I’m still finding reading my Bible in 90 days enjoyable. I’m still in familiar territory as I’ve read Genesis before and heard the stories of Jacob, Leah and Rachel and Jospeh many times, but I’m still surprised by a few things that I never noticed or paid attention to before. After Jacob stole Esau’s birthright and blessing in the previous reading, I didn’t think very highly of Jacob. He stood up for himself against Laban for constantly changing his wages and expectations; something that I likely need to work on being consistent. His desire to protect his family upon his return to his homeland and brother Esau were encouraging as his heart seemed to have changed. Granted it was out of fear that he humbled himself before Esau, but he still humbled himself. Even while reading familiar stories, I can still find things that I have not seen before.
“And God said to him,’I am God Almighty; be fruitful and multiply. A nation and a company of nations shall come from you, and kings shall come from your own body. The land that I gave to Abraham and Isaac I will give to you, and I will give the land to your offspring after you.” Genesis 35:11-12
Passage:
Genesis 29-38
Discovered:
- Jacob went to Laban & offered to work 7 years for his daughter Rachel
- After 7 years, Laban tricked Jacob & sent his older daughter Leah into Jacob. Jacob agreed to work another 7 years for Rachel
- Leah had Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah. Rachel gave Jacob, Bilhah & she gave birth to Dan & Naphtali. Leah gave Jacob, Zilpah & she bore Gad & Asher. Leah then had Issacher & Zebulun + a daughter, Dinah. Rachel then gave birth to Joseph.
- Jacob wanted to leave Laban & start his own home in his land & requested all the speckled & spotted sheep. Jacob grew his flock.
- God told Jacob to return to Canaan, so he & his wives and children snuck away from Laban. Laban chased after them. Laban searches for his gods but does not find them. Angry, Jacob chews out Laban regarding his deceitfulness. They agree to covenant. Jacob agreed not to take other wives or mistreat them and neither would harm the other.
- Jacob sent word to Esau and he came but Jacob grew afraid & gave a giant gift to Esau of hundreds of animals.
- That night while waiting Jacob wrestled with a man (God) until dawn, when he struck his hip out of joint. Jacob refused to let God go until he was blessed. He was given name Israel – wrestled with God & won.
- Jacob humbled himself to greet Esau & Esau embraced him, accepted Jacob
- Jacob built a home in Succoth then moved to Shechem.
- Dinah, Leah’s daughter was raped by Shechem who then sent his father, Hamor to seek her hand. Despite the rape, they agreed to intermarriage if they were circumcised. On day 3 after circumcision, Simeon & Levi killed all the men & took the women & wealth while rescuing Dinah. God protected them from retaliation.
- Jacob went to Bethel & was blessed by God & renamed Israel and renewed the covenant with Jacob.
- Rachel dies giving birth to Benjamin, “son of honor”. Reuben lays with Bilhah, Israel found out – never forgot
- Isaac dies & is buried by Esau & Jacob
- Esau had many sons and amassed a wealthy household
- Joseph had dreams that his brothers & parents would bow down to him. Joseph was hated by brothers & loved by Israel
- Joseph is sold to Ishmaelites & they told Israel he was killed by an animal.
- Judah found a wife for Er, Tamar but Er was wicked, so was Onan, they died. He promised young Shelah but never sent. Tamer disguises herself and slept with Judah, had twins: Perez & Zerah
Help me to remember:
Jacob obeyed the Lord & humbled himself to serve Laban and before Esau and the covenant was upheld.
Lord, I ask that
you give me a humble spirit to serve you and to follow your lead.
Heavenly Father, I am thankful for . . .
family. Your story is woven through generations of family, creating a chosen nation. Thank you for family.
