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! 

Genesis 33:1-20

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

QUESTION 1: What is the significance of Jacob “bowing himself to the ground seven times”? Would it have made a difference if he bowed only 3 times?

QUESTION 2: Was it always Esau’s intention to warmly welcome Jacob, or did Jacob’s plan of sending gifts, and his family ahead of him actually work to “soften” Esau’s attitude toward him?

QUESTION 3: Did the conversation about his (Esau’s) stolen birthright ever come up?

QUESTION 4: What was it about Esau that caused Jacob to still be hesitant about following him back home? (Verse 12 -17)

QUESTION 5: If Jacob changed directions and settled at Succoth (v.17), did Esau ever come back to look for him?

WHAT I LEARNED

INSIGHT 1: Based on how Jacob “lines” up his family for his encounter with Esau, it shows that Jacob still favors Rachel over all the other wives.

INSIGHT 2: Jacob was expecting his brother to murder him at their reunion (Genesis 27:41), but at some point in the ride, Esau had had a change of heart. Three indicators of Esau’s changed attitude toward Jacob..

• (v.3): He “ran” to meet Jacob.
• He “embraced Jacob and fell on his neck and kissed him” (possibly all in one motion).
• He “wept.”

INSIGHT 3: Esau’s loving demeanor toward Jacob is an indicator of the new favor Jacob experienced during his wrestling match with God the night before.

INSIGHT 4: Esau’s question in verse 8 may suggest that he thought Jacob was offering him his wives, concubines, and kids as a gift, along with the grab bag gifts already sent ahead in Genesis 32:13-21.

INSIGHT 5: Based on verse 12-14, clearly, Jacob still has reservations about his brother’s true intentions, hence he’s not ready to completely trust him and head home with him.

INSIGHT 6: “El-Elohe-Israel” (God, the God of Israel) – Jacob is finally accepting God as His God.