A Great Cloud of Witnesses - Jacob: Part 5 of 13

Preview: Faith heroes. This is the fifth lesson in a thirteen-part series of lessons on this subject.


Scripture Reading: Genesis 25:19-27.

Memory Verse: Genesis 25:28.

1. Discuss the following events from the foregoing Scriptures concerning Jacob’s relationship with his family:
    A. Was he born of Isaac’s faith? Genesis 25:20-21.
    B. How many years did Isaac and Rebekah wait for a child? Genesis 25:20 7, Genesis 25:26.
    C. What was Jacob’s position of power in spite of his birth order? Genesis 25:22-26.
    D. Discuss the difference in the nature of the two brothers. Genesis 25:27.
    E. Which parent was partial to which child? Genesis 25:28.
Note: Isaac prayed for a child and God gave them twin sons. In those days it was customary for the oldest son to receive the largest inheritance and position of authority. In this case, God revealed to Rebekah that would not be true of Jacob and Esau.
2. How did Esau show his contempt for his birthright? Genesis 25:29-34.
3. What mistake did Rebekah make in trying to fulfill God’s promise concerning Jacob? Genesis 27:1-14.
Note: In a moment of weakness Esau relinquished his earthly inheritance for the sake of his appetite, but his mother helped Jacob steal the spiritual blessing that his father (who had received it from his father Abraham) would have given him. Rebekah, like Sarah, thought God needed her to fulfill His promise. Instead, she taught her favorite son to deceive instead of believe.
4. How do we know that the birthright and the blessing were two separate inheritances? Genesis 27:30-36.
5. What instruction did Jacob’s father give him when he was forced to flee for his life? Genesis 27:41, Genesis 28:1-5.
Note: Even though Isaac had been deceived, and tricked into giving Jacob the blessing, he couldn’t go back on his word.
6. Did Jacob follow his parent’s instructions? Genesis 28:7, Genesis 28:10.
7. How did the Lord reaffirm to Jacob the blessing first given to Abraham? Genesis 28:11-15.
8. How did Jacob prove his faith in God? Genesis 28:16-22.
9. Did Paul imply that Jacob’s choice to dwell in tents may have shown that he was looking for a city built by God? Hebrews 11:8-10.
10. How did Jacob show faith in God’s promise when he passed the blessing on to his grandsons? Hebrews 11:21.
Note: We cannot be a witness without faith.

To Be Continued…

Other Lessons* in this series:

A Great Cloud of Witnesses: Part 1 of 13
A Great Cloud of Witnesses - Abel Enoch Noah: Part 2 of 13
A Great Cloud of Witnesses - Abraham: Part 3 of 13
A Great Cloud of Witnesses - Isaac: Part 4 of 13
A Great Cloud of Witnesses - Jacob: Part 5 of 13
A Great Cloud of Witnesses - Joseph: Part 6 of 13
A Great Cloud of Witnesses - Moses: Part 7 of 13
A Great Cloud of Witnesses - Joshua and Caleb: Part 8 of 13
A Great Cloud of Witnesses - Rahab: Part 9 of 13
A Great Cloud of Witnesses - Deborah and Barak: Part 10 of 13
A Great Cloud of Witnesses - Gideon: Part 11 of 13
A Great Cloud of Witnesses - Jephthah: Part 12 of 13
A Great Cloud of Witnesses - Our Place: Part 13 of 13

*Lessons in a series may not necessarily be in the same category.