Here’s how the study works: Read the chapters mentioned in the heading during the week and share any words, thoughts, verses that stood out to you. Having a week for several chapters creates the opportunity to revisit them and make additional comments as you feel inclined as well as make comments on other people’s insights.
31:7 yet your father has cheated me by changing my wages ten times. However, God has not allowed him to harm me…
31:12 for I have seen all that Laban has been doing to you.
Jacob was far from perfect but God still vindicated him and blessed him. Jacob is learning to trust God.
31:7 yet your father has cheated me by changing my wages ten times. However, God has not allowed him to harm me…
31:12 for I have seen all that Laban has been doing to you.
Jacob was far from perfect but God still vindicated him and blessed him. Jacob is learning to trust God.
32:10 I am unworthy of all the kindness and faithfulness you have shown your servant. I had only my staff when I crossed this Jordan, but now I have become two camps.
Jacob recognized it was not his efforts that had made him rich, despite his scheming, but rather it was God's blessing. This was also David's attitude (2 Samuel 7:18-19).
Having an attitude of acknowledging God's enabling attracts God's blessing.
32:10 I am unworthy of all the kindness and faithfulness you have shown your servant. I had only my staff when I crossed this Jordan, but now I have become two camps.
Jacob recognized it was not his efforts that had made him rich, despite his scheming, but rather it was God's blessing. This was also David's attitude (2 Samuel 7:18-19).
Having an attitude of acknowledging God's enabling attracts God's blessing.
33:4 But Esau ran to meet Jacob and embraced him; he threw his arms around his neck and kissed him. And they wept.
Esau had put forgiveness in place so he is able to embrace Jacob when they meet after 20 years. Meanwhile Jacob comes to Esau will a humble attitude calling Esau "my lord" and referring to himself "your servant."
When forgiveness and humility are in place then reconciliation is possible even in the most difficult relationships.
33:4 But Esau ran to meet Jacob and embraced him; he threw his arms around his neck and kissed him. And they wept.
Esau had put forgiveness in place so he is able to embrace Jacob when they meet after 20 years. Meanwhile Jacob comes to Esau will a humble attitude calling Esau "my lord" and referring to himself "your servant."
When forgiveness and humility are in place then reconciliation is possible even in the most difficult relationships.
34:31 But they replied, “Should he have treated our sister like a prostitute?”
It actually seems like Dinah was consenting. However sexual responsibility was with males since females were trained to submit to males.
What bloodshed, what a messy situation. Dinah's actions could potentially have caused much intermarrying and then the Jews would have blended in to the culture around them. Sometimes we don't realize how serious disobeying God really is.
34:31 But they replied, “Should he have treated our sister like a prostitute?”
It actually seems like Dinah was consenting. However sexual responsibility was with males since females were trained to submit to males.
What bloodshed, what a messy situation. Dinah's actions could potentially have caused much intermarrying and then the Jews would have blended in to the culture around them. Sometimes we don't realize how serious disobeying God really is.
35:22 While Israel was living in that region, Reuben went in and slept with his father’s concubine Bilhah, and Israel heard of it.
It seems he heard of it but did nothing. However later when Jacob blesses his son he says this to Reuben:
"Reuben, you are my firstborn, my might, the first sign of my strength, excelling in honor, excelling in power. Turbulent as the waters, you will no longer excel, for you went up onto your father’s bed, onto my couch and defiled it" (49:3-4).
There are consequences to our actions, which may not always be immediate.
35:22 While Israel was living in that region, Reuben went in and slept with his father’s concubine Bilhah, and Israel heard of it.
It seems he heard of it but did nothing. However later when Jacob blesses his son he says this to Reuben:
"Reuben, you are my firstborn, my might, the first sign of my strength, excelling in honor, excelling in power. Turbulent as the waters, you will no longer excel, for you went up onto your father’s bed, onto my couch and defiled it" (49:3-4).
There are consequences to our actions, which may not always be immediate.