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 34:8-31 Shechem's rape of Jacob's daughter, Dinah, triggered a sequence of events which helped shape the future of the nation of Israel, and which provide us with important spiritual lessons for our lives today. What was enticing about the offer Hamor made to Jacob? Why was it perilous to Jacob? What was wrong with the counter offer made by Jacob's sons? How is their abuse of circumcision paralleled in our modern day? Why does scripture censure the retribution of Simeon and Levi, yet clearly condones the wars involved in the conquest of Canaan? How did God turn these disastrous circumstances into good for His purposes? (59 min.)

Keywords Jacob, Dinah, Simeon, Levi