Now that Jacob has reconciled with his brother, he wants to settle in the land of Canaan in peace. The word shalem, “safely” (Genesis 33:18, NKJV), from the word shalom, “peace,” for the first time characterizes his journey.

After having purchased a piece of land from the inhabitants (Genesis 33:19), he erects an altar there, showing his faith and his realization about how dependent upon the Lord he really is. For every one of the sacrifices offered, there was an act of worship.

Yet, for the first time in his life, Jacob-Israel is exposed to the troubles of settling in the land. Like Isaac at Gerar with Abimelech (Genesis 26:1-33), Jacob tries to find accommodation with the Canaanites.

Read Genesis 34:1-31. What happened to upset his plans for a peaceful existence?

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The story of this sordid incident highlights the ambiguity of the characters and of their actions. The sensual Shechem, who violates Dinah, is also characterized as sincere and loving Dinah and who wants to try to make amends. He is even willing to undergo the covenant rite of circumcision.

Meanwhile, Simeon and Levi, who present themselves as the defenders of God and His commandments, and who resist intermarriage with the Canaanites (Leviticus 19:29), resort to lies and deception (Genesis 34:13) and are ready to kill and plunder (Genesis 34:25-27). Their actions were not only reprehensible (why not punish the one man who had done it?) but had the potential to cause many more problems.

As for Jacob, he is concerned only with peace. When the rape of his daughter is reported to him, he does not say anything (Genesis 34:5). However, after he heard about what his sons had done, he openly chides them because of what could follow: “You have troubled me by making me obnoxious among the inhabitants of the land, among the Canaanites and the Perizzites; and since I am few in number, they will gather themselves together against me and kill me. I shall be destroyed, my household and I” (Genesis 34:30, NKJV).

<–Monday Wednesday–>

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This video is produced by the South Pacific Division Discipleship team.

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You can view an in-depth discussion of Jacob – Israel; in the Hope Sabbath School class led by Pastor Derek Morris. Click on the image to view: With thanks to Hope Channel – Television that will change your life.

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Key Thought: Despite all that happens, the story of Jacob shows us God is faithful to fulfil what He has promised.
June 4, 2022

1. Have a volunteer read Genesis 32:22-31..

1. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the most important point is in this passage.
2. What is the spiritual significance of this story?
3. Personal Application: What has been your experience with wrestling with God? Why is it important to have this kind of experience? Share your thoughts..
4. Case Study: One of your relatives states, “Why is Jacob’s weakness the occasion for God’s grace? Why didn’t God let him suffer for his disobedience and deceitfulness?’” How would you respond to your relative?

2. Have a volunteer read Genesis 34:1-4, 14-16, 25-29..

1. Ask class members to share a thought on what the most important point in this text is.
2. What happened to upset his plans for a peaceful existence?
3. Personal Application: What side do you take in this situation? Do the ends justify the means? Share your thoughts
4. Case Study: One of your friends states, “Why does the Bible reveal so many sordid details about the lives of many of its characters? What message is God giving in these details?” How would you respond to your friend?

3. Have a volunteer read Genesis Genesis 34:30, 35:15.

1. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
2. What lessons can we take about true worship from what happened here?
3. Personal Application: What are some subtle ways that idolatry can find its way into our hearts, and what can we do about it? Share your thoughts.
4. Case Study: One of your relatives states: “What are some of the idols of our culture, our civilization? How can we be sure we aren’t worshipping anyone or anything other than the Lord?” How would you respond to your relative?

4. Have a volunteer read Genesis 35:15-29.

1. Ask class members to share a thought on what the most important point in this text is.
2. What other trials did Jacob face within his family?
3. Personal Application: Why do people make God’s purpose and plans more difficult, causing more suffering, stress, and delay? Share your thoughts.
4. Case Study: Think of one person who needs to hear a message from this week’s lesson. Tell the class what you plan to do this week to share with them.

(Truth that is not lived, that is not imparted, loses its life-giving power, its healing virtue. Its blessings can be retained only as it is shared.”Ministry of Healing, p. 148).

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From Peniel, “the face of God” (see Genesis 32:30), the place where he had this experience with God, Jacob moves now to meet with his brother. After 20 years of separation, Jacob sees him coming with 400 men (Genesis 33:1). Jacob is worried, and therefore prepares himself and his family for whatever might happen.

Read Genesis 33:1-20. What connection is there between Jacob’s experience of seeing the face of God at Peniel and Jacob’s experience of seeing the face of his brother? What is the implication of this connection in regard to our relationship with God and our relationship with our “brothers,” whoever they may be?

Image © Lifeway Collection at Goodsalt.com

Jacob bows himself seven times before his brother (Genesis 33:3) whom he calls several times “my lord” (Genesis 33:8, Genesis 33:13, Genesis 33:15, NKJV) and identifies himself as his “servant” (Genesis 33:5; compare with Genesis 32:4, Genesis 32:18, Genesis 32:20, NKJV). Significantly, Jacob’s seven bows echo his father’s seven blessings (Genesis 27:27-29); furthermore, when he bows, he specifically reverses his father’s blessing, about “nations [bowing] down to you” (Genesis 27:29, NKJV).

It is as if Jacob’s intention was to pay his debt to his brother and return the blessing that he has stolen from him (see Genesis 33:11). When Esau saw his brother, against all expectations, he ran to Jacob and, instead of killing him, he “kissed him, and they wept” (Genesis 33:4, NKJV).

Later, Jacob commented to Esau: “I have seen your face as though I had seen the face of God” (Genesis 33:10, NKJV). The reason for Jacob’s extraordinary statement is his understanding that Esau had forgiven him. The Hebrew verb ratsah, “pleased” (Genesis 33:10, NKJV) is a theological term referring to any sacrifice that is “pleasing,” “accepted” by God, which then implies divine forgiveness (Leviticus 22:27, Amos 5:22).

Jacob’s experience of God’s forgiveness at Peniel, where he saw the face of God, is now repeated in his experience of his brother’s forgiveness, which he identifies as if he saw the face of God. Jacob lives a second Peniel, the first one preparing for the second one. Jacob has been forgiven by God and by his own brother. Truly he now must have understood, even more than before, the meaning of grace.

<–Sunday Tuesday–>

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