Gen. 33:12-35
Key Verse 35:3

"Then come, let us go up to Bethel, where I will build an altar to God, who answered me in the day of my distress and who has been with me wherever I have gone."
 

* JACOB SETTLES NEAR SHECHEM (33:12-35)

1. What did Esau propose to Jacob and why did Jacob refuse his offer?

2. Where did Jacob decide to settle down? How did he establish himself there? (17-20) Why did he want to settle down in Succoth (near Shechem)? Why could this not be what God wanted? (31:13;28:20?22)

3. Describe the event that forced Jacob to leave Shechem. (34:131) How did Simeon and Levi displease Jacob? (30-31; 49:5?7) What does Jacob's attitude at this time show about his change of character?

* JACOB RETURNS TO BETHEL (35:1-28)

4. What did God tell Jacob to do? Where was Bethel and what important event had taken place there? What did it mean to Jacob to return to Bethel? (28:10-22; 31:13; 35:1,3)

5. What preparations did Jacob and his family make before leaving for Bethel? Why did he do these things? Why did no one pursue him, even though he had made many enemies in that land? (2,4,5)

6. What did Jacob do when he arrived at Bethel? Why? Why did he name the place El Bethel? (6,7) What does this show about Jacob's faith?

7. How did God again bless Jacob? (9?15) What does it mean that God talked with Jacob? (13?15) How did Jacob show that he was moved by this conversation with God? What does this show about his faith?

8. What were the human joys and sorrows which Jacob experienced in this chapter? (8,16-29) [49:3,4] Name Jacob's twelve sons.

* JACOB'S LATER LIFE

9. Read 47:7-10, Jacob's meeting with Pharaoh. What does this tell us about Jacob's faith and life? Read 48:15. (Jacob's blessing on Joseph) . What light does this shed on Jacob's life? What can we learn about the God of Jacob?

10. Read 46:1-4. Why did God send Jacob to Egypt? Read 49:29-33. Why did Jacob want to be buried in Canaan? (Hebrews 11:9,10)