WALT39

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? I believe that if everything is going alright that we must think that we are blessed. If we really believe in our Lord and Saviour, we know that He is not going to let us handle more than we can bear. He will continually bestow blessings on us and therefore the crises that we are experiencing will be lessen. If we can see God in our lives, our faith will continue to grow even when we are the valleys. When we come out of the valleys, we can see the fullness of God's glory and blessings to us. If a person only looks at a crises and blames God, whatever faith they may have will be diminished.

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? Why does Jacob cross his hands when blessing Ephraim and Manasseh? Jacob wanted to bless Joseph's youngest with his right hand and therefore confer the birthright to Ephraim. The same thing happens to Jacob and Esau, except that was done by deception. Why does Joseph try to stop him? Because he wanted his oldest to the receive the first born blessing and receive what was rightly his. Of course, Joseph was the youngest and he received the birthright over the oldest. In what sense are Jacob's blessings an actual prophecy from God? As Pastor Ralph noted in his commentary, "He is prophesying God's words, just as his father Isaac had "mistakenly" prophesied the correct blessing over Jacob instead of Esau" as was written in Genesis 27:27-29, So he went to him and kissed him. When Isaac caught the smell of his clothes, he blessed him and said, "Ah, the smell of my son is like the smell of a field that the LORD has blessed. May God give you of heaven's dew and of earth's richness—an abundance of grain and new wine. May nations serve you and peoples bow down to you. Be lord over your brothers, and may the sons of your mother bow down to you. May those who curse you be cursed and those who bless you be blessed."

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? Genesis 47:9 - And Jacob said to Pharaoh, "The years of my pilgrimage are a hundred and thirty. My years have been few and difficult, and they do not equal the years of the pilgrimage of my fathers." In what sense is life on earth like a "pilgrimage" or a journey, with no permanent home? In John 14:2, Jesus tells us that "my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you." As believers, we know where our permanent home will be. From the time we are born, we are on a journey understanding our spiritual roots. What happens to us when we settle down and get too comfortable with our lives? We think that we are in control and lose the focus on the "rooms" that Jesus is preparing for us. We will focus on the worldly issues and we will not be able to see our eternal home. How do we retain a journeying spirit in our faith? By continuing to communicate with God and by trusting and obeying will align each of us with Him. We must have a two way street with Him. I know that I find that to be a continual challenge, but it is worth it to me that I continue to strive for this close relationship with God and His Son. That is my goal in this journey of faith.

Q1. (Luke 23:34) Who was most responsible for killing Jesus? What responsibility do you and I bear in this? In what sense was Jesus praying for us? Luke 23:34 - Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." Who was most responsible for killing Jesus? What responsibility do you and I bear in this? Pastor Ralph's commentary was very meaningful. As he listed each group, there were compelling arguments for each group. When he got to the group entitled as "You and I", it really hit home. I think all or most of us like to blame the others and it is so easy to blame the soldiers, Herod, Chief priests and scribes, and the Pharisees and Sadducees. When I look at myself, I know that at sometime in my life, I have acted like all of the groups. So all of us have some responsibility for His crucifixion. In what sense was Jesus praying for us? As I wrote above, I really did not think that the word "them" in Luke 23:34 refer to you and me. Upon mediating on this Scripture, He is praying for each one of us. The prayer that He said over 2000 years ago, still applies to each of us today. Jesus has not forgotten us and we can not forget Him.

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? Genesis 46:2-4 - And God spoke to Israel in a vision at night and said, "Jacob! Jacob!" "Here I am," he replied. "I am God, the God of your father," he said. "Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for I will make you into a great nation there. I will go down to Egypt with you, and I will surely bring you back again. And Joseph

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? Genesis 45:4-8 -Then Joseph said to his brothers, "Come close to me." When they had done so, he said, "I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt! And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you. For two years now there has been famine in the land, and for the next five years there will not be plowing and reaping. But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance. "So then, it was not you who sent me here, but God. He made me father to Pharaoh, lord of his entire household and ruler of all Egypt. The contrast between Jacob and Joseph visions is their relationship with God. I think that these questions are summed up in Genesis 45:7-8, "But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance. "So then, it was not you who sent me here, but God. "

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? What is Jacob's state of mind after the first trip to Egypt? He was afraid for his youngest son, Benjamin, and therefore his thoughts were not rational. He could not turn it over to God and he tried to resolve himself. If you were a psychologist, how would you diagnose him? As Pastor Ralph wrote that Jacob is being paranoia. He is depressed and worried. What factors have paralyzed Jacob mentally and spiritually? The lost of loved ones including two sons, Joseph and Simeon and now the possibility of his youngest son, Benjamin. Why do you think Jacob changed his mind about going again to secure grain? I think two reasons. One is he needed the grain, but another reason for changing is that he turned it over to the Lord. He asked the Lord for his blessing in having his sons return to him as stated in Genesis 43:14, And may God Almighty grant you mercy before the man so that he will let your other brother and Benjamin come back with you. As for me, if I am bereaved, I am bereaved.”

Q1. (Genesis 37:31-35) What does bringing the blood-stained robe to Jacob say about these sons

Q5. (Genesis 35:22) What is the significance of Reuben

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? Why do you think God appears to Jacob yet another time? God wanted to reaffirm the blessing that He gave to Abraham. In Genesis 35:9-10, Scriptures tell us that God appeared to him again and blessed him. God said to him,

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? 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? They had moved away from honoring and obeying the one true God. It is necessary to remove the distractions in order to be able to focus on God. The washing and putting on clean clothes represents our confession before God. What "foreign gods" do you need to throw away? In what ways do you need to repent and lead a new, clean life? I think that the one that I should throw away relates to the use of my time. I think that I lead a clean life and if I stray, I ask Jesus to search my heart and help me clean it up.

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"? What happened when the Israelites disobeyed God and intermarried with the Canaanites?They began to believe in their gods and not the real God. Why do you think God commanded them not to intermarry? God wanted them to honor the one true God, the God of Abraham, Issac and Jacob. If they did, they could not honor and obey Him. Was this racial or spiritual or both? It is spiritual. Why are Christians to marry "in the Lord"? In 2 Corinthians 6:14, it tells us "Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?"

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? Why do you think Jacob is so silent after the rape of his daughter? It is hard to understand why he would be silent, but the standards were different. Also he was concerned with peace and he rather not confront it. What should he have done instead of being silent? Under Mosaic law, the rapist could have been executed, but the law in that land may not have applied. If it did not applied, then he could have really upset Hamor and his people. What was right about the sons' reaction? You could think appeasement, because the sons said OK if the men of Shechem be circumcised and therefore they could intermarry. What was wrong? They believed that they did two things wrong. One they took the law into their own hands, and secondly, they condoned intermarrying. What threat does the family now face if they stay in Shechem? Their peace as stated Jacob said in Genesis 34:30 "Then Jacob said to Simeon and Levi,

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? How has Esau changed since Jacob had gone to Haran? In Genesis 33:4, it states: "But Esau ran to meet Jacob and embraced him; he threw his arms around his neck and kissed him. And they wept". Esau anger had left him and he embraced his brother, How has Jacob changed? Jacob was cautious in approaching Esau. He no longer wanted to control like he did before leaving for Laban. Jacob showed this when he approach Esau by bowing down seven times. This was recorded in Genesis 33:3. He himself went on ahead and bowed down to the ground seven times as he approached his brother. How does the encounter demonstrate Jacob’s “craftiness”? It would appear that Jacob wanted his brother to accept his gifts and therefore Esau could not have attacked him. I do not believe that Jacob actually deceived him, because God had provided for Jacob. How does it demonstrate his faith? He could have taken the easy way out and not return and not obey God, but he did not. Jacob followed God's direction and returned to his father's land. Can Jacob be humble and “crafty” at the same time? I think that Jacob was able to do this by bowing to his brother and therefore showing humility. On the other hand, he followed God's direction and praise God for his needs and provided these gifts to Esau. In Genesis 33:10-11, it is recorded "No, please!" said Jacob. "If I have found favor in your eyes, accept this gift from me. For to see your face is like seeing the face of God, now that you have received me favorably. Please accept the present that was brought to you, for God has been gracious to me and I have all I need." Jacob was able to do both because he trusted and obey God. `

Q3. (Genesis 32:24-30) Who was the

Q2. (Genesis 32.9-12) What does Jacob

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")? Genesis 32:1-2:Jacob also went on his way, and the angels of God met him. When Jacob saw them, he said,

Q5. Why do we often fail to see God

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? What are the terms of the Mizpah Covenant? They agreed to certain terms in order to create a peace offering. Furthermore, if one of them breaks the covenant, God will be the judge of the breach of the covenant as written in Genesis 31:49 "May the LORD keep watch between you and me when we are away from each other." Of what is the Mizpah monument supposed to remind Jacob and Laban? The monument would remind Jacob and Laban to remember their covenant of peaceful coexistence and if either one broke it, they would know where the judgement would come from.

Q3. (Genesis 31:17-36) Why did Jacob and his family leave without saying good-bye to Laban? In what sense did they "deceive" Laban? (31:20, 27). Was anything they did unjust or unrighteous? If so, how? Why did Jacob and his family leave without saying good-bye to Laban? In what sense did they "deceive" Laban? . Jacob knew he had to leave because God commanded him which was in Genesis 31:13, "I am the God of Bethel, where you anointed a pillar and where you made a vow to me. Now leave this land at once and go back to your native land.

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? According to Deuteronomy 8:17-18, what danger are we in when our income and assets begin to increase? At what point do you think Jacob realizes that his breeding techniques are not the cause of his growing wealth? When Jacob saw that Laban's attitude had changed toward him, he called Rachael and Leah and told them in Genesis 31: 5-9, "He said to them, "I see that your father's attitude toward me is not what it was before, but the God of my father has been with me. You know that I've worked for your father with all my strength, yet your father has cheated me by changing my wages ten times. However, God has not allowed him to harm me. If he said, 'The speckled ones will be your wages,' then all the flocks gave birth to speckled young; and if he said, 'The streaked ones will be your wages,' then all the flocks bore streaked young. So God has taken away your father's livestock and has given them to me." At this point, he knew that God was with him and that God had to be the source of his success. According to Deuteronomy 8:17-18, what danger are we in when our income and assets begin to increase? Deuteronomy 8:17-18-You may say to yourself, "My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me." But remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your forefathers, as it is today. God provides us with gifts and empowers us to use them. We all must realize this in order to be successful in God's eyes.

Q1. (Genesis 29) Why do you think God allows Jacob to be tricked into 14 years of labor for two wives? What purposes do you think God is working out through these circumstances? Why do you think God allows Jacob to be tricked into 14 years of labor for two wives? God's purpose is not for us to question and why He does things, but by studying the Word, each of us can learn how God teaches us in His own way. In this case, Lahan tricked Jacob, just like Jacob tricked Issac. The irony is Jacob tricked his brother, Esau, in order to obtain the benefits of the firstborn and when Lahan tricked Jacob, Jacob received the firstborn daughter, Leah. What purposes do you think God is working out through these circumstances? I really like Pastor Ralph's commentary on the purposes and it is as follows: "God is building a character of integrity in Jacob and God needs to deal with this serious flaw of deceit. But this is more than character building. This is also a time of family building. God is raising up for Jacob the beginnings of the great people that he had promised, as many as the sand of the seashore and the stars in the sky."

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? Genesis 28:22 "and this stone that I have set up as a pillar will be God

Q3. (Genesis 28:18-21) What did it mean to Jacob to set up the stone? What did anointing the stone mean to him? Why does he do these things? What does he promise God in his vow? Genesis 28:18-21 18 Early the next morning Jacob took the stone he had placed under his head and set it up as a pillar and poured oil on top of it. 19 He called that place Bethel, though the city used to be called Luz. 20 Then Jacob made a vow, saying, "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 21 so that I return safely to my father's house, then the LORD will be my God What did it mean to Jacob to set up the stone? He set the stone to commemorate the place that God spoke to him. What did anointing the stone mean to him? 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. Why does he do these things? Because God appeared to Jacob and he needed to honor God. What does he promise God in his vow? In verses 20 and 21, Jacob stated "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 that I return safely to my father's house, then the LORD will be my God."