Tag: Ladies Bible Study

Women of Genesis Bible Study

The Women of Genesis: Lesson 29- Judah’s Wife and Tamar

Michelle Lesley

Previous Lessons: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28

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Read Genesis 38

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Questions to Consider

1. Who was Judah? (1) What do we know about him thus far? What do we know about his connection to Jesus?

2. What nationality was Judah’s wife (Shua’s daughter)? (2) Review previous lessons (links above) dealing with Abraham’s offspring taking Canaanite wives. What were some of the reasons it was problematic and undesirable for those in the Abrahamic Covenant to intermarry with the Canaanites?

3. What was Judah’s wife’s name? (2,12) How many sons did she have, and what were their names?

4. Who was Tamar, and what was her relationship to Er and to Judah? (6) What happened to Tamar’s first husband? (7) What was Onan’s relationship to Tamar? What did Judah instruct Onan to do after Er died? (8)

5. Verse 8 is the first instance we see in the Bible of levirate marriage. God later codified this practice into Israel’s law. What was the purpose of levirate marriage? How did it protect both the widow and the posterity of the family line? Put yourself in the sandals of an Old Testament woman involved in a levirate marriage situation. Describe some of the circumstances you might face, and the thoughts and emotions you might experience.

6. What happened with Tamar’s second husband? Explain verses 9-10 in your own words. What was Onan’s sin? Was it sexual sin or something else? (9) What does Onan’s sin tell us about his character as a man and as a husband?

7. Describe Tamar’s husbands and her experience with marriage thus far as she might describe it. Think back over Rachel’s, Leah’s, and Sarah’s desperation to have children as a reflection of the pressure that culture put on women to prove their worth and value through bearing sons. Could Tamar have been feeling that same sort of desperation, especially since she had gone through the “right channels” (levirate marriage) and had been cheated out of her legal recourse?

8. Explain in your own words the situation with Tamar marrying Shelah, Judah’s third, and only living son. (11, 14b, 26) Had Tamar followed Judah’s instructions? Had Judah kept his word to her? Briefly explain how Tamar had been let down by Er, Onan, and now Judah.

9. Read verses 13-26. What was Tamar’s plan? Was it premeditated? In what way(s) did Tamar sin in this situation? Did Tamar’s desperation and hopelessness over her situation and her mistreatment by Judah and his sons justify her sin?

10. Make a list of Judah’s sins against Tamar and against God, including any Scripture references you can recall of biblical principles he violated. Consider how Judah’s hypocrisy and judgment of Tamar in verses 24-26 is an example of the unbiblical judgment and hypocrisy Matthew 7:1-5 talks about. Describe how Judah could have treated Tamar in a godly way.

11. Did Judah’s sins against Tamar justify her own sin? If someone sins against you, is it OK with God if you act sinfully in response? How did Jesus act when He was sinned against by the Pharisees, Judas, and others? How can we follow His example, and why is it important for Christians to respond in a godly way to ungodly people and situations?

12. Compare and contrast Tamar’s mistreatment at the hands of men, and her response to the situation, with the current clamor in evangelicalism to respond to misogyny (both real and perceived) in the church. How does Tamar’s story teach us the importance of responding to misogyny and abuse in a godly and biblical way rather than taking matters into our own hands and doing what seems right in our own eyes?

Homework

Tamar was let down by an evil first husband, a second husband who didn’t want the responsibility of her and only wanted to use her for sex, and a father in law who broke his promise to her. Desperate for offspring, Tamar took matters into her own hands rather than trusting and obeying God. Compare the way Tamar took matters into her own hands with the way Sarah took matters into her own hands when she couldn’t conceive. What were the outcomes? Describe a time when you were in a difficult situation and were tempted to handle things your own way rather than trusting and obeying God. Explain why the cliché “Desperate times call for desperate measures,” would be better changed to “Desperate times call for prayer, obedience, and trusting God.”

Suggested Memory Verse

Then Judah identified them and said, “She is more righteous than I, since I did not give her to my son Shelah.” And he did not know her again.
Genesis 38:26

Women of Genesis Bible Study

The Women of Genesis: Lesson 28

Michelle Lesley

Previous Lessons: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27

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Read Genesis 37

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Questions to Consider

1. Where was “the land of [Jacob’s] father’s sojournings”? (1) Review lesson 27 (link above) if necessary.

2. How many children (sons and daughters (35)) did Jacob have, and what were their names? Which of Jacob’s children does chapter 37 focus on? Why? (36, Exodus 1:1-6)

3. What are some principles we can learn from Jacob, Joseph, and the brothers about being godly parents, children, and siblings both in our biological families and our church families?

4. In what ways does Jacob’s unique love and honor for Joseph paint a picture of God’s unique love and honor for Christ, His Son, as well as for us, His sons and daughters through Christ?

5. What are some elements of Joseph’s life that point us ahead to the life and ministry of Christ?

(2)-

(2)-

(3)-

(3)-

(4-5)-

(7,9)-

(8,10)-

(12-16)-

(18)-

(20-22,24)-

(23)-

(26-28,36)-

(28)-

(28)-

(29-30)-

(31)-

(32-34)-

6. Compare and contrast verses 5-8 with the subsequent mistreatment Joseph received at the hands of his brothers. Might Joseph have been tempted to focus on his circumstances and allow them to cause him to doubt God’s Word to him in 5-8?

7. How did the brothers’ sin impact their family? How has your own sin impacted your family and/or your church family?

Homework

Have you ever been in a situation as dire as Joseph’s that caused you to doubt the truth of God’s written Word? How was God faithful to bring you through that situation? In what ways did He show Himself to be true to His Word? Find a passage of Scripture that proved true in your situation, and write it out.

Suggested Memory Verse

Then they took Joseph’s robe and slaughtered a goat and dipped the robe in the blood.
Genesis 37:31

Women of Genesis Bible Study

The Women of Genesis: Lesson 27- Deborah and Rachel

Michelle Lesley

Previous Lessons: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26

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Read Genesis 35-36

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Questions to Consider

1. Study a map of Jacob’s travels, locating Haran, Shechem, and Bethel (35:1). What happened in Jacob’s life at each of these three places (review previous lessons if necessary)?

2. Where (city and nation) was Jacob living when God told him to move to Bethel? In what major way had living in the Shechemite area of Canaan influenced Jacob’s family? (35:2-4) In the book of Exodus, when we see Israel journeying through and into the Promised Land, what is the main offense against God that the Canaanites are guilty of? How did their idolatry impact God’s people?

3. Briefly review previous lessons (links above) in which we examined various reasons Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob didn’t want their children to intermarry with Canaanites. Even though the Ten Commandments (prohibiting idolatry) and the Levitical law (prohibiting intermarriage with pagans) had not yet been given, how might Canaanite idolatry have played a role in this? And if idol worshiping pagans weren’t good enough for Jacob’s children to marry, why did his own family possess foreign gods? (35:2-4)

4. Regarding the sin of idolatry, what were the three steps (35:2-3) of repentance Jacob led his family in? How can these steps be a model of repentance for us today?

5. Compare Genesis 28:10-22 with 35:1-15. Why did God tell Jacob to go back to Bethel (35:1)? What are the similarities and differences between the two passages with regard to God’s and Jacob’s words and actions? What promises did God make to Jacob in each passage? Describe the worship that took place in both passages.

6. Who was Deborah (35:8), and about how long had she been with the family? In what ways was Deborah’s death honored and memorialized (using your footnotes, what does Allon-bacuth mean)? Considering that we rarely ever hear the names of servants, much less the memorializing of their deaths, what might we surmise about Deborah, her character, and her relationship with Isaac and Rebekah’s family and Jacob’s family? How can you have an impact for Christ on others by serving them?

7. Refer again to the map in question 1. Where did Jacob travel in 35:16-27?

8. Examine 35:16-26 and review our previous lessons about Rachel. If you were writing Rachel’s obituary, how would you describe her? If Jacob were giving the eulogy at her funeral, what might he say about her? Why do we hear about Deborah’s, Rachel’s, and Isaac’s deaths, but we don’t hear about Leah’s or Rebekah’s deaths?

9. Compare Genesis 30:22-24 with 35:16-26. How was Rachel’s prayer answered? Using your footnotes, what do Ben-oni and Benjamin mean, respectively? Why do you think Jacob changed the baby’s name?

10. Who wrote the book of Genesis? Who was the original audience of the book of Genesis? Why might God have considered the information in chapter 36 important for this audience to know? How is this chapter a fulfillment of prophecy?

Homework

Jacob’s family was influenced toward idol worship by the Canaanites they lived among (35:2-4). Think about the various environments you live in: your community or neighborhood, your church, family, friends, workplace, clubs or organizations, social media, etc. Do any of these environments influence you toward idolatry – putting something in God’s place in your affections, loyalties, priorities, and time? Idolatry is a sin that should be repented of and forsaken. Read my article The Christian Introvert: Putting Off Social Anxiety, Putting On Serving Others to learn about the process of putting off sin, renewing your mind, and putting on godly behavior. Thinking about your own idolatry, write down how you can “put away those foreign gods” (put off), “purify yourself and change your garments” (renew your mind) and “arise and go up to Bethel…and make an altar to God” (put on).

Suggested Memory Verse

Then let us arise and go up to Bethel, so that I may make there an altar to the God who answers me in the day of my distress and has been with me wherever I have gone.
Genesis 35:3

Women of Genesis Bible Study

The Women of Genesis: Lesson 26- Dinah

Michelle Lesley

Previous Lessons: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25

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Read Genesis 34

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Questions to Consider

1. Briefly review lesson 25 (link above), as well as Genesis 30:20-21 and 33:18-20 to refresh your memory on the events leading up to today’s passage. Connect the names mentioned in 33:19 to the names mentioned in chapter 34. How had Jacob and his family become acquainted with Shechem and his family? (33:19) What nationality (33:18) was Shechem’s family?

2. From whose perspective is chapter 34 written, Dinah’s or the men of Jacob’s and Shechem’s families? Do we hear anything from Dinah or Leah? (1) Considering the story arc of the Bible, the customs and culture of the era, and the Bible’s emphasis on men leading and protecting their families, what might be some reasons God chose for this story to be told from the perspective of the men rather than Dinah’s and/or Leah’s perspective?

3. Examine verses 1-3 and 26b. If Dinah were telling her side of the story, what details from these verses would she include in her account?

4. Did the events of chapter 34 take place before or after the Law (i.e. the 10 Commandments, Levitical law, etc.) had been given? How did Dinah’s brothers react to the news of her rape? (7) If the law had not yet been given, how did they know Shechem had done something wrong, and why were they angry? What does this tell us about the universality of sin and its consequences?

5. Examine the words and actions of Jacob, Jacob’s sons, and Shechem, and describe each of their attitudes about Dinah. If someone were to instruct all of these men in how to regard and treat women in a godly way, what would be some good (Old or New Testament) Scriptures to use?

6. Examine verses 8-17 in light of both Abraham and Isaac eschewing the idea of their sons marrying Canaanites, and review question 2 from lesson 18 (link above). Aside from their anger over Dinah being raped, why else would Dinah’s brothers not have wanted her to marry Shechem? What might the future ramifications of possessing the Promised Land (Canaan) have been if Jacob’s child(ren) had intermarried with Canaanites and had descendants who were partially Canaanite? Examine verses 20-23. Why did Shechem’s tribe want to intermarry with Jacob’s tribe?

7. Do you remember what the name “Jacob” means? List the ways in this story that Jacob’s (now Israel’s) sons personified his old name. How did they respond to the situation with “deceit” and “cheating”? What was Jacob’s reaction to his sons’ actions? (30) Why did he react this way?

8. Study verse 31. What did Simeon and Levi mean when they said Shechem had treated Dinah “like a prostitute”? What are some other synonymous words that could be substituted for that phrase? “Should he treat our sister ______?” Clearly, Dinah’s brothers valued her. What are some biblical ways fathers, husbands, brothers, and brothers in Christ can demonstrate care for and value of their sisters in the home and in the church?

9. Currently, it is being suggested in some Christian circles that the way to fix the problem of (real or imagined) misogyny in the church is to elevate more women to unbiblical positions of leadership. Is this the way Jacob and his sons handled what happened to Dinah? Did they unbiblically elevate Dinah, or did they deal with the specific sin a certain man had committed?

10. Where is God in chapter 34? Do we see God speaking to anyone? Anyone crying out to God for help or direction? Jacob speaking God’s words to Dinah or his sons, or his sons speaking God’s words to Shechem? How does the concept of “Everyone did what was right in his own eyes” fit into chapter 34? What happens when you experience a terrible situation and God is not part of the equation? For God’s people – both in chapter 34 and today – how should tragedies and trials point us to God?

Homework

Imagine Dinah is a friend of yours at church and she tells you this story of being raped. List three specific ways you could show kindness and compassion to her, and three passages of Scripture she might find comforting. In what ways – through your words or actions – could you encourage her to trust and pursue Christ as He heals her from her pain? Is there a Dinah you could reach out to at your church?

Suggested Memory Verse

But they said, “Should he treat our sister like a prostitute?”
Genesis 34:31

Women of Genesis Bible Study

The Women of Genesis: Lesson 25

Michelle Lesley

Previous Lessons: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24

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Read Genesis 32-33

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Questions to Consider

1. Briefly review lesson 24 (link above). What events precipitated the journey we see Jacob and his family taking in today’s passage?

2. Examine 32:3-21. How had Jacob and Esau left things the last time they had seen each other that would have caused Jacob to act this way? Approximately how many years had it been since they had seen each other? How was Jacob expecting Esau to act? (6-7) Why do you think Jacob arranged/organized his present (14-15) to Esau the way he did (16)?

3. In what ways was the “wrestling with God” incident (32:22-32) a turning point in Jacob’s life? What was the significance of God re-naming Jacob? What phase of his life was Jacob turning from, and what phase was he turning to? Think about the land he was coming from and the land he was entering (33:18). How does this serve not only as a reminder of Abram leaving his homeland to go to the Land of Promise, but also hint ahead to the Israelites leaving Egypt and entering the Promised Land? How do both of these things reinforce that God is keeping His promises in the Abrahamic Covenant?

4. How did God answer, in chapter 33, Jacob’s prayer from chapter 32? What does this answer to prayer teach us about God’s character and nature? In what ways have you seen these attributes of God when He has answered your own prayers?

5. Examine the words and behaviors of Jacob and his servants, wives, and children in chapter 33. What can we learn about the customs and culture of that time and place from this passage?

6. What are some specific ways Jacob demonstrates humility and dependence on God in chapters 32-33?

7. Compare 32:1-2 with Genesis 28:10-12,19, and 32-33 with 28:10-22. In what ways has Jacob come full circle? How has God kept his promises to Jacob? How has Jacob kept his vow to God?

8. What does 33:20 tell us Jacob did to bring closure to all that has transpired in his life? Using your footnotes, what does the name of the altar mean? Who is Jacob focusing on? Why is worship always an appropriate response to God’s work in our lives, whether that work brings joy or suffering? What is God doing in your life right now that should lead you to worship Him?

Homework

Analyze Jacob’s prayer in 32:9-12. Write down the purpose (ex: praise, request, etc.) of each of the statements he makes. What are some spiritual characteristics (ex: faith, humility, etc.) we can see in Jacob through this prayer? In verse 12, Jacob recites back to God a promise God made to Him. What is the purpose of praying God’s promises back to Him? Spend some time in prayer about an issue in your own life, using Jacob’s prayer as a model. What are some of God’s promises that you can pray back to Him demonstrating that you trust Him and believe His Word? (Hint: Make sure it’s a promise directly from rightly handled, in context Scripture, and make sure it’s a promise to Christians, not to Israel, a specific Bible character, etc.)

Suggested Memory Verse

There he erected an altar and called it El-Elohe-Israel.
Genesis 33:20