Genesis 34-36: Study Guide

Background

• Review of Genesis 31-33: When Jacob observed that his relationship with his uncle Laban had deteriorated, he gathered his family and fled back to Canaan. Laban managed to catch up to Jacob, but he was warned by God not to harm him, and so the two men agreed to a peace treaty. Along the way to Canaan, a man approached Jacob at night and wrestled him until daybreak, and afterwards blessed him and gave him a new name Israel. Upon entering Canaan Jacob was approached his brother Esau, and the two men reconciled. Jacob then built an altar to His God who had preserved him through his 20 years of sojourning.
• Setting for Genesis 34: Jacob and his household had bought a piece of land in the city of Shechem, which was in the land of Canaan (Genesis 33:18-19).

Study Preparations

• Timer: Assign a timer who will focus the group on spending 15 minutes in each chapter.
• Prayer: Open in prayer and invite God to provide understanding into Genesis 34-36.

Genesis 34

Read: Choose a reader to read Genesis 34.

Discussion

1. First Impressions: Which character(s) stood out to you?
2. Righteousness: Rank the following people according to how mindful they are of righteousness: 1) Jacob, 2) Simeon & Levi, 3) Hamor & Shechem. Explain your reasoning.
3. Circumcision of Foreigners: Had Hamor and Shechem been allowed to live, do you think that their circumcision would have been valid in God's eyes?

Transition: The leader ties Genesis 34 into the full picture of Genesis, and transitions the group into Genesis 35. Suggested themes and foreshadows include:

• Rape & Attempt for Amends (intermarriage as the proposed resolution)
• Deceit (circumcision plot of Jacob's sons)
• Vengeance (Simeon & Levi's pillaging)
• Desire for Peaceful Relations (Jacob, Hamor, & Shechem)
• Prostitution as Shameful (Simeon & Levi's viewpoint)
• Is a foreigner's circumcision valid before God?

Genesis 35

Read: Choose a reader to read Genesis 35.

Discussion

1. Key Events: List the key events that took place during this chapter
2. God's Blessing on Israel: How does God expand upon His promise to Israel beyond what He had already promised Abraham & Isaac?
3. Reuben: What do you think will result from Reuben's choice to sleep with his father's concubine?

Transition: The leader ties Genesis 35 into the full picture of Genesis, and transitions the group into Genesis 36. Suggested themes and foreshadows include:

• Turning away from Idolatry
• God will make Israel into an organization of nations
• God will make Israel into a nation of kings
• Birth of a twelfth son (Ben-Oni/Benjamin)
• Reuben dishonors his father (by sleeping with Jacob's concubine Bilhah)

Genesis 36

Read: Choose a reader to read Genesis 36.

Discussion

1. Genealogy of Esau: Every genealogy is different as to what is being focused upon.
1. What aspects of Esau's legacy does the genealogy of Esau appear to be focused upon?
2. What reoccurring words or ideas do you notice within the genealogy?
2. Authorship & Purpose
1. Consider the genealogy that is written in 1 Chronicles 1. Do you think that it was Moses who wrote the Genesis 36 genealogy, or do you think that a later editor may have added the genealogy into the Book of Genesis?
2. If you believe this genealogy to be added in later, then what do you think might be its purpose for its readers?
3. Supposing that this genealogy were added in later, why might such an addition be appropriate and in the spirit of the Book of Genesis?

Transition: The leader ties Genesis 36 into the full picture of Genesis, and helps the group anticipate what may be coming in the next study. Suggested themes and foreshadows include:

• Overcrowding of Jacob's & Esau's possessions
• Chiefs of Edom (Esau's grandsons are identified as chiefs)
• Esau's line becomes a lineage of kings

Closing

Looking Forward: As the household of Israel becomes greater and greater, what do you think will be the new issues that Israel will face?