This week we are focusing on the importance of seeing Jesus in the Old Testament, along with our regular study in Genesis chapter 31. As Christians we believe, and have historical evidence for, the passing of the Covenant Promise from Abraham to Isaac to Jacob, and then his descendants specifically. This Covenant is the unfolding of the Genesis 3 Promise, and as we study we will see that the promise of a Messiah, fulfilled in Jesus, was there in the beginning, and can be found all throughout the Old Testament, connecting to the reason we have for sharing the Gospel Message today!

This study will help us understand the history and importance of not only the faithfulness of God through His Covenant Promise, but the love He has for His people as seen in His sovereignty over all things! We can take comfort in the fact that God never makes a mistake, and all things work together for good, for those who trust in Him! Defending our faith and developing a Biblical worldview based on our understanding of God’s Word takes time and practice, and must be part of a lifetime commitment we make to the LORD. It should form our purpose and identity in everyday life as we grow closer to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, modeling Him to our family, friends and neighbors.

As Christians, it is more important than ever to know what we believe, and why we believe it, and then apply that to who we are on a consistent basis, and this can only be done if we know Jesus and what His Word teaches. All class sessions include a time for prayer and reflection, a presentation, and a Bible study section. You will find the presentation overview and Bible study questions below, with basic answers for your review and, or to use as a leader’s guide.

Presentation

Foundations Bible study
The Importance of Seeing Jesus in the Old Testament, and Genesis chapter 31

Introduction and Review

Prayer cards: Take a minute and write your name on the index card provided, and add any special prayer request you might have. Exchange cards at the end of the class.

Review of Focus Verses:
THE ABRAHAMIC COVENANT Goes FROM Isaac TO JACOB

¹²He had a dream, and behold, a ladder was set on the earth with its top reaching to heaven; and behold, the angels of God were ascending and descending on it.

¹³And behold, the Lord stood above it and said, “I am the Lord, the God of your father Abraham and the God of Isaac; the land on which you lie, I will give it to you and to your descendants. ¹⁴Your descendants will also be like the dust of the earth, and you will spread out to the west and to the east and to the north and to the south; and in you and in your descendants shall all the families of the earth be blessed.

¹⁵Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land; for I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.”

Genesis 28:(12)13-14 (15) NASB

Three Parts of the Covenant:

Land
Nation
Blessing – The Seed Promise: Jesus is the Blessing to come!

The Importance of Seeing Jesus in the Old Testament

Jesus is God, the second person of the Trinity: The focus of the entire Bible is Jesus, and He is there from the very beginning (Genesis 1:1-3; John 1:1-5 and 15-18; Colossians 1:15-20; Hebrews 1:1-14; Revelation 1:8).
Jesus is the Covenant Promise Fulfilled: Genesis 3:15 begins this promise of salvation from the sin nature born at the “Fall” – and the unfolding of that promise is seen throughout the Old Testament, all pointing to the fulfillment by Jesus in the New Testament.
Prophecies: Over 300 specific and incidental predictions are given by various people, in various circumstances and in various places throughout the Old Testament narrative, ultimately fulfilled in, and by, Jesus.
Foreshadowing: A person, thing, event or teaching that pictures a part of what Jesus would do, or who He would be as seen in the New Testament Narratives of His life, ministry, death and resurrection that show fulfillment of all that was proclaimed before His time.
Christophany: A pre-incarnate appearance of the second person (Jesus) in the Trinity (for example: Genesis 12:7-9; 16:7-14; 18:1-33; 22:11-18; 32:22-30; Exodus 24:9-11; 31:14-15; Joshua 5:13-15).

The Importance of Bible Study
Practicing Hermeneutics

Homework Review

Chapter Reading for Step #3: Context
– What does it say?

Chapter 31

Jacob Flees from Laban

1-8
9-16
17-24
25-32
33-42
43-50
51-55

Discuss (summarize)…

Going Deeper Questions for Step #4: Interpretation

(Genesis 31:1-21) In the first part of this chapter, Jacob makes a decision to flee from Laban. Why did Jacob decide it was time to leave, and who did he council with in making that decision?

Jacob’s council:

Jacob overhead Laban’s sons talking about Jacob taking away “all that their father had worked for.” This, of course, would have been their inheritance and they were becoming increasingly more hostile towards Jacob, as Laban was as well.
At this time the LORD spoke to Jacob and told him to return to the land of his fathers and relatives, and that He would be with him.
Jacob then consulted his wives, Leah and Rachel, and told them all that had been happening with the flocks, and with their father’s attitude; he also told them about the Angel of the LORD (Jesus) appearing to him in a dream and telling him to return to his homeland – Rachel and Leah agreed with Jacob saying, “Do we still have any portion or inheritance in our faither’s house? Are we not reckoned by him as foreigners? For he has sold us, and has also entirely consumed our purchase price. Surely the wealth which God has taken away from our father belongs to us and our children; now then, do whatever God has said to you.”

Note: (From the Life Application Bible) “According to custom, they were supposed to receive the benefits of the dowry Jacob paid for them, which was 14 years of hard work. When Laban did not give them what was rightfully theirs, they knew they would never inherit anything from their father. This they wholeheartedly approved of Jacob’s plan to take the wealth he had gained and leave.”

How did Jacob follow through on the decision to leave, and do you think Jacob was trusting in the LORD at this time (why, or why not)?

Jacob’s decision to leave and his relationship with God at this point:

Jacob deceived Laban by not telling him that he was leaving, and he took all that he had acquired and sent them out towards hill country of Gilead. He got a 3-day head start before it was told to Laban that he had left.
Jacob was growing in his relationship with God, but he was not fully trusting in the LORD yet, and this is evident in the way he talked about God. In 31:5: “but the God of my father has been with me.” Notice he says “the God of my father” not my God. He will make a confession of faith later in chapter 32.

(Genesis 31:22-55) In the second half of the chapter, Jacob and his family take off without telling Laban. What did Laban do when he discovered Jacob was gone, and what did God say to Laban in a dream?

Laban and God:

When Laban found out that Jacob left, he took his men and pursued him, catching up to them in a distance of seven days.
But, God spoke to Laban in a dream telling him: “Be careful that you do not speak to Jacob either good or bad.” God was warning Laban not to try to talk him into staying (talking good) or bad by attacking him or abusing him verbally.

What happened between Laban and Jacob when Laban caught up with them, including what Rachel had done to make things worse?

Laban, Jacob and Rachel:

Laban lectured Jacob when he caught up to him, telling him that all Jacob owned was really his, including his wives and grandchildren.
Laban also told Jacob, that “it was in his power to do him harm but that God had spoken to him in a dream and warned him not to do good or bad to him.”
Laban accused Jacob of stealing his idols, but in reality, it was Rachel who had done it, and she lied about it by saying she couldn’t get up because she was on her period (when she was actually sitting on the idols covering them up). Thankfully for Jacob, they never found them as he would have had to make good on his oath to kill the one responsible.

Note: (From the Life Application Bible) “Household idols were everything to Pagans such as Laban because they represented protection and advice in times of need, and they had legal significance as well, for when they were passed on to an heir, the person who received them could rightfully claim the greatest part of the family inheritance. No wonder Laban was concerned when he realized his idols were missing. Most likely Rachel stole her father’s idols because she was afraid Laban would consult them and learn where she and Jacob had gone, or perhaps she wanted to claim the family inheritance sometime in the future.”

What agreement, or covenant, did Laban and Jacob make with each other, and how did they confirm it?

Jacob and Laban’s Covenant:

They gathered stones and made a pillar to stand as a monument to their agreement, or covenant between each other that they would not pass across the monument to cause harm to either side.
The monument was called Galeed, and Mizpah = May the LORD watch between you and me when we are absent one from the other.

Note: In making this covenant, Jacob swore by the fear of his father Isaac (not by God).

Step #5: Application for chapters 31
–How do I use what I have learned/What is God teaching me/Where do I see Jesus?

Answers will vary…

Jesus spoke to Jacob:

31:2 “Then the LORD said to Jacob…”
31:11 “Then the angel of God said to me in the dream…”

HOMEWORK

(We will finish last week’s homework for chapter 32, then…)

Read Chapters 33 and 34 for step #3: context

Going Deeper Questions for Step #4: Interpretation

(Genesis 33:1-20) In this chapter Jacob finally reunites with Esau. What did Jacob do when he saw Esau coming and how did Esau respond to what Jacob did?
Discuss: Do you think Jacob was wise in the way he handled this encounter, why or why not?
(Genesis 34:1-31) This chapter tells a side story about Jacob’s daughter Dinah, the people of Shechem and some of her brothers. What happened to Dinah and how did Jacob’s sons respond to the request by Shechem’s father?
Going Deeper: Who were the two sons of Jacob that were responsible for this, what did their father Jacob say to them and how might this affect them in the future?

Step #5: Application for chapters 31-32 – How do I use what I have learned/What is God teaching me/Where do I see Jesus?

Please continue to join us each week as we study about, and through, God’s Word!

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You will not find this material in the public school curriculum even though it is based on solid evidence and grounded in research. It is ironic that following the evidence to where it leads stops at the door of our public schools as they will not let a “Divine footprint” in! Join us as we examine evidence for Christianity and learn how to become a thoughtful defender and ambassador of your faith.

Click into the resource page of this website to view many of the top Christian thinkers and apologists along with some of their work; connecting to these types of resources is essential in your Christian growth.

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Teri Dugan

TeriDugan@truthfaithandreason.com

1 Peter 3:15