IST Unit 3: Beginning of the Israelites

Question 1

What trial did Isaac & Rebekah have that Abraham & Sarah also had?

Answer 1

Rebekah (like Sarah) was barren.

Question 2

How many years passed between the marriage of Isaac and Rebekah and the birth of their twin sons?

Answer 2

20 years

Question 3

What was Isaac’s response to Rebekah’s barrenness?

Answer 3

He prayed

Question 4

2 principles about prayer from Isaac’s praying for Rebekah to have kids: Isaac’s prayer was answered because….. (1) and (2)

Answer 4

(1) it was according to the revealed word of God
(2) Isaac was persistent in prayer

Question 5

Rebekah’s prayer differed from Isaac’s in that she…

(1) asked God why she was having such a difficult experience
(2) did not pray for a long time regarding her need as Isaac did
(3) apparently went to a special place and received a prompt answer.
(4) did what is noted in all of the above

Answer 5

4

Question 6

What did the struggle between unborn twins in Rebekah’s womb point ahead to?

Answer 6

there would be a continued struggle between Jacob and Esau and their descendants

Question 7

What did Jacob’s act in grabbing the heel of Esau point ahead to?

Answer 7

Jacob would try to keep his brother from getting the birthright of the firstborn.

Question 8

What did God’s revelation to Rebekah about which brother would serve the other point ahead to?

Answer 8

God’s plan was for Jacob to have the priority rights and covenant blessings.
and
Esau would serve Jacob.

Question 9

3 main points of God’s answer to Rebekah’s prayer (she wanted to know why her pregnancy was such a struggle)

Answer 9

2 nations were in her womb,
one would be stronger than the other,
and the older would serve the younger

Question 10

Which set describes Jacob and which describes Esau?

(a)
outspoken, adventuresome, extroverted, outdoorsman, materialistic
(b)
home-loving, quiet, introverted, calculating, shrewd, selfish, spiritual interests

Answer 10

a is Esau
b is Jacob

Question 11

On what was God’s choice of Jacob basedS?

Answer 11

on His foreknowledge

Question 12

2 evidences of God’s care for Isaac in the time of famine are…

1
warning Isaac and promising that the attitude of the inhabitants of the land would change
2
going with Isaac to Egypt and keeping him safe there
3
appearing to Isaac and blessing Isaac’s work
4
changing the weather conditions and making him wealthy

Answer 12

3

Question 13

All of the following but one represent trials that both Abraham and Isaac experienced. Which one is NOT?

1
Both faced famine in the land of Canaan.
2
Each spent time in Egypt because of famine.
3
Each imagined he would be killed so that others could take his wife.
4
both had trouble over wells of water

Answer 13

2

Question 14

Why did Isaac stay in the land of Canaan during famine, while in a similar trial his father had gone to Egypt?

Answer 14

God warned Isaac against going to Egypt but did not tell Abraham not to go.

Question 15

Which statement(s) are TRUE?

1
Isaac’s deception about his wife was worse than his father’s because he should have learned from Abraham’s experience.
2
Since a person’s emotions are individual, it is unreasonable to suppose that the fears of a parent can be passed on to the children.
3
When faith gives way to fear, God’s people are likely to do the wrong thing.
4
A more logical course for Isaac would have been to remind Abimelech of the treaty made with Abraham many years before
5
A better alternative for Isaac than giving way to fear and deceiving the men of Gerar would have been to depend on the Lord for protection

Answer 15

1, 3, 4, 5

Question 16

Which statements are TRUE?

1
Isaac’s discussion to give the birthright blessings to Esau indicates that he was ignoring God’s word to Rebekah in 25:23.
2
Isaac based his plan to bless Esau on his preference for his older son rather than the attempt to please God.
3
Isaac’s carnality is apparent, also, in his desire to have some of his favorite food before he blesses Esau.
4
We may assume that over the years favoritism had caused division in the family and distorted Isaac’s faith in the prophecy God gave Rebekah.
5
Isaac’s wrong action of attempting to please himself indicates that he had never really embraced the covenant God gave his father and confirmed to him.

Answer 16

1, 2, 3, 4

Question 17

Which statement(s) are TRUE?

1
Isaac’s plot and Rebekah’s counterplot may be characterized as a normal parental reaction.
2
The family problem that lay at the root of these plots was favoritism, which had divided the family.
3
Sarah’s plans to fulfill the covenant and Rebekah’s plot were alike in that both turned from faith to human efforts to ensure this fulfillment, and both brought trouble.
4
While her methods were questionable, Rebekah’s plan was consistent with God’s will.
5
In evaluating Rebekah’s counterplot, we can conclude that God never inspires a wrongdoing; however, He will accomplish His purpose, even through human failures and wrong methods.

Answer 17

2, 3, 5

Question 18

3 results of Jacob’s deceit:

Answer 18

he got the blessing God had promised for him,
the division in the family was worse,
Esau hated him and planned to kill him,
he was in exile for 20 years,
he was separated from his family,
he was deceived by others

Question 19

Isaac’s change of attitude toward Jacob came about because…

1
Rebekah convinced him that he had been wrong
2
he was disappointed that Esau had married two Hittite women
3
he finally recognized Jacob as the covenant heir
4
he gave in to circumstances over which he had no control

Answer 19

3

Question 20

The new element of Isaac’s blessing that added to the covenant promise when Jacob was leaving was that…

1
Jacob’s people would be a community of peoples united by a common bond
2
he would prosper and become a wealthy leader of the people
3
many sons would be born to carry on the plan of God
4
his life would be peaceful and full of blessings

Answer 20

1

Question 21

3 important blessings that came out of Esau’s attempt to kill Jacob:

Answer 21

His personal revelation of God and commitment to Him.
the development of his character through discipline.
his family.

Question 22

Which statement(s) are TRUE?

1
Jacob’s dream had no immediate effect on him.
2
The promise that God reaffirmed to Jacob is evidence of grace that we can expect today.
3
Jacob’s dream was primarily for his comfort and encouragement until he arrived in Mesopotamia.
4
The symbolic meaning of the dream for us is that Jesus is the way to heaven.
5
The practical result of the dream was to build Jacob’s faith in God.

Answer 22

2, 4, 5

Question 23

Which statement(s) are TRUE?

1
Jacob showed his love for Rachel by offering to work for 7 years for her instead of the usual 2 years required by local custom.
2
love had a positive effect on Jacob’s character, making him a better, less self-centered person, giving him a goal or purpose and meaning to his work.
3
In this case, we see the principle that real love is hindered by the hard work that is required to provide all the things that a family and relationships require.
4
In terms of a Christian’s service to the Lord, we can say correctly that if we love Christ, we will want to work for Him because He makes service joyful

Answer 23

1, 2, 4

Question 24

All of the following but one tell how Jacob was deceived and exploited by Laban and how these experiences are related to Jacob’s past actions. Which one is NOT such a statement?

1
Since Laban knew that Jacob was in love with Rachel and did not have a marriage present, he used Jacob’s desire for a wife to ensnare him in a seven-year labor contract.
2
Jacob had exploited Esau’s appetite, his physical desire, to gain Esau’s birthright and then disguised himself to steal Esau’s blessing.
3
Laban purposely neglected to tell Jacob about a local marriage custom to exploit him for an additional seven years of labor
4
When Jacob had served his first labor term, Laban gave his elder daughter to Jacob instead of the one promised, deceiving his son-in-law by veiling the bride and perhaps getting Jacob intoxicated.
5
Both Laban and Jacob acted in accordance with local custom and normal business relationships of the day; therefore, they can be considered only as shrewd businessman.

Answer 24

5

Question 25

which wife did Jacob love & which did he neglect? How did God respond?

Answer 25

Rachel - Jacob loved.
Leah - Jacob neglected, so God gave her children.

Question 26

Jacob & Rachel’s kids

Answer 26

Joseph & Benjamin

Question 27

Jacob & Leah’s kids

Answer 27

Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Zebulun, Dinah

Question 28

Jacob & Bilhah’s kids

Answer 28

Dan and Naphtali

Question 29

Jacob & Zilpah’s kids

Answer 29

Gad and Asher

Question 30

Leah is important in Israel’s history because…

1
she was the paramount wife in Jacob’s family
2
she was the mother of six of the patriarchs of Israel, including two of the most important: Judah and Levi
3
in God’s use of her we see that God often uses people who are not popular or appreciated
4
of what is noted in all of the above
5
of what is noted only in 2 and 3 above

Answer 30

5

Question 31

Which statement(s) are TRUE?

1
Jacob is the first person, so far as we know, to practice selective breeding
2
Jacob wanted an absolutely foolproof way of distinguishing his animals from Laban’s, so he agreed to take only those that were white
3
Laban readily agreed to Jacob’s wage offer because he knew that the animals Jacob wanted were relatively few
4
At the very beginning of this new wage agreement, Laban was open and honest, giving the animals Jacob wanted to him immediately
5
God encouraged Jacob in his venture by a dream and assured him that in spite of Laban’s treachery, He would bless Jacob’s work
6
scientific evidence indicates that what a mother sees influences her unborn offspring
7
the secret behind Jacob’s selective breeding success was God’s blessing rather than his specific method
8
God intervenes today in ways that baffle the scientific world, especially in healing those on whom medical science has given up

Answer 31

1, 3, 5, 7, 8

Question 32

Which statement(s) are TRUE?

1
Laban pursued Jacob because he probably wanted to force him to return or to take his family and possessions away from him, but above all he wanted his household gods.
2
Laban would probably have tried to harm Jacob had he not been in his own country and among friendly tribes
3
Jacob and Laban’s agreement included these terms: Jacob would not mistreat Laban’s daughters, and neither would pass that point (pillar of stones) to harm the other
4
While we often use Laban’s words in verse 49 at the end of a service or in saying farewell, Laban and Jacob used it as a prayer for punishment on the one who broke the pact
5
the message of Mizpah regarding world peace is that well-intentioned peace agreements are the world’s only hope for peace today.

Answer 32

1, 3, 4

Question 33

Although Jacob’s prayer at Peniel has many good qualities, it seems to lack the important aspect of…

Answer 33

confession of past sins

Question 34

Which statement(s) are TRUE?

1
In ch 32, Jacob appears to trust too much in his own shrewd tactics rather than to depend fully on the Lord
2
In Jacob’s struggle at Peniel, the angel was apparently teaching him not to trust in himself but to trust wholly in God
3
The limp that Jacob sustained could be a symbol of his broken self-sufficiency
4
Our lesson in this is that we prevail with God when we are broken, touched, and humbled by Him
5
Jacob shows a lack of faith in setting out to reconcile his brother by sending a gift to him before they met

Answer 34

1, 2, 3, 4

Question 35

What were the 2 natural weapons with which Jacob had defended himself through the years?

What were the 4 spiritual weapons that Jacob found to be more effective?

Answer 35

2 natural - human cleverness and self-sufficiency

4 spiritual - godly desires, prayer, submission to God, dependence on God

Question 36

Which statement(s) are TRUE?

1
The name Peniel or Penuel means “representative of God”
2
Whereas the touch of God usually brings healing, in this case it crippled Jacob probably to remind him of his experience and to trust in God instead of his own resourcefulness
3
it was essential for Jacob to be forced to confess what he was - Supplanter, Heel Grasper - before he could be what God wanted him to be
4
When the Lord gives one a new name, it indicates a changed spiritual character or a new standing before God.
5
From this point on Jacob’s life is different; consequently, he never gives way to the traits of his old life again
6
Israel’s limp seems to symbolize the breaking of the old Jacob nature

Answer 36

2, 3, 4, 6

Question 37

All of the following selections but one are possible meanings of the name Israel. Which one is NOT?

1
Prince of God, he struggles with God, contends with God
2
He will rule as God, power with God, God wrestling, soldier of God
3
God is my Judge, who is as God is, judging with God
4
God strives, God perseveres, God overcomes, overcomes with God

Answer 37

3

Question 38

The name Israel is used to refer to…

1
the patriarch Jacob and the 12 tribes of Israel
2
the nation of Israel and the 10 northern tribes of the divided kingdom
3
the church
4
all of the above

Answer 38

4

Question 39

While it appears that Esau was coming to kill Jacob and take his possessions, he underwent a sudden change in attitude because apparently…

1
God took away his hatred and resentment and restored his brotherly love
2
he was pacified by the gift Jacob had sent ahead of him
3
he was aware that if he murdered his brother, it would kill his aged father Isaac
4
God had revealed to him that he must not touch Jacob

Answer 39

1

Question 40

The danger to the covenant family in Hamor’s proposal to Jacob and his sons was in…

1
Jacob’s losing his wealth to the Canaanites
2
being detained by the Canaanites
3
the temptation for greater trade and wealth
4
being absorbed into Canaanite culture

Answer 40

4

Question 41

Which statement(s) are TRUE?

1
Jacob had an active part in the Shechem massacre.
2
The massacre shows that Jacob had not trained his sons well and had little control over them
3
Jacob’s main concern was about the moral wrongness of the massacre and plunder
4
knowing that this incident could provoke the Canaanites to attack reminded Jacob of the times God had protected him in the past.

Answer 41

2, 4

Question 42

Which statement(s) are TRUE? We see evidence of Jacob’s repentance in…

1
commanding his people to purify themselves
2
reproving his sons for their unbridled anger against Shechem
3
making his people get rid of their idols and charms
4
obeying immediately the Lord’s instruction to go to Bethel
5
taking a strong stand against his sons’ cruel vengeance on the Shechemites

Answer 42

1, 3, 4

Question 43

What symbolism or spiritual application do the purification and changing of garments have that we see in Gen 35:2?

Answer 43

They speak of cleansing from sin and taking off the old way of life and putting on the qualities that God gives.

Question 44

Which statement(s) are TRUE?

1
Rachel died and was buried on the way to Ephrath or Bethlehem
2
Rachel died in childbirth as her son Benjamin was born
3
Rebekah’s beloved nurse died before the family moved from Bethel.
4
Jacob changed the meaning of his youngest son’s name from “Son of my strength” to “Son of my right hand”
5
Jacob returned to Mamre and lived with his father Isaac for some time before Isaac died
6
Isaac was buried in the cave of Machpelah next to Abraham and Sarah and his wife Rebekah
7
Esau took his inheritance to Seir because he did not want to see God’s covenant blessings come on Jacob.
8
Scripture records that both Judah and Reuben were involved in immorality
9
Esau’s descendants are called Edomites throughout the Old Testament

Answer 44

1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 8, 9

Question 45

The hatred of Joseph’s brothers was based, most correctly, on Joseph’s…

1
high moral ideals and dreams of his future greatness and his father’s favoritism
2
pride and ambition and the beautiful robe given by his father
3
his dreams, his coat of many colors, and the jealousy of Jacob’s other wives
4
tattling and envy of Bilhah and Zilpah and Jacob’s favoritism

Answer 45

1

Question 46

Why was Jacob partial to Joseph?

Answer 46

He was the son of his old age and the son of his favorite wife, Rachel.
He was purer in character than his brothers.

Question 47

What were Joseph’s 2 dreams & interpretation?

Answer 47

the 11 sheaves of his brothers bowed down to his sheaf.
the sun, moon, and stars bowed down to him.
this meant the whole family would bow down to him (as a ruler)

Question 48

Dan, Napthali, Gad, and Asher especially hated Joseph because…

1
he had received a special gift from his father
2
of the jealousy instilled by their mother
3
he told Jacob of their immoral behavior
4
they hated his stories of special dreams

Answer 48

3

Question 49

All of the following but one are evidence of God’s care for Joseph and the covenant family in Gen 37. Which one is NOT one of these evidences?

1
God gave Joseph dreams to encourage him in the years ahead.
2
God sent the brothers to Dothan on the caravan route to Egypt
3
God let Reuben keep the brothers from killing Joseph.
4
God sent the merchant caravan at just the right moment and prompted Judah to suggest the sale.
5
God sent Joseph to Egypt to save the lives of the family and many others during the coming famine
6
God sent Joseph to Egypt to correct his arrogance and lack of wisdom in his family life.

Answer 49

6

Question 50

2 purposes of Gen 38

Answer 50

give the genealogy of the chosen line
and
show the increasing danger of absorption by the Canaanites

Question 51

God was displeased with Onan because of his…

1
selfish motives and his unwillingness to accept his responsibility in the levirate marriage
2
extreme prejudice against Gentile peoples
3
unwillingness to accept a Canaanite wife regardless of family obligations
4
disregard of the covenant blessings

Answer 51

1

Question 52

the great danger for the covenant family in Gen 38

Answer 52

moral corruption and absorption of the chosen line by the Canaanites through partnerships and intermarriage

Question 53

3 reasons why the record of Judah and Tamar in Gen 38 makes a valuable contribution to the Word of God

Answer 53

historical data about the messianic line.
evidence that God’s choice is based on grace and not merit.
evidence of biblical inspiration because it records the failings of national heroes.
insight into the reason why God took Israel away from the Canaanites.