Genesis Worksheet - Chapter 30

Genesis Chapter 30

1. Leah had given birth to Jacob's first 4 sons. 

Name them here from Genesis 29

• Son 1) vs. 32 -    
• Son  2) vs. 33 -    
• Son  3) vs. 34 -     
• Son  4) vs. 35 -

2. When Rachel was not able to bear children for Jacob, she was jealous of Leah. 

Who did she vent her frustration on?

• Genesis 30:1 -

3. How did this make Jacob feel and who did He remind her opens and shuts the womb?

• vs. 2 -

4. Record how the Lord opened and closed the womb in the following verses:

• Genesis 18:11-14 -
• Genesis 29:31 -
• Genesis 30:2 -
• Genesis 30:22 -
• 1 Samuel 1:5 -
• 1 Samuel 1:6 -

5. What did Rachel do in order to have children to raise?

• vs. 3-4 -

6.  Name the children born to Jacob by Rachel's maid, Bilhah from vs. 6, 7 -

• Son 5)         
• Son 6)

7.  Who named the boys? 

What did she base the meaning of the names around?

• vs. 6,7 -

Let the competition continue.  (lol)... When Leah saw that she was not bearing any more children, she decided to give Jacob her maid so she could have more sons through her. (the sisters are definitely competing, but God's plan of the 12 tribes of Jacob (Israel) are being accomplished through this)

8. Name the children born to Jacob through Leah's maid, Zilpah from vs. 11,13

• Son 7)              
• Son 8)

9.  Who named the boys and what did she base the meanings of the names around?

•  vs. 11,13 -

10. In the days of wheat harvest, Leah's son Reuben found some mandrakes in the field and brought them to Leah.  Rachel wanted some of the mandrakes. 

What did Rachel trade off with Leah to get some of the mandrakes?

• vs. 15,16 -

Obviously Jacob did not spend much intimacy with Leah (the older sister he was deceived into marrying), but only with Rachel, the one he worked so many years for and had loved from the beginning.

Note: Why were the mandrakes such a big deal?  They were fleshy, forked roots that resembled the lower part of the human body and were superstitously thought to induce pregnancy when eaten.  They are mentioned also in Song of Solomon 7:13.   Rachel wants to conceive a child so badly and Leah would like to conceive again as well.

11. Leah conceived that night!  What did she name her fifth son born to Jacob and why? vs. 18 -

• Son 9)    

12. She conceived again and had a sixth son for Jacob.  This is Jacob's tenth son.  What is her hope by having more sons for him than the others have had and how is it reflected in this son's name? vs. 20 -

• Son 10)

13. After this, Leah had a daughter as well.  What did she name her?

• vs. 21 -

14. Who does God now remember and what does he do for her?

• vs. 22 -

15. What did she name her first son and what did it mean? vs. 23, 24 -

• Son 11)

16. We won't see the birth of the next son in this chapter, but there will be another son born to Rachel. 

Let's go ahead and record his name and have the list of Jacob's 12 sons in this lesson. 

Get his name from Genesis 35:18. 

What did Jacob call him?

• Son 12)

Back to Genesis 30 - Conclusion:

After the birth of Joseph, Jacob wanted to return to his own country.  He asked for Laban to release him.

17. Why did Laban not want him to leave?

• vs. 27 -

18. What did Jacob and Laban agree upon that was Jacob's idea and plan?

• vs. 31-36 -

19. What was the result of what Jacob did?

• vs. 42 - 43 -

This will supply his needs when the Lord tells him to return to the land of his father's in the next chapter.

Application:

20. Think through the barren women that the Lord had closed the wombs on that we have looked at today in the lesson.  Think about the reason God had in having them 'wait' to bear a child.

Sarah ... in the fulness of time.. had Issac Rebekah ... in the fulness of time...had Jacob (& his brother Esau as twins) Rachel ... in the fulness of time...had Joseph (the one who will be used mightily to keep his family alive in the famine to come when he will rule over the land of Egypt) Hannah ...  in the fulness of time...had Samuel (the Lord's prophet used greatly in King David's life).... Not mentioned in this lesson, but remember as well .... Elizabeth ... in the fulness of time...had John the Baptist (the forerunner of the Messiah - Jesus)

21. God has a reason to open and close the womb.  God has a reason for every life born at the very time that the life is born for that point in history and time. 

• Does this bring you comfort today?

Finish the lesson by looking at these verses that show how intricately involved God is with the child that He creates in the womb when He chooses to do so according to His plan and purpose:

Psalm 139:13-16 -

 

Your summary and prayer today:

 

 

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