Genesis 34:1-12 Instead of stopping only briefly at Shechem, Jacob spends many years there, with tragic consequences for his family. When Dinah goes out to visit the daughters of the land, she is taken and raped by the prince Shechem. What happens when we fail to obey God and more forward in our relationship with HIm? What are the interpretive flags that help us to understand what God is teaching us in this passage? Why is so little said of Jacob's reaction to the rape of his daughter? Why is so little said about the actual rape, but so much more said about the events the rape precipitated? Why is Jacob's passivity so dangerous? (63 min.)

Keywords Jacob, Dinah, Leah

Genesis 30:1-24 The unfolding story of the birth of Jacob's sons continues. But Rachel is jealous of her sister, Leah, and Leah is jealous of her sister, Rachel. What are the results of discontentment and jealousy? What exactly is jealousy? How can we distinguish legitimate yearnings from discontentment? With whom are we really struggling when we struggle with others? What could Rachel have done for Leah? Is it reasonable to expect her to do that? What can we learn from this confusing and difficult story? (65 min.)

Keywords Jacob, Rachel, Leah

Genesis 29:21-35 Laban's plan to trick Jacob into marrying Leah instead of Rachel is very risky. So much could have gone wrong. How did he pull it off? Where was God in this, and why didn't He intervene? In a sudden moment, when least expected, Jacob's great anticipation and hope is shattered. Can any good come out of this? What is God doing in Jacob's life, in the future of Israel, and in Leah's life? Speaking of Leah, she was complicit in this scheme. Why? What is Jacob's attitude toward Leah, and was it justified? Why does Paul warn husbands not to be embittered towards their wives? What great good comes in Leah's life? How did she respond? (62 min.)

Keywords Jacob, Laban, Leah, Rachel

Genesis 29:13-20 As we proceed through our story about Jacob in Haran, we encounter continuously repeated references to the family relationship. Why is that? What does Jacob do during that first month he stays with Laban? What are the differences between Laban's two daughters, and how does that play into the unfolding events? Things finally seem to be going pretty well now for Jacob, and he is filled with hope and expectation. Why does God allow him to experience such hope and anticipation, only to allow the rug to be pulled out from under him? What is God doing? (58 min.)

Keywords Jacob, Rachel, Laban, Leah