BEGINNINGS

Understanding the Book of Genesis

(Part 2)
WHY STUDY THE BOOK OF GENESIS?
The book of Genesis is the first book of the Bible. But its so different from the animal kingdom, the origin of
place as the first of 66 books that make up the Bible is marriage, and the cause for all evil and suffering in the
not by happenstance. Its common name—Genesis—is world. These just scratch the surface of all that is revealed
a Greek word that means “beginning” or “origins.” The in this book.
Hebrew title of the book is Bereshith, which is drawn Because this book is so important to understanding
from the opening words—in the beginning. As the book of the Bible, we have prepared this special publication. The
beginnings, Genesis truly is one of the most foundational purpose of this study guide is to help you understand
books in the entire Bible. this extraordinary book—both its contents and how it
This amazing book not only contains some of the fits into the rest of the Bible. Every commentary note
best-known stories of the Bible, it also contains answers. will provide multiple scriptures that will unlock the
Many of the mysteries of the universe are revealed in the deep meanings contained in the book. You will find that
opening pages of the book of Genesis. Unfortunately, it by understanding the book of Genesis, you will gain a
is almost unanimously rejected by secular historians and more thorough understanding of the entire Bible. And,
scientists. But if you accept the premise that the entire likewise, the rest of the Bible will help you gain a more
Bible is the inspired Word of God—the revelation of truth thorough understanding of the book of Genesis.
by the Creator of all things—you have to accept that He This study guide will take you chronologically through
is the only being who could possibly write a book that Genesis by highlighting the key verses in the text. Often,
contains these answers (2 Timothy 3:16). one verse will be used to explain an entire section or
Though Genesis is not solely a book of science, biology, chapter. We recommend using this as a complement to
anthropology or history, it contains the origins and answers your personal study of the book. As you read through
that all of those fields study. But it does not just provide the the book on your own, use the commentary notes on
origins of the world around us; it reveals spiritual truths the selected scripture to understand the contents more
that go beyond what God created. It reveals why. deeply. You’ll find it helpful to look up and read on your
As the book of foundations, it provides the foundation own the many reference scriptures provided in the notes.
to many truths revealed throughout the rest of the Bible.
For instance, in just the first three chapters we learn the As Part 2, this study guide begins in Genesis chapter 12. (For
identity of the Creator God, His nature, how He brought commentary on chapters 1-11 of Genesis, see Beginnings:
the physical universe into existence, why mankind is Understanding the Book of Genesis, Part 1.)

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 GENESIS 12: GOD CALLS ABRAM TO
OUTLINE OF THE START A SPECIAL NATION
BOOK OF GENESIS
Chapters 1-2: Prehistory and the creation GET OUT OF YOUR COUNTRY
of the universe and humankind. Genesis [Link] “Now the Lord had said to Abram: ‘Get out of
Chapters 3-4: Sin enters humanity. your country, from your family and from your father’s house, to a
land that I will show you.’”
Chapter 5: Genealogy of Adam. God directly commanded Abram to leave his homeland. Note
that this is the command that resulted in what we read in Genesis
Chapter 6: The corruption of the
11:31. The command was given to Abram at Ur of the Chaldeans
antediluvian (pre-Flood) world. and resulted in Abram’s household—including his father (Terah)
and nephew (Lot)—leaving Ur and traveling north to Haran en
Chapters 7-9: God instructs Noah to build route to the land of Canaan.
an ark. The Flood and Noachian Covenant. The city of Haran was a natural stopping point. The name Haran
means “crossroads” (New Bible Dictionary, p. 453). Perhaps it gained
Chapter 10: The origin of nations and this name because it was a major trading city that was located at the
peoples descended from Noah. crossroads of three major regions—Syria (to the southwest), Assyria
(to the east) and Mesopotamia
Chapter 11: The Tower of Babel. Mankind (to the southeast). Haran would
spreads throughout the earth. have been a bustling center with Key Concepts to Know
many cultures and religions • Why Abram was told
Chapter 12: God begins working with represented. to leave
Abram to start a special nation. This verse introduces a
promise that God would make
• Faith
Chapters 13-26: Abraham’s life and the to Abram that was dependent • Obedience
birth of Ishmael and Isaac. on Abram faithfully obeying • Coming out of this
this simple command—to leave
world
Chapters 27-35: The life of Jacob. his homeland and go to the land
where God would lead him.
Chapter 36: Genealogy of Esau. The book of Hebrews shows that God was testing Abram (or
Abraham, as he was later called) on two key elements of his
Chapters 37-47: The life of Joseph. character: faith and obedience. “By faith Abraham obeyed when
he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an
Chapter 38: Judah and Tamar incident inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going”
(inset). (Hebrews 11:8).
Would Abram have the faith necessary to trust a God he had
Chapter 48: Blessing of Ephraim and never seen to lead him to a place he had never seen? Essentially,
Manasseh. Abram had to decide if he would trust and rely on what he could
not see with his eyes.
Chapter 49: Prophecies for the descendants This is one of the major reasons Abram is called “the father of all
of Jacob’s sons. those who believe” (Romans 4:11). His life is a model for Christians
today to follow. Like Abram, who believed and obeyed God
Chapter 50: The death of Jacob and Joseph. through faith, Christians today are also called to follow a God they
have never seen and to move toward a Kingdom they have never
experienced (Hebrews 11:6). Christians today do not receive an

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audible command from God; they are expected to follow His A GREAT NATION AND A BLESSING
direction in the Word of God—the Bible (Matthew 4:4).
But God’s command to “get out of your country” also Genesis 12:2-3: “I will make you a great nation; I will
teaches another vital lesson. bless you and make your name great; and you shall be a
The society in which Abram grew up (Ur of the blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse
Chaldeans) was a society characterized by Babylonian him who curses you; and in you all the families of the
paganism. Ur was particularly known for worship of the earth shall be blessed.”
moon god. In order to truly follow God, Abram had to
leave this culture and relocate to the place God would We now are introduced Key Concepts to Know
lead him. He had to go to an environment where he could to two promises God
better practice faith in and worship of the true God. made about Abram’s • Promise of national
In this, Abram’s life is a type of the Christian’s life today. descendants: greatness
No, Christians are not called to geographically leave their 1. A promise of national • Promise of spiritual
homeland. But Christians are called to come out of this greatness. blessings
world spiritually. When a person commits to following God 2. A promise of grace
in faith, he or she must spiritually leave this world and its through the Messiah.
ways, while physically operating within it (John 17:14-15). Let’s first focus on the first promise. Abram is told that if
Here are three important points to keep in mind as we he follows God, he will become the progenitor of “a great
strive to leave this world: nation.” This is the promise that an important physical
• Truth makes us different. Jesus Christ revealed nation would descend from Abram (later, Abraham).
that Christians are to be sanctified—set apart—by Notice the characteristics of this “great nation”:
truth. Truth is defined as the entire revelation of • It would be blessed.
God through His Word (John 17:17). • It would have a great name.
• Coming out of the world begins in the mind. The • It would be a blessing to other nations.
apostle Paul revealed that not being “conformed These characteristics describe a powerful nation. As the
to this world” begins by being “transformed by the book of Genesis progresses, God adds more details to this
renewing of your mind” (Romans 12:2). promise of a great nation. Some of the further details include:
• Go out, and come in. God does not merely call • A population that would be “as the dust of the
us out of the world around us. Abram went out of earth” (Genesis 13:16).
Ur to come into the Promised Land. Christians are • Many nations (not just one) and kings would
called out of the world to pursue the Kingdom of descend from Abraham (17:5-6).
God (Matthew 6:33). But there is another step along • The national promises would be fulfilled through
the way. God wants His people to journey to the Abraham’s future son Isaac (21:12). Isaac would
Kingdom of God together. That is why Jesus Christ then pass these blessings on to his son Jacob (27:27-
founded the Church of God (Matthew 16:18). 29). Jacob would then pass them along to his sons.
To learn more about Abram’s faith, read “The Faith of • The national promises would include strategic
Abraham.” possessions that would allow Abraham’s descendants
to control “the gate of their enemies” (22:17).
Questions: • The primary physical blessings would be split
between two nations—the descendants of Joseph’s
1. Where did Abram travel to after God sons, Ephraim and Manasseh (48:14-20; 49:22-26).
commanded him to leave his homeland? • There would be many other nations (the
2. What two elements of Abram’s character was descendants of Jacob’s 11 other sons) who would
God testing when He commanded him to also receive blessings through Abraham (49:1-28).
leave his homeland? Later in this study guide we will discuss how these
promises provide keys to identifying the modern
3. What lesson can Christians learn today from descendants of Abraham.
Abram’s example of leaving his homeland? The second aspect of this blessing was: “And in you
[Abram] all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”

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Though the national blessings would provide some Then Abram took Sarai his wife and Lot his brother’s son,
blessings for other nations as well, this blessing has a much and all their possessions that they had gathered, and the
broader fulfillment. There would be a specific blessing that people whom they had
would come through Abram that wouldn’t just affect his acquired in Haran, and
descendants, but would bless all peoples of the earth. they departed to go to Key Concepts to Know
This blessing is restated in Genesis 22:18 with one the land of Canaan. So • Abram’s faith to
important detail added: “In your seed all the nations of the they came to the land leave his homeland
earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice”
of Canaan.” • The Canaanites
(emphasis added throughout).
What—or who—is this “seed” of Abraham that would Abram left Ur of the • Abram’s sojourn in
bless all peoples? The answer is found in Galatians [Link] Chaldeans because
Egypt and deception
“Now to Abraham and his Seed were the promises made. God commanded him
He does not say, ‘And to seeds,’ as of many, but as of one, to leave his homeland of Pharaoh
‘And to your Seed,’ who is Christ.” and journey to “a land
Jesus Christ, who was physically a descendant of Abram, that I will show you” (Genesis 12:1). His caravan stopped
was the Seed through whom all the earth would be blessed. and stayed in Haran for a number of years. After the death
The spiritual blessings that have come to the world through of Abram’s father, Terah, Abram left Haran to continue his
Jesus Christ include: journey to the land to which God was leading him—Canaan.
• Grace and forgiveness of sin (Acts 13:38; Romans Don’t read over this simple statement: “Abram departed.”
3:24; 5:15-17; Titus 2:11). This was an act of great faith and obedience. At the age of
• The extension of the spiritual blessings of Abram to 75, Abram was well-established in life, yet he was willing to
all peoples (Galatians 3:28-29). relocate to a land completely unknown to him with God’s
• The opportunity for all peoples to receive salvation promise that he would become the father of a great nation
in the Kingdom of God (1 Thessalonians 5:9; 2 via his descendants. This alone, if viewed physically, would
Timothy 2:10; Hebrews 5:9). seem impossible. Abram and his wife had no children, and
• The future defeat of the enemy of all people—Satan the Scripture explains that Sarai was “barren” (unable to
the devil (Genesis 3:15; Romans 16:20). have children—Genesis 11:30).
The study of the promises to Abraham is a large topic. To Put yourself in Abram’s shoes. What if you were told to
learn more, read “How the Blessings of Abraham Came to leave your familiar surroundings to travel to an unknown
the United States” and “God’s Promise to Abraham.” destination with no knowledge of where you were going
and what you would encounter along the way?
Questions: The book of Hebrews describes Abraham’s amazing
example of faith this way: “By faith Abraham obeyed when
1. What are the two elements of the blessing he was called to go out to the place which he would receive
God gave Abram in Genesis 12:2-3? as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he
2. Through which of Abram’s descendants were was going” (Hebrews 11:8).
the promises of national greatness to be
Abram’s journey to Canaan
fulfilled?
Genesis 12:5 gives us a broader perspective of Abram’s
3. Through whom were the spiritual promises relocation to the land to which God was leading him.
to be fulfilled? Abram was not a lone, nomadic wanderer, but was actually a
successful man who had attained a respectable level of wealth.
With his caravan, Abram left Haran and headed
southwest to the land of Canaan. This geographical area
ABRAM DEPARTS (presently consisting of much of the State of Israel and the
Palestinian territories) was inhabited by the Canaanites,
Genesis 12:4-5: “So Abram departed as the Lord had descendants of Noah’s son Ham (Genesis 9:18; 10:15-19).
spoken to him, and Lot went with him. And Abram was The Canaanites were a pagan people who worshipped the
seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran. false god Baal, and their religious and cultural practices

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would prove to be a continual problem for the descendants
of Abram who did not obey God’s command to rid the GENESIS 13: ABRAM AND LOT
land of idolatry.
A hint of the religious practices of the Canaanites is ABRAM AND LOT SEPARATE
found in Genesis 12:6, which refers to “the terebinth tree
of Moreh.” This was apparently a tree worshipped by the Genesis [Link] “So Abram said to Lot, ‘Please let there be
Canaanites and used as an oracle for guidance. no strife between you and me, and between my herdsmen
Trees were commonly used as objects of worship in and your herdsmen; for we are brethren.’”
ancient pagan religions. A remnant of these ancient
customs remains in the modern Christmas tree tradition. After the incident
After Abram arrived in Canaan, God appeared to him in Egypt, Abram’s Key Concepts to Know
once again and reconfirmed His promises. In response to his caravan left Egypt • Abram and Lot separate
encounter with God, Abram built an altar and (for the first and moved back
recorded time) engaged in formal worship of the true God. northeast to the • Principles of peacemaking
We are given little detail about Abram’s first sojourn land of Canaan.
in Canaan. We see that a famine in Canaan (verse 10) We are given this key description of Abram’s caravan:
caused Abram to head south through the Negev desert “Abram was very rich in livestock, in silver, and in gold”
to Egypt. (Genesis 13:2).
The remainder of Genesis 12 tells of Abram’s encounter Both Abram and Lot had become so prosperous that
with the Egyptian Pharaoh. When Abram’s caravan they could not live side by side in the land of Canaan.
approached Egypt, Abram became concerned that Sarai’s We are told that “the land was not able to support them,
beauty would attract the attention of the Egyptians that they might dwell together” (verse 6). Apparently, a
and result in his being killed to get to her (verses 11- lack of sufficient grazing land for their livestock led to
12). Instead of trusting God, Abram asked Sarai to conflict between the servants of Abram and Lot (verse 7).
portray herself as his sister, not his wife. He believed the It became necessary for them to separate.
Egyptians wouldn’t threaten him if they thought Sarai was Abram’s way of dealing with this issue holds keys to
merely his sister. helping us handle conflicts with other people.
Though Sarai was his wife, she was also his half-sister—the Abram’s first step was to honestly and respectfully
daughter of Terah through another mother (Genesis 20:12). discuss the problem. He said to Lot, “Please let there be
Abram’s intention to deceive was a sin. The account no strife between you and me, and between my herdsmen
clearly shows the negative consequences of that deception and your herdsmen; for we are brethren” (verse 8).
(Genesis 12:17-20). He then proposed a solution to the conflict: “Is not the
The Bible stands apart from other religious documents whole land before you? Please separate from me. If you
because it presents both the triumphs and failures of the take the left, then I will go to the right; or, if you go to the
men and women with whom God was working. To learn right, then I will go to the left” (verse 9).
more about the purpose of Old Testament accounts of the The result was that Lot chose the best land (verses 10-
strengths and weaknesses of the people with whom God 12), while Abram ended up with the land that was less
worked, study 1 Corinthians 10:1-13. desirable (verse 12).
Here are lessons we can learn from how Abram handled
Questions: this situation:
1. How old was Abram when he left his • Abram’s first priority was peace. As the older
homeland? person in the family, Abram could have “pulled
rank” on Lot and dealt with the issue in a manner
2. Who occupied the land God was giving that would have benefited his needs first. Instead,
Abram’s descendants, and what were he dealt with the issue in a way that made peace
they noted for? the priority. Jesus Christ taught that being a
3. What mistake did Abram make while he “peacemaker” (Matthew 5:9) is an essential
sojourned in Egypt? characteristic of a true Christian. We are to
“pursue peace with all people” (Hebrews 12:14).

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• Abram used gentle words to prevent an Sodom were “exceedingly wicked and sinful against the
escalation of the issue. Abram’s words to Lot were Lord” (Genesis 13:13).
not harsh and confrontational. They were gentle The Bible gives more detail about the specific problems
and kind. He emphasized that they were family that existed among Sodom’s population:
and that strife should not exist between family • There were no restraints on sexual activity; the
members, and he offered a solution that minimized people were driven by unbridled sexual lust and
the chance of the conflict escalating. Christians are homosexuality (Genesis 19:4-5; Jude 1:7).
expected to demonstrate gentleness and patience • They were characterized by selfishness, laziness
when dealing with other people (2 Timothy 2:24; and lack of concern for others (Ezekiel 16:49).
Titus 3:2; Romans 12:18). • They openly
• Abram was willing to take a loss for the sake of displayed their
peace. Abram’s solution for bringing peace involved sin with no Key Concepts to Know
giving Lot first choice of where to settle. Lot, taking sense of shame • Sodom’s reputation
advantage of Abram’s kindness, jumped at the (Isaiah 3:9).
opportunity to take the best land for himself. Abram These sins were
• The dangers of living near
had to take the less fertile land because of his offer obviously well open sinfulness
to maintain peace. One of the aspects of godly known at the
wisdom is being “willing to yield” (James 3:17). time, but it seems Lot ignored them because he looked
Sometimes it is necessary for us to take a personal at the physical advantages of living in that area. It seems
loss—in other words, sacrifice—for the sake of he minimized the danger of living among and spending
having peace with others. (Caution: This does not time with people living this lifestyle. We will soon see the
mean one should endure abuse in a relationship negative consequences of this decision (2 Peter 2:8).
such as marriage in order to maintain peace. Abuse The point for us to learn is that we cannot draw close to
is never acceptable behavior.) people who flagrantly sin and think we will be unaffected.
Recommended reading: Luke 6:31; Ephesians 4; 1 This can apply to where we choose to live, but the modern
Thessalonians 5:13. application primarily refers to wisely choosing those with
To learn more about making peace in your life, read whom we spend our time. The apostle Paul provided this
“The Way of Peace.” guidance: “Do not be deceived: ‘Evil company corrupts
good habits’” (1 Corinthians 15:33).
Questions: Christians must not make the same mistake as Lot did
1. Why did Abram and Lot decide to separate? and think they will be unaffected by a sinful environment.
While we must still live in a world that is polluted with
2. What can we learn about maintaining peace sin, we can choose how and with whom we will spend our
with others from how Abram handled the time (John 17:15; 2 Peter 2:20; Ephesians 5:11).
separation with Lot? Recommended reading: Luke 22:40; 1 Corinthians 6:18-
20; James 1:13-15; 1 John 2:15-17.
To learn more about how to avoid negative influences,
read our article “Temptation.”
LOT SETTLES NEAR SODOM
Genesis [Link] “Abram dwelt in the land of Canaan, and Questions:
Lot dwelt in the cities of the plain and pitched his tent 1. Where did Lot decide to settle after he
even as far as Sodom.” separated from Abram?
2. What were the three major sins of the people
This verse tells us the locations where each man settled:
who lived where Lot settled?
Abram settled in a rural area, while Lot lived near the
cities on the plain of the Jordan River. 3. What is the greatest spiritual danger of
But there was a problem with the location Lot chose to surrounding yourself with sinfulness?
be his home. It was near the city of Sodom. The men of

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 It is obvious that Melchizedek was more than just a king
GENESIS 14: ABRAM AND THE over a geographical location in Canaan. Who was this
mysterious individual?
MYSTERIOUS MAN OF SALEM
The amazing identity of Melchizedek
Who was this mysterious individual named Melchizedek?
ABRAM AND MELCHIZEDEK In order to understand the full significance of
Genesis [Link] “Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought Melchizedek, we have to go to the book of Hebrews. The
author of Hebrews reveals that Melchizedek’s true identity
out bread and wine; he was the priest of God Most High.”
was much more than a king over a city-state
Genesis 14 describes a battle between an army from in Canaan.
Mesopotamia and some of the kings of the land of In Hebrews 5:5 and 10 we learn that Jesus Christ is the
Canaan. We read that Lot was among those taken captive High Priest of the New Covenant “according to the order
(verses 14-17). Abram took 318 of his servants and, in of Melchizedek.” This means that Jesus Christ does not
a surprise attack at night, defeated the invading army, serve as a priest according to the human Aaronic order
recovering Lot, all the goods and all the people who had (Exodus 28:1). The point is that Christ serves as a priest
been taken captive. according to a priestly order that is higher than any
After this human order of priests.
daring rescue This is our first clue that Melchizedek was more than
operation, Key Concepts to Know a local king.
we are • Melchizedek, the Priest and Additional details about Melchizedek found in Hebrews
introduced to King of Salem 7 include:
an interesting • Melchizedek’s name is translated as “king of
person— • Melchizedek’s identity as righteousness” (verse 2). This shows us that
Melchizedek. the One who later came as Melchizedek was much more than a king and
Though we Jesus Christ priest over a geographical location in Canaan. He
are not given was the King of Righteousness and Peace.
• Role of High Priest
many details • Melchizedek had no physical parents or genealogy
about this (verse 3).
Man here in Genesis, we do learn five important things • Melchizedek had neither “beginning of days
about Melchizedek: nor end of life” (verse 3). This essentially tells
• He served as “king of Salem.” Salem is a shortened us that Melchizedek was an eternal being. John
form of Jerusalem (Psalm 76:2), but it’s also 1:1-3 reveals that there are only two Beings who
important to remember that the literal meaning of existed in the beginning (before the creation of
salem is peace. So, Melchizedek’s title could also be everything, angelic or physical)—the Father and
“the king of peace.” the Word (who became Jesus Christ).
• He “brought out bread and wine.” Could this have The above points lead us to an amazing conclusion
foreshadowed the Passover symbols later instituted about the identity of Melchizedek: Melchizedek was the
by Jesus Christ in Matthew 26:26-29? Being called “the Word” (John 1:1-3).
• He served as “the priest of God Most High.” A Melchizedek was Jesus Christ!
priest served as an intermediary between God When Christians pray to the Father today, they pray in
and the people by officiating over sacrifices and the name of Jesus Christ (John 14:14; 16:23-24; Hebrews
offerings (Hebrews 8:3; 10:11). 7:25). Christ now fills the role of High Priest—the
• He blessed Abram (Genesis 14:19-20). Blessings Intercessor—of the New Covenant, according to the
ultimately come from God toward human beings spiritual priestly order of Melchizedek.
(James 1:17). Recommended reading: Hebrews 7.
• He received a tithe from Abram (Genesis 14:20). To see more proof that Melchizedek was the One who
This shows us that Abram gave a tenth (a tithe) of later came as Jesus Christ, read our article “Who Was
the goods to Melchizedek. Melchizedek?”

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 aside for sacred use, and so the tithe actually belongs to
Questions: God. He has ownership of all tithes.
1. What was Melchizedek’s title and what does But the Bible reveals that tithing is much more than
just a “flat tax” to fund the religious functions of an
it mean?
ancient nation. The book of Malachi reveals that tithing
2. HWhat is the meaning of the name is a much deeper spiritual principle and is a part of a
Melchizedek? person’s relationship with and responsibility toward God.
God told the people of Malachi’s day that they had
3. What percentage of the goods did Abram
robbed Him, and their reply was: “In what way have we
give to Melchizedek? robbed You?” God answered that they had robbed Him
4. What does the book of Hebrews reveal in tithes and offerings.
about Jesus Christ’s connection to the office “You are cursed with a curse, for you have robbed
of Melchizedek? Me, even this whole nation. Bring all the tithes into
the storehouse, that there may be food in My house,
5. When we put together all the information and try Me now in this, … if I will not open for you
about Melchizedek, from Genesis and the windows of heaven and pour out for you such
Hebrews, what do we discover about blessing that there will not be room enough to receive
Melchizedek’s identity? it” (Malachi 3:8-10).
Tithing is a means of worshipping the true God. To not
tithe of one’s income is equated with stealing from God.
God promises to bless a person for faithfully tithing.
A TITHE OF ALL Tithing was reinforced by Jesus Christ in Matthew
23:23 as something a Christian ought to do. Today God’s
Genesis [Link] “And he gave him a tithe of all.” work is not done through Levitical priests, but instead
by the ministers of Jesus Christ, who serves as High
This is the first time that the word tithe is used in the Priest “according to the order of Melchizedek” (Hebrews
Bible. The Hebrew word for tithe is ma’aser, which simply 7:11). The work of God continues to be funded by tithes
means “a tenth part” (Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew and and offerings (1 Corinthians 9:13-14 and Hebrews 7:1-12
English Lexicon). So, to tithe is to give a tenth (or 10 strongly indicate this).
percent). In ancient Israel’s agrarian society, examples Tithing is a law of God and illustrates one of the ways
of tithing that God expects His people to be living a life based on
often included the principle of give (2 Corinthians 9:7).
agricultural Key Concepts to Know Recommended reading: Proverbs 3:9-10; Matthew 6:1-
increase • The definition of tithing 4; Mark 12:41-44; Hebrews 7:1-2.
(Deuteronomy To learn more about the law of tithing, read our article
• Purposes for tithing
14:22). Today “Tithing: What Is It?”
since economic • New Testament teaching
exchange is on tithing Questions:
primarily
1. What is the literal meaning of the
accomplished through money, tithing is practiced by
giving one-tenth of one’s monetary income. word tithe?
This practice was later codified as a law in Leviticus 2. What was the purpose God used tithing
27:30 and Numbers 18:21. This was the system God for in ancient Israel?
put in place to finance His work on earth. In the Old
Testament, that work was the religious and sacrificial 3. What does the Bible equate not
duties the Levitical priests performed for the nation tithing to?
of Israel. 4. Why should Christians continue to
Notice that in Leviticus 27:30 the tithe is referred to tithe today?
as “the Lord’s. It is holy to the Lord.” “Holy” means set

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 (Galatians 3:7, 9). We are also told that Abram’s faith
GENESIS 15: GOD PROMISES ABRAM made him a “friend of God” (James 2:23). Study Romans
4:3-6 and 9 to learn how Paul connected Abram’s faith
AN HEIR with true Christianity.
Righteousness is the state of being right with God. In
other words, righteousness is being in line with God by
GOD’S SEEMINGLY IMPOSSIBLE PROMISE demonstrating His perfect character. That can only come by:
• Believing that God is God and having faith that He
Genesis 15:5-6: “Then He brought him outside and said, will fulfill His promises (Hebrews 11:6).
‘Look now toward heaven, and count the stars if you are • Repenting of the sins that separate us from His
able to number them.’ And He said to him, ‘So shall your perfect character and being baptized (Mark 1:15;
descendants be.’ And he believed in the Lord, and He Acts 2:38).
accounted it to him for righteousness.” • Committing to live by His commandments, which
define His righteousness (Psalm 119:172).
After Abram freed Lot from captivity, we read of a This verse—Genesis 15:6—teaches us that the process
conversation Abram had with God through a vision of becoming a righteous person begins with one simple
(Genesis 15:1). God requirement—belief in the true God.
reinforced to Abram Recommended reading: John 5:24; Galatians 3:6-9;
that He would protect Key Concepts to Know Hebrews 11:8-12.
Abram and be his • Abram believes the To learn more lessons about faithful Abram, read our
“reward.” But Abram impossible article “The Faith of Abraham.”
had questions. How
could God start • Faith Questions:
a nation from his • The connection 1. Why did God’s promise that Abram
descendants since he between faith and
and his wife were aged would have countless descendants seem
righteousness
and had no offspring impossible?
(verses 2-3)? 2. What lesson does Abram’s belief in God’s
God answered Abram and specifically assured him that seemingly impossible promise teach us?
“one who will come from your own body shall be your
heir” (verse 4). 3. How is faith connected to righteousness?
Just having a child seemed totally outside the realm of
possibility to Abram—but God then promised even more.
He promised that the descendants that came from Abram’s
body would be innumerable like the stars in the sky! THE FUTURE OF ABRAM AND HIS DESCENDANTS
Abram was faced with a choice. Would he believe
that seemingly impossible promise? Would he trust and Genesis 15:13, 15: “Then He said to Abram: ‘Know certainly
believe that God had the power to make it happen, despite that your descendants will be strangers in a land that is
the physical circumstances? not theirs, and will serve them, and they will afflict them
four hundred years. … Now as for you, you shall go to your
Abram chooses to believe in faith fathers in peace; you shall be buried at a good old age.’”
Verse 6 reveals Abram’s decision. He believed God.
Believing God when His promises seem impossible is In the last reading, we read God’s reaffirmation of His
called faith. Faith is a required element of a Christian’s life. promise to Abram—that his descendants would be like
The apostle Paul, in the New Testament, used this the stars in number (Genesis 15:5). Abram believed that
part of Abram’s life as a vital lesson for Christians. Just promise despite how unlikely it seemed (verse 6).
as Abram believed through faith, so we must believe Here God revealed that His promise would not be
through faith. Those who demonstrate this same kind fulfilled until after the descendants of Abram (later
of faith are considered spiritual “sons of Abraham” called “Israelites” after his grandson Israel) would be

10 | BEGINNINGS: UNDERSTANDING THE BOOK OF GENESIS, PART 2 |

“strangers in a land
that is not theirs” for Key Concepts to Know Questions:
400 years. • The future of Abram’s 1. What would happen to Abram’s descendants
This is a prophecy
descendants before God’s promises would be fulfilled?
that includes the
sojourning of the • Abram to die before 2. What lesson can we learn from Abram’s
descendants of promises fulfilled realization that he would not personally
Abram in Canaan see the fulfillment of the promises in
and later Egypt. The his lifetime?
later chapters of the book of Genesis explain how the
Israelites ended up in Egypt due to Joseph’s position and
a famine in Canaan (Genesis 42-50). After the death
of Joseph, a new pharaoh arose in Egypt who did not
know and respect Joseph’s legacy and who enslaved the GENESIS 16: ABRAM AND SARAI’S
Israelites (Exodus 1:8-11).
The book of Exodus is the record of how Israel was
COMPROMISE
delivered from Egypt through God’s servant Moses.
We can learn a very important lesson from this: God’s
people often have to endure trials and sufferings before
SARAI’S FAITHLESS SOLUTION AND THE
they can experience the fullness of God’s promises. BIRTH OF ISHMAEL
God’s ultimate promise is eternal life in the Kingdom
of God. The Bible teaches that “we must through many Genesis 16:1, 11: “Now Sarai, Abram’s wife, had borne
tribulations enter the kingdom of God” (Acts 14:22). him no children. And she had an Egyptian maidservant
whose name was Hagar. … And the Angel of the Lord said
Abram to die before receiving the promises to her: ‘Behold, you are with child, and you shall bear a son.
Abram was then told that he would die “in peace” before You shall call his name
his descendants would become a nation. Genesis 25:8 Ishmael, because the
records his death. Key Concepts to Know
Lord has heard your
This is another example of Abram demonstrating
affliction.’” • Sarai’s doubt
great faith and seeing beyond the “here and now.”
Despite knowing he wouldn’t physically see the We are now introduced
• Hagar as a surrogate
fulfillment of these promises, he continued to have faith to the beginning mother
in God and obey Him. of a sad twist that • Ishmael
Hebrews 11 (commonly called “the Faith Chapter”) took place in the life
provides us more insight into the core motivation that of Abram. Abram
• The future of Ishmael’s
drove Abraham to continue to be faithful to God: “For believed God’s descendants
he [Abraham] waited for the city which has foundations, promises (Genesis
whose builder and maker is God” (verse 10). 15:6), but his wife had
Abram’s focus was not just on the fulfillment of the doubts as to how God would fulfill the promise. Sarai
physical promise of founding a nation, but ultimately on was about 75 years old and had never been able to have
the greater promise of the Kingdom of God! Abraham, and a child, so the fulfillment of the promise through her
the other faithful personalities of the Bible, “embraced” seemed impossible.
this vision and saw it “afar off ” (Hebrews 11:13). Instead of having faith that God could and would work
Christians through the centuries have realized that they it out, Sarai began to try to work it out herself. Sarai had a
would likely die before receiving the promise (Hebrews maidservant named Hagar who helped tend to her needs.
9:27), but remained faithful to the vision of the Kingdom Sarai then proposed that Abram “go in to my maid;
of God by continuing to live their lives “in holy conduct perhaps I shall obtain children by her” (Genesis 16:2).
and godliness” (2 Peter 3:11). Sarai’s proposal was for Hagar to serve as a surrogate
Recommended reading: Jeremiah 29:11; Matthew 6:33. mother to carry a child for Sarai.

| BEGINNINGS: UNDERSTANDING THE BOOK OF GENESIS, PART 2 | 11

 The problem was that God never proposed—or God-Who-Sees; for she said, ‘Have I also here seen Him
needed—this to be the solution to Sarai’s infertility. This who sees me?’”(Genesis 16:13).
was a solution based on a lack of faith in God’s ability to This is unique because Hagar is the only person in the
perform a miracle. Unfortunately, Abram heeded Sarai’s Bible who gives a name to God (El Roi). God typically
suggestion and impregnated Hagar (verse 4). revealed names and titles to His servants.
The lesson for Christians today is that we must avoid This name reveals an essential element of God’s power—
taking situations into our own hands against God’s will. His omniscience. In other words, God is able to see and
Christians must demonstrate faith when it comes to God’s know everything that is happening. God has the power
promises and laws. The Bible teaches that “without faith and ability to look “to the ends of the earth, and [see]
it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God under the whole heavens” (Job 28:24). The Bible reveals
must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those that “the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the
who diligently seek Him” (Hebrews 11:6). whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those
When Christians lack faith, instead of taking matters whose heart is loyal to Him” (2 Chronicles 16:9).
into their own hands, they should pray for more faith This doesn’t just show us an ability of God; it reveals a
(Mark 9:24; Luke 17:5) and diligently study the Bible to vital part of His character: God deeply cares for His people.
understand the will of God (Romans 10:17). Recommended reading: Study these scriptures to learn
more about God’s concern for His people—especially
Ishmael when they face difficult circumstances: Psalms 46:1; 91:7;
Though a child, named Ishmael, was born to Abram Nahum 1:7; Romans 8:35.
through Hagar, God did not intend to fulfill His promises
to Abram through Sarai’s solution. God’s intention was to Questions:
provide Abram and Sarai a child through a miracle.
After Hagar conceived, Sarai “dealt harshly” with 1. What solution did Sarai propose in order for
her (Genesis 16:6). The Bible shows that the marriage Abram to have a child to fulfill what God had
covenant is intended to be between one husband and one promised him?
wife, and anything else brings negative results. 2. What was the problem with Sarai’s idea?
Because of Sarai’s mistreatment, Hagar fled to the
wilderness. The “Angel of the Lord” found her there and 3. Who are the descendants of Ishmael today?
commanded her to return to Sarai. He then encouraged 4. What name did Hagar use to describe God?
her by telling her that Ishmael would live and would have
a “multitude” of descendants (verse 10)—forming a “great
nation” (Genesis 17:20).
Ishmael would be “a wild man” and would often be
involved in conflict (Genesis 16:12). The descendants of GENESIS 17: ABRAM’S NEW NAME
Ishmael can be identified as many of the Arab peoples
today, and they have experienced a long history of conflict.
Today many of the descendants of Ishmael are united A NEW NAME, A NEW SIGN AND A NEW SON
through the religion of Islam. Psalm 83 describes an Arab
confederacy united against Israel. Ishmael’s descendants Genesis 17:5, 10, 16: “No longer shall your name be
will likely be a part of the final “king of the South” called Abram, but your name shall be Abraham; for I have
prophesied in Daniel 11:40. To learn more about Ishmael’s made you a
descendants in prophecy, read our informative article father of many Key Concepts to Know
“The King of the South.”
nations. … This • Abram becomes Abraham
The God Who Sees is My covenant
which you shall • Circumcision of the flesh
After God commanded Hagar to return to Sarai and
assured her that her son would live and have descendants, keep, between • Circumcision of the heart
she described God as the God Who Sees: “Then she called Me and you and • Sarah to have a son
the name of the Lord who spoke to her, You-Are-the- your descendants

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after you: Every male child among you shall be How God would fulfill His promise to Abraham
circumcised. … And I will bless her [Sarah] and also give After God changed the name of Abraham’s wife to
you a son by her; then I will bless her, and she shall be a Sarah, He revealed how He would fulfill the promise of
mother of nations; kings of peoples shall be from her.” making Abraham the father of many peoples: He would
miraculously enable Sarah to become pregnant.
God changed Abram’s name to Abraham to represent what “Abraham fell on his face and laughed, and said in his
would be done through him because of God’s promises. heart, ‘Shall a child be born to a man who is one hundred
His original name, Abram, means “exalted father” in years old? And shall Sarah, who is ninety years old, bear a
Hebrew. His new name, Abraham, means “father of a child?’” (Genesis 17:17). Abraham still hoped that his son
multitude” (Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew and English Ishmael would be used to fulfill the promise (verse 18).
Lexicon). But God doesn’t operate based on human ideas of how
Abraham’s name now represented how he was being things should be done. He declared, “Sarah your wife
used by God—as the beginning of a nation with whom shall bear you a son, and you shall call his name Isaac; I
God would work. We also read that his wife Sarai’s name will establish My covenant with him for an everlasting
was changed to Sarah (verse 15). covenant” (Genesis 17:19).
Abraham and Sarah were not the only people whose This account holds a lesson for us. We must come to the
names were changed by God. Others include Jacob point where we understand that:
(changed to Israel), Simon (to Peter) and Saul (to Paul). • God’s way of thinking is higher and greater than
The Bible also reveals that true Christians will bear a ours (Isaiah 55:9).
“new name” when they enter the family of God • We should not try to enforce our way of thinking
(Revelation 3:12). on God—but allow God to reveal His will to us
(Proverbs 3:5-6).
The sign of circumcision • Acting on God’s will benefits us (Psalm 37:5;
In Genesis 17:10 we are introduced to the sign—the Romans 8:28).
physical act denoting one’s participation—of the Recommended reading: Study these scriptures to learn
covenant God made with Abraham. The sign was that more about trusting God in our lives: Joshua 1:9; Psalms
all of Abraham’s male descendants would undergo 28:7; 46:10; 1 Peter 5:7.
circumcision, which is the removal of the foreskin
from the male reproductive organ. Circumcision was Questions:
an act of obedience to identify Abraham’s descendants
1. What did Abram’s new name, Abraham, mean?
and others who came into the community of Israel
(Exodus 12:48). 2. What spiritual lesson did the physical act of
This sign represented what God truly wanted from circumcision prefigure?
Abraham’s descendants: faithfulness to God down to
3. How did God reveal He would fulfill His
their innermost being—their hearts. Under the Old
Covenant, however, this desire of God could never be
promise to Abraham?
fulfilled by a physical act.
Later in the Bible, God reveals the spiritual
principle that circumcision under the Old Covenant
foreshadowed: “Circumcise yourselves to the Lord, and
take away the foreskins of your hearts” (Jeremiah 4:4). GENESIS 19: THE SINS AND
Under the New Covenant, “he is a Jew who is one PUNISHMENT OF SODOM
inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the
Spirit, not in the letter; whose praise is not from men
but from God” (Romans 2:29). The sign of entrance into THE SINS OF SODOM
the New Covenant is baptism (Acts 22:16; Galatians
3:27; 1 Peter 3:21). Genesis [Link] “Now before they lay down, the men of the
To learn more about the meaning of circumcision, city, the men of Sodom, both old and young, all the people
read “Circumcision: Change in God’s Law?” from every quarter, surrounded the house.”

| BEGINNINGS: UNDERSTANDING THE BOOK OF GENESIS, PART 2 | 13

This chapter begins the world, the more the world will become part of us and
with two angels Key Concepts to Know the further we will drift from God’s standards.
entering Sodom to • Sodomites attempt to Lot may have thought it was okay to offer his daughters,
rescue Lot. Even assault the visiting but this was not what God wanted Lot to do. The angels,
though it appears instead of allowing Lot to offer his daughters for the men
angels
Lot had no idea to ravage, struck the men with blindness (Genesis 19:11).
who they were or • Homosexuality
why they were in Would God destroy the righteous also?
• The many sins of Sodom
Sodom, he invited Immediately preceding this incident, we read an
them to come to • Abraham’s attempt to interesting account of these angels and the Lord (the One
his home to have save Sodom who became Jesus Christ, see John 1) visiting Abraham
dinner and a place and informing him of the impending destruction of
to rest. We see that Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 18:16-33). Abraham,
Lot was very hospitable, as Christians should be (Romans who was concerned about Lot and his family, tried to
12:13; 1 Timothy 3:2). bargain with God to spare the city for Lot’s sake: “And
But these two visitors were quickly noticed by the Abraham came near and said, ‘Would You also destroy
town’s inhabitants. This verse shows the level of Sodom’s the righteous with the wicked?’”(Genesis 18:23).
depravity, as men from every quarter of the city Abraham started by asking God if He would spare Sodom
surrounded Lot’s home and demanded he hand over the if there were 50 righteous people there, and he worked his
visitors so they could “know them carnally” (Genesis way down to 10. God told Abraham that if He found even
19:5). The men living in Sodom wanted to have sexual as few as 10 righteous people, He would spare the city.
relations with the men visiting Sodom. Both young and In a similar way, at the time of the end, God will
old men wanted to take turns raping these total strangers. prevent total annihilation of all human life for the sake
Homosexuality is a sin and an abomination to God of His little flock (Matthew 24:22).
(Leviticus 20:13). An abomination is something that is But, as we shall see, there weren’t even 10 righteous
morally vile and disgusting. people in Sodom.
God intended sexual relations to be only within marriage Recommended reading: To learn more about
between a man and a woman (Genesis 2:24). This marital God’s definition of sexual sin, read Leviticus 18 and
relationship has deep meaning in God’s plan (Ephesians 1 Corinthians 6.
5:31-32; Revelation 19:7). To abuse this intimacy demeans To learn more about what led to Sodom’s downfall, be
God’s plan and purpose for sex and marriage. sure to read “The New Morality and an Old City” and
However, sexual immorality was not the only sin of “Shades of Sodom and Gomorrah.”
Sodom. Ezekiel 16:49-50 lists six iniquities God saw when
He visited the city. In addition to sexual abominations Questions:
were pride, fullness of food, abundance of idleness,
abusing the poor and needy, and haughtiness. All of these 1. What did the men of Sodom attempt to do
sins led God to destroy Sodom (Jude 1:7; 2 Peter 2:6). to Lot’s visitors?
There is another important lesson to be learned from 2. Other than homosexuality, what sins does
this incident. In Genesis 19:8 Lot offered his two virgin the Bible say Sodom was guilty of?
daughters to the perverted crowd. Why?
Some have stated that part of the culture of the time was 3. When the Lord visited Abraham, what did
to consider any guests under your roof as more important He reveal would happen to Sodom?
than one’s family members. If this was the case, was Lot
justified in God’s eyes for offering his daughters? No.
What we learn about Lot here is that he had become so
acclimated to the society around him, his righteousness LOT AND HIS FAMILY FLEE SODOM
had been compromised. The preceding chapters show
how Lot moved first toward Sodom, then near Sodom and Genesis [Link] “Then the men said to Lot, ‘Have you
finally into Sodom. The more Christians get involved in anyone else here? Son-in-law, your sons, your daughters,

14 | BEGINNINGS: UNDERSTANDING THE BOOK OF GENESIS, PART 2 |

and whomever you have in the city—take them out of Just as destruction by fire and brimstone was God’s
this place!’” righteous judgment on Sodom and Gomorrah, the
prophesied events of the Day of the Lord will be God’s
The two angels had struck with blindness those who righteous judgment on this present world.
attempted to rape them. Now these messengers of God told To learn more about God’s coming judgment on
Lot to get his family out before they destroyed Sodom. our sinful world, study Matthew 24:29; Joel 2:30-31;
Just as Lot was warned to flee from the coming Revelation 6:12-16.
judgment of God, we, too, have been warned to come out
of the world so we don’t have to suffer the wrath of God Don’t look back!
(Revelation 18:4). As the angels were instructing Lot and his family to
Yet Lot lingered. flee, they warned them: “Do not look behind you”
Remember, it was still night when the angels told Lot to (verse 17). This signified that they were to totally leave
get his family Sodom, down to their hearts. They could not look
together and back toward the way of life Sodom represented. But, as
Key Concepts to Know
leave. It was they were fleeing, Lot’s wife made a grave mistake: She
early in the • Lot warned to flee Sodom looked back (verse 26). Because of this, she became a
morning • Coming out of this world pillar of salt.
when the Why did Lot’s wife look back? Because, though she was
angels finally • Why God destroyed Sodom leaving physically, her heart was still in Sodom.
took hold of and Gomorrah A couple of thousand years later, Jesus Christ warned us
the hands of • The Day of the Lord to remember Lot’s wife (Luke 17:32).
Lot, his wife Christians must be willing to forsake everything in
and their two • The lesson of Lot’s wife order to follow Him (Luke 14:33)—including our family
daughters to members, if need be (verse 26). By looking back, Lot’s wife
get them out of the city (Genesis 19:16). showed that she wasn’t willing to forsake all in order to
The angels revealed why it was necessary for Lot to go obey God. Maybe she didn’t really count the cost and only
out immediately: “For we will destroy this place, because hastily decided to leave Sodom.
the outcry against them has grown great before the face Christ tells us that we have to count the cost before
of the Lord, and the Lord has sent us to destroy it” we decide to follow Him (verse 28). Once we decide to
(Genesis 19:13). follow Christ, we are to move forward and never look
When sinful behavior is not punished immediately, back (Luke 9:62).
some think that it must be acceptable (Ecclesiastes 8:11). Recommended reading: To learn more about the need to
But God clearly says that judgment will come, even for fully come out of this world and its ways, read 2 Corinthians
evil things done in secret (Ecclesiastes 12:14). 6:14-18; John 17:15; Romans 12:2; 1 John 2:15-17.
God had heard, had seen and now had made the To learn more about God’s coming judgment on our
righteous judgment to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah. world, read “What Is the Day of the Lord?”
He chose to destroy these cities for at least two
important reasons: Questions:
1. The entire cities were corrupt. If everyone
was destroyed, then that lifestyle would 1. What did the visitors tell Lot and his
not be taught to their children and future family to do?
generations. In an instant, the problem would 2. As Lot and his family were leaving, what
end. God will resurrect the inhabitants of were they explicitly warned not to do?
Sodom and give them an opportunity to
repent (Matthew 10:15). 3. What did Lot’s wife do and what was the
2. This would be an example to the rest of consequence?
mankind (Jude 1:7; 2 Peter 2:6). Our need to 4. What lesson can Christians learn from
fear God is emphasized by what happened to Lot’s wife?
those who openly mocked Him.

| BEGINNINGS: UNDERSTANDING THE BOOK OF GENESIS, PART 2 | 15

 become a nation (verse 13). Abraham sent Hagar and
GENESIS 21: THE BIRTH OF THE Ishmael into the wilderness with bread and a skin of water.
Hagar and her teenage son, Ishmael, soon ran out of
SON OF PROMISE water and food in the harsh heat of the desert (likely
the Negev desert to the south of Canaan). Resigned to
their seemingly hopeless situation, Hagar placed Ishmael
THE SON OF PROMISE under some shrubs as he was slowly dying from thirst and
Genesis [Link] “For Sarah conceived and bore Abraham a son starvation. She sat a short distance away so she would not
have to witness his death (verse 16).
in his old age, at the set time of which God had spoken to him.”
But God proved once again to be “The God Who Sees.”
Both Abraham As she was weeping, God intervened and spoke to her.
and Sarah had He comforted and assured her that Ishmael would live and
laughed at the Key Concepts to Know father “a great nation” (verse 18). God then miraculously
prospect of • Isaac becomes heir to the provided water—saving their lives (verse 19).
a child being promises God is a merciful and loving Father who sees and
born to a hears everything (Genesis 16:13). When we face dire
couple their
• Hagar and Ishmael cast out circumstances, we should call on God in faith, knowing that
age. They had • Ishmael to become a nation He can and will hear us. Intervention may not always come
thought that they the way we would want or expect. But it will be what God
could attain an knows we need (in this case, water and hope for a future).
heir through Sarah’s bondwoman Hagar. In fact, Abraham Consider these scriptures that reinforce this truth:
had pleaded that Ishmael (his son through Hagar) might be Deuteronomy 3:22; Isaiah 41:10; 2 Kings 6:16.
considered his legitimate heir (Genesis 17:18). God also assured Abraham that Ishmael’s descendants
But God fulfilled His promise in His own time, in the would become a nation (verse 13). The descendants of
way He intended. Abraham and Sarah had to wait for Ishmael are found among the Arab peoples today.
God to provide the true son who would inherit their To learn more about the prophesied future of Ishmael’s
physical possessions and be the heir of the promises God descendants, read “The King of the South.”
made to Abraham: “For in Isaac your seed shall be called”
(Genesis 21:12). Questions:
God kept His promise to Abraham exactly as He said
He would, with no need for humanly devised shortcuts 1. How old was Sarah when she gave birth to Isaac?
or solutions. Isaac, the son of promise, was miraculously 2. How did Sarah treat Hagar and Ishmael after
born to a 90-year-old woman—obviously well past the the birth of Isaac?
normal age of childbearing—and a 100-year-old man.
This is an important lesson for Christians. We are told to 3. After God intervened to save Hagar and Ishmael
wait patiently for God (Psalm 37:7; James 5:7). This means in the wilderness, what did God prophesy
fighting off feelings such as “God has forgotten about me” or would become of Ishmael’s descendants?
“the circumstances are too hard for God to act.” Such feelings
can lead to our falling into the same trap that Abraham and
Sarah did—trying to bring about God’s will in our own way.
After Isaac’s birth, Sarah became annoyed at the presence
of Hagar and Ishmael. It reached a boiling point when she GENESIS 22: ABRAHAM FACES HIS
witnessed Ishmael “scoffing”—possibly at the young Isaac
(Genesis 21:9). Sarah used this event to urge her husband
GREATEST TEST
to “cast out” Hagar and Ishmael, since it was clear Ishmael
would not be Abraham’s heir (verse 10). A TEST OF FAITH
Abraham was displeased with the idea, but God
confirmed to Abraham that Isaac would carry on his line— Genesis [Link] “Then He said, ‘Take now your son, your
though He also promised that Ishmael’s descendants would only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of

16 | BEGINNINGS: UNDERSTANDING THE BOOK OF GENESIS, PART 2 |

Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of “Heartrending” probably doesn’t do justice to describe
the mountains of which I shall tell you.’” the internal anguish Abraham experienced as he lifted his
knife to kill Isaac. Here is what happened:
Try to imagine for a moment that you are Abraham. God “Then Abraham stretched out his hand and took the
has faithfully knife to slay his son. But the Angel of the Lord called to
kept His promise him from heaven and said, ‘Abraham, Abraham!’ So he
to provide a Key Concepts to Know said, ‘Here I am.’ And He said, ‘Do not lay your hand on
son, Isaac. He • God commands Abraham the lad, or do anything to him; for now I know that you
is to be the heir fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only
to sacrifice Isaac
through whom son, from Me’”(Genesis 22:10-12).
God will fulfill • Abraham’s faith in God’s God had tested Abraham’s obedience and faith, and he
the promises ability to resurrect the dead had passed the test!
He made years • How Abraham proved his There are times in life when God wants to see what
earlier. matters most to us. Is God most important? Or is something
faithful obedience to God
Now, imagine else? Abraham’s obedience to God even when faced with
being told to take giving up the son he loved more than life itself is a powerful
that “son of promise”—and kill him with your own hands as reminder about our need to put God first in our life.
a sacrifice to God. That is what God asked Abraham to do. (Note that what God asked Abraham to do prefigured
Though God never tempts us to sin, He does test our what God Himself did in giving His Son. It was a one-time
faith (James 1:3). Faith can be easy when our lives are test for the one God would make the father of the faithful,
operating smoothly. Faith, however, is most vital when not something God would ask any other parent to do.)
things are difficult. Study Jesus Christ’s words in Luke 14:26-33 to see the
We can speculate about the turmoil that existed in level of sacrifice Christ expects from His people—they
Abraham’s mind as he wrestled with this command, but must be willing to “forsake all” to be a disciple of Jesus
all we are told is what he did: “So Abraham rose early in Christ (Luke 14:33).
the morning and saddled his donkey, and took two of his Sometimes this means obeying God, even if we may not
young men with him, and Isaac his son; and he split the fully understand the why of everything He commands.
wood for the burnt offering, and arose and went to the The Bible teaches that “a good understanding have all
place of which God had told him” (Genesis 22:3). those who do His commandments” (Psalm 111:10). We
Seemingly without any protest or questioning, Abraham gain understanding through obedience.
immediately complied with God’s command. Recommended reading: To learn more about
He had faith that God knew what He was doing and the importance of faithful obedience to God, read
would provide him with understanding in time. Notice Deuteronomy 4:39-40; John 14:15; James 1:22-25.
Abraham’s statement as he left his men with Isaac: “Stay To learn more about this test of Abraham’s faith, read
here with the donkey; the lad and I will go yonder and “God Tests Abraham’s Faith.”
worship, and we will come back to you” (verse 5).
Why did Abraham say we would return when he was Questions:
prepared to sacrifice Isaac? 1. What surprising command did God give Abraham?
We find the answer given centuries later in the book
of Hebrews. Abraham believed “God was able to raise 2. How did Abraham respond to this difficult
him [Isaac] up, even from the dead, from which he also command?
received him in a figurative sense” (Hebrews 11:19). 3. As Abraham was about to obey this command, how
God had given Abraham a son when it was a physical
did he demonstrate faith in God’s promise to fulfill
impossibility, so Abraham knew that the same God could
give his son life a second time. He might not have known the promises through Isaac?
exactly how, but he maintained an absolute faith in God’s 4. What is one lesson we can learn from the example
ability to fulfill the promises through Isaac (Genesis 17:19). of Abraham’s willingness to obey such a difficult
Whatever might happen on Mount Moriah, Abraham command?
faithfully trusted that he would be returning with his son.

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THE BLESSINGS BECOME UNCONDITIONAL Britain (though many have been lost over time, also in
fulfillment of prophecy).
Genesis 22:16-18: “By Myself I have sworn, says the The second part of the unconditional promise
Lord, because you have done this thing, and have not concerned blessings for all nations—not just Abraham’s
descendants: “In your seed all the nations of the earth
withheld your son, your only son—blessing I will bless
shall be blessed.”
you, and multiplying I will multiply your descendants as God began working with the nation of Israel, selecting
the stars of the heaven and as the sand which is on the them from among Abraham’s descendants to be His
seashore; and your descendants shall possess the gate of chosen people (Deuteronomy 7:6). They were given the
their enemies. covenant promises that set the stage for a very specific
In your seed all Seed of Abraham—Jesus Christ, the Messiah. It was the
the nations of Key Concepts to Know life and death of Jesus Christ that blazed the trail for
the earth shall • God’s promises to Abraham both Jew and gentile (people of all nations) to have the
be blessed, become unconditional opportunity for eternal life in the family of God—easily
the greatest blessing that anyone can or ever will receive!
because you • Physical blessings to The study of the 12 tribes of Israel also suggests
have obeyed Abraham’s descendants that this scripture was in part fulfilled through the
My voice.”
• Spiritual blessings for all United States and Britain (the offspring of the tribes of
nations through Abraham Manasseh and Ephraim, respectively). These nations
Abraham have at times been a “blessing” to the world. These
was willing two nations helped save the world from central
to obey God even when it meant sacrificing the son European aggression through two world wars and
for whom he had waited so long, and God responded have provided billions of dollars of relief aid to various
with an incredible promise. First, God swore by the peoples and nations.
greatest authority of all—Himself—and promised that In other ways they have also had negative influences
“multiplying I will multiply your descendants as the on the world, but prophecy tells us that all 12 tribes
stars of the heaven and as the sand which is on the will again be the source of a worldwide blessing when
seashore; and your descendants shall possess the gate of they become a model nation of God-fearing believers
their enemies” (Genesis 22:17). (Zechariah 8:23).
This moment in history is significant. At this point, The study of the fulfillment of the physical blessings
the physical blessings promised to Abraham became to Abraham is fascinating. To learn more, read “God’s
unconditional. No matter what decisions Abraham’s Promises to Abraham” and “Who Are the United States
descendants would make in the future, they would and Britain in Prophecy?”
inherit the physical blessings described in verse 17.
History (both biblical and secular) has borne witness Questions:
to the fact that God fulfilled this promise through
the nation of Israel—Abraham’s descendants. These 1. What change was made to God’s promises
promises were fulfilled (in part) in ancient times by the after Abraham proved his faith by his
kingdom of Israel and (more fully) in modern times willingness to sacrifice Isaac?
through the United States and the British peoples. The
2. What nations have received the blessings
connection between Abraham’s descendants and these
modern nations will be explained more thoroughly later from God’s promises to Abraham?
in this study guide. 3. How was the promise that Abraham’s
One of the interesting elements of these promises is descendants would possess the “gate of
that the descendants of Israel would “possess the gate their enemies” fulfilled in modern times?
of their enemies.” This blessing was fulfilled in strategic
land and sea passages, such as the Panama Canal, the 4. How have all nations been blessed through
Suez Canal, the Strait of Gibraltar and Hong Kong, Abraham’s faithfulness?
which have been controlled by the United States and

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 Rebekah’s pregnancy was not an easy one. We are told
GENESIS 25: ESAU AND JACOB “the children struggled together within her”—which
caused her to worry about complications with the
pregnancy (Genesis 25:22). But God told her that the
ISAAC PLEADS FOR THE IMPOSSIBLE, AND struggle she felt inside her foreshadowed the future of
THE IMPOSSIBLE HAPPENS these two boys and their descendants: “Two nations are
in your womb, two people shall be separated from your
Genesis [Link] “Now Isaac pleaded with the Lord for his body; one people shall be stronger than the other, and the
wife, because she was barren; and the Lord granted his older shall serve the younger” (verse 23).
plea, and Rebekah his wife conceived.” As we will see, one nation (the younger brother who
would receive the birthright blessings) would be stronger
We now move than the other.
forward in the Key Concepts to Know
story of Abraham’s The birth of Esau and Jacob
• Isaac prays to God for
family to his son a child The first twin to be born was Esau—making him the
Isaac as an adult. firstborn and automatically the assumed inheritor of the
Read Genesis 24 to • Rebekah conceives physical blessings. Esau apparently was a unique infant,
see how Isaac and twins being born with hair covering his body. The name Esau
Rebekah came to be • The personalities of sounds like the word for “hairy.” The second-born infant
husband and wife. was named Jacob, meaning “supplanter.” This name
Esau and Jacob
Rebekah had the foreshadowed the negative character traits that would
same problem Sarah characterize Jacob before he was renamed Israel.
had; she was barren—unable to have children. We’re told We now fast-forward to the men Esau and Jacob
that Isaac pleaded with God in prayer for a child, and became. Esau grew into a “skillful hunter.” He could be
there’s no doubt those were fervent prayers (James 5:16). described as a rugged outdoorsman.
Isaac and Rebekah learned the same lesson that Abraham Jacob, on the other hand, is described as “a mild
and Sarah had learned years earlier—nothing is too hard man.” He was not naturally rugged or drawn to the wild.
for God. Rebekah was not able to have children for 20 long Instead he herded sheep and goats. It is also possible that
years. But when God enters the picture, the impossible the phrase “dwelling in tents” refers to Jacob being an
becomes possible. It’s a lesson Jesus Christ would later intellectual and more interested in learning (see Soncino
repeat to His disciples: “With men this is impossible, but Books of the Bible, comment on Genesis 25:27).
with God all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26). Unfortunately, a very unhealthy dynamic developed
We must never rule out the ability—and the desire—of in this family. Isaac and Rebekah each had a favorite of
our great Creator to turn our impossibilities into realities. the twins. Isaac preferred Esau (being drawn to Esau’s
As the apostle James wrote, “Every good gift and every ruggedness and ability to hunt and prepare wild game),
perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the and Rebekah preferred Jacob (perhaps for his more
Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or intellectual and domestic nature). This dynamic caused
shadow of turning” (James 1:17). major problems in the family, as we will see.
God loves to give His children good things—and we
need to remember to ask (Matthew 7:11)! God wants us Questions:
to communicate our needs, both big and small, in our
daily prayers. In the model prayer, Jesus instructs us to 1. How did Isaac deal with the infertility of his
pray: “Give us this day our daily bread” (Matthew 6:11). wife, Rebekah?
In other words, we should ask God to provide for our
daily needs. A lesson we can learn from Isaac is to be both 2. What was unique about Rebekah’s pregnancy?
fervent and specific in those requests to God.
3. What prophecy did God make about the
We are not told how long or how many times Isaac prayed
about this, but we are told that eventually God did intervene
future of the two sons in Rebekah’s womb?
and bless them with not one, but two sons—twins. 4. What was one defining characteristic of Esau?

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5. What was one defining characteristic of Jacob? decisions hastily and “without knowledge”—or without
fully contemplating all the consequences (Proverbs 19:2;
21:5). Before we make a big decision—and selling a
birthright would definitely qualify as one—we should take
time to think about the consequences, pray and seek wise
ESAU SELLS HIS BIRTHRIGHT counsel (Proverbs 15:22). Doing these things can prevent
Genesis [Link] “Then Jacob said, ‘Swear to me as of this us from making a mistake like Esau did.
The second major lesson is found in the book of Hebrews.
day.’ So he swore to him, and sold his birthright to Jacob.”
Esau serves as an example of someone who falls from God’s
Jacob’s name meant way and becomes bitter and spiritually defiled (Hebrews
“supplanter” (one Key Concepts to Know 12:15). We are warned not to be a “profane person like Esau,
who takes the who for one morsel of food sold his birthright” (verse 16).
place of another,
• Jacob schemes to acquire The point for Christians today is that we must value
often through an
Esau’s birthright our spiritual inheritance as the most precious thing in
act of treachery). • Esau sells birthright for a our lives and not give it up for anything. We are called
This account bowl of stew to inherit the spiritual promises made to Abraham
shows us how (Galatians 3:29). Our inheritance is eternal life in the
Jacob lived up to
• Spiritual lessons from Kingdom of God (Romans 8:17; Titus 3:7; James 2:5).
that name. Esau, Esau’s decision We should not regard anything as more valuable than
the firstborn twin, that inheritance.
would naturally have been the recipient of the birthright Recommended reading: Study these scriptures to learn
blessing from his father Isaac. But Jacob, who understood how highly we are to value God’s calling and way of life:
the value of the birthright more than Esau did, desired the Matthew 6:33; Luke 14:26-27; Romans 14:17.
birthright for himself and his descendants. Jacob schemed
to get the birthright blessing from his brother. Questions:
One day Jacob was cooking a stew when Esau came in
from the fields very hungry. He was so hungry that he felt 1. How did Jacob scheme to acquire Esau’s
physically weak and desired food immediately (verse 29). birthright?
Jacob, seizing on Esau’s moment of weakness, offered to 2. What was Esau’s reasoning for selling his
feed him the stew in return for Esau’s birthright blessing. most valuable possession to Jacob?
Esau, being driven by his hunger and emotion, foolishly
reasoned that he would die without Jacob’s stew—and 3. What lesson can we learn about wise decision
what good would the birthright be to a dead man? making from Esau’s mistake?
Esau then swore to sell his birthright to Jacob in return 4. What lesson can we learn about the Christian
for the stew (verse 33). We are told that Esau “despised calling from Esau’s mistake?
his birthright” (verse 34). This means that Esau did not
place a high enough value on the birthright. He allowed
his momentary hunger to cloud his judgment and did not
think past the feeling in his belly to grasp the value and
magnitude of what he was giving up and how it would
affect his descendants. We will see that later in his life it GENESIS 26: GOD’S LAW IS KEPT
had greater value to him (Genesis 27:38).
There are two lessons we can learn from Esau’s decision. BEFORE SINAI
First, Esau’s mistake is a classic example of bad decision
making. He made a knee-jerk decision based on how he
felt at the moment. He was hungry and didn’t consider the ABRAHAM KEEPS GOD’S LAWS
long-term consequences of the deal he was making.
The Bible teaches that this approach to decision making Genesis [Link] “Because Abraham obeyed My voice and kept
is unwise. We can make bad decisions when we make My charge, My commandments, My statutes, and My laws.”

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In the midst famine in Gerar, an area within the land of the Philistines,
of reaffirming Key Concepts to Know under the rule of King Abimelech.
the physical • Abraham’s obedience to Isaac and Rebekah had an experience that was similar
blessings to God’s laws to what Abraham and Sarah experienced many years
Isaac, God made earlier (Genesis 20). Isaac feared for his life because the
this important • Codification of the law on local men were attracted to Rebekah’s beauty. So, like
statement about Mount Sinai his father before him, Isaac presented Rebekah as his
Abraham. • Evidence the law was sister. Isaac and Rebekah pretended to be siblings until
We learn that Abimelech saw them together romantically (Genesis 26:8)
understood and kept before
not only did and the lie was discovered.
Abraham
Mount Sinai This account reinforces the point that God’s servants make
obey what God mistakes. God works through imperfect people, but He
explicitly told Him to do (for example, leaving his wants His people to strive toward perfection (Matthew 5:48).
homeland and being willing to sacrifice Isaac), but that he
also obeyed God’s commandments, statutes and laws. Questions:
This verse is especially significant because it shows that
the laws of God existed long before they were given to 1. What four specific things does this verse say
Israel through Moses. Abraham lived more than 400 years Abraham obeyed?
before the time of Moses and the Exodus. 2. Why is it significant that Abraham was
What is typically called the Mosaic law was given to obeying God’s laws many years before it was
Israel at Mount Sinai. The giving of the law is recorded codified through Moses?
in Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy. Some
feel that this law was devised by Moses or only came into 3. What is another example of the law being
being at the time of Moses. The argument is that if the law kept before Moses?
was brought into existence thousands of years into human
history at the time of Moses, then it is not a universal law
and was abolished through Jesus Christ.
Genesis 26:5 shows that this argument is false.
The commandments, statutes and laws of God existed long
before Moses. God simply used Moses to record and codify GENESIS 27: JACOB “SUPPLANTS”
those laws for Israel when they agreed to the covenant HIS BROTHER
(Exodus 19:8)—now known as the Old Covenant. God is the
ultimate Lawgiver (Isaiah 33:22; James 4:12). To learn more
about this, read our article “What Is the Old Covenant?” JACOB RECEIVES THE BLESSINGS THROUGH
There are several examples of people having knowledge
of God’s law prior to its codification on Mount Sinai. Two DECEIT
major examples are:
• Noah understood the laws about clean and Genesis [Link] “So Jacob went near to Isaac his father,
unclean meats (Genesis 7:2). This law was later and he felt him and said, ‘The voice is Jacob’s voice, but
recorded in Leviticus 11. the hands are the hands of Esau.’”
• Joseph understood the commandment against
adultery when Potiphar’s wife tried to seduce Isaac was very old by this time and thought he was near
him (Genesis 39:7-9). death. Bedridden and blind, Isaac decided it was now
To discover more evidence that the laws of God were time for him to pass on the blessings to his firstborn son,
in effect long before Moses and Mount Sinai, read our Esau. He told Esau to prepare a meal of fresh game that he
informative article “Were the 10 Commandments Around would enjoy and then afterward perform the ceremony to
Before Moses?” transfer the blessings to Esau.
Genesis 26 also records a famine that struck the land But Rebekah, who preferred Jacob, schemed to have
of Canaan during Isaac’s life. Isaac took refuge from the Jacob usurp Esau in receiving the blessing. Rebekah and

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Jacob conspired “See, away from the fatness of the earth shall your home
to capitalize on
Key Concepts to Know be, and away from the dew of heaven on high. By your
Isaac’s blindness • Rebekah and Jacob sword you shall live, and you shall serve your brother; but
to trick him into conspire to deceive Isaac when you break loose, you shall break his yoke from your
blessing Jacob. neck” (verses 39-40, New Revised Standard Version).
Rebekah would
• Jacob receives the Esau’s descendants would not receive the agricultural
prepare meat in birthright blessing blessings given to Jacob, but would dwell in more arid
a way that was • Esau receives a secondary climates, such as deserts. Isaac also prophesied that Esau’s
similar to how blessing descendants (later called “Edom”) would:
Esau cooked • Have a tendency toward violence.
his game. Jacob • Would be perpetually less powerful than
would wear Esau’s clothing and cover himself in goat Jacob’s descendants.
skins to simulate Esau’s hairy body (verses 15-16). • Would occasionally achieve limited victories
When Jacob presented himself to Isaac as Esau, Isaac over Jacob’s descendants (verse 40).
had his suspicions that something wasn’t right (verses Esau’s descendants would later intermarry with the
20-24). But the taste of the food and the smell of his offspring of Ishmael (Genesis 28:9). The descendants of
garments convinced him to ignore his doubts and accept these two men who lost the blessings to Isaac and Jacob
that it was Esau. Isaac then bestowed upon Jacob the would form the core of the Arab peoples who would
birthright blessings. Jacob’s descendants would be dominate the lands surrounding Israel. Throughout
blessed with: biblical history, we read of tension between Israel and
• Great agricultural blessings (verse 28). Edom (1 Kings 11:14-25; 2 Kings 8:20-22).
• Geopolitical dominance (verse 29). If you look at a map of the earth’s major climate regions,
This blessing ensured that the promises originally given many of the lands dominated by Ishmael’s and Esau’s
to Abraham (Genesis 12:1-3) would continue through descendants are arid or semiarid (Northern Africa and
the line of Jacob (later renamed Israel)—and not Esau the Middle East)—fulfilling the prophecy in Genesis
(Genesis 25:23). 27:39 (NRSV).
Rebekah and Jacob should have waited patiently for Bible prophecy reveals that the descendants of Esau will
God to work this out. Instead they lied and obtained the exist in the end time. They will likely be a part of an Arab/
blessings through dishonesty and deceit (Genesis 27:24, Muslim confederation known as “the king of the South”
35-36). Jacob’s character at this point in his life matched (Daniel 11:40-41; Psalm 83:4-8).
the meaning of his name, supplanter. Later in his life, To learn more about the Arab nations in Bible
Jacob would be the victim of similar trickery. To learn prophecy, read our article “The King of the South.”
the importance of overcoming lying and deceit, read our
article on the Ninth Commandment. Questions:
Shortly after Jacob left Isaac’s presence, the real Esau
returned and came to Isaac (verses 30-31). The reality of 1. What disability of Isaac did Rebekah and
the situation hit Isaac hard when he realized what had Jacob capitalize on to deceive Isaac into
transpired. We are told he “trembled exceedingly” (verse giving Jacob the blessing?
33). Once he recognized he’d been tricked and had given
the birthright to the wrong son, he was very upset and 2. What did Rebekah and Jacob do to cause
disturbed. But he realized the blessing was irreversible. It Isaac to believe Jacob was actually Esau?
is not an overstatement to say these few minutes changed 3. What was Esau’s reaction to learning he had
the course of human history. Jacob’s descendants would lost the birthright blessing to Jacob? What
dominate Esau’s and receive the immense physical did he ask Isaac for?
blessings of the birthright (verse 37).
Esau became very emotional and begged for a blessing 4. What is one difference between the blessing
for his descendants. Isaac did bestow a blessing on Esau, given to Jacob and the blessing given to
but it was much inferior to the birthright blessing given to Esau?
Jacob.

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JACOB FLEES ESAU’S WRATH Rebekah” (verse 35). We are not given details about
what they did to cause grief, but it’s likely their
Genesis [Link] “So Esau hated Jacob because of the morals and religion sharply conflicted with the morals
blessing with which his father blessed him, and Esau said and beliefs of Isaac’s family and negatively affected
in his heart, ‘The days of mourning for my father are at Esau’s character.
hand; then I will kill my brother Jacob.’” Years later, God commanded the Israelites to resist the
temptation to marry wives from surrounding nations:
Anger is a “Nor shall you make marriages with them. You shall not
powerful Key Concepts to Know give your daughter to their son, nor take their daughter
emotion for your son. For they will turn your sons away from
and can • Esau’s anger following Me, to serve other gods; so the anger of the
lead to sin Lord will be aroused against you and destroy you
(James • Jacob flees Canaan suddenly” (Deuteronomy 7:3-4).
1:19-20). This command was not about the ethnicity or race
Esau had • Principles of selecting a spouse of these people, but was about their beliefs and morals.
reason to Jacob, through whom God would work to fulfill the
be angry. promises, was expected to avoid this mistake. The lesson
His twin brother, with the help of their mother, Rebekah, for us today is to be very careful to select a spouse
had deceived their father, Isaac, into giving the birthright who is morally and spiritually compatible with us (2
blessing to Jacob. Even though God intended the blessing Corinthians 6:14-16).
to go to Jacob, the way Rebekah and Jacob handled it was For insight into making wise marriage decisions, read
deceptive and wrong. “5 Traits Women Should Look for in a Godly Man” and “5
Unfortunately, Esau didn’t handle the situation the Traits Men Should Look for in a Godly Woman.”
right way either, and he let his anger turn into a root
of bitterness (Hebrews 12:15). When people allow Questions:
hatred to develop in their hearts, they are guilty of the
spirit of murder (Matthew 5:21-22; 1 John 3:15). This is 1. Why are anger and hatred so spiritually
why Christians must be vigilant to not let anger grow dangerous?
and fester in their minds (Ephesians 4:26). Anger can 2. What was Jacob forced to do as a result of
be disastrous in many ways. If we are angry, we must Esau’s anger?
control it. And we must avoid others who routinely and
consistently exhibit this powerful emotion that can rub 3. What did Isaac and Rebekah command him
off on us (Proverbs 22:24). to do (and not do) while he was gone?
To learn more about the danger of anger, read “What
Does the Bible Say About Anger?”
Esau decided to kill Jacob, but he was planning to wait
until the death of Isaac. Rebekah found out about Esau’s
plan and sent Jacob away to stay with her brother Laban
until Esau’s anger had passed (Genesis 27:42-45). GENESIS 28: GOD REVEALS HIMSELF
Before Jacob left, Isaac repeated the fact that he would TO JACOB
inherit the blessings originally promised to Abraham
(see Genesis 28:3-4). Isaac reminded Jacob that it was
through him that the promises God originally gave to his
grandfather Abraham would be fulfilled. JACOB SEES A LADDER LEADING TO HEAVEN
Isaac and Rebekah also commanded Jacob to avoid
marrying a Canaanite woman, but instead to find a wife Genesis [Link] “Then he dreamed, and behold, a ladder
from among the family of his uncle, Laban. Earlier in was set up on the earth, and its top reached to heaven;
Genesis, we learn that Esau took Hittite wives (Genesis and there the angels of God were ascending and
26:34) who became “a grief of mind to Isaac and descending on it.”

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On his journey Though Jacob did not fully commit to a relationship
to visit his Key Concepts to Know with God at this point, he did come closer, stating that
uncle Laban, • Jacob’s dream at Luz God would be his personal God if he made it back to his
Jacob stopped homeland safely. Though this was a positive turning point
• God reaffirms promises to
for the night at in Jacob’s life, we must realize that our relationship with
a place called
Jacob God should never be based on an if.
Luz (verse • Jacob partially answers Our response to God’s calling should never be dependent
19). He slept God’s call on His doing something physical to help us. Instead, we must
outdoors, act based on faith (Ephesians 2:8-9; Colossians 2:12; James
resting his
• Jacob vows to tithe 2:22). The example of Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego
head on a stone facing Nebuchadnezzar’s fiery furnace is more instructive for
(verses 10-11). As he slept, Jacob was given a dream. He us. They declared they would obey God regardless of whether
saw a ladder reaching into the heavens, and he saw angels He decided to protect them or not (Daniel 3:17-18).
ascending and descending on the ladder (verse 12). Jacob then made another vow: “And this stone which I
Through this dream, God reaffirmed the promises to have set as a pillar shall be God’s house, and of all that You
Jacob. “Your offspring shall be like the dust of the earth, and give me I will surely give a tenth to You” (Genesis 28:22).
you shall spread abroad to the west and to the east and to Jacob committed to giving a tenth—or a tithe—of his future
the north and to the south; and all the families of the earth earnings to God. Tithing is a law and a means of showing
shall be blessed in you and in your offspring. Know that I honor to God for the blessings He gives (Proverbs 3:9-10).
am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will It is a way of giving back a small portion to God from what
bring you back to this land; for I will not leave you until I He already owns (Isaiah 66:1-2).
have done what I have promised you” (verses 13-15, NRSV). To read more about tithing and the blessing it brings,
God also promised Jacob that He would be with him read our article “Tithing: What Is It?”
and bring him safely back from his journeys. God would
fulfill His promises through Jacob. Christians should Questions:
remember that God has made promises to us as well, and
He will fulfill those promises if we remain faithful to 1. What vision was Jacob given in the dream he had
Him (1 Peter 1:4). at Luz?
After Jacob awoke, he was humbled by the experience 2. What was Jacob’s condition for fully following God?
and realized that something very special had transpired that
night. We are told that “Jacob rose early in the morning, and 3. What did Jacob promise to do with the wealth he
took the stone that he had put at his head, set it up as a pillar, would gather in the future?
and poured oil on top of it” (Genesis 28:18). The pillar was a
memorial to commemorate what God did at that location.
Various legends connect this stone with the Stone of
Destiny (the stone over which the kings of England have
been coronated). To learn more, read pages 51-52 of our
booklet The United States, Britain and the Commonwealth
GENESIS 29: THE “SUPPLANTER”
in Prophecy. GETS TRICKED
Jacob answers God’s call partially
Jacob then made the following vow: “If God will be with JACOB AND A TALE OF TWO DAUGHTERS
me, and keep me in this way that I am going, and give
me bread to eat and clothing to put on, so that I come Genesis [Link] “Now Laban had two daughters: the name of
back to my father’s house in peace, then the Lord shall be the elder was Leah, and the name of the younger was Rachel.”
my God” (verses 20-21). Up to this point, Jacob did not
truly follow God. His most prominent character trait was When Jacob finally made it to his uncle’s land, he
trickery and deceit. There is no evidence that He had a immediately met Laban’s younger daughter, Rachel. Jacob
deep relationship with God prior to this moment. was smitten. His feelings were so strong that he offered

24 | BEGINNINGS: UNDERSTANDING THE BOOK OF GENESIS, PART 2 |

to work seven years to receive her hand in marriage.
Imagine waiting seven years for the woman or man of
your dreams! Yet it is recorded that it seemed like only a THE 12 SONS OF ISRAEL
few days to Jacob (verse 20)! (JACOB)
But we also learn that Laban had an older daughter
named Leah. Leah was not as attractive as Rachel (verse 17).
Sons of Leah
After seven years of waiting, Jacob finally married—but
Laban tricked him by giving him his oldest daughter,
Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Zebulun
Leah. How did Jacob fall for marrying the wrong woman?
Sons of Rachel
Perhaps she had a veil on. And remember, in those times
there wasn’t electric lighting, so Jacob would not have
Joseph, Benjamin
been able to see well in a dark tent. Sons of Bilhah (Rachel’s handmaid)
Laban justified his deceitful trick by reasoning that
Dan, Naphtali
their custom was for the eldest daughter to marry first.
Of course, he Sons of Zilpah (Leah’s handmaid)
could have
Gad, Asher
informed Key Concepts to Know
Jacob of
this custom
• Jacob falls in love with Rachel
before the • Laban tricks Jacob in the Bible, they ignore the fact that nearly every example
wedding • The problems of polygamy of polygamy in the Bible is negative and full of tension,
night—but drama and bitterness. God’s standard was, and always has
it was his • Children born to Leah and been, that marriage is a union between one husband and
intention Rachel one wife (Genesis 2:24).
to trick his It is interesting to note that Leah, not the more loved
nephew into Rachel, was the mother of both Judah and Levi. Judah
staying and working longer. A week later Laban allowed would become the forefather of the Davidic line of
Jacob to marry Rachel—the woman he had wanted to kings—which was promised to last forever (Jeremiah
marry in the first place—if Jacob agreed to work for him 33:17). Levi would become the forefather of the priests
another seven years. who would serve in the temple (Numbers 1:50). Rachel
Jacob, the trickster, learned the lesson of “what goes would eventually conceive two sons—Joseph and
around comes around.” He had tricked close family Benjamin (Genesis 30:24; 35:18). See the chart of the sons
members to get what he wanted and was now the victim born to Leah, Rachel and their two handmaidens.
of the same behavior from his uncle. The Bible teaches To learn God’s standards for marriage, read “What Is
that “whatever a man sows, that he will also reap” Marriage?”
(Galatians 6:7). This helped Jacob change his character as
he developed a relationship with God.
Questions:
Jacob spent 14 years of his life working for Laban to be
able to marry both of his daughters. We are told that Laban 1. What was Jacob willing to do in return for
wanted Jacob to stay and work because he clearly saw that Rachel’s hand in marriage?
“the Lord has blessed me for your sake” (Genesis 30:27).
Not surprisingly, friction quickly developed among the
2. What did Jacob discover had happened
three who were now forming a household. God saw that when he woke up the morning after his
Leah was unloved by Jacob, so He blessed her with four wedding night?
children (Reuben, Simeon, Levi and Judah) while Rachel 3. What is the irony of what Laban did to Jacob?
was unable to conceive. This caused envy and tension
between the two sisters. 4. What lesson do we learn about polygamy from
Polygamy causes serious problems. Though some argue Jacob’s family and other examples in the Bible?
from the patriarch’s example that polygamy was permitted

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 doesn’t require us to subject ourselves to constant
GENESIS 31: JACOB FLEES abuse—whether it is financial, physical or emotional.

FROM LABAN Rachel’s mistake

As Jacob was fleeing Laban, his wife Rachel secretly stole
Laban’s household idols (verse 19). Jacob was totally
JACOB DECIDES TO GO HOME unaware that she had done this. When Laban caught
up with Jacob’s caravan, he confronted him about the
Genesis 31:17-18: “Then Jacob rose, and set his sons and missing idols: “But why did you steal my gods?” (verse
his wives on camels. And he carried away all his livestock 30). This was probably a legitimate question on his
and all his possessions which he had gained, his acquired part. He had lived and worked alongside Jacob for many
livestock which he had gained in Padan Aram, to go to his years and knew Jacob had no interest in idolatry and
father Isaac in the land of Canaan.” wasn’t a thief. So, he was probably legitimately
perplexed that the idols would come up missing at the
same time Jacob fled.
Jacob had served Based on the archaeological find of tablets from the
Laban for 20 years. Key Concepts to Know ancient Mesopotamian city of Nuzi, some researchers
For a number • Jacob flees secretly think that these household idols might have been
of reasons, it from Laban connected with inheritance rights, and Rachel’s theft
was time for might have been a misguided attempt to enable Jacob to
him to move on • Rachel steals her secure her father’s property.
and return to father’s idols Whether or not that might be the case, Jacob was so
his homeland, • Jacob and Laban part confident that no one in his household would have done
Canaan. Laban’s peacefully such a thing that he allowed Laban to search through
attitude had turned his possessions. Jacob said if he found someone with the
very negative idols, that person would be put to death (verse 32). But
toward him, and Laban’s sons were also beginning to Rachel was able to hide the idols from Laban (verse 34).
resent Jacob’s success and prosperity. Even when given Hopefully Rachel later spiritually matured and disposed
the worst of the flocks as a wage, somehow Jacob’s of the household idols. Genesis 35:4 describes a time when
animals reproduced more than the animals of his uncle’s Jacob confiscated and buried “all the household gods” of
household. Of course, God had promised to bless Jacob— his family and those who lived with them.
and was fulfilling that promise. Unfortunately, success After dealing with the controversy of the missing idols,
often results in resentment and jealousy in others who Jacob and Laban made a covenant and parted peacefully.
are less successful. Jacob was able to move forward toward his homeland
Jacob, wanting to avoid a confrontation with his uncle, without any worries about Laban causing further
left secretly with his family, flocks and possessions problems for him.
(verse 20). When Laban heard of Jacob’s departure, he To learn about the danger of idolatry today, read
pursued and overtook him. But before Laban faced “Idolatry—Then and Now.”
his nephew, God warned him in a dream to do no harm
to Jacob (verse 24)—a command that Laban, to his Questions:
credit, heeded.
God is aware of the bad situations we sometimes find 1. How many years did Jacob live with and
ourselves in. Despite the circumstances, Jacob had done work for Laban?
what was right and worked hard. Jacob felt that Laban had 2. What caused Laban’s sons to be resentful
underpaid him for his labor (verse 7). of Jacob?
A lesson we can learn from Jacob’s decision to flee is
that it is appropriate to remove ourselves from abusive 3. What did Rachel do before she left for
situations. Though the Bible teaches patience and that Canaan?
sometimes we have to take an undeserved wrong, God

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 protection. No matter what the circumstance we face, we
GENESIS 32: WRESTLING should remember there is nothing too hard for God to
deal with (Jeremiah 32:27). For another example of taking
WITH GOD our fears and difficulties to God, read Hezekiah’s example
in 2 Kings 19.
Third, Jacob prepared several large gifts of his flocks and
JACOB PREPARES TO MEET ESAU possessions that would be presented to Esau consecutively
as he approached him. Three groups of servants would
Genesis [Link] “Deliver me, I pray, from the hand of my space themselves some distance apart from each other
brother, from the hand of Esau; for I fear him, lest he come and present these gifts to Esau, explaining they were from
and attack me and the mother with the children.” “your servant Jacob” (Genesis 32:18). It seems Jacob was
making a peace offering to Esau—in effect saying, “I know
After making a peace covenant with Laban, Jacob and I’ve wronged you, and I want to make it right.”
his family continued on toward his homeland of Canaan. Jacob’s approach was noble. He could have prepared
Twenty years earlier Esau had plotted to murder him his family and servants to potentially battle Esau, but he
(Genesis 27:41). Though Jacob knew God had promised didn’t. Instead, he fought the potential wrath and violence
to protect him and bless with kindness.
his descendants, he We learn from the Proverbs that “a gift in secret
still feared what might Key Concepts to Know pacifies anger” (Proverbs 21:14). Acts of kindness toward
happen. He knew he • Jacob’s fear of Esau perceived enemies are often a key to building peaceful
had to use wisdom to relationships. Jesus Christ taught: “love your enemies,
return home safely and • Jacob asks for God’s do good” (Luke 6:35). If individuals or nations today
protect his family from protection but practiced this simple principle toward each other—
Esau and his men. prepares for the worst treating each other with kindness—most of man’s
Jacob first sent relationship issues could be solved.
emissaries to Canaan
• Jacob prepares gifts Having prayed to God and taken wise, proactive steps
to communicate his for Esau toward a peaceful meeting with Esau, Jacob removed his
coming and to try to family even farther from the situation in order to ensure
gauge his brother’s their safety (Genesis 32:22-23).
intentions (Genesis 32:3). The news he received was After sending his family over a brook, Jacob was left
distressing: Esau was coming to meet him with 400 men! alone for the night before his meeting with Esau. But
In Jacob’s mind, this was a small army led by Esau with something else would happen that night. He would be
the potential to massacre Jacob, his family and servants. confronted by a Stranger—a confrontation that would
How did he respond to this threat? change his life.
First, he divided his family and servants into two
groups, and he separated them from each other in Questions:
preparation for his brother’s arrival (verses 7-8). His
reasoning was that if Esau attacked the first group he 1. What did Jacob fear would happen when he
came to, the second group could escape and half of Jacob’s saw Esau again after 20 years?
caravan would survive.
2. What were two physical preparations Jacob
Second, he turned to God in prayer for protection
(verses 9-12). This is evidence of a more spiritually mature made for his reunion with his brother?
Jacob than the man we read about in chapters 25-27. In his 3. How did Jacob spiritually prepare for the
younger days, he achieved his goals through trickery and reunion?
deception. Now he had learned the importance of seeking
God’s blessings and protection through prayer. 4. What lesson about resolving conflicts can
When faced with potential dangers and difficulties in we learn from Jacob’s preparation of gifts
life, this is what mature Christians should do: get on our for his brother?
knees and ask for God’s help, claiming His promises of

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A SUPERNATURAL WRESTLING MATCH 20-year separation. Jacob was limping due to having his
hip dislocated (Genesis 32:31). This likely reinforced
Genesis [Link] “Then Jacob was left alone; and a Man Jacob’s need for total faith in God to make the meeting
go well—because if Esau had attacked him, Jacob in his
wrestled with him until the breaking of day.”
weakened state would have had no chance against his
That night, something unique happened to Jacob. older brother.
Seemingly out of nowhere, a Man appeared and wrestled But all his fears were quickly laid to rest when Esau
with him. This struggle lasted for several hours until the met him. “But Esau ran to meet him, and embraced
early morning hours. him, and fell on his neck and kissed him, and they wept”
After seeing Jacob’s determination to fight, the Man (Genesis 33:4).
touched his hip and moved it out of the socket (verse 25). Unexpectedly, Esau set the example in this story.
But, amazingly, even after having his hip dislocated, Jacob Sometime before meeting Jacob in Genesis 33, Esau
refused to let the Man go “unless You bless me!” (verse 26). forgave his brother. Jacob had not yet asked for
Who was this forgiveness, but his brother gave it anyway, freely and of
Man who wrestled his own volition. Esau made the choice to let go of a deep-
with Jacob? Key Concepts to Know seated grudge that would have otherwise consumed him.
The evidence is • Jacob wrestles with God Of course, Jacob had prayed for favor with Esau
clear that this Man (Genesis 32:9-12). But it’s also possible that Esau, during
was the One who
• Jacob’s name changed the time of his brother’s absence, came to understand a
later came as Jesus to Israel fundamental truth of human nature: Even if some people
Christ, known as the • The emotional reunion don’t ask for forgiveness for their actions, it can be to our
Word (John 1:1-3). of Esau and Jacob benefit to forgive them. We can choose to angrily cling to
We are told Jacob past injustices, or we can choose to forgive and move on
saw God “face to with our lives.
face” (verse 30). We know this couldn’t be God the Father, We are then told that Jacob bought a plot of land in
since Christ said no man has seen or heard the Father (John Canaan near the city of Shechem (in what was later
5:37). Hosea 12:3-4 states that Jacob struggled with God northern Israel, near Mount Gerizim and Mount Ebal).
and prevailed. Yes, the Word (Jesus Christ) appeared in There he built an altar to God and named it “El Elohe
human form, as He did other times in the Old Testament. Israel” (meaning “God, the God of Israel”). This is a
To learn more about the preexistence of Jesus Christ, read detail that is easy to read over, but it is the first time Jacob
“Jesus Christ Was the God of the Old Testament.” (Israel) refers to God as his God. Before, he referred to
God as “the God of my father” (Genesis 31:42; 32:9). Now,
Jacob becomes Israel God is his God.
The Man then did something unexpected—He gave To learn more about the important concept of
Jacob a new name. No longer would his name be Jacob, forgiveness, read our article “How to Forgive.”
meaning “supplanter.” He wouldn’t be characterized by
manipulation and deceit anymore—he would now be
Questions:
named Israel, meaning “prevailer” or “overcomer with
God.” He told Jacob that his name was being changed 1. Who was the Man who wrestled with
because “you have struggled with God and with men, Jacob all night?
and have prevailed” (Genesis 32:28). After the name
change, the Man blessed the newly named Israel and then 2. What did He do after Jacob requested
vanished. Though He doesn’t change our name in this a blessing?
physical life, God promises to give His people a new name 3. How did He end the wrestling match
in the future (Revelation 2:17). with Jacob?
Esau and Jacob reunite 4. How did the reunion between the two
After struggling with God throughout the night, the brothers go?
next day Jacob was reunited with his brother after a

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 As we have pointed out throughout this study guide,
GENESIS 34: THE DINAH INCIDENT the Bible does not “whitewash” the people it covers. What
Simeon and Levi did was wrong. Yes, Shechem’s actions
were wrong and sinful—but the correct response wasn’t
HOW GOD VIEWS “THE DINAH INCIDENT” deceiving both him and his people and slaughtering them
in cold blood.
Genesis [Link] “Now it came to pass on the third day, To read more about how God views Simeon and Levi’s
when they were in pain, that two of the sons of Jacob, actions, see our articles “Lying vs. Telling the Truth” and
Simeon and Levi, Dinah’s brothers, each took his sword “Jesus Christ Taught Peace and Nonviolence.”
and came boldly upon the city and killed all the males.”
Questions:
The story begins
when Dinah, Key Concepts to Know 1. What did Shechem ask to do after he violated
the daughter of Dinah?
• Shechem rapes Dinah
Jacob and Leah, 2. What did the brothers require in order for
was sexually • Shechem’s marriage Shechem to marry Dinah?
violated by proposal
Shechem the 3. What did Simeon and Levi do to the Hivites?
• Simeon and Levi
Hivite, a prince deceptively attack
in the land
of Canaan.
Shechem, who apparently was smitten with Dinah,
proceeded to seek Dinah’s hand in marriage by asking for GENESIS 35: JACOB MOVES AGAIN
Jacob’s permission.
Jacob’s sons were outraged by Shechem’s actions toward
their sister. They were determined to prevent the marriage JACOB RETURNS TO BETHEL
and exact revenge on the Hivites for Shechem’s sin.
Dinah’s brothers “spoke deceitfully” to Shechem, saying Genesis [Link] “Then God said to Jacob, ‘Arise, go up to
that they would agree to the marriage only if all the males Bethel and dwell there.’”
of the city would become circumcised (verses 13-15).
Shechem agreed, and all the males of the city were After the Dinah incident, Jacob and his family were
circumcised so he could marry Dinah. Three days later, commanded to “go up to Bethel” (verse 1). This was
when they were still in pain from the procedure in a the location south of Shechem where God had revealed
sensitive area of the human anatomy, Simeon and Levi Himself to Jacob years earlier through the dream of
rushed in and “boldly” slaughtered the city’s helpless the ladder
men (verse 25). ascending to
This is the only scripture in the King James Version heaven. As Key Concepts to Know
of the Bible where the Hebrew word betach is translated they were • Jacob’s household moves south
“boldly.” It is translated “safely” 17 times and “carelessly” leaving, Jacob
three times—so it might be more accurate to say that reminded his • Jacob confronts idolatry
Simeon and Levi went on their premeditated killing spree household, • Rachel’s and Isaac’s deaths
without having to fear for their personal safety. “Put away the
God doesn’t explicitly respond to the brothers’ actions foreign gods”
• Reuben’s sin
in this passage of the Bible, but other scriptures command (verse 2).
us, “You shall not bear false witness against your Jacob’s command would prove to be almost prophetic,
neighbor” (Exodus 20:16) and “‘Vengeance is Mine, I will as these five simple words would highlight a perpetual
repay,’ says the Lord” (Hebrews 10:30). Jacob’s sons were weakness of his descendants throughout their history.
guilty of both speaking deceitfully and violently taking Israel would continually find itself drawn to the
vengeance into their own hands—actions God condemns. deities and worship practices of surrounding nations.

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Unfortunately, the Israelites would never truly give up not receive those blessings: “Now the sons of Reuben
their idolatry addiction and would ultimately be carried the firstborn of Israel—he was indeed the firstborn, but
off into captivity because of this sin (Ezekiel 6:9). because he defiled his father’s bed, his birthright was
God’s people today (spiritual Israel) face a similar given to the sons of Joseph, the son of Israel, so that the
challenge. Carved images may have declined in genealogy is not listed according to the birthright” (1
popularity, but believers must contend with an ever- Chronicles 5:1).
growing pantheon of false gods. These gods include Third, Isaac died shortly after Jacob returned to the area
one’s employment, electronics, entertainment, money at the age of 180 years. The chapter ends with the two
and many other distractions of modern life. The New former rivals, Esau and Jacob, coming together to bury
Testament writers continually warn Christians to come and honor their beloved father.
out of world and be different (John 17:15; Romans 12:2; 2
Timothy 2:4; Revelation 18:4). Questions:
To discover more about battling idolatry today, read our 1. What problem did Jacob address that
article “Idolatry—Then and Now.”
would continue to plague his descendants
Happenings in Bethel throughout their history?
Jacob finally returned to Bethel and built an altar to the 2. What new detail about the blessings to
true God (Genesis 35:7). Then God appeared to Jacob Jacob’s descendants did God reveal at
once again, reinforcing his name change from Jacob Bethel?
to Israel and adding more details to the promises his
descendants would receive in the future: “I am God 3. What was the major historical consequence
Almighty. Be fruitful and multiply; a nation and a of Reuben’s sexual sin with Bilhah?
company of nations shall proceed from you, and kings
shall come from your body” (verse 11).
This is the first time the recorded promises included
the detail that “a nation and a company of nations” would
come from Jacob. Later, we will read that these specific
blessings were passed on to Joseph’s sons, Ephraim and
GENESIS 37: JOSEPH—
Manasseh (Genesis 48:19). We will cover those promises JACOB’S FAVORITE SON
in detail in a future reading.
The rest of the chapter tells of three other significant
events that happened after Jacob returned to Bethel. PLAYING FAVORITES
First, Rachel, Jacob’s favorite wife, died giving birth to
her second child, whom Jacob named Benjamin (meaning Genesis [Link] “Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his
“son of my right hand”). Rachel was buried on the way children, because he was the son of his old age. Also he
to Ephrath, a town later known as Bethlehem. The site made him a tunic of many colors.”
of Rachel’s grave was still being used as a landmark
hundreds of years later (1 Samuel 10:2). To this day, there As we begin
is a site in the modern state of Israel known as the Tomb Genesis 37, Key Concepts to Know
of Rachel the Matriarch (though whether or not it is the the focus
genuine tomb of the biblical Rachel is disputed). of Genesis
• Jacob’s favoritism toward
Second, Reuben, Jacob’s firstborn son through Leah, shifts to the Joseph
committed a serious sin by having sex with Bilhah (one life of Joseph. • Joseph’s dreams
of Jacob’s concubines, through whom Jacob had two sons, Like Jacob,
Dan and Naphtali). This was a very serious sexual sin Joseph lived
• The brothers’ anger
(Deuteronomy 22:30; 1 Corinthians 5:1). an exciting
This had significant historical consequences. Reuben, life—filled with
as Jacob’s firstborn, was in line to be the recipient of trials, twists and turns. Joseph’s story begins when he is a
the birthright blessings. But because of this sin, he did young man who at times lacked discretion and wisdom.

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But over the course of his life he became one of the wisest,
most powerful men in the world. Questions:
There are a lot of families in the Bible who’ve had 1. What did Jacob give to Joseph that
problems—and the family of Jacob (Israel) was no
symbolized his preference for him?
exception. Joseph was Jacob’s favorite child, born of his
favorite wife (Genesis 29:30; 30:22-24). We are told that 2. What principle of parenting did Jacob
Jacob “made him a tunic of many colors.” In a time when ignore?
color dyes were expensive and precious, a gift like a
3. Why did Joseph’s dreams anger his brothers?
multicolored coat made it abundantly clear to everyone
that Jacob played favorites, and Joseph was the favorite.
The striking coat became a symbol of this favoritism to
Joseph’s brothers. It is referred to four more times in this
chapter (Genesis 37:23, 31, 32, 33). THE BROTHERS’ JEALOUSY LEADS TO
This blatant favoritism led to some serious fissures within VIOLENCE
Jacob’s family. We are told his brothers “hated him” (verse 5).
This account should be a lesson to parents. Even though Genesis [Link] “So it came to pass, when Joseph had
each child will have his or her own unique needs, a parent come to his brothers, that they stripped Joseph of his
should never favor one child over another. The New tunic, the tunic of many colors that was on him.”
Testament instructs parents, “Do not provoke your children
to wrath” (Ephesians 6:4). Obvious favoritism of one child Joseph’s dreams were apparently the proverbial straw
is a prime way to provoke children to anger. For more tips that broke the camel’s back. Though his brothers already
on successful parenting, read our article “Parenting Advice.” resented him, his dreams of rising above them resulted
in seething anger. We read that “his brothers went to
Joseph and his amazing prophetic dreams feed their father’s flock in Shechem” (verse 12). Joseph
The tensions grew worse when Joseph began having dreams was apparently exempt from this job, staying home with
and sharing them with his brothers. The two dreams his father.
described in Genesis 37 essentially had the same message. Unfortunately
In the first dream, there were sheaves of wheat in a for Joseph, his Key Concepts to Know
field—each representing one of Jacob’s sons. The sheaf father sent him • The brothers conspire
representing Joseph “arose and also stood upright,” while out to check
against Joseph
all the other sheaves “bowed down” to his (verse 7). In on his older
the second dream Joseph saw the sun, moon and 11 stars brothers when • Joseph sold into slavery
bowing down to him (verse 9). their anger • The brothers deceive Jacob
Young Joseph unwisely shared his dreams with his had reached
family with disastrous results. These dreams seemed so a murderous
outrageous that they disturbed even Jacob, who kept the level (verses 13-14). When they saw their brightly dressed
potential implications in mind for a long time (verse 11). brother coming from a distance, they “conspired against
These dreams were not meaningless. As we will see him to kill him” (verse 18).
as we progress through the Joseph narratives, they The brothers originally intended to murder Joseph
were prophecies of Joseph’s future and the future of his as soon as he arrived. But those plans changed when
descendants. Joseph would ultimately rise to prominence Reuben, the oldest, intervened and convinced them to
over his brothers as a high-ranking official in the Egyptian throw Joseph into a pit instead. Reuben’s intention was to
government, and his brothers would literally bow before rescue him later (verse 22).
him (Genesis 42:6). And the ultimate fulfillment of these Then a band of Ishmaelite merchants passed through
dreams would be thousands of years later when Joseph’s the area. Judah proposed that Joseph could be sold as
descendants would rise to world prominence. We will a slave—giving them some money to divide among
learn more about these promises in a future reading. themselves. They also reasoned that doing that
To learn more about dreams in the Bible, read wouldn’t be as bad as if they murdered him (verse 27).
“Interpretation of Dreams.” Unfortunately, human beings have a proclivity toward

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reasoning in a way that makes them feel better about their in the lie, but of not doing what he knew was
own sins (Proverbs 14:12). right—often called a sin of omission (James 4:17).
This occurred while Reuben was gone (Genesis 37:29- To overcome sin, we must repent. For an explanation of
30). He knew that, as the oldest brother, he was ultimately how to repent, read our article “How to Repent.”
responsible for what went on there, so he made the
unfortunate decision to be complicit in the brothers’ Questions:
conspiracy going forward.
Joseph, formerly the privileged son of Jacob, was now 1. What were the brothers’ first two plans
heading to Egypt as a slave. It’s hard to imagine the to get rid of Joseph?
emotions he must have felt as he lost his freedom and his 2. What did they ultimately decide to do to
family in one day. His life—and the history of his people— him?
would never be the same.
3. What role did Reuben play in the plot
The brothers deceive their father against Joseph?
After selling Joseph, the brothers now faced the most 4. How did the brothers deceive their father?
immediate consequence of their actions: What would they
tell their father?
At this point they had essentially two options:
• They could repent of their sin and immediately
begin searching for Joseph to bring him home.
• They could make up a story that explained Joseph’s GENESIS 38: JUDAH AND TAMAR
disappearance and lie to their father.
Unfortunately, the brothers chose the latter.
We read that they “took Joseph’s tunic, killed a kid of JUDAH AND TAMAR: A LESSON IN HYPOCRISY
the goats, and dipped the tunic in the blood. Then they
sent the tunic of many colors, and they brought it to Genesis [Link] “And Judah said to Onan, ‘Go in to your
their father and said, ‘We have found this. Do you know brother’s wife and marry her, and raise up an heir to
whether it is your son’s tunic or not?’” (verses 31-32). your brother.’”
Their method of deception was very cunning. Instead
of lying directly to their father, they presented him with Genesis 38 is an inset chapter that breaks from the
the bloodied tunic and allowed him to form his own narrative of
conclusion: “It is my son’s tunic. A wild beast has devoured Joseph’s life.
him. Without doubt Joseph is torn to pieces” (verse 33). We learn about Key Concepts to Know
There are two major lessons we can learn from this a troubling • Judah’s sons don’t provide
tragic account: incident in the an heir
• The dangerous, progressive nature of sin. The sad life of Judah
reality is that sin begets sin. The sin of jealousy led that apparently • Onan’s sin
the brothers to anger. Anger led to hatred. Hatred occurred • Tamar tricks Judah
led to a plot to murder. Their plan to murder was around the
• The birth of Perez and Zerah
abated by coveting a monetary payment for Joseph. same time
Covetousness led to selling their brother into (verse 1).
slavery. The accumulation of these sins led to the We read that Judah took a Canaanite woman named
brothers’ willful deception of their father. Shua to be his wife and had three sons with her: Er,
The lesson for Christians today is to stop the Onan and Shelah. The oldest son, Er, married a woman
progression of sin as early as possible (1 Corinthians named Tamar. The line of Judah was to continue through
6:18; Galatians 5:16; James 4:7; 1 Peter 5:8-9). this union. Unfortunately, Er was sinful and died before
• Silence can be sin. It is interesting that Reuben, having a child with his wife. According to the ancient
who intended to save Joseph, participated in the law of levirate marriage, the next son was then supposed
deception. He was guilty not only of participating to father a child with the widow. The child would be

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considered the legal heir of the deceased firstborn and What about Onan’s attempt at birth control? Is it
continue the family line (Deuteronomy 25:5-10). evidence that all contraception is sinful? No, that is not
Onan, the second son, had sex with Tamar but rebelliously what we are to learn from this account. Read our article
prevented her from conceiving a child for Er. This resulted “Is Birth Control Wrong?”
in Onan’s death. Judah then promised Tamar that she would
marry his third son, Shelah, when he reached an appropriate Questions:
age. That was a promise Judah never kept.
In her desperation, Tamar concocted a plan and 1. What did the law of levirate marriage say
disguised herself as a prostitute and lured Judah into should happen if a man died without having
hiring her for sex. He had no idea he was sleeping with an heir with his wife?
his own daughter-in-law. Since Judah had nothing to pay 2. What did Onan do that resulted in his death?
her with at the moment, he offered her his signet and cord
as a pledge for the payment of her sexual services. 3. How did Tamar finally have children to
Months later, when Judah discovered Tamar had continue Judah’s line?
become pregnant out of wedlock, he was angered and 4. Why was it so important for Judah’s line to
intended to execute her. What followed was probably the continue?
most embarrassing and humbling moment of Judah’s life!
Tamar presented the signet and the cord, revealing that
her father-in-law was himself the father. Judah realized
his error and sin and allowed her and the twins she
carried to live (Genesis 38:26). Tamar gave birth to two
boys, Perez and Zerah (verses 29-30). GENESIS 39: JOSEPH BEHIND BARS
A major lesson illustrated by this account is hypocrisy.
Judah was about to kill Tamar for a sin he was equally
guilty of. It took being confronted with his own sin to JOSEPH IS SOLD TO POTIPHAR
stop his hypocrisy.
Later we will read the example of Joseph, which stands Genesis [Link] “Now Joseph had been taken down to
in stark contrast to his brother’s hypocrisy. In private, Egypt. And Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, captain of the
Joseph would be tempted to commit adultery with his guard, an Egyptian, bought him from the Ishmaelites who
master’s wife, but he maintained his integrity by fleeing had taken him down there.”
from the sin (Genesis 39:11-12).
Study these verses to learn more about Christ’s teaching After being
on hypocrisy: Matthew 23:25-28; Luke 12:1-3; John 8:1- sold by his Key Concepts to Know
12; Romans 2:21-24. brothers, • Joseph was sold to Potiphar
But does this story have another purpose? Yes. This Joseph was
story is included in the Genesis narrative to show how the taken to • Trade routes of the ancient world
line of Judah was preserved. Because of the death of his Egypt and • Joseph was promoted over
two sons, Judah’s line was at risk of ending. Had Judah’s purchased Potiphar’s household
line ended, the promises God planned to fulfill through by a
Judah—mainly the coming of the Messiah—would not prominent
have been fulfilled as God intended (Genesis 49:8-12). Egyptian named Potiphar (some commentators
Jesus Christ came through the line of Perez—the firstborn translate the title “captain of the guard” as “chief of the
twin (Matthew 1:3). executioners”).
Though Judah and Tamar’s actions were far from an It is important that we understand the geographical and
ideal way for the line to be carried forward, God still historical context. The land of Canaan, where the family
was able to use this circumstance to fulfill His plan. of Jacob was residing when Joseph’s brothers sold him
This is a theme we see throughout the book of Genesis: into slavery, was located on a strategic trade route.
God can and will work out His plan despite the mistakes Canaan linked the two most commercially developed
of human beings. civilizations of the ancient world—Mesopotamia and

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Egypt. Traders would bring goods west and south from people, tangible skills and seeking God’s blessing can have
what is now Iraq to Egypt through the strip of land known similar positive effects on our professional lives.
as Canaan (and vice versa). Throughout its history, Israel To read more about the lessons of Joseph’s success,
was often caught in the crosshairs of international politics read our blog post “How ‘The Joseph Effect’ Can Affect
between Egypt and empires to its north and east (for Your Job.”
example, the Hittites, Assyrians, Babylonians and Persians).
This account shows that international slave trade was a Questions:
component of the economy of the ancient world. It would
take over 3,000 more years of human history before major 1. Who was Joseph sold to and what was his
nations began to outlaw the slave trade. It was not until position in Egypt?
1981, nearly 3,700 years after Joseph was sold into slavery, 2. Why were traders traveling through Canaan,
that the small African nation of Mauritania became the land where Joseph and his brothers lived?
the last nation to outlaw slavery. Sadly, in spite of that,
millions are still enslaved today. 3. What position was Joseph promoted to?
As we will see, the fact that Joseph was sold to Potiphar 4. What key characteristics made Joseph
shows that God’s hand was guiding Joseph’s life—despite successful in Potiphar’s household?
the awful circumstances he found himself in. As we have
seen throughout the Genesis narratives, God can work
through bad human decisions and difficult circumstances
to fulfill His purpose.
Even though he was a slave, Joseph succeeded in an
JOSEPH FLEES SIN
extraordinary way. We are told, “The Lord was with Joseph, Genesis [Link] “And it came to pass after these things that
and he was a successful man; and he was in the house of his master’s wife cast longing eyes on Joseph, and she
his master the Egyptian. … Then he [Potiphar] made him
said, ‘Lie with me.’”
[Joseph] overseer of his house, and all that he had he put
under his authority. … And he did not know what he had Potiphar had
except for the bread which he ate” (Genesis 39:2, 4, 6). given Joseph Key Concepts to Know
How did Joseph rise from a lowly foreign slave to the charge of
overseer of a prominent Egyptian’s household? Some of his entire
• Potiphar’s wife tries to
the keys to Joseph’s success were: household. seduce Joseph
• He was a hard worker. He trusted his • Joseph resists temptation
• He worked well with people. character and
• Joseph is falsely accused
• He had leadership and business skills, which he work ethic so
clearly demonstrated later in his life (Genesis much that he and thrown in prison
41:46-49, 55-57). could leave him
But the most important factor in Joseph’s success was unattended with no fears. But the same could not be
God’s blessing. Potiphar noticed the positive results that said for Potiphar’s wife.
came from Joseph’s work and entrusted him with the Not only was Joseph a young man, he was also very
day-to-day stewardship of his home. Joseph was much “handsome in form and appearance” (Genesis 39:6). As
like David, who led Israel “according to the integrity days turned into weeks, and weeks turned into months,
of his heart, and guided them by the skillfulness of his Potiphar’s wife became very attracted to this Hebrew
hands” (Psalm 78:72). Character and skills contribute slave. We are told she “cast longing eyes on Joseph”
to success in life. (verse 7)—desiring him physically. Eventually she made
Study the examples of other biblical people who excelled a move to try to seduce him into an adulterous affair
professionally through this combination of skills: Jacob, with her (verse 7).
Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, Abed-Nego and Nehemiah. But Joseph refused her advances because he knew it was
A key lesson for Christians is the importance of dishonorable to sleep with the wife of his master (who
developing the same work ethic Joseph had. The deeply trusted him) and because it was sin—breaking
combination of hard work, the ability to work with other God’s law against adultery and fornication (verses 8-9).

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This is one of many accounts in the Bible that prove Joseph’s hand all the prisoners who were in the prison. …
that God’s law was in effect long before it was codified The keeper of the prison did not look into anything that
at Mount Sinai. Joseph had to know about God’s law in was under Joseph’s authority, because the Lord was
order to dogmatically state that adultery was a “sin with him; and whatever he did, the Lord made it
against God” (verse 9). To read more about this important prosper” (Genesis 39:22-23).
topic, read our article “Were the 10 Commandments To read more about the danger of sexual sins, read:
Around Before Moses?” • “Seventh Commandment: You Shall Not
Yet, despite Joseph’s rejection of her advances, Potiphar’s Commit Adultery.”
wife continued to try to seduce Joseph “day by day” • “Lust: Satan’s Daily Attack on Men, Part 1.”
(verse 10). This may have gone on for weeks or months, • “Lust: Christian Men Fight Back, Part 2.”
but every time she made an advance toward him, Joseph
steadfastly refused. He tried to avoid even being near her Questions:
as a way to avoid the temptation (verse 10).
Joseph understood the principle Paul would write about 1. How did Joseph respond to the advances of
hundreds of years later in 1 Corinthians [Link] “Flee sexual Potiphar’s wife?
immorality.” Fleeing sexual temptation is vital when the 2. After Joseph fled from her last proposition,
temptation is in front of you, but it’s even better if you what did Potiphar’s wife do to Joseph?
flee the situation that can lead to the temptation. Jesus
Christ’s model prayer teaches us to pray: “And do not 3. How was Joseph’s time in prison similar to
lead us into temptation” (Matthew 6:13). The point is that his experience in Potiphar’s house?
we shouldn’t just avoid and resist the sin, we should also
avoid situations that can lead to the temptation of sin.
Then one day Potiphar’s wife found Joseph all alone
“and caught him by his garment, saying, ‘Lie with me’”
(verse 12). This time Joseph had to literally run! He fled so GENESIS 40: THE BAKER AND
fast that he left his garment in her hands (verses 11-12).
Now that she realized this Hebrew slave would never BUTLER DREAM
give in, she decided to destroy the man who (she felt)
had scorned her. Holding the garment he left behind,
she concocted a false story that Joseph had tried to rape GOD INTERPRETS DREAMS
her, only fleeing after she screamed for help (verses
13-15). When Potiphar heard this, he threw Joseph into Genesis [Link] “And they said to him [Joseph], ‘We each
prison (verses 19-20). have had a dream, and there is no interpreter of it.’ So
Imagine how Joseph must have felt at this point. If Joseph said to them, ‘Do not interpretations belong to
he had known what a roller coaster was, he might have God? Tell them to me, please.’”
described his life as one! Going from the privileged son
of a wealthy man to a slave in a strange land, to the Joseph was now
overseer of a wealthy Egyptian’s entire household and a prisoner in Key Concepts to Know
now a prisoner again. an Egyptian
He could have begun to question whether his integrity dungeon. • Pharaoh’s butler and baker
was worth it, but he didn’t. He continued to live the way Yet, through imprisoned
he had before. He provides an excellent example of what God’s favor, • The two men have dreams
the apostle Peter wrote hundreds of years later: “But when he had risen
you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is to a position • Joseph interprets the dreams
commendable before God” (1 Peter 2:20). of leadership
How do we know he continued living this way? Because within the
we read that it wasn’t long before the keeper of the prison (Genesis 39:21-23).
prison saw the same character and skills that Potiphar Meanwhile, sometime during Joseph’s imprisonment,
had noticed years earlier. We are told he “committed to Pharaoh became angry with his chief butler and baker

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and had them imprisoned. The keeper of the prison put
these two men in Joseph’s care (Genesis 40:1-4). Questions:
One night, both men had disturbing dreams. Joseph
noticed the next morning that they both looked upset 1. What happened in the butler’s dream? How
and asked them why. (Here we see another example of his did Joseph interpret it?
character: he genuinely cared for others.) They told him 2. What happened in the baker’s dream? How
of their dreams and explained they didn’t know of anyone did Joseph interpret it?
who could interpret them. Joseph told them God could
and asked them for the details of their dreams (verses 5-8). 3. What did Joseph ask the butler to do when
The chief butler described his dream first. In his he returned to work? Did he do it?
dream, he saw a vine that had three budding branches
that produced impressive clusters of grapes. In the
dream, he pressed the grapes and served the cup to
Pharaoh (verses 9-11).
Through God’s revelation, Joseph interpreted the GENESIS 41: JOSEPH MEETS
dream. The three branches represented three days—
within three days the butler would be released and THE PHARAOH
restored to his position (verses 12-13). Joseph asked
the butler to remember him when he was in Pharaoh’s
presence again (verses 14-15). JOSEPH CALLED TO PHARAOH’S COURT
Upon hearing the good meaning of the butler’s dream,
Genesis [Link] “Then it came to pass, at the end of two full
the chief baker recounted his dream to Joseph. He
dreamed that there were three white baskets on his head. years, that Pharaoh had a dream.”
The top basket was full of baked goods for the Pharaoh.
But birds devoured the food while the basket was still on Chapter 41 begins
his head (verses 16-17). two years after the Key Concepts to Know
Again, through God’s revelation, Joseph told the baker chief butler had • Pharaoh has two
that the three baskets represented three days—within been restored to
mysterious dreams
those three days the baker would be hanged and the birds his position. Joseph
would eat the flesh from his corpse (verses 18-19). was still in prison, • Joseph interprets the
The interpretation of the dreams provided by Joseph possibly losing dreams
proved accurate. Within three days the chief butler was hope that he would • Joseph is freed and
restored and the chief baker was hanged (verses 20-22). ever be free again.
promoted
But, perhaps in his relief and excitement to be restored Then one night
to his position, the butler forgot to mention Joseph to Pharaoh had a
Pharaoh (verse 23). dream. In his dream he saw seven healthy and fat cows
Unlike the butler, God did not forget Joseph. Likewise, come out of the Nile to feed. Suddenly, seven sickly and
we can be assured that God will fulfill His promise to scrawny cows followed and ate the healthy cows. The
never leave or forsake us (Deuteronomy 31:6). dream was so vivid that it awakened Pharaoh (verses 1-4).
In the next chapter we will see how God worked He managed to get back to sleep and then dreamed again.
through these events to put Joseph in the place where he This time Pharaoh dreamed about seven plump heads of
was needed at exactly the right time. grain that came up on one stalk. But suddenly, seven thin
Even though God occasionally used dreams and visions and damaged heads sprang up and devoured the seven
to communicate with mankind in Old Testament and good heads of grain.
early New Testament times, He mainly communicates Pharaoh tried to find an interpretation of the dreams
with His people today through His Bible and the Holy through his magicians and wise men, but none could offer
Spirit (Hebrews 1:1-2; John 14:26). a reasonable interpretation of the dreams. This whole
To learn more about God’s use of dreams in biblical drama reminded the chief butler of Joseph and his ability
history, read “Interpretation of Dreams.” to interpret dreams (verses 8-13).

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 The butler’s good word caused Pharaoh to call for Joseph’s life provides many lessons that show us what
Joseph. Before he came into Pharaoh’s presence, he God is doing in the lives of His people. Like Joseph, we
shaved, cleaned up and dressed in proper clothing (verse often suffer in this life, but our sufferings are nothing
14). Though this information may seem insignificant, it is compared to our future blessings (Romans 8:18). God
actually an important historical detail. Hieroglyphics and will give us a new name, and we will be given in marriage
art from ancient Egypt show that the Egyptians were very as part of the Bride of Christ to reign with Him for all
particular about grooming and hygiene. eternity (Revelation 2:17; 19:7; 1:6).
Joseph then explained the meaning of the two dreams. To learn more about the purpose of suffering in God’s
Both dreams revealed that Egypt was entering seven years plan for us, read the article “Why Am I Suffering?”
of agricultural abundance, when Egypt’s staple crops,
wheat and barley, would be abundant. But following Questions:
those seven years, there would be seven years of severe
1. What happened to the healthy cows and plump
famine (verses 17-32).
It is important to understand there were greater heads of grain in Pharaoh’s dreams?
forces at work than just the long-range weather patterns 2. What was the interpretation of the dreams?
in Egypt. Over the next 14 years, God would use His 3. What job was Joseph given in the Egyptian
miraculous control of the weather to accomplish His government?
purpose of bringing Israel into Egypt.

From slave to leader

Joseph told Pharaoh that the two dreams together meant
that the coming boom times and famine were “established
by God”—in other words, there was no avoiding them GENESIS 42: FAMINE HITS
(verse 32). But Joseph didn’t stop there. He advised
Pharaoh to appoint a wise man over Egypt’s agriculture
CANAAN
and economy to oversee stockpiling reserves during the
seven years of plenty. This would allow Egypt to survive
during the seven years of famine (verses 33-36). JACOB’S SONS MEET ZAPHNATH-PAANEAH
Pharaoh was so impressed with Joseph’s interpretation
Genesis [Link] “So Joseph’s ten brothers went down to
and counsel that he promoted him to the very position
he recommended! In one day, Joseph went from being
buy grain in Egypt.”
a prisoner to the second-highest ranking official in the
Egyptian government (verses 37-44). The famine Joseph
Along with this new job, Joseph was given a new had warned about Key Concepts to Know
Egyptian name (Zaphnath-Paaneah) and a priest’s had finally come
daughter in marriage (verse 45). Over the next seven upon Egypt and
• Famine strikes Egypt
years, the former slave and prisoner proved to be an the surrounding and Canaan
effective administrator, stockpiling so much food that regions—reaching • Jacob sends his sons to
Egypt was able to easily survive the famine, with all the way to buy grain in Egypt
enough to sell to people from other countries (verses 48- Canaan where his
49, 53-57). family lived. Jacob
• The brothers unknowingly
Even though Joseph didn’t fully understand it earlier, probably learned meet Joseph
his entire life experience was preparing him for this of the Egyptian • Joseph tests his brothers
responsibility. Before he could be exalted to this position, surplus through
he had to learn humility. As a teenager, he flaunted traders traveling
his dreams in front of his brothers, helping create the through Canaan and realized that in order for his family
animosity and jealousy that led to their selling him into to survive, he would need to send his sons down to Egypt
slavery. Joseph learned humility and wisdom through his to buy grain (verse 2). So 10 of them (all except Benjamin)
years of slavery and imprisonment. made the journey to Egypt.

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 Before giving the instruction, Jacob asked, “Why do you discussed what they had done to Joseph years ago and
look at one another?” We might say something today such how they were now experiencing the same distress they
as, “Don’t just stand there, do something!” They needed had inflicted on him. The principle of “what goes around,
outside help and soon! comes around” was now becoming very real to them.
Two important points can be drawn from this example: Hearing this conversation had a deep emotional effect
• It is helpful to address problems and issues quickly on Joseph, and he had to step away from them for some
and not let them linger (Ephesians 5:15-16; time to weep. Once he had composed himself, Joseph
Colossians 4:5). returned to them and imprisoned Simeon until they
• We shouldn’t feel as though we are too good for would return with Benjamin.
outside help (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12). For more information on resolving relationship issues,
In the same way that Jacob knew he needed to take read our material on relationships.
decisive action to find food, a Christian should realize that
it is important to address problems quickly—especially Questions:
spiritual problems that require we change some aspect
of our lives. 1. What did Jacob send his brothers to do? Why
did he give them this task?
An unsettling reunion 2. What reasons may explain why the brothers
Shortly after the brothers arrived in Egypt, they found didn’t recognize Joseph?
themselves in front of a man introduced as Zaphnath-
Paaneah, “the governor over the land” (verse 6). They 3. What did Joseph accuse his brothers of
had no idea this man was the brother they had sold being?
into slavery years earlier. But Joseph recognized them 4. What did Joseph require they do in order for
immediately. him to release Simeon from prison?
It had been years since he had seen his brothers. The last
time he had seen them was as he was being led away into
slavery. Now they didn’t even know who he was—possibly
due to the passing years, the Egyptian clothing he was
wearing, and the fact that he was speaking Egyptian. As
he stared down at his humbled brothers, Joseph probably GENESIS 43: BENJAMIN GOES
dealt with mixed emotions of anger, sadness and affection
all at the same time.
TO EGYPT
Then he remembered what he had dreamed years
ago—the dreams that he would rise above his brothers WHATEVER HAPPENS, HAPPENS
(Genesis 37). He probably began to realize that what
happened, happened for a reason bigger than any of them. Genesis [Link] “And may God Almighty give you mercy
But instead of revealing himself at that moment, Joseph before the man, that he may release your other brother
decided to test the brothers first to see what kind of men and Benjamin. If I am bereaved, I am bereaved!”
they were now after all those years.
So he continued as Zaphnath-Paaneah and treated them The brothers had returned from their strange encounter
harshly. When he heard where they were from, he accused with the high-ranking official in Egypt. When they told
them of being foreign spies against Egypt. The startled their father about Simeon’s imprisonment and the need
brothers told Joseph, “We are honest men” (verse 11). This to take Benjamin back with them, Jacob’s answer was a
was coming from 10 men who had hated and sold their own resounding no. However, as the supply of grain they had
brother and then lied to their aged father about his fate. brought back began to dwindle, Jacob asked them to
After Joseph told them that he required one of them to return to Egypt to restock. The sons reminded him that
stay confined in Egypt while the others returned home to they could not return without bringing Benjamin.
get their youngest brother (Benjamin), the brothers began Facing the prospect of starvation, Jacob finally relented
talking among themselves in their native tongue, believing and allowed his youngest son to go to Egypt. His words
that none of the Egyptians would understand them. They on making this decision were interesting: “If I am

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bereaved, I am he met their youngest brother (verse 30)? Why did he
bereaved” (verse Key Concepts to Know invite them to this feast when Egyptians normally wouldn’t
14). Jacob knew • Jacob allows Benjamin to eat with Hebrews (verse 32)? Why and how did he know
he had to allow go to Egypt their birth order (verse 33)? Why did he give Benjamin a
Benjamin to go serving five times as big as everyone else’s (verse 34)?
in order to save • Judah takes responsibility They must have been puzzled, but were probably totally
his family. He • The brothers attend an unprepared for what would happen next.
had resolved awkward feast
to do what had Questions:
to be done and
1. What did the brothers have to remind Jacob of
accept whatever consequences came as a result.
Queen Esther took a similar approach when she risked
when he asked them to return to Egypt to buy
her life to save the Jewish people. She declared, “If I more grain?
perish, I perish!” (Esther 4:16). Sometimes this approach 2. What did Jacob finally decide to allow, and
is necessary in a Christian’s life. Making hard decisions how did he approach this decision?
that are the right thing to do sometimes requires faith to
allow whatever happens to happen. To learn more about 3. What did Judah offer to reassure Jacob of his
making right decisions based on faith, read our article decision?
“What Is Faith?” 4. What happened to the brothers when they
It is interesting to note that it was Judah, one of the arrived in Egypt?
older brothers, who stepped up and personally guaranteed
Benjamin would return home safely (Genesis 43:8-9). He was
willing to take on full responsibility for his brother. Months
earlier, when the brothers had first told their father about
the need to take Benjamin to Egypt, it was Reuben who had
stepped up to guarantee his safe return (Genesis 42:37-38). GENESIS 44-45: JOSEPH TESTS HIS
When the brothers finally departed to return to the
feared Zaphnath-Paaneah, they took with them various
BROTHERS AND REVEALS HIMSELF
gifts to win his favor (Genesis 43:11-12). They wisely
understood the principle of a proverb that would be WHO HAS THE CUP?
penned years later: “A man’s gift makes room for him
and brings him before great men” (Proverbs 18:16, New Genesis [Link] “So he searched. He began with the oldest
American Standard Bible). and left off with the youngest; and the cup was found in
When they arrived in Egypt, instead of being Benjamin’s sack.”
interrogated as spies again, they were invited into Joseph’s
house, where a banquet was prepared for them. The At first, things seemed to be getting better for the
brothers were still uncomfortable and feared the Egyptian brothers. They had brought Benjamin to Egypt and
governor would accuse them of stealing and enslave instead of being accused as spies, Simeon was released
them (Genesis 43:18). After Simeon was brought out to from prison and they were all treated to a feast by the
them, they were offered water to wash their feet and their Egyptian governor. Now they had their sacks full of grain
donkeys were fed, which was a sign that they were being and were heading home.
treated as honored guests—not slaves. Imagine their shock when a servant of the Egyptian
Afterward, they shared a feast that must have been overtook them and accused them of stealing a valuable
extremely awkward and confusing for the brothers. Why silver cup. After the brothers thoroughly denied any
was a governor of Egypt, who months before had made wrongdoing, they offered to allow the official to search
serious accusations against them, now inviting them to everyone’s sack. And there it was, found in the last sack of
his home for dinner? grain that was searched—Benjamin’s.
Why was this man so interested in the well-being of their It must have been a surreal experience. Everything they
father (verse 27)? Why did he have to flee the room when knew about Benjamin would have convinced them it was

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not possible The brothers were shocked and speechless. Words
that he Key Concepts to Know probably cannot describe the actual scene of this tearful
would have • The brothers prepare to return family reunion.
committed home Joseph made his forgiveness clear, reassuring them
such an they had nothing to fear from him and that he now
audacious • Benjamin is accused of stealing understood it was God who directed the events in order
crime. • Judah pleads for Benjamin to preserve life (verse 5). It was through his being placed
But the in Egypt that perhaps millions of human lives—including
evidence • Joseph reveals his identity the family of Israel—were preserved from the famine.
seemed • The power of forgiveness As we have pointed out throughout this study guide, a
undeniable. major theme of the book of Genesis is God’s unseen hand
Devastated, guiding human events to fulfill His will.
they returned to the city for their punishment (verse 13). This account shows an amazing example of forgiveness
We know that all of this had been orchestrated by Joseph and reconciliation. Jesus Christ stated that we must
behind the scenes. He instructed his servant to plant the forgive if we want to be forgiven (Matthew 6:14-15). Even
cup in Benjamin’s bag while nobody was looking. Perhaps if someone sins against us repeatedly, we are to forgive
Joseph was arranging an excuse to keep Benjamin with (Luke 17:4). When it comes to dealing with injustices
him, or perhaps he was testing the brothers to see how they and wrongs from other people, Joseph stands as one of
would react to the prospect of losing the last son of Rachel. history’s towering examples of the power of forgiveness.
This would be the ultimate test to see if they had truly To learn more about the necessity and process of
changed from the hardened men who had contemplated forgiving others, read our articles “How to Forgive” and
murder and then sold their own brother into slavery. “Grudges.”
What happened next helped Joseph to see that his
brothers had changed. After he decreed that the 10 siblings Questions:
could go home but the perpetrator of the theft would
remain as his slave, Judah (who had personally guaranteed 1. What accusation was made against the
to Jacob that Benjamin would return safely) stepped up. brothers as they left Egypt?
He passionately recounted what had happened in the 2. Why was Benjamin accused of committing
previous months and explained how precious this boy was this crime?
and what the decree would do to his father.
He truthfully explained that his father had already 3. What was the truth behind this accusation?
experienced the loss of another beloved son and that 4. What did Judah plead before Joseph?
losing Benjamin would be too much for him to bear.
Judah then offered to take Benjamin’s place because he 5. What is a major spiritual lesson we can learn
would rather be a slave in Egypt than see the grief that the from Joseph’s example?
loss would cause Jacob.
Joseph now saw that his brothers had matured beyond
the calloused disregard for their father and brother they
had shown years before. They now showed sincere love
and concern. GENESIS 46-47: JACOB AND
Apparently, the brothers had learned they were to be JOSEPH REUNITE
their brother’s keeper—literally. To read more about how
we are to care for and protect others, read “Am I My
Brother’s Keeper?” A TEARFUL REUNION
Seeing Judah and the others’ reaction to the situation,
Joseph couldn’t continue with the act he was playing. Genesis [Link] “So Joseph made ready his chariot
He cleared the room of everyone except his brothers and went up to Goshen to meet his father Israel; and he
and wept openly as he revealed to them the truth: “I am presented himself to him, and fell on his neck and wept on
Joseph; does my father still live?” (Genesis 45:3). his neck a good while.”

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When the After the tearful reunion, Joseph arranged for his
brothers Key Concepts to Know family and their flocks to settle in Goshen, a tract of
returned • Jacob and Joseph are reunited land located in the northeastern Nile Delta region of
home and Egypt. There the children of Israel would settle and
informed • Jacob’s family settles in Goshen transform themselves from a large family into a nation.
Jacob that • Joseph nationalizes Egypt
his lost son Joseph nationalizes Egypt
was alive Joseph continued serving as Egypt’s governor after
and ruling as his family settled in the area. Genesis 47 tells us
a governor in Egypt, he did not believe them at first. But of his savvy leadership on behalf of the nation of
then we are told “the spirit of Jacob their father revived” Egypt. Unlike their government, the citizens had not
(Genesis 45:27). In other words, he went from being prepared themselves for the famine. As the famine
down and depressed to joyful and excited! continued, Egyptians became dependent on the state
How many years had Jacob been grief-stricken by the for food. Joseph used this situation to strengthen the
loss of his favorite son? How many flashbacks did Jacob government he led—in modern terms, he nationalized
have to the fateful day when his sons had presented Egyptian society.
Joseph’s bloodstained coat to him? How many tears had After the currency failed, Joseph demanded the
he shed, believing he would never see his son again? citizens’ livestock in exchange for grain (verse 16).
And now, against all odds and every expectation, he By doing this, the government controlled one of the
was embarking on a trip to Egypt to see his beloved major sources of production. When citizens no longer
son face-to-face. had livestock to sell, Joseph then began a program
Jacob packed all his possessions and, along with of selling grain for land (verse 20). By doing this,
about 70 members of his household, traveled to Egypt. he brought the majority of the land under national
Along the way, God communicated with him again and control—“so the land became Pharaoh’s” (verse 20).
revealed that his offspring would become “a great nation” Joseph then imposed a type of feudal system where he
during their sojourn in Egypt (see Exodus 1:7). granted citizens land to grow crops for themselves, but
Jacob continued southwest into Egypt to reunite with required 20 percent of their harvest be returned to the
his son. Upon meeting his father, Joseph “fell on his neck government.
and wept on his neck a good while” (Genesis 46:29). Joseph became a very popular figure in Egypt because
They had not seen each other for over 20 years! he saved thousands, maybe millions of lives, through
How many families have experienced Jacob’s pain without his policies. But he also enlarged the powers of the
ever having the chance to feel the joy of reunion? How position of Pharaoh. As the book of Exodus reveals,
many mothers and fathers have endured the indescribable that power would become a curse to the Israelites after
pain of losing a child, but never had a reunion? Joseph’s death.
Not yet, at least. To learn how to manage your money according to
Contained within the pages of God’s Word is the biblical principles, read our articles “Christian Budget”
promise of another reunion so incredible, so awesome, that and “Hard Work.”
Jacob and Joseph’s tearful meeting will pale in comparison.
Jacob only believed Joseph was dead, but there is coming Questions:
a time when the truly dead “small and great” (Revelation
20:12) “who are in the graves will hear His voice and 1. What did God reveal to Jacob on his way to
come forth” (John 5:28-29). Friends will be reunited with Egypt?
friends, husbands with wives, and parents with children! 2. What future event does the reunion between
Imagine a time when the long, tearful reunion shared Jacob and Joseph foreshadow?
between this father and son will be experienced by
billions of people in every corner of the globe. 3. What were two ways that Joseph used the
To learn more about the coming resurrections, famine to strengthen the power of the
download our booklet The Last Enemy: What Really Egyptian state?
Happens After Death?

| BEGINNINGS: UNDERSTANDING THE BOOK OF GENESIS, PART 2 | 41

 Joseph was confused and tried to correct his father
GENESIS 48: THE BIRTHRIGHT PASSES (verse 17). But Jacob assured him that this was intentional
and proceeded to pass the blessings on to Ephraim and
TO EPHRAIM AND MANASSEH Manasseh.
The patriarch bestowed the following prophetic
blessings on the brothers that would be fulfilled through
JACOB CROSSES HIS ARMS their descendants years later:
Genesis [Link] “Then Israel stretched out his right hand • Manasseh: “He also shall become a people, and
he also shall be great” (verse 19). Manasseh was to
and laid it on Ephraim’s head, who was the younger, and
become one nation that would be great.
his left hand on Manasseh’s head, guiding his hands • Ephraim: “But truly his younger brother
knowingly, for Manasseh was the firstborn.” [Ephraim] shall be greater than he, and his
descendants shall become a multitude of nations”
When Jacob was on his deathbed, Joseph and his sons (verse 19). Ephraim was not to be a great single
Manasseh and Ephraim visited the ailing patriarch. This nation, but would become a people who would
would not be just a farewell visit. Jacob was inspired to form multiple nations.
use this opportunity to pass on the birthright blessing. It Both of these future peoples would have similar
was now being passed to Joseph (through his two sons)— characteristics because they both represented Joseph
bypassing his firstborn, Reuben (who had disqualified (Genesis 49:22-26), but they would be distinguished
himself years earlier). in one primary way: Manasseh would consolidate into
But, as we one nation that would be extremely powerful. Ephraim
will see, this would be spread among a multitude of nations that
ceremony Key Concepts to Know would have a combined strength that would be even
would • Joseph and his sons visit Jacob greater than his brother nation.
be very on his deathbed Some believe these promises were fulfilled through
different the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh during the time of
from the • Jacob adopts and blesses ancient Israel. But they were merely individual tribes
previous Ephraim and Manasseh among the 12 tribes and not nations or a multitude of
times the • The future of Ephraim and nations. Genesis 49:1 provides a key clue to the timing
patriarchs Manasseh are described of these blessings—they would be fulfilled in the “last
passed it days.” In other words, times that were relatively close to
on. Instead the end of the age.
of passing it directly to his son Joseph, he instead adopted Looking at the characteristics provided in this scripture
the two boys as his own (verse 5) and divided the material and other places in Genesis, and comparing them with
blessings of the birthright between them. the historical record and the migrations of peoples, it is
How this ceremony took place is fascinating. clear that these blessings to Joseph were fulfilled in the
Since Manasseh was the firstborn of the two brothers, American and British peoples. The United States is the
Joseph had placed him on Jacob’s right side. The primary great single nation of Manasseh. The British peoples,
blessing was always given through the right hand spread throughout the world through an empire and later
(considered the hand of strength and dominance). The a commonwealth, represent Ephraim.
lesser blessing would be given to Ephraim by Jacob’s left Jacob concluded this ceremony by declaring that Joseph
hand. That’s how the blessings would have been given if (through Ephraim and Manasseh) would be receiving “one
Jacob had merely reached forward and blessed them. But portion [of the blessing] above your brothers” (Genesis
he did something unexpected. 48:22). The other sons of Jacob would also receive
The patriarch stretched out his right hand to the boy on blessings, which we will explore in the next reading.
his left (Ephraim) and his left hand to the boy on his right To learn more details about the fulfillment of these
(Manasseh). In other words, he crossed his arms. This blessings promised over 3,500 years ago, download our
wasn’t a mistake, but was the full intention of Jacob under booklet The United States, Britain and the Commonwealth
the inspiration of God (verse 14). in Prophecy.

42 | BEGINNINGS: UNDERSTANDING THE BOOK OF GENESIS, PART 2 |

 Ireland,
Questions: Denmark, Key Concepts to Know
1. Why did Joseph and his sons visit Jacob? Switzerland,
Belgium,
• Jacob gathers his sons
2. How did the way Jacob passed forward the Luxembourg, • Jacob prophesies of each
blessing differ from how his grandfather and Iceland, son’s descendants
father passed on the blessing? Norway and
• Jacob describes Judah’s and
Sweden. Some
3. What unusual thing did Jacob do at the Joseph’s future
of them were
beginning of the ceremony that Joseph tried to be scattered • Jacob dies
to correct? throughout the
4. What prophetic blessing did each boy other tribes—
receive? making them harder to identify nationally (Genesis 49:7).
The easiest sons to identify in our modern world are the
descendants of Judah (verses 8-12), who are the Jewish
people found in the nation of Israel and scattered around the
world, and the descendants of Joseph (verses 22-26), who
are primarily found in the United States, United Kingdom,
GENESIS 49: JACOB GATHERS Canada, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand.
HIS SONS View the chart on our page “12 Tribes of Israel” for a visual
representation of the descendants of the 12 brothers today.

JACOB PROPHESIES TO HIS SONS Prophecies for Joseph’s descendants

Space does not allow us to examine the prophecies to
Genesis [Link] “And Jacob called his sons and said, ‘Gather each son in depth. But we will look at the additional
together, that I may tell you what shall befall you in the prophecies made to Joseph’s progeny in verses 22-26.
last days.’” Remember that Joseph was given a “portion” of
blessings greater than the other brothers (Genesis 48:22).
Genesis 49:1 begins a long, detailed prophecy spoken When identifying his descendants in the modern world,
by Jacob. We are told that shortly before his death, he we look for nations that have been dominant in the
gathered his 12 sons together and prophesied what would following measurements of national power to a greater
“befall you in the last days” (verse 1). In the Bible “last extent than other nations.
days” refers to the time prior to Jesus Christ’s return. • Colonization. Joseph was prophesied to be “a
This tells us two important things about the fruitful bough by a well; his branches run over the
descendants of Jacob’s sons: wall” (Genesis 49:22). Joseph’s descendants would
• They would continue to exist in distinct entities— be a people prone toward colonial expansion.
nations. Many believe they exist today as the • National enemies. Joseph would be shot at by
Jewish people. In reality, the Jews mainly represent “archers” (verse 23). This indicates that other nations
three sons of Jacob: Judah, Levi and Benjamin. would be jealous and try to attack and destroy him.
• They would exist during the time prior to the • Environmental and agricultural blessings. Joseph
return of Jesus Christ. This shows that they must would receive blessings “of heaven above” (rainfall
exist today. In fact, Revelation 7:4-8 also shows and weather conditions conducive to agriculture),
they will exist during the end times. “of the deep that lies beneath” (natural resources)
The prophecy shows specific national characteristics and “of the womb” (fertility and life span) (verse 25).
and future challenges that would distinguish Jacob’s • Separate from the other tribes. Joseph’s
descendants. These national traits and characteristics descendants would become two distinct peoples
provide clues to help identify them today. Many of the (Ephraim and Manasseh) but would be “separate
characteristics lead us to believe that descendants of these from his brothers” (verse 26). This would be a
tribes are found in France, Israel, the Netherlands, Finland, geographic, cultural and linguistic separation.

| BEGINNINGS: UNDERSTANDING THE BOOK OF GENESIS, PART 2 | 43

 None of these indicators were fulfilled by the tribes of Immediately following his death, Joseph and his brothers
Ephraim and Manasseh during the days of ancient Israel. mourned for their father (Genesis 50:1). Because Jacob’s
These were to be fulfilled in the “last days” (verse 1). All wish was to be buried in the land of Canaan, Joseph
of these indicators, plus other biblical clues, lead us to the received special permission from Pharaoh to leave Egypt
conclusion that the American and British peoples are the temporarily to
inheritors of the birthright blessings given to Joseph. return to his
Manasseh is represented in the single nation of the homeland and Key Concepts to Know
United States. Ephraim is represented in the British bury his father
Commonwealth nations (mainly the United Kingdom, with his family
• Jacob is buried
Canada, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand). (verses 5-6, • Joseph reassures his brothers
Shortly after Jacob finished this series of prophecies, he 13-14). • The death of Joseph
laid down in his bed and “breathed his last” (verse 33). And Interestingly,
so ended the long, hard life of one of God’s faithful servants. when the • The roots of the Exodus
Perhaps his greatest legacy can be summed up in the word brothers
growth. His life is a living testimony to the ability of a human returned to
being to transform his character with the help of God. This Egypt from the burial, they feared that Joseph had only
man, who started as a trickster, died as a humbled, honest been showing kindness to them for the sake of their
and God-fearing man of faith (Hebrews 11:21). father. They feared that their powerful brother would kill
To learn more about the prophecies found in Genesis them now that Jacob was no longer alive. They even tried
49, read pages 21-25 of our booklet The United States, to take preemptive measures to be at peace with him.
Britain and the Commonwealth in Prophecy. Joseph’s response to their fears was what we would expect
of this great man of character: “Do not be afraid, for am I
Questions: in the place of God? But as for you, you meant evil against
me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as
1. Why did Jacob gather all his sons together? it is this day, to save many people alive” (verses 19-20).
2. What was the nature of the words he said to each Joseph understood three important truths:
son? • Murder is a sin. At any time he could have easily
killed his brothers in retribution for their treatment
3. When did Jacob say these things would be fulfilled? of him decades earlier. He had that power. But he
4. What modern nations have received the promises understood the value of human life. It was not his
to Judah and Joseph place to determine when their lives would end. God,
as the Creator of humankind, has the right to take a
physical life. Joseph understood the principle of the
law later codified as the Sixth Commandment: “You
shall not murder” (Exodus 20:13).
• Forgiveness is powerful. As we covered in a
GENESIS 50: THE ROOTS OF EXODUS previous reading, Joseph did one of the hardest
things a human being can do—forgive someone
CONCLUSION OF THE BOOK OF GENESIS who has deeply wronged you. Despite having the
ability to jail, enslave or kill his brothers, Joseph
Genesis [Link] “And Joseph said to his brethren, ‘I am chose forgiveness and reconciliation.
dying; but God will surely visit you, and bring you out of • God has a bigger plan for His people. Though
the circumstances that took him to Egypt
this land to the land of which He swore to Abraham, to
were tragically painful, the end result was the
Isaac, and to Jacob.’” preservation of many human lives. Not only that,
Joseph’s position gave the children of Israel a safe
We now come to the concluding chapter of this epic book. place to grow into a nation. Christians should
In this chapter, we read what happened in the aftermath always remember that “all things work together for
of Jacob’s death. good to those who love God” (Romans 8:28).

44 | BEGINNINGS: UNDERSTANDING THE BOOK OF GENESIS, PART 2 |

Not only did Joseph preserve the lives of his brothers, • Satan, the archenemy of God and mankind.
but he was kind to them—promising to provide for • The first prophecy about Jesus Christ.
them and their children (Genesis 50:21). Kindness is a • Sin and its destructive consequences.
core characteristic that should be at the heart of every • God’s justice.
Christian (Ephesians 4:32; 1 Corinthians 13:4; Luke 6:35). • The lives of the men God worked through to build
The book of Genesis concludes with the end of Joseph’s a nation.
life. We are told he lived to the age of 110 years. He even • How a follower of God must endure trials, yet
had the blessing of seeing his great-great-grandchildren remain faithful and grow throughout them.
(Genesis 50:23). • Prophecies about the rise of future nations.
Like his father, Joseph prophesied at the end of his life. Genesis should whet our appetite to study the rest of God’s
He revealed that someday in the future, the children of Word. We encourage you to continue studying the Bible in
Israel would leave Egypt and return to the land of Canaan. depth. Throughout the rest of the Bible, you will read about
But that would not be for another 200-plus years—some the unfolding of God’s plan, culminating in mankind being
of those being in captivity. The next book of the Bible, redeemed and brought back into the close relationship with
Exodus, records the history of the remarkable fulfillment God that was broken in the Garden of Eden.
of this prophecy—the deliverance of the children of Israel Just as the book of Genesis began with a garden
from Egyptian slavery! paradise and the offer of the tree of life to human beings,
To learn more about the Exodus, read “Exodus” and “A the final book of the Bible, Revelation, ends with God
Deeper Look at the 10 Plagues.” establishing a paradise on this earth and giving mankind
“the right to the tree of life” (Revelation 22:14).
Epilogue And that will just be …
This study guide has taken you on a journey through THE BEGINNING.
one of the most important books ever written. Genesis
is the foundational book of the Bible. It not only Read the following resources for aid in your study of
reveals the beginnings of our world and nations, but God’s Word:
it also introduces the plan of God that is expanded on • “The Practical & Priceless Benefits of Bible Study.”
throughout the remainder of the God’s Word. • The resources in our Learning Center.
Throughout this study of the book of Genesis, we were • Our summaries of books of the Bible.
introduced to some of the greatest themes of the Bible, • Read the Bible through in a year with one of our
such as: Bible Reading Programs.
• God as the creator and sustainer of all things. • Subscribe to our free bimonthly magazine, Discern,
• God as a family. for articles and columns that bring you unique
• God’s plan for human beings. insights into the Bible and your world.

This publication is not to be sold. It is produced as free educational material by the Church of God, a Worldwide Association, Inc.
P.O. Box 3490 • McKinney, TX 75070-8189
972-521-7777 • 888-9-COGWA-9 (toll-free in the U.S.)
© 2020 Church of God, a Worldwide Association, Inc.
All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the New King James Version
(© 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.). Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Author: Erik Jones
Contributing Writers: Eddie Foster, Tim Groves, Jeremy Lallier
Editorial Reviewers: Mike Bennett, David Treybig
Doctrine Committee: John Foster, Bruce Gore, Don Henson, David Johnson, Larry Neff
Copy Editor: Becky Bennett
Design: David Hicks

| BEGINNINGS: UNDERSTANDING THE BOOK OF GENESIS, PART 2 | 45

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