Genesis 28: What Dreams May Come

Journey through the Book of Genesis with me.  The plan is simple. Read ONE chapter a day. Blog or journal 5* things you learned that you previously didn't know and ask 5* questions about the chapter that you'll ponder all week. Let's go!

** You'll probably learn way more than 5 things and have more than 5 questions about each chapter. That's totally fine. The more the merrier! 

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Genesis 28:1-22

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

QUESTION 1: Why were the angels "ascending and descending"?

QUESTION 2: Why is Jacob's commitment to God conditional? In light of how much he had already been blessed (26:12-15) and how much more God was promising him, why is his commitment contingent on God fulfilling His end of the promise? Perhaps this is further indication of a father-wound in Jacob's life, a wound that comes from not being loved by dad/Isaac and having to "earn" dad's approval?

QUESTION 3: This blessing God promises to Jacob is offered without condition. Would it still be fulfilled in Jacob's life if he were to become disobedient?

QUESTION 4: When Jacob says in verse 22, "...this stone, which I have set up for a pillar, shall be God's house.", does this mean he was planning to return to this location to build an actual temple? (a house for the Lord?)

QUESTION 5: Jacob is reporting that pattern of giving a tenth (a tithe) of his possessions, just as Abraham had done for Melchizedek in Genesis 14:20. What's the history of the tithe prior to these events? 

WHAT I LEARNED

INSIGHT 1: Though he had just been deceived by his son, Isaac appears to have accepted the fact that Jacob is indeed the chosen heir of Abraham's promise. 

INSIGHT 2: Both Isaac and Esau still appear to be seeking Dad's approval, which explains why Esau goes out of his way to marry someone "in-house" (v.6-9)

INSIGHT 3: The angels "ascending and descending" the stairwell from heaven to earth is a reminder that angelic messengers are constantly on assignment from God (who stands above it) and involved in the affairs of mankind. 

INSIGHT 4: IRONY: While God makes an unconditional promise to Jacob (v.13-15), Jacob's commitment to God is contingent on God's fulfilling his end (perhaps an indicator that his relationship with YAHWEH is not yet personal?).

INSIGHT 5: Jacob associates THIS location (which he names, Bethel) as the entry point into heaven, but in reality, God's presence fills the whole earth. Psalms 24:1, "The earth is the LORD's, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it"

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