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                Life of Jacob E-Mail Bible Study
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              Week 3 - Genesis 29-31  CHEATED

Jacob falls in love, marries a cousin or two, begins a family, is
cheated by his father-in-law for 20 years, and flees.
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MONDAY
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LEVEL 1: OBSERVATION QUESTIONS. WHAT DOES THE TEXT SAY?
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1.1  (29:1-12) What do Jacob's actions at the well reveal about
his temperament and character?

1.2  (29:31-30:24) List each of Jacob's children with the meaning
of the name next to it. (Note: Footnotes usually explain the
meaning of the names.)

1.3  What two factors prompted Jacob's decision to leave Haran and
return to Canaan? (31:1-3)

TUESDAY
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LEVEL 2: INTERPRETATION QUESTIONS. WHAT DOES THE TEXT MEAN?
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2.1  (29:18-20, 27-28) Laban required cash a bride price for his
first daughter, but allowed his second daughter's bride price to
be paid on credit. Why the change, do you think?

2.2  God has promised to watch over, protect, and bless Jacob. Why
do you think he allows Jacob to be cheated again and again?

2.3  What are the evident strengths of Jacob's growing family? The
weaknesses? What is a chief flaw with polygamy that chapter 30
reveals?

WEDNESDAY
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2.4  Mandrakes (which were thought to induce fertility, 30:14-16)
and white-striped branches (to create a vivid impression during
conception would affect the embryo, 30:37-43) may not be very
scientific, but seemed to produce the desired effect. How do you
explain this?

2.5  (31:4-16) Given the patriarchal family structure of the day,
why does Jacob consult with both Rachel and Leah, but not Bilhah
and Zilpah, about the proposed move. Why do you think they
concurred with Jacob's plan?

COMMENT: According to the Nuzi tablets (Biblical Archaeologist,
III, 1940, p. 5), possession of the small household gods could
strengthen one's claim to the inheritance.

2.6  (31:19, 33-35) What does Rachel's theft and cover-up of her
father's household Gods say about her character? (See also 35:2.)

THURSDAY
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2.7  (31:20, 26-27) Did Jacob cheat or defraud Laban by leaving in
his absence? What would have happened if they hadn't left quickly?

2.8  How did God protect Jacob and his family during their move?

2.9  (31:45-54) What are the terms of the covenant Laban and Jacob
make with each other? What does 31:49 mean in the context of this
covenant?

2.10  (31:53-54) By whom did Laban take an oath to make this
covenant binding? By whom did Jacob swear? What is the
significance of this?

FRIDAY
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2.11  Give us the big picture: What do you think God was
accomplishing by having Jacob in Paddan Aram (Haran) for 20 years?

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LEVEL 3: APPLICATION QUESTIONS. WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO ME?
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3.1  How can God simultaneously discipline us, train us, and bless
us? How can pain and blessing coexist? Share how you've found this
works in your own experience.

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Copyright 1998, Ralph F. Wilson, all rights reserved. Joyful Heart
is a trademark of Joyful Heart Ministries. For reprint permission
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