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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)

 

 

 

 

Lesson 28

Competition At Its Worse

Genesis 30

Me-

As far back as I can remember I have been competitive.  I have not liked to lose at anything.  Even when we used to play cowboys and Indians, Yes I know that dates me, I always wanted to be the good guy or the cowboy because they always won.  In sports it was the same way, I either wanted to be on the winning team or cheer for the best.  That is one reason I have always rooted for the New York Yankees because they have been a great team for a long time. 

The older I have gotten I have come to realize that I cannot always win.  There are things that are completely out my control.  One of the lessons learned, which has not been easy, is I do not have to get in the last word in a discussions.  Sometimes another person makes a point that just cannot be disputed. 

The type of competition mentioned above is not bad in itself.  However, if it brings on irrational behavior or division between parties it has gone too far.  My hope and desire as I get older is to understand that God does admire passion in people.  It however must be under His control and direction.  Competition unrestrained will bring about damage in the life of someone.

We-

It is said of Christians, that we are the only ones who shoot our own.  Paul wrote in Galatians, “For the whole law is fulfilled in one word, in the statement, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ But if you bite and devour one another, take care that you are not consumed by one another.”  (Galatians 5:15)  Sadly, we do this all the time.  How, may you ask?  It occurs because we are in competition with each other to achieve our own agendas.  We also do this when we find ourselves competing with other churches for the same people rather than cheering them on when they reach people for Christ.  We do this when, even subconsciously, we do not want others to be doing better than we are.  In a subtle way this comes out when we brag, yes brag, about the number of members we have.  Usually this is a very inflated number since true membership is not the number on role but those who actually attend and serve on a regular basis.  The sooner we learn that we are on the same team the sooner we can focus on what God has called us to be.

Our narrative continues as the struggle between Leah and Rachel continues. Each uses the children to try to gain first place in the heart of Jacob.  We also see the maneuvering by each of the men, Jacob and Laban, to outsmart each other and to get the upper hand in the battle for position and power between them.  In either case the competition only brought with it bitterness, jealousy and pain.  The actions of the adults would impact the family of Jacob for the rest of his life.

God-

Genesis 30:1-24

In the following verses there was a conflict going on that would have long term consequences.  It involved the four women in Jacob’s life, but primarily it was between Leah and Rachel.  Although the interaction is between the two sisters one almost has to wonder where Jacob is during all of this time.  The tension, jealousy and mistrust occurring was becoming a way of life for the two.  It would eventually affect the children in an adverse way, but that part of the narrative will come later.

Jacob of course was present but appeared almost oblivious to what was going on around him in his own family.  He seems to have done better tending the sheep than dealing with squabble of his wives.  As the head of the family he had responsibility for the climate that existed.

Again one must wonder if he had not inherited the trait from his father of wanting to avoid conflict at all costs.  Even in his negotiations with Laban, he gave in to the schemes and deceptions without holding his father-in-law responsible for his actions.  Other than his one comment to Rachel, he allowed his family to be torn apart and did nothing about it.

By remaining neutral Jacob produced an environment where all involvement would not know where they stood.  It certainly would have caused the women to have a feeling of insecurity as can be seen by the meaning that each gave to their children.  Frustration, jealousy and confusion would result from his non-involvement.   

Genesis 30:1-2

Rachel’s reaction to what was taking place was natural.  Like any woman of her day, she wanted to have children.  She could not understand how Jacob could produce children through Leah and she could have none. Her jealousy of her sister turned into blaming Jacob. She actually demanded that he give her a child.  Unlike Isaac who prayed that Rebekah might have children Jacob only rebuked Rachel in her time of hurt and frustration.  His response showed that he understood and stated clearly, but not very lovingly, that it was in the hand of God to do as she commanded.

1. In what ways was Rachel’s reaction to her inability to have children natural?
2. What did she expect Jacob to do about her situation?
3. What could have Jacob have done on behalf of his wife?
4. What do you think of Jacob’s response?
5. Why did God not allow her to have children at that point in time?

Genesis 30:3-6

Like Sarah before her, Rachel took matters into her own hands.  Rather than waiting on God she planed to use her servant to fulfill her own selfish desire of having a child. Of course Bihah had no say in the matter. Rachel gave Bilhah to Jacob as a wife to become a surrogate mother for Rachel. To keep the peace in the family, Jacob complied with Rachel’s wishes. Indeed Bilhah did provide Jacob with a son.  Rachel named him Dan concluding that God had vindicated her and had listened to her petition.  What she truly desired was to find meaning in life which she decided could only happen by having a son. Since the child was born of a servant he automatically became the possession of Rachel. She did not understand that God would have no part in her plan.

1. What does this event tell us about Rachel?
2. Why would Jacob go along with her plan?
3. What does this say about the attitude of both of them towards Bilhah?
4. What does this whole episode say about her understanding of God?
5. In what way was she wrong by naming the boy Dan?
6. What was Rachel really trying to accomplish?

Genesis 30:7-8

Rachel was not satisfied with the one son.  Again Bilhad conceived and had another son.  Her name for the second son indicated what was truly on her mind.  It was the competition and jealousy she felt toward her sister. She had to be the winner in her struggle for the affections of Jacob.  The boy born to Bilhah was named Naphtali which literally means, “Wrestlings with God.”

1. What was Rachel trying to achieve by giving Bilhah to Jacob once again?
2. What was truly behind all of her maneuvering?
3. What does the name of the second son tell us about Rachel?
4. Although “Wrestlings with God” was mentioned because of the boy’s name,  in what way did it define Rachel’s struggle with her sister?  
5. What place did God have in the life of Rachel and Jacob at this point in time?

Genesis 30:9-13

Not to be outdone and thinking the time of having children was over, Leah followed Rachel’s example and gave Zilpah, her maid, to Jacob.  Zilpah had two children. The first Leah named Gad which means fortunate.  The second was named Asher.  His name meant happy.  In a way these two names were paradoxical.  Because of the underlying conflict and competition to outdo each other being waged by these two sisters the results would not bring happiness to either one of them. Although she named one of them Gad the whole circumstance under which he was born was an unfortunate example of using others for personal gain.  Leah said women will call me happy because she had given Jacob six sons. It is obvious that neither she nor Rachel could be thought of as content. 

1. Why was Leah not satisfied with the four sons she had already had?
2. Why did she feel it necessary to repeat Rachel’s misguided act?
3. Looking at the names given, how accurately do you think their names convey what was going on in the lives of the two sisters?
4. Why could they not find happiness?
5. Why would Leah consider herself fortunate?  Was this true?

Genesis 30:14-15

In these two verses the feelings of Leah toward her sister come to the surface. When Rachel asked for some of the plants that Reuben had found, Leah reacts with harsh words.  She actually accused her sister of stealing her husband.  For whatever reason, Rachel was willing to give up spending the night with Jacob for some of the mandrakes. It was thought that the plant would arouse passion and bring children to a woman who was barren.  Rachel was desperate and if the mandrakes would be a remedy to her situation she was willing to give up time with Jacob. 

1. What evidence do we have of Leah’s true opinion of her sister?
2. How did Rachel act to diffuse the situation?
3. Why would Rachel even ask for some mandrakes?
4. What did the people think the mandrakes could do for a person?
5. What did her desperation cause her to do?

Genesis 30:16-21

As a result of the bargain Leah began to conceive and have children once again. She gave God the credit for allowing her to have more children.  Leah had two more sons. Her two sons were:

• Issachar – She incorporated the word hire in his name, as if the decision she made with Rachel led to having additional children.
• Zebulon – From her words again is seen the insecurity that she felt in her relationship with Jacob.  She believed the sheer number of sons was payment to buy his loyalty.  Probably long before this she had given up on ever gaining the love that Jacob felt for Rachel.  That would never change.  She did believe, however, that he might live with her as father of the six sons she had given to him.

Finally after having six sons of her own a daughter was born to her.  Her name was Dinah.  Dinah would play a role in the future of Jacob’s family.

1. Why did Leah see the addition of thee more children as by the hand of God?
2. What does the naming of the boys tell us about what was going on in her life?
3. What are some of hurts that seem to still exist in the life of Leah?
4. What are the hurts  that still control your life?
5. What was her expectation of a relationship with Jacob?
6. How would her life change even if Jacob became a full time husband? 
7. What does this show about her relationship with her sister?

Genesis 30:22-24

In God’s timing Rachel was finally given a son.  Her response was twofold.  First, she affirmed that the son was from God.  With his birth the shame she had experienced for all the years of her marriage was gone.  Even with the birth of Joseph, she was not content because she immediately asked for another son.  Joseph’s name expressed her thought process.  His name carried with it the idea of, “The Lord shall add to me another son.”  At a later time God answered her prayer and gave her Benjamin.

1. Why would it take so long for Rachel to have children of her own?
2. What would you say that God was trying to do in the life of Rachel and Jacob with the delay in giving Rachel a son?
3. How was she after so many disappointments able to give God the credit for her son?
4. Why was she not satisfied with the birth of one son?
5. What did she mean by talking about the fact that her shame was removed?

You-

• Be aware when members of your family become competitive with each other to the detriment of family unity.
• Provide a climate by your behavior where love for each person is all important.  That love should manifest itself in ways that indicate it is unconditional for the whole family.  
• In times of joy and tribulation remember that God’s timing is perfect in dealing with every situation..
• Do not make decisions that put you ahead of God.
• Pray before making decisions.
• Do not allow emotions to be the determinate factor in making a decision?

We-

Sometimes we find ourselves in the midst of a bad situation, not of our own making. At some point someone acted in such a way that brought about conflict and chaos.  There are two paths that can be taken.  The first is we can become part of the problem by continuing to depart from all that God intends for us to be.  In Jacob’s family there was a lack of dependence on God or seeking of His guidance.  Like so many of us they plowed ahead making decisions based on jealousy and emotional needs.  Lacking was wisdom or discernment of the direction to take. 

The second path that can be taken is the high road of life.  Rather than continuing to wallow in the troubles in which we find ourselves we need to look for God size solutions. We faced with any dilemma our first act is to fall on our knees and ask God if we are part of the problem seeking forgiveness.  With the boldness of God we are not to withdraw but deal with the problem head on.  Paul in Philippians 4 was aware of strife between two godly women, Euodia and Syntche.  He knew if allowed to continue it would divide the church so he called on the two to resolve their differences with the guidance of the leadership of the church so that unity would once again prevail.  We can only do this if we are willing to listen to God and follow His direction.

 

Additional Notes:

BL-   We studied Genesis 30, in which Jacob’s ladies got down to the very serious business of producing heirs.  Rachel, now four sons behind her sister Leah, grew jealous and asked Jacob what he’s going to do about it! Jacob rightly pointed out that this matter was in God’s hands. That answer did not satisfy Rachel. Following in the errant footsteps of Jacob’s grandmother, Sarah, Rachel decided to help God out by giving her maid to Jacob.  Bilhah produced not one, but two sons, whom Rachel named “Dan,” meaning “He has vindicated me,” and “Naphtali,” meaning “my struggle.”  Leah, in fear of losing her trump card, then gave her maid to Jacob, and Zilpah had two sons–“Gad,” meaning “good fortune,” and “Asher,” meaning “happy.”  (Thus far, we have Leah 6–Rachel 2!)  Rachel was falling behind so she made a deal with Leah to secure some mandrakes, an ancient aphrodisiac, that Leah’s son had found.  Leah agreed to hand them over in exchange for a night with Jacob. The result of their encounter was “Issachar,” meaning “reward.”  Then Leah bore Jacob yet another son whom named “Zebulun,” meaning “honor.”  Lastly, she had a daughter, Dinah, who would play an important part in a later chapter. Not to be outdone, Rachel finally had a child of her own. She named him Joseph because she believed that God had taken away her disgrace. Following Joseph’s birth, Jacob asks Laban for leave to go back home. He was now a man with two wives, two concubines, and twelve children, but still had no property or wealth to show for himself.  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, Paddam 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! 

C-Because Rachel could not have children she gave Bilhah to Jacob as his wife to bear a child for her.  Bilhah had sons who were named Dan and Napthali. (Gen. 30:1-8)

C-Not to be out done Leah, when she stopped bearing, got into the act and gave Zilpah to Jacob as a wife.  Zilpah bore two sons in Leah’s name, Gad and Asher. (Gen. 30:9-13)

C-Once again Leah began to have children.  She had two more sons and called them Issachar and Zebulun.  She also had a daughter and named here Dinah.  At this time Leah thought sure that the relationship between she and Jacob would surely change because she had given him six sons and a daughter.  (Gen. 30:16-22)

C-Finally Rachel conceived and gave birth to Joseph.  We may ask, why did God wait before allowing her to conceive?  God’s timing is perfect.  The child of Jacob’s old age would one day preserve his family in Egypt.  (Gen. 30:22-24)

C-In the naming of Joseph Rachel gives us a glimpse of human nature. Even having Joseph brought to light hear desire to have additional children. Her response upon his birth seems to be a strange one.  She said, “May the Lord give me another son,” which is in the Hebrew Joseph.  It would seem that one who had waited for a child would be filled with joy at his birth and not looking beyond caring for him. It appears from this brief glimpse into her thinking that we might conclude that how no matter fulfilling we might think an event to be, man is never satisfied totally with the status quo. (Gen. 30:24)

 

 

Lesson 27

The Deceiver Out Deceived

Genesis 29

Me-

Seeing how the world operates I have become somewhat cynical in my old age.  I have learned to be suspicious of those who are offering what they claim to be a good deal.  The old saying, “If it sounds too good to be true then it is actually too good to be true.”  Anyone offering something for nothing is probably trying to deceive.  Today more than ever I find that people are trying to prey on especially the elderly attempting to cheat them out of their money. 

Many years ago some individuals I know got caught up in a Ponzi scheme. As much as I tried to warn them they would not listen and lost money in the process.  I have found the only way to discover whether something is valid is to research it.  The second and most important thing for each of us who call ourselves followers of Christ is to ask does our actions line up with the word of God.

We-

The Bible is full of examples of individuals, including those in our present study, who made it a practice to mislead others.  Even in churches today, people are being led by false shepherds in to believing false teachings.  Just look at the issues of homosexuality, abortion and accepting conduct not proper for believers in which God’s word has been twisted to suit themselves. 

Throughout the studies for the last few weeks, we have seen the trouble brought on in the lives of Abraham and his descendents because they did not seek God’s guidance.  We should know by now that He will never mislead us.  Paul met a group of people who would not be fooled.  In Acts 17:11 we are told of the attitude of the Bereans.  It was said of them, “Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so.”  They heard Paul but verified what he said to be true by God’s word.  This should be our practice as well.  One reason that we do not is because it takes work and most of us are not willing to take the time to do so.

God

Genesis 29:1-3

With the promise of God ringing in his ears Jacob proceeded on his journey to Padam-Aram.  Looking around, upon his arrival, he saw shepherds with their flocks at a well so he would have known that he was close to the city. The writer makes special note of the fact that the stone covering the well was very large, therefore quite heavy.  As one would imagine the stone was there to keep the water and the well clean.  With the winds the well could very easily be filled with sediment.  Also it was probably to keep people or animals from falling into it.  To keep from having to moving the stone continually the shepherds would wait until all the flocks of the area came together before moving the stone and watering the sheep.

1. How did Jacob know that he was close to a city?
2. What was the reason for the gathering of the shepherds and their sheep?
3. What was the means they used to protect the water supply?
4. Why did the writer allude to the fact that the stone was large?

Genesis 29:4-6

Jacob initiated the conversation with the shepherds.  Notice his boldness.  He began by calling these perfect strangers, brothers.  He may have felt a certain kinship with those men who were in the same possession as he.  Once he had greeted them he then asked where they lived.  To each of his questions their answers were very short and to the point.  They did not know this man and were not about to volunteer any more information than was necessary. Look at the questions and answers.

• Where is your home? Haran
• Do you know Laban? We know him.
• Is everything ok with him? It is well.

They did inform him that Laban’s daughter Rachel was approaching.  Whether they did this to be friendly or to deflect him from asking other questions is unknown.

1. Why did Jacob open the conversation?
2. Why did he call them brothers?
3. Why were the answers to Jacob’s questions so short?
4. What was the importance of knowing where those men lived?
5. What did their answers say about how they viewed Jacob?
6. How was the coming of Rachel different from what had taken place with Rebekah?

Genesis 29:7-8

Jacob’s statement was pretty bold in light of the fact that he was a stranger to the shepherds.  By questioning them he set himself up as an authority on the proper care of sheep. He seemed to imply that the men had wasted a good portion of the day waiting by the well when the sheep could have been in the pasture.   That they even answered him at all is quite surprising.  Their reason rested on the fact that the stone was heavy and large and they did not want to have to move it but once during the day.  It seems to indicate that it would take more than one man to roll it off of the well. To have done it any earlier would have left Rachel to fend for herself.

1. What right did Jacob have in speaking to the shepherds as he did?
2. What does this tell us about Jacob?
3. What does it say about the men that they even answered him at all?
4. What was the advantage for them to wait?
5. Who benefited by their actions?

Genesis 29:9-12

Upon seeing Rachel, Jacob leaped into action.  In a way proving the men wrong about the size and weight of the stone, he rolled it away by himself.  He then watered Rachel’s sheep.  The roles are reversed in the narrative as compared with the servant of Abraham and Rebekah.  Previously Rebekah watered the camels and the servant stood by in amazement.  Here Jacob does the watering while Rachel stood by wondering what was taking place.  It was only after he had finished his task that he identified himself as her relative.  The text gives a good picture of the emotion that he felt having been directed to the right place by God.  Like Rebekah, Rachel left the place and ran to tell her brother, Laban, what had just occurred.

1. Why was Jacob able to do what the other men seemingly could not do by themselves?
2. In what ways was this incident different that the one involving Rebekah?
3. Why did Jacob react as he did?
4. Why did he wait until he had finished watering the sheep did he identify himself?
5. How was the fact that Rachel ran back to Laban’s house reminiscent of Rebekah’s reaction?

Genesis 29:13-14

It should not be surprising that Laban ran to meet Jacob.  Knowing that he was the son of Isaac, who was very wealthy, he might have the same outpouring of generosity that been extended to him previously by Abraham’s servant.  What a shock it would have been when he found Jacob, by himself without any possessions.  He still invited him into his home.  There Jacob told the family about his trip and how God had led him to the home of Laban.  Omitted, most likely, were the details of the reason he had to make the journey. He then spent a month in the home as their guest.

1. Why would Laban run to meet a total stranger?  Remember it had been over 60 years since Rebekah had gone into Canaan to marry Isaac?
2. What did he expect from Jacob?
3. What does Laban’s actions show about his character?
4. Why would Jacob have omitted any reference to the fact that he was actually fleeing from his brother as the reason he was now at Laban’s house?
5. What do you think he shared with the family?

Genesis 29:15-20

Even though Jacob had stayed a month with Laban, from the wording in the text it is obvious that he had not taken advantage of the situation but had actually done some work.  Reading between the lines, one can see that he would have been more than willing to help Rachel with the sheep. After that month it was clear that Jacob was in no hurry to return home, so Laban determined to pay him for the work he was doing. 

Laban had two daughters. Leah was described as having some type of eye problem.  Her sister, Rachel, was beautiful in body and face. Jacob saw this as an opportunity to get Rachel as his wife. He agreed to serve Laban for seven years for her.  His decision was based totally on emotion and not reason.  He still had major lessons to learn about seeking what God wanted him to do and not his own desires.  His agreement was to soon lead to problems because he did not consult God before deciding his future.  Laban knew he had a good deal.  He appeared to be gracious when promising her to Jacob.  Jacob was so in love with Rachel that Moses wrote that the seven years only seem to have lasted a few days.

1. What was the advantage for Laban in asking Jacob what he wanted for wages?
2. What drew Jacob to Rachel and not Leah?
3. How did Jacob’s desire for Rachel give Laban the upper hand in the agreement?
4. What was missing in Jacob’s response?
5. What was the lesson he still needed to learn?
6. If he had sought God’s counsel what might he have done differently?
7. What does it show about him that he was willing to give years of his most productive years to acquire a wife?
8. If you were Laban how would you have handled the situation?
9. If you were Jacob how would you have maybe handled the situation differently?

 

Genesis 29:21-27

Jacob had served Laban faithfully for seven years.  He now came to collect on their agreement.  It was time for Rachel to be given to him as his wife. Laban seemed to go along with the request of Jacob and gave had a feast.  That night however, Laban showed his true character.  He sent Leah into Jacob instead of Rachel.   Instead of Rachel Leah became the wife of Jacob.  Laban knew exactly what he was doing. He even provided a maid for Leah whose name was Zilpah.

This act was one of the most unscrupulous, underhanded, deceitful and hurtful things that could have been carried out on all of the parties involved.  Jacob was deceived thinking Laban an honorable man.  Rachel did not become the wife of Jacob as she expected. Leah was forced to marry a man who she knew did not love her.

Upon waking the following morning Jacob realized what had happened.  Evidently he did not understand Laban’s ground rules which probably changed to meet the situation as shall be seen later.  When questioned he explained the older daughter had to be married before the younger one.   He then proposed that Jacob spend the wedding week with Leah and then he would be given Rachel if he would serve Laban another seven years. 

1. What does this incident show us about Laban’s character?
2. How did he feel about Jacob, Rachel, Leah and even Zilpah?
3. How would you respond if someone had deceived you in some way?
4. Why did Laban know he could get away with that despicable act?
5. What do you think of Jacob’s response?
6. How do you think Rachel and Leah felt about what had been done to them?

Genesis 29:28-30

Jacob knew that he was trapped.  He still loved Rachel so he was willing to be a husband to Leah in order to get Rachel as a wife.  After the week of the wedding festivities, Rachel became his wife.  Laban gave Bilhah as Rachel’s maid.  The last sentence of verse 30 is a good indicator of the problems that were to come.  Moses wrote, “He loved Rachel more than Leah.”  From this one statement it would be expected that each of the women would be treated differently.

1. Why did Jacob not call it quits with Laban after having been deceived by him?
2. What tactic did Laban use to keep Jacob working for him?
3.  What indication do we have of the problems that were coming?
4. What would be the source of the problem?
5. In what ways would the women be treated differently?
6. How does this play out in families today?

Genesis 29:31-35

Two things are known right away.  Rachel, at that point, could not have children.  God saw the situation that existed between Jacob and his two wives and between the two women.  He saw that Rachel was the favorite, but He allowed Leah to be the one to have children.  The names of the four sons she was to bear give a clear picture of her understanding of the relationship she had with Jacob.  Each of the names had a special meaning which expressed her feelings at their birth.

She said of:

• Reuben- God has seen how I am afflicted and has given me a son.  For this reason my husband will love me.
• Simeon-Still on the idea of being unloved, God had given her a second son.
• Levi- Because she had provided three sons surely Jacob would become attached to her.
• Judah- She turned from her focus on Jacob and offered praise to God for the birth of her fourth son.

At that point she stopped having children.  She had given Jacob a good family.  Even though she had given birth to four boys, she surely still felt rejected by Jacob.  With four sons he could look forward to the posterity of his family as God had promised.   

1. Why would the writer conclude that it was God who kept Rachel from having children?
2. Why would God allow Leah to have four sons while Rachel had none?
3. From the way she named her sons what can be concluded about what Leah was experiencing in her life?
4. Why is there no mention of Jacob during that time?
5. Who was really guilty of the tension that was occurring in the lives of the two sisters?
6. What did it mean for Jacob to have four sons?

You-

• Put God at the center of any decision to be made.
• Review your own family situation to see if there is any favoritism taking place.
• Treat those around you with the same respect that you would want to receive.
• Before deciding what to do make sure that you take into consideration the feelings and well-being of others.
• Before taking action make sure that everyone involved understands the rules by which the game is to be played.

We-

As we worked through the by-laws in the church last year one of the main priorities was to make sure that there was a climate of unity.  It was decided that to have winners and losers was not what God intended for His people. The way to achieve this is to make sure that everything we do is in accordance with God’s word and through prayer.  To do otherwise is to create an climate of distrust and divisiveness.  People will act according to the environment in which they work, play and worship.  One last point to remember is that the church will be a reflection of the people who participate.  The basis of a strong Christ like church is to have families who follow the teachings   found in the Bible.  Let us pray as a body that God will build our families as we attempt to build His church

Additional Notes:

C-Upon meeting Rachel Jacob began a journey that would last for 20 years.  This new life would take many different kinds of twists and turns before Jacob ever returned to Canaan. (Gen. 29:9-15)

C-Jacob began working for Rachel’s father.  His wages at the end of the seven years were to be to have Rachel as his wife. The Bible tells us that this time went very quickly because he had a purpose in his work.  His work had a great deal of meaning because instead of Rachel just be given to him he had actually worked for someone he loved deeply. (Gen. 29:15, 18-20)

UE-Jacob, man who was characterized by instant gratification, was willing to serve seven years for a wife. (Gen. 29:18-20)

M-Love is a strong motivator.  Jacob ultimately served Laban for fourteen years for the hand of Rebekah.  Even when he was deceived, he completed his service.                  (Gen. 29:20, 30)

C-The deceiver met his match in Laban.  By deception Leah became Jacob’s wife instead of Rachel.  For her to become his wife he had to work another 7 years. (Gen. 29:21-28)

UE-Through Leah, the unloved wife would come the Christ who like His ancestor was unloved by the world into which He was born.  The child who would be the father of the tribe from which Jesus would come was named Judah which means, “Praise the Lord.” (Gen. 29:31-35M-Laban was a selfish and deceitful man as he showed himself to be over and over again in his relationship with Jacob. (Gen. 29:26)

C-Through Leah Jacob became the father of a son who he called Reuben.                   (Gen. 29:31-32)

RT-Lord saw that Leah was unloved and opened the womb.  It is very informative that we are also told that Rachel was barren. Why did God allow for Rachel to be unproductive at this point in time? (Gen. 29:31)

M-For Leah and Rachel to find fulfillment was to be loved by their husband and to provide him with children. (Gen. 29:32-35, 30:8, 13)

RT-At the birth of each son Leah’s responded making by making the following statements:

1. The Lord has seen my affliction. My husband will love me. (Reuben)                                                                    
2. The Lord has heard I am unloved.  He has given me a son. (Simeon)                                                                    
3. My husband will become attached to me. (Levi)                                       
4. This time I will praise the Lord.  (Judah)                                                                                                             

(Gen. 29:32-35)

WM-In this chapter we begin to see a pattern of deceit from a man who lacked integrity. Laban’s first act was to give Leah to Jacob as his wife instead of Rachel for whom he had served for seven years. (Gen. 29:25-26)

WM-There was a void in Leah’s life.  She desired to have the love of her husband.  The names of her children showed the deep longing she had to receive more attention from Jacob. (Gen. 29:31-35, 30:20)

WM-Laban immediately set to motion a harmful family situation with his scheming.  It led to unhealthy competition between the two sisters who used children and handmaids in their battle for the love and attention of Jacob. (Gen. 29:31-35; 30:1-21, 23-24)

 C-Additional sons were born to Jacob and Leah, Simeon, Levi and Judah. (Gen. 29:33-35)

 

 

 

 

Lesson 26

Jacob’s Encounter with God

Genesis 28

Me-

One of the lessons I have learned over the years is that no matter how hard I might try I cannot hide from God. Sometimes I might think I don’t want Him around especially when there is conflict in my life.  At those times I in effect am telling God that I can handle the situation myself.  Usually my way of taking care of it is trying to avoid facing it.  I do not like conflict and will do everything I can to pretend that it does not exist or it is someone else’s problem.  I can identify with Jacob as he tried to run away from his problems. Eventually, God will cause me to have to face Him when I have sinned or made bad decisions.  He uses my conscience to let me know when I have strayed.  The Psalmist definitely had it right when he spoke of the omnipresence of God in Psalm 139. 

I can take comfort in the fact that God does not leave me where I am but, desires for me to have an ongoing relationship with Him.  Therefore he works in my life through His word, events in my life and others to let me know how much He truly cares for me.  I am glad that He will only let me go so far before He draws me back to Himself.

We-

Churches quite often do not handle sticky situations very well.  We will do everything in our power to avoid dealing with issues. The main reason is do not want to hurt any person’s feelings.  How often have churches put up with someone who is always negative and complaining.  We so often say that is just the way that person is so we pay no attention to him or her.  Allowing this kind of behavior to continue is both disruptive and divisive.  We cannot carry on the work of the Lord unless we are united in on mission and vision.  Of course there are ways that of dealing with the situation that can make it worse.  We must always handle all conflicts and personalities in a Christ like manner.  Although expedient Isaac’s family did not truly resolve anything by their actions, but just sweeping it under the rug.  The current term that is used is “To kick the can down the road.” 

God-

Genesis 28:1-2

In the event to be covered, once again a picture is painted of the personalities of Isaac and his two sons.  Although not mentioned Rebekah still influenced Isaac decision to send Jacob away.  She allowed him to avoid the conflict that surely would have taken place if Jacob had remained in the home.  He was more than happen to agree with her wishes.  Isaac called Jacob to him and blessed him again.  He then gave the command for Jacob not to marry any of the women of Canaan.  His instructions were for Jacob to go to Syria and marry one of Laban’s daughters.

1. In what ways was Rebekah still in charge of what went on in the family?
2. What does this say about the personality of Isaac?
3. What are the real dynamics behind the decision made by both Isaac and Rebekah?
4. Why was Isaac more than willing to comply with the request of Rebekah?
5. How does this indicate that Isaac was not aware of Esau’s threat?
6. What would this mean for Jacob?
7. Why would he be more than willing to obey his father?

Genesis 28:3-5

After all that had occurred Isaac prays for Jacob.  He asked that God fulfill the covenant promised to Abraham.  With the blessing ringing in his ears Jacob was sent away for his journey to Paddan-aram to the home of Laban, Rebekah’s brother. By leaving, he would certainly avoid for the time being the wrath of his brother. 

1. Why did Isaac now call on the name of God?
2. What did his prayer include?
3. How did the details match up with what God had promised to Abraham?
4. Why was the journey important to Jacob at that point?
5. What can be seen by the fact that Rebekah was no longer mentioned?

Genesis 28:6-9

Esau must have been listening to the conversation between Isaac and Jacob.  How else could he have known of the command for Jacob to take a wife from Laban’s household and the blessing given to him? He also knew that Jacob had obeyed his father and departed for Syria.

Jacob was gone so Esau could no longer do anything to him.  He could however still take out his hurt, anger and frustration on his parents but doing the very thing they had kept his brother from doing.  To pay his mother, in particular, for her role in the deception he went to Ishmael and took a new wife named Mahalah.  This man who lived according to this world further disqualified himself from receiving the blessing of God by marrying someone from a godless family.

1. Why would Esau eavesdrop in on the conversation between Isaac and Jacob?
2. What does his response to that conversation say about him?
3. Why would he do anything else to alienate himself from his father and mother?
4. How did his actions show that he was disqualified to receive the blessings of God?

Genesis 28:10-11

 

Jacob who had received the blessing of his father that included all of the promises made to Abraham left home with nothing.  As the sun was going down he had to use rocks as a pillow.

1. At that point what had Jacob gained by all of his deception?
2. What had he lost, at least for that present time?
3. What kind of future did he have?
4. What guarantees did he have that he would be accepted into Laban’s home?

Genesis 28:12-14

Even though he was alone, God had not forgotten him.  The picture he saw was of a ladder reaching to heaven with angels ascending and descending on it.  At the top was the Lord. His words could have been, I know all about you and what you have done. In a way, by identifying  Himself as the Lord, the God of Abraham and his father Isaac, He could have been saying, you have done it your way and what has it gotten for you.

Jacob needed to hear that it was only by God’s grace that any of the promises made to Abraham and now to him could be fulfilled. His first promise to him, who at that point had nothing, was that he would possess the land on which he was resting. Then once again, all of the covenant provisions previously given were now spoken for Jacob’s benefit.  Like Abraham before him he received the message while still a single man without descendants. 

1. What does the appearance of the angels and Lord indicate to Jacob?
2. Why did God identify Himself to Jacob as He did?
3. Why would God even bother with Jacob?
4. What does it say about Him?
5. Why were the promises important to Jacob at that moment?

Genesis 28:15

There was one more promise to be made.  God told Him that Jacob could depend on God being present with him no matter where he went.  His promise would last as long as it took to accomplish everything that He had said.

1. Why was the last promise as important or more so than any of the others?
2. What did the promise entail?
3. How is that promise still in force today?
4. When might it be completely fulfilled?
5. How long can we expect for God to hold up His end of the deal with the nation of Israel? 

Genesis 28:16-17

To Jacob what had happened was more than a dream it was the reality of God presence in the very place where he had camped out.  It is interesting that Jacob was not aware of God.  He had been so wrapped up in his own agenda there was no place for God.  God had made Himself known in a real way to Jacob.  Before he proceeded with his journey on his own terms, he needed what God had planned for his life.  Jacob was to become the keeper of the covenant and had to be aware of what he could expect from God which would affect the way he lived from that point on. 

His response to the appearance of God was one of reverence that he had never displayed before in his life.  The words “How awesome is this place,” took the place full of sand and rocks and raised it to the level of a holy place.  He called it the “The house of God” which is the way into the throne room of God.  What a picture of the Son of God who became the way of entering into the very presence of the Father.  

1. Why would Jacob sense that what had happened to him was more than a dream?
2. Why was Jacob not aware of God’s presence in that place?
3. Why did God choose that time and place to reveal Himself to Jacob?
4. What did the writer mean when speaking of the fear Jacob had of God?
5. In what way did Jacob see the House of God as the gateway to heaven?
6. How does Jesus represent this idea?

Genesis 28:18-19

Jacob recognized the spot as extremely important by creating what could be considered a small altar for incense using the stone upon which he had slept.  He then renamed Luz and called it Bethel to recognize it as the House of God.

1. Why did Jacob take the time to set up a pillar/altar on the spot?
2. Why use the stone on which he had slept to make the pillar?
3. What does the word Bethel mean?
4. What did Jacob want to remember?

Genesis 28:20-22

What a difference between the words of God and those of Jacob is seen in these verses.  God made unconditional promises while Jacob tried to negotiate with Him.  He stated that God would be his God if He protected him in all the places he would be going.  If as He promised Jacob would return to the land of Canaan then he would serve Him and give him a tithe.  His words indicated that what Jacob would do was conditional. It all depended on what God would do for him.  God did not attach strings to His promises.

1. How did the words of Jacob differ from those of God?
2. After all that had occurred why did Jacob believe he had the right to negotiate with God?
3. How often have you tried to negotiate with God?
4. What kind of vows have you made that you have not fulfilled?

You-

• If there is conflict going on in your life be willing to face it.
• Seek to never be the source of conflict in your family or church.
• Do not avoid or run away from problems.
• Eliminate those things that distract you from truly sensing God’s presence in your life.
• Do not make vows that you cannot keep.
• Never make your love conditional on what you would have God do for you.
• Learn to stand in awe of God as you behold His glory.

We-

There are two aspects of the lesson that are important for all of us in the church.  We need to understand that even though conflict will come we must be part of the solution and not part of the problem.  We will be able to do this only if there is a genuine effort to stop it before it becomes embedded in the life of the church.  If we seek God’s direction He will give us the answers we need.  Let us trust Him and never try to deal with a situation in our own power.

If we desire to hear God we must establish the kind of environment where He can be heard and worshipped.  Jacob did not know God was present in that place because he was too busy thinking about himself and his own agenda.  Let us stop, slow down and realize that to accomplish anything for the kingdom we have to be still in our spirits so that we can truly hear what He is trying to say to us.  If we will change our attitudes and get out of the way God will truly provide resources to grow His kingdom through the church.

 

Additional notes:

RT-In meeting God at Bethel in such a personal way, Jacob had to decide what his relationship with Father would be.  No longer could he depend on the fact that God was the God of Abraham and Isaac but was now to be his God also. (Gen. 28:13)

BL-  In  Genesis 28, Isaac, sent Jacob to Rebekah’s brother’s home in Paddan Aram (today’s Syria).  Rebekah had complained that living near Esau’s Hittite wives is killing her, so she urged Isaac to sent Jacob to Laban’s to find a wife.  Isaac does so, imparting the blessing to Jacob that God first gave his grandfather, Abraham.  The blessing promises that from Jacob will come a “community of peoples” and that these descendants will inherit the land that God gave to Abraham in Genesis 13:14-17. (Although Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob never saw this promise come true in their own lifetimes, it has been partially fulfilled in the establishment of the nation of Israel-with more land to come in the future!)  Christians, too, have a part in this promise-God had told Abraham in Genesis 12 that through him, all nations on earth would be blessed-and we have received a spiritual heritage and the greatest blessing of all through Abraham’s descen!
dant, Jesus Christ!  (This is what Paul is talking about in Romans 11 when he speaks of the Gentiles being “grafted in” to the tree of the Abrahamic covenant.)
    In vv. 6-9, Esau adds to his “harem” by marrying a daughter of his half-uncle, Ishmael.  Whether he did it out of spite or out of a desire to please his father (perhaps thinking that a relative was better than taking another Hittite woman), the result was the same.  Esau proved once again that sensual pleasures, rather than spiritual things, were what mattered most to him.
   In vv. 10-15, Jacob, exhausted from his travels, lies down and dreams of a stairway that extends from earth to heaven, with angels ascending and descending its stairs.  At the top of the stairway, he sees the Lord, who says, “I am the Lord, the God of your father Abraham and the God of Isaac.”  The Lord goes on to reiterate the blessing He has given Abraham, promising fruitfulness, land, and a blessing for all the peoples of the earth.  Then God adds a new point.  In v. 15, He tells Jacob, “I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go and I will bring you back to this land.  I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.”
   When Jacob awakes in vv. 16-17, he says in wonder, “Surely the Lord was in this place, and I was not aware of it . . .How awesome is this place!”  Why was Jacob so amazed by his dream?  It may be hard for us, who have been taught that God is everywhere, to understand Jacob’s amazement-but Buddy pointed out that in ancient times and religions, people associated gods with a certain locale.  In Jacob’s case, he probably believed that God was approachable only where his parents and their relatives dwelled.  Yet here was God, out in the middle of nowhere, identifying Himself not only as the God of Abraham and Isaac, but also as Jacob’s PERSONAL God!  Jacob might be friendless, tired, discouraged, ashamed, lonely, and confused about his future-but God was right there with him, no matter where he went.  No wonder Jacob was blown away by this revelation!   Jacob had it half right-he DID have an awesome experience-but it was God, not the place, that made it awesome!  Have YOU ever had a personal encounter with the living God?  He’s real-and He wants to be your God, too.  Ask Buddy or Al how you can know Him personally.  And if you do know Him as Lord of your life, when was the last time that you and I thanked Him for being faithful, even when we are not?  Lastly, Buddy asked how we can make Bethany Place into an “awesome” place-a place where we can introduce others to this wonderful, personal God Who loved us so much that He became flesh and died on a cross in order to draw us to Him!  That news is too great NOT to share! 

BL-We studied Genesis 28:18-22, which outlines Jacob’s response to God’s great promise to watch over him and make him into a great nation.  Buddy began by asking us why it was so important that God made Himself known in such an intimate way to Jacob.  Class members came up with several reasons, including:  God reveals Himself to us in times of the deepest valleys in our lives;  God gives His children encouragement when they need direction; and that God seeks US out wherever we are, even when (especially when!) we are sinful and lost, as Jacob was. To put it simply, Jacob was a recipient of God’s grace and mercy!
   However, Jacob’s gratitude was rather underwhelming!  In vv. 20-22, we saw him making a deal with God-“If God will be with me and will watch over me . . . and give me food to eat and clothes to wear so that I return safely to my father’s house, then the Lord will be my God . . .”  Buddy called this “foxhole faith,” the kind that says, “If you get me out of this mess, then I will make you my God.”  However, God doesn’t work that way!  God says, “If you will obey Me and follow Me, THEN I will bless you!” The problem with Jacob (and with so many of us!) is that he laid out his own agenda and then asked God to bless it.  He wanted God to be his “sugar daddy,” not his Lord. He desired tangible blessings, things he could touch and enjoy right now.   But God already HAD an agenda planned for  Jacob, one that went far beyond Jacob’s immediate wants, or even his immediate future.  God planned to make Jacob into a great nation–and all He required of Jacob was faith!
  It sounds simple, doesn’t it-to just trust God to handle our future!  But sometimes it seems so hard to hand Him the reins!  Is there an area of your life or mine where God is asking us to trust Him?  Listen to Jeremiah 29:11-“‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'”  His plans are far, far better than any you and I can ever come up with on our own!  Hopefully it won’t take us as long to learn that lesson as it did Jacob!
  In chapter 29, Jacob makes it to Haran, where he meets Rachel, Laban’s daughter.  He falls in love and agrees to work for Laban for seven years in exchange for the privilege of marrying her.  However, on Jacob’s wedding night, Jacob the deceiver meets the master of deceit!  Laban, looking to unload his older and less desirable daughter, Leah, sneaks her into the marriage tent in place of Rachel.  The next morning, when Jacob discovers the deception, he is furious–but he agrees to work for Laban another seven years if he can marry Rachel the following week. 
  Leah realizes that Jacob doesn’t love her, and God has pity on her.  He enables Leah to give Jacob four sons, while Rachel remains barren.  When Leah bears the first three boys, it is obvious from their names that she is desperate to win Jacob’s affection; but by the time she has the fourth son, she names him “Judah,” meaning “praise the Lord.”  Finally, she is learning to depend on God, not Jacob, to find fulfillment as a woman.  Leah, too, is learning some painful lessons about trusting God!  However, her fertility and Rachel’s barrenness have set the stage for yet another round in the continuing tale of the “Ultimate Dysfunctional Family!” 

RT-If there was one positive from this whole episode was that it helped Jacob break away from his past and to get a new start in life.  To have stayed in Canaan would have only been a constant reminder of what he had done and caused a tension between Isaac and Rebekah. (Gen. 28:1-5)

UE-Isaac blessed Jacob who had deceived him as he was being sent off to Syria to protect him and to find a wife. (Gen. 28:3-5)

M-The one thing that Esau could do to inflict hurt on his family was to take another wife from a heathen people. (Gen. 28:8-9)

UE-Even though Jacob had done wrong, God saw that he would be one through whom the great nation would be built.  This shows that God will use all kinds of people to carry out His purpose. (Gen. 28:13-15)

RT-Jacob is one of the best examples we have in the Old Testament of God’s grace.  God constantly had to deal with Jacob, who at different times could be described as:

1. Grabber
2. Deceiver
3. Liar
4. Selfish
5. Arrogant
6. Disrespectful of others
7. Manipulator
8. Weak

His decisions were always getting him into one jam after another. His family life was a disaster.  Ten of his sons hated their brother. One had a relationship with his father’s concubine.  One son even had a sexual relationship with his own daughter-in-law.  Jacob not only deceived his own father but his father-in-law as well. God still loved him enough to wrestle with him to bring to him a new revelation of who God was.  Jacob played his hand and God called his bluff and he became Israel.

E-As He had done with his grandfather, Abraham and his father God affirmed His covenant with Jacob.  This time He spoke of being the God of both Abraham and Isaac.  Once again one of Abraham’s descendents was told that the family would possess the land of Canaan and there would be so many descendents that they could not be counted.  Also through those born in the line of Jacob all nations would be blessed. God specifically promised him that He would:

1. Be with him
2. Keep him safe wherever he went
3. Bring him back to the land of Canaan
4. Not leave him until He had done all He promised

Jacob’s response to the dream was as follows

1. He awoke afraid because God was in the place where he had slept.
2. He was overcome with awe at being in the house of God and at the gateway to heaven.
3. His first act was to set up and altar and pour oil on it
4. His name for that holy place was Bethel which means house of God.
5. He made a vow.  This was true to his nature as a wheeler-dealer.  It followed these steps in the process.
   1. If God would be with him as He had promised
   2. To keep him on his journey
   3. Provide sustenance for him
   4. Provide clothing to wear
   5. Return him safely back to his family and home, then

(1)   The Lord would be his God

(2)   The stone he placed there would be God’s house

(3)   He would tithe                                                                                                          (Gen. 28:10-22)

GC-The promise made to Abraham and Isaac was now given to Jacob.  God was going to give him the land on which he stood as his possession forever.  Through him God was also going to bless the world.  It seems strange that God was speaking to a deceiver and liar in this way.  God however was going to bring changes in Jacob that he would not have understood at that point in his life.  What does this say about grace?  Who would be the recipient of the glory when all of this took place?  How much of it did Jacob actually bring about himself? (Gen. 28:13-15)

RT-In the encounter with God at Bethel in such a personal way began to shape the kind of relationship he would have with the Father.  His bargaining with God showed his faith was in its infancy and would need to be fleshed over the years as he faced many trials.  No longer could he depend on the knowledge that God of his ancestors but not was to be his God also.  He would have to take responsibility for his actions in regard to that relationship. (Gen. 28:13)

GC-There is a time in every person’s life when he confronted with god in a real way.  Jacob’s response as ours should be one of reverence and total awe of Him.                (Gen. 28:16-17)

GC-”The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” When we are in His presence, we are to respond with awe and reverence.                                                                         (Gen. 28:16-17; 42:18; Job 28:28; 37:24; Ps. 111:10; Prov. 1:7; 9:10; 14:2; 15:33)

RT- The call of God is two-fold.  First it is a call for action on the part of the individual (obedience).  Then there is the promise that God will make the call result in fruitfulness (covenant). (Gen 28:13-15, 20-21)

M-When truly confronted with the Lord we are brought to a time of decision.  The one Jacob made was made was conditional.  He asked God to provide for him and if He did Jacob would return a portion back to Him but even more important than that he would call the Lord as his God. (Gen. 28:20-22)

WM-In spite of all of the promises God had just made to him, Jacob could not overcome his personality traits and tried to make a deal with Him.  A person who is enslaved to his ambitions as Jacob was cannot hear the voice of God and be free.  (Gen. 28:20-22)

GC-Jacob as was his practice placed conditions on his commitment to God.  His conditional promise occurred at the beginning of his pilgrimage with God.                  (Gen. 28:20-22)

RT-The call of God comes to each and all but there must be a response by the hearer before God will act. (Gen. 28:21-22)

GC-Jacob promised to tithe when he had nothing at all. (Gen. 28:22)

C-When God appeared to him on his journey, Jacob changed the name of the place from Luz to Bethel, the house of God. (Gen. 28:19)

 

 

Lesson 25

The Deceived and Supplanted React

Genesis 27:30-46

Me-

There have been times in my life when I believed that I had been treated unfairly. It is possible that some of those incidences were of my own making. The greatest injustice to me, in my opinioned, occurred when I worked at an industrial plant.  I was in charge of a storeroom of 10,000 which was open to the maintenance people twenty-four hours a day.  This made it very difficult to maintain a good inventory.  This eventually led to me getting fired.  The strange thing is that I was asked to train my successor and was also allowed to continue in the Purchasing Department for several months. There was one maintenance supervisor who went to bat for me even though it meant trouble for him.

I have often wondered if because of my faith I just did not fit into that environment. There was at least one instance when the plant manager made a very disparaging remark about those of us who were followers of Christ.  I am not bitter because my firing led to the opportunity to work for the mission board and to travel overseas.  God eventually worked about my situation which has allowed me to grow in my faith.

We-

Churches are not exempt from wanting to respond strongly to those who have hurt them.  We have had our own struggles with divisions and conflicts.  To be honest we have not always handled them well.  There are probably still some wounds resulting from the way that members have treated each other that need to be healed.  We also have to understand that it is our failures that sometimes bring about conflict.  As finite human beings we all too often leave God out of the life of the church until we find ourselves in a situation from which we cannot extract ourselves without God’s intervention.  His working out solutions will only come when we turn the control of our lives over to Him. It is not necessary to go into details, but it is important that we learn to respond to such situations in a Christ-like manner.  God tells us that we are not take revenge against anyone.  God will ultimately be the final judge and arbiter of every matter.

Genesis 27:30-31

Jacob left in the nick of time with Isaac’s blessing ringing in his ears.  No sooner had he departed from his father than Esau came in from his hunt.  He prepared the game and took it into his father so he could receive the promised blessing.

1. What do you think about the timing of Jacob’s departure and Esau’s arrival?
2. In what way was Esau carrying out his end of the bargain?
3. Why would he not suspect that Jacob would commit the act of deception before Isaac?
4. What are some instances when you thought that you had gotten away with a particular sin?

Genesis 27:32-33

At that point Isaac was a confused and shaken man. What was to be made of the events that were occurring?   He immediately wanted to know who it was that had brought another meal and wanted to be blessed. Esau tried to clarify things by exclaiming that he was Isaac’s first born son.

Isaac then asked a very obvious question.  From the way he stated it one can tell that he was very distraught.  He knew in that moment that he had been deceived.   There also came to him how his own lifestyle had set the tone for the family. Since he and his whole family were living apart from God, one could only expect for them to live according to the values of the world.  The damage had been done the blessing according to the world had been given to the wrong person. It could not be revoked. He wanted to know who had beaten Esau to the punch and brought the meal and received the blessing.

1. Why was Isaac shaken with the arrival of Esau?
2. What were his questions to Esau that indicated his confusion?
3. What do you think might be going through Esau’s mind at that point?
4. Why did he emphasize the fact that he was the first born of Isaac?
5. What is obvious from Isaac’s statement?
6. Why did he say that the one who had received the blessing would be blessed?

Genesis 27:34-36

Esau’s initial reaction was to weep bitterly.  He knew that all was lost for him if his father did not have a blessing for him also.  Isaac’s response would have torn the heart out of him as it would have any man. At that moment Isaac realized that he had been deceived. He used strong words in describing the actions of Jacob.  His younger son had taken, in an underhanded way, the blessing meant for Esau.  The pathos in Esau’s voice leaps off the pages of the Bible as he realized what he had lost.  The meaning of Jacob’s name, one who supplants, was used as Esau spoke of what his brother had done.  He had

• Taken his birthright
• Taken away his blessing.

His claims were only half true.  As was written earlier he actually sold his birthright to his brother for some bean soup.  His final plea to his father was to see if there was a blessing that he could receive. Even if there were more blessings to be given they would not carry with them the significance of the one given to Jacob. One can see that Jacob had been given everything that his father had, position, power and possessions.

1. What was Esau’s immediate reaction?
2. How would you have handled such a situation if it happened to you?
3. Why did Isaac only realize at that moment that he had been deceived?
4. What one thing did he forget in this whole event that maybe would have kept all of these events from happening?
5. How did it dawn on Esau the magnitude of what he had lost?
6. In what way was Jacob innocent of Esau’s downfall?
7. What do we see in the way that he described his brother?
8. Why would any blessing given to Esau by Isaac not have the same significance as the one Jacob had received?

Genesis 27:37

Isaac’s answer to Esau’s plea had to be crushing to one who was so confident in his own abilities.  All that he had hoped to gain from his father had now been given away. According to Isaac, Esau and all of his relatives would serve his brother.  Not only that but Isaac with the blessing, had asked that Jacob reap all the benefits that this life had to offer.  As far as Isaac was concerned there was nothing else to give to Esau. 

1. Why would the statement by Isaac be so hurtful to Esau?
2. What did the blessing mean for Esau’s future?
3. What had been given to Jacob?
4. Why was there nothing else that Isaac believed that he could do for Esau?

Genesis 27:38

Esau did not give up.  He did not want to walk away from his father empty-handed.  Again he wanted to know if there was not one other thing that Isaac had to give.  It turned out to be a highly emotional time for Esau as he wept because of all that had happened.  His last plea indicated the deep need in his life to have meaning.

1. Why did Esau not give up?
2. What did he expect his father to do about something that was irreversible?
3. What did his reaction show about how much he valued the blessing?

Genesis 27:39-40

Isaac did respond to the plea from Esau.  It is sad to say, they were not the words that Esau was expecting to hear. They were pretty blunt and could have been very discouraging. It is obvious from what has been written that Esau could not truly expect a blessing because of the fact that he had disqualified himself from even deserving one.  His father promised him that

• He would not be able to provide for himself from the soil as the land where he lived would be infertile.
• His life would be filled with warfare.
• For a while he would serve his brother.
• After a period of time he would no longer depend on Jacob.

 

1. Why did Isaac even respond to Esau’s pleas?
2. In what ways was the words spoken to Esau different from those to Jacob?
3. In what ways did the promises to Esau fit his character?
4. What disqualified Esau?

Genesis 27:41-45

Esau’s reaction is what would be expected from a godless man.  His plan was to wait until his father died and then to kill his brother.  What he could not get legitimately he would strive to acquire by violence. Here again is a display of his character. Rather than moving on he was one who held grudges when he did not get his way.

1. Why would one expect Esau to react as he did?
2. Why would his plan, if carried out, get him what he desired?
3. What does this tell us about his character?
4. Why are holding grudges detrimental to one’s life?

Genesis 27:42-45

Once again Rebekah steps in to the fray.  She heard of Esau’s threats and decided she knew what needed to happen to correct it.  Her plan was for Jacob to go and spend a few days in the home of her brother, Laban, in Haran.  In her mind it would only take that length of time for Esau to cool down and Jacob would be able to return home. To think that Esau would forget what had happened to him in a short period of time was ludicrous.  The excuse that she gave Jacob was that she did not want to lose both of her sons on the same day. Her ill conceived ideas cost her the respect of one son and would now lead to the loss of the son who she loved.  She should have considered that possibility before the episode even began. As far as the Bible indicates at the end of this episode would be the last time she would ever see Jacob. 

1. Why did Rebekah think she could undo all of the problems she had caused?
2. How could she believe that Esau would forget the events that had just occurred in a short period of time?
3. What would be the cost to Rebekah for her part in the deception?
4. In what way did Rebekah lose both of her sons?
5. Why would she want Jacob to go all the way to Haran in Syria for safety?

Genesis 27:46

  Rebekah could not carry out her scheme with the approval and assistance of Isaac. As weak and old as he was he was still the head of the family and any major decision still had to come from him.  Her approach was that she did not want Jacob to marry one of the local women.  To have that happen would take all meaning from her life. Notice she did mention the events that just occurred.  She played on the fact that Isaac also was not pleased when Esau had married a Canaanite woman.

1. Why did Rebekah now approach Isaac to get her wish?
2. What was her real motive?
3. In what way does this discussion still show her lack of respect for Isaac?
4. In what way was her reason a way of protecting Isaac?
5. What did she not bring up?
6. What was her reasoning for sending Jacob away to Haran?

You-

• Consider your attitude towards someone who has hurt you, what does the Scripture call you to do about it?
• Remember it is not what happens to you that matters but the way you deal with it that makes all the difference.
• Reflect on the words spoken by Isaac to both Jacob and Esau.  Even though the blessing was meant for Esau, Jacob went on to prove that he was more deserving of it than Esau.
• What words do you want others to say about you?
• Strive to be worthy of the words of God that say, “Well done good and faithful servant.” Matthew 25:23
• Do not let events in your life destroy the righteousness and holiness to which God calls you.

We-

“Do not let the sun go down on your anger,” Ephesians 4:27 is easier said than done.  God calls us to be forgivers and forgetters.  The church certainly is not exempt from having to deal with situations that cause us to rely on God’s strength to get us through them.  Jesus over and over gives instructions of how we are to handle situations in which we have either wronged someone or they have hurt us in some way.  Each and every time He directs us to be reconciled to our brother or sister.  In Ephesians Paul wrote that our attitude is to be one of, “Forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.” Ephesians 4:32. Even on the cross, Jesus said, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.” Luke 23:34.  Let this be our heart.  It is better to suffer than to take revenge.  That is what Christ calls us to do.

Additional notes:

DM-After Jacob had stolen the blessing meant for Esau, Esau must have come to the stark realization of what he had so flippantly given up for a bowl of stew.                    (Gen. 27:36-38; Heb. 11:30)                                                                                             

GC-Favoritism, deception, jealously and hatred have no place in a Christian home.  By these attitudes and behavior many homes have been torn apart.                                   (Gen. 27:2-5, 8, 11)

C-Jacob deceived his father and stole Esau’s blessing thus making first in the family although he was the younger of the two brothers. Now the package was complete Jacob had both the birthright and blessing.  It would appear that he was set for a long successful life once his father died. (Gen. 27:6-30, 33-35)

WM-Sometimes you never appreciate what could have been yours until it is not longer available to you.

C-Esau partly because he despised his birthright, selling it to his brother and partly through the deception of Jacob could now only receive the blessing due to the second son.  At this point all rights and privileges had become the property of Jacob.                  (Gen. 27:34-40)

C-What would your reaction be at such a turn of events in your life?  Esau began going through the grieving process that occurs when such a traumatic experience has taken place in a person’s life.  Part of that process is the emotion of anger.  In this kind of mindset he planned to kill his brother after the death of his father. (Gen. 27:41)

WM-There was no genuine love among the members of Isaac’s family as shown by their treatment of each other. (Gen. 27:41-46)

C-Rebekah caught wind of Esau’s plans.  This brought about a number changes in the life of this family.  They took place in rapid succession because of the explosive nature of the situation.  They were:

1. Jacob was sent away in reality to protect him.  However, it was done under the pretence of searching for a wife from Rebekah’s family back in Syria (Aram).
2. Rebekah lost the trust, respect and affection of Esua.
3. She for practical purposes also lost Jacob.  There is no indication that she ever saw him again.
4. Esau took revenge on his mother and father because Jacob was gone by marrying additional local wives.  This added to the hurt his parents were experiencing.
5. Jacob had to leave the family environment in he had always lived.
6. He began a journey which carried with it inherent risks and uncertainty.

In the final analysis what did Rebekah and Jacob achieve from all of the planning and carrying out the deception on Isaac and the consequences that each of the family had to endure. (Gen. 27:42-46; 28:1-9)

RT- Humanly speaking, the solution for ridding oneself of an obstacle that may be blocking our path has not changed in all of these thousands of years.  After the fall we see it in the murder of Abel.  Following in Cain’s footsteps Lamech then kills two people.  Now we get a glimpse of anger and revenge in the words of Esau as he made plans to killed Jacob after his father’s death to regain the birthright and blessing he had lost.   (Gen. 27:41)

RT-Did Rebekah truly believe that Esau’s anger would go away in a few days?  The reality was that this situation had been brewing for a long time.  The stealing of Esau’s blessing by Jacob was the straw that broke the camel’s back.  The problem was that both brothers were guilty of playing on their parent’s favoritism.  It is easy to say that surely Isaac and Rebekah must have seen how they were favoring one son over the other. Out of this kind of family environment there had to be a great deal of competition as each of the brothers vied for the love of both of their parents.  The Scripture is very specific in its description that each parent had a favorite son. (Gen. 27:43-44) 

 

 

 

 

Lesson 24

The Supplanter at Work

Genesis 27:1-29

Me-

All of us have deceived someone at some point in our lives.  In my own life I have pretended to be what I was not.  To be hypocritical is a form of deceit.  In order to get a position I am sure that I have built myself up to impress the human resources person.  There have been a couple of times that I found myself in a situation over my head because I thought that I knew more than I actually did.  One time in particular I made such a move because the place I was working had a freeze on promotions and my family needed more money, because we wanted to send our children to private school.  Fortunately, because there was eventually a need for which I was more qualified I was able to move into another position.  The one person I have found that I cannot fool is God.  I will always be guilty before Him anytime I vary from what is true about my life.  The saying, “Your sins will find you out” is very true.  It certainly has been so in my life.

We-

Churches cannot escape this sin.  How often have we promoted ourselves by inflating the attendance or have given a false impression about the quality of what we do.  One of the biggest falsehoods of which many churches is guilty is the assumption that they are a friendly church when the only people with whom they are friendly are those already there and not a guest coming through the door. 

One of the aspects of church life that needs to be mentioned is how we present ourselves to a potential new church leader.  All too often it would appear that we totally have our act together when in reality we may be coming loose at the seams.  To keep from being like Abraham and his descendents, let us be a church full of integrity in the way we present ourselves to the world.

Genesis 27:1-4

Isaac had reached the age when he realized that he needed to turn the reigns over to a new generation.  He was blind and old and did not know how much longer that he might live.  With the reality of the finiteness of life before him he called Esau, his oldest son, to him.  It is interesting that before he would give the blessing to him, Esau was required to fix his father one of his favorite dishes of wild game. 

It may not be important but there is no indication that Isaac was aware of the deal that Esau had made with Jacob previously.  He had given the birthright to his brother and in that regard was not entitled to the blessing that he was about to receive.  He had given away the rights to two thirds of Isaac’s possessions. This is one of the areas in which Esau had disqualified himself from receiving God’s blessing.  One other has already been mentioned in the previous lesson.  He had married Canaanite women.  The third and probably the most important had to do with the prophecy given to Rebekah concerning the two boys before they were born.  Through those words God indicates that it was to be Jacob and not Esau who would receive His special blessing.

In spite of all these factors, Isaac was going to bless Esau anyway because of tradition and the fact that Esau was Isaac’s favorite son.

1. What are some of the driving forces in our lives that cause us to make decisions one way or another?
2. How much is age a factor in the way we make decisions?
3. What do you think of Isaac’s plan to bless Esau in spite of the fact that he had disqualified himself from receiving God’s blessing?
4. What do the verses show us about Isaac?
5. In what ways was Esau disqualified to be blessed?

Genesis 27:5-10

Rebekah heard the conversation between Isaac and Esau and set in motion a plan of her own to make sure that it was Jacob and not Esau that received the blessing.  Remember that Rebekah loved Jacob more than she loved Esau. For her to decide to deceive Isaac shows a lack of respect for her husband.  One has to wonder if there was ever the kind of love that was mentioned in Genesis 24:67 when it talked about Isaac’s love for Rebekah, but nothing of her love for him.

Because Jacob was complicit in the deception shows a lot about his character.  He had learned well from his parents the art of deception.  It is clear that he was a very ambitious or would stop at nothing to get what he wanted.  Although he went along with the plot it was completely Rebekah’s plan.  She had probably been looking for the right opportunity for her to advance Jacob’s position.  Isaac played right into her hands with his decision to have Esau go hunting.

To make her plan work she was going to prepare a meal for Isaac from the goats that Jacob was to bring her.  Her command to Jacob was to take it into his father and receive the blessing meant for Esau.

1. Why did Rebekah dream up the devious scheme to deceive Isaac?
2. Why was her plan so important to her?
3.  What would indicate that she was looking for just such an opportunity?
4. How did Isaac play right into her hands?
5. Why was Jacob in agreement with what she was doing?
6. What does this say about the relationship between Isaac and Rebekah?
7. What does this kind of favoritism do to a family?

Genesis 27:11-12

In all of the planning there arose one small problem.  Esau was a hairy man while the Scriptures say that Jacob was a smooth man. It is important to note that Jacob showed how unscrupulous he was by his response to Rebekah.  He was only worried about getting caught in their scheme, not by the fact that what they were doing was wrong.

1. Why was Jacob only worried about getting caught in the deception?
2. Why did he not have a problem with the deception he and Rebekah were planning?
3. What does this show about the relationship between he and his brother Esau?

Genesis 27:13

Little did she know at the time but her words would be prophetic to the events that were to occur.  It may be jumping ahead a bit but there is no indication that Rebekah ever saw Jacob again after the fallout from this episode. She called down a curse upon herself and a curse she got.

1. How far was Rebekah willing to go to promote Jacob’s future?
2. Why do we have to be careful about the words that come from our mouths?
3. How did what she said come true?

Genesis 27:14

Up to that time what the two were planning was just that, planning.  When Jacob went to get the goats he and Rebekah stepped over the line of being guilty of sinning against Isaac, Esau and God. 

1. At what point did the planning become sin?
2. What was the sin they committed?
3. When do we find ourselves guilty of sinning?

Genesis 27:15-17

Although Isaac could not see, Rebekah still made sure that Jacob was dressed for the part.  She provided him with Esau’s clothing. To compensate for his smooth skin she took the skins of the goats on his hands and at his neck.  To complete the deception she gave Jacob the meal to take into his father.

1. Why did Rebekah feel that it was necessary to dress Jacob as she did?
2. How did she try to fool Isaac since Esau was a hairy man and Jacob was not?
3. What are some of the ways we use to hide our true identity?
4. Why is it wrong to do so?

Genesis 27:18-19

With all of the preparations made, it was time for Jacob to go to his father and receive the blessing meant for Esau.  When he went into his father and gave notice that he was there, Isaac sensed something was not right by asking Jacob who he was.  Jacob told his first lie, identifying himself as Esau.

1. What was the final step to get Isaac to bless Jacob?
2. What did Isaac sense something was not right?
3. In what way did his lying show disrespect for his father?
4. In what ways have you lied to gain what you have wanted to happen?

Genesis 27:20-24

Isaac was still not certain of the identity of the person before him.  He first asked a question, wanting to know how his son had been able to complete the assignment of killing and preparing a meal of wild game.  When he answered his father he invoked God’s name by claiming that it was He who had give him success. Secondly, he commanded Jacob to come close to him, so he could determine the identity of his son by the smell of the outdoors on his clothing. He also felt the places that Rebekah and put the goat’s skins.

The trickery of the two worked.  Isaac was confused by what the two had done, for he said the clothing and hands are like Esau, but the voice belongs to Jacob.  The fact of the clothing was enough to convince him because he had no other way of identifying him.

Although Isaac blessed Jacob because he could not recognize him, after giving the blessing he asked one more time whether he truly was Esau.  Jacob’s answer at this point had to be that he was.  Otherwise he would have been unmasked as the deceiver and liar that he was.

1. Why was Isaac still uncertain about his son’s identity?
2. What were the ways by which he thought he could identify his son?
3. What was the lie that Jacob told? 
4. Why was it so offensive?
5. If he had known his children better, what would have been a dead give-away that the person before him was not Esau?
6. Why did Isaac finally bless Jacob?
7. Why did he wait until he had given him the blessing before asking him once more about his identity?
8. In what ways have you possibly taken advantage of someone that did not know that you were not telling the truth?

Genesis 27:25-28

At that point there was nothing else Isaac could do but have Jacob bring him the meal to receive the blessing as promised.  Jacob obeyed his father and brought it to him. It appears that Isaac still was not sure of what was going on.  He commanded Jacob to come close once again and give him a kiss.  Once again he obliged his father.  When he did Isaac assured himself that it was Esau because he again smelled the garments which carried in them the smell of outside world.  At that point his blessing included the mention of the fact of the clothing.  It was almost as if the blessing came to Jacob because of Isaac’s love of the outdoors.  As mentioned before he was living vicariously through Esau and blessed him for a life that did exist for him. 

1. Why did Isaac bless Jacob after he had brought the meal to him?
2. Why did he try once again to assure himself that it was indeed Esau before him?
3. Why did Jacob no longer speak?
4. In what ways was he living vicariously through Esau?
5. In what ways do we live vicariously through others?
6. What may be the end results of living this way?

Genesis 27:28-29

The blessing included both financial success but also leadership over the family from that point on.  The essence of what Isaac said applied to one in an agrarian society.  The one that carried with it more importance and would not really occur in Jacob’s life time was the second part of the blessing.  In the future through Jacob’s line, particularly in David and his descendent Jesus all nations and his people

• Serve him.
• Bow down to him
• Call him master

The final words were the same as given to Abraham earlier:

• Those who cursed him would be cursed
• Those  who blessed him would be blessed

Jacob had achieved what he desired.  He had both the birthright and the blessing. His ambition superseded his regard for his brother’s feelings and show disrespect for his father.  If the commandments had been in place he would violated the admonition to honor father and mother.  He obviously broke the ones about lying, stealing, coveting and dishonoring God.  Although, Isaac had given the blessing, would God honor it?  God was silent at this point.  This was a blessing of one man conferred upon another.  Although, Isaac referred to God, it was truly Isaac’s desire for his son Esau and not Jacob.

1. What were there two separate parts to the blessing?
2. What did each of them cover?
3. What was the difference between the blessing given by Isaac and the one received by Abraham?
4. What were the most important points of the blessing?
5. Why were they important?
6. Why was God silent while all of this was taking place?
7. When can we expect Him to be silent in our own lives?

You-

1. Think about an incident when you have tried to deceive someone.  If you have not done so, ask for forgiveness and make it right with that person.
2. Consider ways in which you have not regarded the well-being of others.  Ask for forgiveness if you have not done so.
3. Ask for forgiveness for the times that you have dishonored your parents.  Age is not a factor.
4. Remember the times when you let your ambitions bring about division between you and others.  As for forgiveness if you have not done so.
5. Always being a blessing to others in the integrity of your heart.

We-

We have not even come to the consequences of the actions of these two people and can already sense trouble ahead.  Let each of us give consideration to what the results will be of any decisions we might make as a follower of Christ or the church as a whole.  We must never do anything for the wrong motives that might bring disgrace on our Lord.  God really does expect for us to be totally above board in all of our action.  Remember the things we do have eternal consequences.  The way we act sometimes might indicate that others may think differently. Our thoughts and deeds should be those which will cause God to bless those things we do and are planning to do. He will be silent if we try to deceive ourselves or others to bring about the desires of our own hearts.  To wait on Him will carry with it much greater rewards

Additional notes:

Jacob began as a grabber or supplanter and had all of the attributes that at any time of history make one successful.  He had ambition, drive and did not mind using any means to achieve his goals.  In today’s society he would be considered a successful man when viewed by those outside the family.  He was a driven man who saw what he wanted and went after it with a vengeance.  Sometimes to achieve his end he had to overlook how his actions might advice he heeded was that which was in his best interest, even when his actions were detrimental to his relationship with others.  He deceived his father, stole his brother’s blessing and caused mistrust between his parents.  When Jacob met God at Bethel, his life slowly began to change into one who:

1. Feared God
2. Promised God his life and for God to have complete ownership of what he might acquire in the future.
3. Lead to his willingness to become a servant to gain Rachel and Leah to be his wives.
4. Developed patience to wait for results rather than forcing others to give in to his desires and ambitions.  The twenty years he served Laban was a prime example of this attitude shift.
5. Had communion with God in dreams, visions and face to face.
6. Followed God’s directives especially when it came to material gains.
7. Gave God credit for who he was and what he had been given.
8. Faced up to the consequences of his earlier actions.  He never forgot them as is seen with the real possibility of seeing his brother again.  To his credit he was not as much afraid of personal harm but what might happen to his family.  He put family above personal safety.
9. A man who had such a personal relationship with God that he could truly give thanks in even the most difficult times.                                                                  

BL- We studied Genesis chapter 27 (ALL OF IT!), as Isaac’s family continued their dysfunctional ways(boy, could they make a great soap out of these peoples’ lives, or what?).  This week, Rebekah overheard Isaac preparing to bless his eldest son, Esau, as soon as Esau returned from the hunt.  Rebekah, determined that her favorite son, Jacob, should receive the blessing, cooked up a scheme (couldn’t resist!) to deceive Isaac. She prepared Isaac’s favorite stew and dressed Jacob in Esau’s clothes and some hairy goatskins in order to pass him off as his brother. Isaac, who was now blind, fell for the trick and blessed Jacob instead of Esau with just about everything he could think of!  Now that patriarchal blessing might not seem significant to us, but in those days, great importance was attached to it–they believed that God’s hand was in it (and it WAS!) and that it directly affected the future of the individual who was blessed.  Evidence of the blessing’s importance can be seen in Rebekah’s and Jacob’s use of trickery to obtain it and in Esau’s and Isaac’s anguish over giving it to Jacob. Once Isaac realized his “mistake,” he blessed Esau, too, but Esau’s blessing was far less bountiful than the one that Jacob received.  This was all, of course, a part of God’s plan–He had prophesied that the older son would serve the younger before the boys were even born–but the way in which Jacob obtained the blessing was not in accordance with His ways. Rebekah and Jacob would end up paying a great price for manipulating God’s will, as we shall see in later chapters. Buddy pointed out that people today are often guilty of this same faulty thinking–we believe that if we are successful in reaching goals that we have set for ourselves, then God’s hand must be in it. While it is true that God DOES have a plan and a purpose for each of us, His plans may not be the same as ours!  Moreover, with God, the ends NEVER justify the means–He cares very much how we reach the go!
als He has planned for us.  If our methods are not in accordance with His (i.e., in keeping with His Word), then we, too, will suffer as Jacob and Rebekah did–with broken relationships to God and others, with worry, fear, even physical problems.  God loves us, and He will discipline those He loves in order to teach us to wait on Him!  Are the goals that you and I have set for ourselves in keeping with God’s goals for us?  Are the methods we are using to obtain them in accordance with His Word?  There is a lot we can learn from the life of Jacob–which is why the “Old” Testament is never really old!

C-Isaac’s physical condition comes into play as the next episodes of his family unfold.  With old age came blindness.  This fact played into the hands of Rebekah as she plotted to have Jacob receive the blessing due Esau.  How the relationship had changed over the years from the time Isaac and Rebekah loved the boys equally.  Now there was a competition and division between them.  Isaac loved Esau because he was a man’s man.  He lived vicariously through Esau’s love of the outdoors and his hunting skills, abilities Isaac had never possessed.  In lifestyle he was more like Jacob than Esau.  That is probably the reason he gravitated towards Esau.  We generally do not like to be around those completely like us because they always remind us of the attributes we do not like about ourselves. (Gen. 27:1, 12; Ps. 78:36; 144:11; Prov. 24:28; 26:19; 27:6; 30:8)

WM-Both Jacob and his mother Rebekah, lacked integrity.  To get what they both wanted for Jacob they were willing to deceive and lie to Isaac and even invoke the Lord’s name as part of the ruse.  They acquired the blessing for him, but at a great cost.  Rebekah lost her son because he had to flee for his life never to return during her lifetime.  Esau took  revenge on his family and married another Ishmaelite. (Gen. 27:

TM-Rebekah’s part in the deception of Isaac shows an attitude of anything goes.  Her actions provide us a glimpse of the personality trait that most likely had a profound influence throughout Jacob’s life.  God’s word tells that she loved Jacob more than Esau, so naturally she would look out for what she would have perceived as his best interest.    (Gen.27:5-29)

UE-Rebekah conspired with Jacob to deceive Isaac into blessing Jacob thus depriving Esau of his rightful blessing. (Gen. 27:5-29, 33-36)

TM-Deception brings heartache, anger, mistrust and division in families, churches and other organizations.  (Gen. 27:5-46)

M-Often the desire to excel overshadows what is right.  Jacob succumbed to his mother’s ambition for him and his own drive to succeed in carrying out the scheme to deceive his father. (Gen. 27:8-29)

DM-Rebekah’s part in the deception would change her life forever.  It was her defining moment.  She is probably remembered for this one act than anything else she did in her life. GC-Jacob should not have deceived his father, not because he was afraid of being caught but because it was wrong. She:

1. Influenced Jacob to take part in her scheme
2. Lost the trust of her husband.  Surely he would come to know that Jacob could not have accomplished the deception alone
3. Angered Esau to the point that he planned to murder his brother. He also married more heathen women as a way to retaliate against his parents
4. Never saw Jacob again that can be found in the Scriptures.  Later only Isaac is mentioned.

We have to wonder as she reflected on her actions was it truly worth it committing such an act of deception. (Gen.27:5-41)

 

Lesson 23

Genesis 26

Like Father Like Son

Me-

When I was younger I use to say, “If I had my life to do over I would do things differently.”  However, as I have become older I realize that if there was a chance to redo my life I probably would have made the same mistakes over again. The one thing I would not change about my life; I would have married my wife over again.  It ranks close to the top of the best decision I ever made.  The only other one that is of more importance is becoming a follower of Christ. 

The reason nothing would have changed has to do with the personality and abilities which God gave to me, many which I did not use to the fullest.  In order to reach the point in life where one understands what God wants to do with him or her comes only from experience.  It is a fortunate person who knows what they want to do with his life from the very beginning.  Circumstances often lead us down a life path that we did not expect. 

Even though I became a believer at a young age, there was no obvious growth until many years later.  If I could do it over I would want my life to be one of constantly focusing on what is important.  There is only One who meets that criteria.

We-

The church certainly is not exempt from making the same mistakes over and over again.  The one thing that stymies our advancement is constantly looking back at what might have been.  If we can get past what we cannot change because once done a deed cannot be undone.  There is nothing wrong at looking at the history of the church.  We are what we have made of ourselves to be.  As we look back we can understand our present situation.  The past is not where we want to remain, however. Paul in Philippians tells us to let the past be the past.  Our marching orders are what he said in the words to follow. We are called to, “Press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 3:14)  The question is where do we want to be, rehashing old stuff or looking to see what God wants to do with His church?

God-

Genesis 26:1

It was almost like déjà vou.  Isaac found himself in the throes of a famine just like his father had experience previously. He then begins to make a trek south east to find water to provide for his flocks and herds.  Like Abraham before him he came in the land of Gerar to Abimelech, the king of the Philistines.  This was not the same man with whom his father had dealings.  Abimelech was most likely a title, like Pharaoh.

1. How is this like the incident that we saw with Abraham’s first journey away from the land of Canaan?
2. Why did Isaac see a need to move?
3. Why would he go to the same land that his father had gone before?
4. Why would the man who was king allow Isaac to stay there?

Genesis 26:2-5

God stopped him short of going into Egypt which evidently was his intent.  The Lord shared several things that would be important in the life of Isaac. First was the warning to stay out of Egypt.  If he did so God would:

• Be with him if he sojourned where He wanted him to stay.
• Bless him.
• Give the land to Isaac and his descendents.

God then reaffirmed the covenant He had made with Abraham which included the promise that he would:

• Have many descendents.
• His descendents would possess the land.
• Bless the nations through the descendants.

The covenant was established with Abraham because he had obeyed God by keeping His charge, commandments, statues and laws.

1. What is different about Isaac’s travels and that of his father?
2. What was Isaac’s intent?
3. How do we know what he planned to do?
4. What was the reason God shared with Isaac the plans that He had for him?
5. Why was it important for God to reaffirm the promises made to Abraham with Isaac?

Genesis 26:6

Isaac obeyed God and stayed in Gerar.  He did not go down to Egypt as his father had done before him.

1. In what ways did Isaac obey God?
2. Why did God not want Isaac to go down into Egypt?

Genesis 26:7

Surely Isaac would have heard of events involving Abraham when he travelled to Egypt and Gerar.  Both times Abraham called Sarah his sister, which showed a lack of faith on his part and created problems for his hosts, Pharaoh and Abimelech..  It is obvious that he did not truly believe the promises God had made with him.    

His son followed in his footsteps and used Rebekah because he feared for his life.  He called her his sister which was an outright lie, unlike Abraham.  It should be clear by this time that both Abraham and Isaac put themselves in a possible dangerous situation by being where they should not have been living among a hostile people. Isaac’s insecurity and timid nature led him to put   his wife in a vulnerable position to protect his own life. 

1. What did Isaac learn from the recounting of Abraham’s trips into Egypt and Gerar?
2. Why did he think he could get away with such a masquerade?
3. What should he have learned from the stories of his father?
4. What does it show about the character of both men?
5. What was different in Isaac’s situation than that of his father?

Genesis 26:8-9

One thing that may not be apparent at first from the text is that God did not intervene as He had done with Abraham.  A good reason for His absence is that the purity and integrity of the line of Abraham was not in jeopardy by the actions of Isaac and Rebekah.  God did not come to Ambimelech to warn him as He had before.  After a period of time, Abimelech actually observed  Isaac “caressing his wife.”  Isaac was not as discreet as his father and openly continued to relate to Rebekah as his wife.

Abimelech’s reaction was as would be expected from one who had been deceived by Isaac’s actions..  He did even give Isaac a chance but accused him immediately of the deception he had tried to carry out.  Isaac, lamely spoke of the fear he had of being killed.  Abimelech would have been offended and let Isaac out of the possible consequences of his action.  He had actually put in jeopardy the reputation of all the people of Gerar and would have brought great guilt on the people of Gerar if someone had taken Rebekah as a wife.

Once again, God protected one of the Patriarchs even when Isaac had purposely lacked faith and tried to take matters in his own hands. Ambimelech could have killed Isaac for what he had done but instead he warned all the people not to touch Rebekah,

1. Why did God not intervene in this situation?
2. What was Abimelech’s relationship with Rebekah?
3. What was Isaac’s attitude during this whole episode?
4. How did Abimelech discover what Isaac was doing?
5. What was the response of Abimelech?
6. How did his character differ from that of Isaac’s in the way he handled the matter?

Genesis 26:12-14

Moving on from the episode with Abimelech, Isaac returned to his agrarian background.  God gave him a great harvest.  As a result of the blessing of God, he became a very wealthy man owning flocks, herds and people.  His many possessions caused the Philistines to become very envious of him.

1. What did it take for God to begin to bless Isaac?
2. What was the reason for the blessings poured out on Isaac?
3. What is the evidence that God was with him in his endeavors?
4. Why did the Philistines become jealous of Isaac?

Genesis 26:15-17

One of the ways the Philistines showed their dislike for Isaac was to stop up all of the wells that Abraham had dug.  Without a doubt, Isaac would have needed the water to keep his animals alive.  Abimelech joined with his fellow Philistines and ordered Isaac to leave the land of Gerar.  He acted out of fear.  With his great wealth Isaac had become more powerful that Abimelech himself.  Isaac obeyed him and moved into the valley of Gerar.

1. How did the Philistines show their contempt for Isaac?
2. Why would they haave felt that way about Isaac?
3. Why were the wells so important to Isaac?
4.  Why did Abimelech issue the command for him to leave?
5. What may have been the real reason he commanded Isaac to leave?
6. Why did Isaac stay in the area of the valley of Gerar?

Genesis 26:18-22

Isaac made every attempt while in the Valley of Gerar to provide water for his flocks and herds by digging again the wells that his father had previously dug. He even gave them the same names.  Each time he completed one of the wells the Philistines came and claimed it as their own.  In a way they were correct for Isaac was sojourning in their land.  It was also a way to accomplish getting Isaac to leave the land of Gerar.

The first well that the men of Gerar took from him in the valley, he named Esek, meaning contention.  The second well was also claimed by his adversaries he called Sitnah because they showed contempt for him.  Finally after those tries, Isaac discovered water and called the well Rehoboth, because the Philistines did not quarrel over it.  Rehoboth means broad places.  He had found a place where he could live in peace and be fruitful. God was given the credit for providing “room” in the land where Isaac believed that his family could become fruitful.

1. Why was water so important to Isaac?
2. Why did the men of Gerar continue to seize the wells he had dug?
3. By what right could they claim the wells of their own?
4. In what way did the names he gave for the wells reflect what was taking place?
5. When Isaac dug the well he called Rehoboth, why did the Philistines leave him alone?
6. In his mind, who was responsible for the peace he experienced?
7. What had been the hindrance of his family becoming fruitfull?
8. How had that changed?

Genesis 26:23-25

Only after Isaac moved from the land of Gerar to Beersheba in the Negev of Canaan did the Lord once again speak to Isaac.  While he lived in Gerar he was out of the will of God because it was the land of Canaan that had promised to Abraham as an inheritance.  Isaac had left the land of promise and had gone into Gerar.  When God appeared to him upon his return he identified Himself as the God of Abraham. Next He dealt with the insecurities and fears that were part of Isaac’s personality.  He assured him that He would leave Isaac but would always be with him.

Here the writer indicated that God only spoke of part of the covenant relationship with Isaac.  There is no discussion of possession of the land.  The only promise made at that point that Isaac would receive the blessings of God and he would have many descendants.  That promise was given not for Isaac’s sake but because of the relationship that God had with Abraham.  In a way Isaac had done nothing to deserve what God was going to give him.

Isaac then built an altar and worshipped God.  It was in that place that Isaac decided to pitch his tent.  To indicate his plans to stay there he and his servants dug a well to provide for his needs.

1. Why did God not speak to Isaac while he was in Gerar?
2. What are some of the situations that have occurred in your life when God seems to be silent?
3. What did it take for God to once again communicate with Isaac?
4. What was the order of the words of God?
5. Why did He present Himself to Isaac in that way?
6. What were important parts that were omitted from the promise that had been given to Abraham?
7. Why did God not promise Isaac those things?
8. Why did God say that what was going to occur was for the sake of Abraham?
9. What does that say about Isaac’s relationship with God?

Genesis 26:26-33

Abimelech approaches Isaac.  To show the seriousness of the visit he brought along with him an adviser named Ahuzzath and Philcol the commander of his army.  Isaac by that time was in no mood to have any dealings with the men.  His statement to them said it all.  He wanted to know why they had come after commanding him to leave their city state. 

They had come because Isaac had become more powerful than they were. It was obvious to them that was God protecting him and had increased his wealth in spite of their attempts to discourage and chase him away.  Knowing that God was on the side of Isaac they wanted to make sure that he would do them no harm.  Isaac did not want conflict and readily agreed to oath they asked of him.  He then made a feast for them and sent them away peacefully.

1. Why did Abimelech approach Isaac?
2. Why would a king be afraid of one family?
3. Why did Isaac agree to the terms they presented to him?
4. What does this show about the character of Isaac?

With the final relationship with Abimelech behind him he could now give full attention to providing for his family.  On the very day that he sent Abimelech away in peace his servants came with the news that they had found water.  He gave the new well the name Shibah called the place where the well was located Beer-sheba.

1. Why was it important for Isaac to be completely separated from the Philistines?
2. What was the good news for Isaac upon the departure of Abimelech?

Genesis 26:34-35

Esau continued to move away from God.  Abraham had sent his servant to get a wife from Nahor’s family because he did not want his son to marry a Canaanite woman.  Esau went against that tradition and married Judith and Basemath both of whom were from Hitite family when he was forty years old.  They were Canaanites.  His marriage to those two women grieved his parents.

1. How did Esau prove his distain for the idea of marrying only women from Abraham’s family?
2. How does it show that he was drifting away from God?
3. Why was it so offensive to his parents that he married Hitite women?
4. In what ways could this be understood as being unequally yoked?
5. In what ways did he dishonor his parents by his actions?

You-

• For young people you have the opportunity to take a good look at what God has given you in the way of Spiritual Gifts, talents and passions so that you may live your life in complete service to Him.
• Ask for forgiveness for the times that you have failed God and repeatedly committed the same acts over and over again?
• Learn to follow the example of men and women who truly live according to biblical standards.
• For all followers of Christ be sure that you separate yourself from those who will lead you astray.
• For those considering marriage, do not become entangled with unbelievers.  The Bible calls it be unequally yoked to the ungodly. 

We- 

When we consider the problems that affected Isaac’s life, many of those came from making wrong choices.  We have to make sure that we do not compromise the principles that God has given to us.  Isaac learned much from his father, Abraham, that was good but, he also picked up on actions that bordered on the unethical.  We are not to do what other denominations and churches do just to grow.  All of our actions need to be based on God’s word.  To do otherwise will destroy our witness to the community. God calls us to be holy and perfect. Let us not fail Him.

Additional Notes-

BL-In chapter 26, Isaac repeated his father’s mistake of lying about his relationship to his wife. Once again, an unbeliever, Abimelech, reprimanded a believer, Isaac, for sinning!    People haven’t changed any over the centuries.  We SHOULD be better, because we have the example of Christ to follow and the Holy Spirit living within us.  When we allow ourselves to drift away from God’s word, it doesn’t take long before the currents of the world begin sweeping us away!  How careful are you and I to spend time EACH day with God in prayer and Bible study?  Sin is a lot like the plaque on our teeth.  It doesn’t take long for it to build up and calcify and then, BOY is it painful to have it removed. The chapter concluded with Isaac’s peaceful resolution of a problem with jealous Philistines.  They continued to fill up the wells as quickly as he dug them.  Each time he would simply move on and dig another.  The final result was a blessing from God and a peace treaty with the Philistines.

C-Isaac moved his family to Gerar because of a famine in the land of Canaan.  He followed in his father’s footsteps lying about his relationship with Rebekah.  (Gen. 26:1)

E-God met with Isaac and gave him clear instructions not to go down to Egypt but to remain where he was.  If he did so, God would be with him and bless him. To him and his descendents The Lord was going to give the land he promised to Abraham.  There were aspects of all that He laid out for Isaac

1. He was going to affirm the same oath with him as had with his father.
2. His descendents would be multiplied
3. Descendents would be given all the land.
4. All peoples would be blessed through his seed.

Each of the things would take place because Abraham had

1. Obeyed God
2. Kept His charge, commandments, statutes and laws.                                                     (Gen 26:2-5)

C-All of the promises made to Abraham by God were transferred to Isaac.  The only condition that he was given was that he would continue to obey God. (Gen. 26:2-6)

GC-What greater example can we have than Abraham.  Of him God declared,    “Abraham obeyed Me and kept My charge, My commandments, My statutes and My laws. (Gen. 26:5)

WM-Some of the lessons Isaac learned from the life of Abraham were the wrong ones.  When he moved to Gerar, like his father before him, deceived the people telling them that Rebekah was his sister because of fear of being killed. (Gen. 26:6-9)

M-Isaac used the same tactic his father had carried out in preserving his life.  He was driven more by fear than faith in what God had told him. (Gen. 26:7, 9)

TM-Through the example we have in Isaac we learn that some people never heed the lessons of those who have gone before them. (Gen. 26:7:11)

C-Isaac moved away from Abimelech to the valley of Gerar. (Gen. 26:17)

C-His move was in order to find water.  The men of Gerar had contended with him over the wells he dug until he found water in the well he called Rehoboth. (Gen. 26:18-22)

E-What a comfort and assurance it must have been for Isaac having faced adversity to have God come to him and make several statements concerning him.  The things shared were;

1. That He was the God of Abraham.  The same God who had cared for his father was now going to be with him.
2. That Isaac need not fear for He was with him.
3. He would receive the blessings of God.
4. Isaac’s descendents would multiply. 

All of this was done for the sake of Abraham who God called His servant.  Having heard all of these things Isaac built an altar to the Lord. (Gen. 26:23-25)

C- He then moved to Beersheba where the Lord appeared to him to bless him.  Isaac built an altar and called on the name of the Lord. (Gen. 26:23-25)

GC-Isaac needed to learn the lesson that he did not need to fear even in a foreign godless nation because God was with him. (Gen. 26:24; Ps. 145:18; Prov. 3:25-26; Is. 8:12; Is. 41:10, 13-14)

M-Isaac built an altar and called on the Lord out of thankfulness of his heart. (Gen. 26:25)

UE-Physical evidence was proof enough for Abimelech that Lord was with Isaac had prospered him. (Gen. 26:28-29)

BL- We looked at Genesis 26, vv. 34-35.  There we saw that Esau married two Hittite women, which brought grief to his parents.  These marriages demonstrate further Esau’s disregard for spiritual matters, since he did not look for or marry a woman who shared his family’s spiritual background.  These choices practically guaranteed that his offspring would not be brought up in a God-fearing household, since mothers have an enormous influence on their children’s spiritual upbringing.  Nor did Esau seem to care what his parents thought about his marriages, even though parents of that time and culture often chose their childrens’ spouses for them.  By these actions, and by his willingness to sell his birthright for a pot of stew, Esau showed that he had a PROPENSITY (or inclination) to disregard spiritual concerns in favor of the here-and-now.  Esau was a sensual person who tended to live for the gratifications of the moment, thereby fulfilling the prophecy that God gave Rebekah before her sons were even born.  Jacob, on the other hand, did value the blessings of his father and grandfather; and while God did not approve of the trickery Jacob used to procure those blessings, it pleased Him that Jacob desired them. Praise God that when He looks at believers, it is through the shed blood of Christ and He sees us as a finished project, even though we all have a LOOOOONNNGG way to go (at least I do!) A good question to ask ourselves, however:  when God looks at you and me, does He see someone who is wrapped up in the concerns of this world, or someone who is “just passing through” on the way to the next?  Are we “of the world,” constantly looking to gratify our sensual natures, or we “in the world”–doing what needs to be done, but making time for God in our daily lives, as well? 

TM-The very thing that Abraham had sought to avoid in the life of his family took place with one of Isaac’s sons, Esau. The children of the covenant were not to marry those outside of the family.  For Esau to do so once again shows how easy it is to compromise with the ungodly of this world. (Gen. 26:34-35)

C-Esau married when he was forty years old.  His wives were women of Canaan.  His marriages brought grief to his parents because he had married outside of the family. (Gen. 26:34)

M-Esau showed a total disregard for the covenant relationship between God and Abraham by marrying a woman from the heathen tribes in the land of Canaan. (Gen. 26:34-35)