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Genesis 30

1.      Once again we see jealousy take root in a family.  What do think would cause brothers and sisters and fathers and mothers to become jealous of one another?

What advice would you give to help others avoid jealousy?

2.     In the last chapter, we read that God took notice of Leah and blessed her with four sons.  This had to cover about three or four years.  If you were Rachel, what would you have been feeling?

In a situation such as this, how could you avoid feeling that the LORD had abandoned you?

According to verse 1, how did these events affect Rachel?

What does she say to Jacob?

Why does she turn to Jacob?

3.     How does Jacob react?

What does Jacob say to Rachel?

How would you explain his reaction?

How accurate is Jacob’s statement?

4.     Now, we are seeing history repeat itself.  What is Rachel’s solution to her problem?

According to her statement, how would you say Jacob’s statement about God affected Rachel?

Why do you think she did not turn to God?

5.     With Sarah and Rebekah we have seen God close their wombs until His time arrived.  The same appears to be happening again.  What happens when Jacob sleeps with Rachel’s maid Bilhah?

Why do you think God closed Rachel’s womb but opened Bilhah’s?

What does Rebekah say when her maid gives her a son?

What does she name him?

Obviously, because Rachel was successful the first time, she has Jacob sleep with Bilhah again, and she bears him another son.  What do they name him and why?

How many sons does Jacob now have?

6.     It seems the pendulum has swung in Rachel’s favor.  Therefore, what does Leah decide to do?

How many sons does Zilpah bear?

What are their names and what do they mean?

We have asked this question before about other families: what do you think life in Jacob’s household would be like?  Please explain.

7.     Then, one day, Reuben, the oldest, was outside during the wheat harvest.  What does Reuben, who was around 4 or 5, find?

What are mandrake roots and for what were they used?

Why does Rachel want them?

What does this tell us about Rachel?

How does Leah respond to Rachel’s request?

What do you think she meant by accusing Rachel of taking away her husband?

8.     Rachel makes a deal with Leah.  What was it?

What can we learn about the relationship between these three from this agreement?

9.     Where do you think Leah and Rachel gained their belief in mandrakes?

What does it tell us that these two “wives” placed more faith in mandrakes than in the LORD?

We know that these two women are going to give birth to the twelve tribes of Israel.  What conclusions can you draw about their relationships with the LORD?

What does this reveal to us about God, Who would use them despite their reliance upon “mandrakes” and their jealousies?

10.   Verse 16 tells us that Jacob learned about this arrangement when he came home.  What does this tell us about Jacob, that he was not even involved in this discussion?

Can you think of a time when you thought the best way to handle a situation was to stay out of it?  Did it work?

What does Leah mean when she says she has “hired” her husband with her son’s mandrakes?

Why do you think she does not say with the mandrakes of “our” son?

What does Jacob do?

11.    We have seen this family operate in deception, jealousy, and idolatry.  Yet what does verse 17 tell us?

This may be a difficult idea to grasp, but why do you think God continues to listen to Leah, who rented her husband for mandrakes?

What is Leah’s response after she becomes pregnant?

What does she name her fifth son and what does the name mean?

12.   Leah gives birth to a sixth son.  What does Leah say about this son?

What does she name him and what does the name mean?

What can you learn from these names about how parents chose names for their children?

13.   Verse 21 tells us that Leah gave birth to a daughter and named her Dinah.  Why do you think we are not given the meaning of her name?

Why do you think we do not hear any more about Dinah?

What do you think life was like for her being raised with 12 brothers from 4 different women?

14.   Verse 22 tells us that God remembered Rachel.  What do you think this means?

After all these years, what does God do for Rachel?

What is the name of Rachel’s son and what does it mean?

Why did she give him this name?

What do you think Rachel was feeling finally to give birth herself?

15.   Jacob now has 11 sons.  List their names and their meanings. 

Look at the meaning of the names.  Can you see anything significant in them?

16.   Verse 25 tells us that it came to pass.  In other words, a period of time has passed.  Jacob has worked for Laban long enough.  What does he say to Laban?

If Jacob has worked his 14 years, why do you think he asks Laban if he can leave?

What does Jacob want to do?

17.   What is Laban’s response?

How has Laban “discovered” that God has favored Jacob?

Why has the Lord blessed Laban?

Would you consider Laban to be a Godly man?  Please explain.

How would you feel if you worked for a man who did not fear God and his main reason for keeping you was to gain God’s blessings?

Read Matthew 5:43-48.  What does this passage mean to you and does it apply to this situation?

18.   Laban wants Jacob to stay so much that he tells Jacob to name his own wages.  How would you feel if your boss said this to you?

What would be the temptation?

Can you imagine being so blessed by God that people tell you to name your own wages just so you would work for them?  Can we still be such a blessing?  Please explain.

19.   Jacob begins by stating some facts.  What does he say in verses 29 and 30?

Is your place of work better off since you have been working their?  Please explain.

According to Jacob’s answer (see verse 30), what is his concern?

Are Jacob’s concerns reasonable?

Why do you think Jacob wants something for his own household when he stands to inherit a double portion from his father Isaac?

20.  Now begins a type of negotiation between Jacob and Laban.  How does Laban respond to Jacob’s concern?

Why do you think he does not respond with a more precise answer?

Surprisingly, Jacob says that he does not want anything.  Instead, what answer does he give Laban?

Suppose you had a job in a new company that God tells you will become very prosperous.  Would you consider not taking a salary in exchange for a share in the business?  Please explain.

Why do you believe Jacob chose to take the spotted or speckled sheep and goats? 

Why do you think Laban so readily agreed?

21.   In verse 30 Jacob says that Laban should believe him because of his honesty.  The word for honesty also means “righteousness.”  Do you consider Jacob a righteousness man?  Please explain.

How is Laban going to tell if Jacob remains righteous?

How can people tell if we are remaining righteous?

22.  Laban agrees to Jacob’s terms, and the two men reach an agreement.  During the past 14 years, has Jacob changed?  Please explain.

During that same period of time, has Laban changed?  Please explain.

If you were Jacob, would you trust Laban?  Please explain.

Following the agreement, verse 35 states that “he” removed the sheep the same day.  That “he” is Laban.  Why do you think Laban separated Jacob’s sheep from his sheep immediately?

To whom does Laban give Jacob’s sheep to care for them?

Why was Jacob not allowed to tend his own flock?

Then, Laban tells his sons to put a 3-day journey between Jacob’s flock and his flocks.  Why?

Briefly summarize Laban’s actions and his reasons.

If you were Jacob, what would be thinking?  Do you think Jacob was surprised by his father-in-law’s actions?  Please explain.

Read Proverbs 13:11.  How does it apply to this situation?

Read Psalm 37:1-4.  How does this apply to Jacob’s situation?

Have you ever had to put your trust in either of these two scriptures?  Please explain (but without naming names).

23.  Despite Laban’s actions, Jacob has a plan of his own.  What does Jacob do?

Can you find any logical explanation behind Jacob’s plan?

Where do you think he came up with this plan?

What was the result of Jacob’s plan with the peeled branches?

Whom do you believe was behind Jacob’s prosperity?

Can you think of a time when the Lord gave you a plan that seemed foolish to the flesh but proved to be fruitful in its execution?

24.  What does verse 43 tell us about Jacob and his relationship with Laban?

25.  What are some of the changes that you have seen take place in Jacob during his time away from home?