leihaynes

1. What are the terms of the Mizpah Covenant? That God would watch over both parties when they were not together and to punish the one who broke the covenant. 2. Of what is the Mizpah monument supposed to remind Jacob and Laban? That God is watching over them and the covenants they had made to one another.

1. At what point do you think Jacob realizes that his breeding techniques are not the cause of his growing wealth? It seems that Jacob is fully aware of God being in control when he says to Laban that "the LORD has blessed you wherever I have been". So it would seem that he already knew that God was in total control of the multiplication of the streaked, speckled or spotted flocks. 2. According to Deuteronomy 8:17-18, what danger are we in when our income and assets begin to increase? There will always be danger when we begin to think that our increase of income, assets and wealth are because of us and not because of God. We take our eyes off of the LORD and begin to think that we had everything to do with our wealth. The danger will always be that we can loose it all.

1. What did it mean to Jacob to set up the stone? When something meaningful happens in our lives we do things that will remind us of the commitment we made or purchase things that will remind us of that special time or event. The stone became a symbol to Jacob of the event that had just taken place. Also his intent is to worship and thank God for this vision he was given. So it seemed that he was displaying his gratitude. 2. What did anointing the stone mean to him? It was his way of thanking God for the blessing that he will bestow up him. It also meant that he will uphold his promise he is making to God. 3. Why does he do these things? Probably it was his cultural practice. But this time with more meaning and understanding. 4. What does he promise God in his vow? He promises God to obey, trust, follow and to allow God to be his God.

1. Who's character flaws most remind you of your own? I'm almost certain that I have displayed all family members character in me. It just depends on how well I'v listened to God that day and if I spent time with him, may or may not show those characters. 2. Oh my gosh! How is God working to improve my character? God constantly works on me by allowing me to make choices. Some are easy but, tests my wisdom (strengths). Some are very challenging and does the same thing (weakness). And I find that in my busyness my character is very up and down inside and out. I don't like it when it is that way and the longing and desire to get back to the word and talking story with God is very convicting.

1. What happens when your children sense that you love one child more than another? I makes them feel like they are not loved as much as the other. It makes them feel like they did something wrong. It makes them hate the favored one. It can bring a lot of pain upon the unfavored one throughout his/her life. 2. Did such discrimination happen to you when you were growing up? Yes. My brothers were favored over my sister and I. I knew it was wrong and at times I was upset. But growing in the word of God helped the dilemma. I believed staying close to God carried me through those times. Because I did not become bitter and dwell on those issues. I did say that when I become a parent that I would teach my children about God's unconditional love for us. As a parent I continue to show that love by the standards of God's word. As a result my boys have never experienced favoritism. 3. How can we as parents love our children equally but differently? I find it very important to live by God's standards. It is the only way to be equally fair. Therefore, that very teaching is extended to others as well. When your children see you applying the same rule's to others including yourself. They are not likely to be jealous and harbor resentment. Because of applying God's standards you are able to recognize God's amazing gifts he bestows on each child and are able to love them for the way God has created them. Make no mistake about it as parents we are not perfect but understanding God's word will always guide us to making wiser choices and will convict us when we're wrong.

1. Why couldn't Isaac reverse his blessing once he discovers Jacob's trickery? I'm not really sure. It seems that he knew the process of this blessing as well as the importance of it. If he had received blessings from his own father and also learned about giving blessings to your first born as he grew in the word of God, than he was quite aware that once given, it could not be taken back. Regardless of Jacob's trickery. Not really sure about this answer. 2. What is Isaac's role in this blessing? God's intention was for Jacob to receive this blessing. Whether it happened this way or another it was intended for Jacob. So it seems that just as you mentioned Isaac was being used as an instrument. 3. What is God's role in it? I believe God's role is to allow people the free will to choose the process of his plan. Could it have happen in a better way? Maybe.

1. To what extent does this excuse her plan to deceive her husband Isaac? Her intent and delivery of her plan are no excuse. So it does not excuse her from her deceitfulness toward her husband. We definitely know that God told her to do what she did. But maybe because of her anxiousness and her secret she had kept all those years from Isaac made her react in that way. Even though she did what God wanted did she seek God in the how to? And then again maybe its just the way God allowed to be. For he could have stepped in at any time to correct the situation. Maybe at the time of birth when God spoke to her she could have talked to Isaac about what God had said and together they could have prayed about this event together for all those years. Nonetheless, I see it as God allowing her to choose for herself on how to handle the situation. 2. How much responsibility does Jacob bear in the deception? Jacob is at the age where he knew right from wrong. So as for his lying he is responsible. For he knew perfectly that what he was doing was wrong. I don't think he understood just yet why his mom was asking that of him but the deal did sound good and he was his mom's favorite so he listened. The sad part is that as a parent she was not a good example.

1. Was Rebekah a spiritual woman, that is, interested in spiritual things? I would seam that she was because she inquired of the Lord immediately when she sensed something was different her boys. 2. Was Isaac a spiritual man? I believe so as God spared his life at the alter. 3. Which do you think was the more spiritually sensitive? In that incident looks like Rebekah was since she initiated the whole thing. 4. What evidence of spirituality do you see in Jacob? I'm not really sure if Jacob possessed any spirituality at the time or was he just obeying his mother. Not sure if he really understood the significance of doing what he did at the time. On the other hand I do not believe that Esau possessed any spirituality at the time.

1. Why does the N.T. condemn Esau for selling his birthright? Maybe it's because of his carelessness kind of attitude. Sounds like back then the birthright was a very big deal. If you are the eldest and someone mentioned to you about purchasing your birthright, flags should have automatically gone up. Questions should have been in place. 2. What did selling the birthright represent? Seams like it represented leadership and the head of the tribe. 3. What does this transaction say about Esau's character and values? Could it be that Esau didn't take the things of God seriously. His character displays temporal satisfaction and temporal happiness. Values maybe none. 4. What does it reveal about Jacob's character and values? Looks like he was very persistence, deceitful, and ambitious (not in a good way). He valued what he didn't have and valued it for the future and also understood what it was meant for.

1. Why was it appropriate for the Magi to bring gifts to the Chirst-child? It was appropriate because it showed their understanding of who he was. 2. How does the extravagance of their gifts reflect their heart attitude? It showed that their treasures and the most expensive things they had were worth giving to their long awaited King. 3. What kinds of gifts are appropriate for us to bring? I'm sure whatever kind of gift you have is appropriate as long as it is given with the right attitude.

1. What do we learn from seeing the Magi prostrating themselves before the child Jesus? It shows understanding of the times and event that is taking place. It shows the attitude of the heart. 2. What was the significance of this for them? The significance was that God once again showed his love as he did what he said he would do. 3. How can we emulate this kind of worship? Only when I have true understanding and the right attitude of the heart can I have true worship.

1/2. It seams that most of the boys were brought up in the teachings of the Bible. If that is so maybe the wise men were the ones that continued in serving the Lord through their gift as well as studying the Word. Which would mean they read the prophesy by Balam or knew about the prophesy and decided to make that their life long search. The significance of the star and why they followed it; it was the sign they had been looking for all their lives. The sign of the savior. The King who would save their people. The Lord of Lords. 3. I was foretold.

1. I'm always excited about this season of celebrating the birth of Christ. No matter how often I hear it I'm always amazed at the miraculous events that took place. Which brings about my curiosity, praise and sharing with others. I think I need greater joy and more thoughtful meditation. 2. Be more consistent in my studies of the word and meditating.

1. Christ, Lord, Messiah 2. Christ - anointed, Messiah / Lord - owner, lord, master / christos and kurios spoke divinity. 3. It tells us that Jesus' is true identity is divine.

1. Sounds like shepherds were lowly people with bad reputation. Maybe going to the lowly and having his son born in lowly circumstances brings the message of I created all therefore, I love all even the lowly.

1. Mary was probably in her 9th month. Traveling for 4 days on a donkey in the cold could be very traumatic. 2. It depends what kind of pleasure. We find pleasure in different things, places and even situations. I find so much pleasure in my grandson. For example: Watching him grow so fast; talking, singing, potty training, thinking, being creative and imaginative and even acting brings me much pleasure. After all he is only 2 yrs and 3 months. I find pleasure in my Bible study time and being around real friends. I find lots of pleasure sharing what I have even though I don't have. When we do the things that pleases God and find pleasure in it as we do it then I would say that it is an indication that we are in His will. If we find pleasure in stepping over toes just to get ahead, getting drunk, committing adultery, being selfish, taking more than we need, not sharing when you're able to, not helping when some needs help and you're able to help, etc. Than I would say we are not in God's will. It always good to check your pleasures with the word of God and your motive for having it. 3. You will definitely be challenged and at times will have to endure hardship. Some of us more than others. Nevertheless, being a Christian that walks close to God by praying, studying, and applying God's word will allow God to bring about peace that surpasses all understanding through the midst of hardships. Having said that I have had the hardships of being a consistent Christian but being also on the other side (non-christian) the hardships are magnified. Why, because you have no guidance from God. But you do get guidance from so many people who are lost and don't know anything, who's life is all messed up and haven't a clue which directions they're going. Yet they want to counsel. So being a consistent Christian does not cause more hardships but, you will have them. Going with the flow on the other hand will always lead you down a dead end.

Well you know how we are now days. We want to be able to verify the things we read. Mentioning rulers names verifies that Jesus is real and that what is written in the Bible is verified by these rulers. (People who were not Christians). Many of us who are skeptical need proof that Jesus actually lived. Not so much by the people who believe but by people who don't believe. Rulers in the days of Jesus have testified to the events of Jesus. I believe the point Luke makes is: God new that many of us would need proof that Jesus was amongst us. Naming the rulers of those days is one proof of Jesus existence.

It's appropriate because God chose her and she is infact the mother of God. I think because of the lack of education/understanding (like me). If we exalt her the way the angel and Elizabeth did then we are appropriate. It's when we worship her as being above God then we are in trouble and we have misunderstood her role in this miraculous event. "Blessed among women" that she truly is. For God to chose her says that she was the only one worthy on the face of the earth for such a task.

I believe that her true heart dictated her response. Humility,belief, trust, understanding of who God is. I learn the importance of staying close to God on a daily basis will help in the long run. Especially when I don't understand and get the whole picture. I will have the faith to trust and accept the outcome. I believe her sense of willingness and submission was her informed consent. Because of her understanding of who God is and what he can do. When I respond to God I am consenting to understand by my application.