Come Follow Me 10: Genesis 28-33

 Come Follow Me Lesson 10:Genesis 28-33

Introduction:

Since the Lord revealed Himself to Jacob in Genesis 28, Jacob knew that he could receive help from the Lord when it was time to meet Esau again in Genesis 32.

How has the Lord blessed you in your own wildernesses?

When we seek the Lord, we can find Him wherever we are.

Personal Study 28-30:

It is interesting that Jacob had his dream of the ladder when he was on His way to find a wife. In a very real way, he received his own endowment, as the covenant was renewed through him.

Did Jacob experience the same thing with the ladder that we experience in the temple as we make covenants and progress from one kingdom to another?

Why was Jacob’s marriage to Rachel important in light of the covenant? Why is it important for us to marry in the covenant?

How has temple attendance brought you closer to the Lord?

How was the Lord merciful to Rachel and Leah?

How has the Lord been merciful to you?

Selection from OT Student Manual:

Paul had been caught up to the third kingdom. He may have had a similar experience as Jacob.

“Jacob realized that the covenants he made with the Lord there were the rungs on the ladder that he himself would have to climb in order to obtain the promised blessings—blessings that would entitle him to enter heaven and associate with the Lord.”

““Because he had met the Lord and entered into covenants with him there, Jacob considered the site so sacred that he named the place Bethel, a contraction of Beth-Elohim, which means literally ‘the House of the Lord.’ He said of it: ‘… this is none other but the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven.’”

“Temples are to us all what Bethel was to Jacob. Even more, they are also the gates to heaven for all of our unendowed kindred dead. We should all do our duty in bringing our loved ones through them.”

“Abraham married Sarah, who was his niece; Isaac married Rebekah, who was his first cousin once removed; and Jacob married Leah and Rachel, who were his first cousins.”

I think that Leah’s tender eyes showed her kindness of soul. Someone once told me of John that he has kind eyes. He is also very handsome; but the kindness in his eyes is a noticeable trait.

Family Study 28-30:

What covenants have we made, and how do they bring us closer to God?

Scripture Reading: Genesis 28-31

Genesis 28:13-14: The Lord makes the same covenants and promises with Jacob that he did with Abraham and Isaac.

When have you felt that the Lord has hallowed a place where you have been and made it feel like the gate of heaven? (16,17)

Jacob kept the laws of sacrifice and of tithing. (vs 22)

Thoughts concerning Laban: chapter 29

It is helpful to remember that it was Laban that recognized that his sister should go with Abraham’s servant to be Isaac’s wife. He played a great role thereby in preserving the covenant through Abraham’s lineage. Even if he wasn’t entirely fair in his dealings with Jacob, the Lord turned all of the events to Jacob’s and his family’s good and prosperity.

Judah was Leah’s son. Joseph was Rachel’s son.

And said unto Jacob, Give me children, or else I die. (30:1) It must have been so hard for Rachel to see Leah and the handmaids have children and not have any of her own. Jacob chose her first, and she wanted to share this experience with him. What heartache she must have felt.

And God remembered Rachel, and God hearkened to her, and opened her womb. (22)

God never forgets us and he is keenly aware of our sorrows and concerns. But this life is one of trials. I am thankful that Rachel was permitted to have two sons of her own.

And Laban said unto him, I pray thee, if I have found favour in thine eyes, tarry: for I have learned by experience that the Lord hath blessed me for thy sake. (27)

Laban didn’t want to see Jacob go. It seemed that everything Jacob touched turned to gold, so to speak. The Lord continually blessed Jacob.

Chapter 31:

Laban is upset Jacob left without telling him. He follows him. Laban doesn’t find his gods that Rachel took, because she’s sitting on them. They end up making a peace treaty.

Rea

Personal Study 32-33:

How can you prepare for when you meet those you’ve had serious conflicts with?

Do you pray for your enemies?

Esau forgave Jacob? Do you care more about people than about stuff? Will you forgive family members too?

The Savior can help us heal family relationships?

Luke 15:11–32 The Prodigal Son. It is way better to regain family members than to hold on to grudges.

Individual Study 32-33:

What kind of wrestle do we have when we seek blessings from the Lord?

Enos prayed all night and then his sins were forgiven. Much of our wrestle is between the natural man and the spirit that wants to do what’s right. We wrestle as we give up our sins in order to submit ourselves to the Lord’s will.

Have you ever wrestled in pray on behalf of others, those who you teach or serve, or over which you have stewardship? Enos 1:1–5; Alma 8:9–10 

Esau and Jacob resolved their differences and became brothers again. What can we learn from their examples? What counsel might they give us?

Scripture Reading: Genesis 32-33

Angels visits Jacob on his way.

Jacob has just left Laban, whom he thinks cheated him many times. He is heading home to see Esau, and Esau thinks Jacob has cheated him. Jacob has had life experiences now to understand how Esau felt. He is concerned about what will happen in this reunion.

Because Jacob has been greatly blessed, he approaches Esau with many gifts.

Jacob was worried when he heard that Esau was coming to meet him with 400 men. (See 32: 6-7)

Jacob prayed for help and the Lord heard him. He became Israel.

33:4 And Esau ran to meet him, and embraced him, and fell on his neck, and kissed him: and they wept.

When we remember what matters most, hearts can be healed and relationships restored.

9 And Esau said, I have enough, my brother; keep that thou hast unto thyself.

10 And Jacob said, Nay, I pray thee, if now I have found grace in thy sight, then receive my present at my hand: for therefore I have seen thy face, as though I had seen the face of God, and thou wast pleased with me.

11 Take, I pray thee, my blessing that is brought to thee; because God hath dealt graciously with me, and because I have enough. And he urged him, and he took it.

How willing are we to give gifts to make things right? What kind of gifts can we give?

When Jacob started to settle in the land, he built an altar:

20 And he erected there an altar, and called it El-elohe-Israel.