JanMary

Q6. What do you think God intended animal sacrifice teach us about sin? I think He was trying to teach that the life is in the blood, and the shed life-blood of the animal was the only thing which He would accept as a sacrifice to cover sin. That sin is a serious transgression of His holiness, and that a costly, innocent scapegoat's blood would be the only acceptable offering. He was teaching that sin can't be ignored or swept under the rug of denial because it affects the sinner, those around the sinner and Himself as well. Having to kill the animal oneself was a gruesome task leaving blood on one's hands (a vivid picture of guilt) to encourage the sinner to admit and take responsibility for his/her sin and hopefully to be sorry enough to repent. He was teaching that this offering when brought in the proper way, would result in forgiveness and cleansing...a fresh start with God, and restored fellowship. Guilt caused Adam and Eve to hide from God when they sinned, yet He sought them out, killed an animal (first blood sacrifice) Himself to clothe or cover their sin and fallen nature. About holiness? He was teaching that His holiness can't "wink" at sin, but rather His justice requires blood to cover the sin, and in His generous, giving nature He Himself provides the way of escape from the transgression. I love the picture of the lamb with it's feet bound at the first of this lesson. What a picture of our bondage to sin and our fallen nature...until He sets us free through the shed blood of our Savior, Jesus. About God's nature? He was demonstrating Who He is...a holy God, a loving God who desires fellowship with His children, but that it has to be on His terms in order to satisfy His nature of both holiness and justice. It shows His mercy in providing a way back to Him after transgressing His holiness. It shows His grace in that the sinner isn't condemned but forgiven when the offering was presented. It shows His Sovereignty, in that everything belongs to Him...both man and animal, and that He has set up His Kingdom in a way that works for everyone when we obey Him. (The animal provided food after it was sacrificed) He's a reaching God, and He was revealing Himself in this to His creation.

Q5. In what sense is God's provision of animal sacrifice for forgiveness of sins an expression of his mercy? Sin results in guilt and unless relieved life can be torture at worst, and very uncomfortable at best. God's merciful provision of animal sacrifice satisfied His requirement for covering the sin with shed blood. The process involved the sinner's participation in killing the animal which taught the lessons God was after (confessing out loud to another, it's costly, you're responsible for taking responsiblity, only the shed blood of a sinless innocent victim can remove the stain of sin, and that God is merciful and will forgive sin when we ask and repent.) It also shows His mercy in that the process gave hope and a sense of starting fresh after the cleansing from sin. It gave the sinner a way back to God and His fellowship, without the cloud of guilt causing the sinner to want to hide from God, as Adam and Eve did in the garden after they sinned.... Were animal sacrifices actually adequate to atone for human sin? A man, Adam, brought sin into the world, and for sin to be completely atoned for, it took a man who is God, and without sin, to deal with fallen mankind's sin, and sin nature. So no, animal blood does not adequately atone for human sin, but it covered sin. God was preparing the Israelites to be able to recognize the Messiah Jesus when He came and died for them and for the whole world at just the right time. Until then, from the first animal's blood shed "to cover" Adam and Eve's sin, until that day on Calvary, animal blood mercifully covered sin.

Q4. What are the basic elements involved in a sacrifice for sin? (Leviticus 4:32-35; 5:5-6) First the desire to be forgiven (if he brings a lamb for his sin offering), and the conviction that one has sinned. Then taking personal responsibility for the sin (lay his hand upon the head of the sin offering);he must confess the sin; understanding that sin is costly, (the price of the perfect lamb as a substitute for the sinner), and that blood must be shed to atone for the sin (kill it in the place where they kill the burnt offering.); a mediator between God and man completes the process (the priest sprinkles and then pours the blood at the base of the altar); the fat is burned as a peace offering (the Lord receives the offering and guilt is removed); the priest makes atonement for the sin the man committed, and he is forgiven. Which of these are still necessary for forgiveness of sins today? The desire to be forgiven, after the conviction that one has sinned. Taking personal responsibilty for the sin through confession. Understanding that the precious blood of Jesus, God's lamb, was very costly and to not take it lightly or for granted, and that His sacrifice cleanses us from all sin. His is our High Priest who is the mediator between God and man. God forgives a repentant sinner. Which are no longer necessary? Why? Bringing an animal to be sacrificed, because Jesus was the sacrifice once for all; We no longer need a human priest to intervene, because Jesus is our High Priest, and none other is necessary.

Q3. Why is animal sacrifice repulsive to modern people? Believers understand that we are sinners and that the shed blood of Jesus has cleansed us from all sin, past, present and future, and we don't take that sacrifice for granted nor sin willingly to abuse the sacrifice. We understand that animal sacrifice was the preparation for the Israelites to recognize the ONE final sacrifice for the worlds sin...Jesus Christ. Modern people, the unbelieving ones, have little context for either sin or for sacrifice for sin. They see themselves as "evolving", having outgrown the notion of sin, therefore no sacrifice of any kind is needed...they don't need God. The Government has become their god. They believe they are masters of their own "ships". In a word, it's ignorance or lack of knowledge, or rebellion and pride which keeps them from receiving the sacrifice God offered for sin. Some value animal life over human life and will not eat meat or wear leather shoes, but have had several abortions in their darkened thinking. How much of this has to do with a city vs. a farming way of life? The religion of the unbelieving left has "evolved" into believing even eating animals is morally wrong, let along killing one for a "useless" purpose such as sacrifice in the past. (They don't know scripture, where God told Peter to kill and eat of the animals He was shown on the rooftop) We buy meat in sanitary plastic wrap at the store and have little mental connection to the fact that this is an animal....it's just a roast or hamburger. Farmers are familiar with the fact that animals are for not only breeding but for consumption by humans, and they raise them for that purpose, with little emotional impact when they go to slaughter.

Q2. Why is anger an appropriate response to sin? God is a God of mercy but also of justice. Moral people get angry at sin and injustice because we're created in God's image. God is holy and hates sin because all sin violates His holiness and sin always hurts someone....another person or the one committing the sin and is rebellion against His best for us. What is the difference between capricious or uncontrolled anger and anger that brings about justice? Anger is a God given emotion to alert us about injustice, etc. and is meant to move us forward toward finding a solution to a problem, or getting set free from bondage or abusive situations, such as when Jesus was angry and tore up the stalls of the money changers and sellers in the Temple. He was righting a wrong. Capricious or uncontrolled anger can lead to sin, or is sin if hatred or malice is in our thinking, and can lead to revenge or vengeance of some kind, either toward the one "getting" it, or from a past unforgiven "wound", and directed at an innocent bystander. Anger in itself is not sin, it's what we do with it....and like any other sin it needs to be confessed and forgiven so it doesn't harden into resentment and bitterness.

Q1. How do you know that John the Baptist's statement about the Lamb of God refers to sacrifice? (John 1:29). Perfect lambs, without any defects were sacrificed in the temple, their shed blood the atonement for the sins of the people. It doesn't matter which lamb mentioned (Exodus or isaiah), but it is significant that Jesus was sacrificed at 3:00 in the afternoon at the same time the lamb was being slain in the temple....I wonder if He could hear the bleating from the cross? God's timing is so amazing. He wanted them (and us) to "get it"...to understand fully Who He is and what He was and is doing in the world. How was the comprehensiveness of "sins of the world" so radical a concept? In the Exodus God told Moses to tell the people that each family was to sacrifice a lamb for their sins. In that context, sins of the world would require lambs too numerous to count. That John the Baptist called Jesus the Lamb of God, Who takes away the sin of the world, must have seemed too mysterious to imagine....a MAN to be sacrificed? For sin? Even His disciples didn't understand that He came to earth to die for their sin...and mine and for the entire world.."Whosoever believes in Him....."

Q4. (Genesis 48:15) How did God act as a Shepherd to Jacob? He found him, spoke to him so Jacob would recognize His voice, blessed him, allowed him to walk through valleys of trial on the way to greener pastures in Egypt and where he would be reunited with his beloved Joseph, He fed him, cared for him all through his life, even providing a comfortable cart to carry his old body to Egypt for that part of the journey, He used him to be a blessing to others and to bless others, He fulfilled his promises to Jacob, even to having his dead body carried back to the promised land to be buried with his beloved Rachel and his people. How does God act as a Shepherd to you? He sought me out, drew me to Jesus, sent people to share the Gospel with me, He has been faithful to provide in every way for me...I've never missed a meal in 37 years as a believer, nor in the 30 years before that, He has never left me even for a moment, He heals me when I've gotten sick, He comforts and encourages me, He's carried me when too exhausted from trials to go on, He's taught me to hear His lovely voice, and though there have been plenty of trials and pain, there has been joy and fun along the way. When the false accusations occurred at 2 churches, it was His way of teaching me to forgive deep wounds, then He led us to an awesome church where we're thriving. He's blessed me coming in and going out, and has proven Himself trustworthy in every way. I have never had a need unmet....and He has even provided some things I secretly wished for but hadn't asked. Do you trust him or rebel against his shepherding? I do trust Him, but I have to say I out and out rebelled a couple of times. Even then He was gentle with me, and the consequences of that rebellion were enough to cause me to want to stay in His "fold", and to never rebel again! He knows best what's good for me.

Q3. Why do we equate blessing with a lack of crisis in our lives? I think it's because we view hardship as a curse! We desire sunshine and flowers, prosperity and ease, and anything less seems like punishment. What are the effects of crises on our faith? I was told as a new believer that to each is given a measure of faith...that faith is like a muscle which grows with exercise. Crises for me (the loss of our business, our home, our newer car, homelessness, false accusations at 2 churches, (in which truth was only discovered after huge harm was done to our family), my husband losing his sight, betrayal by a dear "friend".....I could write a book. Oh, I am, and it's nearly finished. It's about this question: the affect of crisis on my faith has been to develop my character, and maturity, to deepen my dependence upon and my love for my Lord. It has caused me to learn that the "treasure of darkness" is getting to know Him intimately, and seeing the many facets of His character while in darkness of trials. How do they help us grow in our faith? Crises and trials came AFTER glorious promises from the Lord, as with Jacob. The trials brought about humility, and unselfishness, where there had been much pride and self-centeredness. They "tested" what I thought I believed and what I wanted Scripture to say and mean, and taught me TRUTH. They've built patience and perseverance, as I've had to WAIT....one promise was given in 1979, and I'm still waiting and expecting. Another was given in 1988, and has YET to be fulfilled, but God is faithful and will do as He promises. The trials have drawn me into fellowship with the Lord, where before I had a shallow relationship as a new believer. The trials opened old unhealed wounds from an abusive childhood, and through God's love, encouragement, support and training, those have been healed. One of the gifts He's given me is exhortation, and because I've found Him to be absolutely faithful in every way, I'm able to comfort others with the comfort I've received, and so much more. Why do they sometimes destroy our faith? I can only think that the shock can knock one for a loop, and either the support, or the openness to see and seek God in the trial are lacking. Our trials have come suddenly and have been shocking, so I can understand this happening as with Jacob. Perhaps the strong willed ones refuse to accept that the trial is meant to be a blessing. When I'd been a believer for less than a year, someone prophesied over me when I was leaving a prayer meeting....actually ran out to the car to speak these words: The Lord is saying, "You are like the oak, and you must become like the willow, able to bend or you will break". This from someone I'd never met and didn't even know her name, but I knew it was true and began to pray for that softness and flexibility to withstand storms, and God has been faithful in that as well.

Q2. (Genesis 48) Why does Jacob cross his hands when blessing Ephraim and Manasseh? Jacob is blessing his grandsons in the power of the Holy Spirit, prophetically as the Lord has shown him....the youngest is to receive the blessing of the first born, rather than the eldest. Why does Joseph try to stop him? Joseph's expectation is that the first born should be at Jacob's right hand to receive the blessing of the first born. He seems to think Jacob "has lost it", and tries to get it done "right", but Jacob is hearing from God and does accordingly. In what sense are Jacob

Q1. (Genesis 47:9) In what sense is life on earth like a "pilgrimage" or a journey, with no permanent home? Our home is in Heaven, and while on earth Jesus told us we're in His Kingdom, and though we're in the world, we're not of this world. Our journey here is to Glorify God, enjoy Him, share Him with as many "as will come" to Him, and to allow Him to transform us into His image through the trials and testings, and joys of this life. What happens to us when we settle down and get too comfortable with our lives? Too much comfort here causes us to become complacent with the Kingdom we are of, and to get embroiled with houses, cars, entertainment, "success", and the things of this world. We were never meant to "put down deep roots" here on earth. Our time here is a drop in the ocean compared to the time we will spend in eternity. True "Success" is yielding to those things God preplanned and prepared for us to do while we're here, and to serve Him in such a way that there will be rewards in Heaven, and so that He is glorified here. How do we retain a journeying spirit in our faith? It's difficult! I really needed to look at this today, as I've grieved over the coming financial collapse of our nation and the world, the corruption in Washington D.C., how far from God our nation has grown. I was looking at life as though it's going to go on here forever. When I heard the news of the 8.8 earthquake in Chile during the early hours, and the 6.3 in Japan yesterday, and the 7.0 in the Aleutians as well, on top of the disastrous one in Haiti recently, it hit me: These are the signs of His soon coming, more and more intense and frequent as in birth pangs......I need to clip those roots taking hold and look up for our redemption draws nigh!!! Come Lord Jesus! As to the "how"...for me it means watching less news, and spending more time in the Word. Surrender to the Holy Spirit is key, and asking Him to order my steps each morning, so that I'm doing what is important to Him, rather than what's in my schedule. Worship is crucial, as is prayer.

Q4. (Genesis 46:2-4) Faith is what quiets our fears. What in God's word to Jacob at Beersheba quiets his fears? He tells him not to be afraid. He promises His Presence will go with Jacob and company. He reminds him "I AM God. I'm the God of your Father. He also promies that He will make Jacob a great nation there, and that He will bring Jacob back to the land of promise to be buried, and that his precious Joseph will be there with him when he dies to close his eyes. God had brought the same assurance to Jacob before (28:15; 31:3). Why do you think he had stopped believing it? Lots of time had passed, and the promise was a distant memory, perhaps like a dream he had that wasn't really real. The great losses had weighed his heart down with grief and sadness. His circumstances hadn't lined up with the glorious promises...., and he weakened in his faith. His focus had turned inward and his relationship with God was put on hold apparently. What is the relationship between faith and God's words? God's Word is alive and active, and will not return void but will accomplish the purpose for which it is sent, so it can fall on a hardened heart and soften it. But faith KEEPS it alive in our hearts. It believes even when our circumstances aren't lining up with the way we thought it was going to be. God gave me glorious promises 37 years ago, and exactly the opposite circumstances have been rule of these many years, but faith will not let me let go of the promises, because God does not lie and sometime they will be fulfilled.

Q3. (Genesis 45:4-8) Contrast Jacob and Joseph. Jacob has suffered great loss. Joseph has suffered great injustice. Why is Jacob's vision so bleak but Joseph's, so broad? Jacob seems to have forgotten God and His promise to him, getting mired in years of mourning, never coming to acceptance. Joseph remembered God's promise to him, and saw life through the lens of God's purpose, which was larger than just what Joseph was going through. He accepted God's will without becoming angry and self pitying, as Jacob had become. What have been their differing responses to fear? Jacob's fear never left him. He was still trying to manipulate and pave the way of escape with bribes and gifts. Joseph seemed courageous, because his trust was in God's plan for him. He knew that God was with him, so he had nothing to fear. What insight has kept Joseph from being bitter towards his brothers? Joseph remembered God's promise to him and he saw God's hand in everything that happened to him. He believed that though evil was done to him, that God would use it for good in his life. He was able to forgive his brothers and saw that though their intent was to harm him, God meant him to go into captivity to be prepared to save thousands of lives, both in Egypt, but in Canaan, including his whole family.....to preserve them as a nation who would eventually be numbered as the grains of sand.

Q2. (Genesis 42:35-43:14) What is Jacob's state of mind after the first trip to Egypt? Jacob was still depressed, defeated, and grieving endlessly. The promise forgotten. Fatalistic about life, courage and hope gone. If you were a psychologist, how would you diagnose him? I would say he is clinically depressed, having lost the will to live. What factors have paralyzed Jacob mentally and spiritually? I think it started when Rachel, his beloved wife died. As I mentioned in Q.1, he may have blamed himself for unwittingly cursing her when he told Laban, that whoever has stolen your idols, "must not live". He knew the power of words, and when she died prematurely after the birth of Benjamin, he may have taken that "guilt" upon himself, besides the grief of losing her. Then when the brothers presented him with the blood stained coat of many colors as "proof" of Joseph's death, he went further into depression. The two people he favored and prized the most were lost to him and he couldn't accept their loss. Their death's stunned and paralyzed him to the point that he forgot the promise. God seems to have been forgotten to him, and he seems to live from then on in survival mode, just going through the motions of existence, like a helpless child needing to be taken care of. Why do you think Jacob changed his mind about going again to secure grain? Ch.43:1 BUT the hunger and destitution and starvation were very severe and extremely distressing in the land of Canaan, and they had eaten up the grain from the first trip to Egypt. Benjamin, Rachel's second son was still very much alive, and I think Jacob wanted to insure his survival, since he was all he had left of his beloved wife. I don't think it was to save himself.

Q1. (Genesis 37:31-35) What does bringing the blood-stained robe to Jacob say about these sons' attitude toward their father? It speaks of cruelty and hardness of heart caused by bitterness and resentment over their Father's favoritism of Joseph. It represents vengeance and "payback" and a sick "victory" in removing Joseph and making it look as if he was dead. They clearly had little respect for their father. They despised Joseph and chose to devastate Jacob through destroying Joseph. How does this loss affect Jacob? It was devastating! Like a death blow emotionally to Jacob. Isaac was an idol to Abraham, yet he was willing to sacrifice him on God's altar. Isaac favored Esau to the point of ignoring God's position for Jacob, so Jacob was aware of the cruelty and danger of favoring Joseph, who was an idol to him. His sons decided to take it upon themselves to "sacrifice" Joseph to the Midianites, believing he'd never be seen or heard from again. Jacob grieved endlessly and was in a deep depression over the loss of Joseph. The promise faded to a distant memory for him seeming to have no more significance for his future after Joseph "died". How do you think it affects his future behavior? In destroying Joseph, they destroyed their father as well. He was a broken man who gave up his responsibilities and "shut down" as the patriarch, allowing his sons to do the work. He lived from then on with a fatalistic view of life. I wonder if he gave up on God as well, since we all know that "the Lord gives and the Lord takes away". Depression is "anger turned inward". He didn't ever seem to move beyond this "stuck" place. I've also wondered if he was angry at himself. When Rachel hid her father's idols and Laban came after the family, Jacob unwittingly cursed Rachel..."May whoever has stolen your idols not live!" Gen. 31:32 She died prematurely in childbirth after giving birth to Benjamin, Joseph's younger brother. Words spoken have the power of life and death, as it says in Proverbs.

Q1. (Genesis 37:31-35) What does bringing the blood-stained robe to Jacob say about these sons' attitude toward their father? It speaks of cruelty and hardness of heart caused by bitterness and resentment over their Father's favoritism of Joseph. It represents vengeance and "payback" and a sick "victory" in removing Joseph and making it look as if he was dead. They clearly had little respect for their father. They despised Joseph and chose to devastate Jacob through destroying Joseph. How does this loss affect Jacob? It was devastating! Like a death blow emotionally to Jacob. Isaac was an idol to Abraham, yet he was willing to sacrifice him on God's altar. Isaac favored Esau to the point of ignoring God's position for Jacob, so Jacob was aware of the cruelty and danger of favoring Joseph, who was an idol to him. His sons decided to take it upon themselves to "sacrifice" Joseph to the Midianites, believing he'd never be seen or heard from again. Jacob grieved endlessly and was in a deep depression over the loss of Joseph. The promise faded to a distant memory for him seeming to have no more significance for his future after Joseph "died". How do you think it affects his future behavior? In destroying Joseph, they destroyed their father as well. He was a broken man who gave up his responsibilities and "shut down" as the patriarch, allowing his sons to do the work. He lived from then on with a fatalistic view of life. I wonder if he gave up on God as well, since we all know that "the Lord gives and the Lord takes away". Depression is "anger turned inward". He didn't ever seem to move beyond this "stuck" place. I've also wondered if he was angry at himself. When Rachel hid her father's idols and Laban came after the family, Jacob unwittingly cursed Rachel..."May whoever has stolen your idols not live." Gen.31:32 Rachel died prematurely in childbirth after giving birth to Benjamin, Joseph's younger brother. Words spoken have the power of life and death, as it says in Proverbs.

Q5. (Genesis 35:22) What is the significance of Reuben's sin?In what way does it go beyond a sexual sin? Reuben was guilty of incest (as well as adultery if he was married), so sinned against God, and dishonored and insulted Jacob. In a way, in my mind, it represents a power stuggle with his Father, implying he wants to be head of the clan NOW, not when Jacob dies. In sinning in this way, he also violated his honored position of first born, and instead receives a "curse" rather than a blessing. "You will not excel", etc. Losing the double portion and position of first born son was a huge price to pay for his sin and bitterness! We're not told, but how do you think this affected the family dynamics? I don't even like to think about the tension, feelings of betrayal, shame, conflict. Since Jacob heard about it, I wonder if he dealt directly with the issue or if he remained silent as he did at Shecham when Dinah was raped. In either case, there was bound to be deep hurt and troubled family dynamics. The proverbial "elephant in the room"which is always present. Extra credit: Reuben has acted dishonorably here. In what ways does Reuben act honorably in the future? (37:21-29; 42:22, 37) He protected Joseph, his young brother, from being killed by the other brothers. Later in Egypt during the famine where the brothers had gone to purchase food, he reminded them that they were guilty of attemting to kill Joseph and selling him into slavery to the Midianites. When Joseph required that Benjamin be brought to Egypt, Reuben offered his two sons as a pledge if he failed to bring Bejnamin home safely.

Q4. (Genesis 35:9-15) Why do you think God appears to Jacob yet another time? A number of years have passed, years of trial, struggle and conflict. He's had the disastrous situation in Shecham which he has had to flee and now brings him to Bethel, where God first appeared to him when he started his journey. It's a new beginning now that he's acquired a family and wealth elsewhere, to start fresh in the land God promised him "back then". It's a renewal spiritually for both Jacob and his family. A sending down of roots, and of putting the family in position to become acquainted with God and to be blessed, since his sons will carry the weight and the blessing of the promise forward. Now they will become the people "set apart and peculiar" in the midst of a heathen nation who still inhabits the land given to his family. God is now going to build a nation from this little flock. Jesus told the church in Revelation "to return to your first love"..since they had strayed and their hearts had grown cold. This is always a wonderful place to go.....back to the newness of my relationship with the Lord. Back to simplicity and openness of heart. Back to renewed fervor and passion for Him. Back to basics. Back to only wanting to hear His voice to the exclusion of all others. Back to peace and rest.... The Lord had done this with me several times. He gives a promise, years of delay and trials ensue which make it seem that the promise is now impossible to be fulfilled, then He renews both the promise and me, and we keep moving forward, but never in the way it seemed it was going to be...but He knows best. What are the primary promises that God renews to Jacob? The promise of Abraham, which was now reiterated with a new revelation and name for God....Almighty! He was told to be fruitful and multiply, that a nation and kings would come from his body, the land God gave to Abraham and Isaac is now his and would then be given to his descendents after him.

Q3. (Genesis 35:1-5) Why does Jacob's household need spiritual renewal? They have just behaved in a violent, ungodly way toward the people of Shecham. God told Jacob to go to Bethel and build an altar to "God Who appeared" to him while fleeing from Esau. In other words, "go back to your first love", as Jesus tells the church in Revelation. They had idols in their possession. They needed to be cleansed, forgiven and a fresh start with the Lord. Jacob needed to put them into position to once again be under God's blessing! Why is it important to get rid of foreign gods? Foreign gods demonstrated unbelief in the true God...the idols were like lucky charms against evil, and showed double mindedness, a dependence on gods other than Jehovah God, or dependence upon God plus something else for good measure in case God isn't up to the task! (like the four leaf clover I carried in my wallet when I was still a new believer, and believed in "luck", until I understood God's "favor") What do washing and putting on clean clothes represent? They represent spiritual cleansing and forgiveness following repentance. Single-minded seeking after God. What "foreign gods" do you need to throw away? In what ways do you need to repent and lead a new, clean life? I felt convicted yesterday after getting into lots of fear, that this is double-mindedness....I'm to believe God and God alone, regardless of what circumstances and emotions say, and I'm to not only stand on His Word, but to speak it and life into the circumstances which are contrary to what He has promised. His promises are true, and when I get into fear, I'm demonstrating "faith in Satan".

Q2. What happened when the Israelites disobeyed God and intermarried with the Canaanites? They turned away from God, and followed after the idols of the Canaanites, incurring God's wrath. Why do you think God commanded them not to intermarry? God's plan was to preserve this race of people, the Israelites, and their faith in Him, to produce the Messiah promised in Genesis 3:15 Who would destroy Satan ultimately. The men tended to follow after their wives beliefs. Was this racial or spiritual or both? I believe it was spiritual....to keep them from becoming "diluted" from immersion into the cultures of other gods/idols around them. They were called to remain separate in order to keep the faith pure, and not a mixture, such as we see in Haiti today....voodoo is a mixure of beliefs from different backgrounds, which keep the people in bondage and from being open to the true Gospel. In Jesus' genealogy, there are "outsiders", like Rahab and others, but they came into the faith. Men also came into the faith, and were circumcised as believers. Why are Christians to marry "in the Lord"? Because fire and water don't mix! The fire of the Holy Spirit can be quenched by the constant "raining" and "railing" from opposition in an unequal marriage.....seeking peace will ultimately weaken or compromise a believer, or the marriage will end. Scripture teaches us not to be unequally yoked with unbelievers. When I read that, I think of a strong Ox carrying one side of the yoke and a donkey or goat on the other side. All of the weight or load is carried by the Ox or believer, while the donkey or goat is not fitted to the work, and either becomes a "drag" on the Ox or is always trying to go the opposite way. Not the way to live a harmonious life in Christ!

Q1. (Genesis 34) Why do you think Jacob is so silent after the rape of his daughter He is an old man, new in the area, "a stranger in a strange land", with God as his only "friend". I think his motive was fear...fear of starting a war with the locals, with only he his sons and servants to defend themselves. Perhaps he was in that "numb" state after a shock of this nature, where temporarily one feels shut down emotionally and spiritually. I've experienced that a few times, and in that shock, it's natural for others to step in and take the helm...right or wrong. What should he have done instead of being silent? He should have gone to Hamor and protested the situation, and discussed punishment and restitution from Shecham. He should have defended his daughter and the family's honor. Later, I notice King David acts the same in the rape of his daughter, with disastrous results. What was right about the sons' reaction? Outrage was the right reaction to the rape and violation of their sister...of any woman for that matter! What was wrong? In the face of Jacob's impotence to act, and his silence, they filled the void with violence and murder, deceitfully luring the town into their trap. There was no seeking God's counsel, nor in conferring with Jacob about his thoughts and desires in the matter. What threat does the family now face if they stay in Shechem? They have become a stench to those around them. The men and livestock have been killed, but they have taken the women and children as slaves who are witnesses to this heinous act. Their actions are now known in the area, and they will be seen as violent and warring people instead of followers after God. The native peoples will no longer see them as honest and trustworthy in their dealings and negotiations for future property rights. It's true that at times God told the Israelites to destroy entire peoples in order to protect them from their ruination through intermarrying with these people or by being destroyed physically by them. But God gave no direction in the case of the Shechamites.

Q4. (Genesis 33:1-16) How has Esau changed since Jacob had gone to Haran? His rage and expressed desire to kill Jacob has been replaced with gladness in seeing Jacob, and he desires a peaceful reconciliation. How has Jacob changed? Jacob now has a relationship with God, has been humbled by the years of trial and testing, and also desires a peaceful reunion with Esau. Instead of the youth fleeing for his life, he is returning as a mature and wealthy man with a family, who knows that God's goodness has given him all that he has....including his own life. How does the encounter demonstrate Jacob's "craftiness"? He "stole" the largest portion and position from Esau in the birthright, now he tries to soften his brother's anger by wowing him with a huge gift sent ahead to placate Esau. He bows to the ground 7 times which places him under Esau's headship, while having no intention of following through with going to live side by side with Esau in Seir. How does it demonstrate his faith? He has repented of his deception done outside the will of God, and now gives God full credit for redeeming his life and the blessings which have been heaped upon him. He comes in humility. Can Jacob be humble and "crafty" at the same time? I think so. He's humble but still fearful, hence the crafty "buying" favor with Esau, to demonstrate remorse over his past actions. When we act in fear, we aren't being who we really are, so we may stoop to less than forthright behavior.

Q3. (Genesis 32:24-30) Who was the "man" Jacob wrestled with? God...the preincarnate Christ, I believe. Similar to the Theophany, or the Godhead (the three) who appeared to Abraham when he pled for the righteous in Sodom to be spared. What does the wrestling represent? I think it represents the surrender of Jacob's will to the Lordship of God in his life. I've had those wrestlings with God spiritually when He was leading me to a deeper walk with Him, but they are exhausting and feel almost like a physical "death" as I turn more of my will over to Him. It's a settling of Who is in charge, but always ends in blessing and reward from Him. Was it spiritual or physical? It seems to have been both, since Jacob's hip was out of joint for the rest of his life. Why does the "man" wound Jacob permanently? I believe the wound or limp was to remind Jacob that he was no longer "Jacob the supplanter", but Jacob, "contender with God who has power with God and with men and have prevailed." v.28 He was so changed by the encounter that he named the place Peniel (The Face of God), saying, For I have seen God face to face, and my life is spared and not snatched away. v.30 The New Testament equivalent I see is when Peter had denied three times that he knew Jesus. After Jesus was resurrected He sent word with the women to go tell my disciples, AND PETER. God's grace and mercy to a former sinner which transforms the life into a powerful man who can now be greatly used by God. What do you think the limp means to him? I think it signifies many things....that the relationship with God has become intimate and very personal. That God is not "out there in the cosmos" but is tangible though rarely visible in His person, and that God is Sovereign over Jacob's life and destiny signified by a new name which now defines him. He has been marked by God's touch, not only on his hip, but his spiritual and emotional life as well. I see it as a physical gift from God...a blessing, which Jacob could never forget, of having been held tightly in God's loving arms. Also, as Jacob was to rise as the father of the 12 tribes of Israel, the limp would keep him in a place of humility, lest he become puffed up with the position of power.

Q2. (Genesis 32.9-12) What does Jacob's prayer tell us about his fears? I've been in his shoes before myself, with great promises from the Lord, but still afraid. He's probably feeling guilty about his deception, and perhaps has punished himself for years believing that he deserves to be punished. In my case, threats sounded more real than God's Word, until I'd walked for a number of years with Him. About his faith? His faith is revealed in that he remembers God's promises to him after all those years. I journal mine, but wonder if Jacob wrote down what the Lord spoke to him. He also believes enough to ask for God's intervention, and acknowledges that his faith follows Abraham, and Isaac's. He acknowledges God's power and presence and that He's a prayer answering God. He acknowledges that he's being led to obey God in returning to Haran. The fact that he's talking about Esau's anger, tells me Jacob has a very personal relationship with God established through the day to day dealings of life. About his pride? His pride has been dealt with through the long years of humiliation and being manipulated and mistreated by his Father in law. He now comes in humility for help, saying that he doesn't deserve intervention, but throws himself on God's mercy. What are the signs of spiritual growth you see in Jacob since he left Canaan to go to Haran years before? He fled Canaan in terror for his life, but has seen and experienced God's faithfulness in being taken care of, provided for, and blessed "coming in and going out"....He is no longer proud and defiant, but is seeking peace and reconciliation to the extent that he's willing to give much of all he has gained to asuage Esau's anger. That's a huge thing for a previously grasping man like Jacob.

Q1. (Genesis 32:1-2) Why does God reveal the angel army to Jacob? Jacob must have been terrified of running into an ambush from Esau, since he'd heard nothing in all those years to dispel Esau's threat to kill him. I believe God was reassuring Jacob that "I am with you as you return to the promised land, fulfilling My promise to be with you wherever you go." What is the significance of the presence of this army? I believe it gave Jacob confidence to send word to Esau that he was returning, and wanted peace between them. The angelic army was with him to establish his/his family's safe return. Why do you think he calls the place Mahanaim ("two camps")? Jacob and his family, servants , flocks, and herds were one camp. The angelic host was there in protective mode as a separate camp.

Q5. Why do we often fail to see God's blessings during the everyday conflicts of our lives? I can only speak for myself. After many years of trials, suffering, and conflict, I now look for the blessing that I have learned God is building into every situation. But during earlier trials, I still believed the false teaching that when I received Christ as my Lord and Savior, life would be "smooth sailing". (They didn't mention the storms!) When life was painful, I focused on the pain and felt sorry for myself, looking at others who were not suffering and wondering why I was being punished. After years of walking with the Lord, learning His Word and allowing it to transform and renew my mind, learning that He is absolutely faithful and that He loves me absolutely and unconditionally, the realization came that it's in the trials that I discover and KNOW Him, and that the treasures of the darkness become mine. I remember during one extemely painful time of betrayal, He led me to the scripture that told me I was under the shadow of His wing....and I told Him how very dark it is under there, then later understood that it's there that I am being snuggled close to His breast. The too familiar voice of Satan was always there to blame God for what was going on. I didn't yet know God's character, so I accepted those suggestions for quite awhile, and since I had been abused as a child by both parents, the lies seemed to be the truth. Eventually I saw that even Jesus learned obedience through the things that He suffered, and that His life on earth was one of constant trials, rejection, and trouble, and that the servant is not above the Master. Why do blessings and conflicts so often come at the same time? As I look at characters in the Bible, like Joseph, it was through the conflicts that they were not only blessed, but that they became a blessing to others. The grain of wheat must be crushed before it becomes bread to feed others. I believe the trials/crushing are the preparation for being a blessing, and along the way, God gives blessing to keep us encouraged and refreshed. Joseph must first suffer prison before he could become Premier of Egypt. I've kept journals for years, and as I go back and read about life as it was happening as I write the book, it was always in trials where "God showed up", where I heard His voice, or saw His miracles, or recognized one of His wonderful Names, or experienced supernatural provision. I wouldn't trade any of the suffering, because of How precious He is to me because of all He allowed in my life. I'm more stable, more reliant upon Him, my character is growing, my faith is stronger, I'm more equipped for service because I know that it's through surrender to His power that I am able to serve and am reflecting Him rather than myself. I'm growing in maturity and through it all is His comfort and His Presence. What hope do we have in the midst of our struggles? The knowledge that He will never leave me nor forsake me....He has gone before me so I have nothing to fear. He knows the outcome. He knows the length of the trial, and He has promised it will never be more than I can bear. The trial will have an end. The suffering is producing character and fruit. He has promised to work the trial for good. There will be rewards in Heaven If my attitude is one of patience in the suffering rather than complaining and whining. Tribulation works patience into our lives.......but if I fall into whining and don't get it right, there is forgiveness and cleansing! He Who began the good work in my life will bring it to completion at that day! Praise God, we can't lose, because He's promised victory!