Study together · The Cast

Jacob

A grasping schemer who wrestled God, lost, and walked away blessed and limping.

The story

1. Grasping the heel Gen 25:26-34

   Born gripping Esau's heel, he later buys his brother's birthright with a bowl of stew.

2. Stealing the blessing Gen 27:18-29

   He wears Esau's clothes and lies to his blind father: “I am Esau your firstborn.” Then he flees for his life.

3. The ladder at Bethel Gen 28:10-22

   Alone, he dreams of a stairway to heaven. God repeats Abraham's promise to him. He wakes and says, “Surely the LORD is in this place, and I did not know it.”

4. Twenty years with Laban Gen 29:15-30; 31:38-42

   The deceiver is deceived. Laban gives him Leah instead of Rachel and changes his wages ten times. God prospers him anyway.

5. Wrestling at Peniel Gen 32:22-32

   Afraid to meet Esau, he wrestles a man through the night and will not let go without a blessing. He is renamed Israel and leaves limping.

6. Losing Joseph Gen 37:31-35; 42:36

   Shown Joseph's bloody robe, he refuses comfort. Years later he says, “All this has come against me.”

7. Blessing in Egypt Gen 45:25-28; 47:7-10; 48-49

   He learns Joseph is alive, goes down to Egypt, blesses Pharaoh, and blesses his sons. He dies worshiping.

Key verses

“I will not let you go unless you bless me.” Genesis 32:26 (ESV)

Read together: Gen 25:26-34 · Gen 27:18-29 · Gen 28:10-22 · Gen 29:15-30; 31:38-42 · Gen 32:22-32 · Gen 37:31-35; 42:36 · Gen 45:25-28; 47:7-10; 48-49

Questions to sit with

1. Jacob was blessed and wounded in the same night. How has God's blessing in your life come with a limp?
2. He spent years grasping for what God had already promised him. What are you still trying to grab?

Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible, © 2001 by Crossway. Used by permission.