Jacob - Joseph (to be discussed October 16)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1. Read Genesis 28:10-22. List what the Lord promised Jacob during his night vision or dream. Now list Jacob's part of the covenant. How was Jacob's dream of the ladder (or stairway) like a temple experience?

 

 

EXTRA CREDIT: Read Genesis 29:31 - Genesis 30:24 (with footnotes 33b, 35a, 3a, 6a, 8a,b, 11b, 13b, 18a,b, 20a,b, 24a). List the sons of Jacob and the meanings of their names, in birth order.

 

 

2. Read Genesis 31:20-24 and 43-55 (with footnote 20a). Why did Jacob leave Laban's house without saying good-bye? List elements of the covenant between Laban and Jacob.

 

 

3. Read Genesis 32:1-23 (with footnotes 2a,b, 10a). Jacob desired peace with his brother, Esau. List verses in which Jacob followed the pattern of reconciliation, in which he (1) communicated; (2) planned; (3) prayed; and (4) shared.

 

 

4. Read Genesis 32:24-32 (with footnotes 28b,c, 30a), and Hosea 12:3-5. With whom did Jacob wrestle all night? For what did he wrestle? What did he receive? How was this experience a covenant renewal?

 

 

5. Read Genesis 35:1-29 (with footnotes 11a, 18b,c). What did Jacob (Israel) command his people to do before returning to Beth-el? List the elements of God's blessing upon Israel.

 

 

6. Read Genesis 37:1-22 (with footnotes 1a, 3c). Why did Jacob favor Joseph? According to the Septuagint (see footnote 3c) Joseph's coat may have been a long coat with sleeves. Why might the gift of such a coat cause anger and envy among Joseph's brothers? How might Joseph's dreams have fueled that anger?

 

 

7. Read Genesis 37:23-36 (with footnotes 27a, 36c,d). Who sold Joseph to the Ishmaelites? For how much was he sold? To whom was Joseph then sold?

 

 

BONUS: Which brothers stood up for Joseph?

 

 

 

 

Related Articles:

"Jacob in the Presence of God," Andrew C. Skinner, Sperry Symposium Classics

"Jacob: Keeper of Covenants," Andrew C. Skinner, March 1998 Ensign

"Journeys and Events in the Lives of Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph," Edward J. Brandt, June 1973 Ensign

"Forgiveness Will Change Bitterness to Love," David E. Sorensen, April 2003 CR

 

QUOTE: 

“When Jacob traveled from Beersheba toward Haran, he had a dream in which he saw himself on the earth at the foot of a ladder that reached to heaven where the Lord stood above it. He beheld angels ascending and descending thereon, and Jacob realized that the covenants he made with the Lord there were the rungs on the ladder that he himself would have to climb in order to obtain the promised blessings—blessings that would entitle him to enter heaven and associate with the Lord. …

“Temples are to us all what Bethel was to Jacob. Even more, they are also the gates to heaven for all of our unendowed kindred dead. We should all do our duty in bringing our loved ones through them.” - Marion G. Romney, "Temples - The Gates to Heaven," Ensign, March 1971.