------------------------------------------------------------------
                Life of Jacob E-Mail Bible Study
------------------------------------------------------------------
                  Week 5 - Genesis 34 - 35
                           Blessed
------------------------------------------------------------------

This week's lesson relates some pretty ugly things that happened
in Jacob's family, as well as a time of rededication and blessing.

MONDAY
------
------------------------------------------------------------------
LEVEL 1: OBSERVATION QUESTIONS. WHAT DOES THE TEXT SAY?
------------------------------------------------------------------

1.1  What towns did Jacob live in Chapters 34-35? Look each of
them up in a Bible map.

1.2  We can't control what our children will do, nor can we
control life and death. What sad events take place in these two
chapters?

TUESDAY
-------
------------------------------------------------------------------
LEVEL 2: INTERPRETATION QUESTIONS. WHAT DOES THE TEXT MEAN?
------------------------------------------------------------------

2.1  Contrast Jacob's family leadership role in chapter 34 with
his role in chapter 35. Do you think this is significant? How
could Jacob have brought about a better result in chapter 34, or
should he have tried?

2.2  After the sad incident at Shechem, God tells Jacob to move to
Bethel and settle there (35:1). This is both a physical move and a
spiritual step. What preparations does Jacob have his family make
for this move?

WEDNESDAY
---------
COMMENT: The earrings probably had some religious significance, or
had religious symbols on them.

2.3  Who in Jacob's household would have foreign gods, do you
think? (Hint: 31:19 and 34:29)  What is the significance of
burying them?

2.4  What is the significance of washing and changing clothes
(35:2)?

THURSDAY
--------
2.5  Read between the lines:  We read about the death of Rebekah's
nurse, Deborah in 35:8 (see 24:59). What does this tell us about
Jacob's travels in Canaan? Genesis never records Rebekah's death
(except in summary, 49:31). Any guesses why?

2.6  We see a reconfirmation of the Blessing of Abraham in 35:11-
12, with a new (and ancient) command. What is the content of the
blessing compared to 28:13-15?

2.7  In 35:16-29 Jacob confronts three events which must have hurt
him a great deal, though we aren't told of his emotions. In what
ways do you think each of these were particularly painful for
Jacob?

FRIDAY
------
------------------------------------------------------------------
LEVEL 3: APPLICATION QUESTIONS. WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO ME?
------------------------------------------------------------------

3:1  Have you ever experienced a time of rededication and change
such as Jacob called his family to in 35:2-4? In what ways might
that do you good today?

3.2  Jacob's encounter with God in 35:9-13 seems particularly
intimate this time, and Jacob responds to it by consecrating
another stone pillar. Have you ever had any parallels to this in
your own life? If it's not too personal, why don't you share it
with us. What you share could be of encouragement to us all.

------------------------------------------------------------------
Copyright 1997-98, Ralph F. Wilson, all rights reserved. Joyful
Heart is a trademark of Joyful Heart Ministries. For reprint
permission contact pastor@joyfulheart.com