Chapter Summary

Jacob and Laban, two bargain makers, meet.

Discussion Questions for Genesis, Chapter 29

1. Why do you think the themes of "wells" (HCSB) and "flocks" (HCSB) continues to appear in Genesis? How do these symbolically refer to God's provision and His guidance? How does this story relate to Isaac's encounter with Rebekah? What spiritual markers have you seen in your life that remind you of God's provision for you?
2. What is the significance of Jacob instructing Laban's men on how to shepherd the sheep in verse 7? How does the allegory of the shepherd reveal itself throughout the narrative of Scripture? Why is the "shepherd" such an often used example? How do you see God as the Shepherd in your life?
3. What do you make of the physical affection shown between Jacob, Rachel, and Laban? How does this cultural display give you insight into the ways in which they approached marriage, family, and community? What are ways that your cultural expresses affection and familial love?
4. Why do you think that Jacob loved Rachel and not Leah? Was this affection centered primarily on physical beauty and lust? Or can we find deeper feelings? Why do you think it was important for the physical nature of the two daughters to be mentioned, and does this parallel the story of Jacob and Esau? How do you approach an issue like physical attraction?
5. Why do you think Jacob committed to such a long time to work for Laban in order to marry Rachel? What is significant about the number "seven" (HCSB) in Scripture? How might this change your personal perspective on hard work and commitment to a task?
6. What ironies can you find in Laban deceived Jacob? Do you think God repays people according to their deeds? In other words, did Jacob have this coming to him? What kinds of "sin repayment" have you seen in your life, and how did that bring about repentance or restoration?
7. Were Jacob and Leah technically married after this incident in verse 23? How would God view the act of intercourse in this situation? What kind of damage did Laban do to his family as a whole by introducing this impurity into their lives? In what ways does purity impact your life and the lives of those around you?
8. What circumstances led to Leah being "unloved" (HCSB)? How does this parallel the relationship between Abraham and Hagar? In what ways have you seen God minister to you when you felt isolated, unloved, or unwanted? How did that change your perception of who God is?
9. What kind of foreshadowing is happening with the birth and naming of Leah's first three sons? How do they fit in to the promise to Abraham? Do they connect with the tribes of Israel? How so? Why do you think Leah "stopped having children" after her fourth? How does this story demonstrate redemption, and how have you seen God redeem difficult circumstances in your life?
10. Why are the names of Leah's sons important? What cultural norms do these represent? Why are names so powerful? How does this make you think about the names of God, and how they represent Him?

Key Words/Phrase

Beguiled, v. 25.

Characters

Jacob, Laban, Rachael, Leah, Reuben, Levi, Judah.

Strong Verse(s)

20