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                Life of Jacob E-Mail Bible Study
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                  Week 4 - Genesis 32-33
                          MEETING
Jacob wrestles with God at Peniel at reconciles with brother Esau.
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MONDAY
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LEVEL 1: OBSERVATION QUESTIONS. WHAT DOES THE TEXT SAY?
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1.1  What careful preparations does Jacob make for his meeting
with Esau?

1.2  (32:9-12) What are the important elements of Jacob's prayer.

1.3  Scan chapters 32 and 33. What signs of Jacob's humility do
you see here?

TUESDAY
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LEVEL 2: INTERPRETATION QUESTIONS. WHAT DOES THE TEXT MEAN?
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2.1  (32:1-2) Jacob sees God's angels as a sign of a nearby
encampment of God. Why do you think he named the place Mahanaim
(which means "two camps")? What is the second camp?

2.2  (32:7, 9-12) Jacob is in "great fear and distress" upon
hearing that Esau is coming with 400 men. Is openly acknowledging
and speaking his fear in vs. 11 a sign of his spirituality or
unspirituality?

2.3  (32:13-21) Jacob prepares to give 550 animals to his brother
Esau.  What things do we learn about Jacob from this? (Think
before answering.)

WEDNESDAY
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2.4  (32:24-32) Where Jacob wrestles with "a man" all night, what
evidence do we have that this man was mortal? That he was divine?

2.5  (32:24-32) What character traits does Jacob reveal in his
wrestling match?

2.6  EXTRA CREDIT: Why did the "man" hurt Jacob's hip joint? What
significance does his lifelong limp have to Jacob, do you think?
(see Hebrews 12:5-13)

THURSDAY
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2.7  (32:27-28) What is the significance of Jacob's new name?

2.8  EXTRA CREDIT: Compare and contrast Jacob before and after his
two major encounters with God:  (1) at Bethel (28:10-22), and (2)
at Peniel (32:22-32).

2.9  What differences do you see in Esau in chapter 33 compared to
his character previously?

2.10  What do you think changed Esau's heart towards Jacob? When
do you think it was changed? How important were the messengers?
The gifts? Jacob's bowing and humble words? Other?

FRIDAY
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LEVEL 3: APPLICATION QUESTIONS. WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO ME?
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3.1  Other people have had "wrestlings" with God, including Jesus
(Luke 22:39-44), Paul (Colossians 1:29-2:1; 2 Corinthians 12:7-10,
etc.), and Epaphras (Colossians 4:12), to name a few. What effect
do these "wrestlings" have on our faith and walk?

3.2  If you have had such a "wrestling" experience, would you
share it with us? What effect did it have in your life?

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Copyright 1997-98, Ralph F. Wilson, all rights reserved. Joyful
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