Genesis Lesson 20

This chapter begins with Rachel complaining to Jacob because she had not yet had children. She told Jacob that if he did not give her a child she would die. Jacob became very angry with her because she said this. He asked her "Am I god that I can open your womb?" Rachel then concocted a scheme where by she could have him a child vicariously. She told him to marry her handmaid Bilhah and have a child with her. Since Bilhah was her handmaid, Bilhah's child would be hers as well. Jacob married Bilhah and she conceived. When the child was born Rachel said that God had judged her and had given her a son. She named the child Dan. Bilhah conceived a second time. When the child was born Rachel said that she had wrestled with her sister and prevailed. She named this child Naphtali. Leah also gave Jacob her handmaid Zilpah and the handmaid conceived. When the child was born Leah said a great troop was coming. She named the child Gad. Zilpah then conceived a second time. Leah said the daughters would call her happy and she named the child Asher.

The chapter turns to Reuben, Leah?s son at this point. Reuben went into the field and gathered mandrakes for his mother. When Rachel seen this she asked for the mandrakes. Leah asked her if it was not enough to take her husband. Did Rachel want her son as well? Rachel told her that she would send Jacob to her tent that night in exchange for the mandrakes. Leah agreed. Jacob went to Leah that night and she conceived. This child was named Issachar. Then God permitted Rachel to become pregnant. She had a son and named him Joseph

Jacob prepared to leave Laban and go back to his own country. Laban asked him to stay because God blessed Laban when Jacob was around. He offered Jacob wages to stay and work for him. Jacob agreed to work for the spotted cattle and goats.

EXAM QUESTIONS

1. Rachel gave ______________ her handmaid ___________ to have a ________________ with. _________________ conceived and had a _______ whom she called ________________. ___________________ had a second son who was named ____________________

Genesis Lesson 21

2. The sons born to ______________ in this chapter were ________________, _________________, ___________________, ________________, _______________. and ______________________.

3. _________________ gathered ________________ in the field and gave them to his ________________,

4. Leah's handmaid was _______________.