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  Genesis 35

1.      When Jacob first left home to escape the wrath of his brother, where did God first meet with him?

What promise or vow did Jacob make at that time?  (See Gen 28:20-22.)

Some commentaries state that when Jacob vowed to make Bethel God’s house, Jacob was promising to return.  Do you agree or disagree?  Please explain.

Jacob has been in the Succoth/Shechem region for 10 years.  How far is that from Bethel?

What does God instruct Jacob to do in verse 1?

Why do you think God said this to him?

Can you think of a time when God had to remind you of a promise you had made to Him?

What do you think might have caused Jacob to “forget” to return to Bethel?

2.     Prior to leaving, what instructions does Jacob give his family?

Considering Jacob’s relationship with the LORD, how do you explain this command?

Why do you think Jacob did not do anything about this earlier?

From where do you think these foreign gods came?

Do you think Jacob knew about the idols Rachel took from her father?  Please explain.

3.     Jacob also tells his family to purify themselves and change clothes.  This is the first time we read of people purifying themselves.  What do you think Jacob meant?

In what ways does God call us to purify ourselves today?

How can we purify our homes?  Our city?

This purification takes place before they leave for Bethel, the next part of their journey.  Can you think of a time when God called you or the church to purify themselves before they could move on?

4.     What does Jacob plan to do when he arrives at Bethel?  Why do you think he wants to do this?

Jacob’s family gave Jacob all of their idols.  What else did they give him?  Can you learn why these items were included?

What did Jacob do with all the idols?

5.     What does verse 5 tell us happened when they set out for Bethel?

Some commentaries suggest that the terror of God was a result of their destroying Shechem.  Others suggest that it was a supernatural terror sent by God.  What do you think?  Please explain.

Why would these surrounding cities be tempted to pursue Jacob and his family?

6.     When Jacob and his family arrived at Bethel, he built an altar.  What did he name the place?

Why did Jacob give it this name?

What does it mean to you that God revealed Himself to Jacob at Bethel?

In what ways does God reveal Himself to us today?

Can you remember when God revealed Himself to you?  Would you share what it was like?

7.     According to verse 8, who was Deborah?

How long has it been since Jacob has seen his mother, Rebekah?

How do you think Deborah came to be with Jacob and his family?

What does it tell us about Deborah that her death is recorded in the midst of this narrative?

8.     God appears again to Jacob.  What does God say to Jacob in verse 9?

Again, what does the name Jacob mean?  What does Israel mean?

What name does God us to refer to Himself?

Why do you believe God used this name this time?

What else does God say to Jacob?

What does it mean when God tells Jacob that He will give the land to his descendents after him?

What has Jacob done to “deserve” this blessing from God?  Please explain.

What does Jacob do after God speaks to him and then leaves?

What does Jacob do after building the stone pillar?

Why do you think he poured out an offering of a drink and of oil?

9.     Jacob and his family once again set out.  What direction do they travel?

What happens during this journey?

How does the midwife try to comfort Rachel?

With her last breath, what name does she give her son and what does it mean?

However, for the only time, Jacob changes the name of his son.  What name does give his youngest son and what does it mean?

Why do you think Jacob changed the name?

How does Jacob commemorate his wife’s burial place?

Why do you think the bible tells us that the pillar marking her grave is still there?

10.   Verse 22 is very interesting.  It does not seem to fit with the rest of the story.  Who was Reuben?  Who was Bilhah?

What is the significance of Reuben’s sleeping with Bilhah?  In other words, what do you think Reuben was trying to do? 

Look at 2 Samuel 12:11 and 2 Samuel 16:21-22.  What might these verses have to do with this episode between Reuben and his father?

Where did Reuben “learn” this behavior?

Note, that the verse does not say Jacob heard about it but that Israel heard about it.  Why is this significant?

Why do you think Israel did not say anything to his son?

11.    Verses 23-26 tell us the names of Jacob’s 12 sons, who will become the twelve tribes of Israel.  Then, we finally read that Jacob returned home to his father at Mamre.  About how long has Jacob been gone?

How old was Isaac when he died?

Who buries Isaac?

Do you think this is the first time the two brothers have seen each other since their meeting upon Jacob’s return?

12.   What spiritual lessons has Jacob learned since returning to the Promised Land?

What do you think is the most important lesson he has learned?