Father, how great and awesome Your ways are!  Give us deeper insights into those ways as we come to You in praise, faith and humility.  Only by Your wonderful grace can we know Your path and purpose for our lives. Thank you, precious Lord and King.

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I.    Read Genesis 25:19-34.

A.     1.  Although God had promised innumerable descendants, what temporary obstacle did Isaac and Rebekah encounter?

 

2.  What does verse 21 show you about prayer?     

 

3.  How old was Isaac when his sons were born?        What does this affirm to you concerning our Sovereign God and His time schedule?  (See also 2 Peter 3:8-9)

 

4.  Describe the two boys. 

 

 

B.     1.  (Challenge) To which two nations does the prophecy in v. 23 refer? 

 

2.  Explain how God began to fulfill the last part of the prophecy in verse 23 through very human circumstances.

 

3.   We read in verse 34, "Thus Esau despised his birthright." What does this mean? 

 

 

4.  (Personal) How do you show your appreciation for "the unfathomable riches" that are yours in Jesus Christ?  (Only by His grace can we truly value our birthright in Him. Let's thank Him, asking that He make all the riches of our inheritance in Jesus ever more real and glorious to us.) 

 

 

5. Contrast Esau's attitude toward his birthright with Paul's attitude in Philippians 3:7-10.

 

 

6. How would you describe Jacob's attitude toward his birthright? (See also Proverbs 8:17)

 

 

2.   Read Genesis 27.  

A.     Briefly recount the second step in the fulfillment of the promise given in Genesis 25:23b.

 

B.     What gave Rebekah the boldness (and authority) to act and the confidence that the plan would succeed?  (See Genesis 25:22-23a)   

 

C.    In blessing his two sons, Isaac unknowingly affirmed God's intention and prophecy. Yet, as God's plan evolved, what conflict followed?

 

3.    Read Genesis 28:1-9.  

A.   God is and always has been the Shepherd and Keeper of His people. In order to prepare a nation for Himself, protection against the idolatry of Canaan was essential. How did God protect Jacob?

 

 

B. (Personal) How has your wise Father guarded you and your loved ones (from temptation or wrong decisions) through difficult or unwanted circumstances?

 

 

4.    Read Genesis 28:10-22.    

A.     (Challenge)  What message is God communicating in verse 12?

   

B.     God now establishes His covenant with Jacob. (See Genesis 17:7) List the main points of His covenant promise in verses 13-15. 

 

 

C.     Keeping in mind that you are "Abraham's offspring, heirs according to the promise" (Galatians 3:29), take time to ponder verse 15.  What is God saying to you?

 

 

 

D.    When he awakened, what was Jacob's response to the dream?

5.    Read Genesis 29--30:24. 

A.    List the verses and situations where you see God's sovereignty (His absolute power to direct and accomplish His purposes through circumstances and individuals.) 

B.    Where do you see God's love and justice?

6.    Read Psalm 121.  

A.   How does this Psalm affirm the message of this lesson?

B.   What does God promise you?

 

 

C.   What is your response to His love?

  SUGGESTED HYMN: Nearer my God, to Thee

 Next: Lesson 8: Jacob