A Pilgrim’s Life—Jacob and Family’s Victories and Defeats!
Prepared By: Simone Flynn
- Jacob dreamt about a mysterious ladder and was afraid, what does this mean?
Genesis 28:10-17; John 1:51; John 14:6; Luke 2:8-14; Heb. 12:22; Psalms 91:11
Your Notes:
My Notes: Most of the times we have meaningless dreams that can be a result of various factors. However, Jacob’s dream left him in “awe” and left a vivid impression on his mind, and He knew that He had to seek God for the meaning. He was reminded of the promise given to his forefathers which included Jesus, “thy seed” in whom all the families of the world would be blessed (Gen.28:14). Jesus referred to Himself as the symbolic ladder that bridged the gap between heaven and earth in the Plan of Salvation. Jacob was also living in a period of religious pluralism, and early in his “pilgrim life,” he needed to be convicted that Jesus is the only way—the only ladder or bridge between God the Father and humanity. The “un-fallen” angels play a significant role in the plan of salvation as they descend and ascend to heaven in aid of humanity. Angels are innumerable, they are invisible, but at certain instances they are visible; They sometimes appear to comfort God’s people and sometimes they appear to destroy; They have different appearances and ranks (Gen. 18:1-8; 1 Chron.21:16,26-27; Isa. 6:1-2; Eze. 1:4-6, 10:14-15;Heb.13:2; Matt. 28:5). We also have our personal guardian angels that descends and ascends to heaven on our behalf (Ps. 91:12; Matthew 18:10).
- Children’s birth seemed to have been directed by God, what about contraceptives today?
Genesis 1:27-28; Genesis 29:31-32; Genesis 30:1-2,16-24; Psalms 127:3-5
Your Notes:
My Notes: From the creation of this world, God created marriages between a man and a woman, and commanded them to be “fruitful and multiply.” Children were never meant to be born out of wedlock. However, over the decades there has been an obvious increase trend in sexual immorality and perversions. This is perhaps the greatest reason for the inventions of contraceptives to prevent sexual diseases, and unwanted children. God says that children are a blessing from Him. This is perhaps more meaningful to Christians who understands God’s purpose for each individual. Jacob and his wives (and maids), perhaps knowing God’s covenanted promise were determined to have as many children as possible (Gen. 28:13-14). The Bible appears silent on the topic of contraceptives. However, we have principles from these stories in the Bible to guide our decision: We can communicating with God regarding the amount of children we desire; God will never take away our human choices that can affect the outcome (such as with Leah and Rachel using their maids). Safe and healthy contraceptives methods doesn’t seem to contradict any principles in the Bible. Sexual intimacy for pleasure is also a part of the marriage life (1 Corinthians 7:3-5). Contraceptives that kills babies in any developing stage, harmful to the body, or for selfish and ill motives as in the case of Onan (Genesis 38:7-10), God will always condemn, and the consequences are sure to follow.
- “Innocent” Dinah was raped, why did God allow this?
Genesis 34:1-3,13-15,24-27; Gen 35:1-4; Romans 8:28-30; Ephesians 1:4-7,11-13
Your Notes:
My Notes: At times, it’s difficult for the human mind to understand the freedom of choice that God gives humanity. Many believe that God “predestines” things and overrules human choices. Though God knows the beginning and the end, He doesn’t overrule human choices. But rather, he works with human choices. The word predestination in the scriptures is often used in the context of those who are “in Christ” or have accepted Jesus. We are “predestined” to develop God’s character or “conformed to the image of His Son.” The covenant that God made with Israel included being separate from the surrounding nations lest they go “a whoring after their gods” (Exodus 34:14-17; Prov. 12:26; 14:7,9). Dinah was visiting familiar Canaanite friends when the tragedy of rape occurred. She seemed to have wondered on Satan’s territory in her friendship with these “heathens.” Though the slaughter of the rapist and his entire city (Shalem) occurred through deceptive means, God allowed it as a form of judgment. And in these bitter circumstances, God “worked something out for good,” and a renewed consecration of the entire households of Israel occurred.
- What do the “strange gods” have to do with being clean?
Genesis 34:25—35:1-5; Joshua 23:16; Ezekiel 36:25-27; John 7:37-39; John15:3
Your Notes:
My notes: Simeon and Levi had deceived and destroyed an entire city because a man had rapped their sister from that city. Jacob knew that the natural outcome would be “revenge.” He called all Israel to give him “all the strange gods which were in their hands, and all their earrings…” These “strange gods” had corrupted their hearts and separated them from God. In order for God to work on their behalf to protection them from their enemies, they needed to put away all these “strange gods. “In the “consecration service” he buried them. They needed their hearts cleansed “with water” from these heathen practices. Water is a symbol of the Holy Spirit and the scriptures, which are inseparable. They were not only to partake of the action of burying these “strange gods,” but reform from their “corrupt” ways. God often allows our rebelliousness to “play out” in hopes that the misery of the consequences leads us to heart-felt repentance. Ultimately, those who make it to heaven must have “clean hands” which is in harmony with a “pure heart” that has been changed by God’s words through the Holy Spirit (Ps. 24:3-4).
- Did God predestined Joseph’s arrive in Egypt to fulfill His purposes?
Genesis 37:1-2,16-28,36; Genesis 50:15-20; Luke 16:29-17:1; Acts 2:22-23
Your Notes:
My Notes: God knows the beginning and end, but he doesn’t predestine our lives for any particular outcome. Joseph could have been lead to Egypt in many other ways. Unfortunately, he arrived there by the cruel plans of his brothers. None-the-less, God turned this evil into something good. In the same way, we are not predestined to be lost or saved. Being lost or saved is based on our relationship with God, our choices and decisions. Though it was prophesied that Jesus would be crucified, Judas, the Jews and those who participated in Jesus’ death were not chosen by God. But rather, these individuals made choices which led them to this end. God can only specifically guide our lives as we give Him permission through prayer and the scriptures. But He only does this within our human choices and decisions. When we give God permission to direct our lives, He will guide us in our good and bad decisions. As in Joseph’s life, He can bring good out of evil, and work everything together for good. Most of all, He wants to guide us day by day to secure our eternal life through Jesus.
- Joseph’s dreams came true, how do we know which dreams or impressions are from God?
Genesis 37:5-10; Genesis 42:6-10; Isaiah 8:20; Joel 2:28-29; Matthew 7:16-21; Acts 2:17
Your Notes:
My Note: Some dreams are based on our emotional, mental, physical conditions etc. And since Satan can manipulate our thoughts even when awake, he can also do the same while we sleep. Do doubt God also gives significant dreams to people. There are several questions that we can ask ourselves to know which dreams are not from God: Does the dream contradict anything in the scriptures? Does the person who claims to have dreams and visions living in open contradictions to God’s words? Do the dreams leading to God, or to self-exalting etc. (Gal. 5:22-23)? There is also an aspect of common-sense in deciding if a dream is from God or not. For example, if we have a dream to harm yourselves or others, we know that’s not from God. Ultimately, if we maintain a relationship with God, the Holy Spirit will give us the discernment to know if a dream is from God or not (Luke 11:11-13). God promises to pour out the Holy Spirit in these “ last days,” and some will be given dreams and visions for the purpose of glorifying God. We can prepare our hearts and minds through communion with God in prayer and His words.
- Tamar was ordered to be burnt by the law of Moses, does the Bible support the death penalty?
Genesis 38:13-24; Exodus 21:12, 23-25; Leviticus. 20:10; Leviticus 21:9; Numbers 25:1-8; Deuteronomy 22:21
Your Notes:
My Notes: The Old Testament is filled with death sentences for certain offences in order to “put evil way from among Israel,” and to satisfy the required justice. Deut. 22:21. This can be addressed in several ways: First, Israel was under a theocracy type of government where they received directly counsel from God through various means. Second, these were civil laws that were guided my God’s principles, but based on the societal mindsets, culture and conditions at the time. In Tamar’s case, there were obvious cultural issues involved which determined the outcome. Some of these civil laws were corrupted and God’s principles were being twisted or disregarded. Such as, the application of “an eye for an eye” to deal with civil issues. Jesus clearly corrected the abuse of this particular civil principle with the aspects of mercy and love, which is inseparable from God’s laws (Rom. 13:10; Matt 5:38-45). Thus in our day, governments can also make these civil laws regarding “the death penalty” based on the issues in society. But like the Israelite, if God isn’t specifically involved, they are bound to be filled with corruption and prejudices.
Spark-The-Fire Bible Studies
Spark-The-Fire 