Irmela

Q2. Why is it so difficult for some church leaders to confront people? What fears in this regard does a leader face? How can confrontation and rebuke be a good thing? What happens when we refuse to confront when we should? Much has been said about the topic of confrontation. Personally I feel there is confrontation and there is confrontation. It is hard to confront someone. Number one the church leaders do not necessarily know each member of their congregation personally. A general confrontation about a subject is probably wiser than a personal confrontation, unless the Spirit leads differently. Whichever way, it needs to be done in love. Confrontation and rebuke about a sin is very important. If it does not get handled then it is easy to think that it is ok to live in such a way. If it is an issue of a sensitive nature it is always better not to approach the person alone. Confronting someone wrongly can cause a rift and can cause for the "victim' to never return into fellowship. Not confronting an issue can be like not removing a weed and before you know it that portion is overgrown by that "weed". So the big deal IS TO BE HUMBLE AND SEEK THE HOLY SPIRIT'S GUIDANCE.

Q1. (Exodus 7:6-7) Why did Moses blame God for his troubles? Why are Moses and Aaron so stubborn, do you think? Was it fear? Was it unbelief? Or both, perhaps? Why does God have to command Moses and Aaron? God had called Moses , when he was minding his own business looking after his father-in-law's sheep, to leave that life behind him and to go back to Egypt and lead the Hebrews out of Egypt. (out of bondage and slavery) Moses had reluctantly gone and together with his older brother Aaron, had appeared before Pharaoh. Instead of Pharaoh complying to their requests he had made things harder for the people. Now the people , whose trust Moses has tried to win, are coming against Moses. Now you have Pharaoh against Moses and the people up in arms against Moses, he really found himself between a rock and a hard place and did not see his way forward. The road ahead was clearly strewn with roses not cut from the branches, but still on them, as there were tons of thorns found among them. Now both Aaron and Moses were hesitant to go back to Pharaoh. Would they lose the trust of the people completely. Would Pharaoh have them killed? I guess it was fear. They had expected a quick deliverance but God knew better what was needed. Because of their reluctance God eventually has to command them to go back to Pharaoh.

Q4. Why are we so afraid to obey God when he puts on our heart to do something decisive? How are we to deal with fear when we feel it? What is the relationship of fear to courage? Why is courage required in leaders and disciples? Ps 2:11 Serve the Lord with fear . . . lest you displease Him Ps 19:9 The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever Ps 111:10 the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom Pr 29:25 The fear of man bringeth a snare, but whoever leans on and puts his confidence in the Lord, is safe and set on high Heb 12:28 . . . show gratitude and offer to God pleasing service and acceptable worship with reverence and godly fear Ps 23:4 I will fear no evil for Thou art with me Is 41:10 Fear not for I am with thee, do not look around you in terror and be dismayed, for I am your God, I will strengthen and harden you to difficulties; yes, I will help you; yes, I will hold you up and retain you with My victorious right hand of rightness and justice. Afraid to obey God could be because there might be a little uncertainty and also it takes courage to take the first step. Once that is done and your eyes are focused on the Lord it is much easier to continue. The hardest part is the first step. It could also be the fear of man. That is when we have not surrendered self. It is so real as the Scripture says, it brings a snare and we cannot go forward and do what God has called us to do. So true that God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of love, power and a sound mind. From the above we can see that there is fear and there is fear. One leads to wisdom and one ensnares us. The one leading to wisdom also brings courage to be able to fulfill the task allocated to us. Leaders and disciples who operate in fear of man transfer that fear to others. If operating in the fear of the Lord it is a total different ballgame, because you then rely on Him to equip you with the necessary wisdom and courage to complete the task, then too it is God using you as a tool and doing the work through you. Courage is a very necessary trait in a leader, because those that "follow" need to sense that courage for them to be genuine followers and helpers.

Q3. (Exodus 4:13-14a) Why is God angry with Moses? What is Moses' basic sin? Unbelief, fear, or disobedience? Has the Lord ever been angry with you, do you think? How did Moses appease God's anger? The difficulty Moses posed was : What is His Name ... I AM has sent me to you. The God of your fathers, of Abraham, of Isaac and of Jacob. Another difficulty was: they will not believe the Lord has not sent me .......... God disclosed to Moses (not only His Name) Who sent him when He changed the staff into a snake (the symbol of royal and divine power) and told him to catch it by the tail, that He, God had power over the so called earthly power, Moses need not to fear Pharaoh. So too He revealed that He had power over diseases and over nature. (water is needed to stay alive). With these excuses out of the way and having amazing answers, Moses then turned to his own inadequacies. He had a speech defect. God promised to take care of that also. After this in spite of all God's reassurances, Moses kept on begging the Lord to send someone else. This was when God was angry with him. I guess FEAR grows from unbelief and breeds disobedience. Again God had already gotten His instrument ready, viz., Aaron, the Levite, Moses' brother, who was already on his way to meet him. Moses then went to his father-in-law, Jethro and requested to go to Egypt to see if his family was still alive. A daunting task, be it his Egyptian mother, or his Hebrew family. After this we read that the Lord said to Moses that the people (among them the Pharaoh, who in retrospect was his step-grandfather, seeing he was adopted by Pharaoh's daughter) who sought to kill him, because he had slain the Egyptian, were dead.

Q2. (Exodus 3:10-12) Does Moses' response to God's call reflect a low self image, true humility, or lack of faith? How does God reassure him? How does God reassure us when we are called to impossible situations? Moses' response is surprised horror at the very thought that he, Moses, should go back to Egypt with such an important task to accomplish. I think it probably reflects all three traits mentioned, low self image, (possibly guilt included), humility (his status in life had sure fallen from prince to a shepherd) and lack of faith (how could he possibly be used at this stage of his life - 80 yrs old). At the time, as a member of the royal household (even if it was a lowly member) when he tried to help a fellow Hebrew, he blundered in his efforts - who would trust him now as an absolute nobody. God reassures him, that He will be with him. The same way. With God all things are possible. We need not attempt the task God has assigned to us, alone. God does not necessarily call the qualified but qualifies the called.

Q1. (Exodus 2:11-15a) What do we learn about Moses' motivations, character, and leadership ability from the incident of him killing the cruel Egyptian taskmaster? What positive things do you see in his character? What negative things do you discern? Moses went out to see his brothers and how they were being treated. From what we read in the text, we are not told that Moses had never seen this before or why he went that particular time, we are only told the fact that he went to where they were. So it could have been to survey how everything was going in that particular place of work. What he saw was a cruel task-master beating a Hebrew. This stirred up such anger in Moses that he killed the man, after checking that no one was watching him. One can say it was an action showing irascible behaviour. (We do come across it again ). He hid his deed knowing there were horrible consequences if found out. Some have called this a sneaky side in his character. The following day Moses saw two Hebrews fighting each other. This really did not make sense. Was it not enough to be beaten by the task-masters. When he questioned them they in turn retorted back to him, who did he think he was. There we see the gentle part of his nature being portrayed. Not only that, they queried his motives, did he think he was a judge over them, was he also going to kill as he had done before. Then Moses fled, for he knew his life was in danger. He had acted without thinking of the consequence. From this picture I see someone checking out a situation. Coming across a cruelty and taking the law into his own hand and eliminating the perpetrator, then being horrified that evil actions are also found where the Hebrews should have been standing together. Leadership was lacking. We see Moses to be a strong man and fearless to right what he saw or believed was wrong. But he was not ready to lead a liberation movement as yet. He was headstrong and had anger issues to deal with. We would say he had a short fuse. He was all for treatment to be fair and not cruel. In these few verses we see that although Moses had grown up in royal circles, he sure also learnt to fend for himself. He was not a pampered spoilt brat. Definitely a rough diamond. Lots of potential for leadership if chipped and polished the right way. This God did out there in the desert.

Q4. (Genesis 48:15) How did God act as a Shepherd to Jacob? How does God act as a Shepherd to you? Do you trust him or rebel against His shepherding? A shepherd leads and guides his sheep to the place they need to be. Sometimes a walk to the pasture, or water or back to the fold. A shepherd sees to have the needs of his sheep fulfilled. He protects his sheep from predators. A shepherd also disciplines a sheep. If it is prone to wander, he will break its leg , then bind it and keep the sheep close , watch it and then by the time the leg is healed the sheep has learned to stay close to the shepherd. Should a sheep have strayed from the flock , the shepherd will ensure the safety of the flock and go back over the hills looking for the one that had wandered away. Upon finding it, he will nurture it, if wounded will pour oil on the wound , then he will carry it back to the rest , rejoicing in having found the lost. In the above general picture of the shepherd we can see how God acted the role of the Shepherd in Jacob's life. Throughout Jacob's journey to Laban and then back again, right up to his journey to Egypt God promised to not leave him. We can see how He was with him, protected him in Laban's scheming. He was not removed from the situation, but God was with him In the situation and blessed him. Jacob had been devious in his dealings with his father and brother. Consequences of this was leaving home and only returning after 20 yrs. (Discipline). Laban abused Jacob in his scheming, the result being a loveless relationship with his first wife and a tumultuous household. Not an easy situation to live in. God was with him even in this relationship, he blessed them and children were born to him, which were the eventual "head's" of the tribe of Israel. The sons scheming to rid themselves of the favourite son, Joseph, also turned to eventually be a blessing. So we see Jacob was not taken out of the difficult situation, but God was present with Him in that situation. The ever present shepherd. God too has been with me and proved a real Shepherd throughout my life. He has nurtured, healed protected etc and been ever faithful. In Hosea 6:1 we read that the Lord has torn so that He may heal us; He has stricken so He may bind us up. He has proved to know best in all situations and has been true to His Word. I love Him with all of my heart and know that it is by grace and grace alone that He has set me free.

Q3. Why do we equate blessing with a lack of crisis in our lives? What are the effects of crises on our faith? How do they help us grow in our faith? Why do they sometimes destroy our faith? Definition of blessing according to Collins Dictionary something good that you are thankful for Taking that as a correct definition then when something happens to us that is seemingly destructive, we need to look into the situation and find something good in it that we are thankful for. As an example I would like to share a true happening: A teenage girl was robbed of both her parents and she herself was hurt. Upon being asked of what to share, she thanked the Lord for being with her in this situation and for having given her parents Who loved the Lord and had lived for Him. In the crises her faith grew as she looked for the blessing in the situation. When we do not see the blessing we get crushed by circumstances of life, (Our own reaping or otherwise. ) and our faith is destroyed.

Q2. (Genesis 48) Why does Jacob cross his hands when blessing Ephraim and Manasseh? Why does Joseph try to stop him? In what sense are Jacob's blessings an actual prophecy from God? Jacob is blessing the young boys by prophesying over them the words that God has laid on his heart. Ephraim the younger would become the greater and become many nations, and he was standing on his left side. So that was why he crossed his arms so the right hand would be on Ephraim. Hundred of years later when in the Promised land, the Northern kingdom was also referred to as Ephraim. Joseph is trying to put the right hand on the older lad. What he speaks over them actually comes to fruition later. It was not noticeable at the time, so Jacob could not have guessed it.

Q1. (Genesis 47:9) In what sense is life on earth like a "pilgrimage" or a journey with no permanent home? What happens to us when we settle down and get too comfortable with our lives? How do we retain a "journeying spirit" in our faith? Our life is a pilgrimage because we are here but for a little while and then we exchange it for a permanent dwelling. If we get too comfortable with our lives then we do not look forward to leaving and tend to cling to earthly things and don't tend to realize it is heaven we need to think of. Our treasures are to be laid up in heaven. if we read the Word of God and stay close to Him in prayer then our lives become entwined with His and we long for what He has in the hereafter. We long to be with Him. In this way the 'permanence' is stripped from taking a hold of our life and our faith in Him is strengthened that the faith to know that the hereafter He has for us is much better than the now.

Q4. (Genesis 46:2-4) Faith is what quiets our fears. What in God's word to Jacob at Beersheba quiets his fears? God had brought the same assurance to Jacob before (28:15; 31:3). Why do you think he had stopped believing it? What is the relationship between faith and God's words? God promised to go with him. He would not be alone and it was not against God's will. Again part of the promise was included, I will increase your descendants into a nation. I will bring them back to this land. I don't think he had stopped believing it. He was just a bundle of pain and could not look beyond that pain. God's Word stimulates faith. Hearing from Him, be it in a vision, a word of encouragement, a hymn, a song, His creation, the Bible. whatever the conduit He uses, is amazing and builds one's faith. I worship You my God.You are amazing!!!!!!

Q3. (Genesis 45:4-8) Contrast Jacob and Joseph. Jacob has suffered great loss. Joseph has suffered great injustice. Why is Jacob's vision so bleak, but Joseph's so broad? What have been their differing responses to fear? What insight has kept Joseph from being bitter towards his brothers? To really do a comparison/contrast of the two men one would have to go way back into the past. Jacob was the younger of twins but only by a hair-breath of time. Joseph was the first born of the favorite wife of his father. He was one of 12 sons. Jacob was the favourite son of his mother , his brother, Esau being the favourite son of his father. Joseph was the favourite son of Jacob, his father. When Jacob left home he was well over 40 yrs of age. He only started his own family very late in his life. Jacob basically fled from home because of the anger of his brother Esau, whose intentions were to kill him. It was in this time that he had a personal encounter with God and basically promised to serve Him and acknowledged Him to be the One Who would look after him. Joseph in turn was 17 years of age. He might have been father's favourite but he was not kept away from fulfilling his duties , just as the rest of the brothers were. Joseph was hated by his 10 half-brothers and was sold to the traders happening to go past at the time when they had put Joseph in the pit. Joseph trusted God. Joseph had those dreams, which caused him much affliction, because he shared them. But he trusted God. We find that when he was tempted he said quite clearly that he could not sin against God. Wherever Joseph was , the one he worked for was blessed, also in the prison. Both succeeded in adversity, giving God the honor for this. Jacob's faith seems to be sporadic in a way. Joseph has faith in God, no matter what. He looks to God to see him through it all. At this point in time Jacob has reached an all time low. His favourite wife died in child-birth. He might even blame himself for this. Long before when Laban accused someone to have taken his household gods, Jacob said, let the one who they are found with die. Little did he know at that time, that Rachel was the thief. Not only was she gone, but as far as he knew his favorite son had been devoured by predators. So he was bereft of both the people he had pored his love into. Joseph does not hold it against his brothers, that they had sold him, or behaved so badly towards him. He sees God's hand in it all. In this way he is involved in the sharing of the food that had been stored up. He can arrange for the family to come down to Egypt and share with them also. He gives God the honor for it all. Talking about fear in this whole story. When Jacob met up with fear, he was quick in scheming something to get out of the so called soup. We do not see Joseph as a schemer. Joseph is not bitter towards his brothers. He only wants to see if they have really changed in their attitude. Are they still hateful? Do they truly care for their father and youngest brother. The fact that he sees that God allowed it all for the good of everyone, which the brothers had originally meant for evil, keeps Joseph from being bitter towards his bothers.

Q2. (Genesis 42:35-43:14) What is Jacob's state of mind after the first trip to Egypt? If you were a psychologist, how would you diagnose him? What factors have paralyzed Jacob mentally and spiritually? Why do you think Jacob changed his mind about going again to secure grain? When the brothers returned from Egypt without Simeon, Jacob must have felt that his loved ones were being taken from him, one by one. Just in a spate of a few yrs it had been Deborah, Isaac, Rachel, seemingly Joseph and now Simeon was in shackles in Egypt, a foreign land. From the account brought by the brothers, the 'governor' had treated them with doubt. In fact had taken them to be spies. All this weighed heavily on Jacob's mind. Then on top of everything the money that had been given for the grain was found in the mouth of the sacks. This must have been an added worry to Jacob. Would his sons now also be taken to be dishonest. (The brothers had settled with the fact that Benjamin was now the favourite. There does not seem to be animosity because of that. ) I think we can easily take that Jacob is very burdened and feels that everything has turned against him. Jacob is looking at the things that are happening to him and his loved ones, and it does not seem as if he is remembering the promises God had made to him. He does not see the army of the Lord at this point in time. I guess in fact he was bound by depression. There was no light at the end of the tunnel. The famine was severe in the land. The people would soon be starving. The people Jacob was responsible for, were many. He eventually had an almost fatalistic attitude and relented in letting Benjamin go. But added to this he eventually said: May El Shaddai grant you mercy. So he did have a glimpse of hope that if Benjamin went, Simeon would be released, the Governors seeming misgivings would be of the past, and all his remaining sons would return home safely.

Q1. (Genesis 37:31-35) What does bringing the blood-stained robe to Jacob say about these sons' attitude toward their father? How does this loss affect Jacob? How do you think it affects his future behavior? The sons did not bring the tunic to their father but they sent it to him for him to identify. In actual fact they were making out as if they were surprised to find this robe there, as Joseph was not with them. The question they showed to have was, "Was he maybe on his way to them and then . . . the inevitable happened." So the question posed was could it be Joseph's tunic? From their questioning also trying to show surprise that the tunic was there. Even posing doubt that it was maybe just similar and not the same. (deceit par excellence) The sons in part, either did not fathom how deeply cutup their father would be, or they were just very hardened men and really did not care two hoots about their father. Maybe they hoped that in his grieving he would turn to them. They were no longer adolescents but men with households of their own. Whatever their thinking was it was harsh treatment of an old man who was already grieving the loss of his parents, his wife whom he had loved deeply and was trying to cope with handling a small child, Benjamin, who was being brought up without his mother (possibly still a toddler at this time). Jacob is inconsolable. He remains in mourning. I guess his life twirls around Benjamin more and more. Also his behaviour is irrational and overprotective, where Benjamin is concerned. In a way it is hard to fathom as, twenty odd yrs later when they do go to Egypt for grain, the whole group is still together and await Jacob's decision as to what to do. Yet in the interim the brothers are all married and have families of their own. Then we have Judah's story, who also experiences loss. They all possibly do in some measure and then remorse does come. But to cover their despicable deed they dare not bring the possibility into the open, that Joseph could in fact still be alive.

Q5. (Genesis 35:22) What is the significance of Reuben's sin? In what way does it go beyond a sexual sin? We're not told, but how do you think this affected the family dynamics? Reuben has acted dishonorably here. In what ways does Reuben act honorably in the future? (37:21-29; 42:22, 37) Oh how many look back in despair upon sins committed, without thinking of the consequences of ones actions. It gets forgiven but the consequences remain. Reuben lay with Bilhah, Jacob's concubine, Rachel's maid. She was someone who had been prepared to have children that would be seen as Rachel's children, not her own. She had agreed to be a surrogate mother. Indeed a very selfless act. According to what we read in ancient texts about concubines , is that their status is never the same as a wife, but by whoever they are taken upon the death of (say they were the king's concubine) the king , is claiming rights to the throne. In other words claiming rights to being the heir of the concubines 'husband'. By his act, Reuben was declaring to all and sundry, that he was ready to take over his father's position , as leader of the tribe. We are not told more, if he was trying to prove something, if it was that he was overcome by deviousness on her part, or what it was. Only that the act was committed and he paid for it by his rights as firstborn son to be forfeited. It is so often that the sin is highlighted and remembered and honourable deeds are overshadowed by it. I guess, in this way we see how GREAT GOD'S MERCY AND GRACE AND FORGIVENESS STRETCH. When the brother's wanted to kill Joseph, Reuben was the one to dissuade them and encourage them to rather put him into the pit. His intention was to set him free later on. When he returned to the pit and did not find him there Reuben was greatly distressed. The others had agreed to sell him to the Ishmaelite traders that came past there. It does sound like Reuben had remorse for his actions. He did not want more sorrow to be brought upon Israel, than he was already carrying with the loss of Joseph. Even though Reuben was not party to the selling of Joseph, the guilt was on him also, for he was the one that spoke about it years later, in front of Joseph, before his identity was revealed. Before they went to buy grain again , it was Reuben that offered his sons as surety for Benjamin.

Q4. (Genesis 35:9-15) Why do you think God appears to Jacob yet another time? What are the primary promises that God renews to Jacob? God is the all seeing One. He knows all things. He was aware of what lay ahead for Jacob. Appearing to him again confirmed to Jacob yet again, that he was not alone. God was present all over. This assurance was something that Jacob needed. It was here that someone very near and dear to him, died and was buried, viz., Deborah, Rebekah's nurse. The following are the promises mentioned yet again: the new name was confirmed, Israel you will be a nation, a company of nations kings will be born of you the land promised to Abraham and Isaac, is promised to Jacob and his descendants

Q3. (Genesis 35:1-5) Why does Jacob's household need spiritual renewal? Why is it important to get rid of foreign gods? What do washing and putting on clean clothes represent? What "foreign gods" do you need to throw away? In what ways do you need to repent and lead a new, clean life? Jacob was to make an altar to God at Bethel. Over the years with the added people that had joined his "household" as servants and then more recently as captives (the women and children from those that had been massacred at Shechem), idolic symbols (earrings were worn as charms against evil) and idols had also come with them. Rachel still had the household gods she had stolen when they left Haran. These all needed to be put away and be gotten rid of. It was God the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob that they would be serving. There was no serving Him and the idols which were carved images made by man. From the above we notice that it was necessary for a spiritual renewal. For this it was necessary to get rid of all foreign gods so no looking back on them at a later stage will be possible. God was the One that had watched over Jacob, as He had promised and He had blessed him and brought him back, true to His promise. Washing and putting on clean clothes represents repentance and renewal. Over the years I have read many biographies and autobiographies of men and women whom God used mightily. With all there was a "cleansing process". Something major or minor in their lives which had to be brought to light and dealt with. With some it was an unconfessed sin (a hidden misdemeanor) from their youth, with others it was wealth that was holding them down. Whatever it was it needed to be dealt with first. Take my life and let it be consecrated LORD to Thee, .... That is my prayer. I need to throw away the notion that "I can" and allow God to use others to do for me also. To be there for me also. There were many let downs in the past and trust in my fellow Christian brothers and sisters is not very strong. I need to throw that protective garment off and allow God to use those He has chosen to help me.

Q2. What happened when the Israelites disobeyed God and intermarried with the Canaanites? Why do you think God commanded them not to intermarry? Was this racial or spiritual or both? Why are Christians to marry "in the Lord"? When they disobeyed God they began to worship the gods of the pagans they had gotten married to. They were no longer true in their worship of the only TRUE GOD. This was the reason God had commanded them not to intermarry. Some of the other religions allowed prostitution as a practice in their worship. This was defiling their bodies and could lead to sickness. There was also child sacrifice = this was murder in the 1st degree. That pain cannot be wiped from father or mother, do what you want. These are just the surface of the iceberg, as it were, of the pain and defilement that they would endure with other religions. In fact one can say it is demonic and so it was very much spiritual. God wanted His people to be saved from that bondage also. A person becomes a Christian when he has laid down his own desires and so to say has accepted that Christ lives in him. As the words of the song say it so well . . . It's no longer I that liveth, but Christ that liveth in me . . . Now if you marry an unbeliever you are yoked to someone that is not in Christ. That is why we are encouraged to marry "in the Lord".

Q1. (Genesis 34) Why do you think Jacob is so silent after the rape of his daughter? What should he have done instead of being silent? What was right about the sons' reaction? What was wrong? What threat does the family now face if they stay in Shechem? In a way I assume he was in shock. Rash decisions are made, when in shock. Also if I look at other passages, decisions don't get made by one man. This effected the whole family, so would be looked at by the males in the family and a decision be made as how to handle matters. I don't think Jacob was too feeble as yet, despite his age. He still lived for many years after that and made many decisions and moves. Looking at what could have happened . Firstly, they had lived there for many years. They were probably not strangers to the townspeople. Reading between the lines the norm was that the women would not move around unattended. Here, we find this young, desirable, teenage girl, going to the town unattended (warning lights are on - question why - looking for trouble) This alone would already have been troubling to Jacob. He daren't just jump to conclusions, and just blame the young man. Dinah should not have been alone. Jacob was silent until his sons returned. By the time the sons returned, Hamor was there also ready to make right what his son had done wrong by his thoughtless cravings/actions. Apparently when the girl was raped and the man desired to marry her, he kept her in his home and after a period of time the marriage would take place. The idea that Jacob's sons had, could possibly be thought of as right, but revenge was in the air not a means to rectify the wrong action. So the only thing that could be taken as almost recommendable in their actions, is that they "stood by" their sister and were prepared to sort out her hopeless situation. There scheming for revenge was definitely not right or applaudable. Staying there meant that they were now vulnerable and would likely have to face feuding by others who were allies of the people they had so callously murdered. What seems strange to me is that the widows and children were all now included into the tribe, and needed their protection now also and needed to be looked after, even if they were taken as slaves. The responsibility of feeding etc lay on the family of Israel now. 😲

Q4. (Genesis 33:1-16) How has Esau changed since Jacob had gone to Haran? How has Jacob changed? How does the encounter demonstrate Jacob's "craftiness"? How does it demonstrate his faith? Can Jacob be humble and "crafty" at the same time? Esau no longer wanted to kill Jacob, instead he ran toward him and embraced him and welcomed him back. Esau had also now moved to Seir, where he was chieftain of the tribe and had his followers and flocks etc. Jacob too has changed. He is now humble and acknowledges God's part in His accumulation of servants, cattle, sheep and goats, the increase in his family etc. Both men have "grown up" and have come to the realization that there is room for both . One does not need to lord it over the other. In fact when Esau invites Jacob to come to Seir , Jacob does not fall in with the plan but goes at his own pace and decides to go as God leads. (not crafty, but wise) He does insist that Esau accepts his gifts, because in that way Esau will not easily come back later to fight him.(That too is wise and not necessarily crafty) So the two that he was 'careful' of have been sorted. Laban will not go beyond Mizpah and Esau will not fight him because he accepted a gift from him. For now the family is safe. Jacob now trusts the God of Isaac as his God and as his protector.

Q3. (Genesis 32:24-30) Who was the "man" Jacob wrestled with? What does the wrestling represent? Was it spiritual or physical? Why does the "man" wound Jacob permanently? What do you think the limp means to him? God in human form. We do find in different passages that He did appear to different people in this way. He appeared to Abraham when the birth of Isaac was imminent, when the warning was issued, about Sodom and Gomorrah. Now He also appeared to Jacob just before his meeting with Esau after the 20 years of absence. It was an important time, in fact a life changing time. That is an interesting way of describing the wrestling, in the notes. Yes, Jacob still had certain things to contend with. The battle definitely seems to be both physical and spiritual. He still needed to wrestle with those fears until he had totally given them over to God. The ' I ' still needed to be totally put to 'death' before he could meet Esau and really be strong , yet humble. Nothing could be done in his own strength anymore now that he was limping. He would permanently be reminded to let go and let God. Even though the thigh was out of joint Jacob clung to the Man and requested a blessing before letting Him go. This was the time when (v 27) He asked Jacob his name. The Amplified version : . . . . And in shock of realization, whispering he said, Jacob - supplanter, schemer, trickster, swindler! . . . so now also his very nature is revealed and placed before God, Who gives him a NEW NAME - ISRA EL - that was when Jacob realized he had 'seen' God and lived. Forever he would be reminded of this with his limping.

Q2. (Genesis 32.9-12) What does Jacob's prayer tell us about his fears? About his faith? About his pride? What are the signs of spiritual growth you see in Jacob since he left Canaan to go to Haran years before? The fears are real. He acknowledges his fears for the welfare of his family and those entrusted to his care. He humbles himself before God, he is not demanding, but in humility acknowledges that GOD was the One Who increased his fortunes and it was upon God's instruction that he was coming back at this time. Now in faith he is resting upon God's protection and deliverance from the wrath of his twin brother. Twenty years before, Jacob had been prepared to take matters into his own hands, now he did not dream of that but relied completely upon God's leading and guiding him,

Q1. (Genesis 32:1-2) Why does God reveal the angel army to Jacob? What is the significance of the presence of this army? Why do you think he calls the place Mahanaim ("two camps")? Jacob had just had the encounter with Laban at Mizpah and God had proved true to His word, and protected them from Laban's wrath. Now Jacob was moving on and getting closer to home turf and to facing what he had run away from 20 years ago, Esau's threat to kill him. For peace of mind God shows him , yet again, that he was not alone. Jacob was reassured by the angels (God's Army). God had promised to never leave him, to protect him, to bring him back to the Land of Promise. God indeed proved to be a keeper of His Word. There were now two camps , viz., the protection unit , being the angels, and the home camp, being his own group of family and servants, together with his possessions.

Q5. Why do we often fail to see God's blessings during the everyday conflicts of our lives? Why do blessings and conflicts so often come at the same time? What hope do we have in the midst of our struggles? Too often our focus is on the conflicts and trying to cope (on our own, instead of relying on our Lord and Saviour). Many times we do not recognize something as a blessing because it was not what we had asked for. Sometimes a so called conflict/problem becomes a blessing in disguise. For a shoe to be of use it needs a foot; for a glove to be of any use, it needs a hand; for a gift to be of any use it not only needs to be opened (if wrapped) but needs to be used. So also for us to recognize a blessing, we need a so called conflict in our life. The hope we have is that we do not need to face these struggles alone. Christ has promised to be with us. So the struggles and storms may come BUT He is with us in these trials, troubles, storms, struggles etc.

Q4. (Genesis 31:44-55) What are the terms of the Mizpah Covenant? Of what is the Mizpah monument supposed to remind Jacob and Laban? That Jacob would not take other wives to humiliate Laban's daughters. That he would treat them respectfully. Neither Jacob nor Laban would pass the heap of stones or the pillar raised, to harm the other. The monument was to remind them that God is witness of their actions.