Lesson 8
JACOB
And he said, "Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel; for you have struggled with God and with men, and have prevailed." (Genesis 32:28)
Text: Genesis 25-50 |
Name: Jacob (Supplanter); Israel (Prince with God) |
Place: Canaan, Padan-Aram, Egypt |
Occupation: Shepherd |
References: Hosea 12:3-5, 12; Heb. 11:21; Matt. 8:11; Rom. 9:10-13 |
JACOB'S BIRTH
Genesis 25:21-26; Joshua 24:4; Romans 9:10-13
· Son of Isaac and Rebekah in answer to prayer
· Struggle of Jacob and Esau before birth depicted the struggle of two nations
· The favoritism of his parents (Isaac and Rebekah)
THE BIRTHRIGHT AND THE BLESSING
Genesis 25:29-34; 27:1-41; Hebrews 12:16-17
· Jacob bargained for Esau's birthright
· The birthright granted:
1. Superior rank in the family (firstborn, cf. Gen. 49:3)
2. A double portion of the paternal inheritance (Deut. 21:17)
· Deceives Isaac and obtains the blessing of the firstborn
· Jacob is hated by Esau
FLIGHT INTO PADAN-ARAM (SYRIA)
Genesis 27:42-30:43
· Rebekah's plan to save Jacob's life
· Jacob's dream of heaven's ladder at Bethel
· Jacob's love, marriages and children
· Jacob's 20 year service to Laban
· His flight from Laban
JACOB RETURNS TO CANAAN
Genesis 32-35
· The angels at Mahanaim
· Wrestles with the angel of God and his name is changed to "Israel" (cf. Hosea
12:3-4)
· He meets Esau in peace
· The incident at Shechem
· Jacob returns to Bethel
JACOB AND HIS HOUSE ESCAPE FAMINE IN EGYPT
Genesis 37-50
· Jacob's favoritism of Joseph lead to jealous treachery
· Joseph rises to power in Egypt
· Israel goes down into Egypt
· There he blesses the sons of Joseph
· He speaks of the future to his sons
· His death and burial
JACOB'S STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES
· STRENGTHS INCLUDE:
-Determined to succeed (Gen. 32:24-28), faith (Gen. 28:16-22; 35:3; Heb.
11:21), sacrificial love (Gen. 29:18-20), dutiful servant (Gen. 31:36-42), prayerful (Gen.
32:9-12)
· WEAKNESSES INCLUDE:
-Crafty (Gen. 25:29-34), deception (Gen. 27:1-29), showed favoritism to sons
(Gen. 37:3)
LESSONS FOR US
· God is long-suffering with man.
· God blesses those who rely on Him.
· God is always true to His word.
· God's sovereignty accomplishes His purposes among men.
· Treachery brings tumultuous consequences (we reap what we sow).
· Contentment comes, not from prosperity, but from faith in God.
QUESTIONS
1. What two nations were in Rebekah's womb?
2. Discuss some of the contrasts between Jacob and Esau and how they shaped or defined each man.
3. What was a birthright? What was Esau's attitude toward it? (Gen. 25:29-34)
4. Name the times in Jacob's life when he:
a. Struggled with man.
b. Struggled with God.
5. What blessing did Isaac give Jacob? (Gen. 27:26-29)
6. What promises did God make to Jacob in Genesis 28:13-15? What was Jacob's response? (28:16-22)
7. How did God bless Jacob in Padan-Aram?
8. Name the times in his life that God appeared to Jacob, and why.
9. Name Jacob's wives and their children.
10. Where was Jacob buried?