Chapter Summary

Jacob becomes Israel. Preparation for meeting Esau. Wrestling against the angel.

Discussion Questions for Genesis, Chapter 32

1. God's angels camped with Jacob and his family on their new journey. Can you think of any other times that angels visited the patriarchs of Israel? Why do you think God sent angels to appear to Jacob at this time? How do angels work around us today in the supernatural realm?
2. Jacob just left a challenging situation with his uncle Laban. Before Jacob could pass through Edom, he would have to revisit another sticky family matter from the past. Read Gen. 25:29-34 and Gen. 27. Why was Jacob afraid of his brother Esau? How would you have interpreted Esau's approach with 400 men as a positive welcoming party?
3. When Jacob heard that Esau wanted to come and see him face to face, he stressed out. Do you think his response was wise in light of Esau's past warnings? Why or why not? What are the biggest stress factors in your life? Do you think one can utilize common sense and walk by faith? What does that look like?
4. Jacob prays a beautiful prayer to God. Who does he know and trust God to be? How does he communicate his thought process and emotions? What can we learn about processing our needs and stresses before God?
5. God took on the form of a man and wrestled with Jacob. This rare appearance is called a "Christophany" or a pre-incarnate appearance of God the Son. Jacob's name means "tripper" because he was born grabbing Esau's ankle. With this background information, why do you think God wrestled with Jacob all night? What did he demonstrate about himself?
6. What did God's wrestling teach Jacob about his inner self and personal journey? In what ways would Jacob and his line "prevail?" Can you think of a time in your life when you faced an impossible scenario and you wrestled with God in prayer? How did you walk differently after those encounters?
7. Does faith in God's plan mean that we stay inactive? What is the relationship between faith and action? What can God teach us as we watch, pray, and work for the future?
8. Have you ever thrown up a prayer for help to God? How did he answer? What did that experience teach you about God and his protection? Why does he put us in situations we cannot resolve on our own?
9. Jacob would not let God go without a blessing. Do you have a similar hunger to experience God's blessing in your life? How can we feed that craving? Is there anything in your life that is keeping you from experiencing the fullness of joy from God's right hand? (Ps. 16:11).
10. Young boys and girls typically enjoy a boundless optimism and enthusiasm for life. The longer we go through life, we tend to encounter seasons that slow us down, bring us down to reality, or cause us to walk with a metaphorical limp. Why does God bring us through those valleys? What do we gain by slowing down and sobering up towards life? How does God's faithfulness and steadfast love work through the seasons? What benefits can a church or faith community bring to our lives?

Key Words/Phrase

Afraid, v. 7.

Characters

Jacob, Esau, angel.

Strong Verse(s)

24, 30.