Genesis 31-38

Chapter 31:

Main Events:

Jacob perceives that Laban and his sons have turned on him and makes plans to leave.

Jacob recounts learning that the reason for his success is God’s intervention, and makes plans to leave the land under God’s commands. They agree.

Jacob makes a mistake in not telling Laban, invites further deception in the actions of his wives.

Laban pursues, expresses anger, and is made a fool of when he cannot find his idols—Jacob presses his advantage.

Laban continues to be petulant, won’t give glory to God, and makes a very grudging covenant between the two men.

Main Themes:

Jacob’s time to sojourn is finished: he needs to return to the promised land.

Although Jacob was learning, he was still unsure of how to progress.

Actions affect and impact families.

Chapter 32:

Main Events:

Jacob met be an angelic deputation:

Jacob sends one of his own, with plenty of bribery, to his brother Esau.

Esau approaches with 400 men.

Jacob appeals to God through prayer...

He appeals to Esau through offerings:

Jacob sends his wives and children on

Jacob wrestles with God

Israel becomes his new name.

Main Themes:

We often receive what we can expect to get...

The righteous are as bold as a lion...

But we often receive better than we deserve:

God had given this to Jacob

And Esau will as well.

Chapter 33:

Main Events:

Jacob prepares his party to meet Esau, takes the lead out in front:

Esau is overjoyed to see his brother, takes no thought for riches:

Jacob is determined to make restitution as God has blessed him.

Jacob and Esau part ways, Jacob eventually settles in Succoth as well as purchases land in Shechem.

Main Themes:

Forgiveness and reconciliation:

Time should give perspective, but it doesn’t always do so.

Yahweh has become the God of Israel (vs 20)

Chapter 34:

Main Events:

Dinah goes to see the other women in the land, Shechem violates her, but wants to marry her.

Her brothers are enraged and plot to deceive Shechem and his brethren.

The men of the city are willing to be circumcised thinking that they will eventually come to take over the Israelites anyway over time.

The sons of Jacob murder everyone in the city and take captive the wives and children.

Main Themes:

Selfish vengeance:

What was the relationship like between them?

Why did they want to take revenge?

Who did they take revenge on?

What was the consequence?

Chapter 35:

Main Events: 11 Years have passed

God calls Jacob back to Bethel;

Jacob, calls his family to rid themselves of their idols

Rebekah’s nurse Deborah dies

God appears to Jacob and reaffirms the name change to Israel:

Rachel dies in child birth with Benjamin

Reuben lays with Bilhah

Isaac dies at 180 years, Jacob and Esau bury him

Main Themes:

Why did they still have idols?

Are there times when we need clean out?

Had Jacob’s behavior encouraged in any way Reuben’s actions

Chapter 36:

Main Events:

Generations of Esau listed

Esau departs peacefully to a land of his own.

Main Themes:

Edom’s progression

Edom as a nation peaks before Israel

Chapter 37:

Main Events:

Jacob’s sons misbehave

Joseph dreams about the sheaves spills the beans:

Brother’s plot to murder their brother, but settle for selling him, going against Reuben’s wishes and plans.

Israel considers himself dead—Joseph down to Egypt.

Main Themes:

Consider the behavior of Joseph and his brothers

Remember the age gap between them

(illus. of men fighting boys after the football game)

Continuation of Yahweh’s promise to Abraham

Chapter 38:

Main Events:

Judah’s string of wicked sons marry Tamar:

First Er and then Onan.

Judah, instead of being a better father, keeps his son back.

Tamar tricks Judah into giving her a son

Judah’s incensed because of the actions of his daughter-in-law and is ready to put her to death.

When his hypocrisy is exposed, he has a change of heart.

Tamar gives birth to twins, Perez and Zerah

Main Themes:

Contrast of Judah and Joseph

Lineage of Christ