Bible Study - Sabbath School Podcast

Judah and Tamar The story of Tamar is not out of place here. This incident follows chrono- logically the sale of Joseph in Egypt (Gen. 38:1), and it is consistent with the fact that Judah has just left his brothers, which points to his disagreement with them. In addition, the text shares a number of common words and motifs with the preceding chapter, and it carries the same theological lesson: an...

The Attack on Joseph However horrible the events that were to follow, they’re not hard to comprehend. To be in that close proximity to, and even to be related to, someone whom you hated would inevitably lead, sooner or later, only to trouble. And it did. Read Genesis 37:12–36. What does this teach us about how dangerous and evil unregenerate hearts can be and what they can lead any one of us to do...

Family Troubles Jacob has, at last, settled in the land. While Isaac was only “a stranger,” the text also says that Jacob “dwelt in the land” (Gen. 37:1). Yet, it was then, as he was settling into the land, that the troubles began, this time from inside the family. The controversy does not concern the possession of the land or the use of a well; it is, mainly, spiritual. Read Genesis 37:1–11. What...

Read for This Week’s Study: Genesis 37; Matt. 20:26, 27; Acts 7:9; Genesis 38; Genesis 39; Gen. 40:1–41:36. Memory Text: “Then they said to one another, ‘Look, this dreamer is coming!’ ” (Genesis 37:19, NKJV). The story of Joseph (Genesis 37–50) covers the last section of the book of Genesis, from his first dreams in Canaan (Gen. 37:1–11) to his death in Egypt (Gen. 50:26). In fact, Joseph occupie...

Further Thought: Read Ellen G. White, “The Night of Wrestling,” pp. 195–203, in Patriarchs and Prophets. “Jacob’s experience during that night of wrestling and anguish rep- resents the trial through which the people of God must pass just before Christ’s second coming. . . . Such will be the experience of God’s people in their final struggle with the powers of evil. God will test their faith, their...

The Death of Rachel Read Genesis 35:15–29. What other woes did Jacob face within his dysfunctional family? As soon as Jacob leaves Bethel, three interrelated incidents mark the last step of his journey toward the Promised Land: Jacob’s last son is born; Rachel dies; and Reuben, Jacob’s first son by Leah, sleeps with Jacob’s concubine. Though the text doesn’t say why the young man would do somethin...

Prevailing Idolatry Read Genesis 34:30–35:15. What lessons can we take about true wor- ship from what happened here? Immediately after Jacob’s complaint that his peace with the Canaanites had been compromised (Gen. 34:30), and after his two sons were rebuked (Gen. 34:30), God urges Jacob to leave Shechem and return to Bethel in order to renew his covenant. Indeed, the Lord tells him that, once he...

The Violation of Dinah Now that Jacob has reconciled with his brother, he wants to settle in the land of Canaan in peace. The word shalem, “safely” (Gen. 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 (Gen. 33:19), he erects an altar there, showing his faith and his realization of how dependent...

The Brothers Meet From Peniel, “the face of God” (see Gen. 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 (Gen. 33:1). Jacob is worried and, therefore, prepares himself and his family for whatever might happen. Read Genesis 33. What connection is there between Jacob’s experience of...

Wrestling With God Gone from Laban, Jacob soon has another experience with God. Knowing that his brother, Esau, is coming with “ ‘four hundred men’ ” (Gen. 32:6), Jacob prays fervently to the Lord, even though he acknowl- edges that “ ‘I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies and of all the truth which You have shown Your servant’ ” (Gen. 32:10, NKJV). Jacob, truly, has a better understandi...

Read for This Week’s Study: Gen. 32:22–31; Hos. 12:3, 4; Jer. 30:5–7; Genesis 33; Gen. 34:30–35:29. Memory Text: “And He said, ‘Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel; for you have struggled with God and with men, and have prevailed’ ” (Genesis 32:28, NKJV). The family saga of Jacob continues, both the good and the bad. Yet, through it all, the hand of God and His faithfulness to th...