Romans 9:14-18 Picking up where we left off last week, what approach is Paul using in order to convince his readers that there is a true spiritual Israel which is distinct from ethnic Israel? How far has Paul progressed in his argument? God has chosen to show mercy to the nation of Israel, while at the same time he has excluded Edom (the descendants of Esau). This raises the question of whether or not God is just in making such choices. What two events in the history of Israel does Paul use to buttress his argument that God is just? Do these verses completely resolve the question? What is the background in the history of the Jews to God's words to Moses about to whom He shows mercy? How does this demonstrate that mercy is up to God and not man? Why does Paul next use the illustration of Pharaoh? What does Paul mean when he refers to Pharaoh being "raised up?" What happened before God hardened Pharaoh's heart?What would not have happened had Pharaoh not been hardened by God? What has Paul not discussed in this chapter so far? (60 min)

Keywords Mercy, Hardening, Justice, Jacob, Esau, Edom, Pharaoh, Rahab

Romans 9:6-13 If, as we saw in our last lesson in Romans 9:1-5, Israel seems to have lost out on the blessings that were once hers, can we conclude then that God's word has failed? This is the issue Paul addresses in this week's lesson. What is Paul specifically referring to when he speaks of God’s word? What is the idea of failing that Paul introduces? What is God's purpose for Israel? In Romans 9-11 Paul speaks of two different Israels. In verses 1-5, of what Israel does he speak? The other Israel he writes about is what we refer to as the true spiritual Israel. In some places Paul speaks of the true Israel or descendants of Abraham as being the whole church, Jews and Gentiles. This is not the case here. How do we know this? What is he referring to? How does Paul prove his point that not all the descendants of Israel are the true spiritual Israel? What are the two promises Paul cites which limit true Israel to less than all the descendants of Abraham and Isaac? Of what does God speak when He gives his promise to Rebekah concerning what she is experiencing in her womb? How do we know that this passage is not addressing God's dealing with individuals, but with nations or groups of people? What does God mean when He says "Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated?" What is the main point that Paul seeks to establish in Romans 9-11, and how will we know if he succeeds? (62 min)

Keywords Israel, Promise, Predestined, Calling, Jacob, Esau, Ishamael, Isaac

Genesis 36:9-43 An entire toledot of Genesis is devoted to the descendants of Esau. In this passage we look at the second part of that toledot. What were the Children of Israel supposed to learn from this genealogy, and how are we to learn from it? What are some of the key names which might have some importance to our understanding of the redemptive history? What is important to see about the structure of this genealogy, and how does the narrator use that structure to communicate something important to us? What great lesson can we learn from the Edomites that has a bearing on our lives and our future? (58 min.)

Keywords Esau, Seir, Amalekites, Edom, Edomites

Genesis 36:1-8 This lesson includes a review of the toledots of Genesis and how they provide a structure and plan for the book. The toledot of Esau amounts to a short diversion from the chief plan of the book, yet it provides us with important information. What is the importance of this account? Why does the narrator stress that Esau "is Edom?" How does the seed of the woman differ from the seed of the serpent? What's wrong with the saying that "a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush?" What are the three wrong choices that Esau made? (56 min.)

Keywords Esau, Toledot, Seir, Birthright, Edom

Genesis 33:12-20 From last week's passage we consider the importance of Jacob owning his own wrongs he had committed against Esau. Then in today's passage we finally uncover the reason for Esau bringing 400 armed men to meet Jacob. Having now been reconciled, what are the assumptions that Esau makes which differ from how Jacob views things? What are the differences between Jacob and Esau? Where is Succoth, and why is that important to the story? How does Jacob finally come to Shechem? What is the significance of Shechem in the lives of Abraman and Jacob, and in the broader biblical narrative? What will we make of the Shechems in our lives? Why does Jacob name his altar El Elohe Israel? (50 min.)

Keywords Jacob, Esau, Reconciliation, Shechem

Genesis 33:1-11 With not a moment to rest, Jacob goes from his wrestling match with God to his encounter with Esau. He does not retreat or wait passively, but moves forward towards reconciliation. What is the significance of the arrangement of the mothers and children? How does Jacob's bowing and Esau's running work out? How have these two brothers changed, and what changed them? How can we preach a gospel of reconciliation and yet resist reconciling with those we've wronged or been wronged by? What did Jacob mean by saying that his encounter with Esau was like seeing the face of God? Why did Esau first refuse Jacob's gift, and then receive it? (56 min.)

Keywords Jacob, Esau, Reconciliation

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 32:13-23 After his desperate prayer to God for protection from his brother, Esau, Jacob sets about to prepare for meeting Esau. Was Jacob acting in faith or not? Why the massive present he assembled for his brother? Why did he stress to his servants to tell Esau that he was coming right behind them? Why does the narrator seem to stress that it is night? How must Esau have responded upon this constant arrival of Jacob's present? What was important to happen before Jacob could encounter God as he does in the following passage?

Keywords Jacob, Esau

Genesis 32:1-12 By the intervention of God, Jacob has escaped from one frightening prospect, the one presented by Laban. But now he must move forward, under God's command, to face an even greater fear, his brother Esau. What kind of changes have taken place in Jacob's heart that have prepared him for this meeting? What terrifying news does he receive from the messengers whom he sent to Esau. What can we learn from Jacob's prayer that can help us to pray well when we are confronted by our worst fears? (60 min.)

Keywords Jacob, Esau

Genesis 28:10-22 Jacob leaves Beersheba and heads to Haran, a fugitive from his brother's wrath. Putting yourself in Jacob's sandals, what would you be thinking about one hour out of Beersheba? Three days later he arrives at a nondescript place and lays down to sleep. What he encounters in his dream that night alters his own life and the history of Israel. What is the ultimate fulfillment of that dream? Whom does he encounter, and what is he promised? Why does he erect a memorial in this place? Will what happens this night influence him only for a time, or will it have a life long impact? Jacob came to this place a fugitive, but he leaves Bethel a pilgrim. What will it take for him to return to his family in peace and be reconciled to Esau? (62 min.)

Keywords Jacob, Esau, Bethel

Genesis 27:41-28:9 The wrong done to Esau leaves him with deep wounds and a festering bitterness. How he deals with it reveals him to be, like Cain, of the seed of the serpent. Rebekah's discovery of Esau's murderous intent leads her to take quick action. What are the two things from which Rebekah seeks to protect Jacob? Why does Rebekah tell Isaac that if Jacob marries a daughter of Canaan that her life will be nothing to her? How does Esau respond to the discovery of his father's displeasure? As an aside, to whom is the prophet referring when he speaks of God loving Jacob and hating Esau, and for what did God choose Jacob, and why is it important to know? (62 min.)

Keywords Isaac, Jacob, Rebekah, Esau, Exile

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 25:27-34 The twin sons of Isaac and Rebekah, born under such unusual circumstances, have now grown to young adulthood. They are strikingly different personalities, but far more importantly, they have dramatic differences in what they value. What influence might Abraham have had on his new grandsons? How did the favoritism of Isaac and Rebekah influence their sons? What was the nagging issue the stalked Jacob's mind as he grew up? What was he thinking about when Esau came in famished from the field? What, if any, was the distinction between the birthright and the blessing? How must the heart of God felt when Esau despised his birthright? Why is thankfulness so heavily stressed in Scripture? (56 min)

Keywords Jacob, Esau, Birthright

Genesis 25:19-26 We are moving on into the next section or "toledot" of Genesis. Why does Isaac get so much less of his story told than his father, Abraham, or his son, Jacob? Is there a lesson there for us? How does Isaac respond to his wife's inability to conceive a child? The pregnancy that finally occurs turns out to be very difficult. Why? A new major theme surfaces in Genesis. What is it? What is God's explanation to Rebekah for the violent struggle she is feeling? Is it O.K. for us to ask God "why?" How should we respond to His answer? (59 min)

Keywords Isaac, Jacob, Esau, Rebekah