Archive for the ‘Jacob’ tag
Jacob’s Death and Burial: June 10, 2012
The text for this lesson is Genesis 49:29–50:14.
Key Point
- Jacob requested burial in Canaan, rather than in Egypt, because Canaan was the land to which God had promised to send the One through whom all the families of the earth would be blessed—Jesus (Genesis 12:1–3; 46:2–4).
- Law: How we deal with death—our own and that of a loved one—can sometimes give a witness of doubt, worry, and fear.
- Gospel: By God’s grace, comforted with the assurance of our resurrection in Christ, we are able to testify to the hope that is in us.
Discussion Points
- Read Genesis 49:29–33. Why do you suppose Jacob wanted to be buried in Canaan?
- Read Genesis 50:1–14. What did Jacob’s family do after his death?
- Why did Joseph ask permission from Pharaoh to bury his father?
- How do we mourn today when someone dies?
- How does God help us deal with the thought of our own death and the deaths of people we love? What comfort does Jesus’ death and resurrection give to you?
- Read Genesis 24:16–21. How did Rebekah love and serve Abraham’s servant? Why did Rebekah water the servant’s camels?
- What truth about eternal life is revealed in John 3:36?
- When you are asked to do something difficult, how do you respond? Who has done something very difficult for you?
- If we have eternal life now, what happens on the Last Day? See Romans 8:18 and 1 Corinthians 15:52.
- How do Jesus’ words in John 11:25–26 provide you comfort and hope?
- How did God work through these humans to provide for His people?
November 21, 2010: Jacob and Esau
The text for this lesson is Genesis 25:19-34; 27:1-40.
Key Points
- God worked through Jacob and Esau, despite their sin, to advance His plan of salvation. In spite of our sinful actions, God accomplishes His will and plan for our lives.
- Law: God does not want me to lie and deceive others.
- Gospel: Because of Jesus, His Son, God forgives all my sins.
- Law: God wants me to follow His ways rather than my own.
- Gospel: Through God’s Word and Sacraments, God reveals His plan for my life.
- Law: God wants me to honor and obey my parents.
- Gospel: In Christ, God forgives me when I disobey my parents and provides for me through them.
Discussion Points
- Share some times when parents or other authorities instructed you to do something that you really did not want to do, or something that even seemed to be unwise. How did you react? How does God want us to react?
- How do we view inheritance? What is its significance for us today? How does the way we divide our inheritance demonstrate this significance?
- What does it mean for the Church that Jesus is the heir of God the Father?
- In these accounts of the birthright and blessing, which people acted righteously? Consider Rebekah’s call to Jacob to obey her (27:13–14). Was it right for Jacob to obey her? What other commandments were being broken? By whom? How?
- If none of these were righteous, how could God continue to bless them and bless the whole world through them (27:29; 28:4; compare 22:17–18; 12:1–3)?
- Meditate briefly on the blessings that Isaac gave to Jacob (27:27–29) and to Esau (27:39–40). Name some of the particular blessings mentioned here and, if you remember from other Bible readings, how they were fulfilled. Discuss how the blessing of Jacob differed from the blessing of Esau.
- Look at the prophecy spoken to Rebekah in 25:23. How does “the older shall serve the younger” point to Christ coming after Adam to redeem Adam?
- Esau appeared outwardly to obey his parents, but his heart was not faithful to the Lord, and he married unbelieving women. Consider the Bible’s final verdict on Esau in Amos 1:11 and Hebrews 12:16. Why is Esau condemned and Jacob forgiven, even though they were both disobedient?
- How are we partakers of the inheritance of Jacob? How does this compare to earthly inheritances that may or may not satisfy our earthly needs? In Christ, eternal life and rule with Christ is our birthright!
- Some of those in the account may have had good intentions, yet all ended up breaking God’s commandments by not trusting, by lying, coveting, or disobeying their parents. How does a reverent knowledge of the Law of God and trust in His provision help us in our daily life? What assurance do we have from the blessing of Jacob that God’s forgiveness is greater than any transgressions we commit in our daily life?
- It can seem troubling that the Lord “hated” Esau. But we know that Esau’s condemnation and Jacob’s blessing are the result of God’s Word preached to them. Think about the Word of God we hear in preaching, Absolution, Baptism, and the Lord’s Supper. What does this mean for anyone who hears and trusts these words? Even when we don’t understand the election of God, we are assured by the words He does speak to us in the Divine Service that we are forgiven and will inherit all of His blessings.
June 14, 2009: Jacob’s Death and Burial
The text for this lesson is Genesis 49:29–50:14.
Key Points
- Jacob requested burial in Canaan, rather than in Egypt, because Canaan was the land to which God had promised to send the One through whom all the families of the earth would be blessed—Jesus (Genesis 12:1–3; 46:2–4).
- Law: Death is a time of tremendous grief.
- Gospel: We do not grieve as those who have no hope, because Jesus has overcome death and the grave.
- Law: We ourselves must also face death. Gospel: Because Jesus died in our place, we can look ahead to God’s promised land of heaven.
- Law: How we deal with death—our own and that of a loved one—can sometimes give a witness of doubt, worry, and fear.
- Gospel: By God’s grace, comforted with the assurance of our resurrection in Christ, we are able to testify to the hope that is in us.
Context
After Joseph was sold into slavery by his brothers, their father Jacob presumed him dead (Genesis 37). However, the Lord preserved and prospered Joseph in Egypt (Genesis 39–41). After Joseph helped his brothers during a famine (Genesis 42–45), Jacob came to settle in Egypt (Genesis 46). Joseph and Jacob were happily reunited. Before Jacob died, he blessed his sons (Genesis 49:1–28).
The Messiah first promised to Eve (Genesis 3:15), then to Abraham (Genesis 12:7; Galatians 3:16), Isaac (Genesis 26:3), and Jacob—renamed Israel (Genesis 35:9–12), would come through Judah (Genesis 49:8–12). Matthew 1:1–2 traces Jesus’ lineage from Abraham to Judah. Matthew 1:17 presents Jesus as the promised Christ, “who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel” (2 Timothy 1:10).
