Lesson 11

Question 1

1. What is the difference between the toledot of Shem and the toledot of Adam?

Answer 1

D. The major difference with Gen 5 is that there is no “and he died” refrain
E. Instead, this section repeats “and he had other sons and daughters.”
F. The purpose of this section is to show that God’s promises cannot be thwarted by the scattering of the nations at Babel

Question 2

2. What were some of the obstacles to the fulfillment of the promises in Jacob’s life?

Answer 2

1. Conflict starts in the womb
   a. The children struggle even before birth.
   b. The announcement is made that the older shall serve the younger (Gen 25:23)
2. Conflicts between two sons who turn out so different from each other (Gen 25:27)
   a. Esau becomes a skillful hunter who loves the outdoors
   b. Jacob is described as “a quiet man, staying among the tents.”
3. The character of the two sons (Gen 25:29-34)
   a. Esau is crass, willing to sell the birthright for some “red stuff” (Gen 25:30)
   b. Jacob is a devious man of foresight, who barters the birthright away from Esau by taking advantage of Esau
4. Parental favoritism shows conflict between the parents (Gen 25:28)
5. Jacob the schemer
   a. Jacob deceives his father for the blessing

Question 3

3. How does God work on Jacob to bring him to a point of submission to Himself? How does this change manifest itself throughout Jacob’s life?

Answer 3

Transform a prayless sceemer into a man of faith.

c. God pursues Jacob
i. A dream with a stairway from heaven to earth
ii. A statement of the promises to Jacob (Gen 28:13-15)
d. Jacob is disciplined by God
i. When Jacob meets Rachel, he trusts in his own strength
ii. When Jacob meets Laban, he comes across one who is as cunning, greedy, and deceptive as he
iii. While loving Rachel, Jacob is deceived into marrying Leah
iv. Jacob is tested by marital favoritism

1) God gives Jacob a taste of his own medicine with Laban
2) God wrestles with Jacob, breaks his hip, to remind him of God
3) God changes his name to Israel

f. Change in Jacob
i. Jacob plans and prays
ii. Prayer shows his changed character
iii. Jacob wrestles with a man, Elohim (Gen 32:30)
 Broken, maimed, but also blessed
 No longer Jacob, but “Israel.”
 Delivered (Gen 32:11, 30)
iv. The evidence of a changed life is reconciliation
 Jacob shows courage as he goes in front of his immediate family
 Jacob shows humility as he bows down seven times
 Jacob shows penitence as he tries to return a blessing (Gen 33:10-11)

Question 4

• Detail how deception is a continuing part of Patriarchal narrative

Answer 4

1. Gen 20:2-23 - Abraham lied to Abimelech saying Sarah was his sister.
2. Gen 26 Issac lied to Abimelech saying Rebekah was his sister
3. Gen 27 Jacob lied to his father (Issac) - with Rachel’s help - conserning the birthright over his brother Esau
4. Gen 37 Jacob’s sons lied to him (Jacob) concerning Joseph’s death

Question 5

• Describe the plan of God to transform His chosen people through tests and other difficult providences

Question 6

• Examine the development of the “seed” motif in the Patriarchal narratives