Jacob, who believes that it’s all about him, swindles his brother out of his birthright in exchange for soup and bread.
Such self-centered thinking stands in opposition to the love God calls us to. Without the love of God infusing our lives, it is impossible to truly love others.
Here are four things you must-know before you read Genesis 28-36:
- Did you know? In ancient times, olive oil was poured on objects to dedicate them to God. The process of pouring the oil is known as “anointing.” [Tweet this]
- Stones were placed on top of wells to prevent evaporation, for sanitary reasons—to keep them clean and protect them from wild animals—as well as to prevent people from accidentally falling in.
- Leah’s name means “cow” while Rachel’s name means “ewe.” Both names are appropriate for a family living in an agrarian world caring for sheep. Yet Laban treats his daughters like barnyard animals that are bartered and sold.
- A portion of the amount of money given for marriage (dowry) is meant to go to the daughter. In other words, some of the wages Jacob worked fourteen years to earn belong to Rachel and Leah.
Here’s your homework for Week Five: It’s Not About You:
- Watch Session Five (It’s Not About You) on the Pursuing God’s Love DVD (20 minutes) and begin working through the homework.
- Read Genesis 28-36.
- Come back to MargaretFeinberg.com on Thursday, the same day you can enjoy the Midday Connection podcast on the session, to discuss what God’s revealing to you along the way. (To subscribe to the RSS feed so you don’t miss a beat, click here).
FOR DISCUSSION: Answer the following questions as a comment to this blog post. Feel free to ask questions, reply to others’ comments, and post prayer requests.
- Describe a situation in the last few months where you’ve been reminded “It’s not about you!”
- Jacob was a master deceiver. Have you ever played Balderdash—a game in which you have to figure out who’s telling the truth? What is your favorite game to play?
Click here to pick up a copy of the Pursuing God’s Love DVD and Workbook.
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Pursuing God’s Love: Stories from the Book of Genesis Online Bible Study LINKS:
Session One: MONDAY | THURSDAY
Session Two: MONDAY | THURSDAY
Session Three: MONDAY
Session Four: THURSDAY
