Genesis 49:16-33 In this lesson we continue to consider the blessing Jacob pronounced on the descendants of his twelve sons. Who were the "peoples" who would give obedience to Shiloh? What was the true source of the blessings/prophecies which Jacob pronounced? How were these blessings a help to the tribes of Israel? How and when were these blessings realized? How can we be helped by thinking about Jacob blessing his descendants at this particular time in their history? In Jacob's charge to his sons concerning his burial, why does he repeatedly stipulate so precisely the exact place? Why is God so concerned about "place" in Genesis and throughout scripture? What comfort and encouragement can we draw from the narrator's description of Jacob's death? (46 min.)

Keywords Jacob, Blessing

Genesis 48:5-22 We continue the account of Jacob's adoption and blessing of Joseph's two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim. What is this about the young men being at the knees of Jacob? Why did Joseph bow down before his father, who had earlier bowed to him? How is this a metaphor of our own adoption by God? Why did Joseph arrange his sons the way he did? Once again we find the rule of primogeniture set aside in the story of the patriarchs. What can we learn from this repeated disregard of this cultural norm? In what three ways does Jacob identify the God whom he invokes in his blessing? How are these significant? How has Jacob changed as he grew older? What brought about these changes in his life? How is the end of Jacob's life instructive to us? (67 min.)

Keywords Jacob, Joseph, Blessing, Adoption, Ephraim, Manasseh

Genesis 47:1-12 In this passage, upon their arrival in Egypt, the family of Israel is presented to Pharaoh. First, the brothers come, hat in hand, asking for the land of Goshen. They openly identify themselves by that which makes them loathsome to the Egyptians. What can we learn from this example? Finally, Jacob is presented to Pharaoh. Why are these two presentations done separately? The two men, Pharaoh and Jacob, are a study in contrasts. How does Jacob's blessing of Pharaoh turn things on their head? What does the Lord want us to learn from Jacob's view of his own "sojourn?" How does Jacob's seemingly pessimistic view coincide with his pronouncing a blessing on Pharaoh? How does Jacob's response to Pharaoh reflect a disposition of faith? (60 min)

Keywords Jacob, Pharaoh, Blessing, Sojourning

Genesis 32:24-32 In this passage we read of a mysterious encounter Jacob has with a "man" on the night before he meets Esau. Why so much mystery surrounding this event? Eventually we discover who the man really is, but other mysteries remain. Why could God not prevail over Jacob? What was the significance of the crippling blow to Jacob's thigh? Once he can no longer wrestle the "man," to what does Jacob resort to secure the blessing he sought? What is the significance of God asking Jacob to declare his name? After a long night of fear and struggle, we find the sun rising on Jacob. A new man crosses at Penuel. (54 min.)

Keywords Jacob, Esau, Blessing

Genesis 31:1-16 Things take a turn for the worse in Jacob's relationship with Laban and his sons, and Jacob's situation becomes tenuous, even dangerous. How does God use our circumstances to direct us? What is the significance of God being "with" someone? What are the three reasons that Laban's wealth was transferred to Jacob? What part did Laban play in that transfer? What lesson can we learn from Rachel's and Leah's realization that they no longer had a portion or inheritance in their father's house? What, ultimately, will happen to all the riches of the world? (56 min.)

Keywords Jacob, Laban, Blessing, Bethel

Genesis 27:30-41 It turns out to be a very close call as Jacob leaves his father's presence and Esau returns from the hunt. What is Scripture saying to us in recording this? When Isaac discovers he has been deceived by Jacob and given the blessing to Jacob instead of Esau, he begins trembling violently. What has upset Isaac so severely? Esau repeatedly in tears pleads with his father to bless him anyway. But each request is rebuffed with a more severe denial. Why? Hebrews 12 uses Esau's story as an illustration to us of a certain principle. What is it? How is what is at stake in Hebrews different from what is at stake in Genesis? What does it mean that Esau could find no room for repentance? (62 min)

Keywords Isaac, Jacob, Esau, Blessing

Genesis 27:18-29 An old blind father encounters the deceiving son. The picture is not a pretty one. Spiritual blind spots in our lives can have disastrous consequences. How is spiritual blindness different from other faults? How do we avoid spiritual blindness? The lies and deceptions roll off Jacob's tongue like water. By what sophistry does he justify such cold, calculated deception, especially of his father? All the parties in this event behave wrongly. So, what will the outcome be? We see a remarkable turn of events when Isaac prophesies the future, even the future of our salvation. (49 min.)

Keywords Isaac, Jacob, Blessing, Esau

Genesis 26:34-27:17 Returning to the story on the struggle between Esau and Jacob, we encounter the account of the stealing of the birthright from Esau. We find in this passage four different individuals who represent to us four ploys which Satan uses to counter God's spiritual purposes in our lives. Which one of these individuals am I most like? For what is the blindness of Isaac a metaphor? What were Rebekah's strength and weakness? What is wrong with Jacob's response to his mother's proposal. This was an urgent situation. What other options did Rebekah and Jacob have by which they may have prevented Isaac's impending blunder? (55 min)

Keywords Isaac, Rebekah, Esau, Jacob, Blessing, Birthright

Genesis 26:18-33 The account of the conflict between Isaac and the people of Gerar continues. As the herdsmen of Gerar continue to claim the wells Isaac's people dig, he moves on, eschewing conflict. Why does Isaac decline to fight for what seems rightfully his? Eventually Isaac ends up in a "broad place." How did God get him from Gerar to this broad place? Moving on from Rehoboth, he then goes to Beersheba. What is the significance of this place? Who does he encounter immediately upon his arrival? One wonders how Jacob and Esau would have reacted to this scene. Abimelech comes suing for peace. What influences Isaac's ultimate response? We consider again the significance of this whole chapter in the ongoing saga of Jacob and Esau. (36 min.)

Keywords Isaac, Abraham, Jacob, Esau, Blessing

Genesis 26:1-17 Our story line returns in this chapter to the story of Isaac. Why does the narrator interrupt his story of the conflict between Jacob and Esau to tell us these stories about their father Isaac? There is a striking theme in this chapter of the continuity between the lives of Isaac and his father Abraham. What are those continuities, and why are they important to our understanding? How did God want Isaac to think about his stay in the land of Gerar? Why is God’s reference to His oath so important to Isaac? How was it that Abraham so thoroughly obeyed God? Why did Isaac engage in the ruse concerning Rebekah? What precious gleaming gem of truth about Isaac and Rebekah do we find in this mud hole of his deception? How did the remarkable prosperity of Isaac affect his neighbors, the Philistines? Why did Isaac not stand his ground and insist on his rights? (62 min)

Keywords Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Esau, Birthright, Blessing

Genesis 12:1-3 Abram learns that his life is part of a much greater story, one that will be told for generations to come. What did God call Abram to leave? What is it like to have to move when you don’t know where God is leading you? Seven remarkable promises for a very ordinary man. Why does God bless Abram?

Keywords Abraham, Sarah, Canaan, Faith, Promise, Blessing