Ms. Green

I think Jacob had a idea of God that I myself have had. That if I trust God good things will always happen. Then when bad things happen I like Jacob was lost. I didn't know what to do, kept trying to figure out what I did wrong. Even after I heard God say that I didn't do anything wrong, I could accept and got depressed. Jacob had experienced such highs and had the woman he wanted. Now things were changing and he had a hard time hanging on. Contrast that with Joseph being young and only knowing the God he saw his father worship. Throughout the whole ordeal he trusted God and gave Him credit for everything. With that God gave him insight as to why this things had taken place.

He's devastated. He can't think start or see anything past his pain. He doesn't want to deal with the issue at hand. He'd rather leave Simeon in prison in Egypt than to send Benjamin and help the entire family. Jacob would be diagnosed with severe depression and anxiety. With all of the loss he has experienced and also letting his love for Rachel blind him from what he has left, he is no longer turning to God. He probably feels like God has left him or is angry with him. He is still struggling with God at this point. Struggling to trust Him. Jacob changed his mind because there was nothing else he could do. He had no other choice. As in any situation that God wants us to do one thing and we go the other way, He will make the present way hard in order to get us to turn and do what He wants us to do. Jacob could have avoided running out of food again if he'd sent Benjamin back with the other sons. He was too scared to face loss again.

He's devastated. He can't think start or see anything past his pain. He doesn't want to deal with the issue at hand. He'd rather leave Simeon in prison in Egypt than to send Benjamin and help the entire family. Jacob would be diagnosed with severe depression and anxiety. With all of the loss he has experienced and also letting his love for Rachel blind him from what he has left, he is no longer turning to God. He probably feels like God has left him or is angry with him. He is still struggling with God at this point. Struggling to trust Him. Jacob changed his mind because there was nothing else he could do. He had no other choice. As in any situation that God wants us to do one thing and we go the other way, He will make the present way hard in order to get us to turn and do what He wants us to do. Jacob could have avoided running out of food again if he'd sent Benjamin back with the other sons. He was too scared to face loss again.

Q2. What happened when the Israelites disobeyed God and intermarried with the Canaanites? They began to take the gods of the Canaan it's as their own. They disobeyed God by putting other God's before Him. Why do you think God commanded them not to intermarry? He knew their faith wasn't strong enough to resist the temptations of the ways of the other gods. As stated in the passage, He was trying to prepare them for the coming of Christ and to do that God needed to have them focused on Him and nothing else. Was this racial or spiritual or both? Spiritual Why are Christians to marry �in the Lord�? Then God will lead you to the person that also follows Hom so you won't be unequally yoked.

Q1. (Genesis 34) Why do you think Jacob is so silent after the rape of his daughter? My first thought was that he didn't know what to do. He was in shock. What should he have done instead of being silent? He should have continued the talks with a full family meeting then made the final decision. Thus ways his sons wouldn't have felt compelled to make a decision on their own. What was right about the sons� reaction? They should have been upset about what happened to their sister. They were also right to ask of the family to be circumcised as a way to cleanse themselves and follow God. What was wrong? Using the circumcision as a way to make them weak so they could kill, rape, and pillage their community. What threat does the family now face if they stay in Shechem? Retribution

Q4. (Genesis 33:1-16) How has Esau changed since Jacob had gone to Haran? Esau is no longer angry. He has his own life now and is just happy to see his brother after 20 years. How has Jacob changed? He relies on God and understands that all he has, has been given to him by God. How does the encounter demonstrate Jacob�s �craftiness�? He figured if he presented the gifts and humble himself before Esau then whatever anger was still there would disapate. How does it demonstrate his faith? He believed he had God protection around him. Can Jacob be humble and �crafty� at the same time? I don't think the word is crafty now, he is now intelligent of his actions.

Quote Q3. (Genesis 32:24-30) Who was the "man" Jacob wrestled with? The visible of the invisible, a materialization of Yahowah God, for Jacobs eyes only. What does the wrestling represent? I agree with Commissioned statement: “The wrestling represented the struggle he had within and Yahowah God's way of having him overcome his fears.” This statement also by the way helps me understand the conflict that goes on inside of each of us between the inner man and the spirit that lives with-in us. It also help me to understand why sometimes when we are being disciplined or pruned, why it seems to hurt, but we are better for the pain. I get the fears part really well. He was going to meet up with his brother the next day and had learned his lesson of how he had cheated Esau out of his rights as first born and I think the gifts were not only to ‘pacify’ Esau but also a sort of “I am sorry” offering, asking for forgiveness. Was it spiritual or physical? I think it was both. I think like Commissioned pointed out that Jacob had some inner fears going on and yet needed to be physically weakened so that he would always remember to rely on Hashem’s strength and not his own. It also reminds me too that we are a peculiar people and we do not ever walk the same way again after we have our own encounter with Hashem. When we really have that once in for all meeting, like Jacob must have had that night, that says, “I surrender my all to You Father“. It is from this point on that we begin to be changed from the inside out. Paul too, had a life changing alteration in his physical being when he encountered Yahushua for the first time on the road to Damascus. Why does the "man" wound Jacob permanently? I think that it may have been a reminder to Jacob that he could always lean on Hashem from this point because Hashem had brought him to this point in his life where he could learn to overcome all of his fears through prayer. Course, now we have a scripture to bring this to life that says,“Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” Proverbs 3:5 Jacob would always from that point on remember that he had struggled with Yahowah God and Yahowah God had dislocated his joint in order to get his attention to stop fighting against Him. What do you think the limp means to him? I think it is symbolic of the new man that he is that will live up to the new name that he has been given. A new creature, who would have a reminder of his struggle with Yahowah God and had survived the fight and was better for it. Wow, isn't that just so cool that even though we all struggle against God as He is calling us, He wins and we are better for it.

Quote Q3. (Genesis 32:24-30) Who was the "man" Jacob wrestled with? The visible of the invisible, a materialization of Yahowah God, for Jacobs eyes only. What does the wrestling represent? I agree with Commissioned statement: “The wrestling represented the struggle he had within and Yahowah God's way of having him overcome his fears.” This statement also by the way helps me understand the conflict that goes on inside of each of us between the inner man and the spirit that lives with-in us. It also help me to understand why sometimes when we are being disciplined or pruned, why it seems to hurt, but we are better for the pain. I get the fears part really well. He was going to meet up with his brother the next day and had learned his lesson of how he had cheated Esau out of his rights as first born and I think the gifts were not only to ‘pacify’ Esau but also a sort of “I am sorry” offering, asking for forgiveness. Was it spiritual or physical? I think it was both. I think like Commissioned pointed out that Jacob had some inner fears going on and yet needed to be physically weakened so that he would always remember to rely on Hashem’s strength and not his own. It also reminds me too that we are a peculiar people and we do not ever walk the same way again after we have our own encounter with Hashem. When we really have that once in for all meeting, like Jacob must have had that night, that says, “I surrender my all to You Father“. It is from this point on that we begin to be changed from the inside out. Paul too, had a life changing alteration in his physical being when he encountered Yahushua for the first time on the road to Damascus. Why does the "man" wound Jacob permanently? I think that it may have been a reminder to Jacob that he could always lean on Hashem from this point because Hashem had brought him to this point in his life where he could learn to overcome all of his fears through prayer. Course, now we have a scripture to bring this to life that says,“Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” Proverbs 3:5 Jacob would always from that point on remember that he had struggled with Yahowah God and Yahowah God had dislocated his joint in order to get his attention to stop fighting against Him. What do you think the limp means to him? I think it is symbolic of the new man that he is that will live up to the new name that he has been given. A new creature, who would have a reminder of his struggle with Yahowah God and had survived the fight and was better for it. Wow, isn't that just so cool that even though we all struggle against God as He is calling us, He wins and we are better for it.

Quote I think Jacob was demonstrating the very human struggle to cling to God's promises even as swells of fear seem to threaten to wash them away. I've learned that one of the best weapons against fear is to speak God's own Words into my hearing and over my circumstances. To me, that's what Jacob was doing. He'd heard Yahweh's promises and confirmations of protection. He'd seen the angel army encamped nearby. In his head and with his heart, he knewthe truth and believed God. But the emotion of the fear hefelt was attempting to override what he knew. Jacob's prayer showed he had grown to personally trust the God of his ancestors. He was humble, not claiming any worthiness of all that the LORD had done for him. He was grateful, fully aware that the fortunes he now possessed were completely the result of God's goodness. He was dependent, knowing it was God's protection that would deliver him from any retribution from Esau. He was submitted, no longer taking things into his own hands with schemes and deceptions. Jacob's faith was maturing and he was learning that you must stand firm on what you knowis true in order to defeat what you feel might be true.

Q1. (Genesis 29) Why do you think God allows Jacob to be tricked into 14 years of labor for two wives? That is the consequence of his action of deceit against his brother. At the same time God is using the 14 years to humble Jacob and cleanse his heart. God can't fully use Jacob in his current state. He has to refine him. What purposes do you think God is working out through these circumstances? For His Glory. Just like his father and grandfather set an example of how to live for the Lord, Jacob will have to do the same. The Lord is raising up a nation through him. They are to set the example of who God is and how to live for him. Jacob is key to that.

Q5. Why do we often fail to see God�s blessings during the everyday conflicts of our lives? Like it stated in the text, we are looking for a rose garden. If I'm following God, then everything should always come out right. Hard times are for those that don't know the Lord. We forget that Jesus said My yoke is easy and my burdens are lite. We also forget that He also said take up thy cross and follow me and told the disciples that they would suffer for the gospel. If they people that talked, walked, ate, laughed, and watched Him die then saw Him come back had to suffer then why shouldn't we? Moreover, Jesus suffered and did nothing wrong, why shouldn't we that have to die daily to our sin? Why do blessings and conflicts so often come at the same time? I'm learning that it builds the character that God wants in you. You can't learn without the conflict. You also don't have a story/testimony with out it. What hope do we have in the midst of our struggles? Jesus. He said He'd never leave us for forsake us.

Quote; Jacob and Laban made a covenant agreement and set up a heap of stones as a watchtower of witness to the act, naming it Mizpah. The covenant was established under the watchful eye of the LORD as their witness, who would oversee adherence to the terms of the agreement even when the two men parted ways. With this covenant, they called a "cease-fire" and promised not to make any aggressive moves toward each other. Laban called on Jacob to remember that the way his daughters were treated would also be under God's scrutiny. The literal heap of rocks established a boundary and each man agreed not to cross to the other side for the purpose of harm. In spiritual terms, the rocks represented the fact that the LORD was watching each of them and would hold them each accountable for any violations of the covenant. (And I think Jacob probably swore his oath by the "Dread and Fear of his father Isaac" for the last reason mentioned in the lesson. It was a subtle warning not to mess with him, for the God of Laban's brother-in-law would have a dreadful and fearful response to any breach by Laban - who had thus far proven himself untrustworthy in keeping the agreements he made.)

Q3. (Genesis 31:17-36) Why did Jacob and his family leave without saying good-bye to Laban? They had to, they realized that he was never going to let them leave. Since Jacob was not his son, he had no wealth of his own. God told him it was time to go, God didn't say tell Laban you are leaving, have a party, and take your time. God said Go. When He says Go you must Go. In what sense did they �deceive� Laban? (31:20, 27). They deceived Laban by waiting until he was going to be away for a while shearing his sheep then left. Was anything they did unjust or unrighteous? If so, how? Rachel stealing the "gods", lying, and hiding them was unjust and unrighteous

Q3. (Genesis 31:17-36) Why did Jacob and his family leave without saying good-bye to Laban? They had to, they realized that he was never going to let them leave. Since Jacob was not his son, he had no wealth of his own. God told him it was time to go, God didn't say tell Laban you are leaving, have a party, and take your time. God said Go. When He says Go you must Go. In what sense did they �deceive� Laban? (31:20, 27). They deceived Laban by waiting until he was going to be away for a while shearing his sheep then left. Was anything they did unjust or unrighteous? If so, how? Rachel stealing the "gods", lying, and hiding them was unjust and unrighteous

Q3. (Genesis 31:17-36) Why did Jacob and his family leave without saying good-bye to Laban? They had to, they realized that he was never going to let them leave. Since Jacob was not his son, he had no wealth of his own. God told him it was time to go, God didn't say tell Laban you are leaving, have a party, and take your time. God said Go. When He says Go you must Go. In what sense did they �deceive� Laban? (31:20, 27). They deceived Laban by waiting until he was going to be away for a while shearing his sheep then left. Was anything they did unjust or unrighteous? If so, how? Rachel stealing the "gods", lying, and hiding them was unjust and unrighteous

Q2. (Genesis 30:25-43) At what point do you think Jacob realizes that his breeding techniques are not the cause of his growing wealth? When Laban kept changing the terms of the agreement. I wonder if He was doing what God told him to do with the different breeding techniques and learned that it was God's doing each time Laban changed and the flock subsequently changed? According to Deuteronomy 8:17-18, what danger are we in when our income and assets begin to increase? Pride Attributing our own self to our success and not recognizing that God gave us the ability to do what we do in order for us to get the increase.

Q2. (Genesis 30:25-43) At what point do you think Jacob realizes that his breeding techniques are not the cause of his growing wealth? When Laban kept changing the terms of the agreement. I wonder if He was doing what God told him to do with the different breeding techniques and learned that it was God's doing each time Laban changed and the flock subsequently changed? According to Deuteronomy 8:17-18, what danger are we in when our income and assets begin to increase? Pride Attributing our own self to our success and not recognizing that God gave us the ability to do what we do in order for us to get the increase.

God is cleaning Jacob up. He's getting the deceptive spirit out of him and also this another consequence of his actions.

Q4. (Genesis 28:22) What does Jacob�s promise to tithe indicate about his commitment? Presumably, Jacob has been a believer in Yahweh all his life. In what sense is this incident at Bethel a conversion experience for him? What is the relationship of tithing to conversion? Jacob was now saying that Yahweh was his God and he understood that everything he had was because of the Lord. I think he finally had a true understanding of what his father and grandfather may have said all his life.

Q3. (Genesis 28:18-21) What did it mean to Jacob to set up the stone? Setting up the stone meant that Jacob was now knowing God for himself. He was building a relationship with Him. He was no longer just the God of my father but was now his God also. What did anointing the stone mean to him? Quote; As Pastor Ralph stated in his commentary, "He anoints it as an act of cleansing and consecration, setting it -- and himself -- apart for God." Effectively he is honoring God because of what God disclosed to Jacob. Quote; Why does he do these things? It is his way of placing himself, his life, before the Lord. His father's God has become his own God now. � What does he promise God in his vow? If God will be with me... If God will watch over (protect) me... If God will give me food and clothing... If God brings me safely again to my father's house ... If God will do what he has promised, then Jacob solemnly vows: Then Yahweh will be my God... Then this pillar will be God's house... Then I will give God a tenth of all God gives me

Q3. (Genesis 28:18-21) What did it mean to Jacob to set up the stone? Setting up the stone meant that Jacob was now knowing God for himself. He was building a relationship with Him. He was no longer just the God of my father but was now his God also. What did anointing the stone mean to him? Quote; As Pastor Ralph stated in his commentary, "He anoints it as an act of cleansing and consecration, setting it -- and himself -- apart for God." Effectively he is honoring God because of what God disclosed to Jacob. Quote; Why does he do these things? It is his way of placing himself, his life, before the Lord. His father's God has become his own God now. � What does he promise God in his vow? If God will be with me... If God will watch over (protect) me... If God will give me food and clothing... If God brings me safely again to my father's house ... If God will do what he has promised, then Jacob solemnly vows: Then Yahweh will be my God... Then this pillar will be God's house... Then I will give God a tenth of all God gives me

Quote; I love that after receiving the covenant blessing, Jacob sets off to travel to go to Laban, his relative and stops for his rest near the place that Abraham (Abram) had God appear to him also as he set out with Sarai and Lot for the land of Canaan. Abraham himself had built an altar there (Genesis 12) and as Jacob came to this holy place, though probably unaware of the significance,(Genesis 28 vs. 16) he stopped to rest there and also like Abraham had an encounter with God there. I see this as a confirmation from God of His purposes for Jacob's life and his will for the covenant to be through Jacob. Everything parallels the same experience and covenant blessing given to Abraham. God assured Jacob in the dream that He is the God of Abraham and the God of Isaac and then God Himself gives Jacob the "covenant" blessing. Assuring him, he would never leave him until the promise was secured. Jacob was afraid and in awe at all he has seen and experienced and calls the place the Gate of Heaven, The House of God. He saw the angels ascending and descending as symbolic of that gateway from the Heavens to Earth. This is a time of conversion for Jacob as he vows to God, "If God will be with me and will watch over me on this journey I am taking and will give me food to eat and clothes to wear, so I return safely to my father's house, then the Lord will be my God and this stone that I have set up as a pillar will be God's house, and all that you give me I will give you a tenth." Jacob is tenatively choosing God also and setting out on the journey with Him.