The Biblebacktothebiblecatechism.com/genesis/Genesis Notes.docx · Web view5. Noah, his family, and the animals came out of the Ark onto dry ground (8:15-19). ... In these chapters

Part 1 - How God Intended things to beThis part of Genesis tells how God intended things to be (Gen. 1-2) - a perfect creation, a paradise for man's home, man is given authority over the earth, man is made in the image of God, man has a perfect relationship with the earth, with himself, with other people and with God.

God creates the universe, the world, and man.Read Genesis 1 - 2: God creates the universe, the world, and man.> Outline of text:1. God creates the universe (Gen. 1:1-2).2. The first five days of creation (Gen. 1:3-23).3. The sixth day of creation; the creation of man (Gen. 1:24-31).----Key 1-Man is created in God's image (Gen. 1:27-30).----Key 2-God's creation is very good (Gen. 1:31).4. God rested on the seventh day (Gen. 2:1-3).5. Yahweh creates man, putting him in a beautiful garden, giving him authority over the earth (Gen. 2:4-20).----Key 3-Yahweh places limits on man (2:15-17).6. Yahweh creates a helper for the man and brings them together (Gen. 2:21-25)> Salvation/God's promises/faith/Christ connections:These chapters show us how God intended things to be. (Key 1) People were created in God's image (1:27-30); they were like God in that they were without sin and wanted to do his will. When people sinned (see Gen. 3) God's image and their relationship with God was ruined. God's plan then was to restore his relationship with them as it was in these first two chapters at the very beginning. At the end of Revelation (Rev. 21-22) we see paradise restored because God had completed his plan of salvation. In the End, (Key 2) God's creation will be very good again (1:31).(Key 1) Man was created in God's image (1:27-30), but man was not God. (Key 3) God put limits on man (2:15-17). God warned Adam not to eat from the tree of The Knowledge of Good and Evil. If he did, the consequence would be death. Eating the forbidden fruit would show unbelief in God's word and rebellion against God's command.

Part 2 - How Creation Got Messed UpThis part of Genesis tells how creation got messed up (Gen. 3) - Adam and Eve brought sin into the world. God's perfect creation was ruined and fell under a curse. And yet, God made the first promise of a Savior who would do away with sin and its effects.

Adam and Eve Rebel - the Fall into SinRead Genesis 3: Adam and Eve Rebel; the Fall into Sin.

> Outline of text:1. The temptation and sin of Adam and Eve (Gen. 3:1-7).----Key 1 - The Fall into sin (Gen. 3:6).2. The results of sin (3:8-13).----Key 2 - Shame and blame, relationships ruined (3:8-13).3. Yahweh judges Adam and Eve's sin (Gen. 3:14-19).----Key 3 - Yahweh's promise of a Savior (Gen. 3:15).4. God's grace after judgment (3:20-24).----Key 4 - Yahweh is gracious (3:20-24).> Salvation/God's promises/faith/Christ connections:(Key 1) First Satan questioned God's command (3:1). Then he outright lied and questioned God's motives (3:4-5). Trusting Satan more than God and wanting to be like God, Adam and Eve both ate the forbidden fruit (3:6); they sinned.(Key 2) The results of sin become immediately apparent (3:8-13). When Yahweh came to the garden, the man and his wife hid. They were afraid. Their relationship with God had changed. They were ashamed of their nakedness. Then the blame game started. The man blamed the woman and the woman blamed the serpent. People's relationship with each other changed.Yahweh brought judgment on the rebellion. The serpent (Satan) was cursed. There would be continuous enmity between Satan and his demons and believers. (Key 3) Yahweh promised that one day Satan's head would be crushed by a deadly blow from the woman's Seed. This is the first promise of a Savior in the Scriptures (Gen. 3:15). Jesus fulfilled this promise. He drove Satan out and, through what looked like defeat on the cross, won the victory over and defeated the ancient enemy of humankind (Heb. 2:14; John 12:31).(Key 4) God graciously still allowed the woman to have children, therefore Adam named her Eve, the mother of all the living. God also graciously provided a garment to cover them. This hints at the sacrificial system God would use to cover over man's sin. As an animal had to die to provide Adam and Eve cover, so the promised Savior would have to die to cover over mankind's sin. God also showed his grace by banishing them from the garden. If they would have eaten from the Tree of Life, they would have lived forever in their sinful state.

Part 3 - Sin Affects All PeopleThis part of Genesis shows that sin affects all people (Gen. 4-11) - from Adam and Eve to their children to all people. And yet, God creates a line of people from which the Savior will come.

Cain and his line.Read Genesis 4: Cain and his line.> Outline of text:

In the Beginning… 2

1. Cain killed Abel (Gen. 4:1-16).----Key 1 - Abel offered the first and best (Gen. 4:4)2. The sinful descendants of Cain (Gen. 4:17-24).----Key 2 - Lamech boasts of killing a man (Gen. 4:23-24).3. Seth and his line worship Yahweh (Gen. 4:25-26).----Key 3 - Seth's family publicly worshipped Yahweh (Gen. 4:25).> Salvation/God's promises/faith/Christ connections:(Key 1) Abel made his offerings in faith; he trusted God's Word. Therefore God looked upon him with favor and commended him as righteous because faith receives Jesus' righteousness (Heb. 11:4).(Key 2) The sin of Adam and Eve is passed down to their children. Cain and his descendants demonstrate it very clearly. Cain's genealogy leads to Lamech. Lamech was proud that he had killed a man who had injured him. And he made fun of Yahweh's threat of vengeance on anyone who killed Cain. They and the generations that follow need a Savior.To replace Abel, Adam and Eve had another son named Seth. (Key 3) Seth and his line began publicly worshipping God. In the lines of Cain and Seth, mankind set off in two directions, one with Yahweh and one against him.

Adam's lineRead Genesis 5: Adam's line.> Outline of text:1. Genealogy from Adam to Noah (Gen. 5:1-32).----Key 1- God's likeness vs. Adam's likeness (Gen. 5:1, 3).----Key 2 - The refrain "and then he died" (Gen. 5:5, 8, ..., 31).----Key 3 - Enoch walked with God (Gen. 5:21-24).----Key 4 - The curse of sin is a burden to man (5:29).> Salvation/God's promises/faith/Christ connections:(Summary) The genealogy starts with Adam and then Seth and continues up to Noah. This is the line of those who called on the name of Yahweh and walked with him. This is the line of the Savior, the people who trust in Yahweh.(Key 1) Adam and Eve were created in God's image, but that image was lost when Adam and Eve sinned. Now they pass on their own sinful image. (Key 2) Each person in the genealogy died. This is what God said would happen if they ate of the forbidden fruit. And now starting with Adam and continuing with each of his descendants (except Enoch), came the sad refrain: "and then he died." Man had no way of freeing himself from death. The only hope of regaining God's image was in the promised Savior. Jesus came so that one day we might once again be made like God, be recreated in his image. Besides the devastating results of the curse of sin (Key 4), there is hope in this genealogy. For from this line the Savior would come (Lk 3) and win the victory over death.(Key 3) Without faith it is impossible to please God and Enoch pleased God (Heb. 11:5-6). That is, Enoch believed in God and his promises. In a special


act of grace God took Enoch away to his himself without experiencing death (see also Ps. 49:15; Ps. 74:24). As Enoch pleased God by his faith, so can we.

The FloodRead Genesis 6-8:19: The Flood.> Outline of text:1. Because of man's wickedness Yahweh decided to wipe out mankind (6:1-7).----Key 1- Mankind was evil all the time (6:5).2. God told Noah of the coming flood and instructed him to build an ark (6:8-7:5).----Key 2 - Yahweh looked on Noah with favor (6:8-9).----Key 3 - Noah obeyed God's commands (6:22; 7:5).3. Every living thing on earth died in the flood (7:6-24).----Key 4 - All living creatures died except for Noah and those with him in the ark (7:23).4. God caused the flood waters to recede (8:1-14).----Key 5 - God remembered Noah (8:1).5. Noah, his family, and the animals came out of the Ark onto dry ground (8:15-19).> Salvation/God's promises/faith/Christ connections:(Key 1) As the number of people grew and spread over the earth so did their sin. The godly (and yet sinful) line of Seth married into the ungodly line of Cain. The result was more wickedness. It became so bad that Yahweh was sorry he made man. So he decided to wipe out mankind. Unfortunately for people, Adam's new image included not only death (see Gen.5), but people were "evil all the time." This is why a Savior was needed, to restore people to God's image.(Key 2) The exception was Noah. Even though he was sinful, he found favor with Yahweh. He, like Enoch, walked with God, which means he put his faith and trust in Yahweh and his promises. And like all people who believe in Yahweh, the one true God, he was considered righteous and blameless by faith for Jesus' sake (Heb. 11:7).(Key 3) Because our sinful nature causes us to think, say, and do "evil all the time," we cannot obey God. We, by our very nature (which was inherited from Adam), rebel against God and are his enemies (Col. 1:21). So how then did Noah obey Yahweh? Noah was able to obey because of his faith, which is a gift from God that makes us "right" with Yahweh. Because of Noah's faith, Yahweh considered Noah to be righteous and blameless and he was able to walk with God.(Key 4) The destruction of the wicked in the flood is a picture of what will come on the Last Day (Mt. 24:37-39; 2 Pet. 3:5-7). As God judged the wicked in the flood, so Jesus will execute God's judgment on the wicked.(Key 4) By water wickedness and evil were destroyed. By water a few people were saved from a worldwide flood. The Flood was a type of Baptism, where the sinful nature is destroyed, like the wicked, and the Christian is saved by


grace, like Noah (1 Pet. 3:21). This is possible because Baptism connects people to Jesus' (the Savior's) death and resurrection (Rom. 6).(Key 5) God does not forget. When he "remembered" Noah, he took action to fulfill his promise. He caused the rain to stop, the water to recede and the ground to dry up so that Noah and the rest of the ark's inhabitants could leave the ark and start anew. Likewise in the NT, God "remembered" his covenant with Abraham (Lk. 1:72). Through Abraham God had promised to bless all nations. The action Yahweh took to fulfill ("remember") his promise to Abraham was to send Jesus to be the "horn of salvation" who would redeem his people through the forgiveness of sins.

God's covenant with Noah and all living thingsRead Genesis 8:20-9:17 God's covenant with Noah and all living things.> Outline of text:1. Noah's sacrifice; Yahweh's promises (8:20-22).----Key 1 - Noah responds to his salvation with sacrifices (8:20).----Key 2 - Yahweh says he will never destroy all living creatures again (8:21).2. God blesses his "new creation" (9:1-7).----Key 3 - "Be fruitful and multiply" (9:7).3. God's covenant with Noah and all life (9:8-17).----Key 4 - Never again will God destroy the earth with a flood (9:11).> Salvation/God's promises/faith/Christ connections:(Key 1) Not only does faith respond to God's grace with obedience to God's Word, but it also responds with worship. In fact, that's what worship is. First God is gracious to people and then God's people respond by acknowledging God's grace and thanking and praising God for it. In Noah's case, he was graciously saved from the flood by God and then he responded with sacrifices.(Key 3) The wording of this section (9:1-7) is very similar to the first creation (Gen. 1-2, "God blessed," "be fruitful and multiply," "I give you," "but you must not"). In his grace, God started a new creation(Keys 2, 4) Even though man is still evil (see Gen. 8:21), Yahweh promised to never again deal with sin in this way. He had a plan to deal with sin in another way, by sending a Savior. In this plan sin and its consequences would be completely destroyed and God's people would be reconciled to God.(Key 4) God made several covenants with man throughout history. In these covenants, man had nothing to offer. All he could do was accept it (by faith) or reject it. This covenant, to never again destroy all life on earth through a flood (Gen. 9:9), and all others in the OT are covenants of redemption. They all look forward to the New Covenant in Jesus blood through which redemption is made for all people through the forgiveness of sins (Mt. 26:28).

Noah's sonsRead Genesis 9:20 - 29 Noah's sons.


> Outline of text:1. Noah's and Ham's sin (9:20-23).----Key 1 - People are still sinful (9:21-22).2. Noah's curse and blessing (9:24-27).----Key 2 - Canaan cursed (9:25, 26, 27).----Key 3 - Shem blessed (9:26, 27).3. After a long life, Noah died (9:28-29).----Key 4 - Results of sin still evident (9:29).> Salvation/God's promises/faith/Christ connections:(Key 1) If there is any question as to whether sin was completely washed away in the flood, this episode and those following it give a clear answer of "No!" In this episode both Noah and his son Ham sinned. (Key 4) And in the end Noah died. Death too is a result of sin. There is still a need for a Savior.(Key 2) Canaan is first mentioned here. He is mentioned because it is from him that the Canaanite nations would come from. They were evil like Canaan and later on (Key 3) God's chosen people, the descendants of Shem, would have to deal with them.

The origin of the nations. The Tower of Babel.Read Genesis 10-11:9 The origin of the nations. The Tower of Babel.> Outline of text:1. The sons of and nations that descended from Japheth (10:1-5).2. The sons of and nations that descended from Ham (10:6-20).----Key 1 - Nations and cities Israel would encounter later (9:10-12, 15-19).3. The sons of and nations that descended from Shem (10:21-32).----Key 2 - the line of God's chosen people (10:21-32).4. The tower of Babel (11:1-9).----Key 3 - the people refuse to scatter (11:4).----Key 4 - Yahweh scatters the people by confusing their language (11:8-9).> Salvation/God's promises/faith/Christ connections:(Key 1) There are many names in the descendants of Ham that will sound familiar to Bible students. Many of the nations in this list are nations and peoples that Israel would have contact and trouble with later. They lived in and around the promised land.(Key 2) The people of Israel came from the line of Shem. Soon God would choose one person from these descendants of Shem whom he would use in his plan of salvation. From this line the Savior will come.(Key 3) If any more evidence is needed that people are still evil and a Savior is still needed, this story provides it, as people deliberately disobey God, as they deliberately refused to "fill the earth" (see Gen. 9:1) and sought to elevate themselves to replace Yahweh.(Key 4) Because of their rebellion, their language was confused and they did scatter across the earth as Yahweh had commanded. Many years later representatives from these nations would gather in Jerusalem (see Acts 2, Pentecost) and hear the Good News of the Savior in their own language, showing that Jesus will reunite what sin and rebellion has separated.


From Shem to AbramRead Genesis 11:10-32 From Shem to Abram.> Outline of text:1. From Shem to Terah (11:10-26).----Key 1 - Begins with Shem and ends with Terah (11:10, 26).2. Terah, Abram, Sarai and Lot move from Ur to Haran (11:27-32).----Key 2 - Abram, Sarai and Lot settled in Haran (11:31).> Salvation/God's promises/faith/Christ connections:(Key 1) From the nations that emerged from Noah's sons, would come one line of people that God would choose to use for his saving purposes. This genealogy follows that line. The line leads from Shem down to Terah, the father of Abram. From this line will eventually come the promised Savior.(Key 2) These verses prepare us for the next chapters of Genesis. They introduce the main characters and tell us how they got to be in Haran. God had brought them to Haran and it is from there that God would begin implementing the first phase of his plan of salvation.

Part 4 - God initiated his plan of salvation through AbramThis part of Genesis tells how God initiated his plan of salvation through the patriarch Abraham (Gen. 12-25:18) - he chose Abraham and made promises to him. These promises outlined God's plan of salvation. From Abraham He would create a nation (the chosen people), give that nation a land to live in (the promised land), and bring forth from Abraham's descendants a Savior who would bless the world. When and how God chose to fulfill these promises is a major part of these chapters. In the end we find that God always keeps his promises.

The Call of AbramRead Genesis 12:1-9 The Call of Abram> Outline of text:1. Yahweh told Abram to leave Haran and promised to bless him (12:1-3).----Key 1 -Yahweh promises to bless Abram (12:1-3).2. Abram left and arrived at and traveled through Canaan (12:4-6).----Key 2 - Abram left as Yahweh told him (12:4).----Key 3 - The land that Yahweh would show them was Canaan (12:5-6).3. Yahweh's promise of land and Abram's response (12:7-9).----Key 4 - Yahweh promised to give the land of Canaan to Abram's descendants (12:7).----Key 5 - Abram offered sacrifices to Yahweh (12:7-8).> Salvation/God's promises/faith/Christ connections:(Key 1) Yahweh begins to reveal his plan of salvation in and to Abram. Yahweh chose Abram and promised to bless him and the world through him.


He promised to make Abram into a great nation and to bless all the peoples of the earth through him. How would all people be blessed through Abram? Jesus would be the promised Descendant of Abram. His coming would be a blessing to the Jews (Acts 3:26-26). And his coming would be a blessing to the Gentiles, to all people who have faith in him (Gal. 3:6-9).(Key 2) Yahweh told Abram to leave Haran, but he did not tell him where he was to go to. All Abram knew was that it was a place that Yahweh would show him (12:1; see also Heb. 11:8)). In faith, Abram obeyed Yahweh and went. Faith trusts Yahweh and his word of promise and it obeys his commands. Abram obeyed but as we will soon see, he was not perfect. Jesus is the only one who has perfectly obeyed. In fact, Jesus became obedient unto death, even death on the cross (Phil. 2:8).(Keys 3 & 4) The place where Yahweh led Abram and his family to was the land of Canaan. So to the seven-fold promise, Yahweh added another promise, "To your offspring I will give this land." The nation (Abram's offspring) that Yahweh would create (12:2) would live in the land of Canaan, the promised land.(Key 5) By faith and in response to Yahweh's promises, Abram publicly offered sacrifices to Yahweh. In a land filled with worship of other "gods," Abram brings the worship of the one, true God.

Abram goes to Egypt and returnsRead Genesis 12:10 - 13:4 Abram goes to Egypt and returns.> Outline of text:1. Abram plans to pass Sarai off as his sister (12:10-13).2. The plan carried out in Egypt (12:14-20).----Key 1 - Sarai is taken in Pharaoh's palace (12:15).----Key 2 - Abram is blessed by Yahweh (12:16).3. Abram returns to the promised land (13:1-4).----Key 3 - Abram very wealthy (13:2).----Key 4 - Abram worships Yahweh (13:4).> Salvation/God's promises/faith/Christ connections: (Key 4) Because of all that Yahweh had done for him (saved Sarai and blessed him with wealth) when Abram returned to the promised land, he worshipped Yahweh at Bethel. Faith responds to Yahweh's grace by worshipping him.


Abram and LotRead Genesis 13:5-14:24 Abram and Lot.> Outline of text:1. Abram and Lot separate (13:5-18).----Key 1 - Yahweh reiterates his promises to Abram (13:14-16, 18).2. Kings of the Jordan plain rebel and are defeated (14:1-12).----Key 2 - Lot and all his possessions are taken captive (14:12).3. Abram defeated Kedorlaomer and the kings aligned with him (14:13-16).----Key 3 - Lot is rescued by Abram (14:16).4. Abram greeted by the kings of Sodom and Salem (14:17-24).----Key 4 - Abram is blessed by Melchizedek, the king/priest of Salem (14:18-20).> Salvation/God's promises/faith/Christ connections:(Key 1) As Abram and Lot split up, Yahweh reassured Abram's faith. Yahweh told Abram to look up to see all the land. Again Yahweh promised to give Abram and his descendants the entire land. And again Yahweh promised countless offspring for Abram.(Keys 2 & 3) Yahweh had promised to make Abram a blessing to others. Here we have an example of Yahweh fulfilling that promise, as Abram rescued Lot from the army that had taken him away.(Key 4) Melchizedek was an OT picture of the promised Savior in several ways (see Heb. 7). 1) He held the double office of king and priest. 2) He is without beginning or end; he is a priest forever. 3) He is not a descendant of Levi. The Levitical priest could not reconcile a guilty sinner with God. A better priest and a better sacrifice were needed. Jesus, the Savior, was that priest and sacrifice; he was perfect; he reconciles sinners. Jesus was a descendant of Judah. 4) Jesus, the Savior, is the Bringer of "righteousness" and "peace" (which is the meaning of name "Melchizedek" and his city, "Salem").


God's covenant with AbramRead Genesis 15 God's covenant with Abram.> Outline of text:1. Yahweh reassured Abram that he would have a son from his own body (15:1-6).----Key 1 - Yahweh promised a son and descendants to Abram (15:4-5).----Key 2 - Abram's response of faith (15:6).2. Yahweh's covenant with Abram (15:7-21).----Key 3 - Yahweh covenants with Abram to give his descendants the promised land (15:13, 18).> Salvation/God's promises/faith/Christ connections:(Key 1) Abram believed that Yahweh would bring from him a great nation. But since he and Sarai could not have children, he reasoned that he would have to adopt Eliezer his servant and that the nation would come from his adopted son (15:2-3). This was not Yahweh's plan. Yahweh told Abram, "a son coming from your own body will be your heir" (Gen. 15:4). The nation would come from Abram himself, not from his servant.(Key 1) The promise of descendants has a physical aspect to it. The nation of Israel would come from Abram (fulfilled in Ex. 1 and Deut. 1:10). And the promise has a spiritual aspect to it. All who believe in Jesus Christ as the LORD and Savior (Ro. 4:11) are spiritual descendants of Abram.(Key 2) Because Yahweh promised Abram a son and numerous descendants, Abram responded by believing and trusting God's Word of promise (faith). He was declared to be right with God because by faith he believed God's promises and by faith he cast himself fully into God's grace.(Key 3) In the matter of receiving the land, Abram did not respond with such strong faith. In order that Abram would "know for certain" (15:13) that his descendants would receive the land, Yahweh made a covenant with Abram. In this covenant Yahweh said 1) who he was, 2) what he had done for Abram, and 3) what he intended to do for him in the future (Gen. 15:7). He also said 4) when the land would be given to Abram's descendants (after 400 years in slavery and after the sin of the Amorites reached its full measure) (Gen. 15:13-16). Yahweh "cut" the covenant by passing between the cut up animals, meaning, "May this happen to me if I don't keep my promise to give you the land" (Gen. 15:17). In this covenant, Abram had nothing to contribute. Yahweh gave all. Abram and his descendants received all. He could "sign" the contract simply by accepting what it offered them, by having faith in God's Word of promise.


Hagar and IshmaelRead Genesis 16 Hagar and Ishmael.> Outline of text:1. Hagar becomes Abram's wife and becomes pregnant (16:1-4a).----Key 1 - Sarai tries to build a family through her servant (16:1-4a).2. Hagar despised Sarai and Sarai mistreated Hagar (16:4b-6).3. Hagar encountered the Angel of Yahweh (16:7-14).4. Hagar bore Abram a son, Ishmael (16:15-16).> Salvation/God's promises/faith/Christ connections:(Key 1) Some time had passed and still no child (from which a nation could come). Perhaps Abram and Sarai believed God's promise that Abram would have a son, but not through the normal way with Sarai. Sarai's idea, which was an accepted practice in that day, was to have Abram marry her servant Hagar, have a child with her, and then they would adopt him. She planned to build a family in that way. But they would find out that this too was not Yahweh's plan.

The covenant with Abram confirmed and expandedRead Genesis 17 The covenant with Abram confirmed and expanded.> Outline of text:1. Yahweh announces that he will confirm his covenant with Abram (17:1-2).2. God's covenant obligations- to give descendants and land to Abraham (17:3-8).----Key1 - God will be the God of Abraham and his descendants (17:7).3. Abraham's covenant obligation-circumcision of males (17:9-14).----Key 2 - Every male must be circumcised (17:10b).----Key 3 - The uncircumcised would be cut off (17:14).4. God promised a son for Abraham and Sarah (17:15-22).----Key 4 - God promised to covenant with the son of promise, Isaac (17:19, 21)5. Abraham kept the covenant of circumcision (17:23-27).----Key 5 - Abraham obeyed God, all males circumcised (17:23).> Salvation/God's promises/faith/Christ connections:(Summary) Earlier in chapter 15 Yahweh cut a covenant with Abram. In it he guaranteed his promise that the land of Canaan would be given to Abram's descendants. Now Yahweh expands the covenant to include the nation (the promised descendants). And he makes it very clear that the nation will originate with Abram and Sarai.(Key 1) The covenant Yahweh made with Abram stated that because Yahweh had chosen and made them his people, therefore they would worship him as the one true God. The descendants of Abram who would be God's people would not only be the nation of Israel, but it would include all who believe in Yahweh and his words of promise (especially the promise of a Savior) - Christians.


(Keys 2, 3, 5) The only requirement of Abraham and his descendants in this covenant was that every male had to be circumcised. This was a faith response that showed that Yahweh was the only God that they trusted and served. Circumcision was similar to the oath Yahweh submitted to with the animals cut in half in chapter 15. What Abraham and his descendants were saying by being circumcised was, "If I am not loyal in faith and obedience to Yahweh alone, may I be cut off from Yahweh and his people as my foreskin was cut off."(Key 4) Yahweh promised that Abraham and Sarah would have a son. Abraham, at first, responded to the promise by laughing. This either was a response of temporary unbelief or a response of overwhelming joy. Their son would be called Isaac, which means "he laughs," a continuous reminder of the joy Yahweh brought when he did the impossible and gave them a son.(Key 4) God told Abraham that the covenant he made, which confirmed the promises of a nation, a land, and a blessing to all people, would be made with Isaac. To Isaac, the child of promise, God's plan of salvation will be passed down to.

Sodom and Gomorrah destroyedRead Genesis 18-19 Sodom and Gomorrah destroyed.> Outline of text:1. Abraham prepared a meal for three visitors (18:1-8).2. Sarah laughed at the idea that she would have a son (18:9-15).----Key 1 - Yahweh announced that Sarah would have a son in one year (18:9-15).3. Yahweh decided to tell Abraham what he came to do: to see how evil Sodom and Gomorrah were (18:16-21).----Key 2 - Abraham had a close relationship with Yahweh (18:18-19).----Key 3 - Grievous sin in Sodom and Gomorrah (18:20).4. Abraham pleaded for the righteous. (Lot lived there) (18:22-33).----Key 4 - Will the righteous be killed with the wicked (18:25)?5. The two angels found out how wicked the men of Sodom were (19:1-11).----Key 5 - The men of Sodom are pure evil (19:5, 7).6. The angels warned and lead Lot and his family out of Sodom immediately (19:12-22).----Key 6 - The "righteous saved;" the wicked punished by Yahweh (19:12-13).7. Yahweh destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah (19:23-29).----Key 7 - Abraham's intercession saved Lot (19:29).8. Lot's daughters' sordid affair with their father (19:30-38).----Key 8 - Where the Moabites and Ammonites came from (19:37-38).> Salvation/God's promises/faith/Christ connections:(Key 2) Because of his promises to Abraham (18:18) and his special relationship with Abraham (18:19 - Abraham was "chosen" or "known" by Yahweh. To "know" someone is to have a close relationship with them, like a husband "knows" his wife), Yahweh shared his plans with Abraham. His plans


included Good News (Gospel) and bad news (Law). (Key 1) First he shared the Good News that Abraham would have a son and would become a great and powerful nation (18:10, 18). (Key 3) Then he shared the bad news that he was going to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah because of their grievous sin (18:20-21). Yahweh does the same today with Christians. Through the Scriptures, Christians learn the Law and Gospel. There is Good News for those who believe in Jesus (eternal life in heaven) and there is bad news for those who do not believe (eternal death in hell).(Keys 2, 4) Also, because of Abraham's close relationship with Yahweh, he was allowed to intercede with Yahweh for Sodom (the home of Lot and his family) (18:26). In prayer God's people approach Yahweh with confidence and persistence with their concerns for others. (Key 4) Abraham pleaded for "the righteous." Who are the righteous? How do you become righteous in God's eyes? First of all, people have no righteousness of their own. Their righteousness is like filthy rags. The only way people can become righteous (that is, have a right relationship with God) is by acquiring Jesus' righteousness. Jesus' righteousness is a free gift offered to us by God. It cannot be earned; it can only be received by faith.(Key 3, 5) This is another clear example that the Flood had not washed away all sin. The cry against the evil in Sodom and Gomorrah was so great that Yahweh came down to see it for himself and he found that it was true. These people were like the people just before the Flood. Their hearts are evil all the time. A Savior is definitely still needed.(Keys 2, 7) Also because Yahweh "knew" Abraham (18:19), Yahweh "remembered" or took action in answering Abraham's intercession for the righteous (18:22-33). Yahweh provided a way out for Lot and his family, as he destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah. (Keys 5, 6) He did not and he does not sweep away the righteous with the wicked. On the Last Day those who have Jesus' righteousness by faith will escape God's judgment while the wicked will be sent to the torments of hell.(Key 8) One might ask why the episode of Lot's daughters with their father is included. What purpose does it serve? This episode provides the background of where the Moabites and Ammonites came from. These were nations that the chosen nation, Israel, would deal with later.In these chapters we see the two sides of Yahweh. He is at the same time gracious and just. (Keys 4, 7) He was gracious in allowing Abraham to plead for the righteous and in providing a way out for the righteous. (Key 6) He was just in his punishment of the wicked. He cannot and will not tolerate sin.

Abraham and AbimelechRead Genesis 20 Abraham and AbimelechOutline of text:1. Sarah, Abraham's "sister," is taken by Abimelech (20:1-2).----Key 1 - Sarah taken into the royal harem (20:2b).2. Abimelech encounters God in a dream (20:3-7).----Key 2 - God kept Abimelech from touching Sarah (20:6b).


3. Abimelech confronts Abraham about his "sister" (20:8-13).4. Abimelech pays for his "wrong" and Abraham prays for healing for the royal family (20:14-18).----Key 3 - Sarah is returned to Abraham (20:14b).> Salvation/God's promises/faith/Christ connections:Abraham once again put Yahweh's promise of a son in jeopardy by trying to pass Sarah off as his sister and not his wife. (Key 1) Because of this Sarah was taken into Abimelech's royal harem. This came at a time when she was or would become pregnant according to Yahweh's promise (see 18:9-15). Had Abimelech slept with her, there would have been a question as to whose child it was. Or Sarah could have been permanently absorbed into Abimelech's harem. In any case, Yahweh made sure that nothing got in the way of his promise of a son. (Key 2) He made sure that Abimelech did not even touch her and (Key 3) that he returned her to Abraham.

The birth of Isaac, the promised sonRead Genesis 21 The birth of Isaac, the promised son.> Outline of text:1. Isaac was born (21:1-7).----Key 1 - The son of promise was born, named, and circumcised (21:1-5).2. Hagar and Ishmael were sent away (21:8-14).----Key 2 - The son of promise takes precedence over the son of the slave (21:10b, 12).3. The angel of God spoke to Hagar in the desert (21:15-21).4. Abraham made a treaty with Abimelech (21:22-34).----Key 3 - It is evident that God has blessed Abraham (21:22).----Key 4 - Recognition that Abraham has rights to the well he dug (21:30).----Key 5 - Abraham called on Yahweh, the Eternal God (21:33).> Salvation/God's promises/faith/Christ connections:(Key 1) In the birth of Isaac, Yahweh's promise of a son to Abraham and Sarah in their old age was fulfilled. In this birth, Yahweh's promise of a nation had begun to be fulfilled. Abraham named him Isaac, which means "he laughs," to be a continual reminder of how in God's grace he kept his promise and gave them a son in their old age, which caused the laughter of joy. With God nothing is impossible. In response to Yahweh's grace, Abraham kept the covenant by circumcising Isaac on the eighth day.(Key 2) Who will be the heir to Yahweh's promise of a great nation, Isaac or Ishmael? Legally it would have been Ishmael. But when he was sent away, he was legally disinherited. Yahweh had chosen Isaac, the son of promise to be the heir of His promises (nation, land, Savior).(Key 1, 2) In his letter to the Galatians, Paul used this story to illustrate the difference between being under the Law and under the promise (Gal. 4:21-31). Hagar, who was a slave, had a son who was also a slave. Hagar represents the covenant given at Mt. Sinai--the Law. Those born under the Law are slaves to the Law. On the other hand, Sarah, a free woman, had Isaac. Isaac was not born in an ordinary way. He was the son of Yahweh's


promise and he was born through the power of the Holy Spirit. The Jews of Paul's day demanded the Law be kept. So when Paul preached the freedom of the Gospel, they persecuted him and other Christians, the people of promise. In this way they acted like Ishmael when he, the slave, persecuted Isaac, the son of promise. In the end, Abraham, following Sarah's and God's advice, sent off Hagar and Ishmael. The result of this was that they would not share in the inheritance. And so it is the same today, all those who do believe in Jesus are "children of promise" who will share in the eternal inheritance. All those who do not believe are "children of the slave woman," the Law, and will not share in the inheritance of heaven.Does Yahweh keep his promises? Based on what we see in this story we must say yes. (Key 1) Yahweh had promised Abraham and Sarah a son and now he has kept that promise; they have a son. (Key 3) Yahweh promised to bless Abraham and in this story it is clear even to the Philistine king Abimelech that "God is with" Abraham. Yahweh had blessed him so much that the Philistine king was afraid of Abraham and insisted on making a treaty. Yahweh always keeps his promises.(Key 4) Abraham's treaty with Abimelech for water rights is a token of and is the first tangible evidence of Abraham's and his descendant's right to the whole promised land.(Key 5) When Abraham "called upon the name of Yahweh, the Eternal God," he publicly worshiped Yahweh and declared that he was the Eternal God. When he did this he was basically saying to those around him, "You worship your phony gods, but I worship the one, true God. He is Yahweh, the Eternal God." Indeed, all gods but Yahweh are false gods. Christians know Yahweh as the Triune God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. He is the only God. He is the Eternal God. Other religions talk about "God," but the "God" they talk about, pray to, worship, etc. is a figment of their imagination or is a part of creation and not the Creator. In our multi-cultural society, many believe the God of the Christians is the same as the God of the Muslims, which is the same as the God of ___ (you fill in the blank), etc. They believe there is one God, but that different religions know him in different ways and call him by different names. This patently false! There is but one God and he is the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We, like Abraham, publicly proclaim Yahweh, the Eternal God.

Abraham TestedRead Genesis 22 Abraham Tested> Outline of text:1. God tested Abraham by telling him to sacrifice Isaac (22:1-2).----Key 1 - Abraham was commanded to sacrifice his only son, the promised son (22:2).2. Abraham and Isaac travel to make the sacrifice (22:3-8).----Key 2 - Abraham promptly obeyed God (22:3a).----Key 3 - Abraham tells his servants that he and Isaac would come back after worshiping (22:5b).


3. Abraham offers a sacrifice - a ram takes Isaac's place (22:9-14).----Key 4 - As Abraham is about to sacrifice Isaac, the angel of Yahweh stopped him (22:10-12).----Key 5 - Yahweh provides a substitute sacrifice (22:13-14).4. The angel of Yahweh blessed Abraham by reiterating Yahweh's promises (22:15-19).----Key 6 - The promises to Abraham are reiterated (22:15-18).5. Nahor's children (22:20-24).----Key 7 - Yahweh has been preparing for Isaac's future (22:23).> Salvation/God's promises/faith/Christ connections:(Key 1) Yahweh had promised to make Abraham's descendants into a great nation. So far Abraham had only one son. And now God commanded him to sacrifice that one and only son. (Key 2) Abraham, remarkably, wastes no time in obeying. Early the next morning he set out to make the sacrifice of his only son. If he does sacrifice him, what will happen to God's promises?(Key 3) Abraham told his servants that he and Isaac would be back after offering a sacrifice. What was Abraham thinking? How could he sacrifice Isaac and then have Isaac come back with him? Hebrews 11:17-19 helps us understand. Abraham, believing God's promise that his offspring would be reckoned through Isaac, believed that God would raise Isaac from the dead. And, as it says in Hebrews, figuratively he did.(Key 4, 5) As Abraham is about to slay his one and only son of the promise, the angel of Yahweh (the second person of the Trinity) stops him and provides a ram as a substitute. Here Yahweh provides a picture of what he would later do to keep his promise to bless all mankind. He, the heavenly Father, would sacrifice his one and only Son. But He did not provide a substitute for his Son like he did for Isaac. In reality the Son was the substitute for mankind. He gave his life in their place and for their sake.In the covenant made with Abraham, Abraham was to worship Yahweh as the one and only true God (Ch. 17) and Abraham and his descendants were to be Yahweh's people. In this lesson we see that Yahweh was indeed the God Abraham put his full trust in and (Key 6) Yahweh once again reiterated his promises (22:15-18) to bless him, to give him numerous descendants (promised nation), to give them the promised land, and to bless all the nations of the world through them (promised Savior).Seemingly, completely out of nowhere, there are five verses about Abraham's brother, Nahor, and his descendants (22:20-24). Why is this here? (Key 7) It is included because it shows that Yahweh never intended for Isaac to be sacrificed. He had in fact been working for two generations to prepare a wife (Rebekah) for the son of promise, Isaac.

The Death of SarahRead Genesis 23 The Death of Sarah> Outline of text:1. Sarah died (23:1-2).2. Abraham bargained for and bought some land as a burial plot (23:3-20).


----Key 1 - Abraham bought a field in Canaan as a burial site (23:17-20).> Salvation/God's promises/faith/Christ connections:(Key 1) Normally people were buried with their relatives in their native land. By buying the burial plot for Sarah in the land of Canaan, the promised land, Abraham was making a statement of faith. Even though Abraham was a stranger and alien in the land, based on Yahweh's promises, Canaan was the new homeland of Abraham and his descendants. The future of this family is in the promised land.

A Wife for IsaacRead Genesis 24 A Wife for Isaac> Outline of text:1. Abraham charges his chief servant to find a wife for Isaac from his relatives in Aram (24:1-9).----Key 1 - Yahweh had blessed Abraham (24:1).----Key 2 - Isaac's wife is not to be a Canaanite and Isaac is not to leave the promised land (24:3-4, 6-7).2. Yahweh led Abraham's servant to Rebekah (24:10-27).----Key 3 - The servant prayed, Yahweh answered, and the servant worshiped (24:12, 15, 26).3. Abraham's servant recounts his story to Rebekah's relatives (24:28-54a).----Key 4 - Rebekah's family knew Yahweh (24:31, 50-51).----Key 5 - Yahweh had blessed Abraham with wealth and a son (24:35-36).----Key 6 - Yahweh led the servant to Rebekah (24:48).4. The servant and Rebekah are quickly on their way back to Canaan (24:54b-61).5. Isaac and Rebekah meet and are married (24:62-67).----Key 7 - Isaac married Rebekah (24:67).> Salvation/God's promises/faith/Christ connections:(Key 1, 5) We continue to see confirmation that Yahweh kept his promises. Yahweh had promised to bless Abraham and indeed he did. Abraham had become rich in livestock and he had a son in his old age. Yahweh always keeps his promises. He promised to send One who would crush the serpent and he did. He promised to bless the whole world through Abraham's Descendant and he did. All of his promises find their Yes in the person of Jesus Christ.(Key 2) Abraham arranges for his servant to find a wife for Isaac. His specifications to the servant are that wife not be a Canaanite but one of their relatives in Aram and that Isaac not leave the promised land. Why couldn't Isaac's wife be a Canaanite (Abraham is emphatic about this (24:3-4))? Probably because the Canaanites did not believe in Yahweh and they were exceedingly wicked. (Key 4) On the other hand, Abraham's family knew Yahweh (see 24:30, 50-51). Why couldn't Isaac leave Canaan? He couldn't leave because this is the land that Yahweh had promised to give to Abraham's offspring (24:6-7). The Biblical story continues to revolve around Yahweh's promises of the land and offspring.


(Key 3) The servant put his trust in Yahweh that he would lead him to the woman Yahweh had chosen for Isaac, for it was through Isaac and his wife that Yahweh would advance the fulfillment of his promises. The servant's faith was rewarded. Yahweh led him straight to the woman he long ago had chosen to be Isaac's wife (22:23). In response to Yahweh's grace, the servant worshiped. This describes the Christian life. Yahweh calls us to be his own; he makes promises to us in complete grace; he gives us faith to trust his word of promise; he keeps his promises; we respond to his grace by worshiping him.(Key 4) After being told by Abraham's servant of his trust in Yahweh and how his prayers were answered, Laban and Bethuel react by saying, "This is from Yahweh" (24:50) and "Yahweh has directed" [this to happen] (24:51). In other words, they were saying that if Yahweh directed it, then it will happen. They show knowledge of Yahweh and his great power. Isaac's wife is coming from a family that knows Yahweh and (Key 2) not from an idolatrous Canaanite family.(Keys 6, 7) Through Yahweh's providence the servant is led to Rebekah who was from his family. And so Isaac married the one (Rebekah) that Yahweh had chosen for him. God's plan of salvation is now ready for the next step. Isaac is ready to take over as the family patriarch.

Yahweh keeps his promises in the death of Abraham and in IshRead Genesis 25:1-18 Yahweh keeps his promises in the death of Abraham and in Ishmael's sons> Outline of text:1. Abraham's last years and his death (25:1-11).----Key 1 - Isaac continues to receive precedence over Abraham's other children (25:5-6).----Key 2 - Abraham "died at a good old age" (25:8).2. Ishmael's account (25:12-18).----Key 3 - Ishmael's children became twelve nations (25:16).----Key 4 - Ishmael's children lived in hostility toward others (25:18).> Salvation/God's promises/faith/Christ connections:(Key 1) While Abraham remarried and had other children, Isaac remained the son of the promise and held the favored position.(Key 2) Earlier Yahweh promised Abraham, "You ... will go to your fathers in peace and be buried at a good old age" (15:15). Again we see that Yahweh's promise is fulfilled.(Key 3) God blessed Ishmael as he promised earlier (17:20; 21:13, 18). He had 12 sons each of whom became a nation. But Ishmael's account is short (just seven verses) because his line was not the chosen line of the promised Savior. And yet God's plan of salvation includes them and all nations. The promised Savior will be a blessing to people of all nations.(Key 4) Earlier the angel of Yahweh had told Hagar that her son (Ishmael) would "be a wild donkey of a man; his hand will be against everyone and everyone's hand against him, and he will live in hostility toward [b] all his


brothers" (16:12). Here we see the fulfillment of that prophecy. Yahweh's word is always good; it can always be trusted.

Part 5 - God's plan of salvation continued through IsaacThis part of Genesis tells how God's plan of salvation continued through Isaac's family (Gen. 25:19-36:43). The promises given to Abraham were passed down to Isaac. There is less about Isaac in Genesis than there is about Abraham or Jacob. His story revolves around his two sons and the struggle for who will be the one who receives the inheritance, which includes God's promises.

Jacob and EsauRead Genesis 25:19-34 Jacob and Esau> Outline of text:1. Yahweh answers Isaac's prayer as Rebekah became pregnant with two boys (25:19-23).----Key 1 - In times of need, Isaac and Rebekah go to Yahweh (25:21-23).----Key 2 - While the twins were in the womb, Yahweh told Rebekah that the older will serve the younger (25:23b).2. The twins are named Esau and Jacob; they are very different from each other; and the parents had their favorites (25:24-28).----Key 3 - Parental favoritism (25:28).3. Esau sold the birthright to Jacob for a pot of stew (25:29-34).----Key 4 - Esau despised his birthright (25:34).> Salvation/God's promises/faith/Christ connections:(Summary) The account of Isaac (25:19-35:29) is one in which the recipient of the promise becomes the transmitter of the promise.(Key 1) When Rebekah could have no children, Isaac went to Yahweh in prayer and Yahweh answered his prayer by giving Rebekah twins. When the twins jostled within her, Rebekah inquired of Yahweh about what was happening and Yahweh answered her. Yahweh always hears and answers the prayers of his chosen ones. His answers are not always Yes, but his answers are always what is best for us and/or for others.(Key 2) In that culture at that time, the oldest son was given special privileges (such as a double inheritance). But before Rebekah's twins were born, before they had done good or bad (Ro. 9:11), Yahweh had determined that he would use the younger son in his plan of salvation, "the older will serve the younger".(Key 3) The parental favoritism of Isaac and Rebekah would cause all kinds of troubles within the family. This was especially true concerning the blessing of the firstborn.(Key 4) With the birthright came the inheritance rights. At the heart of the birthright was Yahweh's covenant promises that Isaac inherited from Abraham. In this case, against human tradition, the younger son would


inherit Yahweh's promises. In selling the birthright for a bowl of stew, Esau showed that he had no regard for Yahweh's promises.(Keys 4, 2) Even though Jacob was a deceiver (that's what his name means), it actually was not by his deception (the birthright for a bowl of stew) that he received the birthright and covenant promises. Rather, he received them by Divine election. He had been chosen before they were even born. Had he not deceived Esau, Yahweh's providence still would have caused Jacob to receive the covenant promises.

Isaac and AbimlechRead Genesis 26: Isaac and Abimlech> Outline of text:1. During a famine Yahweh commanded Isaac to stay in the promised land and promised that he would bless him (26:1-6).----Key 1 - Yahweh confirmed his covenant with Isaac (26:3-4).2. Isaac pretended that Rebekah was his sister (26:7-11).----Key 2 - Abimelech realized that Rebekah was Isaac's wife and issued a decree to protect them (26:8, 11).3. Yahweh blessed Isaac with flocks and herds but his wealth caused friction with the Philistines (26:12-25).----Key 3 - Yahweh blessed Isaac during the famine (26:12-14).----Key 4 - Yahweh reiterated his promises and Isaac responded with worship (26:24-25).4. Isaac made a treaty with the Philistines (26:26-35).----Key 5 - The Philistines could see clearly that Yahweh was with Isaac and wanted to make a treaty with Isaac (26:28, 29b).> Salvation/God's promises/faith/Christ connections:Why is this chapter here? It appears to out of order chronologically because this chapter probably occurred before the birth of the twins. (Key 1, 4) It was specifically place here to show that the birthright and blessing that Jacob struggled so hard to obtain (see 25:22, 31-33; 27:5-29) included the promises that Yahweh made to Abraham and now is making to Isaac. That's why the birthright and blessing are so important.(Key 1) Having just heard Yahweh's promises reiterated, Isaac put them into jeopardy by passing Rebekah his wife off as his sister. What would have happened if she had become part of Abimelech's harem or if a Philistine had slept with her (26:10)? The Philistines were not a part of God's plan of salvation. (Key 2) Thankfully, Yahweh caused Abimelech to see Isaac caressing his wife. He then ordered that no Philistine bother Isaac and Rebekah. So Yahweh used this incident to protect the chosen family. He can use any incident, whether good or bad, and use it to serve his purposes.(Key 1, 3) Yahweh continued to promise blessings and to keep his promises. He promised that he would be with Isaac and bless him. And so in the midst of a famine, crops planted by Isaac yielded 100-fold. (Key 5) Even the Philistines could see that Yahweh has blessed Isaac.


Jacob got Isaac's blessing instead of EsauRead Genesis 27:1-40: Jacob got Isaac's blessing instead of Esau.> Outline of text:1. Isaac instructed Esau to hunt and prepare some tasty food for him before he gave him his blessing (27:1-4).----Key 1 - Contrary to God's will, Isaac planned to give the blessing to Esau (27:4).2. Rebekah plotted to trick Isaac into giving Jacob the blessing (27:5-17).3. Jacob carried out the plot and tricked Isaac (27:18-26).4. Isaac blessed Jacob (27:27-29).----Key 2 - Jacob received the blessing (27:27-29).5. Isaac and Esau figured out what happened (27:30-40).----Key 3 - When Jacob was blessed, God's will was done (27:33).----Key 4 - Esau received a "blessing" too (27:39-40).> Salvation/God's promises/faith/Christ connections:(Key 1) Isaac knew that God had said that the older would serve the younger. So Isaac purposely sought to circumvent it and give it to the older son, who was his favorite, Esau. Rather than follow God's word, he instead chose to follow human tradition. But Yahweh had chosen Jacob and not Esau to play a part in his plan of salvation. So Yahweh had to overrule Isaac. In doing so, he was able to use the evil of Rebekah and Jacob to serve his saving purposes.Similarly, Yahweh took the deception of Jesus by Judas, which sent Jesus to the cross, and used it to accomplish his purposes, the salvation of the world.(Key 2) Through trickery Jacob received the blessing. In passing on the blessing, Isaac was Yahweh's spokesman or prophet; he was pronouncing God's word. (Key 3) Nothing could stop God's word from hitting its intended mark (Jacob). If God said Jacob would be blessed, then, "indeed he will be blessed."(Key 4) Later on Yahweh described the promised land as a land flowing with milk and honey, that is, as a land of abundance. In the blessing Jacob received, he was promised an abundance [i.e., the promised land]. But Esau would live away from the abundance. He would live outside the promised land. God would work out his plan of salvation through Jacob and not Esau as he had said while they were still in the womb.

Jacob fled to Laban in HaranRead Genesis 27:41 - 28:22 Jacob fled to Laban in Haran.> Outline of text:1. Rebekah devised a plan to save Jacob from Esau's fury (27:41-46).2. Isaac blessed Jacob and sent him off to find a wife in Haran (28:1-5).----Key 1 - Isaac willingly blessed Jacob (28:1, 3-4).3. Esau married an Ishmaelite (28:6-9).4. Jacob had a dream at Bethel (28:10-22).---Key 2 - a stairway connected earth and heaven; it had angels ascending and descending on it; and Yahweh stood above it (28:12-13a).


----Key 3 - The promises Yahweh made to Abraham and Isaac, he makes to Jacob (28:13b-14).----Key 4 - Yahweh made additional promises to Jacob (28:15).> Salvation/God's promises/faith/Christ connections:(Key 1) Before Jacob left, Isaac willingly blessed him, giving him the promises that God gave to Abraham and himself. Isaac's attitude toward blessing Jacob changed. He must have remembered that Yahweh said the older would serve the younger and so by faith he blessed Jacob (Heb. 11:20)."The blessing given to Abraham" (28:4) included the gift of faith in God Almighty's promise of a Savior. It is only by faith that people are justified before God because faith appropriates Jesus' righteousness (Gal. 3:14; Ro. 4:1-5).(Key 2) In Jacob's dream a stairway reached from earth to heaven with angels ascending and descending on it and Yahweh standing at the top. The angels were ready to take his needs before Yahweh and were being sent by Yahweh to minister to Jacob. Jesus once told a disciple that he would see angels "ascending and descending on the Son of Man" (Jn. 1:51). Jesus himself is the stairway that connects earth and heaven. He is necessary because sin has created a great chasm between heaven and earth. Jesus' work of redemption bridges the gap, making it possible once again for man to be with God.(Key 3) From on top of the stairway Yahweh spoke to Jacob. Yahweh identified himself as the God of Abraham and Isaac. And the promises he made to them, he now made to Jacob. His three-fold promise to Jacob and his descendants was to: 1) give them the land of Canaan, 2) multiply them into a nation, and 3) bless all peoples on earth through them (this he did through Jesus). (Key 4) To these promises Yahweh added that he would be with Jacob, watch over him and bring him back to the promised land. Isn't this also Yahweh's promise to us in our Baptism? In Baptism he makes us his own, promises to be with us wherever we go and whatever we do in life, to watch over us, and to bring us safely to the eternal promised land.(Key 4) In that day and time it was believed that each country had their own gods. When countries went to battle, it was not only the armies of two countries fighting, but it was also the gods of the two countries fighting. Yahweh states that this is not true for him. He promised to go with Jacob to watch over him and protect him. In fact, it was Yahweh who created the world and therefore owns the world and had authority over it. He is not a local god, but the universal God.

Jacob and LabanRead Genesis 29:1 - 30:43 Jacob and Laban> Outline of text:1. Jacob talked to the shepherds of Haran about Laban (29:1-8).


----Key 1 - Jacob "happens" to come across Rachel, the daughter of Laban, his uncle (29:5-6).2. Jacob met Rebekah and Laban (29:9-14a).3. Jacob married both Leah and Rachel (29:14b-30).----Key 2 - Jacob paid the bride-price for Rachel (29:18-20).----Key 3 - Jacob accused Laban of deception (29:25).4. Jacob had eleven sons and one daughter (29:31-30:24).----Key 4 - Leah bore Jacob four sons (29:31-35).5. Jacob's flock increase greatly (30:25-43).----Key 5 - It is clear to Laban and Jacob that Yahweh had blessed Laban because of Jacob (30:27b, 30).----Key 6 - Yahweh made Jacob become exceedingly prosperous (30:43).> Salvation/God's promises/faith/Christ connections:(Key 1) The fact that Jacob happened to come across the well that Rachel used to water her sheep and the fact that Rachel happened to come by while he was there at a time when sheep were not normally watered is no coincidence. Yahweh made it happen. Yahweh was keeping his promise to be with Jacob and watch over him.(Key 2) At that time it was common to pay a bride price when one got married. But Jacob had no wealth or possessions. So the agreement was that Jacob would work for Laban for seven years for no wages. This would be the price he would pay to marry Rachel. When he finished working the seven years, it sealed the marriage and made it legal. In the OT Yahweh frequently used marriage imagery to describe his relationship with his chosen people. The bride price which sealed Yahweh's betrothal to Israel was "righteousness and justice," "love and compassion," and "faithfulness" (Hos. 2:19-20). He paid the price. We simply accept His proposal.(Key 3) How ironic that the one who deceived in order to get the rights of the firstborn (Jacob-birthright, blessing) is deceived by another firstborn, Leah. Yahweh is training/disciplining Jacob. Here he sees how it feels to be deceived.(Key 4) Leah became the mother of the first four children of Jacob. These four included Levi, ancestor of the Aaronic priestly line, and Judah, ancestor of the royal line of David and ultimately Jesus.(Key 4) In his plan of salvation, God uses the weak instead of the strong, the younger instead of the older, and the have-nots instead of the haves, that it might be evident that it is His doing. He did that with Jacob, who was morally weak as a deceiver and the younger, and Leah, who was unpopular and became Jacob's wife by trickery. Together they became the parents of Judah, the ancestor of the Christ.(Keys 5, 6) God had promised to go with Jacob and watch over him. When Jacob wanted to leave with his family, Laban urged him to stay because it was abundantly clear to him and to Jacob that Yahweh had blessed Laban (increased flocks) through his blessing of Jacob. And so Yahweh blessed Jacob in spite of all his scheming. Over the years Jacob went from having no


flocks or animals to being exceedingly prosperous, with large numbers of flocks, servants, camels and donkeys. Yahweh kept his promises.

Jacob and his family leave Laban for CanaanRead Genesis 31: Jacob and his family leave Laban for Canaan.> Outline of text:1. Jacob and family leave Laban (31:1-21).----Key 1 - Yahweh instructed Jacob to "go back to the land of your fathers" (31:3, 13).----Key 2 -God had been with Jacob, giving him Laban's flocks (31:5, 7, 9, 16).----Key 3 - Jacob, Leah, and Rachel deceived Laban by not telling him they were leaving (31:19-20).2. Laban tracked down and confronted Jacob (31:22-30).----Key 4 - Laban accused Jacob of deception (31:26-27).3. Jacob defended his flight from Laban (31:31-42).----Key 5 - Rachel lied to Laban (31:35).----Key 6 - God had seen what Laban was doing to Jacob and he turned the tables, blessing Jacob (31:42).4. Laban made a covenant with Jacob (31:43-55).----Key 7 - The covenant: God as a witness, the oath, a sacrifice, and a meal (31:53-54).> Salvation/God's promises/faith/Christ connections:In the last chapter Laban urged Jacob to stay because Yahweh had blessed him through Jacob. Had Jacob stayed and never returned, Yahweh's plan to give the promised land to Abraham and Isaac's offspring would have been frustrated. (Key 1) But Yahweh made his will known to Jacob. His will was that after being in Aram for 20 years Jacob should return.(Key 3, 4, 5) Jacob, Leah, and Rachel deceived Laban by sneaking away. Rachel stole Laban's idols and then lied by denying she had. But God caused all the lying, cheating, and stealing to serve his purposes. (Key 1) He had instructed Jacob to go back home. And now Jacob was on his way. He had come with nothing. But he returns with a family and many possessions. But more importantly, he returns to the promised land having learned many valuable lessons about God. (Key 2, 6) He learned that God is faithful, that he keeps his promises, that God was with him, that God protected him, that God blessed him and guided him. And God does the same for Christians as well.(Key 7) Laban and Jacob made a covenant. Jacob sealed the covenant in the name of the Fear of Isaac (Yahweh), in the blood of a sacrifice, and in a covenant meal. And the result of the covenant was that Jacob was free to return to his homeland, the promised land. This was like another covenant made many years later. That future covenant was an eternal covenant that was sealed in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. It was sealed in the blood of Christ who was sacrificed for mankind. It was sealed in a covenant meal which consisted of the crucified and risen body and blood of


Christ. The result of this "new covenant" is that Christians are heirs of a celestial homeland, the heavenly promised land.(Summary) For two generations we've heard about Abraham's relatives in Aram (Rebekah and Rachel). They were important because they played a part in God's plan of salvation. But this will be the last generation we will hear of because future generations will not be a part of God's plan in bringing forth the Savior. Instead our focus will turn away from Aram and back to Jacob's family in the promised land.

Jacob prepared to meet EsauRead Genesis 32: Jacob prepared to meet Esau.> Outline of text:1. Jacob planned to win Esau's favor (32:1-8).----Key 1 - Jacob named the place Mahanaim (32:1-2).2. Jacob prayed to Yahweh to save him from Esau (32:9-12).----Key 2 - Jacob prayed a model prayer (32:9-12).3. Jacob sent presents ahead to appease Esau (32:13-21).4. Jacob wrestled with God and was given a new name (32:22-32).----Key 3 - Jacob held on until Yahweh blessed him (32:26b, 29b).----Key 4 - God changed Jacob's name to Israel (32:28).> Salvation/God's promises/faith/Christ connections:(Key 1) Mahanaim mean two camps. Two camps had just met in hostility and left in peace (Laban and Jacob). Two camps were again about to meet in hostility (so Jacob thought) and separate in peace. But Jacob called this place "two camps" only after seeing the angelic encampment that was protecting and escorting his encampment into Canaan. In spite of this protection, he feared meeting Esau, so he divided his household into two camps. In seeing the angels, Jacob should have been reminded of Bethel where he first saw the angels in a dream. There he was assured that God was with him and would care for him. He now had the same assurance that God was with him and would care for him. The presence of the angels verified that. Though unseen, "the angel of Yahweh encamps around those who fear him and he delivers them" (Ps. 34:8).(Key 2) Jacob humbly confessed that he was "not worthy" of the "kindness and faithfulness" Yahweh had shown him. As long as Jacob had been successful he had been self reliant. Now in the face of his helplessness he found it necessary to call upon Yahweh. This is a model prayer. 1) He first confessed his unworthiness. 2) He acknowledged God's kindness and faithfulness. 3) He acknowledged his inability to handle the problem. 4) He declared total dependence on God. 5) And finally, he reminded Yahweh of his promises and held him to them.(Keys 3, 4) Jacob had "wrestled" all his life to prevail, first against Esau and then against Laban. Now he would learn that it is God that he must wrestle with. It is God who controlled Jacob's destiny. In persistence Jacob held on until he was blessed. This showed that he understood that all blessing come from God. And God rewarded Jacob's persistence by blessing him. Over time


God had changed Jacob, hence the name change. He went from being "a deceiver" (a Jacob) to "one who struggles with God" (an Israel). This is what God encourages us to do in prayer. Be a persistent fighter who clings to God and his promises and receives God's blessing by faith.

Jacob's meeting with EsauRead Genesis 33: Jacob's meeting with Esau.> Outline of text:1. Jacob reconciled with Esau (33:1-11).----Key 1 - Jacob insisted Esau take his present (33:11).2. Jacob refused Esau's escort (33:12-17).3. Jacob arrived at Shechem and bought some land (33:18-20).----Key 2 - Jacob bought a piece of property in Shechem (33:18-19).----Key 3 - Israel worshipped at El Elohe Israel (33:20).> Salvation/God's promises/faith/Christ connections:(Key 1) Moses, the human author of Genesis, sometimes plays word games. In an ironic twist, Jacob, who once did all he could to get the blessing (the gift from God) from Esau (27:35), now insists on giving Esau a "present" (33:11, or gift) which came from God out of grace. So before he wanted God's blessing for himself and now he insists that he share God's blessing with Esau.Several times God had reiterated his promises to Jacob. Did Jacob believe them? Even though Jacob did not own a bit of land in Canaan, he considered it his "homeland" (30:25). Yahweh certainly considered it to be the land of Jacob's fathers, Jacob's native land (31:3, 13b). Jacob obeyed God's command and went back. (Key 2) After he arrived safely, as God had promised, he bought a piece of property at Shechem. He now owned a little piece of the promised land. Later, when Israel was in Egypt and about to die, he requested that his sons bury him in the promised land in the same cave that Abraham, Sarah, Isaac and Rebekah were buried in. This was indeed, Jacob's homeland. One day it would belong to his descendants as Yahweh had promised.(Key 2) Having arrived safely and purchased a plot of ground in the promised land, (Key 3) Jacob built an altar and worshipped God. In calling God "the God of Israel," Jacob was recognizing that God had kept his promise to be with him and care for him on his trip to Aram and back. So in this act, he was recalling and keeping his vow to worship Yahweh alone as his God (28:21). So Jacob is now Israel and Yahweh is "the God of Israel."

Family tragedy number one for JacobRead Genesis 34: Family tragedy number one for Jacob> Outline of text:1. Dinah was raped (34:1-4).2. Hamor and Shechem proposed to Jacob intermarriage between their families (34:5-12).----Key 1 - Hamor proposed to Jacob intermarriage of the two families (34:9).


3. Jacob's sons agree to the proposal but only after circumcision (34:13-17).----Key 2 - Jacob's sons act deceitfully (34:13).----Key 3 - Jacob's sons pretended to use circumcision as a bargaining chip for intermarriage (34:15).4. Hamor's real motives were to get Jacob's wealth and offspring (34:18-23).----Key 4 - Hamor's true motives for intermarriage are revealed (34:21-23).5. Surprise revenge attack by Jacob's sons (34:24-31).----Key 5 - Every male in the city was circumcised (34:4).> Salvation/God's promises/faith/Christ connections:(Keys 1, 4) The real reason the Canaanites wanted to intermarry with Jacob's family was to obtain their wealth. They had become very wealthy because Yahweh had blessed them. Had this intermarriage taken place, the seed of Abraham from which a nation was to arise would have been Canaanized (Canaanites were known for their wickedness and baal worship) and baalized (the false god the Canaanites worshiped). They would have been absorbed into a wicked people who worshiped false gods. This was not part of God's plan of salvation. In fact it threatened his plan. (Key 2) This episode, with its deception, along with others to follow was Yahweh's discipline of Israel in order that he might not lapse back into Jacob (deceiver). The deceit of his children would be a reminder of what he used to be like. At times God places a cross on believers, especially after a high moment of faith. In this case it came after Jacob had wrestled with God and had "seen God face to face."(Keys 3, 4, 5) Circumcision was the act that brought one into God's chosen people. Circumcision was a seal of the righteousness that comes through faith. To receive the badge of the covenant in their bodies without faith would make a mockery of God's covenant and the covenant sign. Dinah's brothers took this sacred act and used it for evil purposes, to get revenge on the Shechemites.

Jacob returned to Bethel and Benjamin is bornRead Genesis 35: Jacob returned to Bethel and Benjamin is born.> Outline of text:1. Jacob returned to Bethel and worshiped God (35:1-8).----Key 1 - God called Jacob to repentance (35:1-2, 7).----Key 2 - No one pursued Jacob; God protected them (35:5).2. God appeared to Jacob and confirmed his covenant promises of a nation and the land (35:9-15).----Key 3 - God reiterated his promises to Jacob (35:10-13).3. Benjamin was born (35:16-18).----Key 4 - Rachel died giving birth to Benjamin (35:18).4. Rachel died; Rueben died (35:19-22).----Key 5 - Rachel was buried (35:19-20).----Key 6 - Rueben slept with his father's concubine (35:22).5. Jacob's twelve sons (35:23-26).----Key 7 - A list of Jacob's twelve sons (35:23-26).


6. Isaac died (35:27-29).> Salvation/God's promises/faith/Christ connections:(Key 1) In God's directive to go to Bethel, Jacob sensed a call to repentance. It was at Bethel that Jacob pledged full allegiance to God if he would be with him and bring him back safely. God had kept his promises, but Jacob had not. In allowing idols in his family, he tolerated divided loyalty. The removal of the idols, the purification of themselves, and the change clothes represented an inner purification of true repentance. Having repented, they then worshiped the one true God at Bethel where Yahweh revealed himself to Jacob.We as Christians are called to do the same. We daily repent of our divided allegiance and daily worship the one true God, offering the sacrifice of ourselves. This is the Baptismal life, a life of continuous repentance.(Key 2) They were now a stench to the Canaanites because of what happed at Shechem. The trip up to Bethel was one that would leave Jacob's family exposed to attack. But God intervened to protect Jacob by causing "the terror of God" to fall upon the towns. What would have happened to God's a plan had they been attacked and wiped out? We'll never know, since God intervened and kept the Canaanites away from Israel's family. The people of promise remained intact.(Key 3) Why did God reiterate Jacob's name change to Israel and his promises of descendants and land? He did so because man's faith needs to be constantly reminded that God is faithful and always keeps his promises. (We are constantly reminded of this as well in worship each week.) In reminding Jacob of his faithfulness, God used language reminiscent of the beginning and the flood: "be fruitful and increase in number." God's blessing on mankind, which God intended from the beginning and as he started over after the flood, would be fulfilled and through Jacob and his offspring in the promised land.(Key 3, 4, 5, 6) Again after a high point in Israel's faith life (God's words of reassurance concerning his promises, 35:11-12), came more trials. As his beloved wife Rachel gave birth to Benjamin she died. And in arrogance Rueben, the firstborn, slept with Israel's concubine, Bilnah. This was a premature claim on the rights of the firstborn (to inherit his father's concubine). Israel said nothing at the time but later Rueben would lose the rights of the firstborn (see Gen. 49:2-4; 1 Ch. 5:1). Anyone who says that believers will have life on easy street, with no troubles is wrong. In fact, it's usually the opposite, as God refines us, burning off the dross in order to have pure metal.(Key 7) The birth of Benjamin concludes the sons of Jacob. Jacob's twelve sons would be the foundation of the promised nation. From this nation the promised Savior would come. But the Savior would not come from Rueben, Simeon or Levi, the three oldest sons. Instead he would come from Judah, the fourth son (see 49:12). God does things in his own way and in his own time.


The account of EsauRead Genesis 36: The account of Esau.> Outline of text:1. Esau, his wives, and children moved to Seir (Edom) (36:1-8).----Key 1 - Esau and Jacob have so much livestock that the land will not support them and Esau moves his family to Seir (36:7-8).2. Esau's family grew (36:9-19).----Key 2 - Esau's descendants grow in the land of Seir (36:9, 15, 19).3. Seir the Horite and his relatives already lived in Seir (36:20-29).4. Esau's descendants became chiefs and kings in Edom (Seir) (36:30-43).----Key 3 - Esau's family took control of the land of Seir (36:40, 42b).> Salvation/God's promises/faith/Christ connections:(Key 1) Here Moses records why Esau moved away from the promised land. He had become very wealthy, like Jacob, and the land could not support them both. This was a fulfillment of the prophecy given about Jacob and Esau earlier (in 25:28, 39). It was said that Jacob would remain in the promised land (heaven's dew, earth's richness and abundance) and Esau would live "away from the earth's richness, away from the dew of heaven" (25:39), the promised land.(Key 2, 3) The descendants moved to Seir. After moving there they grew in size and strength. At that time the Horites lived in the land. The leader of the Horites was Seir. When Esau's family moved in and grew, they kicked the Horites out (Deut. 2:12). The Horite chief and kings were replaced by the chiefs and kings of the descendants of Edom.(Summary) Why do we care about Esau and his descendants? God's promises would not be carried out through them. But years later the Israelites would encounter the Edomites. (When the Israelites had been freed from Egyptian slavery and they were approaching the promised land, they requested permission from the king of Edom to pass through his country. The request was refused (Num. 20:14-21)). So when we hear of them later, we know who they are and where they came from. They are indirectly involved in God's plan of salvation when they negatively affect the Israelites. They always remained hostile to God's people.

Part 6 - God's plan of salvation continued through JacobThis part of Genesis tells how God's plan of salvation continued through Jacob/Israel's family (Gen. 37-50).In these chapters God is beginning to form his chosen people into a nation. From each of Jacob's sons will come a tribe. The 12 tribes will later make up the nation of Israel. Through the events of these chapters the descendants of Jacob will end up in Egypt. This is part of God's plan. While in Egypt they will grow into a nation without the influences of outside peoples and cultures.

Joseph's Dreams


Read Genesis 37:1-11: Joseph's Dreams.> Outline of text:1. Joseph had two dreams (37:1-11).----Key 1 - Jacob lived in Canaan, the promised land (37:1).----Key 2 - Joseph is introduced (37:2).----Key 3 - Joseph's dreams-one day he would rule (37:5-10).----Key 4 - Jacob kept Joseph's dreams in mind (37:11).> Salvation/God's promises/faith/Christ connections:(Key 1) Jacob lived in Canaan, the land that Yahweh promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob's descendants. All of the patriarchs believed in God's promise that one day he would give them this land. (Joseph also believed it. See 50:24-25). The Jacob-Joseph cycle (chapters 37-50) begins and ends with a reference to the land of promise.(Key 2) Joseph is introduced here and is the central figure in the last section of Genesis (chs. 37-50). Joseph represented the future nation of Israel as he: 1) struggled with God and with men and overcame (which is the meaning of "Israel," (32:8) and 2) was a source of blessing to the nations (12:2-3). The story of Israel in Genesis began with Abram being called out of the post-Babel nations. The story of Israel in Genesis ends with Israel (as represented by Joseph) in Egypt preserving the life of the nations (41:57; 50:20). In a similar way, God would call out (when he delivered) Israel from the nations (the exodus) eventually to send them out on a mission of life to the nations (Mt. 28:18-20; Acts 1:8).(Key 3) The dreams that Joseph had were special dreams, for in them God revealed the future: Joseph was to become a ruler. Later on they came true when Joseph became second in command over all of Egypt and his brothers bowed down to him when they came to get some grain during the famine (42:6; 43:26).Sometimes God chose to communicate through dreams. We remember Jacob's dream at Bethel (Gen. 28) and God's warning to Abimelech (Gen. 20). Soon we will read that God communicated to Pharaoh through a dream that a severe famine was coming (Gen. 41). Many years later in the NT another Joseph would learn in a dream that the child that Mary was carrying was from the Holy Spirit (Mt. 1:20). Not long after that, the Magi were warned in a dream not to return to Herod (Mt. 2:12). Joseph was warned in another dream that Herod wanted to kill baby Jesus (Mt. 2:13). And after Herod had died, Joseph was told in a dream to return to Israel (Mt. 2:19). In these and other instances, God used dreams to advance his plan of salvation.(Key 4) Even though Israel rebuked Joseph for sharing his second dream and provoking his brothers, Israel knew that these were no ordinary dreams. He "kept the matter in mind" and later on would recall Joseph's dreams when they were brought to fulfillment.Years later, Mary too would "treasure up" "in her heart" the special events of the shepherds visiting the baby in the manger (Lk. 2:19) and of the time twelve year old Jesus was "lost" and they found him in the temple amazing


everyone (Lk. 2:51). These were no ordinary events either. In both cases God's plan of salvation was moved forward.

Joseph is sold by his brothersRead Genesis 37:12-36: Joseph is sold by his brothers.> Outline of text:1. Israel sent Joseph to check on his brothers (37:12-17a).2. Joseph's brothers plotted against him (37:17b-22).----Key 1 - The brothers plot to kill Joseph (37:18-20).----Key 2 - Reuben tried to rescue Joseph (37:21).3. Joseph's brothers abduct him and sell him to the Ishmaelites (37:23-28).----Key 3 - Joseph was stripped of his robe (37:23).----Key 4 - The brothers sold Joseph to the Ishmaelites (37:25, 28).4. Joseph's brother's cover up what they did (37:29-35).----Key 5 - The brothers put goat blood on Joseph's robe to deceive Israel into thinking Joseph was dead (37:31-33).----Key 6 - Israel mourned for Joseph (37:34-35).5. Joseph was sold as a slave to Potiphar in Egypt (37:36).----Key 7 - Joseph was sold in Egypt (37:36).> Salvation/God's promises/faith/Christ connections:(Key 1) James warns that evil thoughts give birth to evil actions (James 1:15). This story is an example of that. The brothers plot evil against Joseph and then carry it out when they sell Joseph-their own brother. In their plotting they said, " ... we'll see what comes of his dreams [now]." The dreams, little did they know, came from God and revealed a part of his plan of salvation. No matter what they do, they will not stop God and his plans. God will once again use the evil of others to accomplish his good purposes.(Key 2, 3) Joseph was Israel's favorite son. His robe signified his exalted position over his brothers in his father's eyes. Already angry over his favored status, the robe only fueled his brother's rage. When Joseph arrived, the brothers stripped him of his robe, through him in a cistern, and sold him. He was not only stripped of his robe, but he was also stripped of his favored position. Unbelievably a similar event happened to Joseph in Egypt (ch. 39).Jesus too was stripped of his robe. He willingly and knowingly gave up his position of glory in heaven in order to save men from their sin. Reuben was able to "rescue" Joseph from death, but Jesus was not rescued. He died in our place, ironically, so that we might be rescued.(Key 4) Joseph was sold to the Ishmaelites and Midianites by his own flesh-and-blood brothers. The Ishmaelites and Midianites were descendants of Abraham (see 16:11 and 25:2). This is why we learned of them earlier and this will not be the last time we hear from them (see Judges 6-8).(Key 5) When Jacob and Rebekah fooled Isaac so that Jacob would receive the blessing, a slaughtered lamb figured prominently in their deception (27:5-13). How ironic it is that Jacob is now deceived by the blood from a slaughtered goat. Deception seems to be a family trait. How amazing it is that God chose and used these people to accomplish his purposes. All honor


and glory must go to God, for they are certainly not worthy of it (and neither are we)!(Key 6) Moses is a good storyteller. Chapter 37 ends with Jacob in mourning for Joseph. This part of the story is not picked up again for 20 years. He leaves to the imagination how Jacob over the years coped with the loss of his favorite son.(Key 7) We hear that Joseph was sold to Potiphar in Egpyt. But then Moses temporarily drops the story of Joseph and tells us about Judah (ch. 38). This is not the end of Joseph's story. In fact, it's just beginning.

Judah and TamarRead Genesis 38: Judah and Tamar.> Outline of text:1. Judah married a Canaanite and had three sons (38:1-5).----Key 1 - Judah married a Canaanite (38:2).2. Er married Tamar, but then died leaving her childless (38:6-7).3. Onan did not want to provide children for Tamar. Tamar waited for Shelah to grow up (3:8-11).----Key 2 - Tamar tried to keep the family line of Er going (38:8, 11).4. Tamar tricked Judah into fathering her a child (38:12-23).5. Judah pronounced judgment on Tamar for prostitution, but then found out he was the father (38:24-26).6. Tamar gave birth to twins (38:27-30).----Key 3 - In an unusual birth, Tamar had twin boys (38:27-30).> Salvation/God's promises/faith/Christ connections:(Key 1) The Canaanites were under God's curse because of their vile religion in which they mixed idolatry and adultery. This was the reason that Yahweh would later bring a famine forcing Israel's family to move to and settle in Egypt. While there they remained separate from the Egyptians. Yahweh would not allow anymore Canaanizing of the chosen people.(Key 2) A common custom among the nations at that time would later become known to the Israelites as the "levirate marriage." This is where a close relative keeps the family name alive of his deceased "brother" by fathering children for him. Onan refused the obligation, probably because he would lose his status as the first born.(Key 3) The result of all this was the unusual birth of twin boys. For another unusual account of the birth of twins, see Gen. 25:24-26. The twin that was not going to be born first (Perez) ended up being the firstborn. In God's kingdom the last become first (Mt. 20:16). Ultimately, Perez, the son of an incestuous relationship with a Canaanite, became the ancestor of David (see Ruth 4:18-22) and Christ (see Mt. 1:1-6). If Christ did not disdain to have ancestors of this kind, his grace is big enough to make even me his heir, "chief of sinners though I be."(Summary) We also learn from this chapter that your family tree neither saves you nor excludes you from God's family. God's chosen people were capable of yielding to the sins of the Canaanites and losing the Messianic


blessing. And Tamar who was a Canaanite was not excluded from God's blessing as she became a part of the line of the Savior.(Summary) Why is this story included at this point? It seems to break up the Joseph story. It is included here because it is another one in a series of trials for Israel caused by his children. First Dinah was raped; then her brothers masterminded a savage revenge of killing; and Joseph's jealous brothers sold him as a slave. Now Judah took a Canaanite wife and committed adultery and incest with his sister-in-law. Yahweh had turned the heat up on the Israel's refining fire. So Israel's struggle with God and with men wasn't over; it continued. He would need to continue to wrestle with Yahweh in faith.

Joseph and Potiphar's wifeRead Genesis 39: Joseph and Potiphar's wife.> Outline of text:1. Joseph serves Potiphar in Egypt (39:1-6a).----Key 1 - Yahweh was with Joseph (39:2,3).2. Potiphar's wife made advances toward Joseph (39:6b-10).----Key 2 - Joseph will not sin against God (39:9b).----Key 3 - Joseph resisted temptation (39:10).3. Joseph was unjustly accused by Potiphar's wife (39:11-19).----Key 4 - Joseph fled from temptation (39:12b).----Key 5 - Joseph's garment used as false evidence against him (39:15).4. Joseph was thrown in prison (39:20-23).----Key 6 - Yahweh was with Joseph (39:21, 23).> Salvation/God's promises/faith/Christ connections:Overview: There are parallels between Joseph and the future Israelite nation. 1. Because of God's blessing Joseph attained a position of honor in Potiphar's house in Egypt.2. Joseph was unjustly thrown in prison in Egypt.3. Joseph was raised up to a position where he could be a blessing to the nations by providing food for survival.1. Because of God's blessing Israel attained a position of honor in Egypt.2. Israel was unjustly thrown into bondage in Egypt.3. Israel was raised up to a position where they could be a blessing to the nations by providing food for spiritual survival (Jesus the Bread from heaven.)As God moved his plan of salvation forward through Joseph, so he moved his plan forward through the Israelites in Egypt. Joseph's story foreshadowed what would happen to Israel.(Key 1, 6) Yahweh is Immanuel - "God with us." Yahweh was with Jacob and blessed him as he promised. And several times it said that Yahweh was with Joseph and blessed him. Yahweh was not just a local or national god. He is the one true God that created the heavens and the earth. He is not limited by time or place. His very presence produces results (as even Potiphar could see). As he was with Joseph in slavery and prison, so he is with all his children in whatever slavery or prison they find themselves in. He is with them in the person of Jesus who is God in the flesh.


(Key 2) Sin is always against God. Sin is missing the mark (the bull's eye) that God requires in his law. While many times sin affects and is against people, it is first and foremost against God. (Key 3, 4) When confronted by temptation, Joseph resisted it, avoided it, and fled from it. When Jesus was tempted, he resisted it and countered Satan by using the Word of God. With God with us, we can do the same.(Key 5) Earlier Joseph's bloody garment was presented by Joseph's brothers to his father as proof of his death (37:33). Here his abandoned garment was presented by Potiphar's wife as proof of his guilt. The conclusion drawn from the evidence in both cases was false. And yet, God was able to use the deception in both cases to further his plans to create the promised nation.(Summary) To remain faithful under temptation, to remain trusting under tragedy, we must be convinced that the Savior has a good plan for us and is committed to carry it out. The story of Joseph, a representative of Israel (those who believe and trust in God), assures us of it.

Joseph interprets dreamsRead Genesis 40: Joseph interprets dreams.> Outline of text:1. Pharaoh's cupbearer and baker were put in prison (40:1-4a).----Key 1 - Joseph remained in prison for a while (40:1a).2. Joseph interprets the dreams (prophecy) of the cupbearer and baker (40:4b-19).----Key 2 - God interpreted the dreams through Joseph (40:8b, 12a, 18a)3. Joseph's interpretations came true (40:20-23).----Key 3 - Events happened just like Joseph said they would (40:22b).----Key 4 - The cupbearer forgot Joseph (40:23b).> Salvation/God's promises/faith/Christ connections:(Key 1, 4) For some time, Joseph continued to wait in prison and when he finally had a glimmer of hope of getting out, the cupbearer forgot about him. Eventually he would get out, but not right now. It must be remembered that it is God who determines when to make things happen. When the time comes, he will use the circumstances to serve his good and gracious will.(Key 2, 3) Israel was God's prophetic people. It was through them that God's revelation (in the form of the Scriptures and Christ) came to the nations. In interpreting the dreams, God revealed through Joseph what would happen to the cupbearer and the baker. In revealing what would happen, Joseph foreshadowed the nation of Israel, as the revealer of God's will and plan.(Key 4) God's timing also caused the cupbearer to "not remember Joseph." Had he left prison now, Joseph would not have been in position to save his family and many others from the coming drought. God's plan called for Joseph to wait awhile longer.

Joseph interprets Pharaoh's dreamsRead Genesis 41: Joseph interprets Pharaoh's dreams.> Outline of text:


1. Pharaoh had two disturbing dreams (41:1-8).----Key 1 - Joseph remained in prison for two more years (41:1).2. The cupbearer remembered Joseph's ability to interpret dreams (41:9-13).----Key 2 - Things had turned out exactly as Joseph interpreted them (41:13).3. Pharaoh told his dreams to Joseph (41:14-24).----Key 3 - Joseph was quickly brought from prison to Pharaoh (41:14).----Key 4 - God can interpret dreams (41:16).4. Joseph explained Pharaoh's dreams (41:25-32).----Key 5 - God used Joseph to interpret Pharaoh's dreams and tell him what He was about to do (41: 25, 28, 32).5. Joseph gave Pharaoh advice on how to handle the drought (41:33-38).6. Pharaoh put Joseph in charge of Egypt (41:39-45).7. There were seven years of abundance - excess grain was stored (41:46-49).----Key 6 - Seven years of abundance came just as Joseph had predicted (41:47).8. Joseph had two sons (41:50-52).9. There were seven years of famine - stored grain was made available (41:53-57).----Key 7 - Seven years of famine came just as Joseph said (41:54).> Salvation/God's promises/faith/Christ connections:(Key 1, 3) As God's plan slowly ripened, time in prison for Joseph drug on. Even though he was innocent, he spent two more years in prison. But then, when the time was right, Joseph "was quickly brought from the dungeon" to Pharaoh. Many years later people were stuck in the dungeon of sin (though not innocently), waiting for God to send a Savior. When the time was just right (in the "fullness of time") God did send the promised Savior. He freed people by taking their place in prison and by dying the death they deserved. But that was not the end because he rose from the dead showing his power over sin and death.(Key 2) The chief cupbearer told Pharaoh about the dreams that he and the chief baker had in prison and of how Joseph interpreted them. He said, " ... things turned out exactly as he interpreted them." There is an obvious reason for this. It was because Yahweh was speaking through Joseph. Yahweh is sovereign; he is in complete control, working out his purposes.(Key 4, 5) Pharaoh was regarded as a god in Egypt and yet he was not in control. It took a lowly slave who was imprisoned to reveal to him that only the one true God knows and reveals the meaning of dreams. The fact that both dreams had the same meaning meant that God had firmly decided that this is what he would do. Therefore, no one can change it. So he could count it happening.(Key 6, 7) What Joseph said was going to happen came true just like he said it would. Once again this is true because the interpretation and the power behind the seven good years and the seven bad years was the one true God. Through this he demonstrated his complete control.


(Summary) As Joseph sat in prison, he must asked himself the question, "Why me? Why would God let this happen to me? I haven't done anything to deserve this." He might not have understood it at the time, but later on he did. Sometimes we don't understand why God allows evil to invade our lives either. Sometimes we might not understand it while on this earth, but will have to wait until we get to heaven. But we can rest assured that "all things work for the good of those who love God."(Summary) Joseph is a type of Jesus. In him we get a glimpse of what the Savior would do. Just as God brought good from evil through Joseph, so he did through Jesus. As Joseph suffered injustice so did Jesus. As Joseph was released from prison, so Jesus was released from the prison of death by his rising from the dead. As Joseph saved many people from dying, so Jesus saved many from dying an eternal death.

Joseph's brothers go to Egypt to buy grainRead Genesis 42: Joseph's brothers go to Egypt to buy grain.> Outline of text:1. Jacob sent 10 of his sons to Egypt to buy grain (42:1-5).2. Joseph treated his brothers like they were spies (42:6-17).----Key 1 - The brothers fulfilled Joseph's dreams (42:6, 9, 10).----Key 2 - The brothers have a guilty conscience (42:13, 21-22).3. Joseph implemented a plan to test his brothers (42:19-26).4. The brothers and Jacob were concerned about the returned silver and their brother Simeon (42:27-38).----Key 3 - Brothers feel God is punishing them (42:28).> Salvation/God's promises/faith/Christ connections:(Key 1) By their actions (bowing down to Joseph) and their words (calling themselves "servants" and Joseph "lord") the brothers fulfilled Joseph's dreams (see Gen. 37:5-9). What God had determined to happen had indeed happened.(Key 2, 3) Because of the questions and threats of Joseph, the brothers had a guilty conscience. They thought that God was punishing them for what they did to Joseph. The first step in repentance is sorrow for sin. God's law was working on the brothers (even after 20 years) to create sorrow for their sin. When the law finished its work, then they would be ready for the second phase of repentance, faith in the Gospel (this will come in a little while).Joseph tested his brothers by basically putting them in the same situation that they had put him in. This gave them a different perspective. Note the parallels between the two events.When Joseph's brothers sold him:1. The brothers considered Joseph a spy.2. The brothers had the upper hand on Joseph.3. The brothers refused to listen to Joseph.4. Joseph must have wondered what would happen to him.5. The brothers were not honest when they presented Joseph's robe with blood on it.


When the brothers came before Joseph in Egypt:1. Joseph accused his brothers of being spies.2. Joseph had the upper hand on his brothers.3. Joseph refused to listen to his brothers' pleas.4. The brothers wondered what would happen to them.5. Joseph questioned his brothers' honesty.

Joseph's brothers made a second trip to EgyptRead Genesis 43-44: Joseph's brothers made a second trip to Egypt and Joseph's brothers face their final test.> Outline of text:1. Israel sent all 10 of his sons to Egypt (43:1-15).----Key 1 - "Israel" sends his sons to Egypt (43:6a, 11).----Key 2 - Israel trusted God (43:14).2. The brothers spoke to Joseph's steward (43:16-25).3. Joseph threw a banquet for his brothers (43:26-34).----Key 3 - Joseph's brothers bow down to Joseph (43:26-28).----Key 4 - Benjamin is given preferential treatment (42:34).4. The final test devised for Joseph's brothers (44:1-6).5. The final test carried out (44:7-13).6. Judah pleas for Benjamin and offers himself instead (44:14-34).----Key 5 - Joseph's accusation; Judah's guilt (44:15-16).> Salvation/God's promises/faith/Christ connections:(Key 1, 2) Jacob's new name, Israel, is used here. This is significant because he was now involved in another situation where he had to struggle with God and men. In his struggles he realized that he had to risk losing another son or they would all die. He put it into God's hands. God Almighty was more than capable of resolving the situation.(Key 3) Joseph's brothers bowed down to him again, fulfilling Joseph's dreams. As expected, things are happening just as God had planned them.(Key 4) At one time Joseph received preferential treatment from Jacob and his brothers sold him as a slave. Joseph wanted to see if his brothers had changed, if they had repented. He wanted to see how they would react if Benjamin received preferential treatment. Would they be jealous and treat Benjamin badly like they did to him? When Benjamin received 5 times as much food as the rest, they did not say or think a word. Instead "they feasted and drank freely." But he is planning a much bigger test for them (see chapter 44).(Key 5) Years earlier the brothers resented the preferential treatment of Joseph and did not care about the feelings of Joseph or Jacob. If presented with a similar situation with Benjamin, would they react in the same way? When Judah heard Joseph's accusation, he was actually hearing another voice accuse him. He was hearing the voice of God accusing them of their sins against Joseph. Judah was the one who suggested they sell their brother as a slave. He now pleaded for Benjamin by offering himself as a slave. Their reaction was 180 degrees different than their reaction years earlier to


Joseph. When God turns us away from our sin and back to himself, it is called repentance. Joseph could now be certain that his brothers had repented.

Joseph made himself known to his brothersRead Genesis 45: Joseph made himself known to his brothers.> Outline of text:1. Joseph revealed to his brothers who he was (45:1-15).----Key 1 - God had used the brother's evil to accomplish his purposes (45:5).----Key 2 - God had used Joseph to save the lives of the chosen family (45:7).----Key 3 - Joseph embraced his brothers (45:15).2. Pharaoh ordered that all of Joseph's family be brought from Canaan to Egypt (45:16-20).3. The brothers returned to Canaan and told Jacob what had happened (45:21-28).----Key 4 - The brothers are sent home with provisions to bring back their father and families (45:21-24).> Salvation/God's promises/faith/Christ connections:(Key 1) God had sent Joseph ahead of them to save their lives. So God is even able to use the evil of men to accomplish his purposes. God overruled the hatred and spite of Joseph's brothers in order to save his chosen people and bring them to a land where they could grow into a nation and not be assimilated into the surrounding community.(Key 2) Joseph's story is not a feel-good story of rags to riches. It is not a story with a moral. The real theme of Joseph's story is God's direction of history for his purposes. The designs of wicked men, the weakness of faltering saints, the plots of individuals, the barriers between foreign countries - none of these things were able to frustrate the execution of Yahweh's plan of salvation. This plan was to keep alive this small group of people, a remnant, Joseph, his brothers and their families, in order to make them into Israel. This remnant would never be permitted to perish. It later survived (by God's grace) catastrophic judgments from God. And it continues to live on today. Not in the nation of Israel, but in the church. For it is to the church (the little flock) that God has given the kingdom.(Key 3) The brothers deserved to be punished for their unjust act against Joseph 20 years earlier. Joseph was in a position to that. But instead he embraced them and kissed them. As Joseph did for his brothers, so Christ, our Brother, does for us. He forgives us.(Key 4) Ironically, the brothers had sent Joseph away without his richly ornamented robe, but now Joseph sent them away with a new wardrobe. God's children seek reconciliation and repay evil with good.

The entire family of Israel went to EgyptRead Genesis 46: The entire family of Israel went to Egypt.> Outline of text:1. With confirmation from God, Israel went to Egypt (46:1-7).


----Key 1 - At Beersheba Israel offered sacrifices and God reassured him that it was ok to go to Egypt (46:1-4).2. A list of Israel's descendants that went to Egypt (46:8-27).----Key 2 - Israel's genealogy of his sons that went to Egypt (46:8, 26-27)3. Israel's family arrived in Egypt (46:28-34).----Key 3 - Having seen Joseph, Israel was ready to die in peace (46:30).----Key 4 - The Israelites will be separated from the Egyptians because the were shepherds (46:34).> Salvation/God's promises/faith/Christ connections:(Key 1) Once they went past Beersheba, they would be beyond the promised land. This was an important event in Israel's life, so, like in other important events (31:54; 26:23-25; 28:10), Israel offered sacrifices and sought to do God's will. Earlier his father Isaac was forbidden to leave the promised land during a drought (26:1-2). But God, who had made his promises to his father Isaac, told Israel not to be afraid to go to Egypt. For, as Exodus shows, it was in Egypt that Yahweh would make his people grow into a nation.(Key 2) We have another genealogy of God's people. God continues to work through human history to bring about salvation history. He is working his plan of salvation out through these people. These 70 people form the nucleus from which the promised nation will come. Some believe that the number 70 is symbolic. The number 7 is a number of completeness (7 days make up a complete week) and may represent the relationship between Yahweh and the chosen family. The number 10 is a number of completeness. So, now at this point, Israel's family is complete. From this completed family God will create a nation.(Key 3) Once Jacob thought he would die in grief because of the loss of his children, Joseph, Simeon and possibly Benjamin. But now he is ready to die in peace because he has seen Joseph alive himself. He and we can die in peace because we are at peace with God.(Key 4) God would use the fact that the Egyptians detested shepherds to create the promised nation. Because of this, the Israelites would not be assimilated into the Egyptian community. They would retain their identity.(Summary) The short term reason Israel and his family went to Egypt was to escape the famine. But the more important reason was the long term reason, which was to grow into a nation. Why did God choose to make Egypt the place where Israel would grow into a nation instead of Canaan? The people of Canaan were evil and wicked. That was not a good environment in which to grow. The culture in Egypt was different. Since the Egyptians detested shepherds, there would not be intermarriage between the Egyptians and the Israelites. Also, Egypt had an advanced culture and government and this would be helpful in creating a new nation.God had promised to make them into a great nation, but he also promised to give them the land of Canaan. In bringing them to Egypt, he would fulfill his promise to build them into a nation. But in doing that, they had to leave the promised land. Rest assured that God would not break one promise in order to fulfill another promise. He told Jacob that after a period of 400 years they


would return and he would give them the land. He will keep both of his promises and from this nation in this land he will bring forth the promised Savior.

Israel and his sons settle in EgyptRead Genesis 47: Israel and his sons settle in Egypt.> Outline of text:The brothers and Israel appeared before Pharaoh, were assigned the area of Goshen to live in, and settled in Egypt (47:1-12).----Key 1 - Israel was assigned land in Goshen (47:6).----Key 2 - Israel blessed Pharaoh (47:7b).----Key 3 - Israel told Pharaoh he had had a hard life (47:9).Joseph administered the grain during the famine (47:13-26).----Key 4 - Israel blessed Pharaoh (47:10a).Even through a terrible famine, the Israelites prospered (47:27).----Key 5 - Israel was "fruitful and increased greatly in number" (47:27).Jacob requested and Joseph swore that he would bury Jacob in Canaan, their homeland, the promised land (47:28-31).----Key 6 - Israel requested to be buried in the promised land (47:29-31).> Salvation/God's promises/faith/Christ connections:(Key 1) God was in control. He used Egypt, their culture, and the land they assigned to for the benefit of his chosen people Israel. The land they were assigned to was a land that would accommodate their flocks. They could continue being shepherds. The area they lived in was separate from the major population centers of Egypt. Plus the Egyptian's dislike for shepherds kept them separate as well. Goshen would also work well for the Israelite exodus 400 years later. Goshen also turned out to be fertile ground for Israel's growth into a nation. (Key 5) We see even before the drought had ended that Israel prospered and grew greatly in number.(Key 2, 4) When Jacob went before Pharaoh and when he left Pharaoh he blessed him. As a patriarch who was the bearer of God's promises, Jacob's blessing was more than just a pious wish. He conferred God's blessing on Pharaoh. Shortly we will see the result of that blessing, as Pharaoh came to own almost all the livestock and land in Egypt. God's word creates what it promises.(Key 3) Jacob described his life to Pharaoh as "difficult." We can easily recall some of Jacob's difficulties. He had a bad relationship with his brother which caused him to leave home. He had a father-in-law that cheated him for 20 years. He had a family that was torn apart by jealousy, deception, immorality, and revenge. Faced with starvation, he now had to leave his homeland and live as an alien in a foreign country. But for God's people, many times life is difficult. It is through these kinds of trials that faith is strengthened and shaped.(Key 6) In Hebrews (11:13-16) it says the patriarchs were "still living in faith when they died." That is, they believed God's promises of a nation, the land, and the Savior. We see that this is true for Israel as he prepared for his


death. His request was to be buried in Canaan with his fathers, Abraham and Isaac. Canaan was now the homeland for this family, but more importantly, it was the promised land. By insisting on being buried in the promised land, Israel was showing his faith that one day God would give this land to his descendants as he had promised many times.

Jacob adopted and blessed Joseph�s sonsRead Genesis 48: Jacob adopted and blessed Joseph's sons.> Outline of text:1. Jacob told Joseph that he intended to adopt Joseph's two sons (48:1-7).----Key 1 - Jacob recalled God's promises of a nation and a land (48:3-4).----Key 2 - Because Rachel's life was cut short, Jacob intended to adopt Joseph's two sons (48:5-7).2. Israel blessed Joseph's sons and put Ephraim over Manasseh (48:8-22).----Key 3 - Jacob blessed and adopted Joseph's two sons, favoring the younger over the older (48:14, 19).----Key 4 - Jacob's blessing is God-s blessing (48:15-16a).----Key 5 - As promised, God will give the land to the Israelites (48: 21-22).> Salvation/God's promises/faith/Christ connections:(Key 1) Years earlier, when Jacob was a lonely wanderer at Bethel, God promised to make him into a great nation and give the land of the Canaanites to that nation. No one could make this happen except for El Shaddai, God Almighty. He alone is able to compel people and nature to do his will.Because of the persistent wickedness of the Canaanites, God Almighty would take their land and, in grace, give it to the Israelites. When they would eventually receive the land, Joseph would be represented by two tribes. (Key 3) Joseph would receive the double share of the firstborn. This would happen because Jacob would adopt Joseph's two oldest sons. (Key 2) They would be like the two sons that Rachel never had because her life was cut short. Reuben forfeited his first-born status and Joseph would receive it instead. God's ways superseded man's ways. God does things that in ways that man never expects (such as sending a Savior who delivers and wins victory by dying).(Key 4) When Jacob blessed Joseph's sons, he invoked God's names. The God who made his covenant promises to Abraham and Isaac also made those promises to Jacob. He has been Jacob's God who has been his shepherd and his angel, guiding, protecting, assuring and redeeming him from all evil. So now he is saying, may he who is the one true God bless these boys.(Key 5) Being very close to death, Jacob either speaks prophetically or in faith. Either way God will keep his promise of giving the land to Jacob's descendants. There is no doubt that this will happen. As God has been with Jacob, so he will be with Jacob's descendants.

Jacob's sons were blessedRead Genesis 49: Jacob's sons were blessed.


> Outline of text:1. Jacob blessed his sons before he died (49:1-27).----Key 1 - Simeon and Levi will receive no land (49: 5, 7).----Key 2 - From Judah will come kings and The King (49:10).----Key 3 - Joseph's blessing will be backed up by God (49:22-26).2. Jacob's final instructions for his burial (49:28-33).----Key 4 - Jacob instructs his sons to bury him in Canaan (49:29-30).----Key 5 - Jacob was "gathered to his people" (49:29, 33).> Salvation/God's promises/faith/Christ connections:(Summary) The words Jacob spoke about his sons were at the same time blessing and prophetic predictions. What would happen to the 12 tribes of Israel would not be a result of chance. The God who created his people would guide the history of this people so that his promises would come true and his plan of salvation would be carried out through them.(Key 1) As an example of predictive prophecy, look at the blessing of Simeon and Levi. Jacob said they would inherit no land and would be scattered amongst the other tribes. This indeed what happened. Simeon was scattered in and absorbed by Judah. The people of Levi were scattered among the tribes and received no land. (They would serve God in the temple.)(Key 2) The covenant blessings given to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob would be passed on and carried forward through Judah. From Judah would come kings (scepter, ruler's staff). Later, when there was a divided kingdom and when the northern kingdom ceased to exist, all the kings of the southern kingdom came from Judah. More importantly, The King came from Judah. Jesus Christ is Judah's great Descendant who would be The King who would rule forever and ever (Rev. 11:15).(Key 3) Not only would Joseph receive the double share of the firstborn (Ephraim and Manasseh), but his descendants would hold dominant positions. This and all of the prophecies would come true because of him who back them up. Yahweh is the Mighty One of Jacob, the Shepherd and Rock of Israel. He is their father's God and the Almighty. If he says it will happen, he has the ability to back it up and make it happen.(Key 4) God had promised a nation, a land, and a Savior. Jacob believed God's promises. Jacob believed that God would build them into a nation and that God would give them Canaan as their land to live in. Jacob's request to be buried in Canaan conveyed his faith to his sons and to future generations.(Key 5) Jacob described death as being "gathered to my people." Death is not the end, but a transfer to another mode of existence. Whe he died, he was indeed "gathered to his people."

Joseph forgiveness was genuine and so was his belief in GodRead Genesis 50: .Joseph forgiveness was genuine and so was his belief in God's promises> Outline of text:1. Mourning for and burial of Jacob in Canaan (50:1-14).----Key 1 - Jacob was buried in Canaan (50:5, 13).


----Key 2 - Joseph and his brothers returned to Egypt (50:14).2. Joseph reassured his brothers that he had forgiven them (50:15-21).----Key 3 - Joseph's brothers beg for forgiveness (50:17-18).----Key 4 - Joseph reassured his brothers of his forgiveness (50:20).3. Joseph expressed belief in God's promises before his death (50:22-26).----Key 5 - Joseph believed God's promises (50:24-25).> Salvation/God's promises/faith/Christ connections:(Key 1) As Jacob requested, Joseph and his brothers buried him in Canaan, in the field of Machpelah that Abraham bought as a burial place. Even though the Israelites would be in Egypt for many years (about 400 years), Canaan was their homeland and the land that God had promised them. And Jacob showed faith in that promise through his request to be buried there.(Key2) Joseph and his brothers returned to Egypt where they would stay for about 400 years. There God would grow them into a nation (see Ex. 1) as he had promised.(Key 3) Joseph had forgiven his brothers earlier (see ch. 45). But his brothers were afraid Joseph had delayed his revenge until after their father died (see Esau's plan of revenge in 27:41). So they threw themselves down before Joseph and said, "We are your slaves." This is the final fulfillment of Joseph's dreams (37:5-11). (Key 4) Joseph once again reassured his brothers of his forgiveness. He knew that God had turned their evil intentions into good to save the lives of the Israelites, Egyptians, and others. This is true for all of God's people. Whenever they suffer injustice, God intends it for good.(Key 5) When Yahweh originally made his covenant with Abram, he told Abram that his descendants would be strangers in a foreign country and be enslaved for 400 years. But then, Yahweh would punish that nation and bring them out (Gen. 15:12-16). In Joseph's final words, he showed the he believed Yahweh's word. He believed that God would come to their aid and take them out of Egypt and take them to Canaan, the promised land (Heb 11:22). Like Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, Joseph too wanted to be buried in the promised land. Later his wishes were carried out as Moses carried his bones out of Egypt during the exodus (Ex 13:19) and Joshua buried them in the heart of the promised land (Jos 24:32). Joseph's faith in God's word of promise would provide inspiration for future generations.(Summary of Gen 12-50) Yahweh had promised Abram a nation, a land and a Savior who would bless the world. At the end of Genesis, Yahweh has brought about the circumstances to begin to fulfill those promises. 1) The Israelites are in a position where they can grow into a nation. 2) After growing into a numerous people, Yahweh will lead them out of Egypt to the promised land. He will help Joshua and the Israelites defeat the Canaanites and they will take over the land promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. 3) Then many years later, he would bring the Savior from his chosen people. At just the right time, he would send his Son Jesus Christ as the Savior for the world. As the scriptures bear out, God kept these promises and he keeps all his promises. We look forward to the promise of eternal life for those who believe in Jesus. To him be glory forever and ever.




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The Biblebacktothebiblecatechism.com/genesis/Genesis Notes.docx · Web view5. Noah, his family, and the animals came out of the Ark onto dry ground (8:15-19). ... In these chapters