Weekly Reading. Genesis 25-30.

Supplemental Reading for Week: Psalm 98.

Family lines and brothers. Separation. Barren wives. The "she's my sister" ploy. There are surely a number of common threads running through the lives of the patriarchs. Here are a few ideas for observation this week. You may want to review some of the earlier sections of Genesis.

1. Using a concordance, find the occurrences of the words separate, separated, divided, and set apart. (The Hebrew words and Strong's #s are: parad, #6504; and badal, #914.) Is there a theme in their usage?
2. Note the similarities in the account of Abram and Isaac. Again, do you see a theme or purpose or understanding in the similarities?
3. What do you think the barrenness of both Sarai and Rebekah signifies? Are there other incidents that demonstrate the same principle?
4. Once you've completed all the readings for the week, reflect on the entire story of Jacob and Esau. It's very much rooted in the culture of the ancient Near East. What do you make of it? How do you respond to it?

Remember, this is a place where extended discussion "can" take place. But only if you start it.