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GENESIS – LESSON FIFTEEN
I. JACOB RETURNS TO CANAAN (Genesis 32-
A. Jacob meets hosts of angels – Place called Mahanaim (32:1-
B. Jacob fearfully prepares to meet Esau (32:3-
1. Jacob sends messengers to find favor with Esau (v.3-
2. Messengers send report of Esau coming with 400 men (v.6).
3. In fear, Jacob divides family and possessions into two companies and prays to God (v. 7-
4. Jacob plans in sending distinctive droves of animals to appease Esau , and protect his children and their mothers (v. 13-
C. Jacob wrestles all night with the angel of God – Place called ‘Penuel’ (32:22-
1. Jacob prevails against the angel to receive blessing.
2. Jacob’s Name changed to “Israel” – “princely contender with God”.
3. The place is called “Penuel” – “Face of God”.
4. The hollow of Jacob’s thigh in sinew of hip touched by angel – not to be eaten by children of Israel.
D. Jacob meets peacefully with Esau (33:1-
1. Esau departs in peace to Seir.
2. Jacob goes in peace to city of Shechem.
E. Jacob has troubles with Hamor and Shechem (34:1-
1. Dinah sexually defiled by Shechem.
2. Shechem asks Hamor, his father, to purchase Dinah to be his wife.
3. Jacob’s sons defise deceitful plan demanding all of males of city to be circumcised.
4. While inhabitants are healing, Simeon and Levi kill them with the sword.
5. Jacob confronts Simeon and Levi claiming their actions have made him and his family odious to the people in Canaan.
6. Simeon and Levi justify their actions as avenging the honor of their sister. “Should he deal with our sister as with a harlot?”.
F. God renews His promise to Jacob at Bethel (35:1-
G. Rachel dies in childbirth with Benjamin on the way to Ephrath (35:16-
H. Ruben commits incest with Bilah, Jacob’s concubine (35:21-
I. List of Jacob’s twelve sons (35:23-
J. Isaac’s death and burial (35:27-
K. The generations of Esau (36:1-
1. Esau’s wives and children and their removal to Mt. Seir (v.1-
2. Son’s and grandsons of Esau as heads of tribes (v. 9-
3 Chiefs or dukes of Esau (v.15-
4. Sons of Seir the Horite (v.20-
5. Kings of Edom (v. 31-
6. Dukes or Chiefs of Esau listed along with their distinctive places (v.40-
QUESTIONS:
1. What is the connection with Jacob meeting angels and him naming the place “Mahanaim”?
2. Why would the message Jacob gave his messengers work to find favor with Esau?
3. What three actions did Jacob take to overcome his fears of Esau and help protect his family?
4. What do you see in Jacob’s prayer that makes helps you in your own prayers?
5. In what form did the present to Esau present itself?
6. Did Jacob wrestle with a man or an angel in Penuel?
7. What significance does this event have in Israel’s history?
8. What does Jacob’s and Esau’s meeting teach you about facing your fears?
9. Why is Jacob’s desire to move his cattle to Seir not considered a threat to Esau?
10. Who came to the aid of defending Dinah’s honor?
11. Is it ever right to answer with guile when trying to deal with a wrong?
12. How had Jacob’s sons “troubled” him?
13. How would you, if in Jacob’s shoes, constructively responded to: “Should he deal with our sister as a harlot?
14. Why did God command Jacob to go to Bethel?
15. What did Jacob command his children to do to prepare for the trip?
16. How were Jacob and his family protected on the trip?
17. Why was there an oak of weeping at Bethel?
18. Ephrath is connected with what well-
19. Why did Rachel and Jacob give different names to Rachel’s second born?
20. When did Jacob and Esau meet again after their first meeting?
21. What reasons can you give for the differences in the lists of Esau’s wives in Gen. 36:2-
22. Why do the sons of Seir the Horite have a prominent place in the list of the generations of Esau?
23. Why do you think the chiefs or dukes tha t came of Esau are listed twice in the present genealogy of Esau?
24. What is different in the succession of Kings of Edom than what is generally seen in the succession of kings?
25. Esau was the father of the ___________________________