◄ Genesis 31:35 ►
Rachel said to her father, "Sir, do not be angry that I cannot stand up before you; for I am having my period." So Laban searched, but could not find the household idols. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Genesis 31:35? 2. How does Rachel's deception in Genesis 31:35 reflect on her character? 3. What cultural norms allowed Rachel to deceive Laban in Genesis 31:35? 4. How does Genesis 31:35 connect to the theme of family conflict in Genesis? 5. What lessons on honesty can we learn from Rachel's actions in Genesis 31:35? 6. How can we avoid deception in challenging situations, as seen in Genesis 31:35? 7. Why did Rachel deceive Laban in Genesis 31:35? 8. What cultural norms allowed Rachel's excuse in Genesis 31:35? 9. How does Genesis 31:35 reflect on Rachel's character? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Genesis 31? 11. What is the summary of Leah and Rachel's story? 12. What are teraphim? 13. In Genesis 31:19, what historical evidence supports the existence or importance of household gods (teraphim), and how does it reconcile with monotheism? 14. What are the family idols mentioned in the Bible? Discussion Questions 1. What does Rachel's decision to steal the household idols reveal about her spiritual state, and how can we guard against similar temptations in our lives? 2. How does Rachel's use of cultural norms (menstrual impurity) to deceive Laban inform our understanding of the importance of context in biblical interpretation? 3. In what ways do the household idols in this account parallel modern-day "idols" that can distract us from our faith, and how can we address them? 4. How can we apply the lessons from Rachel and Laban's family dynamics to our own family relationships, especially in terms of honesty and integrity? 5. Reflect on a time when you faced a situation where deceit seemed like an easy solution. How can this passage encourage you to trust in God's provision and sovereignty instead? Genesis 31 Bible Study Questions 1. How does Jacob's experiences in this chapter illustrate God's providential care for His people? 2. In what ways does Jacob demonstrate his trust in God during times of conflict? 3. How does Laban's attitude towards Jacob change throughout the passage, and what might this indicate about the themes of power and wealth? 4. What role do Leah and Rachel play in this chapter and how do they contribute to the decision of leaving Laban? 5. How is deception portrayed in the passage? Consider the actions of Jacob, Laban, and Rachel. 6. What significance does the dream hold in the chapter and how does it influence Jacob's actions? 7. How can the covenant between Jacob and Laban be seen as a form of conflict resolution? 8. What does the action of Rachel stealing Laban's household idols signify? How does it contribute to the overall narrative? 9. How can Jacob's confrontation with Laban teach us about facing our own conflicts and disagreements? 10. What can we learn about forgiveness and reconciliation from the interaction between Jacob and Laban? 11. How does this chapter demonstrate the concept of divine justice? 12. What lessons about integrity and honesty can be gleaned from Jacob's defense to Laban's accusations? 13. How does the final parting between Jacob and Laban reflect on the themes of family and separation? 14. In today's context, how can we apply the principle of "doing what God has told you," as seen in Rachel and Leah's response to Jacob's plans to leave Laban? 15. How does the idea of 'home' evolve in this chapter, and how does it resonate with your personal understanding of the term? 16. How can we interpret Jacob's claim of enduring hard labor and his attributing success to God in our own work-life contexts? 17. How can the themes of sacrifice and blessing in the end part of the chapter be applied in our interactions with family and community? 18. How can we practice the mutual respect outlined in the covenant of Galeed in our own relationships? 19. How does the chapter's focus on the family's journey reflect the spiritual journey we each undertake? 20. What does Jacob's journey teach us about the necessity of courage in times of change and uncertainty? Links Genesis 31:35 NIV Genesis 31:35 NLT Genesis 31:35 ESV Genesis 31:35 NASB Genesis 31:35 KJV Genesis 31:35 Commentaries Bible Hub