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Judah Marries a Canaanite!! – Genesis Chapter 38
If these teachings have been a blessing to you, please consider supporting this channel: DONATE After Joseph is sold into slavery by his brothers, Judah departed from the family clan and dwelled in Adullam and married a Canaanite woman. They had three sons, who clearly seemed to have adopted the ways of their pagan mother; [...]
Joseph, the Favored Son, Sold as a Slave – Genesis Chapter 37
Genesis 36 ends with the “toldot” (what had became of) Esau. And his genealogical history is outlined to indicate his material prosperity and greatness. But there is an even greater spiritual significance of these things, showing how that the world experiences prosperity when God’s people learn to patiently wait on Him.
The Descendants of Esau – Genesis Chapter 36
When Jacob’s two sons, Simeon and Levi, killed all the men of Shechem, he became fearful that his small tribe would be attacked in vengeance from the surrounding Canaanites. God commanded him to return to Bethel; but before he could leave, he had to purge idolatry from his household and peoples.
Jacob Returns to Bethel – Genesis Chapter 35
After the rape of Dinah, Simeon and Levi, her brothers, took revenge and killed all the men of Shechem. Jacob reprimanded his two sons for their violent acts and feared the destruction of his clans by vengeful Gentile neighbors. God once again rescued Jacob and told him to return to Bethel, where God appeared to him when he fled from his brother Esau.
The Rape of Dinah – Genesis Chapter 34
After Jacob encounters his brother Esau in peace, Esau returns to Mt. Stir bu Jacob settles outside of Shechem. In time, Jacob’s daughter Leah decides to socially interact with the daughters of the Canaanite city-state of Shechem. She is discovered by Shechem, the prince of the town and is raped.
Jacob and Esau are Reconciled! – Genesis Chapter 33
After wrestling with God and receiving a new name to reflect his changed character, Jacob proceeded towards the Land of Promise. His faith was strengthened; but he was still fearful of meeting his brother Esau. So, once again he devised a plan of escape for his family by separating them into three groups.
Jacob Wrestles With God – Genesis Chapter 32
After Laban departed from Jacob and returned home, Jacob’s thoughts focussed on his most pressing concern – meeting his brother Esau. Twenty years ago when Jacob left his father’s home to go to Haran, he was also fleeing the anger of his brother Esau, who had sworn to kill him because of a perceived “stolen blessing”.
Jacob Flees from Laban – Genesis Chapter 31
Jacob has been working for Laban by keeping his flock for six years now – that’s after having done this for fourteen years previously as a dowry for his two daughters. Laban has been very deceitful and has not dealt fairly with him. Plus, Jacob noticed that Laban and his sons’ countenance towards him has become quite toxic.
Jacob Prospers Despite Laban’s Treachery – Genesis Chapter 30
After Jacob has arrived in Haran, he meets Rachel his uncle’s daughter at a well. He tells her who he is and she takes him to her father’s house. Jacob after seven years marries Leah and Rachel, Laban’s daughters. Jacob loves Rachel, but is not so loving of Leah. So, God graciously opens her womb and she bears him four sons in the hope that Jacob would love her too. In this chapter we see where the two women are engaging in a race to see who can have the most children. But also, there is a note of Rachel’s spiritual lacking. God finally gives her a son and Jacob wants to go back home. However, Laban is unwilling to let Jacob leave because he has noticed how Jacob’s God has prospered him on account of Jacob. So, he bargains with Jacob once again – only to deceive him again. But God over-rules Laban’s actions against Jacob and greatly increases his wealth.
Jacob’s Deception – The deceiver is deceived! – Genesis Chapter 29
After receiving a visitation by God in a dream, Jacob’s spirit is revived and he journeys onward to Haran. After arriving there, he meets some shepherds at a well who tell him that Rachel, his uncle’s daughter, is headed to the same place. He introduces himself to Rachel; and she thereby introduces Jacob to her father Laban. Laban welcomes Jacob. After working for him for a short period, Jacob contracts with Laban to marry his younger daughter Rachel. Laban deceives Jacob and gives him the eldest daughter Leah. Jacob then has to negotiate once again a bridal price for Rachel. But, all is not well in his household. Leah is unloved. So, God favors her because Jacob does not.
Jacob’s Dream – Genesis Chapter 28
After Jacob deceives his father into blessing him with the birthright, his brother Esau plans to kill him after his father dies. Their mother Rebekah learns of this and makes another plan that will send Jacob away to take a wife from her brother’s house. Isaac openly and rightly blesses Jacob with the Abrahamic blessing and sends him to his uncle Laban’s house to get a wife. On his long journey there, no doubt Jacob is full of fear and apprehension. So, on the way, God appears to him in a dream to establish the Abrahamic covenant and reassure him of His continued presence. Although Jacob is clearly not the man God wants him to be, what awaits him is a long period of discipline and transformation.
Jacob’s Deception – Genesis Chapter 27
n this chapter we return our attention back to Jacob. Isaac fears that his death may be near, so he determines to bless his favorite son Esau, although he knows this is contrary to the will of God. Rebekah, his wife who’s favorite son is Jacob, plots to deceive Isaac and obtain the blessing of the birthright for him. The plot is successful and Jacob deceives Isaac into giving him the blessing, only with Esau coming in afterwards to find out he has lost his opportunity. He is furious with his brother Jacob and determines to kill him when his father dies. So, in all of this mess, Rebekah concocts another plan. This time to try to save the life of her son Jacob. So, she complains to her husband Isaac that she would be grieved if Jacob married one of the Hittite women as Esau had done, prompting him to send Jacob to her homeland in Haran to find a wife there.
