Trials, Covenant, and God's Faithfulness
- Be God's Glory
- Jan 11
- 8 min read
Welcome to The Glory Team Bible Reading plan. In Chapters 34-36 Jacob’s family faces trials, including Dinah’s defilement. Despite challenges, God reaffirms His covenant. Esau’s descendants are listed, emphasizing God’s faithfulness to all.
Genesis 34: The story centers around the tragic event of Dinah, Jacob's daughter, being defiled by Shechem, the son of Hamor the Hivite. Shechem desires to marry Dinah, but her brothers, Simeon and Levi, respond with anger and deceit, devising a plan to avenge her dishonor. They trick the men of Shechem into circumcising themselves under the promise of a marriage agreement, and on the third day after the procedure, Simeon and Levi attack the city, killing the men and taking the women and children captive. Jacob rebukes them for their actions, fearing retaliation from surrounding nations. The chapter highlights the consequences of unbridled anger, dishonor, and the complexities of family dynamics.
Genesis 35: God commands Jacob to go to Bethel and build an altar, reaffirming His covenant with him. Jacob leads his family to cleanse themselves of idols, and they journey to Bethel, where God appears to Jacob once again, blessing him and renaming him Israel. God promises that his descendants will become a great nation. The chapter also recounts the death of Rachel while giving birth to Benjamin and the death of Isaac, marking the end of an era for Jacob. Despite the sorrow and loss, God's faithfulness and covenant promises remain central, as He continues to guide and bless Jacob’s family.
Genesis 36: Provides a detailed genealogy of Esau, the brother of Jacob, and the ancestors of the Edomites. It outlines Esau’s marriages to Canaanite women and his descendants, highlighting the various clans and kings that came from him. The chapter emphasizes God's faithfulness to Esau’s lineage, showing how Esau's descendants flourished in the land of Seir, which later became known as Edom. This genealogy serves to highlight God's continued providence and blessings on both Jacob and Esau’s descendants, even as they follow different paths.
Trials, Covenant, and God's Faithfulness
The purpose of the book of Genesis are to record God's creation of the world and His desire to have a people set apart to worship Him. The author of the Book of Genesis is Moses. There is plenty of evidence that leads to this conclusion:
The Talmud (The Hebrew Bible, the central text of Rabbinic Judaism and the primary source of Jewish religious law and Jewish theology.) attributes this book to Moses.
Citations from Genesis show that the Old Testament is part of the Law of Moses (Deuteronomy 1:8; 2 Kings 13:23; 1 Chronicles 1:1)
Jesus and the New Testament writers attribute Moses as the author of as an essential part of Scripture (Matthew 19:8; Luke 16:29; 24:27)
The original audience of the book of Genesis are the people of Israel and it was written in the wilderness during Israel's wanderings. The setting is primarily the region presently known as the Middle East.
The Key People we will learn about are Adam, Eve, Noah, Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Rebekah, Jacob, and Joseph.
What is God's Name in these Chapters?
In this portion of our journey we want to dive deep into the character of God described in His name. By identifying who God is, we can further relate to Him personally and build a stronger relationship and connection with Our Father.
Names are important. They give significance to places, people, and things. We identify with so much based off what it's name is. This is considerably notable when it comes to the names of God.
The book of Genesis establishes fundamental truths about God, including His role as the Creator, His holiness, His hatred of sin, His love for mankind, and His willingness to provide for our redemption.
Elohim - God, The Strong Creator
Jehovah - Lord, The Self-Existing One
El Elyon - The Lord God Most High
Adonai - Lord, Master
El Roi - God who sees me
El Shaddai - God Almighty
Jehovah Jireh - The Lord will provide
El-Elohe-Israel - God, The God of Israel
El Bethel - The God of Bethel (The House of God)
In Genesis Chapter 34, God's character is subtly present through the consequences of human actions and the unfolding of events. The chapter highlights the importance of justice, righteousness, and the protection of one's family. While God does not directly intervene in the story, the actions of Simeon and Levi reflect a desire for justice and vengeance, though their violent response goes against God’s call for peace and reconciliation. God’s character as a protector and a guide is indirectly seen through His covenant with Jacob, which remains intact despite the family's failure to honor Him fully. The chapter underscores the tension between human impulses and God’s ideal for righteousness and peace.
In Genesis Chapter 35, God revealed Himself to Jacob and Jacob built an altar and called that place El-Bethel and God is referred to by the name El Shaddai (God Almighty) in verse 11, highlighting His supreme power and authority. This name emphasizes God's ability to fulfill His promises and bless His people despite the challenges they face. God's character is displayed through His faithfulness, as He reaffirms His covenant with Jacob, renaming him Israel and promising that his descendants will become a great nation. The chapter also reveals God's guidance, as He directs Jacob to Bethel and provides safety for his family. God's protection is evident when He causes fear to fall upon the surrounding cities, ensuring Jacob’s safe journey. Overall, God's character in this chapter is marked by His faithfulness, power, protection, and ongoing commitment to His covenant.
In Genesis Chapter 36, (Genesis 33:20), God's character is evident in the continued fulfillment of His promises to both Jacob and Esau. The chapter focuses on Esau’s descendants, emphasizing God's faithfulness in blessing Esau with a prosperous lineage, even though he was not the chosen heir of the covenant. The term Edom is used throughout, which is derived from Esau’s name and means "red," symbolizing his connection to the land and the people that would come from him. God's character is seen in His providence and justice, as He allows Esau's descendants to flourish in the land of Seir. Although the chapter does not highlight God’s direct intervention, it reflects His sovereignty in overseeing the growth of both the chosen line of Israel and the nations descended from Esau.
Christ in Every Book of the Bible
Christ is the theme throughout the Bible. From Genesis to Revelation, God reveals His Son, Jesus Christ.
Christ is the Seed of the woman Genesis 3:14 , He is the Passover Lamb Exodus 12:3, The Atoning Sacrifice Leviticus 17:11, The Smitten Rock Numbers 20:8, 11, The Faithful Prophet Deuteronomy 18:18, Christ is the Captain of the Lord's Host Joshua 5:15, The Divine Deliverer Judges 2:18, The Kinsman Redeemer Ruth 3:12, Christ is the anticipated as the Anointed One,1 Samuel 2:10, The Son of David 2 Samuel 7:14, The Coming King 1 & 2 Kings, Builder of the Temple 1 & 2 Chronicles (1 Chronicles 28:20), Ezra represents Christ as the Restorer of the Nation Ezra 6:14, 15, Nehemiah shows Him as the Restorer of the Temple Nehemiah 6:15, and Esther portrays Him as the Preserver of the Nation Ester 4:14, Christ is seen as the Living Redeemer Job 19:25, The Praise of Israel Psalm 150:6, The Wisdom of God Proverbs 8:22, 23, The Great Teacher Ecclesiastics 12:11, The Fairest of Ten Thousand Song of Solomon 5:10. Christ is the Suffering Servant Isaiah 53:11, The Maker of the New Covenant Jeremiah 31:31, The Man of Sorrows Lamentations 3:28-30, The Glory of God Ezekiel 43:2, The coming Messiah Daniel 9:25, The Lover of the Unfaithful Hosea 3:1, The Hope of Israel Joel 3:16, The Husbandman Amos 9:13, the Savior Obadiah 21, the Resurrected One Jonah 2:10, the Ruler in Israel Micah 5:2, the Avenger Nahum 2:1, the Holy God Habakkuk 1:13, the King of Israel Zephaniah 3:15, the Desire of Nations Haggai 2:7, the Righteous Branch Zechariah 3:8, and the Sun of Righteousness Malachi 4:2.
The King of the Jews Matthew 2:2, the Servant of the Lord Mark 10:45, the Son of Man Luke 19:10, and the Son of God John 1:1. Christ is the Ascended Lord Acts 1:10, the believer's Righteousness Romans 1:17, Sanctification 1 Corinthians 1:30, Sufficiency 2 Corinthians 12:9, and Liberty Galatians 2:4. He is the Exalted Head of the church Ephesians 1:22, the Christian's Joy Philippians 1:26, and the Fullness of Deity Colossians 2:9. In the Thessalonian epistles Christ is the believer's Comfort 1 Thessalonians 4:16, 17 and Glory 2 Thessalonians 1:12. The Christian's Preserver 1 Timothy 4:10, Rewarder 2 Timothy 4:8, Blessed Hope Titus 2:13, and Substitute Philemon 17. He is the High Priest Hebrews 4:15, the Giver of Wisdom James 1:5, the Rock 1 Peter 2:6, and Precious Promise 2 Peter 1:4. John represents Christ as the Life 1 John, the Truth 2 John, and the Way 3 John, Jude portrays Christ as the Advocate and Revelation shows Him as King of Kings and Lord of Lords Revelation 19:16. The whole Bible is literally all about Christ!
Questions: Let's expand how these chapters expanded your faith and your relationship with God.
Questions About God’s Character (Genesis 34–36):
Questions about God's Character:
How does God's faithfulness to His covenant with Jacob in Genesis 35 encourage you in your relationship with God today?
In Genesis 35, God reaffirms His promises to Jacob despite the challenges in his life. How do you experience God's faithfulness in your own life, especially during times of difficulty?
Though God does not intervene directly in Genesis 34, how does His sovereignty over the situation and the consequences of human actions reflect His justice and holiness?
In Genesis 36, God blesses Esau and his descendants, showing His grace to both Jacob and Esau’s line. How can we learn from God’s impartial blessings and apply this grace in our relationships today?
How can trusting in God’s faithfulness help you navigate difficult family situations?
Questions about the Themes:
Genesis 34 shows the destructive consequences of unchecked anger. How can we guard against impulsive reactions in our own lives, especially when we face injustice or harm?
The family dynamics in Genesis 34 are complex, with dishonor, deceit, and violence. How can we foster healthy and honest relationships within our families and communities?
Genesis 35 highlights the importance of obedience to God’s commands, even in the midst of hardship. How can we cultivate a spirit of obedience, even when it is difficult or inconvenient?
In Genesis 35, God’s promise to Jacob is renewed. How can we remind ourselves of God’s promises during uncertain or trying times?
Reflective Application Questions:
In what ways can you apply the lesson from Genesis 35 about cleansing your heart (through Jacob’s family putting away idols) and focusing on God alone? What are the "idols" in your life that you need to let go of?
Simeon and Levi's violent response in Genesis 34 shows the dangers of acting out of anger. How can we respond in a godly way when we feel wronged or hurt by others?
Genesis 35 encourages Jacob to be bold in following God’s call. Are there areas in your life where God is calling you to step out in faith, even if it’s uncomfortable or unfamiliar?
Genesis 36 reminds us that God blesses those He chooses, even when it’s not always according to our expectations. How can we rejoice in the blessings of others, even when they seem to be on a different path than ours?
Reflect on the relationship between Jacob and Esau in Genesis 36. How does their story challenge you to forgive, reconcile, or move forward in relationships where there has been tension or conflict?
Reference Guides:
Life Application Study Guide
A Popular Survey of the Old Testament by Norman L. Geisler
The Power of God's Names by Tony Evans
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