><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> (Genesis) CHAPTER 29:31-30:43 ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Directing Questions -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 1) Which of Jacob's wives was the ancestress of our Lord? Cf PR 16:9;Heb 7:14. And of what did his years with Laban make him most conscious? 2) What does this passage show about polygamy? Does Jacob's possessionof several wives provide an example of a warning concerning right ideals for marriage? =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Comments from (Genesis) Chapter 29:31-30:43 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= -------------------------------------------- * Blenda Chao -------------------------------------------- 1,2) Leah bore Judah which was the line that produced Jesus. Jacob's years with Laban proved that he had the Lord's blessing with him. Anywhere he went, blessings were sure to follow. Polygamy caused much strife and tension in the family relationships; however, it seemed common practice in that time. That is NOT to say that one should follow the trend of the times. Obviously, a godly relationship is one that has one man to one woman - two become one flesh ( not three become one flesh!). -------------------------------------------- * James Chao -------------------------------------------- Genesis 30 Jacob's 20 Years in Haran Jacob was in Haran for 20 years. Most commentaries consider they were years of hardship and suffering. However, you can not deny the facts that he married with two wives and two concubines, twelve sons. Meanwhile, "-- the man became exceedingly prosperous, and had large flocks and female and male servants and camels and donkeys. 30:43 His Wives and Children Of Leah: Reuben (1); Simeon (2); Levi (3); Judah (4); Issachar (9); Zebulun (10). Of Rachel: Joseph (11); benjamin (12). Of Zilpah, Leah's handmaind: Gad (7); Asher (8). Of Bilhah, Rachel's handmaid: Dan (5); Naphali (6). What was the Meaning of the Children's Name? Reuben - "See, a Son"; Semeon - Heard"; Levi - "Attached"; Judah - "Praise"; Zebulun - "Dwelling" Issachar - "Wages"; Dan - "Judge" Gad - "troop or fortune"; Asher - "Happy or Blessed" Naphtah - "My Wrestling"; Joseph - "He Will Add" Benjamin - "Son of the Right Hand". In Genesis 49, we will review more about Jocob's blessing and prophecy for these twelve sons. -------------------------------------------- * Alvin Chao -------------------------------------------- 1) As we dicussed yesterday, the lineage of Christ was through Leah. Her son Judah was the one from whom God would send the Messiah. Jacob's years with Laban made him conscious of the hardships in life and working for what he wanted. 2) Polygamy is not a good thing. It leads to jealousy, internal fighting, and competition. Rachel and Leah were vying for the place of honor as Jacob's wives. Each wanted to be the favorite. Instead of realizing their blessing, they were out skirmishing amongst each other over a petty thing as the place of honor. This reminds me of the diciples and their mother. When she asks Jesus who will have the place of honor? Jesus tells her it is not for him to decide. This is how we should be. Happy and rejoicing just to have a seat at the table of our Lord, not caring whether it be the seat of honor, or amongst the servants. We as the bride of Christ, the church, often go about our own form of polygamy. We see ourselves in denominations as being more worthy a bride, rather than considering ourselves blessed that Christ would choose us, we become conscious of, and focus on our denominationalism. We should instead focus on serving the bridegroom and making ready for the wedding day, when the bridegroom comes for his bride. That we increase the numbers of the Church and not worry about who is increasing those numbers. May we adopt the attitude of Christ, a servant's heart, and focus on the ideal of one bridgroom(Christ), one wife(the Church as the body of all believers). ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> (Genesis) CHAPTER 31:1-32:2 ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Directing Questions -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 1) Six more years have passed(31:41). To what extent is Jacob the deceiver now a changed man? See 31:6,38-42. ALso, what evidence is there that he has come to a deeper knowledge of God? See 31:3-13,42. 2) What factors combined to make Jacob sure that God 's time for him to return to Canaan had come? How was the inevitable opposition of Laban overcome? What may I learn for my own encouragement from such a record? =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Comments from (Genesis) Chapter =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= -------------------------------------------- * Blenda Chao -------------------------------------------- 1,2) The six years were a humbling experience for Jacob. He learned the meaning of hard work. God knows where our pride needs a lesson! I've always felt that the Lord knows how to get me right where it hurts, but where I need it the most too. Jacob speaks with faith in God to Laban. He was obedient to the Lord's voice, harder than it sounds. God's timing is perfect. Many factors proved the time was right to Jacob: God' command in v3, the dream he had, Rachel and Leah's compliance, his smooth getaway (I suppose), Laban's telling him about God's rebuke. It is encouraging that God really tries to give us clear indications and directions on where to go. -------------------------------------------- * James Chao -------------------------------------------- Genesis 31 Jacob Fled from Laban In 30:25, Jacob asked Laban's permission to going back to Cannan and Laban did not let him go. Now, tension developed among Laban's children against Jacob and the Lord told Jacob to go and he fled. Jacob fled away from Laban and made Laban suspect that Jacob stole their household idols. Whatever reason caused Rachel to steal the idols it indicated that Rachel was not a spiritual woman. She was either relying on the gods for protection or searching for material gain. During these 20 years living in Haran, Jacob turned out to be a faithful man. 31:42 shows the faith of Jacob in God - "If the God of my father, the God of Abraham, and the fear of Iseea, had not been for me, surely now you would have sent me away emptyhanded. God has seen my affliction and the toil of my hands, so He rendered judgement ---." We are heirs inseparable from God's love and protection. Romans 8:31-32 - "---If God be for us, who can be against us? He that spared not his own son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?" -------------------------------------------- * Alvin Chao -------------------------------------------- 1) From a less than hard worker in his earlier days, Jacob is now a hard working man. He has changed his ways and is following the Lord. His life is a testimony to following the Lord in faith. 2) Jacob had a dream where an angel told him to leave and return to where he had come from. The opposition to his leaving that Laban brought was met in faith. Jacob played the role of peacemaker and settled the matter in a calm and rational way. The Lord made sure that Jacob was provided for and that he would have flocks when he left. Praise be to the God who can provide the striped, speckled, and mottled in our lives to give us things that He desires for us to have. His provision is enough for our daily needs. May we become confident in the daily sufficiency of His grace and trust our care into His hands. ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> (Genesis) CHAPTER 32:2-32 ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Directing Questions -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 1) What is the importance of the title which Jacob gives to God in v20? How has he named Him previously?See 31:5,42,53;32:9 Cf Ps 63:1. 2) IN the story of this chapter how far did Jacob live up to his new name Israel? Is it significant that he is still called by the old name? Recall the terms of his vow in 28:22 How far does our behaviour match our Christian profession and express our new nature? Cf Rom 7:20, 24,25a. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Comments from (Genesis) Chapter 32:2-32 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= -------------------------------------------- * Blenda Chao -------------------------------------------- 1,2) Jacob was too afraid. That is our main problem, fear and doubt and not trusting in His mighty power. Jacob was merely being a "human". I once asked someone why God allowed us to fear. It is a deep, philosophical question in my mind. Fear is a paralyzing thing. Think about it yourself (let me know your answer by e-mail, if you pay attention to my comments, I will find out- hee hee!!>__<) Wrestling with God was quite a bold, almost audacious act. However, God chose to bless Jacob. If we live rightly in His sight, His blessing is certain. -------------------------------------------- * James Chao -------------------------------------------- Genesis 32 Jacob vs. Israel Jacob was sent out to Haran to be equipped. Now, he was called back to Canaan to serve Him. There are two things that happened: (1) his name changed and (2) he was physically disabled. The name change indicates he lived a renewed life from that day and on. No need for too much of explanation that God changed Saul's name to Paul. When the Lord calls you to serve Him, He would change your earthly name to a heavenly name; from PaShan to James; from Lan to Theresa; from Alvin to Joseph; from Blenda to Ann (by the way, Ann means Grace in Chinese). Praise the Lord for these changes and conversions. Above all, when God equips you, He breaks you first. Jacob was blessed to serve Him and the Lord did not convert him from an average person to a superman. Instead, he was charged to be physically disable and made him remember each movement he made with evidence that to remind him that he was not moving with his own strength. It is the Lord's purposes for him to walk each step of his life. I Peter 5:6-11 "Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, -----; Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour; Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his enternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while (in Jacob's case, in Haran), make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. To Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen." -------------------------------------------- * Alvin Chao -------------------------------------------- 1)Jacob's namings for God show his level of trust in Him at the time. Our name for God shows how we view God, and the level of our trust in Him and our faith that He is able. It seems so strange that when Jacob was confronted with the meeting of Esau he firstly started contriving his own way out instead of turning to God immediately. With all that he had been through and seen and felt God's presence you would think that he would have turned immediately to ask God what to do. Yet, he starts in with his own ways and means. We too tend to search our own solution before turning to God. If we would only trust in Him for all and first, what a blessing it would be to Him and us. 2) God gave Jacob a new name, a name given after meeting with Him, coming to the point of being used by the Lord. Each of us has that name written in the Lamb's book if we have met with the Lord to establish a personal relationship with Him. For us, it is a name we will receive when we see Him. Jacob met with God and was crushed, his old name and self were gone. After meeting with God too, he was physically wounded. God breaks us when we come to the point of serving Him. He breaks us in a spiritual and emotional sense. Here, Jacob also contended with God and was broken in a physical sense a symbol of the spiritual and mental breakpoint. May we approach the throne of grace to be broken every day of our will and adopt the will of the Almighty. ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> (Genesis) CHAPTER 33 ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Directing Questions -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 1) What is the importance of the title which Jacob gives to God in v20? How has he named Him previously?See 31:5,42,53;32:9 Cf Ps 63:1. 2) IN the story of this chapter how far did Jacob live up to his new name Israel? Is it significant that he is still called by the old name? Recall the terms of his vow in 28:22 How far does our behaviour match our Christian profession and express our new nature? Cf Rom 7:20, 24,25a. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Comments from (Genesis) Chapter 33 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= -------------------------------------------- * Blenda Chao -------------------------------------------- 1,2) JAcob calls God his own God, not only the God of his fathers. I understand because there was a point in my life when I said it too. It is very important for those born into a Christian family to set up their altar of "El Elohe Israel". Jacob did not really demonstrate the most faithful behavior. He really botched things up actually. I think we all can sympathize with him though. However, Romans 12:2 says "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is - his good, pleasing and perfect will." Amen. -------------------------------------------- * James Chao -------------------------------------------- Genesis 33 Israel, A Totally Different Man In this chapter, it appears that Esau kissed Jacob and forgave Jacob of what he did to him. Actually, if you study it you will find out that it is the change of Jacob that made the difference. First, Jacob bowed down to the ground seven times to show his total surrender. That means he is yielding his stolen birth right. Second, he returned the cheated blessing to Esau. In verse 11, he gave the gift [brakah] to Esau. 27:35 reads "And he said, 'Your brother came deceitfully, and has taken away your blessing [brakah]." The gift and the blessing is the same word in Hebrew. It implies that Jacob returned the blessing (materially) to Esau. Ezekiel 18:31 - "Cast away from you all your transgressions, whereby ye have transgressed; and make you a new heart and a new spirit: for why will ye die, O house of Israel?" -------------------------------------------- * Alvin Chao -------------------------------------------- 1) In this chapter, Jacob calls god El-Elohe - "A Mighty God is the God of Israel". This could be interpreted, my God is a mighty God! or I Belong to a Mighty God! He has previously referred to God as the God of his fathers. This shows now his full trust in God. We can grow up in a Christian home, be taught the right things, but in the end, if God is not OUR mighty God, then WE are not granted the forgiveness that comes from His grace. May each of us call him El- Elohe[insert your name here...] How big is the God you serve? Big enough to provide your every need in this life? or is He a small statue of Jesus on the cross that you hope will hear your prayer? Our view of God demonstrates our faith in Him, in the power of His glory. May we see our God as the 600Ft Jesus that is referred to in popular culture. 2) Jacob's new name Israel means " he fights or persists with God"(in prevailing prayer). After being broken by God, we see a changed man Israel who prevails through prayer. HE is now trusting God. We too are like the old Jacob and new Israel. We are dead to sin, and no longer it's slave. But, as RC Sproul has said, we are like chicken's with our heads chopped off. A dead chicken will still move about as if alive due to reflex reaction. Even though dead to the world, the chicken still appears to be alive in the world. Similarly we are dead to sins, but sometimes we still run around with our head chopped off still living in this world. May we remember the new name and the new freedom we have in Jesus Christ. El-Elohe Alvin! This brings to mind a chorus I Belong to a Mighty God! V1 I Belong to a [Mighty God], I Belong to Jesus I'm guided by His staff and rod, I Belong to a [Mighty God] Chorus: I am justified by the Good gift of the Lord And I will testify that I belong to a [Mighty God changes with verse]. V2 I belong to the [Holy One], I belong to Jesus His work in me has just begun, I belong to the [Holy One] V3 I belong to the [Lord of All], I belong to Jesus I'll stand in Him and will not fall I belong to the [Lord of All]. ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> (Genesis) CHAPTER 34 ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Directing Questions -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 1) In this sordid story, which appears the more honorable, SHechem and his father, or the sons of Jacob? How contrary to 1 Pet 2:12;4:15! Cf 1Cor 10:12. 2) What evidence is there that Jacob left everything to his sons, instead of taking action himself as the head of the family? WHen he did finally rebuke them, about what was he chiefly concerned? What considerations ought to have moved him to think, speak, or act differently? =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Comments from (Genesis) Chapter 34 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= -------------------------------------------- * Blenda Chao -------------------------------------------- 1,2) Neither Shechem's side nor Jacob's did the right thing. However, you might say that Jacob's people should have known better since they were "godly" people. Jacob waited for his sons to come back from the fields, a sign that he purposefully let them do what they would to Shechem. Although he seems to have had no part in the killing, he did not exercise his fatherly discipline towards his sons. It is strange that he was so concerned with being a stench to the Canaanites and Perizzites, when God is the one to whom he (and we) are accountable. -------------------------------------------- * James Chao -------------------------------------------- Genesis 34 Stink Among All the People "Then Jacob said to Levi and Simeon, 'You have made me stink among all the people of this land - all the Canaanites and Perizzites. We are so few that they will come and crush us, and we will all be killed.'" Gen. 34:30 Life Application Bible As Christians, we have to be careful of what action we take so that the world could find no fault in us. Even for the case mentioned in Chapter 34 that Prince Shechem took Dinah by force. Actually it was Shechem's fault - Verse 31 "Should he treat our sister like a prostitute?" Still the revenge to cause them to be odious (stink) would not be a good witness as God's people. This case gave Jacob a big lesson and he listened to God's calling this time and moved to Bethel, 35:1. At first, when he moved out of his father in law's land from Haran. The Lord told him to go to Bethel, 31 13. Because it is hilly county, he did not go there and rather stayed with Gentiles in the low land at Shechem. When he met his brother; Esau asked him to go to Seir. It is understandable that Jacob did not want to go to Seir; because it is on the east side of Canaan in Edomites territory. In conclusion, God has His way to make us to listen. When we do not follow, we would suffer lost and pay the price. However, so many rather live in the wilderness and wondering around rather than living an obedient lives. -------------------------------------------- * Alvin Chao -------------------------------------------- 1) In this story it is hard to determine which is more at fault. Shechem or Jacobs sons. For them to make their father "odious" among the land, was not right. Their reaction came from a revenge based heart. We must let God take care of our battles with those in this world. This is much easier said than done, and is a hard saying. For it is in our human nature to want to do unto others as or before they do unto us. But, Christ taught us that we should love our enemies as ourselves, and do good unto those who trespass against us and forgive them. 2) The reaction of Jacob was to leave well enough alone. He did not want to cause a stir in the community. Instead of demanding retribution, he let it go. When he did rebuke his sons, it was for ruining the position in the 'community'. While we do need to keep our witness and testimony up, we also do not need to sit idly and allow things to happen to us. God does not want us to be the punching bags of the world, but wants us to trust that He will take car of us. He wants our confidence to be in Him, not ourselves. 1Cor 10:12 12 Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed that he does not fall. May we put our trust in God and not in ourselves and our own pride and abilities. ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> (Genesis) CHAPTER 35 ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Directing Questions -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 1) How did Jacob's repentance show itself, and how was it rewarded? Note what personal sorrows accompanied God's blessings to Jacob. Cf Heb 12:6-11;Ps 119:67,71. 2) What actually provoked Jacob's repentance, and what new revelation was given to him after his repentance? What does this record thus demonstrate concerning God's Character and His demands? Cf Ho 14:4-7;2 Tim 2:19. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Comments from (Genesis) Chapter 35 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= -------------------------------------------- * Blenda Chao -------------------------------------------- 1,2) The deaths of both Jacob's wife, Rebekah, and his father, Isaac must have been quite an emotional blow. Jacob's repentance was stirred up by God. God commanded him to go up to Bethel, then he repented. J. told his house, v2, to get rid of foreign gods, purify yourselves and change your clothes. It is like the Christian life. We are to repent of our sins, be saved and baptized and put on righteousness, compassion. Jacob's stumble in his walk with the Lord just reminds me of how human these forefathers of our faith were. -------------------------------------------- * James Chao -------------------------------------------- Genesis 35 HID THE GODS, 35:4 - Jacob left Shechem and moved to Bethel. He made an inventory to clean his house and removed the idols. However, he hid them under the oak which was near Shechem instead of destroyed them. He felt that it would be a shameful act to through them away. A decision has to be made between God and the worldly treasures. RACHEL'S TRAGIC DEATH DUE TO CHILDBIRTH, 35:16-20 - Before the death of Rachel, she gave the name of the child as Benoni, which means "son of my sorrow." But Jacob changed it to be Benjamin, "son of right hand"; Ben was his most beloved son after Joseph. Through Rachel, Jacob had his favored son, Jesoph. We will study the detailed events about him in chapters 37, and 39-50. REUBEN SINNED AND LOST HIS BIRTHRIGHT, 35:21-22 - When they moved to Edar (Migdal-Eder), the first born son, Reuben sinned of adultery. He lay with Bilhah, his father's concubine, Rachel's maid. Because of this sin, Reuben lost his birthright. "----, and you shall be first no longer. I am demoting you, for you slept with one of my wives and thus dishonored me." 49:4, Life Application Bible. -------------------------------------------- * Alvin Chao -------------------------------------------- 1) Jacob repented of his sin of not following God where God wanted him to go. He had followed most of the command, but stopped short. Instead of going to Bethel in the first place, he had stopped in Shechem. The results were negative for Jacob and his family, which finally led him to carry through on the command given him when leaving Laban's household. God disciplines us not because He enjoys it, but because He loves us and wants us to be true heirs of His. Heb 12:6-11 6 FOR THOSE WHOM THE LORD LOVES HE DISCIPLINES, AND HE SCOURGES EVERY SON WHOM HE RECEIVES." 7 It is for discipline that you endure; God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom his father does not discipline? 8 But if you are without discipline, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. 9 Furthermore, we had earthly fathers to discipline us, and we respected them; shall we not much rather be subject to the Father of spirits, and live? 10 For they disciplined us for a short time as seemed best to them, but He disciplines us for our good, so that we may share His holiness. 11 All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness. 2) Jacob was provoked to repentance by the tragic death of his beloved wife Rebekah. In many cases it takes a tragedy or monumental event in our lives to get our attention away from ourselves and onto God. We so often forget God until the circumstances arrive over which we have NO power. Then we turn to Him. We need remember to renew our faith on a daily basis rather than only during trials and tribulations. God is a holy god. He demands true worship and our full devotion. The dumping of idols in this chapter demonstrates a cleansing and revival in the life of Jacob. It is only through such spiritual renewal that we can 'dump the idols' in our lives. We need to get rid of the foreign gods and follow the One True God. May He renew us daily and give us the strength to follow Him.