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Study No.22 : Back at Bethel : Genesis 35:1-8

A. Find Out:

      

1. Why did Jacob go to Bethel? v.1a

2. What did the Lord tell him to do there? v.1b

3. In what 3 things did Jacob instruct the family? v.2

4. What happened as they went? v.5

5. Why did he build an altar at Bethel? v.7

6. What also happened there? v.8

 

B. Think :

1. Why do you think the Lord wanted Jacob to go back to Bethel?

2. Why do you think He wanted him to build an altar there?

3. How did the Lord bless their going?

 

C. Comment :

      Bethel was the place where Jacob had had his first encounter with God. In being sent back there it is as if the Lord wants to bring him back to the known place of encounter, (It is almost like the nation of Israel going to Sinai to encounter God after the exodus) where Jacob will know he is in God's presence. There are times when we need to go back to the place where we last met the Lord so that faith may be released afresh.

      In being called to build an altar there, it is almost as if the Lord has seen him build an altar at Succoth and says, "If you want to build an altar, build it where I say, in the place where I am". The nation of Israel were later to have clear instructions on how to build altars. Theirs was not to be a religion of "doing what you think" but doing what God says. Jacob's instructions to his family show that he realises and has learnt that God is THE one and only holy God who will not have any false competitors. As they prepare and go, the Lord honours them with His protective presence, which brings fear to all who see them pass by.

 

D. Application?

1. Do we need to come back to places of past encounters with the Lord to

    renew our relationship with Him?

2. Are we Christians because of what the Lord has said in His word, or

    because of our own ideas & efforts?

 

Study No.23 : God's covenant with Jacob : Genesis 35:9-15

A. Find Out:    

       

1. What, in general, did God do to Jacob? v.9

2. What did He do specifically? v.10

3. How did the Lord identify Himself? v.11

4. What 2 things did the Lord promise Jacob? v.11,12

5. What did the Lord then do? v.13

6. What did Jacob do? v.14

B. Think :

1. What form did God's blessing take?

2. How does the way the Lord reveals Himself to us, match what He is saying

    He will DO for us?

3. What does this passage show about the Lord's presence?

 

C. Comment :

     At Bethel, the Lord appears again to Jacob and blesses him. Remember from what we learnt before, that when a person is blessed (especially by God), their lives are changed for the better. God's blessing upon Jacob's life here comes:

a)   in the restatement of Jacob's name being changed i.e. the recognition

      that he is a new person in God's eyes.

b)   in a double promise: that Jacob will become a nation and that this land

       will be theirs.

     The Lord identifies Himself just as He had done to Abram (17:1) as "God Almighty", i.e. all powerful, the One who can do all He promises. Whenever we genuinely encounter the Lord we always learn something new about who He is. We normally teach that the Lord is always with us (e.g. Matthew 28:20 / Hebrews 13:5) but this passage reminds us that there are times when the Lord seems to draw especially near (in our awareness) to share His heart with us. Having done that He may then draw back to a more usual "distance" where we are not so aware of Him there with us.

 

D. Application?

1. Are we aware of the promises that God gives us in His word?

2. Are we aware that He is God , who can fulfil what He promises.

 

Study No.24 : Death in the Family : Genesis 35:16-29

A. Find Out:

       

1. What happened while they were on the move? v.16

2. What did Jacob name his twelfth son? v.18

3. What happened to Rachel? v.19

4. How did Reuben disgrace his father? v.22

5. To where did Jacob travel? v.27

6. How old was Isaac when he died? v.29

 

B. Think :

1. Looking at the footnotes, what sort of memory did Rachel want to leave

    with the name she wanted for the son she was bearing?

2. Looking at the footnotes, how does Benjamin's name indicate what Jacob

    feels about him?

3. What impression is given about Isaac's death?

 

C. Comment :

     Soon after their successful return to the land and God's blessing on Jacob's life, tragedy strikes and Rachel, Jacob's first love, dies giving birth to Jacob's twelfth son. We may, in our immaturity, question God over Rachel's death so soon after promise of blessing, but her protection was not promised as part of that blessing and did not affect the end result of that blessing. May we learn from Jacob, not to be put off when things don't go as we think they should.

    Often a bad attitude towards God comes from misunderstanding what He had said and expecting too much. We are still prone to the mishaps that affect all people living on earth. The difference is that we have One with us who can help us through them. Jacob's renaming the child indicates his refusal to be put down by the circumstances. Instead of being constantly reminded of his sorrow (by the name), he will put the child in a place of honour instead. This is followed by Reuben's dishonouring his father and then Isaac's death in good old age. God's blessing certainly doesn't insulate us from heart aches.

 

D. Application?

1. Do we read more into God's promises to us than He meant?

2. Will we let tragedy be turned into triumph when it hits our lives?

Study No.25 : Family Strife : Genesis 37:1-4, 12-14, 23,24,28-35

A. Find Out:

       

1. What did Israel feel about Joseph? v.3

2. What effect did this have on his other sons? v.4

3. What did Israel get Joseph to do? v.13,14

4. What did the brothers do with Joseph? v.24 & 28

5. What did they say to Israel? v.31,32

6. What was his response? v.33-35

 

B. Think :

1. What was the real cause of all of the troubles that befell Joseph?

2. How could Jacob have made the whole thing different?

3. How does this all reflect back to the way Jacob's own parents had

    behaved?

 

C. Comment :

     We are now moving in into the time when Jacob (Israel) is getting quite old. Fairly understandably (but not right!) he has a special place in his heart for Joseph, the first son of Rachel, his beloved. However to love him to the detriment of the other brothers was foolish, and it simply stirred up jealousy in them which eventually erupted in their disposing of him to slave traders (for Joseph's story, see the next in this series).

     You may remember that part of the trouble in Jacob's earlier life stemmed from the fact that Isaac and Rebekah had favourites. Perhaps we may have hoped that Jacob might have understood something of that and sought to avoid it with his own children. Someone has said. "The one thing that history teaches us is that history teaches us nothing", and Jacob doesn't seem to have learned from his own history. Jacob has learnt many things but he is still vulnerable in this area. Various other fathers in Scripture also failed with their children (1 Samuel 2:12,29 / 1 Samuel 8:1-3)

 

D. Application?

1. Do we learn from the things that have happened to us, or do we carry on

     making the same mistakes?

2. Do we have favourites to the detriment of our relationship with others?

Study No.26 : Going to Egypt : Genesis 46:1-7, 26-30

A. Find Out:

       

1. What did Jacob do on the way to Egypt? v.1

2. How did the Lord come to Jacob? v.2

3. What 3 things did He promise Jacob? v.3,4

4. How complete was their move? v.5-7

5. How did Joseph feel about the reunion? v.29

6. What did Jacob feel about it? v.30

 

B. Think :

1. What do you think Jacob must have felt leaving his home to go to Egypt?

2. Why do you think the Lord revealed Himself to Jacob at this time?

3. What was the heart of His message to Jacob?

 

C. Comment :

     Many years have passed. Much has happened to Joseph. A famine has spread around the whole of that part of the world, but God has got His man, Joseph, in a key place to save His chosen family, Jacob's. Finally the aged Jacob is having to go to Egypt where Joseph is now in charge and as he goes it seems he makes a parting sacrifice to the Lord. Will the Lord go with Him? What will happen in Egypt? What about the Lord's promises? Perhaps these are some of the things on his mind as he goes with his entire household. It must surely have been a real wrench for Jacob to leave this land that has been promised to him, but it is the Lord who is leading him out of it!

     It is at this point that the Lord comes close to Jacob again and says that He WILL go with Jacob to Egypt and He WILL still make him a great nation. At the time when Jacob needs it most, the Lord brings him reassurance. What a loving and caring God! Eventually when Jacob reaches Egypt he is met by his long lost son and a joyful reunion takes place. Jacob wants nothing more from life now that his greatest desire has been achieved, to see his lost son again.

 

D. Application?

1. Do you KNOW that wherever you go, the Lord WILL be with you?

2. Thank the Lord for His loving presence with you, wherever you are.

Study No.27 : Faith in old Age : Genesis 48:1-11

A. Find Out:

       

1. Who went to see Jacob? v.1

2. Who does Jacob tell Joseph about? v.3,4

3. What are the names of Joseph's sons? v.5

4. What did Jacob say about them? v.5

5. What did he want to do for them? v.9

6. Why was Jacob especially blessed? v.11

 

B. Think :

1. What do you think it says about Joseph that he took his two sons along

     to see Jacob?

2. What do we learn about Jacob's health in this particular passage?

3. What do we learn about his general state?

 

C. Comment :

     Jacob is old, unwell, bedridden and nearly blind. For most people in this state we might expect them to be feeling sorry for themselves and somewhat low. However that is very far from how Jacob is feeling; this twister turned man-of-God is about to move powerfully in faith. As soon as Joseph arrives "Israel rallied his strength", i.e. he made a big effort, and look what followed: first he testifies to how good God has been to him; having promised him many descendants, He has already started fulfilling that promise.

      Then, as if to make up for all Joseph has been through, he announces that he wants Joseph's two sons to be accounted as his sons. When the tribes of Israel are accounted in the rest of the Bible, Ephraim and Manasseh are often named instead of Joseph. Finally he has said he wants to bless them, and we should have learnt the significance of that by now! This old man is full of faith in his last days, still making decisions and pronouncements that will have long lasting effects. What a man of faith, God has made out of this twister!

 

D. Application?

1. In old age or infirmity or in illness, what sort of person are we?

2. Praise God for His grace that works in us to create people of faith out of

     self-centred twisters!

Study No.28 : The art of Blessing! : Genesis 48:12-22

A. Find Out:

       

1. How did Joseph arrange his sons? v.13

2. But what did Jacob do? v.14

3. What did he desire for them? v.16

4. What did Joseph feel about what happened? v.17

5. What did Jacob explain? v.19

6. So what had he done? v.20c

 

B. Think :

1. What was Joseph expecting?

2. What does Jacob's (Israel's) actions tell us about him in his old age?

3. Look up Proverbs 16:9 How is that worked out here?

 

C. Comment :

     Jacob in his weak old age has said he wants to bless the two sons of Joseph. We said yesterday that he was seeking to move in faith. Today we have seen that in even greater measure. Joseph expects the older son to get the greater blessing as was the custom but, as he places Jacob's hands on the boys' heads, Jacob senses that this is not right and swaps them over and pronounces the greater blessing on the younger. Confused Joseph feels put out by this but Jacob graciously explains that it's not a case of what they want, but what will happen in God's plans. This is at the heart of a blessing.

      We should learn something from this today, in respect of blessings. Yes, we are to pronounce blessings over our families, but only as the Lord leads us. Yes, we are to declare the Lord's will on the earth for them, but it is His will and not our wishes. What an example Jacob is: an old man sensitive to the Spirit and to the purposes of God for those around him. At last he is showing signs of real paternal leadership, bringing spiritual counsel and guidance to his family!

 

D. Application?

1. Do we do what is expected of us by people or custom, or what God

     reveals is His desire for us?

2. Are we sensitive to the prompting of God and understand the will of God

     in our families?

3. Ask the Lord to make you this sort of person.

Study No.29 : Faith to the End : Genesis 49:1,2,28-33

A. Find Out:

       

1. What was Jacob going to tell them? v.1

2. How is it also described? v.28

3. Of what was Jacob aware? v.29

4. How had he prepared for this? v.30

5. How was this a continuation of a tradition? v.31

6. How is he shown to be in control to the end? v.33

 

B. Think :

1. How, in the chapter, does it come over for an old man about to die?

2. What does it show about Jacob?

3. What does it show about the Lord?

 

C. Comment :

      Jacob is aware he is very near the end. We might have expected him to call his family in to say goodbye perhaps, but instead he calls them in and, full of faith, he releases a full prophetic blessing upon them all. Blessings have played a large part in Jacob's life and so now, as he becomes aware of the shortness of his time left on the earth, he imparts a blessing for them.

      Noticeable in the blessing are the strong words against the first 3 sons, the high blessing of Judah (from whom came Jesus) and the descriptions of God for Joseph. The words are those of one very much in touch with the Lord - despite being on his death bed. Having brought the blessing, he clambers back into bed and quietly passes away. The impression is of a man who is very much in control right up to the very end. Perhaps most of us might wish to die in the same way, being active right up to the very end, bringing blessing to the lives of others, before we quietly leave their presence to go to be with Jesus. What a wonderful testimony!

 

D. Application?

     Today consider the wonder of this old man of God, who had been a twister of the worst kind and who we have now seen as a godly man in complete control, bringing a final blessing to his family. Can we also bless our families with the words that come at the leading of the Lord.

RECAP No.4  "Jacob in Old Age"  Genesis 35 on

SUMMARY :  

         

In these 8 studies we have seen:

- Jacob being called back to God at Bethel

- God affirming His covenant with Jacob

- Rachel's death & Isaac's death

- Jacob's favouritism with Joseph

- Leaving Canaan to go to Egypt

- Blessing Joseph's sons in faith

- Blessing all his own sons in faith

- His death

 

COMMENT :

       In the later years of his life, Jacob unwisely spoilt Joseph, which resulted in rejection of him by all the other brothers. (Nevertheless, God took this and used it for His purposes to bring Joseph to a place of prominence in Egypt where he was able to save his whole family from the famine. See the Study in this Series entitled "Joseph's Story") Finally in his last days, we have seen Jacob moving in strong faith blessing both Joseph's children and his own. This is a far cry from the twister and cheat we met at the beginning. God has done a lot with him. The last we see of Jacob is an aged but godly man.

 

LESSONS :

1. We sometimes need to come back to places of past encounters with God

2. When God makes promises, He has the power to fulfil them.

3. We should not read more into God's promises than He meant

4. He can turn tragedy into triumph

5. We should learn from past mistakes

6. The Lord is with us wherever we are

7. We can act in faith even when we are old, ill or infirm

8. God wants us to be sensitive to His leading

 

PRAY :

1. Ask for wisdom & understanding to learn these lessons

2. Praise God for the wonder of Jacob's life

SUMMARY

In these studies in Genesis we have seen:

 

A. In respect of Jacob:

- the circumstances leading to his birth

- his earliest years at home

- his upsets with his brother, Esau

- being sent away from home

- working for his Uncle for 20 years

- marrying two wives & having 12 sons

- his return home

- his preparing to meet his brother again

- his encounter with God

- his later years

- his anguish over Joseph

- his leaving to live in Egypt

- his blessing his sons before his death

 

B. In respect of the Lord:

- His sovereign choice of Jacob over Esau

- His meeting with Jacob

- His blessing Jacob at Haran

- His wrestling with Jacob on the way home

- His calling Jacob to Bethel

- His relationship with Jacob in his old age

 

C. In Respect of Others:

- Isaac   

- a young man of prayer

- a father who has favourites

- a man of faith who believes in blessings

- Rebekah   

- a mother who has favourites

- a woman with experience of God

- a woman of guile and cunning

- Esau   

- a foolish son who cares little for his birthright

- a man who cares more about personal pleasure

- Laban   

- a cunning uncle

 

CONCLUSIONS

In this set of studies we may have seen a number of things but the following should be particularly noted:

 

1. The Sovereignty of God

     We have seen the Lord choosing one son over the other, a son who to our eyes perhaps seemed a poor choice. But the Lord seems to choose people on the basis of what they can become.

      The Lord knows the past, the present and the future, and he can, therefore, see the sort of person anyone will become. There is a powerful lesson here and a powerful encouragement for each of us who are Christians.

 

2. Family Background:

     When you consider the "other people" in Jacob's story (see Summary page) it is no wonder that Jacob is the sort of person he is. He takes after his parents!

      We may sometimes feel we are locked into the sort of people we are because of what we have inherited from our parents or from our upbringing, but the story of Jacob challenges that.

     Jacob was a twister but God worked quietly in him through circumstances and personal divine encounters and the end result was a transformed man. It took a long time and the changes were almost imperceptible, but they were there. Yes, there IS hope for us with God, whatever our background.

 

3. Spiritual Realities:

     In these Studies we have also seen much about the power and significance of blessings. When a person moving in faith and under the inspiration of the Lord, pronounces good for another, that good WILL come.

      That aspect of the story of Jacob should perhaps challenge us afresh to become less materialistic and more concerned with spiritual realities in life, the things that are unseen spiritual truths, unseen (and perhaps not fully understood) but never the less truths.