Seminary
Genesis 29–30—“Let God Prevail”
Esau and Jacob embracing

Esau and Jacob Embracing, by Robert T. Barrett

Genesis 24–33; Lesson 32

Genesis 29–33

“Let God Prevail”

Visit “Studying the Scriptures” to help prepare yourself spiritually to learn.

What does it look like to include God in your life? Like you, the prophet Jacob faced difficult challenges. He is an example of allowing God’s influence in his life. He made significant efforts to marry within the covenant. Jacob sought divine blessings in his daily work. He followed God’s guidance to mend family relationships. Through his challenges, Jacob learned humility, persistence, and the power of divine promises. This lesson can help you increase your willingness to let God prevail in your life.

Study the Scriptures

Using a scale of 1 to 5, consider where you would place yourself.

  • 5: God is the biggest influence in my life.

  • 4: There are a few things which influence me, but God is near the top.

  • 3: I am influenced by many things; God is one of them.

  • 2: Sometimes I am influenced by God.

  • 1: God is not currently an influence in my life.

Read the following inspired questions by President Russell M. Nelson and ponder your placement on the scale.

18:52
President Russell M. Nelson

Are you willing to let God prevail in your life? Are you willing to let God be the most important influence in your life? Will you allow His words, His commandments, and His covenants to influence what you do each day? Will you allow His voice to take priority over any other? Are you willing to let whatever He needs you to do take precedence over every other ambition? Are you willing to have your will swallowed up in His? (“Let God Prevail,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2020, 94)

The Old Testament prophet Jacob shows us what it can look like to let God prevail in our lives. During a challenging time in his life, his name was changed to Israel, which means “let God prevail” (see Genesis 32:28).

note iconNext to “Israel” in Genesis 32:38, make a note that one of the meanings of the name Israel is “let God prevail.”

Jacob’s father, Isaac, instructed him to find someone who was willing to make and keep covenants with God. Things did not turn out as Jacob planned.

Read Genesis 29:21–28 to see what happened next. It is helpful to know that the Lord accepted the plural marriages He commanded (see Doctrine and Covenants 132:34, 37).

Jacob and his family

Jacob, Leah, and Rachel faced serious struggles. However, as they kept their covenants with God, their family became large and prosperous, including twelve sons whose posterity would become the twelve tribes of Israel.

Letting God prevail in our lives will affect whom we choose to date and marry.

As you continue to study, look for examples of the following principle: As we are willing to let God prevail in our lives, He will bless us in all things. Seek the guidance of the Holy Ghost as you consider what it means to let God prevail.

Review the following study options. Complete one or more.

Option A

What are the blessings of letting God prevail in my life?

Read Mosiah 2:41 to see a promise the Lord gave through King Benjamin in the Book of Mormon for those who let God prevail in their lives.

Jacob was an example of this promise. He worked to care for his father-in-law Laban’s flocks. The Lord blessed the flocks to thrive and multiply under his care (see Genesis 30:30). After years of serving Laban, Jacob wanted to peacefully settle their differences and separate his family from his father-in-law.

Read Genesis 30:27 to see what Laban said about Jacob.

Jacob carrying wheat

As payment for his years of work, Jacob asked for the less valuable cattle, sheep, and goats, trusting the Lord would help him make them grow and multiply. Laban agreed. Under Jacob’s care, all that Laban gave him thrived (see Genesis 30:37–43).

notebook iconRespond to the following in your notebook:

  • As you have strived to follow and obey the Lord, how has He blessed you both temporally and spiritually?

  • What are some ways we can let the Lord prevail in our day-to-day lives (school, work, and so on)?

Option B

How can I let God prevail in my relationships?

Another way we can let God prevail in our lives is in our relationships with our friends and family. Think about what can make your family relationships difficult at times.

When Jacob left his homeland, his brother Esau wanted to kill him (see Genesis 27:41). After 20 years, the Lord commanded Jacob and his large family to return home (see Genesis 31:3).

Upon learning Jacob was coming, Esau went to meet him with 400 men. Jacob was worried (see Genesis 32:3–7).

mark iconRead Genesis 32:9–12, 24–30, looking for what Jacob did to seek the Lord’s help. Consider marking the phrase “I will not let thee go, except thou bless me” in Genesis 32:26.

Although we do not know exactly what was occurring here, we do know that Jacob wrestled all night for a blessing that he eventually received from the Lord.

Upon seeing Jacob, Esau ran to meet him and embraced him (see Genesis 33:1–4).

notebook iconRespond to the following in your notebook:

  • What did you learn from Jacob’s example or about the Lord that could help you?

  • How can Esau and Jacob’s experience help you with your family relationships?

Share Your Thoughts

Lesson Purpose: To help you increase your willingness to let God prevail in your life.

share iconShare one or more of the following with your teacher or class:

  • What you learned from Jacob about letting God prevail in your life.

  • How the story of Esau and Jacob can help you to let God prevail in your relationships.

  • Something specific you did to achieve the purpose of this lesson.

  • Any questions this lesson raised for you. How will you try to find answers to your questions?