|
Genesis 33
1. Can you remember a time when you faced a difficult situation only to discover that what you had imagined was far worse than what actually happened? Would you please explain?
Why do you think we tend to imagine the worse?
Such has been the case with Jacob concerning his brother Esau. What do you think Jacob was feeling when he looked up and saw Esau approaching with 400 men? (Remember, Jacob just had a powerful encounter with God.)
Why do you think Esau brought with him 400 men?
2. As he sees his brother Esau approaching, what does Jacob do?
Why do you think he divided his family into three groups?
Why do you think he placed the maidservants with their children first? Rachel and Joseph last?
Let’s say you are Dan or Asher and you find yourself in the first group. What are you thinking?
Before we judge Jacob too harshly, who takes the lead?
What does this tell you about Jacob?
3. Define humility.
How difficult is it for you to humble yourself before someone you love? Before someone you fear wants to harm you? Please explain.
What does Jacob do when he meets his brother Esau?
Why do you think he bowed down seven times?
One commentary states that this sevenfold bow involved bowing once from the waste until the top part of the body was parallel to the ground. The person would rise, take one step, and bow again. This would be repeated until the seventh bow would be directly in front of the other person. If this were the case, how would such an act affect you if you were Esau?
Do you think Jacob is sincere in his actions toward Esau? Please explain.
Which would be harder for you: bowing as Jacob did or receiving the bowing as Esau did? Please explain.
In what way does Esau “deserve” such treatment from his brother?
Please think carefully about this question. Do you think Jacob’s bowing to Esau is his way of apologizing? Please explain.
4. How long has it been since the brothers have seen each other?
What does Esau do when he sees Jacob? How would you explain Esau’s actions?
We are told that both men cried. Do you believe this “weakened” them in front of their men and family? Please explain.
Why do you think men are so hesitant to cry in public today?
These brothers have been separated over an event that happened 20 years previously. Do we still families split for years over a single event?
What can we learn about family quarrels from this encounter between Jacob and Esau?
5. Esau finally looks up and wants to know who the women and children are. What does Jacob answer?
Why do you think Jacob refers to himself as “your servant”? How does he refer to Esau? (See verse 8.)
Why have his wives and sons remained separated from the two brothers?
After Jacob answers Esau, who approaches first, second, and third? What do they all do?
6. After the emotions subside, what does Esau ask Jacob in verse 8?
What was Jacob’s answer?
In verse 9, how does Esau refer to Jacob?
What is Esau’s response to all the droves given to him?
What does it mean to you that Esau does not want all of this wealth?
What has happened to Esau during Jacob’s absence?
Jacob pleads with Esau to accept his gifts. Why is this so important to Jacob?
Jacob wants to know that he has found “favor” with Esau. The word “favor” also means “grace” and “acceptance”. Why do you think it is so important to Jacob to find grace or favor or acceptance from his brother?
Jacob then tells his brother that to see his face is like seeing the face of God. What do you think he means? What does Jacob see in his brother’s face?
7. Jacob pleads with Esau to accept his gift. The word for gift is “berâkâh” and means “prosperity” or “blessing”. Jacob wants to share his blessings with Esau. Why?
How is this different from his actions when he ran away 20 years before?
What would it mean to you for someone to want to share his/her berakah with you?
Can you remember a time when you wanted to share God’s prosperity or blessings with someone else?
8. Why does Esau accept Jacob’s gifts?
How would you describe the relationship between the two brothers now?
After this initial meeting, what does Esau want to do?
Why do you think he wants to accompany Jacob?
9. We need to look carefully at Jacob’s answer. What does he say in response to Esau’s offer to accompany him?
Do you believe Jacob is being honest with his brother? Please explain.
Some commentaries state that Jacob was being very serious and honest with Esau. They could not travel as fast as Esau and his men. However, look back at Genesis 32. How long did it take Laban to overtake Jacob? What does this tell us?
What do you think is really behind Jacob’s answer?
10. So, because Jacob must travel slowly, what alternative does Esau propose?
How doe Jacob answer?
Do you think Jacob is afraid to have his brother’s armed men accompanying him? Please explain.
11. Finally, Esau gives in and prepares to return home to await Jacob’s arrival. Where is Esau going?
Can you locate Seir on a map?
What does Jacob tell his brother in verse 14?
However, instead of going to Seir, where does Jacob go? Where is this place located?
Can you think of a good reason why Jacob would tell his brother one thing and then do the opposite? Did Jacob lie to his brother? Please explain.
How else might Jacob have handled this situation?
What do you think was going through Esau’s mind as he waited for Jacob’s arrival only to learn that he was going the other direction?
What does Jacob name his new home? What does it mean?
12. Look back at Jacob’s first encounter with God after he fled from the anger of his brother. What did God promise him?
What does verse 18 tell us?
Who else camped at this site? (See Genesis 12:6.)
Why do you think that Jacob bought a plot of land?
How is this a partial fulfillment of God’s promise contained in Genesis 12:7?
As with Abraham, Jacob now owns part of the promised land. What is the significance of this act?
After building an altar, what does Jacob name it? What does this name mean?
13. How has Jacob changed because of his 20 years away from home?
|