Congregation Bible Study for the Week of September 7-13, 2026

Chapter 7: He Faced Danger to Protect His Family

1. Why did Jehovah bless Jacob with the birthright instead of Esau? (w03 10/15 p. 29 par. 2)

Comment 1: Jehovah did not give the birthright to Jacob because he had taken it away from Esau. Before they were born, Jehovah had already said that the older would serve the younger. So the decision was in harmony with Jehovah’s purpose.

Comment 2: Esau despised the birthright, whereas Jacob valued spiritual things. This shows that Jehovah does not grant his blessings simply because someone feels entitled to them by birth or position.

Comment 3: Jacob received the birthright because Jehovah showed undeserved kindness to the one he chose. Jacob desired the blessing connected with the covenant that Jehovah had made with Abraham.

2. What did Jehovah show Jacob in a dream, and what did that dream confirm to Jacob? (w03 10/15 pp. 28, 29)

Comment 1: Jehovah showed Jacob angels ascending and descending a ladder, or stairway, that connected earth and heaven. The vision made clear that angels serve those who have God’s approval.

Comment 2: In the dream, Jehovah assured Jacob that He would be with him, protect him during the journey, and bring him back to that land. Jacob would not have to face the future ahead of him alone.

Comment 3: The vision also confirmed that the promises made to Abraham and Isaac would continue through Jacob and his offspring. By means of that offspring, all the families of the earth would receive blessings.

3. Why was Jacob sure that the angel could bless him? (w03 10/15 p. 31 par. 1)

Comment 1: Jacob knew that the angelic appearances he had previously received were related to the fulfillment of the Abrahamic covenant through his offspring. So he understood that this angel could give him a blessing.

Comment 2: The struggle was not motivated by pride. Jacob desired Jehovah’s favor and blessing, convinced that any effort to obtain it was worthwhile.

Comment 3: Although the angel was much stronger and Jacob was already 97 years old, he did not give up. His perseverance revealed how much he valued the divine blessing.

4. What measures did Jacob take to protect his family from Canaanite influence? (w95 9/15 p. 21 par. 5, footnote)

Comment 1: At first Jacob did not realize that Dinah had become accustomed to associating with the pagan Canaanites. Nor did he act immediately when he learned that there were pagan objects in his household.

Comment 2: After the tragic situation that befell Dinah, Jacob acted decisively. He ordered his family to get rid of the foreign gods that were among them.

Comment 3: In addition to eliminating those objects, Jacob told them to cleanse themselves. He thus made clear that protecting the family required completely separating from the influence of false worship.

Jacob felt responsible for each of Laban’s sheep (Gen. 31:38-40). How can Christian shepherds show that they deeply care for Jehovah’s sheep, that is, their brothers?

Genesis 31:38-40 — During these 20 years that I have been with you, your sheep and your goats never miscarried, and I never ate the rams of your flock. I did not bring you any animal torn by wild beasts. I would stand the loss of it myself. Whether the animal was stolen by day or was stolen by night, you would demand compensation from me. By day the heat consumed me, and the cold by night, and sleep would flee from my eyes.

Comment 1: Jacob cared for the flock even when doing so cost him much. Similarly, Christian shepherds show genuine interest when they care about the brothers and do not view them merely as a responsibility.

Comment 2: One way to care for the sheep is to listen to them attentively. For example, the elder in the pictures visits an older brother and allows him to express how he feels.

Comment 3: The interest does not end with a visit. The message the elder sends afterward shows that he continued thinking about the brother. A simple contact can make someone feel very loved.

When Jacob was afraid, he prayed to Jehovah (Gen. 32:6-12). What does Jacob’s example teach us about what we can tell Jehovah in our prayers?

Genesis 32:6-12 — In time the messengers returned to Jacob, saying: “We met your brother Esau, and he is now on his way to meet you, and there are 400 men with him.” And Jacob became very frightened and anxious. So he divided the people who were with him, as well as the flocks, the cattle, and the camels, into two camps. He said: “If Esau attacks the one camp, then the other camp will be able to escape.” After that Jacob said: “O God of my father Abraham and God of my father Isaac, O Jehovah, you who are saying to me, ‘Return to your land and to your relatives, and I will deal well with you,’ I am unworthy of all the loyal love and of all the faithfulness that you have shown toward your servant, for with only my staff I crossed this Jordan and now I have become two camps. Save me, I pray you, from the hand of my brother Esau, for I am afraid of him that he may come and attack me, as well as the mothers and their children. And you have said: ‘I will certainly deal well with you, and I will make your offspring like the grains of sand of the sea, which are too numerous to count.’”

Comment 1: Jacob sincerely told Jehovah that he was afraid of Esau and of what might happen to his family. We can tell Jehovah about our specific concerns without hiding how we feel.

Comment 2: Jacob humbly acknowledged that he was unworthy of the loyal love and faithfulness Jehovah had shown him. Our prayers too can express gratitude for the kindness Jehovah has already shown us.

Comment 3: He recalled Jehovah’s instructions and promises. When we pray, we can mention with faith the Bible promises that encourage us and help us trust in Jehovah.

How can you imitate Jacob’s example of courage?

Comment 1: We can imitate Jacob by obeying Jehovah even when doing so exposes us to difficulties. He left Haran because Jehovah directed him to, although he knew that Laban could pose a danger.

Comment 2: Jacob was courageous when he spoke to Laban and pointed out the unjust treatment he had received. Yet he also wanted to pursue peace. Christian courage is not aggressive; it seeks peace.

Comment 3: When Esau approached with 400 men, Jacob was afraid, but he did not let fear paralyze him. He prayed, took measures, and went out alone to meet his brother.

What does this account teach me about Jehovah?

Comment 1: Jehovah fulfilled his promise to be with Jacob and protect him. Although Jacob faced many problems, Jehovah did not abandon him and eventually brought him back to Canaan.

Comment 2: Jehovah values spiritual things. He blessed Jacob, not because of an automatic inheritance, but because Jacob appreciated the blessing connected with the divine purpose.

Comment 3: Jehovah listens to the sincere prayers of those who are afraid. Jacob spoke to him with humility and trust, and Jehovah helped him overcome an anxiety-provoking situation.

How does this account relate to Jehovah’s purpose and the main theme of the Bible?

Comment 1: Jehovah confirmed to Jacob that the promises made to Abraham and Isaac would continue through his offspring. In this way, He protected the family line connected with his purpose.

Comment 2: The promise indicated that through Jacob’s offspring all the families of the ground would receive blessings. Thus, what happened to Jacob was related to the fulfillment of Jehovah’s purpose.

Comment 3: In time, Israel became a great nation, just as Jehovah had promised. This demonstrates that no danger or opposition can prevent Jehovah from accomplishing what he has purposed.

What would I like to ask Jacob when he is resurrected?

Comment 1: We might ask him how he felt when he saw Esau run to embrace him after so many years of tension. No doubt it was very moving to see that peace had replaced fear.

Comment 2: Perhaps we would like to ask him what he personally learned from the difficult years he spent with Laban. Jacob said that his years had been difficult, but he continued to show faith and endurance.

Comment 3: It would be interesting to ask him how the vision of the angels and the promises he received in the dream strengthened his trust in Jehovah.

More posts for this week

Week of September 7–13, 2026

Treasures Treasures From God’s Word for the week of September 7 to 13, 2026 View post →

Gems Spiritual Gems for the week of September 7-13, 2026 View post →

Be Better Teachers Apply Yourself to the Field Ministry for the Week of September 7-13, 2026 View post →

Living as Christians Living as Christians for the week of September 7-13, 2026 View post →

The Watchtower Watchtower Study for the Week of September 7-13, 2026 View post →