Genesis CHAPTER 28 Isaac forbids Jacob to marry a Canaanite—He blesses Jacob and his seed with the blessings of Abraham—Esau marries a daughter of Ishmael—Jacob sees in vision a ladder reaching up into heaven—The Lord promises him seed as the dust of the earth in number—The Lord also promises Jacob that in him and in his seed all the families of the earth will be blessed—Jacob covenants to pay tithes.
Jacob left his home to escape his angry brother Esau. Jacob’s father blessed him to find and marry a woman who loved the Lord and kept His commandments.
“Lesson 34: Genesis 28–30,” Old Testament Seminary Student Material According to Genesis 28:1–2, Isaac instructed his son Jacob to marry one of the daughters of Laban and not a Canaanite woman. The Canaanites worshipped idols and engaged in other practices that were offensive to God. A daughter of Canaan would not be worthy to join Jacob in entering into a marriage covenant with the Lord. If Jacob were to marry a daughter of Canaan, he would be marrying out of the covenant.
When we are married in the temple, we make covenants with the Lord. Marriage in the temple is covenant marriage. If we keep our covenants, we qualify for all the blessings that were promised to Abraham.
JACOB’S LADDER VISION
Covenants Help Me Return to Heavenly Father.
Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church: Old Testament 2026 &
As Jacob was traveling to Rebecca’s brother to find a wife, one night he had a dream. Jacob saw a ladder leading up to heaven. The steps on the ladder can represent covenants we make with God, because these covenants help prepare us to return to His presence.
- As you read Genesis 28:10–22 together, you could use a ladder or a staircase (or a picture like the one at the end of this outline) to talk about how our covenants are like a ladder. Maybe your children could pretend to climb a ladder, and with each step, talk about times when we promise to obey God, such as when we are baptized, take the sacrament, or go to the temple. How do our covenants bring us closer to God?
Teaching Children the Gospel “Ordinance (and Covenants) Progression Lesson” We must receive the saving ordinances of the gospel and keep the associated covenants in order to return to the presence of the Lord.
- Explain that the ladder represented a way for Jacob to return to God. What has God given to help us return to Him? (see this week’s activity page). Remind the children of their baptismal covenant. How does living this covenant bring us closer to God?
When Jacob woke up he said, Surely the Lord is in this place.
Institute Old Testament Student Manual Genesis-2 Samuel “Genesis 24–36” “Because he had met the Lord and entered into covenants with him there, Jacob considered the site so sacred that he named the place Bethel, a contraction of Beth-Elohim, which means literally ‘the House of the Lord.’ He said of it: ‘… this is none other but the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven.’ (Gen. 28:17.)
What places serve as Houses of God on the earth today? Temples are to us what Bethel was to Jacob. Even more, they are also the gates to heaven for all of our unendowed kindred dead.
- Show a picture of a temple, and write on the board key phrases from Genesis 28:15–17, such as: “I am with thee,” “The Lord is in this place,” “The house of God,” or “The gate of heaven.” Invite the children to find these phrases. Tell the children about how the temple and temple covenants help you feel close to the Lord.
Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Book of Mormon 2020 Cut out the windows with the ordinances that are done inside the temple, and match them with the pictures in the windows of the temple.
“Genesis 28: Jacob’s Sacred Experience,” Old Testament Seminary Student Study Guide
- Draw Your Ladder to Heaven
- Draw a ladder in your notebook. Label the rungs or steps with ordinances you must receive and covenants you must make with God in order to obtain eternal life.
- Show your drawing to your parents or Church leaders to see if you have left anything out.
- Write about what you are doing in your life right now to obtain these covenants or what you are doing to be worthy of the blessings of the covenants you have already entered into.
Friend February 2022 “Come, Follow Me Activities: Climb the Ladder”
Story: Jacob had a dream about a ladder leading up to heaven. The steps on the ladder represent the steps we take to get closer to God. (See Genesis 28:10–16.)
Song: “Stand for the Right” (Children’s Songbook, 159)
Activity: Make a pretend ladder on the ground with chalk or sticks. Take turns saying one thing that we promise Heavenly Father when we get baptized. Each time, move one step forward on the ladder. (See Doctrine and Covenants 20:77and Mosiah 18:8–10.)
Latter Day Kids “Line Upon Line” Lesson ideas to go with the below video
“Lesson 34: Genesis 28–30,” Old Testament Seminary Student Material We read in Genesis 28:16–19, 22 that Jacob described the place where he had his dream. The phrases “he was afraid” and “how dreadful is this place” in verse 17 refer to his feelings of reverence and awe. These phrases indicate that Jacob understood the seriousness of entering the presence of God.
JACOB SERVES SEVEN YEARS FOR RACHEL
Genesis CHAPTER 29 Jacob meets Rachel at the well—He serves Laban seven years for her—Laban gives to Jacob first Leah then Rachel in marriage—Jacob serves another seven years—Leah bears Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah.
Genesis CHAPTER 30 Jacob marries Bilhah, and she bears Dan and Naphtali—He marries Zilpah, and she bears Gad and Asher—Leah bears Issachar and Zebulun and a daughter, Dinah—Then Rachel conceives and bears Joseph—Jacob works for Laban for wages of cattle and sheep.
I Should Always Keep My Promises. I Believe in Being Honest.
Old Testament Stories “Jacob and His Family” Images
Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Old Testament 2022 “Genesis 28-33” Jacob agreed to work for Laban for seven years so that he could marry Laban’s daughter Rachel. Jacob kept this agreement, but Laban did not. Consider using this story to teach the children about the importance of keeping our promises. How can you use this story to help the children understand the importance of being honest even when others are dishonest?
- On the board write What happens when we are dishonest? and What happens when we are honest? Invite the children to find answers by reading “Honesty and Integrity” (in For the Strength of Youth [2011], 19).
Friend September 2019 “Making Things Right” After shopping, a boy’s mother notices that the cashier didn’t charge them for all their items. She decides to go back and fix it. The boy wonders why they have to go back since it wasn’t their mistake. His mom explains that being honest matters to Heavenly Father and it might matter to someone else. When they get back to the store they find out that the cashier would have had to pay for the mistake.
Friend September 2018 “Map Champ” During a map game at school, Linda doesn’t hear the teacher because the kids are being too loud. Her teacher trusts her because she doesn’t lie, and the teacher gives her another chance.
“Lesson 14: Jacob and His Family,” Primary 6: Old Testament
Write each of the children’s names on separate slips of paper and place them in a container. Read one of the following situations; then draw a name from the container and ask that child to tell what should be done. Afterward, let that child draw out the next name. If the class is small, replace the names in the container after each use so a child may answer more than one question. You might want to add other examples.
- You are given too much change at the store.
- You forgot to do a school assignment. You are tempted to tell the teacher you were ill.
- You are playing with a friend’s toy when it breaks.
- You want some money to buy a treat and your mother’s purse is on the table.
- You used one of your father’s belongings without permission and lost it.
- Your friend left a toy at your house by mistake. It is something you would really like to have.
- You are setting out a game to play while your friend goes to get a drink of water. You realize that while she is out of the room you could arrange the game so you would win.
- You accidentally knock over a breakable object belonging to someone else. Your friend tells you that if it is an accident, you don’t need to admit you did it.
JACOB AND ESAU RECONCILE
Genesis CHAPTER 31 The Lord commands Jacob to return to Canaan, and Jacob departs secretly—Laban pursues him; they resolve their differences and make a covenant of peace—Laban blesses his descendants, and he and Jacob part company.
Genesis CHAPTER 32 Jacob sees angels—He asks God to preserve him from Esau, for whom he prepares presents—He wrestles all night with a messenger of God—Jacob’s name is changed to Israel—He sees God face to face.
Genesis CHAPTER 33 Jacob and Esau meet and are reconciled—Esau receives Jacob’s presents—Jacob settles in Canaan, where he builds an altar.
Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ Can Help Me Love My Family.
Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church: Old Testament 2026 & Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Old Testament 2022 “Genesis 28-33”
- Ask the children what they remember about the relationship between Jacob and Esau (see Genesis 27:41 Explain that after being away for about 20 years, Jacob was going to meet Esau again. Read together Genesis 32:6–11. How did Jacob feel? What did he do to get help? Read together Genesis 33:1–4 to discover how the Lord answered Jacob’s prayer.
Old Testament Stories “Jacob and His Family” images
You might have family members who like to wrestle. Why is “wrestling” a good way to describe seeking blessings from the Lord? What do Enos 1:1–5; Alma 8:9–10 suggest about what it means to “wrestle … before God”? Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families: Old Testament 2022 “Genesis 28–33”
Friend September 2021 “Saying the Nice Things” Jonathon wasn’t looking forward to the weekend because lately there had been more bickering and teasing in the family. He prayed for help figuring out a way to make things better. Then he had an idea for home evening. When he conducted, he started a new thing where whoever conducts says a nice thing about each family member. Everyone felt warm and happy after Jonathon said nice things about them.
Friend May 2019 “What’s on Your Mind” Ideas on how to get along with siblings.
See additional teaching ideas at Family: Resolving Discord
Additional Resources
See Old Testament Stories & Lesson Ideas & Old Testament: Activities & Games for additional lesson resources.
Come Follow Me Kid Lesson ideas
The Red Crystal Lesson ideas
Come Follow Me with Living Scriptures “The House of Israel” Lesson ideas
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