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                Life of Jacob E-Mail Bible Study
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                Week 7 - Genesis 46:28 - 49:33

                         BLESSING

   Jacob blesses Pharaoh, Ephraim and Manasseh, and his 12 sons

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This is our final week. If you haven't participated so far, please
jump in and give it a try this week. Most of the questions aren't
too hard (and you can skip the harder ones). Come on in, the
water's fine.

Our last glimpse of a very old Jacob is one characterized by
blessing and spiritual insight. God has lifted the old man out of
his depression to a new place of strength. We will be skipping
47:13-26.

MONDAY
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LEVEL 1: OBSERVATION QUESTIONS. WHAT DOES THE TEXT SAY?
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1.1  What kind of impression do you think Joseph's sons formed of
their grandfather at the meeting described in chapter 48?

1.2  In chapter 49, which sons received favorable blessings? Which
sons received unfavorable ones? How many times does
"bless/blessing" appear in vss. 25-26?

TUESDAY
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LEVEL 2: INTERPRETATION QUESTIONS. WHAT DOES THE TEXT MEAN?
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COMMENT: The distinction between "shepherds" and "tending
livestock" is probably a similar class difference as between a
cowboy and a rancher.

2.1  Why do you think Joseph selected only five of his brothers to
meet Pharaoh? (47:2). How did his brothers do before Pharaoh?

2.2  (47:7-10) Why do you think Jacob blessed Pharaoh? What is the
significance of him calling his life a "pilgrimage" or "sojourn"?
(Look those words up in a dictionary as part of your discussion.)

2.3  (47:29-31) Why do you think being buried in Canaan was so
important to Jacob? Why wasn't Joseph's promise in vs. 30 enough?
Why the solemn oath? (vs. 31)

WEDNESDAY
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2.4  (48:3-4)  Joseph had doubtless heard before Jacob's story of
meeting God at Bethel (Luz). Why do you think he tells it again
here?

2.5  Read 48:5-6 with 1 Chronicles 5:1-2 (and compare to Joshua
16-17). What special thing is Jacob giving these grandsons in
48:5-6? Why is he doing so?

2.6  Compare and contrast Isaac's blessing of Jacob and Esau (ch.
27) with Jacob's blessing of Ephraim and Manasseh (48:8-20).
What's different here?

THURSDAY
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2.7  Is it fair that Reuben's sin of many years before affects his
blessing and his descendents? Why or why not? (49:3-4). Where in
the story of Joseph and his brothers do we see justice? Where do
we see mercy?

2.8  What characteristics of a lion do you think are in view in
this prophecy regarding Judah? (49:9)

2.10  EXTRA CREDIT: How was the prophecy in 49:10 fulfilled?

2.11  What do you learn about God from the names used for him in
24-25?

FRIDAY
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LEVEL 3: APPLICATION QUESTIONS. WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO ME?
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3.1  Jacob engages in the ministry of a grandfather in chapter 48.
How do you who are grandparents minister to your grandchildren?
How do/did your grandparents minister to you?

3.2  God as Shepherd is mentioned in 48:15 and 49:24.  How do you
see God shepherding you? How does this analogy relate to your life
and future?

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Copyright 1997-98, Ralph F. Wilson, all rights reserved. Joyful
Heart is a trademark of Joyful Heart Ministries. For reprint
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