Tag: bsf genesis questions answers lesson 21 day 4

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BSF Study Questions Genesis: Lesson 21, Day 4: Genesis 32:22-32

by atozmom, posted in BSF Genesis 2020/2021

Summary of Genesis 32:22-32:

Jacob sent his two wives, two maid servants, and 11 kids across the Jabbok River. He also sent all of his possessions as well. He then wrestled with God in his sleep. The man touched his hip socket, leaving Jacob with a permanent limp as a sign of this struggle with God and with men. Jacob called the place Peniel, or “he struggles with God.” God renames Jacob Israel, or “God rules” Jacob saw God face-to-face and lived. The Israelites do not eat the hip socket where Jacob was touched.

BSF Study Questions Genesis: Lesson 21, Day 4: Genesis 32:22-32

10a) Jesus because Jesus is God in human form. No one can see God’s face and live, but they can see Jesus’s

Exodus 33:20 But,” he said, “you cannot see my face, for no one may see me and live.”

John 1:18 No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known.

Exodus 33:23 Then I will remove my hand and you will see my back; but my face must not be seen.”

b) To depend on him alone and to give up himself.

11) The man touched his hip socket, leaving Jacob with a permanent limp as a sign of this struggle with God and with men. It was to remind Jacob of God’s centrality in his life. Jacob responded with humble blessings and knew he only survived because of God’s infinite grace.

12) The fact my life could be and has been worse. The fact I know I am a mere human and that the world does not revolve around me. God is the one and only.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions Genesis: Lesson 21, Day 4: Genesis 32:22-32

I love this physical representation of surrendering to God. God uses any means to have all of us, including sending Jesus to wrestle. This gives me faith that God won’t let go of me, either.

End Notes BSF Study Questions Genesis: Lesson 21, Day 4: Genesis 32:22-32

Jacob sent his family over the river to protect them in case there was an attack. Jacob was alone with God, which would be his very last on the east side of the Jordan River. He prayed.

Note that a man wrestled with Jacob, not Jacob with the man. God was working on Jacob still. God wanted all of Jacob’s heart, and He had come to take it.

Jacob pleas to be let go, to surrender, to end it. We all must come to this same place with God, with force if necessary or circumstances that bring us to our knees.

Jacob is not making any demand here. He is asking God to bless him out of desperation  Hosea 12:3-5

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Jacob Wrestles with God/Jesus

All Jacob had was God, and that is all Jacob held on to. This is God’s answer to his previous prayer. He was being rescued from himself.

Israel is a compound word of two Hebrew words, one meaning fight or struggle and one meaning God. It correctly means God rules, not he struggles with God as most Bibles will tell you.

Note that the Bible will still refer to Jacob as Jacob at least twice as often as Israel. This indicates that Jacob is still human and will make mistakes.

Jacob overcame because he knew he was defeated. He also know exactly who defeated him. The new name is the blessing Jacob is asking for.

Jacob knew he should have been killed for wrestling for God, but in God’s mercy, he was allowed to live. As a reminder, he’d have a limp. And what a reminder!

BSF Study Questions Genesis Lesson 21, Day 4: Genesis 25:27-34

by atozmom, posted in BSF Genesis 2012/2013

Summary of passage:  Genesis 25:27-34:  Esau became a hunter while Jacob stayed home.  Isaac loved Esau while Rebekah loved Jacob more.  Esau sold his birthright for a meal, implying he despised his birthright.

Questions:

8a)  Who wouldn’t?  From Question 6 from yesterday, we learn the birthright entails in this case the promise of Abraham which is having nations bow down to you, be lord over your brothers and all your relatives and others, and may those who despise you be cursed and those who bless you be blessed.  Deuteronomy says the firstborn should receive a double share and is the sign of his father’s strength.  Jacob would be the chosen one of God to perpetuate His nation.  Sign me up, too!

b)  As we explored in 7d yesterday as well, we learn Esau does not have a heart for God. He marries Canaanite women (Genesis 26:34–notice not one woman but two which is not what God desires for man).  He despises his birthright (Genesis 25:36) while Jacob embraces it.  And we see that Jacob will do anything (nothing morally right) but anything to receive the blessing.  So he desires it.  And we must assume both Esau and Jacob knew the heavy expectations with this birthright.

It’s like in our day.  Those who persevere and desire something the most usually achieves it.  Although the methods Jacob employed did not sit well with God, God chose Jacob anyways.  Because of his heart.  God chooses.  Not us.

c)  Abraham lacked faith in God’s promise of a son, believing Sarah was incapable of having a child, so he had a child with Hagar.  I’m not quite sure if Jacob ever had unbelief. He believed he had the birthright already and he did what he had to do in order to receive it.  I’m assuming BSF is looking for some answer like this, “Well, if Jacob would have waited God would have given him the birthright anyways.”  True.  But he wouldn’t have received it from Isaac on earth.  And I’m not sure if unbelief was the motivation behind Jacob’s actions.  It’s a stretch in my opinion.

9a)  Our inheritance is to be like Jesus, to live a Godly-life, following God’s laws, and to do His work set before us. Some Christians don’t like having to live up to these higher standards so they follow the world instead of God’s word and God’s will for their life. They think it unfair despite what Jesus did for us on the cross.  So they chose to ignore God and listen to the devil instead.

b)  Personal Question.  My answer:  I do my bible study every day.  I pray.  I try to do God’s will in my life.  I try to be more like Jesus every day.  I take my God-given purpose seriously.  I try to show Him the best I can.

10)  They are adopted as sons of God.  They have divine glory, the covenants, the receiving of the law, the temple worship, and the promises.  We have Christ indwelt through Jacob’s family and are reckoned with God.

Conclusions:  Seems like this was an expounding of yesterday.  It seems intuitive but a lot of Christians/unbelievers don’t grasp the concept:  Christians are blessed; they are different; they do have a spiritual inheritance and spiritual advantages because of Jesus; and they do have a responsibility once Christ lives inside of them to make this world a better place.

Christians are set apart by God.  They have a God-given purpose for their brief time on earth.  It is our responsibility to act on everything Christ has done for us.  It is our job to save as many people as possible.  And rewards await us when our body gives out.

So what are you doing for Him today?