Bible 110 Old Testament Jacob Meets Rachel 29:1-35 A. Jacob arrives at well 29:1-3 B. Converses with shepherds 29:4-8 C. Arrival at well of Rachel 29:9-12 Water the sheep Jacob rolls away the stone Jacob kisses Rachel and weeps Introduces himself D. Laban invites Jacob to remain one month 29:13-14 E. Jacob serves Laban 7 years for Rachel 29:15-20 F. Wedding feast and tricery of Laban 29:21-27 Customs G. Jacob marries Rachel as well 29:28-30 after completing the week of marriage feast for Leah. He worked 7 more years. H. Leah, the “lesser loved” gave birth to 4 sons (Reuban, Simeon, Levi, Judah) 29:31-35 2. Rachel’s --- 30:1-43 A. Substitute children 30:1-8. Rachel barren; Bilhah the maid – Dan, Naphtali B. Leah’s substitute children 30:9-13; Zilpah the maid – Gad, Asher. Leah happy, Rachel unhappy C. Leah’s last 2 sons and Dinah 30:14-21. Mandrakes are fruits thought to have stimulating qualities for conception – “love apples.” Rachel wants mandrakes; Leah refuses accusing Rachel of taking her husband away. Rachel gives Jacob back for mandrakes; Leah conceives and gives birth to Issachar, Zebulon, and Dinah. D. Rachel conceives 30:22-24 God remembered Rachel Gives birth to Jacob 1 Bible 110 Old Testament E. Turning point for Jacob 30:25-43 Wants out of Laban’s tents Jacob stayed 20 years, not 14 years; bargains with Laban over compensation for the extra 6 years Jacob will shepherd oddly colored animals and have property. He could keep oddly colored animals born to properly colored animals. Rods affected the breeding of the genes. Jacob had stronger ones. He tricked Laban again. 3. Jacob separates from Laban 31:1-55 A. Proposed flight 31:1-16 Laban’s changed attitude vs.2 God of Bethel vs.13 Jacob’s argument corroborated by Leah and Rachel vs.14-16 B. Flight and pursuit 31:17-24 Jacob flees with family and possessions Rachel takes household goods Jacob outwits Laban Laban pursues God speaks to Laban in dream that he will say not a word to Jacob, good or bad C. Reproaches and accusations 31:25-42 Laban catalogs charges against Jacob Jacob upbraids Laban Laban unable to find household goods; Rachel has them Jacobs attributes his success to God vs.42 D. Agreement 31:43-55 Laban proposes and Jacob accepts covenant of friendship based on status quo Pillar and heap of stones 44-50 Galeed Mispah Sacrifice followed by a meal vs. 54 2 Bible 110 Old Testament Laban returns home vs.55 4. Return 32:1-32 A. Meets angel of God – fell upon sacred place – Mahanaim 32:1-2 B. preparation to meet Esau 3-21 Messengers to Esau 3-5 Messengers return from Esau vs.6 Jacob fears meeting Divides family into two companies Prays to God Jacob prepares present for Esau and entrusts servants to give it to him 13-21 Jacob struggles at Penuel (Jabbok) Sends family on across 22-23 Wrestles all night with a man 25-32 Dislocates Jacobs thigh Jacob seeks to extract blessing New name is Israel – “he who strives with God” Jacob now limps on his thigh Jacob grows up, matures; new name Struggle preliminary to entry into Promised Land 5. Reconciliation 33:1-20 A. Jacob strategy – divide into 3 parts. Jacob is in the lead, followed by wives’ maids and children; Leah and hers, then Rachel and Joseph. B. Brothers embrace – Jacob obsequious to Esau. Esau refuses gift, then accepts it. Esau offers Jacob protection but Jacob refuses. Esau offers posse to accompany Jacob but he refuses, wanting to be independent. C. Esau travels to Edom Jacob to Succoth, then to Shechem where he bought land (place of Joseph’s burial) 3