his surprise and relief Esau did not display any animosity towards Jacob.  He ran up to him and gave him a hug and kiss.  Both men then wept at seeing each other after twenty years. After their greeting Esau then looked at Jacob’s family and wanted to know who they were.  Jacob gave credit to God for each of them. One by one each of the wives passed by in the order that Jacob had placed them.  The maids, then Leah and finally Rachel all came and bowed down before Jacob’s brother.

1. What do you think was the initial reaction of each of the two men upon seeing each other?
2. Why would it be surprising that Esau initiated what occurred at the reunion?
3. What does the admission that God gave him the children say about what had happened to Jacob as a result of the last two events?
4. Why did the whole family bow before Esau?
5. What had they expected because of Jacob’s actions?

Genesis 33:8-11

Once the initial greetings and introductions were over Esau inquired why Jacob had sent the droves of animals to him.  Jacob’s response would indicate a man who was repentant of his past deeds.  He was seeking Esau’s forgiveness and hoped the gift would compensate for the wrong he had done many years earlier.  At first Esau rejected the gift, not out of anger or holding Jacob accountable.  His reason was that his possessions were sufficient and he did not need the animals that Jacob was offering to him. Obviously, Jacob was hurt by his brother’s answer.  To accept the gift was a sign of bonding as friends.  Now, Jacob saw it as a way to express his thanksgiving for the reception he had received from his brother. Then for a second time Jacob begged his brother to take the animals.  Although Esau had indicated that he had achieved his wealth on his own, Jacob acknowledged that what he had came from God.  To him God had more than met his needs and had given him property in abundance. When Esau saw that his brother was hurt by his refusal he accepted the gift.

1. Why did Esau inquire about the droves of animals that had been sent to him?
2. Why did Jacob send the gift in the first place?
3. What new meaning did it take on after the reception he had received from Esau?
4. What does it say about Esau’s spiritual condition that he took credit gaining what he had?
5. How did that differ from Jacob?
6. Why did Esau finally take the gift from Jacob?

Genesis 33:12-14

Esau offered to go along with Jacob.  With all grace Jacob refused the offer.  His reasoning was that he could not drive his family and animals at a rapid pace.  To do so would be harmful to both the weaker members of his family and to the flocks who had little ones.  Esau recognized the validity of Jacob’s statement. The decision would allow each of the men to travel at their own pace.  One statement that has caused some confusion is the promise that Jacob seemed to make that he would join his brother in Seir.  The Scriptures are silent whether this ever happened.  One passage in Genesis 36:6-8 seems to indicate that the two did meet up at some point in Canaan but then separated like Abraham and Lot because the land could not sustain them both.

The underlying reason that Jacob did not want to go along with Esau may have been Jacob’s new found relationship with God.  As has been shared before Esau was definitely a man of the world.  He did not seem to have any interest in spiritual matters.  Jacob on the other hand had encountered God and had been the recipient of the promises given to Abraham and Isaac.  They were of two different worlds that were incompatible.

1. Why did Esau offer to go along with Jacob?
2. How did Jacob answer him?
3. What do you think of his reasoning?
4. Why do you think that Esau so readily accepted what Jacob said?
5. Why did Jacob promise to meet Esau at Seir?
6. What was the real reason that Jacob did not go along with his brother?

Genesis 33:15

Esau made one more offer to indicate his good will toward his brother.  He suggested that he leave some men to accompany Jacob on his journey.  Once again Jacob explained in a very courteous way that there was no need.  To look back a moment, Laban, the true threat to Jacob’s well being had gone back home to Syria.  With the size of his company there would be little danger of him being attacked by the locals. He appreciated Esau’s offer but assured his brother that it was enough just to know that they could be friends and that would be no future conflict between them.

1. Why did Esau continue to press the issue of providing some kind of protection for Jacob?
2. How did Jacob handle the situation?
3. With his words what was he saying to his brother?
4. What help would a few additional men from Esua’s entourage, who probably did want to be there in the first place provide?
5. How well do you think that Jacob handled the situation?
6. What does the fact that Esau accepted Jacob’s words show about their relationship?

Genesis 33:16-17

From that point on the men took to different routes to their destination.  Esau left for his journey back to Seir.  Jacob, true to his word, traveled toward his home in a more leisurely fashion.  He spent some time at Succoth where he built temporary housing for himself, family and all of his possessions.  In Succoth he would be able to relax from the tense situations he had experience.  It would have also allowed for his flocks and herds to get stronger after having been on a constant move for some time.

1. What does it say to us when we see that the men went their separate ways?
2. How did Jacob validate his words to Esau?
3. What did the time in Succoth allow Jacob to do?
4. Why was it good for him and all that he owned?
5. What does it say to us about our need for rest from the stressful lives we lead?

Genesis 33:18-20

From there he went on to Shechem.  After all that had occurred in his life Jacob would have felt truly blessed to have arrived in Shechem in the land of Canaan.  His decision to take up residence would begin a sad chapter in his life and of his family. The very fact that he purchased some land and pitched his tents indicated his intentions to remain there for some time.

Since God had promised all of the land of Canaan to his family as an inheritance, Jacob could have felt justified to purchase a little of what was going to be his in the future.  The difference however between what Jacob did and what God had promised were miles apart.  God said that He would give the land to Abraham’s family as a gift, an inheritance.  Nowhere does He say that they are to buy even one square foot of it.

The land was bought from Hamor the father of Shechem. Shechem and his father would soon play important roles in the events that would involve Jacob, his daughter Dinah and most of his sons.  Also impacted would be all of the citizens of the town.

One almost has to wonder if Jacob moved to Shechem because he was not ready to face Isaac who he had deceived twenty years earlier. Once again out of unfounded concern he avoided making the trip to where his father was living in Beersheba.  He might have wondered if his father had been able to forgive him because of what he had done. 

1. Why did Jacob stop at Shechem instead of proceeding further as he had told Esau?
2. What proof do we have that he intended to stay there?
3. What would be his justification for purchasing the land?
4. How did his decision differ from what God had promised?
5. Why might Jacob avoid going to Beersheba where his father lived?
6. Why do we avoid those individuals we may have harmed or have harmed us?
7. What is the godly thing to do?

You-

• Never let any decision you make put others in jeopardy.
• Before making any major decision make sure you spend as much time with God as necessary to get a clear answer.
• Remember that it is in those times of struggle that our faith grows.
• Do not take actions to avoid others with whom you might have a problem but deal with the issue head on.
• Never supersede God’s promises and take actions that might bring problems into your life.

We-

As we face challenges in the life of the church we need to remember that God has given us the resource we need.  The Bible should be the focal point of all that we do.  As we wrestle with understand the meaning within its pages, we will be led in the direction that God desires for the church to take.  In the life of Jacob we see a violation of the words given to him as he not only stopped short of his final destination but tried to buy for himself that which God had promised to give him and his descendants.  Let us not stop short in our seeking out for God’s purpose for us.

We are to meet each new chapter before us with the confidence that we serve the King of kings and the Lord of lords and He has promised not to forsake or leave us.  He has given us all of His promises and a important task to do.  The only thing that can defeat us is to fear the one who has no power over us.  There is only One that we are to fear and His word tells us that perfect love (for Him) casts out all fear.  With Him walking beside us let us continue on to the final destination to which we have been called and are being prepared.

Additional Notes:

C-Esau had done an about face from the angry man who planned to kill his brother to one who forgave him for all that had taken place in the past.  He truly fulfilled the prophecy of Isaac which said of about Esau, “You shall break his yoke from your neck.”  What characteristics did Esau display? (Gen. 32:40; 33:4, 9-11)

RT- Jacob’s fear of his brother shows how true the statement about worry is.  It is that 80% of all the things about which we worry never come to pass.  When Jacob and Esau met it was a reunion not a confrontation.  Esau had made peace with all that had occurred while Jacob continued to let his deception haunt him.  Guilt has a way of hanging around the neck of the perpetrator of the act. (Gen. 32-33)

BL-In Genesis 33, we looked at Esau’s reception of his brother, Jacob.  Jacob, fearing the worst, arranged his party by favorites–the maids and their children in front, Leah and her children next, and Rachel and Joseph last.  His fears were never realized, however–Esau ran to meet his long-lost brother, embraced him, and wept.  Esau even offered to accompany his brother to his camp in Seir, but Jacob begged him to go on ahead and promised they would meet up with him later.  It is apparent, however, that Jacob had no such plans, and at the end of chapter 33, we find him setting up camp in Shechem.  There he erects an altar to the Lord, boastfully calling it “El Elohe Israel,” meaning “a mighty God is the God of Israel.” 

TM-Jacob took his place in front of his family to bear the brunt of whatever Esau had in mind to do.  He was ready to fully accept the consequences for his earlier treatment of Esau. (Gen. 33:3

RT-Jacob ‘s failure to follow through on his words to Esau brought about the events that occurred in Shechem.  Dinah was raped and all of the men of Shechem were killed by Levi and Simeon out of revenge.  Finally eight of the brothers, except Joseph and Benjamin, came to the city and looted it.  All of this was brought on by one lie.         (Gen. 33:15; 34:2, 25-28)

 C-Jacob travelled until he came to Succoth where he built a house. (Gen. 33:17)

C- He moved from Succoth to Shechem. (Gen. 33:18-19)

 

 

 

Lesson 31

Wrestling

Genesis 32

Me-

One of the things that I have discovered is that those who accomplish much will face many challenges in their lives.  Those who have no struggles for the most part are doing little.  As I have looked at the Bible one thing has become very clear that all of the major players in the history of God’s people faced difficult times in their lives. Abraham, Jacob, Elijah, Jeremiah and many others dealt with the same issues in life that each of us have today.  Outside of the Bible I only had to look as far as the Revolutionary War to find an example of extraordinary sacrifice and endurance.  The year was 1778 and the American army had been in almost constant retreat before the powerful army of England almost from the beginning of the war.  The winter of that year found the ragtag army of Washington at Valley Forge where they would camp and wait for spring.  I will leave out the details of their story except for the fact that many historians believe that what occurred during that time was possibly the turning point of the war.  During the winter a German general named Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben trained the army until they became the core of the army that eventually defeated Cornwallis at Yorktown.  Theirs was an epic struggle against very heavy odds.  It was questionable going into Valley Forge if Washington would still have an army that would survive the encampment.  With God’s help they not only survived but were a much stronger army because of the difficulties they faced.

We-

As is true with each individual the church becomes stronger as it faces the ordeals and challenges thrust upon it by the devil.  He will try to undermine and destroy the church and weaken it until it becomes ineffective.  As we encounter the difficulties of this world the decisions we make will determine our fitness for His service.  Sometimes the struggles are self-inflicted while others come from the outside.  Usually it is more difficult to overcome the internal ones because we must deal with those who are part of the church family.

If we look at God’s word we see that victory only came with direct interaction with God.  Some prayed and some grew because they had to make the tough choices.  They had to decide to either trust God or fail in their efforts to work out a solution for themselves.  Sometimes it took a long time to do things God’s way.  Jacob certainly provides a good example of one who God had finally had to confront in a dramatic way. 

God

Genesis 32:1

Soon after having making a pact with Laban, Jacob knew there possibly was a more volatile situation awaiting him.  God had told him to go back to Canaan.  By doing so he would have    to face his brother.  It is interesting that Moses writes that some angels met him along the way.  They possibly appeared to encourage him after his encounter with Laban and to let him know that God was true to His promise to be with Jacob all along the way.  His naming of the place where he was staying indicates that he did not see it as a permanent dwelling place.  He called it Mahanaim which translated means two camps.

1. Why did God send His angels to Jacob?
2. What was He trying to say to Jacob?
3. Why did Jacob name the place where he was staying two camps?
4. What did he know was ahead of him?

Genesis 32:3-5

While at Mahanaim, Jacob sent messengers to Esua in Seir (Edom) to let him know that he was coming back into the land of Canaan. He spoken of having been with Laban for a lengthy period of time.  During his stay he had become prosperous.  The last statement was to let his brother know that he did not need any of what belonged to his father hoping that this would remove what had been the point of contention with Esau.  To send a message would indicate that Jacob feared his brother. For twenty years he had never let go of the guilt of what had brought about the division between the two.  He had been carrying with him that baggage for twenty years and now God had him to go home and deal with it.

1. Why did Jacob send messengers to Esau?
2. What was the intent of the specific words he used?
3. In the mind of Jacob why was the last instruction vitally important?
4. What does the fact that Jacob even needed to do this, tell us about him?
5. Why does God not allow us to carry around baggage but forces us to face it?

Genesis 32:6

Upon their return they brought the worse possible news.  Esau was coming with four hundred men to meet him.  This says that neither man knew what to expect when the confronted each other.  Esau came armed because he did not know how many men Jacob had with him or his intent.  Jacob was not expecting Esau to come all the way to where he was camped.  It is evident that Esau, for one, wanted to meet Jacob away from the prying eyes of his father if indeed there would be an armed engagement. 

1. What was the bad news brought by the messengers?
2. Why did Jacob send them in the first place?
3. Why did Esau choose to come to where Jacob was?
4. Why did he bring so many men with him?
5. What does this say about the relationship that still existed between the two brothers?
6. What did Jesus say about the way we should prepare to meet those that oppose us?
7. Does this reflect the approach either of them took?

Genesis 32:7-8

The immediate response of Jacob was one of fear and distress.  Esau had done the unexpected. He then began to plan for a way to minimize his losses.  He divided all he possessed into two companies thinking that at least one of them might survive if the purpose of his brother was to destroy him. 

1. Why did Jacob need to fear his brother?
2. What had he forgotten so quickly?
3. How did his actions once again reflect his true nature?
4. What lessons had he learned from the twenty years with Laban?
5. Who had given him all he had?
6. Why did he not trust God with all he possessed, especially in light of God’s promises?
7. Why is it that we so quickly forget what God has promised us when trials and challenges come our way?

Genesis 32:9-10

True to his nature, Jacob reminded God that it was He who had told him to return home.  Whether the humility he displayed by telling God of his unworthiness to have received His blessings was genuine or out fear of Esau is difficult to conclude because of his actions.  As part of his prayer he asked for deliverance.  He then explains to God why he fears his brother.  It was the fear that Esau was such a vengeful man that he would resort to killing women and children to get back at Jacob.  That statement shows how irrational fear can be.  Surely, Esau had nothing against Jacob’s family that would cause him to act in such a barbaric way.

1. What do you think of Jacob’s claim of humility?
2. Why did he remind God that He had commanded Jacob to return?
3. How does fear change a person like Jacob into an irrational individual?
4. Why did Jacob paint a worse case scenario for God?

Genesis 32:12

As if God did not know what He had promised Jacob, he set about reminding Him. Jacob was fearful of his brother and used everything means possible to assure his own safety and that of at least part of his possessions.  He had still not learned to trust God with his life and all that he had been given.  It seems that he was holding on to something that really did not belong to him in the first place.  All that Jacob owned belonged to God.  He only had use of it while he was on this earth. God had promised He would take care of Jacob and what He said He would do but He must do it in His own way.  His way is always best for those He loves.

1. What did God know about Jacob?
2. Why did Jacob believe he had to remind God of His promises?
3. What does this show us about Jacob’s faith?
4. How much like Jacob when we are faced with a difficult challenge or are afraid of what the future holds for us?
5. What would be the proper stance for us to take?
6. Why is stuff so important to us?
7. Who really owns all of it?
8. When we try to hold on to our possession what does it say about our relationship with God?

Genesis 32:13-21

While he camped there he devised a plan that he thought might appease the wrath of his brother.  He would try to buy his friendship by giving him a series of presents.  In a way this was the old Jacob trying to maneuver and manipulate the situation to his own benefit.  The presents included three companies of servants leading flocks and livestock.  Their instructions were to respond to Esau if she should ask about who owned the animals was, they belonged to Jacob and were a present for him.  Then they were to let him know that Jacob was behind them.

1. How does the decision to send the droves of animals before him show the old nature of Jacob?
2. What was he trying to do by his actions?
3. What does this say about his attitude toward his brother?
4. In what ways might we try to manipulate others to do what we want?
5. How do his actions show he still did not have complete faith in God?
6. How would you feel if someone tried to do this to you?

Genesis 32:22-23

Prior to meeting his brother the next day he sent his family across the stream from the camp where they had been staying.  Evidently he felt he needed a time alone to decide how he would handle the situation facing him the next day.

1. Why did Jacob need time alone?
2. Why did he send his family to the other side of the stream?
3. What do you do when you have to make tough decisions?
4. Why is it sometimes best to be alone when facing a new challenge in your life?

Genesis 32:24-25

Jacob had an unexpected visitor that night.  It was to be another of the turning points in his life. It is strange that the two would be involved in an all night wrestling match.  Since the outcome could not be determined any other way the man dislocated Jacob’s hip.  The only thing that Jacob could do at that point was hold onto the man with all of his might.  He had to sense that this was no ordinary man but one sent from God.  Many believe that this was what is called a Theophany which means a pre-incarnate appearance in the flesh by Jesus. Why did Christ appear to Jacob?

1. Why did He allow Himself to become involved with Jacob in a wrestling match?
2. What was important about this event in the life of Jacob?
3. How is it that he was a match for Christ that night?
4. Why did Jacob refuse to release the man?
5. What does this wrestling match represent in our own lives?

Genesis 32:26-28

Even when the Lord had caused the injury to him, Jacob would not let go until he had received a blessing from this One whom he perceived to be divine and greater than him. The man then asked what might seem to be a strange question.  If however the man was the Lord the question was intended for Jacob to confess by saying his name, the kind of man he had been, the grabber, supplanter and deceiver.  This admission was important.  In order to receive the new name that he was to be given the old nature had to be replaced.  The Lord then told him that his new name would be Israel, one who had wrestled with God and man and had prevailed.

1. Why did Jacob seek a blessing from the man?
2. Why was he so tenacious in asking for it?
3. How did the Lord deal with Jacob?
4. Why was the confession so important?
5. What did it mean for Jacob to be given the new name of Israel?
6. If after you began to follow Christ what kind of name would you want to have?

Genesis 32:29

Wanting to be assured that the man had the authority to give him a new name, Jacob wanted to know who He was.  The Lord did not answer him but gave Jacob the blessing that he sought.  It had to freeing for Jacob to know what he had stolen twenty years earlier was now his from his heavenly father.

1. Why did Jacob ask the man his name?
2. Why did the Lord not tell it to him?  
3. What did He do for Jacob that was important than anything that happened in his life up to that point?
4. What did it do for him?
5. Why is receiving God’s blessing so important in your own life?

Genesis 32:30

Jacob realized what a great gift he had received.  He had received God’s blessing.  The importance of what had happened to him dawned on him when he had been in the presence of God.  Unlike Bethel, when he had seen God at a distance, this time he had the great honor of interacting with him as no one else in the Old Testament ever did.  When he realized what had happened he name the place Penuel because he had “seen God face to face, yet my (his) life had been preserved.”

1. What had happened to Jacob?
2. What was different between the encounter with God at Bethel and the one that took place at Penuel?
3. What kind of encounters have you had with God?
4.  What difference did it make in your life?

Genesis 32:31

When the new day dawned, a different man crossed over the stream to his family and face Esau.  He was a broken man as symbolized by the hip that was out of joint.  His brokenness, however, had resulted in receiving a new name and the blessing of God.  God had to change the old Jacob into the new Israel who would learn to depend on God during his lifetime. As a perpetual reminder of the work that God did in the life of Jacob the Jews to this day will not eat the sinew of the hip.

1. How was Jacob different when he crossed over to his family at sunrise?
2. Why did God have to deal with him in that way?
3. What did it mean for him to now be thought of as Israel in the mind of God?
4. What has God had to do with you to break and remold you as a follower of Christ?

You-

• When facing a difficult situation, remember God is always with you.  Jacob had his angels you will have the Holy Spirit encouraging and watching over you.
• Unlike Jacob seek God’s guidance in making decisions.
• Do not to manipulate others with gifts or flattery to do what you desire. 
• Remember our greatest growth comes in times of struggles.
• Remember that all great accomplishments come after a period of wrestling with God.  We see this in the life of many of the men and women of the Bible.

We-

There has never been a time when the church has not faced challenges.  Some of those have come because of the decisions made or stands taken.  History is replete with examples of the church attacking each other. Protestants have fought against Catholics and then the Catholic Church has taken on Protestants.  Eventually, such actions will bring about devastating consequences with many people getting hurt in the process.  To undo the damage done to the Christian witness we are to have, God calls us to repentance and reconciliation.  He will not allow for us to try and negotiate with Him when He calls us to rectify the situation.  God truly cares for His church.  If we refuse we will face such an internal struggle that it will seem as we are in a wrestling match with Him.  Once we turn back to Him, we have nothing to fear in facing the future.  Remember, there are many promises that He has made to us.  The most important of these is commitment He is to be with us through good and difficult times.  Our part is to trust Him for leadership in the decisions we have to make in serving Him.  We do not know how many Esau’s are in our future.  God will equip us to face each one of them.

Additional Notes:

BL-   First, we backtracked slightly to Genesis 32:22-32, in which Jacob wrestles until daybreak with a “man” who is really the Lord.  Jacob refuses to give in until the Lord blesses him, and Buddy pointed out that we must also persevere in our trials if we want to reap all the blessings that God has in store for us.  Sometimes we grow weary or discouraged by our struggles, thereby putting limits on how effectively God can work in our lives.  We need to trust God, and believe, as Paul states in Philippians 1:6, that “. . .he who began a good work in you will carry in on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”  Buddy also pointed out that the Lord would not allow Jacob to cling to Him too long, just as He warned Mary in John 20:17.  The reason, Buddy said, is that while the Lord blesses us from time to time with “mountain-top” experiences, we cannot remain on such spiritual highs forever.  These experiences are precious times in which to recharge our spiritual “batteries” in preparation for the work He has for each of us to do. 
C-Jacob continued his journey knowing that he would have to face his brother Esau.  He had to remember that his brother had planned to kill him for the way he had been mistreated twenty plus years earlier.  (Gen. 32:1-9)

WM-Jacob’s old attitude of material success was still alive.  In his words to his brother it seems that he was trying to impress Esau with all he had acquired while he was with Laban.  Did Jacob really believe that he could change the heart of Esau with this news?  Could he not accept that just possibly that Esau had moved on with his life and might be successful in his own endeavors?  We have to remember that Isaac had said of Esau that he would “break his yoke from your neck.” Thoughts of Jacob no longer dominated his life or controlled who he was. (Gen. 27:40; 32:3-5)

WM-Even though God had promised Jacob he would become a great nation and after twenty years in Syria he was still afraid of facing Esau. (Gen. 32:7-12)

M-Sometimes fear will move a person to action.  More importantly it will cause a person to turn his attention to God.  At that point he will realize that God is the only provider of blessings and protection. (Gen. 32:9-11)

RT- How often do we say we believe God’s promises and trust Him with all we possess, even our very lives?  However, when a situation arises that out of our control our faith seems to waiver and we begin to attempt instruct God rather than trust him and act according to all His promises. (Gen. 32:9-12)

GC-It was a wise decision for Jacob to call upon God in his time of great distress.  Although he believed in his heart he was praying about the situation of having to face Esau, his prayer was a reminder to himself of

1. Why he was in this dilemma in the first place
2. That without the Father he was nothing and would have had nothing
3. The fact that his dependence on God led him to having a heart of humility
4. The promise he had made to God                                                                       (Gen 32:9-10; Ps.3:5; 18:6; 34:6; 54:2; 86:6; 102:1; 106:44; 107:6, 13, 19;      118:5; 119:145, 147; 142:1-2, 5-6)

C-Jacob had gone out from his family empty handed.  He was now returning having become two companies of people. (32:10)

C-His prayer reflects a beginning of a change in his heart.  He had begun to change from the deceiver to one who confessed who and what he was. He confessed that he was fearful and an undeserving sinner asking for deliverance.  In no way can we question his motives knowing that we often come to God with less than perfect reasons for him to answer us other than to rescue us from the deep troubles we have created for ourselves.      (Gen. 32:10-11)

GC-A follower of Christ has the assurance that he can always turn to God in a time of need.  Jacob’s prayer was one of asking for deliverance from what he thought the reaction of his brother would be upon meeting him.  Putting aside what you know about this particular incident how would you expect Esau to act towards his brother?  In what ways was he like us and in what ways did he differ from us in handling the meeting?  What was one of the characteristics did Esau display that Jacob seemed to have lacked?  What possible answer was a peace in his life.  (Gen. 32:11)

GC-For the first time he truly was honest before God.  He admitted his fears.  He reminded himself of the promises of God. (Gen. 32:11-12)

GC-Jacob now faced a situation which was completely out of his control.  This was a point in his life that all of his scheming, planning and manipulating would do him not good, he had to rely totally on God’s intervention and His faithfulness.  (Gen 32:12)

GC-There was everything to lose if the meeting with Esau was not handled correctly, or at least that was Jacob appeared to believe with his gift for his brother.  What he sought was reconciliation.  To accomplish this part of the process the one seeking to be reconciled must begin to understand himself and his part (guilt) he has played in the breech, before he can expect forgiveness to come and healing to take place.               (Gen. 32:17-22; 33:10)

C-Even after expressing his faith in God, Jacob lapses back into the mode of trying to handle the situation with Esau by himself.  His plan was to appease Esau with a series of gifts. It appears that he was trying to buy peace and forgiveness with things.  This method never works for the long term. (Gen. 32:13-20)

TM-The greatest lessons to be learned can only take place when we find ourselves alone in the presences of God truly seeking His face. The great joy then comes when a person realizes that He has revealed Himself to him and has given His blessings to him.          (Gen. 32:20, 29-30)

WM-Jacob thought if he gave enough stuff to Esau that he might be able to buy his forgiveness.  The word Jacob used was appease. (Gen. 32:20)

WM-Jacob was searching for a true blessing in his life.  If the material wealth he had accumulated provided joy for him he would have not asked the man with whom he wrestled for a blessing.  In his desperation he dare not let go of the Man until his request had been granted. (Gen. 32:24-26, 29)

C-For the second time Jacob had to face God alone.  The first was at Bethel when he was starting off to Syria.  This time as he wrestled with God he had his name changed to Israel, which describes one who has striven with God and succeeded.  Why would God take the time to confront Jacob?  What did God achieve by wrestling with Jacob?  How did Jacob benefit? (Gen. 32:24-28, 30)

UE-The Lord cared enough for Jacob that He wrestled with him and allowed Himself to be restrained for a time.  Christ restrained himself on this earth by giving up His position in heaven for a while and limited himself to being just like us. (Phil. 2) Jacob understood that struggle brought him face to face with God and passionately wanted His blessing.  The Lord not only blessed him but gave him a new name in the process. (Gen. 32:24-31)

RT-Resourceful Jacob, whether it was obtaining his brother’s birthright or stealing his blessing by deceit he knew how to get things done.  On his trip to Haran he bargained with God and coming back to Canaan he wrestled with Him and received a blessing. (Gen. 28:10; 32:24-32)

RT-Is was not that the angel of the Lord was trying to get away from Jacob that He threw his hip out of joint.  The time had come for Jacob to face the issue of dealing with his brother, Esau. (Gen. 32:24-32)

M-Jacob’s competitive nature was displayed when he wrestled with God.                  (Gen. 32:24-30)

E-As a result of his tenacious struggle, Jacob received a blessing, a new name, Israel and a dislocated hip.  He recognized that he had wrestled with God during the night and named the place Peniel.  In the morning he crossed the brook to face Esau and all that meeting might portend. (Gen. 32:24)

RT-Jacob was so wrapped up in the event taking place at that moment that he forgot about all else.  Is that not what God demands of us that our full attention be given to Him?  Why would this attitude make a difference in our lives? (Gen. 32:24-40)

 RT-The Bible gives us a very clear picture of the tenacious character of Jacob.  He was determined to succeed at everything he undertook.  The Lord properly named him, calling him Israel one who strives with God and succeeds. (Gen. 32:25-26)

RT-The wrestling match that the Lord had with Jacob showed how much He cared for him. (Gen. 32:24-32)

GC-The person in dire straits like Jacob dare not turn loose of God no matter what happens or the circumstances to be faced. (Gen. 32:24-28)

GC-Each one of us at some point in time is confronted with God and must wrestle with Him concerning the commitment He requires. No one can do this for you.  You must always do it alone, although others may give you encouragement.  There comes that time when each person must wrestle within himself with God to discover his identity and the calling God has for him.  It will not be an easy task.  It might require the long dark night of the soul when God does not seem to be answering and a breakthrough comes with great difficulty.  Each must face his own place of Peniel. (Gen 32:24-30)

DM-For the first since he had left his family twenty years earlier Jacob found himself completely alone.  He knew that it was possible that he could lose everything for which he had worked so hard.  Only when he had faced his greatest challenge, wrestling with God’s messenger would God give him the name Israel.  Jacob still had many lessons to learn, but this was the beginning point of the change that needed to occur in his life.  There he received the blessing, not from man, but from God.  He now believed that God had preserved him even though he had seen the face of God. (Gen. 32:24-30)

RT-The dawn was breaking and the match needed to end because Jacob needed to prepare for his meeting with Esau. This time with God set the stage for that event.  If he could succeed with God nothing was impossible not even reconciliation with his brother. (Gen. 32:26)

WM-It seems strange that any man who had wrestled with God as Jacob had done would fear any man. For what purpose did God bless him and give him a new name if he was not going to protect him? How would we respond in this kind of situation? When have you sensed God working in your life and then continued on the path you were taking?   (Gen. 32:26-29; 33:3, 8)

WM-The blessing Jacob sought came in the form of a name change.  The one given to him by his parents was indicative of his entire life up until this point.  He had been striving for success by his own ingenuity and it had not brought him peace.  Now at this point in his life he had striven with God and was given what he had been seeking all along. What advantage was everything Jacob possessed if there was no peace in his life? (Gen. 32:27-29) 

RT-Both Jacob and Manoah, Samson’s father, asked the name of the angel of the Lord and neither of them was given His name.  One of the reasons other than it was too wonderful for them to hear was the fact that it was not the time for Him to be revealed to the world. (Gen 32:29; Judges 13:17-18)

WM-Jacob constantly had a problem of confronting those who had done wrong. Even when his daughter was raped he did nothing until his sons returned home. (Gen. 32; 34:5)

RT-In the two preceding events when he faced down Laban and wrestling with God Jacob had taken important steps.  Now he would encounter a greater challenge to this new found courage in facing his brother. The question is would he rise to the occasion or once again try to figure out a way to avoid the confrontation? (Gen. 32:40)

C-Esau had done an about face from the angry man who planned to kill his brother to one who forgave him for all that had taken place in the past.  He truly fulfilled the prophecy of Isaac which said of about Esau, “You shall break his yoke from your neck.”  What characteristics did Esau display? (Gen. 32:40; 33:4, 9-11)

RT- Jacob’s fear of his brother shows how true the statement about worry is.  It is that 80% of all the things about which we worry never come to pass.  When Jacob and Esau met it was a reunion not a confrontation.  Esau had made peace with all that had occurred while Jacob continued to let his deception haunt him.  Guilt has a way of hanging around the neck of the perpetrator of the act. (Gen. 32-33)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lesson 30

Obstacles along the Journey

Genesis 31:22-55

Me-

Obstacles and challenges have been a way of life for me as I am sure they have been and are for many of you.  I come to realize that many of them and probably most have been for my own good.  They have quite often kept me from making big mistakes.  For example I once had the idea that I would like to get into the radio business but found that the opportunities just were not there to pursue that career.  There have been other things for which I have either not been qualified to do or the path was too long to even try.

I sometimes think that I can do more than I am capable of doing.  Even when I have tried to avail myself of training available hoping that it will lead to something exciting often times it has led to another closed door.  What I am still learning is even though I do not understand why doors are closed I have to depend on God who allows me to use what he has given me to serve Him. God truly is teaching me to honestly evaluate myself.  Like all other Christians He has gifted me for serving Him.  To try to go beyond those gifts and abilities would be a prideful thing.  It would say that I know better than God what is right for me.  May I never forget this lesson.    

We-

The church faces obstacles which it has not had to deal with since its beginning.  Even though there have been times when it has fought among itself there has never been the dilemma that has been placed before it as it there is today.  A good example of the uphill battle for the souls of men was on display at the Democratic Convention recently.  Over fifty percent of the delegates did not want the platform of their party to mention God or acknowledge Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. 

We are rapidly heading to becoming a secular nation.  Probably not since the first century have we seen the percentage of people who want no part of Christianity as we do today.  Not only are we having to deal with a world that wants to marginalize the church, the greater threat is the watering down and liberalizing of the gospel.  Many in church today do not want to be restricted to following the teachings of the Bible but want to decide for themselves what they want to believe.  Just look at the views that are held on things like homosexuality and abortion.  These are good indicators of the drift in which we find ourselves.  God is allowing these things to test whether we will remain faithful to His calling.   

 

 

 

God-

Genesis 31:22-23

Jacob may have escaped but he had not left Laban behind.  When Laban learned that Jacob had left he went after him.  He travelled for seven days and finally caught up with him.  There were several reasons that Laban could not let Jacob go.  All of them came as a result of his pride.  He could not conceive that he had been outsmarted by his son-in-law and was not about to allow him to get away with it.  His constant changing of Jacob’s wages showed a mindset that believed that what belonged to Jacob was his.  The final thing may have been that he viewed him as a good luck charm, who he determined had brought prosperity to his household.

1. What action did Laban take upon discovering that Jacob had left?
2. Why did he pursue Jacob?
3. What does this show us about the man Laban?
4. Why could an individual never be satisfied with what he had?
5. What did he really think of Jacob?
6. Which are we more like Jacob or Laban?
7. What qualities do you like or dislike in both of these men?

Genesis 31:24

The fact that God appeared to Laban would indicate that he intended to bring harm to Jacob.  God indicated to him that he better be very careful what he said or did when he caught up with Jacob.  God was telling him that He was on Jacob’s side in this matter.  Unknown to Jacob at this point God was keeping His promise to protect him and be with him wherever he went.  This is an example of God working behind the scenes for the well being of his chosen one.

1. Why did God appear to Laban?
2. What was the meaning of His words?
3. What does the warning indicate that might be behind the reason that Laban would even bother to pursue Jacob?
4. What does this say about the way God is looking out for us even when we do not know it?
5. How has He worked behind the scenes in your life?
6. What evidence do you have that this was occurring?

Genesis 31:25-29

Although there is no mention what Laban planned to do when he found Jacob it is obvious that the vision he had seen and the words of God had certainly changed his mind.  Before Jacob was able to say anything, Laban launched into a verbal barrage intending to demoralize and intimidate him.  As has been seen Laban was very accomplished in the art of intimidation.  His words still carried a tone of accusations. Once again he made himself appear as a reasonable person who now considered what had been done to him as a violation of the trust in place between the two men. His remarks carried with them an underlying of bitterness.  There were a series of lies spoken by a man who had no principles.  He said:

• He felt betrayed by Jacob’s actions.
• Jacob had kidnapped his family.
• He would have given Jacob a big send off with a feast which would have included music.
• He did not get a chance to say goodbye to his daughters and grandchildren with a kiss.

His final words were to blame Jacob for doing a foolish thing by leaving.  One thing that can be seen from all of the rhetoric is that Laban was good at intimidation. All of these words ended up with a big “but.”  All Laban could do was use words.  He had been warned by God to keep anger and pride under control.  Jacob was to be treated civilly.  No harm was to come to him or his children.

1. If God had not intervened what would Laban probably had done?
2. What did Laban hope to accomplish with his initial barrage of accusations?
3. What do his words say about how he truly felt?
4. Of them which of them can be viewed as true?
5. What was his motive by even speaking them?
6. What does the fact that godless Laban would regard the words of God as binding on the actions he wanted to take say about his understanding of God?
7. Why did he repeat the command of God?

Genesis 31:30

Laban then changed the point of attack.  By stating he understood why Jacob had wanted to return home to his family, he switched the tone of his words and tried to blindside Jacob with another accusation.  He wanted to know why Jacob had taken his gods.  If indeed Jacob had done such a thing Laban, in his mind, would be justified in carrying out punishment to fit the crime. Of course Jacob did not know anything about the theft since Rachel had secretly taken them. Surely even God would not condone stealing of a person’s property.  God, however, allowed Laban to play right into Jacob’s hands with his unfounded claim because it would become the means by which Jacob would be freed from Laban forever.

1. Why did Laban suddenly change his approach?
2. How would the accusation allow him to accomplish his agenda?
3. How would these new words allow him to circumvent the warnings of God?
4. How does God sometimes use the words of an enemy to trap them?

Genesis 31:31

Jacob was honest.  He was afraid that if anything, Laban would have sent him away empty handed.  For twenty years he had seen how that man had operated and did not trust him for one moment.  This is the reason that God allowed for Laban to catch up with Jacob.  That incident was to be one of the turning points of Jacob’s life.  If he did not deal with it he would forever be the servant and slave of Laban no matter he might, maybe not physically, but in his mind.  Laban was an obstacle in the way of whatever happiness and sense of success that Jacob might have in the future.  Unless Jacob dealt with right him then and right there Laban would always have control over him.

1. What do you think of Jacob’s admission of fear?
2. Why was it important for Jacob to deal with it at that point in his life?
3. In what way did his response cut through all of the accusations of Laban in verses 26-28?
4. In what ways do you see others trying to control people?
5. Why does work or not work?
6. What is the greatest defense against such activity?

Genesis 31:32-35

Jacob had already shared why he left now he dealt with the last question Laban raised.  He was confident enough that no one in his family would have taken the gods that he offered Laban the opportunity to search throughout all the tents for his property. Nothing was found in Jacob’s, Leah’s, Bilhah’s or Zilpah’s tents.  When he came to Rachel’s tent she feigned not feeling well to keep him from doing and extensive search.  She was the one who had the gods and had hidden them in under the camel’s saddle upon which she was reclining.  Finding nothing he had to return to Jacob empty handed.

1. Why did Jacob allow Laban to search in all of the tents?
2. Why did Laban start with Jacob’s tent?
3. Why did he accept Rachel’s reason for not getting up?
4. How do you think he felt when he had to return to Jacob empty handed?

Genesis 31:36-37

Finally, Jacob stood up to Laban.  He asked a series of strongly worded questions which he knew that his father-in-law could not answer. Contending with him he demanded to know:

• How had he transgressed against Laban?
• What sin had caused him to be so hotly pursued?
• What of Laban’s had been found among all of Jacob’s possessions?

His final words, in this exchange, were a command to see the goods that Laban had claimed to have been stolen.  The humiliation of Laban would  be on view for all of his family to see.

 

1. Why did he use such strong terms as transgression and sin?
2. Why was Jacob now able to speak to Laban as he did?
3. Why did he ask those specific questions?
4. How could Laban respond?
5. What would this mean for a man who was as proud as Laban?

Genesis 31:38-41

Without waiting for Laban to respond Jacob summarized his treatment at the hands of his father-in-law.  The thing that is missing is Jacob’s complicity in some of the incidences.  He did not even say that all the things were bad. The events included spoke of:

• His twenty-years of service
• How the flocks had thrived
• How he had bore all losses whether killed by beast or stolen
• Working day and night.
• Serving him for fourteen years for the Leah and Rachel
• Six additional years taking care of Laban’s flocks and building his own wealth.
• Having his wages changed ten different times.

 

1. Why did Jacob not let Laban respond to the first set of questions before he spoke of his treatment at the hands of his father-in-law?
2. How well did he cover what had happened?
3. What is missing in his description of all that happened?
4. Which were positive and negative things that Jacob mentioned?
5. Why did he not just mention those things that showed the character of Laban?

Genesis 31:42

The way Jacob phrased his words gave a strong indication that he still did not have a personal relationship with God.  He called Him the God of Abraham and Isaac.  There is strange reference to the “fear of Isaac.”  This may have been letting Laban know that Isaac was a powerful and wealthy man and there would consequences if Laban took action against him. He then felt vindicated because God had interceded for him and protected him by stopping Laban from harming him.

1. What tells us that Jacob still did not have the relationship with God that God wanted for him?
2. Why did he refer to the fear of his father Isaac?
3. What understanding did Jacob have of God’s role in all that he had recited to Laban?
4. After looking at all that has been said in what ways was Jacob justified in his anger?
5. How may he have handled it differently?
6. What would you do in similar circumstances?
7. What does the way we handle adversity say about our relationship with God and our witness to the world?
8. In what ways did Jacob lose the opportunity to impact Laban’s life differently?
9. What was really going on between these two men?

Genesis 31:43-53

After having heard Jacob, Laban still showed his unwillingness to admit that he was part of the problem.  His response was that everything that Jacob had still belonged to him including Leah and Rachel and all of the children.  He knew that to push to have everything returned to him would bring the wrath of God, so he begrudgingly asked Jacob to make a covenant with him. When Jacob agreed, a heap of stones was made.  They then sat down and ate together. Each man called it “heap of witness” according to their language. The covenant as stated by Laban put all the responsibility carrying it out on Jacob’s shoulders.  The provisions were:

• Jacob would not mistreat his wives
• He would not take other wives
• That neither man would pass the heap of witness to do harm to the other

To violate any of them would, although not stated, give Laban the right to violate the agreement and take from Jacob what he still considered his.  These were, however, veiled and empty threats that both men knew that Laban did not have the means to carry out.  Hypocritically, he called on God to be the witness and judge of the one, namely Jacob, who broke the covenant.  Whether Jacob realized it or not that was the moment when he became free from Laban. He for his part only called once again on the fear of Isaac as the final arbiter of the pact.

1. What had Jacob’s retelling the history of his treatment at the hands of Laban done to their relationship?
2. Why could Laban not admit he was in the wrong?
3. Who appeared to be the winner in these negotiations?
4. Why were the inherent threats listed in provisions without meaning?
5. Why was Jacob willing to agree to the terms?
6. What was in it for Jacob?
7. How did Laban show the hypocrisy in the making the agreement?
8. Why did Jacob once again call on Isaac rather than God as final judge?

Genesis 31:54-55

It can only be assumed that the sacrifice that Jacob made was to God, because there is no mention of God’s name.  The sacrifice may have been to indicate to all that there was now a possible end to the nightmare of the last twenty years.  The family then had a feast as a uneasy truce prevailed. Then all parties spent the night on the mountain. 

The final must have been bittersweet for Laban.  He had come expecting to recoup all that he believed belonged to him only to be stymied in his efforts.  He left with only the memory of the goodbye kisses of his daughters and grandchildren and returned home.  He is never mentioned again.

1. Why did Jacob make a sacrifice?
2. Why was God’s name not mentioned?
3. What had Laban hoped to gain by his journey?
4. Why was he not able to achieve his goal?
5. With what did he return home?
6. Who were the winners and losers in this whole episode?
7. Where was Jacob in his spiritual walk?
8. What did Jacob truly have at this point?
9. Why was it necessary for Jacob’s sake that this whole incident take place?

You-

• As far it lies within your power make every effort to be a person of integrity in all your dealings with others.
• Do not make excuses for yourself in treatment of others?
• Even if you believe you are just do not tear down another person.
• Before acting or speaking consider what kind of witness those things would be for Jesus?
• As hard as it is follow the tenet that it is better to be harmed than to take revenge because to do otherwise does not bring glory to God.
• Pray that you will have strength to face any adversity, obstacle and challenge along the journey of life.

We-

God gave us a detail account of this encounter to see that the way humans handle a situation apart from God only leads to defeated and bitter lives as the consequences of selfish behavior.  God does not want to be part of any such behavior.  He calls the church to be a place where love and respect are upmost in our hearts.  He did not give us the command to love our neighbor for no reason at all. Ingrained in that commandment is the idea that our love for our neighbor is a reflection and indication of our love for Him.  When we do not care for those around us we need to ask if we truly love God.  Read John 13:34 and the book of 1 John to see what is expected of us.

Like Jacob in the lesson today we can be sure that the devil will throw up all types of roadblocks in our path to keep us from living Christ-like lives.  We can only have victory over him when we, unlike Jacob and Laban, turn to Him for solutions.  His word and time spent on our knees will help us in the ongoing battle with him. There is much that we can do to be a good witness to our faith.  Jacob and Laban did not get it right because they had developed a strong adversarial attitude towards each other.  Let us look for ways to work together to move God’s kingdom forward that all may be winners and not losers.

Additional Notes:

WM-If Laban had listened to the Lord while Jacob lived with him, he would have not found himself in another confrontation with Jacob.  When he caught up with Jacob he heeded God’s warning and to be careful how he spoke. (Gen. 31:24, 29)

C-The balance of power shifted from Laban to Jacob.  No longer could Laban dictate what was to be done.  God made sure that Laban would be answerable to Him for any action he took against Jacob. (Gen. 31:24-30, 36-42)

E-Laban had his own encounter with God.  In a dream he was told emphatically that he was not do anything or say anything that in any way would bring harm to Jacob.       (Gen. 31:24, 29)

UE-God once again intervened on Jacob’s behalf.  He warned Laban not to harm him. (Gen. 31:24-29)

WM-Laban could not resist one last opportunity in catching Jacob in some kind of wrong doing so he accused him of taking the household idols. The idols were taken by Rachel not Jacob. (Gen. 31:30, 36-37)

RT-Jacob finally found the courage to confront Laban for all the things he, as Jacob’s father-in-law, had done to him over a twenty year period.  When Laban accused Jacob of taking the household gods he stepped over line of how much abuse that Jacob was willing to endure.  He finally became a man and not a doormat.  It is was a small step, but an important one. (Gen. 31:36-41)

GC-A Christian perseveres and is honest in his dealings with others even when wronged.  This was a lesson Jacob needed to learn after deceiving Esau and Isaac. (Gen. 31:6-9)   GC-Jacob acknowledged the vital role God played in protecting him during his time with Laban. (Gen. 31:42)

GC-He finally gave God credit for all he was and had acquired. (Gen. 31:42)

C-Laban did something he never would have done all the years Jacob served him.  He was forced to make a covenant, a sort of peace treaty with Jacob. (Gen. 31:44-45)

WM-If a foundation of good relationships had been laid and upon it had been built attitudes of brotherly love, compassion and mutual respect, there would have been no need for a pile of rocks to be put between Laban and Jacob as a witness to their mutual distrust of each other.  To think that the only thing that might keep them from harming each other was the “heap of witness” is sad commentary on how badly families can be destroyed.  The last thing to be said is how heartbreaking it is when families reach the point that there is no possibility of reconciliation and forgiveness.  Even Leah and Rachel no longer had a father daughter relationship because of Laban’s actions. (Gen. 31:52)

C-Laban returned to Syria without his daughters or grandchildren. (Gen. 31:55)

 

 

 

 

 

Lesson 29

Jacob Makes Good

Genesis 30:25 – 31:21

Me-

One of the shocks that come to most of us is that we wake up one day and realize we are adults.  This is a scary proposition. With that new awareness I very quickly learned of the responsibility and accountability that goes along with it.  For many of us even when we first get married we may still be living in a dream world.  Our first job becomes a reality check especially when we see all that comes out of our pay and how little we have to keep for ourselves.  Our visions of grandeur of what we are going to do with all that money now becomes how can I make this stretch out until the next payday.

With the coming of children I had to adjust and become more serious about life.  I became aware very quickly that my wife and I were now responsible for a new life and the kind of person each of them would become.  A college education became of greater importance if I was to provide for them. 

Sadly, there are those who never want to grow up and mature as adults.  These folks are said to have a Peter Pan personality.  They want a life full of fun with no responsibility. Some never grow up.  There is a saying that may have held true in a time that was less demanding.  It says, “Do not judge a man until he is forty.”  In our fast pace society, however, by the time a man is forty, if he does not understand his role in life, the world  will pass him by.

It took a long time for Jacob to get it.  Although as recorded in the narrative, by the time he began to build his own business he was well into his eighties. By the way I am still learning these lessons as well.

We-

It is so easy for churches to get sidetracked and not be what God has called them to be. We can do all kinds of things and make all kinds of decisions, some good and some bad and still never mature as a people. God calls us to do certain things based on faith.  The primary one is to live out our lives in such a way that others hear and see the good news through a daily focus on focusing our attention on the Father and His Son.  These can only be done when we understand what God’s word has to say to us.  The only way that will happen is digging into His instruction book.  We need to be careful that we do not waste the hours and days going in the wrong direction because we have excluded God from even the life of the Church.

Genesis 30:25-26

Jacob had spent fourteen years serving Laban for two wives and had eleven children to show for his efforts.  After faithfully fulfilling his obligations it was now time for him to provide for his own future and that of his family.  He came to the conclusion that the only way to do that was to return home.  Waiting for him would be the flocks and herds that he would acquire because of the birthright and blessing he had stolen and been given.  He approached Laban with the request to go back into Canaan.

1. What does it show about Jacob that he approached Laban after serving him for fourteen years?
2. What kind of future could he expect if he stayed in Padan-Aram?
3. What was his main concern at that point in his life?
4. Why did he desire to return to Cannan?

Genesis 30:27-28

Laban used the argument that Jacob did not have to go back to Canaan to provide for the future of his family.  He could stay right there and continue to serve Laban.  Jacob would even be able to name his own wages.  Of course this would be more beneficial for Laban than Jacob because he knew that he would not take advantage of the situation.  His father had recognized two things.  Jacob was a good manager and business man and he had also been blessed because God was with Jacob, just as He had promised.

1. What do you think of Laban’s reasoning with Jacob?
2. Why did Laban want for Jacob to hang around longer?
3. Would you have been persuaded by such statements as made by Laban? Why or why not?
4. Why was Laban willing to allow Jacob to name his own wages?
5. Who was to really gain if Laban got his way?
6. How do we know that?

Genesis 30:29-30

Jacob made it very clear as he negotiated that Laban had little, one small flock of sheep, goats  and a few cattle, when he arrived on the scene. It is possible that he probably would still have had nothing if Jacob had not been there. That fact Laban could not deny.  Because of Jacob and God’s hand upon him the wealth of Laban had grown.  If he was to maintain what he had he had no choice but to acknowledge the importance of what Jacob had done.  Everything that been said by both men came down to Jacob being able to providing for his family.  That was the bottom line for Jacob.

1. What had Jacob done for Laban?
2. To whom do both of the men give credit for the increase in the wealth of Laban?
3. What credit does Jacob take?
4. In what kind of position did Jacob’s words put Laban?
5. What was the bottom line for Jacob?

Genesis 30:31-36

Laban wanted to know what Jacob expected to be given.  Jacob on his part probably surprised his father-in-law by telling him that he did not want to be given anything. The wages that Jacob asked would seemingly put him at a disadvantage.  He asked for the goats that were speckled and spotted and black sheep. In order for the deal to be completely open Jacob separated all of the livestock that were speckled, spotted and black and gave them to Laban.  Laban then separated those animals about a three day’s journey from the rest of the flocks and put them in the care of his sons.  The only sheep left were white and goats of a solid color.  Those animals would now be tended by Jacob.  His wages would then be any spotted, striped and black sheep that would be born from that time.  He even went so far as to say that any animal that was either or white or solid in his flock would be considered stolen.

There were two factors that led him to his decision.  First he believed that God would provide as He had promised to take care of Jacob.  The second, which came from the many years of taking care of his father’s flocks and learning from his father and grandfather about animal husbandry.  He of course did not know about dominant and recessive genes but he knew about breeding of animals which he hoped would work to his advantage.

1. Why did Laban talk about giving Jacob something?
2. Why did Jacob want no part of that deal?
3. Why would it appear to be to Laban’s advantage to do what Jacob wanted to do?
4. How many flocks would now be involved in the agreement?
5. Why did Laban move the flocks so far away from Jacob?
6. What was to be Jacob’s wages?
7. Why was Jacob willing to make such an agreement which on the surface would appear to be detrimental to him?

Genesis 30:37-40

The methods use by Jacob depended on man’s ability to accomplish a goal.  It also begs the question of whether Jacob once again thought he had to help God out. His strong impatient personality was on the display.  Rather than allowing God to work out the solution, he went about giving God a hand.  Amazingly God still honored His promised and blessed Jacob’s efforts. Using what he had learned over the years was one thing but trying to accomplish the desired goal by what almost appears to be using magic seems strange.

In that day however, to use rods from the trees mentioned may have been a common practice.  It was thought to enhance the possibly of producing new breeds of animals.  He used trees that had bark that could be peeled by to expose the wood inside.  When the animals were exposed to the rods they would produce striped, spotted, speckled and black animals.  Each time this occurred Jacob would then separate them out from the sheep and goats that were the usual color. This would make up an additional flock of animals. Two belonged to Laban while the new goats and sheep bred to be variegated would make up the animals belonging to Jacob.

1. Why did Jacob use a method that would appear strange to us?
2. What did he hope to accomplish with the rods?
3. In what ways does this show that Jacob’s old nature was still prevalent?
4. What had he not learned in all of those years in Syria?
5. What do you think about the way he went about his work?
6. In what ways do you try to accomplish things to help God out?
7. Why did God bless his efforts?

Genesis 30:41-43

Another tactic he used was to only mate the strong animals in front of the rods.  As a result over a period of time the animals of Laban would be much weaker than those of Jacob.  It would appear that Jacob had no regard for his father-in-law and was only looking out for his own self interest.  Jacob became very prosperous.  His wealth increased to the point that he not only had large flocks but was able to acquire servants, camels and donkeys.

1. Why would Jacob use such a tactic as to make sure that the animals belonging to Laban were weak?
2. Why would God continue to bless a man who would stoop to such behavior?
3. What were the results of Jacob’s actions?
4. What do you think of his methods?
5. In what ways have you seen people undermine others with questionable actions?
6. How would he expect God to view those actions?

Genesis 31:1-2

As would be expected, Jacob heard that the son’s of Laban did not like what was going on.  They saw the wealth of their father and their inheritance evaporating right before their eyes.  They blamed Jacob for what he had done.  In part this may have been true, but it has to be remembered that they had the original flocks that had been separated out to build their own estate.  Even Laban’s attitude toward Jacob soured.  He no longer saw him as a benefactor but as an adversary.

1. What was the attitude of the sons toward Jacob?
2. In what ways was it justified?
3. In what ways do the son’s and Laban exemplify a victim’s mentality?
4. How would Jacob be considered an adversary in the mind of Laban?
5. What does this indicate about the son’s and Laban in regard to the responsibility that they should have shown towards their property?

Genesis 31:1-3

After all those years spent in Paddan-Aram God appeared to Jacob and told him it was time to go home.  As He had promised him before, God promised to be with him as he travelled.

1. Why did God wait so long before giving Jacob permission to go home?
2. What would have been the advantages or disadvantages of Jacob remaining any longer?
3. What may have happened if Jacob chose to disobey God?

Genesis 31:4-9

Jacob, upon hearing from God, called for Rachel and Leah to meet him out in the field where he was watching over his flock.  He probably had them come to him so that what he had in mind would not be heard by Laban or anyone in his household. He then explained to them what had been going on starting with Laban’s attitude toward him.  In essence, Laban no longer liked him but God had been with him the whole time he was in Paddan-Aram.

Jacob then laid out before them what had occurred since he had been in that city.

• He had faithfully served Laban with all his strength.
• Laban had cheated him.
• Had changed his wages ten times by changing the criteria of what constituted the makeup of the flocks that belonged to him.
• God had not allowed for Laban to hurt him.
• Because of Laban’s actions God had taken away his property and given it to Jacob.

 

1. Why did Jacob have his wives meet him in the field?
2. Why did he go to such lengths to explain what had happened to him?
3. In what ways did Jacob live up to the agreement?
4. In what ways did Laban violate the agreement?
5. How did Jacob see the hand of God moving in all that was going on?
6. Based on the last question what assurance do we have that God is with us in difficult times?

Genesis 31:9-12

Finally is seen the reason that Jacob did the things that he did.  He had seen in a dream that God was aware of what was taking place.  In the dream he saw that when the animals mated that they produced variegated animals.  Jacob was assured that God had seen everything that Laban had done to him.  Although not mentioned again here it can be assumed that the emphasis was that Laban had lost everything because of his treatment of Jacob.

1. What was the reason that Jacob acted as he did?
2. Why was the dream important to him?
3. What assurance did he receive from it?

Genesis 31:13

So there would be no doubt in Jacob’s mind of who was speaking to him, God identified Himself as the “God of Bethel.”  He also reminded him that he had built a pillar and made a vow to Him. Then He commanded to leave and return home.

1. Why did God need to identify Himself to Jacob?
2. How did He do it?
3. Why did He remind Jacob of what had occurred at Bethel?
4. Why did He command Jacob to leave Syria and return home?

Genesis 31:14-16

The reaction of the two women was quick and decisive.  They saw too that they had been used by their father to get what he wanted.  In their minds, there was no portion or inheritance for them in the future. They felt like they were being treated like foreigners in their own household. This attitude was probably an overflow from the way that Laban and his son’s felt about Jacob.  The service that Jacob had given to Laban had more than made up for any dowry that would have been given for them.  Finally they viewed the wealth transferred by God from Laban to Jacob as belonging to them because of treatment towards them at the hand of their father.

1. How had Laban used his daughters?
2. Why did they feel he had more than used up the dowry price paid by Jacob through his service for the two wives?
3. Why would they have felt they were like foreigners in their father’s household?
4. How did they see God’s hand working in their situation?
5. In what ways were they accurate in their assessment?

Genesis 31:17-18

With the backing of his wives, Jacob began the trip back to Canaan.  He loaded up his family onto camels and drove all of his animals before him.  Nothing that he had acquired was left behind.

1. Why was it important to have the backing from his two wives before going starting the trip to Canaan and his father?
2. Why is there no mention of Bildah and Zilpah in these discussions?

Genesis 31:19

Rachel took care of one last piece of business before she left.  When Laban went out to shear the sheep she took the household gods.  The fact that there were household gods says that Laban did not depend on God but idols for direction for his life.  This would possibly provide some answers to why he was able to deceive and oppress those in his household.  By taking the idols, Rachel would have struck at the heart of what Laban held dear.  It would also say that all relationships with her father were now broken.

1. Why did Rachel bother with going back and taking the gods of her father?
2. What does this tells us about what was important to Laban?
3. In what ways does this help us understand his actions toward all those around him including Jacob, his sons and his daughters?
4. What was Rachel saying about her relationship with her father by taking the idols?

Genesis 31:20-21

Jacob decided not to tell his father-in-law that he was leaving. He probably took the same opportunity that Rachel used to begin the trip.  With Laban gone to shear the sheep it would be sometime before he realized that Jacob, his family and all of the property that belonged to Jacob was gone.  Moses used the words fleeing and fled to describe the urgency of Jacob’s actions. He left as quickly as he could from Paddan-Aram crossing over the Euphrates River to head for the home of his father. In the initial phase of the journey he made it as far as Gilead which would have been east of the Jordan River which years later would become part of the inheritance of Israel.

1. Why did Jacob not tell Laban was he was planning to leave?
2. How was he able to pull it off?
3. Why did Moses use the term fleeing and fled to describe Jacob’s actions?
4. Why was the crossing the Euphrates important?
5. What does the fact that he did not tell Laban and that he fled tell us about Jacob?

You-

• Understand that integrity in following through on your promises is important.
• Weigh all decisions you make that may affect your future and those around you.
• Never get ahead of God.
• When you have sought God’s counsel and He has answered you, do not delay in following through on the decision you must make.
• Unlike Jacob do not live in fear of the consequences of a decision that you have made with God’s leading.

We-

We are presented with all types of opportunities to serve God.  There are so many ministries that can be taken on that sometimes we have a difficult time knowing which is good for our church.  One way of looking at them is to evaluate the capabilities of carrying them out in the most impactful way for the kingdom of God.  There are certain things that just do not fit who we are.  This is not to say that we are to limit God in any way. 

The important part of making any decision is to look at the ways that God has equipped us.  I go back to what we discover in the Life Development class 301 about the individual.  The same pattern found there also fits a church.  The factors to consider before starting any new ministries, is what collectively do we bring to the table?  The aspects of a person and church singled out in 301 are Spiritual Gifts, Heart (passions, desires etc.), Abilities (skills and natural talents), Personality and Experiences.  These are the resources that God gives us to decide what will be our part in His kingdom’s work.

Jacob understood himself and his capabilities. He relied on his relationship with God and the training that he had received over the years taking care of his father’s animals.  What seemed to be a risky move was not that at all.  Let us like him evaluate who we are before trying to move out into deep water which may overwhelm us.  As a church let us prayerfully and honestly do what God has called us to do.

Additional Notes:

B-L Laban, who is smart enough to realize that Jacob was his ticket to success, begged Jacob to stay.  The two men finally work out a way to pay him for his efforts.  He was to give Jacob all the speckled and spotted lambs and goats, which were the less desirable animals, from his flocks and keep the rest for himself.  Jacob accepted, and then through a strange combination of divine influence and superstitious remedies, he influenced the flocks and herds to produce a bumper crop of strong, healthy animals!  Using the strange methods the Bible says, Jacob grew exceedingly prosperous–and pretty soon, Paddan- Aram was not big enough to hold both Jacob and Laban. Jacob, it seemed, was finally learning to do things God’s way.  He found out it is always the best way!  If only he had figured it out twenty years before. Rachel, it seemed, had yet learned her lesson, but it was coming! (Genesis 31)

BL- After discussing it with his wives, Jacob and his family sneak off without revealing their plans to Laban. On the way out, Rachel grabs her father’s household gods and hides them in her saddle.  Buddy explained that by stealing these idols, Rachel was insuring that the family inheritance would bypass her brothers and fall to her own children. (Genesis 31:4,21)

M-When a man loses all of his ill gotten gain then he begins to change in his relationship to others.  He begins to be suspicion, jealous and blame others for his failures.  Laban had used Jacob to gain whatever wealth he had. (Gen. 31:1)

WM-Even Laban’s sons had adopted their father’s attitudes of greed and distrust.  They blamed Jacob for their problems. (Gen. 31:1)

C-As he increased in wealth the attitude of Laban and his sons changed toward Jacob.  No longer were they friendly, but began to make accusations that Jacob had taken from had belonged to Laban.  What was the real reason for this attitude shift?  (Gen. 31:1-2, 5)

E-After twenty years of service to Laban God confirmed Jacob’s decision that it was time to return to Canaan. (Gen. 31:3, 11-13)

C-Jacob at the Lord’s direction decided to return to Canaan.  God promised to be with him as he made the journey. (Gen. 31:3, 13)

UE-After all that he had done we find that the Lord is still with Jacob as he made the journey back to Canaan. (Gen. 31:3)

UE-Having said what was mentioned above the other side of the discussion might be that Jacob saw what had happened as God intervening and taking away what had been Laban’s because of his mistreatment of Jacob.  This argument is validated in Jacob’s words to his wives.  They had seen and understood what had been taking place. (Gen. 31:5-16)

M-Jacob is an example of one of those individuals that perseveres in the face of many difficulties.  He told his wives that he had “served your father with all my strength.” To them he explained how their father had cheated him and had changed his wages changed ten times.   (Gen. 31:6-7, 38-42)

M-Jacob understood that all he had was given to him by God.  Having this understanding, he listened to and followed God’s direction. (Gen. 31:5, 7, 9 & 13)

WM-Laban continued to be unscrupulous in his dealings with Jacob.  While he had tried to be honest Laban had cheated him and changed his wages ten times. (Gen. 31:7)

WM-Although God told Jacob to return to Canaan and his father Isaac.  His faith was not strong enough that he could openly tell Laban that he was leaving.  His departure was done in secret thus it might be viewed as another deception. (Gen. 31:13, 16, 20, 27, 31)

C-Rachel and Leah were willing to leave their home and relatives and go with Jacob to Canaan. (Gen. 31:14-16)

C-Jacob carried through on his decision and started back home.  (Gen. 31:17-18, 20-21)