WALT39

Q2. (Genesis 28:12-15) What did Jacob's dream of the angels ascending and descending from heaven signify to Jacob? What did God's blessing mean to him? In what way was this a conversion experience for him? Genesis 28:12-15 12 He had a dream in which he saw a stairway resting on the earth, with its top reaching to heaven, and the angels of God were ascending and descending on it. 13 There above it stood the LORD, and he said: "I am the LORD, the God of your father Abraham and the God of Isaac. I will give you and your descendants the land on which you are lying. 14 Your descendants will be like the dust of the earth, and you will spread out to the west and to the east, to the north and to the south. All peoples on earth will be blessed through you and your offspring. 15 I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you." What did Jacob's dream of the angels ascending and descending from heaven signify to Jacob? What did God's blessing mean to him? This passage tells Jacob that God is real and the blessings are from the real source, God. Before, it came from Issac, but now it is the real thing. In what way was this a conversion experience for him? He met God face to face and when this happens you must choose God. Your whole life will change.

Q1. (Genesis 28:3-4) Why does Isaac bless Jacob, especially after Jacob's deception? How does this blessing compare to other blessings of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob? What are the main elements of Isaac's blessing? Genesis 28:3-4;3 May God Almighty bless you and make you fruitful and increase your numbers until you become a community of peoples. 4 May he give you and your descendants the blessing given to Abraham, so that you may take possession of the land where you now live as an alien, the land God gave to Abraham." Why does Isaac bless Jacob, especially after Jacob's deception? I think that Isaac realized that when the Lord told Rebekah in Genesis 25:21b-23, "The LORD said to her,

Q6. Extra Credit. Whose character flaws most remind you of your own? Isaac's, Rebekah's, Esau's, or Jacob's? Why? How is God working to improve your character? I think if any of them, it would be Isaac. I tend to do things on my own rather than waiting for God's direction. If Issac had asked God and listened to Him, He would have blessed Jacob rather than Esau, but he did not. I am trying to listen more and obey God's instruction.

Q5. (Genesis 25:28) What happens when your children sense that you love one child more than another? Did such discrimination happen to you when you were growing up? If so, how are you finding healing? How can we as parents love our children equally but differently? What happens when your children sense that you love one child more than another? There will be resentment between the children and unfortunately this could carry onto their children. Did such discrimination happen to you when you were growing up? If so, how are you finding healing? I had an older sister and I never felt that either of my parents favored her over me. How can we as parents love our children equally but differently? My wife and I always tried to avoid showing favoritism. Each one of our three children (2 daughters and a son) had their own special qualities in which we cherished and celebrated. Sibling rivalry did exist, but we believe that is something that exists in every family. Our three children are now grown and have families, and they do tell us now that we were a very stabling influence in their lives.

Q4. (Genesis 27:33) Why couldn't Isaac reverse his blessing once he discovers Jacob's trickery? What is Isaac's role in this blessing? What is God's role in it? In Genesis 25:23, The LORD said to Rebekah, "Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples from within you will be separated; one people will be stronger than the other, and the older will serve the younger." God told Rebekah that "the older will serve the younger." Ultimately, God was going to bless Jacob. Since God would have blessed Jacob, Isaac could not have reversed it. Isaac was only the messenger and God always has the ultimate control. Even though Isaac was upset and was "violent trembling", he knew that he had to obey God.

Q3. (Genesis 27:6-29) God had told Rebekah that Jacob is supposed to rule over Esau (Genesis 25:23). To what extent does this excuse her plan to deceive her husband Isaac? How much responsibility does Jacob bear in the deception? God had told Rebekah that Jacob is supposed to rule over Esau (Genesis 25:23). To what extent does this excuse her plan to deceive her husband Isaac? Even though God had told Rebekah, I believe that God had other means of achieving the prophecy rather than her deception. How God would have accomplished this, it would be God's action and not my thoughts of how He could have accomplished it. How much responsibility does Jacob bear in the deception? He objected to the deception, but he decided to go along. He has just the same amount of responsibility. He could have said no. In today's society, people also do not have to go along with the crowd. This is a perfect example of why we have the problems that we face today.

Q2. Was Rebekah a spiritual woman, that is, interested in spiritual things? Was Isaac a spiritual man? Which do you think was the more spiritually sensitive? What evidence of spirituality do you see in Jacob? In Esau? Was Rebekah a spiritual woman, that is, interested in spiritual things? It appeared that she was. She prayed to God as written in Genesis 25:22 "The babies jostled each other within her, and she said, "Why is this happening to me?" So she went to inquire of the LORD." The Lord responded in verse 23 "The LORD said to her, "Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples from within you will be separated; one people will be stronger than the other, and the older will serve the younger." Was Isaac a spiritual man? He prayed to God on Rebekah behalf when it appeared that she could not have a baby and therefore it appears that he was a spiritual man. Which do you think was the more spiritually sensitive? Issac. He knew that he had to go to God on behalf of his wife. Rebekah went to God to find out why the babies were jostling with each other. She could not wait. What evidence of spirituality do you see in Jacob? In Esau? I can see some evidence of spirituality in Jacob, since he wanted something of his father that would last forever even though he deceived to obtain it. I did not see this in Esau, because he did not care for his future and wanted everything right now. As Christians, we know that this life is finite as our eternal life with Christ is forever and it is worth to walk with Christ knowing that we have that promise.

Q1. Why does the New Testament condemn Esau for selling his birthright? (Hebrews 12:16-17) What did selling the birthright represent? What does this transaction say about Esau's character and values? What does it reveal about Jacob's character and values? Why does the New Testament condemn Esau for selling his birthright? (Hebrews 12:16-17) He did not value his heritage, but needed to satified his instant need. The instant taste of the food was a fleeting moment, as his birthright would have been a lasting value. What did selling the birthright represent? He was selling his legal rights of being firstborn. As Pastor Ralph noted that this legal right is "to a double portion of the inheritance (Deuteronomy 21:17), plus leadership of the family or clan when the father died." What does this transaction say about Esau's character and values? He really only cared for material things. He wanted things instantly and the future value of things were not important. What does it reveal about Jacob's character and values? He is willing to wait for things but he will deceive in order to get what he wants. He is shrewd and knows the other person weaknesses.

Q4. Read Matthew 8:5-13; 21:33-44; 22:2-13; 24:14; and 28:19. What do they have in common? What relation does the visit of the wise men have to Matthew's theme of bringing the Gospel to the Gentiles? How should we be applying this mandate in our own lives? What do they have in common? They were most likely all Gentiles. What relation does the visit of the wise men have to Matthew's theme of bringing the Gospel to the Gentiles? These wise men were told not to return to Herod because they knew that the Good News had to be brought to the world. All of these verses have the same theme of bringing the Gospel to the Centurion, the land owner, to the wedding banquet and to all people. How should we be applying this mandate in our own lives? We should bring the Good News to the people around us by example and by teaching.

Q3. (Matthew 2:11b) Why was it appropriate for the Magi bring gifts to the Christ-child? How does the extravagance of their gifts reflect their heart attitude? What kinds of gifts are appropriate for us to bring? Matthew 2:11b-Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh. Why was it appropriate for the Magi bring gifts to the Christ-child? As noted in Pastor Ralph's commentary, it was common to bring gifts to a king and this King was King of all Kings. How does the extravagance of their gifts reflect their heart attitude? I believe that the extravagance represents both the importance of the King and secondly the significance of the meaning of each gift - significance in gold for Christ's royalty, frankincense for his deity, and myrrh for his humanity, ultimately his burial (again noted in Pastor Ralph's commentary). The Magi heart attitude reflected their belief that they had found God's Son. What kinds of gifts are appropriate for us to bring? Our heart and obedience are the gifts that we should bring to Jesus. Secondly, it is our talent, time and tithes.

Q2. (Matthew 2:11a) What do we learn from seeing the Magi prostrating themselves before the child Jesus? What was the significance of this for them? How can we emulate this kind of worship? Matthew 2:11a - On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. What do we learn from seeing the Magi prostrating themselves before the child Jesus? The Magi knew the prophesy and they knew they were in the presence of the Son of God, Jesus. What was the significance of this for them? The significance is honor and praise our Saviour, Jesus. How can we emulate this kind of worship? As we progress through Advent, we can remember the story of His birth and just sing and praise Him as the Magi did. Of course, this should happen anytime we are worshipping Him.

Q1. (Matthew 2:1-2; Numbers 24:17) What is the significance of the Star of Bethlehem that the Magi saw? Why do you think the Magi came to find the Christ-child when they saw the star? In what way was does prophecy prefigure this event? Matthew 2:1-2 -1After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem 2and asked, "Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him." Numbers 24:17 - "I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near. A star will come out of Jacob; a scepter will rise out of Israel. He will crush the foreheads of Moab, the skulls of all the sons of Sheth. In Matthew 2:2, it reads that they saw His star in the east. These magi or wise men were really the astronomers in that day. They studied the stars. These magi were searching for a messiah and they were aware that in the Old Testament that a messiah would be found by searching the stars. In Numbers 24:17 it stated

Q5. (Luke 2:17-20) Great joy, praise, curiosity, amazement, telling others, thoughtful meditation. Which of these responses to the Good News are present in your life? In what manner do they show themselves? If some are missing, why? What can you do to recover these responses? Luke 2:17-20 - 17When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told. I believe that I have joy and praise in my life. I have a wonderful supportive wife and family. I am curious about learning as much as I can through all kinds of ways which is the reason that I am taking this Bible study. I am constantly amazed about God and what He does for me everyday. There are things that I do today as retired which just a few years ago I would not have thought of doing, such as hospital visitations and nursing home ministries. I hope that these activities show others how God works. I try to show by actions rather than just telling. I think that the one thing that I have to work on is my meditation time. There never seems to be a good time to be alone with God. It would have been a grand day to have been one of those shepherds when they actually experienced God first hand and then be able to praise and glorify God.

Q4. (Luke 2:11) What are the three titles of Jesus given by the angels? What does each mean? What does this tell us about Jesus' true identity? Luke 2:11 - Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. What are the three titles of Jesus given by the angels? What does each mean? Christ the anointed one Lord - means "owner, lord, master, a designation of any person of high position. Savior Messiah What does this tell us about Jesus' true identity? Jesus is all powerful and He is our Savior

Q3. (Luke 2:7-8) Why do you think the message of Jesus' birth comes to shepherds, of all people? Why is Jesus born in a stable with a manger for a bed? This has to be intentional. What point is God making? Luke 2:7-8 7and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. 8And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. Why do you think the message of Jesus' birth comes to shepherds, of all people? I think that there were many reasons why the message came to the shepherds. One would be that their occupation was not the most glamorous and the sheep totally relied on the shepherds like we should rely on Jesus. Another one would be that He called Himself the Good Shepherd in John 10:11 "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. God would definitely want the message to come to the shepherds because Jesus was The Good Shepherd. Why is Jesus born in a stable with a manger for a bed? This has to be intentional. What point is God making? Yes, there was no room at the inn, because God wanted His Son to be born in the lowest of places. This insignificant place was exactly what God wanted because He wanted us to know where Jesus came from and therefore when we are at our lowest point, we can come to Jesus, our Saviour.

Q2. Why do you think the journey to Bethlehem was difficult for Mary? Is pleasure an indication that we are in God's will or not? Why do you think the journey to Bethlehem was difficult for Mary? She was just about ready to have a baby and riding on a donkey would have been very uncomfortable and dangerous. Is pleasure an indication that we are in God's will or not? If we allow God into our lives, we will have the pleasure of knowing His Son who came to save us. We can enjoy life when God is central in our heart.

Q1. (Luke 2:1-2) Why does Luke name the rulers in 2:1-2? What point is he making? 1In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2(This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) Luke is setting the place and time for Jesus' birth. The point is that Jesus was born and that is an actual fact.

Q5. (1:24-25) What does Joseph accepting Mary as his wife say about his character? What is the significance for prophetic fulfillment of Jesus as a Son of David that Joseph "named" the child "Jesus"? Matthew 1:24When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. 25But he had no union with her until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus. Joseph allowed God into his heart and trusted Him. He obeyed God's command. It was interesting what Dr. Wilson wrote in his comments about the naming of Jesus and the lineage. I really had not thought of this reason. Below is his comments. "Joseph is commanded to personally name the child. This is deeply significant. It means that Joseph, in naming the child, acknowledges him as his own son and thus becomes the legal father of the child according to Semitic law. As a result of this legal adoption, Joseph's ancestry as a descendent of David transfers also to his legal son. Biologically, Jesus is begotten by the Holy Spirit and is thus the "Son of God" (Luke 1:32a), but legally he is the son of Joseph and heir to the promises of David, Joseph's ancestor. The angel Gabriel had promised Mary, "The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David" (Luke 1:32b). In Joseph naming the boy, and therefore adopting him, David becomes Jesus' earthly ancestor."

Q4. (Matthew 1:23) How did the prophetic concept of the virgin conception and the name "Immanuel" find their fullness in the birth of Jesus to Mary? The prophecy of Jesus coming was recorded in Isaiah 7:14 as follows:"Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel." I read that Jesus' name was not Immanuel, but the meaning of Immanuel, "God with us." The meaning was told to us in Matthew 1:23, as written as follows

Q3. (Matthew 1:21) What is the significance of the name Jesus? Why do you think the angel gave the name to both Mary (Luke 1:31) and Joseph independently? The significance of Jesus name is that He is the Saviour. The angel did not want to leave any doubt about Jesus name, so the angel told both of them. The angel told Mary first, and then Joseph. It was Joseph responsibility to name His child and custom would be that he would have to chose and not necessarily listen to his wife. This definitely showed God wanting to bring forth His Son to save us.

Q2. (Matthew 1:19) What were Mary's options being pregnant and carrying a baby not her husband's? What kind of character did Joseph exhibit by deciding to divorce Mary quietly and leniently?

Q2. (Matthew 1:19) What were Mary's options being pregnant and carrying a baby not her husband's? What kind of character did Joseph exhibit by deciding to divorce Mary quietly and leniently? As a woman of that time, she really did not have any options. Even if she went back to her family, they would have shunned her. Joseph exhibited compassion for Mary. In those days, most men would have divorced her or had her stoned. Of course, the only type of man God would have chosen for His Son earthly father would have been a man like Joseph, a Godly man.

Q1. What would Jesus have learned as the son of a carpenter? What experiences would this have exposed him to? He would learned a trade and he would have to work closely with his father. He would have seen his father dealing with other and Jesus would learned from his father both how to do the job and his ethics. The experiences would be how to deal with people and also he would have seen them struggle. a good lesson for his ministry. God needed His Son to feel the pain of the people around him.

Q5. (Luke 1:42-43) In what sense are the titles "Blessed Virgin Mary" and "Mother of God" appropriate for Mary? Why are we sometimes hesitant to exalt her as "blessed among women"? "Elizabeth recognizes the unique blessedness of Mary (blessed are you among women) because of the child she bears (blessed is the child you will bear). The remark is rhetorical and should not be read as if Mary is the most blessed of all women. It means she is "very pleased" (compare Judg 5:24; Song 1:8). The attitude of Elizabeth is representative of what Luke desires in any believer. What a joy to share in the events associated with Jesus." Per the IVP New Testament Commentaries - http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/commentaries/IVP-NT/Luke/Marys-Meeting-Elizabeth

Q4. (Luke 1:38) What is the essence of Mary's positive response to the angel? What can we learn from her response for our own lives? In what sense was Mary's response an "informed consent"? When we respond to God, what do we consent to? What is the essence of Mary's positive response to the angel? She states that she is the Lord's servant. What can we learn from her response for our own lives? We must be open to God's presence and accept His will. In what sense was Mary's response an "informed consent"? When she said: "May it be to me as you have said." When we respond to God, what do we consent to? Allowing Him into our lives and ageeing to obey Him.