S – Jacob heard that Shechem had defiled his daughter Dinah, but since his sons were with his livestock in the field, he remained silent until they returned

Genesis 34:5 CSB

O – Commentary:

Jacob’s response to this crime is surprising. When he heard that Dinah had been defiled, he said nothing about it until his sons came home. Because Jacob did not act, his sons did, though without the wisdom and integrity necessary for justice. Dinah’s full brothers were shocked and furious that Shechem had done such a disgraceful thing against Jacob’s family (literally a disgraceful thing in Israel; this is the first use of the name Israel to describe the family). This sexual crime was an outrage against the community of God’s people and deserved punishment, but the leader of the clan did nothing.

 New Living Translation Study Bible 

A – God is just and his justice will be served.  We cannot turn away from an incident and just hope it takes care of itself.  Especially if we are in a leadership role.  We must leverage our wisdom and integrity to bring correction and justice when necessary.

R – Heavenly Father, you are holy and just.  Give us courage to move towards the situations where injustice or correction is necessary.  Also, align our actions with wisdom and integrity.  We invite you to empower us in all aspects in these situations.

S – But Esau ran to meet him, hugged him, threw his arms around him, and kissed him. Then they wept. ⁵ When Esau looked up and saw the women and children, he asked, “Who are these with you?” 

He answered, “The children God has graciously given your servant…”

⁹ “I have enough, my brother,” Esau replied. “Keep what you have.” 

Genesis 33:4–9 CSB

O – Commentary:

Esau, however, eagerly ran to meet Jacob and embraced him … kissed him, and they both wept. What a change is made when “God fights” in His way. In talking with Esau, Jacob constantly referred to himself as your servant or “his servant” (vv. 5, 14) and to his brother as “my lord” (vv. 8, 13–15) whereas Esau simply called Jacob “my brother”

“Genesis,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures

A – It is amazing to see how God works.  Jacob knows he is different and living out a relationship with God.  While we don’t read about Esau’s journey, he is different.  Their meeting is not resentment or bitterness.  Instead it is reconciliation and relationship.  It gives us hope for those relationships which are difficult and distant.  God can change those to something better.

R – Heavenly Father, you are Jehovah Shalom, God of Peace.  We invite you to work in our relationships – the ones which are difficult and challenging.   Please bring peace and reconciliation where there is strife and resentment.  We know you can do anything.

S – Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him until daybreak. ²⁵ When the man saw that he could not defeat him, he struck Jacob’s hip socket as they wrestled and dislocated his hip. ²⁶ Then he said to Jacob, “Let me go, for it is daybreak.” 

But Jacob said, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.” 

²⁷ “What is your name?” the man asked. 

“Jacob,” he replied. 

²⁸ “Your name will no longer be Jacob,” he said. “It will be Israel because you have struggled with God and with men and have prevailed

Genesis 32:24–28 CSB

O – Commentary:

The blessing took the form of a new name—Israel. This name probably means “God fights,” as the popular etymology signifies. The explanation was then given that Jacob had fought with God and with men. It is easy to comprehend his having fought with men but that he fought “with God” is more difficult to understand. Throughout Jacob’s entire life he had been dragging God’s blessing out under all circumstances for his own use, under “his own steam.” He was too self-willed and too proud to let the blessing be given to him.

So “God fights” was now his name. This meant, first, that God chose, because of the patriarch’s stubbornness and pride, to fight against him. Second, it meant that God would fight for Israel.

Jacob’s new name would remind him and others of this fight in which he had overcome. These words were full of hope to the Israelites. If one could contend successfully with God, he could then win the battle with man. Thus the name “God fights” and the explanation that Jacob had “overcome” obtained the significance of a promise for the nation’s forthcoming struggles.

“Genesis,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures,

A – We fight with God to have our way instead of his way.  Yet, God fights for us with us.  He will challenge our own will so his will is accomplished.  He also fights the enemy and his forces that seek to rob, kill and destroy us.  God does fight and it causes us to be grateful.

R – Heavenly Father, you are a fighter.  Thank you for fighting us and others so that your will is accomplished in us.  Empower us to build our faith so we fight you less and surrender to you more.

S – I am the God of Bethel, where you poured oil on the stone marker and made a solemn vow to me. Get up, leave this land, and return to your native land.’ ” 

Genesis 31:13 CSB

O – Commentary:

While messengers in the ancient Near East were entitled to speak in place of the one sending them, elsewhere in the ot the Angel of Yahweh is said to be the embodiment of Yahweh’s own essence (see Exod 23:20–23; compare Deut 4:37; Judg 2:1–3).

Faithlife Study Bible 

A – When God speaks, we need to listen and obey.  God reminded Jacob of his place of worship and commitment.  When we accepted Christ, we had a similar experience.  Listening to God through prayer will keep us centered in his presence and will.

R – Heavenly Father, we worship and surrender to you.  Speak to us and we will listen.  We want to hear your voice.  Empower us today to walk in your presence and accomplish all that you have for us.

S – Whenever the stronger of the flock were breeding, Jacob placed the branches in the troughs, in full view of the flocks, and they would breed in front of the branches. ⁴² As for the weaklings of the flocks, he did not put out the branches. So it turned out that the weak sheep belonged to Laban and the stronger ones to Jacob.

Genesis 30:41–42 CSB 

O – Commentary:

God intervened to fulfill the expectations Jacob had in the branches. The peeled branches, placed in the watering troughs, appeared to make his animals reproductive as they mated in front of the troughs. In addition, Jacob used selective breeding by mating the stronger animals for himself and the weak female goats and sheep for Laban. But this was not the only time God’s part in Jacob’s success was much greater than it seemed to an observer.

, “Genesis,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures

A – Jacob continues to skirt deception with strategically mating the sheep in his uncle’s flocks to benefit him.  There is a fine line with strategy and wisdom with deception and manipulating.  One has to look at their own walk with God to determine where their faith comes into play.  

R – Heavenly Father, you are holy and just.  Empower us to build our faith in you in all areas.  Also, give us wisdom to see situations and be strategic to accomplish the purposes you have for us.

S – So Jacob worked seven years for Rachel, and they seemed like only a few days to him because of his love for her. 

Genesis 29:20 CSB

O – Jacob’s plan was to work seven years to gain Rachel as his wife.  Jacob is deceived by Laban and receives Leah first and must work another seven years to gain Rachel.

A – Jacob sowed deception and he reaped it back.  Yet, God blessed him in his family growing into the eventually the 12 tribes of Israel.  God brings justice in our lives but also redeems our sins.  He can bring good from the bad.

R – Heavenly Father, you our Redeemer.  Thank you for working through our messy, broken nature to redeem us into something beautiful.  We acknowledge our sin and invite you to have your will accomplished in us.

S – ¹⁵ Look, I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go. I will bring you back to this land, for I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.” 

¹⁶ When Jacob awoke from his sleep, he said, “Surely the Lord is in this place, and I did not know it.” 

Genesis 28:15–16 CSB

O – Commentary:

The promise of God’s presence meant that God would protect and provide for Jacob in a special way. God’s promise to be with his people is repeated throughout Scripture (see also 26:24), prompting a response of worship and confidence in those who have faith

 New Living Translation Study Bible 

A – God gives Jacob the promise of his presence.  Jacob wakes up and worships God and declares that God is in this place.  Did he miss the fact that God said I am going to be with you wherever you go…not just here.  Either way, when we recognize that God is with us, it should cause us to take a step toward him in reverence and honor.  And it should empower us to walk with confidence into our day.

R – Heavenly Father, you are worthy of our praise and honor today.  Knowing that you are with us, empower us with your confidence as we face today.  We worship and surrender to you first.  Thank you for your presence wherever we go.

S – Suppose my father touches me. Then I will be revealed to him as a deceiver and bring a curse rather than a blessing on myself.” 

¹³ His mother said to him, “Your curse be on me, my son. Just obey me and go get them for me.” 

Genesis 27:12–13 CSB

O – Commentary:

Jacob had no guilt—only fear—regarding the plan. But the blessing was in danger and all must be risked, including even the possibility of a curse on Rebekah (vv. 12–13). So Jacob did as his mother told him. 

 “Genesis,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures

A – It is a dangerous place when you have no guilt or concern about deception.  Was missing out on the blessing enough to secure it through deception and stealing it from its rightful owner.  Where does the faith in God to provide and do his will?  Yet, God allowed the blessing to stay in tact.  It is an interesting journey in our own faith to see what God has for us in provision and manifestation of his power.

R – Heavenly Father, nothing is hid from you or is out of your scope of power.  Help us to grow our faith in your provision and will.  We want to lead with pure motives and hearts.  Give us strength to follow your direction and paths.

S – When Esau was forty years old, he took as his wives Judith daughter of Beeri the Hethite, and Basemath daughter of Elon the Hethite. ³⁵ They made life bitter for Isaac and Rebekah.

Genesis 26:34–35 CSB

O – Commentary:

Esau’s marriages illustrate how unfit he was to lead the covenant people into God’s blessings, and how foolish was Isaac’s later attempt to bless Esau (27:1–40). Esau later married a third wife in a vain attempt to do the right thing (28:6–9).

 New Living Translation Study Bible 

A – We need to pick the right people to do life with…especially our spouses.  God sees the heart of both people.  As they come together as one, their relationship with the Lord will be a crucial part of how they grow closer to God as a couple.  If both are vibrant and growing individually, it will truly reflect in their marriage.  The opposite is true as well.  The results are joy and vitality with each and God or it is bitterness and grief.  

R – Heavenly Father, you are omnipresent and see all things.  As we walk with our spouses and families, help us to start with us first.  As we work through our own sin with you, give us the grace and compassion to walk it out with our spouse.  It is a tremendous joy and blessing to grow together with each other and with you. 

S – Jacob said, “Swear to me first.” So he swore to Jacob and sold his birthright to him. ³⁴ Then Jacob gave bread and lentil stew to Esau; he ate, drank, got up, and went away. So Esau despised his birthright. 

Genesis 25:33–34 CSB

O – Commentary:

Esau eagerly took Jacob’s bait and fell into the trap. He ate and left too quickly to have been near death (25:32). The final comment on the passage explains that Esau showed contempt for his birthright, considering it worthless (Heb 12:16). It is foolish to sacrifice spiritual blessings to satisfy physical appetites (cp. 3:6).

 New Living Translation Study Bible 

A – We do the same thing as Esau did in our daily lives.  We choose things that are temporal or self seeking instead of things that have eternal value.  For example, if we choose sleep over spending quiet time with God, we may be well rested but not know God.  We need sleep.  But, are we willing to adjust our schedule so we can have time with God?

R – Heavenly Father, you are omnipotent – you know all things.  Help us to make wise choices that will help us to grow in our relationship with you.   Help us to see the spiritual significance of our decisions.  Give us the wisdom we need for today.