Genesis 48-50

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Genesis 48

Joseph visits Jacob as he is about to die. Jacob blesses both Manasseh and Ephraim but declares that Ephraim, the younger will be mightier than Manasseh. Jacob also gives Joseph two portions of the inheritance but adopting the sons of Joseph. It was customary for the first-born to get two portions and Jacob seems to be giving the birth right to Joseph even though he was the eleventh out of his twelve sons. There other instances in the Bible where the birth right did not always belong to the first-born.

Genesis 46-47

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Genesis 46

In Genesis 32:28, God had changed Jacob’s name from Jacob, which meant "deceiver" or more literally "heel catcher" to Israel which meant "May God Prevail". We now see the name Israel being used more. Jacob and his family started on their journey towards Egypt but Jacob first stopped at Beer-sheba to offer sacrifices and to worship God. Beer-sheba is an important place in the lives of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and they have all built altars there and communed with God. Here again, God speaks to Jacob and assures him that he can go into Egypt without fear. Abraham had a bad experience in Egypt when he went there and had to leave. God had instructed Isaac to not go to Egypt even though there was a famine in Canaan. Even though Joseph is the governor of Egypt and had asked them to move to Egypt, Jacob is seeking direction from God. Knowing that it is God’s will, Jacob is now able to move forward with confidence.

Genesis 43-45

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Genesis 43

Joseph had kept Simeon imprisoned and told his brothers that he would release him only after they brought Benjamin. Joseph wanted to see his younger brother and to know that he is safe and sound. Jacob did not want to send Benjamin to Egypt and risk losing his youngest son the way he lost Joseph.

When they ran out of food a second time, Jacob wanted his sons to go back to Egypt to buy food again but the sons were unwilling to go without Benjamin because the governor of the land was very clear about what he expected of them. Judah stepped up and assured Jacob about the safety of Benjamin and Jacob relented.

Genesis 41-42

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Genesis 41

The sovereignity of God is clearly evident in this chapter. Two more years have passed and Joseph was still in prison. God showed Pharaoh the future events in two dreams one night. God made sure that none of the magicians of Egypt could interpret the dreams. God then got the chief butler to “remember” Joseph and how he accurately interpreted the dreams of the butler and the baker. When Joseph was brought before the Pharaoh, Joseph clearly interpreted the dreams while giving God the glory. Joseph presented not only the problem the future events will pose but also the solution to the problem. He showed the need for a wise man to lead the country in this effort and Pharaoh saw Joseph as that wise leader that Egypt needed for the time. God was and always is in complete control and the events unfold according to His plan.

Genesis 38-40

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Genesis 38

Judah was the fourth son of Jacob but his story is specially listed in this chapter. He makes the mistake of marrying a Canaanite woman, something Abraham and Isaac were not willing for their sons. Judah commits adultery with a woman dressed as a harlot that turns out to be his daughter-in-law. By the custom of the day Judah should have given her in marriage to his third son after his first two sons were killed by God for their wickedness. In spite of his failings, Judah is redeemed by our gracious God and is later made a leader among his brothers and the tribe of Judah the leader of the nation of Israel. The Messiah will later come out of Judah and his son from Tamar. God’s grace is amazing.

Genesis 30-31

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Genesis 30

Since Jacob was related to both Leah and Rachel equally he should have treated them equally but his favorable treatment of one over the other brings envy and rivalry between the two wives. Rachel who was barren was wanting children but compare her actions to those of Hannah under similar circumstances in 1 Sam 1. While Rachel was envious and resentful, Hannah was weeping and praying with a submissive, devout spirit.

Genesis 27-29

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Genesis 27

Isaac favors Esau and wants to give him the blessing that belongs to the oldest son even though he knows that Esau sold his birthrights to Jacob. Rebekah had revelation from God that Esau will serve Jacob. She wants Isaac’s blessing to go to her favorite son and what happens next is a story of lying, cheating, enmity and vengeance.

Genesis 25-26

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Gen. 25

Abraham died at the age 175 and was buried in the cave of Machpelah by Isaac and Ishmael. This is the same cave that Abraham had bought earlier to bury Sarah. It is interesting to note that Abraham had other sons from his later wife Keturah and each of these sons became a different Arab nation fulfilling God’s promise that Abraham would be father of many nations. Even though he had many sons, knowing God’s will, Abraham gave all of his possessions to Isaac.

Genesis 22-24

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Genesis 22

Here is a serious test of Abraham’s faith. When “God did tempt Abraham”, it is not temptation to sin but a test of the faith to prove it.

for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: (James 1:13)

My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; (James 1:2)

Abraham has always been very obedient. Every time God asked him to do something, he obeyed. This time God is asking him to give his only son to die; the son on whom all the promises depend. Abraham does not question God. He does not delay either. He gets up early in the morning and even splits the wood for the fire himself.

Genesis 19-21

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Genesis 19

Two angels came into Sodom and Lot was at the gate implying that Lot was a leader in the city. Even though the angels wanted to spend the night on the street, Lot insisted that they be his guests. He brought them in and made a feast.

The men of Sodom surrounded Lot’s house demanding he give them the two strangers. The word “know” in 19:5 is talking about a sexual knowledge, more specifically homosexuality. The angels rescue Lot from Sodomites that night and ask him to leave with them before dawn. Lot’s sons-in-law do not believe him and do not want to go with them.

Genesis 16-18

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Genesis 16

Sarah and Abraham took matters into their hands here instead of waiting on God’s promise. The consequences of those actions are still impacting the world.

Gal 4:23  But he who was of the bondwoman was born after the flesh; but he of the freewoman was by promise.

When we see “angel of the LORD” in the old testament the reference is to no ordinary

Genesis 12-15

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Genesis 12

God called Abraham to separate himself from his father’s household, that worshipped other gods (Josh 24:2), and made an unconditional covenant with Abraham. God would

• give Abraham the land of Canaan
• make Abraham a great nation
• bless those that bless Abraham and curse those that curse him

and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.

Genesis 8-11

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Genesis 8

The waters abated enough for the ark to rest on the top of a mountain after 150 days (8:3) or 5 months (from 7:11 and 8:4). This is one of the indications that in the calendar of that time as well that of the Jews, the months had exactly 30 days. It took one year and 10 ten days for the flood waters to completely dry out (from 7:11 and 8:14). Even though Noah was anxious and used birds to find out if the land was dry, when it was time for them to actually leave the ark, God spoke to Noah.

Genesis 4-7

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Genesis 4

Abel understood the importance of substitutionary atonement from God’s action in 3:21. He realized his sin and came before God not on the strength of his good works but on the basis of the death of a lamb in his place. Cain, on the other hand, offered the fruit of his labor or good works. Isaiah 64:6 says “our righteousnesses are as filthy rags”. No amount of man’s good works can cleanse his sin.

Early descendants of Cain were skilled in musical instruments and the making of different metals. They also showed total disregard for God.

Genesis 1-3

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Genesis 1

Gen. 1:1 In the beginning, God created the heavens and earth.

Genesis is the beginning of many things but verse 1 marks the beginning of time. It is important for us to understand that God always existed (in three distinct persons but one God). We cannot comprehend life outside the boundaries of time, space and matter but we have to understand and accept that God always existed.