Jacob

What role does the Jacob story play in the rest of the Bible? Examine how the biblical authors reference Jacob to discover the importance of his story.

Genesis 1-9 establishes a cycle of themes that form the framework of the biblical story. Learn how this pattern shapes the Jacob story.

Abraham’s story unfolds to the rhythm of the thematic melody of the early chapters of Genesis. Find out how this pattern prepares us to read Jacob’s story.

What’s in store for us as we study the life of Jacob? Survey the design of the Jacob story and see how his birth sets the stage for what’s to come.

What sort of man is Jacob? Reflect on the Bible’s introduction of this important character.

Haven’t we heard this story before? Trace the developing theme of deception as Isaac repeats the folly of his father.

God provides Isaac with water in a dry land, but this blessing stirs up jealousy in Isaac’s neighbors. Discover how this story develops established themes.

How will Isaac be a blessing to the nations if he is in conflict with them? Learn how reconciliation through covenant gives us a glimpse of new creation.

Where did Jacob learn his deceptive ways? Meditate on how the children in the next generation replay the failures of their ancestors.

In mirrored scenes, Isaac speaks blessing and non-blessing over his sons. Contrast these two to see how the Eden blessing has been flipped upside-down.

The consequences of Jacob’s deceptions begin to hit home. Contemplate the separation of the brothers as it sets the stage for what’s to come.

Jacob meets God in Bethel and vows to build God a house. Carefully examine Jacob’s response to God’s promise of presence and blessing.

Is it good that Jacob and Laban scheme and bargain over his daughters? Examine the narrative structure to find the Bible’s critique in these stories.

Jacob is welcomed into Laban’s household, but the deceiver quickly becomes the deceived. Contemplate the many reversals in Jacob’s wedding stories.

How does God treat the mistreated and unloved? See how God’s response to Leah continues a pattern that reveals God’s heart for the hurting.

Leah and Rachel repeat the folly of Sarah as they compete for the heart of their husband. Witness the complex story of the birth of the family of Israel.

When Jacob decides to leave Laban, things turn ugly as the two deceivers try to outdo one another. Unravel this complicated web of trickery.

Jacob urges his wives to flee their father with him, but his accounting of events seems to contradict the narrative so far. Find out what’s going on here.

Jacob flees Haran with Laban in hot pursuit. Meditate on the fruit of their deception as the two air their grievances to one another.

What does it mean to make a covenant? Examine covenants throughout the Bible to discover more about this important theme.

Jacob prepares to see his brother, Esau, for the first time in twenty years. Trace the hyperlinks to see how Jacob acts like a flood is headed his way.

Wrestle with this iconic and perplexing scene, where God contends with Jacob and gives him a new name.

Did wrestling with God change anything in Jacob’s heart? Witness the reunification of the brothers and discover how Jacob has grown.

How should we respond to tragic or disturbing stories in the Bible? Wrestle with the Bible’s depiction of evil and learn how to think about these stories.

What happens when God’s covenant of peace is used as a weapon for vengeance? Trace hyperlinks to uncover the inversion of God's justice in the flood story.

After many years of exile, Jacob returns to the place where he first encountered God. Compare these two stories to see how Jacob has changed.

Jacob’s new Eden moment is tinged with grief as he loses people dear to him. Explore how the loss in this chapter is linked to his past deceptions.

As the narrative shifts to the next generation and the Jacob story comes to a close, we focus on the parting of the brothers. Dive into this final chapter.

What are your key takeaways from this class? Listen in as the students discuss what they learned.