Genesis 49:1-15 In this lesson we begin examining the third major faith event at the conclusion of Jacob's life, the blessing of his twelve sons. The passage is both prophetic and poetic. How should these aspects of the passage influence the way we understand the blessings? What caused Reuben to forfeit his preeminence in the family? Why did Jacob not want his family's glory to be associated with Simeon or Levi? In what way would the tribe of Issachar relinquish some of the blessings that were intended for it in the land of promise? How is that analogous to how we as Christians sometimes live? What animal is representative of the future of the tribe of Judah? Who or what is "Shiloh?" What does the reference to Judah tying his donkey to a grape vine represent? To what does all this talk about Judah ultimately point? (60 min)

Keywords Jacob, Judah, Reuben, Ephraim, Manasseh, Simeon, Levi

Genesis 43:1-15 Time is wasting. Jacob's intransigence about Benjamin has meant the family has already forgone two opportunities to secure more food from Egypt. Now Jacob wants his sons to go back, but still without dealing with the root problem. This time Judah steps up to deal with his father. How does Judah's leadership compare with Reuben's? What can we learn from this? What is it that finally breaks through Jacob's incapacity to act? What do we see in Judah's offer to his father? Is Jacob's surrender a response of more fatalistic despair, or is it actually a step towards faith? How do we know? What lesson does this hold for us about the life of faith? (58 min.)

Keywords Jacob, Reuben, Judah

Genesis 42:29-38 Joseph's brothers return home with the dreaded task of reporting to their father, Jacob, the ugly turn of events in Egypt. How will they attempt to soften the blow to the aged and frail man? Jacob's response to the news, and to the discovery that someone in Egypt is out to get them, triggers a despairing reaction from Jacob. Why does he blame his sons? What is our reaction when tragic events and bad news would overwhelm us? What is the answer to despair? Why does Reuben react as he does with his proposal? How do we respond when we get desperate? What is the answer to desperation? (53 min)

Keywords Jacob, Joseph, Benjamin, Reuben