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CHRONOLOGICAL BIBLE  
.::.   TEACHING STUDIES   .::.

Lesson #4 - The Faithful Fathers

Abraham: His Call and Commission

REVIEW

SELECT VERSES

GENESIS 11:27-32; 12:1-5; 13:5-13

TOPIC OVERVIEW

We have witnessed God’s work with man from the creation to the flood.  In each story we have noted various character traits of God, man and the devil.  God, ever since the fall, has desired to redeem man back to Himself.  At that time, Gen. 3, He promised a deliverer that would rescue man from the awful situation of his own sin and rebellion.  Initially God worked with individuals in carrying out His plan.  He now begins a new phase.  Now he will select a nation, through which His divine plan can be carried out.  The father of that nation is Abraham.

LESSON

INTRODUCTION

Noah had three sons, Shem, Ham and Japheth.  Of these three Shem stands out as the one whom God specifically blessed (Gen. 9:26).  One of Shem’s decedents was named Abram (Gen. 11:10-26).  Abram lived after the flood in the vicinity where the tower of Babel was begun.  He came from an area known as Ur of the Chaldees.  Over 10,000 tablets from this area have been unearthed and studied by archaeologists.  The society that Abram came from, although pagan and idolatrous, was highly developed.  Many schools were teaching their students the finer points of grammar, as well as diction.  Multiplication and division tables and more advanced studies of square and cube roots, with lessons in practical geometry have been discovered by archaeologists.  Abram was no doubt familiar with the “Laws of Hammurapi.”  These laws covered areas such as property rights, commercial law, marriage, adoption, slaves, and rates and wages for services rendered.  The time frame is 2000 + years B.C.  Abram was an educated man from an advanced civilization.

ABRAM, WHO IS HE?  GENESIS 11:27-32

A descendant of Shem.

The son of Terah.

The husband of Sarai.

Sarai was barren.  In that culture barrenness was a disgrace.

The uncle of Lot.

A believer in the promises of God.

THE CALL OF ABRAM BY GOD.  GENESIS 12:1-3

God called Abram

1.   While he was still in Ur.  Acts 7:2-3

2.   The people of Ur as well as Terah worshiped idols, Joshua 24:2.

3.   God did not forget His promise to deliver men by a deliverer.  He chose Abram to use in His plan of deliverance.

4.   Terah’s move to Haran and desire to go to Canaan, 11:31, is not explained in scripture.

God’s call.

1.   He spoke directly to Abram.

2.   He no longer speaks directly to man because we have His word to us in the Bible.

WHAT GOD SAID...

The command.  Go forth from...to...

1.   Abram was told to leave his country, home and relatives.

2.   He was to go to a land that God would show him.  At the time of his call he did not know where that was.  Heb. 11:8

The promise.

1.   A LAND.  Gen. 12:1  The land he did not know would be given to him by God.  Gen. 15:7

2.   A NATION.  Gen. 12:2  God’s channel of redemption will be through this nation of whom Abram is the father.  At this time Abram had no children.

3.   A BLESSING.  Gen. 12:3  Through Abram and his descendants all the families (nations) of the earth shall be blessed.  This is the promise to Eve reiterated.  The promised deliverer will come through Abram’s line.  The deliverer would be for all nations and not just Abram’s nation.

 ABRAM BELIEVED GOD.  GENESIS 12:4-5

Faith precedes obedience.

1.   Abel believed God and offered an acceptable sacrifice.

2.   Noah believed God and built the ark through which he was saved.

3.   Abram believed God and left his home and family, not knowing where he was going.  He believed God’s word.

4.   Faith is never passive.  Faith is seen by obedience.

Faith does not look at the natural.

1.   Abram was 75 years old.

2.   Sarai was barren.

3.   Abram was wealthy and settled.

4.   Naturally speaking it didn’t make sense.

 IN THE LAND.  GENESIS 13:1-13

Abram and nephew Lot.  Gen.13:1-7

1.   Exceedingly wealthy.  Many flocks and lots of money.

2.   God’s blessing was already being shown...flocks too large to live together.

Abram’s solution.  Gen. 13:8-9

1.   Abram, as the older had the right of choice.

2.   He gave Lot his own choice.

Lot’s choice.  Gen. 13:10-13

1.   Lot was thinking only of himself and his profit.

2.   Lot did not consult God for direction.

3.   Lot would have his riches, but he left God out of his thinking.  “What does it profit a man to gain the whole world if he should lose his own soul?”

4.   The people of Sodom and Gomorrah were sinful beyond belief.

 

TOPIC WRAP UP

1.   How did God continue His plan to send a deliverer after the confusion of languages at Babel?

2.   What did God command Abram to do?

3.   What three things did God promise Abram?

4.   How did Abram respond?

5.   What precedes obedience?

6.   What is the evidence of faith?

7.   How did Abram exhibit faith by his response?

8.   Why did Abram and Lot separate from each other?

9.   What were Lot’s main concerns in his choice?

10.  Was Lot’s choice unwise?  Why?

11.  Give at least two examples of others who made unwise choices and how they are similar to Lot’s choice.

12.  Where did Lot decide to move to?

13.  What were the inhabitants of the two cities like?

 

 Two Cities: God Judges Sin, Sodom & Gomorrah

REVIEW

SELECT VERSES

GENESIS 13:14-17; 15:1-6; 17:1-5,15-21; 18; 19:1-26

TOPIC OVERVIEW

The story of Abraham continues with his life in Canaan.  God visited Abraham at strategic times to reaffirm His promise to Abraham.  Abraham exhibited all the human frailties we have but he did believe God. Because Abraham believed God, God counted that to him for righteousness.  Lot enters into the picture also, but it is really Abraham’s story.  Once again the theme that God judges sin is repeated in all of it’s awful force as we look at the story of Sodom and Gomorrah.

LESSON

NOTE:  This whole section should be handled like a narrative.  Become familiar with the story and the chronology and then just tell it.  Use the scripture portion as a part of the story.  Use the lesson outline as a checklist to make sure you have covered the high points in Abram’s life in Canaan.  This narrative will cover approximately 25 years.

ABRAM IN THE LAND

A.   Abram after Lot leaves.  Gen. 13:14-17

·          God comforts Abram by repeating His promise to make him a nation.

·          Some time later Abram is told that there was an attack on the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah and Lot was taken captive.  Abram rescued Lot from that problem.  See Gen. 14.

B.   Abram believes God.  Gen. 15:1-6

·          Abram was a man just like us.  He wondered at God’s promise.  But God repeated His promise to Abram.

·          v. 6  Even though God’s promise seemed impossible Abram believed God.

C.   God counted Abram righteous.  Gen. 15:6

·          God is the essence and source of holiness.

·          Since the Adam’s sin in the garden every person born is sinful and cannot have a relationship with God because of their sin.

·          The separation between Abram and God was made right by God.  Abram agreed with God that He was sinful and needed God’s intervention to be right with Him.  Even though God’s promise seemed impossible Abram believed God.

·          The sin in the garden was rebellion and unbelief, faith and trust in God and His nature is the correction of that error.  God had made provision of the sin covering for those who believed Him.  They believed He would send a deliverer and obeyed God’s word because they believed.  God is trustworthy and accepted them because of their belief.  Abel believed God, Noah believed God and now Abram believes God.  The death of an innocent in the place of the guilty points to the promised deliverer.  All who believe God and agree with Him can be right with Him again.

D.   Name changes.  Gen. 17:1-5; 15-21

·          Gen. 15:13-16  After God reassured Abram of his future status He told him that his decedents would be enslaved for four hundred years.  God knows the future. 

·          Gen. 16 covers Abram’s lapse where he follows the advice of his wife and attempts on his own to get the heir God promised to him.  It is not necessary to dwell on this now.

·          Gen. 17:1-5.  God again comes to Abram (13 yrs. later) to reassure him that he would indeed have a child and it would be his and from Sarai.  He reveals Himself in His name to Abram as El Shaddai = the mighty God. God changes Abram’s name to Abraham as a reminder of His promise.  Abram = exalted father; Abraham = father of a multitude.  He is now 99 years old and well past his child producing time. 

·          Gen. 17:15-21  In the same way God changes Sarai’s name to Sarah.  Sarai = princely; Sarah = princess or fruitful.

·          Isaac = laughter.  God is sending signals through the names.

·          Isaac is the promised seed and continues the hope of God’s promise to Eve.  God’s covenant made with Abraham will be passed on to Isaac.

SODOM AND GOMORRAH.

A.   God visits Abraham and Sarah.  Genesis 18

·          Gen. 18:1-15  cover Abraham’s meeting with angels from the Lord and Sarah’s inclusion into the message of the promised Isaac. v. 14 “Is anything too difficult for the Lord?”

·          Gen. 18:16-33 show the Lord and Abraham reasoning together about the fate of the two cities.  18:20-21 are key in seeing God’s concern for their sinfulness.

B.   Angels visit Sodom.  Genesis 19:1-11

·          The perverseness of the Sodomites is displayed in their welcome of guests.

·          The sins of Sodom are still reminiscent by our term Sodomy.  But it was not only for the sin of homosexuality that Sodom was destroyed.  Ezekiel 16:49-50 list gluttony, pride,and indifference, along with a lack of concern for the poor, to be the sins of Sodom.

·          Even Lot, who God calls righteous, and says that his soul was oppressed by the sins of Sodom 2 Pet. 2:6-8, was tainted by his association with those vile people, 19:8.

C.   The rescue is proposed.  Genesis 19:12-14

·          Lot tried to warn his sons-in-law, but, to those perishing, the word of God seems foolish.  1 Cor. 2:14

D.   The rescue is made.  Genesis 19:15-22

·          Observe God’s tender care over His own.  Even when Lot lingers the angels literally grab Him by the hand and lead him away from the destruction.

·          God’s Word is heard again through the angels.  “Do not look behind you!”  It is clear, and it is emphatic.

E.   Judgement falls.  Genesis 19:23-26

·          God’s word is true.  He does what He says He will do.  Judgement fell just as He said it would.

·          God’s word is true.  Of the four God was rescuing from Sodom only three made it.  Why?  Lot’s wife did not believe God and she perished.

F.   God remembered Abraham.  Genesis 19:27-29

            In the beginning of this lesson we said that this was to be the continuing story of Abraham.  Even though Lot and Sodom and Gomorrah come into it, the story really belongs to Abraham, as it is only Abraham that God is focusing on.  The promise was made to Abraham.  But it will pass on to Isaac.

 

TOPIC WRAP UP

1.   What are the three points to God’s promise to Abraham?

2.   What does the word righteousness mean, as in Gen. 15:6?

3.   What new names are introduced this time?  Meanings?

4.   What does the destruction of the two cities teach us?

5.   Were the sins of Sodom unique to that time only?

Isaac: His Word is Truth

REVIEW

SELECT VERSES

GENESIS 21:1-3; 22:1-19; ROMANS 4:17-22

TOPIC OVERVIEW

Abraham has left all that he knew and was dear to him to obey God in faith.  He has discovered through twenty five years of experience that God is faithful and His word is true.  He has been granted innumerable blessings and he has seen the land God promised to him.  But what of the heir of these promises?  What of the promised one he and Sarah have been waiting and trusting God for.  Now that they are aged and beyond their own abilities to produce children God will show them that indeed there is nothing to hard for Him.  But God continues His revelation of Himself to Abraham and us through His dealings in Abraham’s life.  Remember this is His-story.  God is the main character and He is about to reveal His marvelous faithfulness in a way no human could ever have dreamt of.

LESSON

HE DID AS HE HAD PROMISED  GENESIS 21:1-3 

A.   God is not a man that he should lie.

1.   God is the source of truth.

2.   He promised Abraham a son and He gave him a son.  His word is true.

3.   God can be counted upon to be true.

·          Don’t eat or you’ll die.

·          If you do right you’ll be accepted.

·          My Spirit will not strive with man forever...

·          I will send a flood.

·          Scatter throughout the earth and multiply in it.

·          Go to a land I will show you.

·          Do not look behind you...

·          One who will come from your own body will be your heir.

B.   God is almighty.

1.   Both Abraham and Sarah are beyond childbearing age.

2.   Abraham believed God’s word and trusted His character.  Read Romans 4:17-22 only.

3.   There is nothing beyond God’s power to perform.  He is the source of life.  Psalms 115:3; Jeremiah 32:17; Acts 17:24-25

GOD’S COMMAND, ABRAHAM’S RESPONSE.  GENESIS 22:1-8

A.   God tells Abraham to sacrifice Isaac.  Gen. 22:1-2

1.   Isaac was now at least a teen.  (Gen. 22:5, the word for “lad” is the same as the term “young men” in the rest of the passage.)

2.   Abraham was well over 100 years old.  He had enjoyed God’s answered promise for years.

3.   Sacrifice Isaac.  Was Abraham familiar with sacrifices?  What was involved with sacrifices?  Did God really mean he should kill Isaac?

B.   Abraham obeys God.  Gen. 22:3

1.   Abraham rose early in the morning... Had he been out looking at the stars when God spoke to him?

2.   Obedience does not linger.

3.   He prepared for a burnt offering.  A burnt offering was one later formalized under Moses, that was utterly consumed.

C.   ABRAHAM’S UNWAVERING FAITH  Gen. 22:4-8

1.   Abraham’s unwavering faith in God’s promise is seen in v. 5.  ...and we will worship and RETURN to you.

2.   He again displays his faith in answering Isaac’s question, v.8.  Abraham believed God would undertake.

D.   Isaac’s submissiveness and helplessness.  Gen. 22:9-10

1.   Isaac was not just a little boy.  He submitted to Abraham’s authority.

2.   Abraham bound Isaac and there was no way Isaac could deliver himself from sure death.  He was helpless.

 

GOD’S PROVISION OF A SUBSTITUTE FOR ISAAC.  GENESIS 22:11-19

A.   Isaac’s replacement from God.  Gen. 22:11-13

1.   Had God not intervened Isaac would have died.

·          Adam and Eve would have lived forever in sin.

·          Noah would have perished with the rest.

·          Lot would have never escaped.

2.   God provided an unblemished lamb.

3.   The lamb died and Isaac lived.  The lamb died in Isaac’s place.

B.   God commended Abraham.  Gen. 22:12

C.   Abraham gives God a name.  Gen. 22:14

·          Jehovah Jireh.  The Lord will provide.

D.   God repeats His promise to Abraham.  Gen. 22:15-19

1.   Your descendents will be like the stars of heaven and the sand of the seashore...

2.   In your descendent all the nations of the earth will be blessed.

3.   Faith preceded obedience, but Abraham’s obedience was the fruit of his faith.

 

TOPIC WRAP UP

1.   How long had Abraham waited for Isaac?

2.   Was there any way Abraham and Sarah could have connived to have Isaac themselves?  Why?

3.   What was so difficult about God’s new command to Abraham?

4.   How long did Abraham contemplate his response to God?

5.   How could Abraham even consider doing what God requested?

6.   What right did God have to ask Abraham to do such a thing?

7.   How did Abraham give a hint of his faith in his conversation with his servants?

8.   When Isaac asked where the sacrifice was how did Abraham respond?

9.   How could Abraham bind Isaac and put him on the altar?

10.  Was there any alternatives to Isaac once bound and on the altar but to die?

11.  What did Isaac need to survive?

12.  What role did the ram play in Isaac’s deliverance?

13.  What new name do we know God by thanks to this story?

 

Jacob, Esau and Joseph: God’s Choice

REVIEW

SELECT VERSES

GENESIS 25:5-8,19-34; 28:10-17; 37:1-36

TOPIC OVERVIEW

God continues to follow His plan to send the Deliverer. He at first promised Eve, but we have traced the promise all the way to Abraham.  Now Abraham grows old and dies, but the promise is passed down to Isaac.  Isaac in turn has his children and we are able to see God’s plan continue to unfold.  God’s choices become very clear as we look at them across the generations.  We begin to see that He really is following a set way and that it is His way.  But man makes his own choices as well.  Some are good and others are  tragically wrong.  Yet through it all GOD’S WAY is clear.

LESSON

THE PROMISE PASSES TO ISAAC  GENESIS 25:5-8;19-34

A.   Abraham dies.  Gen. 25:5-8

1.   The birthright went to Isaac.

2.   The promise of God was part of the birthright and went with the inheritance.

3.   Abraham separated Isaac from his other children that were not born of Sarah.

4.   Abraham died.

B.   Isaac marries.  Gen. 25:19-21

1.   In order for the promise of a deliverer to come through Isaac he had to be married and have children.

2.   Rebekah was barren.  God’s plan for a deliverer was in jeopardy.

3.   What was Isaac’s response to this problem?  Was there a sin barrier between he and God?  Why not?

4.   God responded to Isaac’s prayer by opening the womb of Rebekah.  He is the source of life.  Isaac maybe heard that from Abraham???

C.   Rebekah.  Gen. 25:22-26

1.   When confronted with a difficulty how did Rebekah handle it?  She prayed, where was the sin barrier between her and God?

2.   God knew who was in Rebekah’s womb.  When does life begin?

3.   God predicted the older would serve the younger.  Against culture, but God’s plan was set before the foundation of the world.

4.   From the womb there was conflict between these two boys.  Esau means red, and Jacob means heel grabber, or supplanter.

D.   Jacob and Esau.  Gen. 25:27-34

1.   The boys grew up to be complete opposites.

2.   Jacob’s nature is described as peaceful or complete, vs. 27.  Esau is wild and unruly.

3.   Esau did not care about the things of God but was more concerned about his own selfish needs.  He willingly gave up his birthright for a morsel of food.

4.   Esau did not think of the future but only of the immediate.  Jacob was thinking of the future and all that the birthright meant.

5.   God’s plan begins to unfold.  The younger now has the birthright which contains the promise that the Deliverer would come through his descendants, not the elder son.  (Read Gen. 28:1-4) God’s word is true.  What He says does happen.

6.   Unfortunately this arrangement soured the brother’s relationship so much that Jacob fled.  Fearing for his life he goes to Mesopotamia and finds his wife.

E.   Jacob’s dream.  Gen. 28:10-17

1.   On his journey to Mesopotamia Jacob meets God.

2.   Gen. 28:12  Jacob dreams of God’s ladder bridging the gap between Himself and man.

·          There is a gap between man and God.  We are separated from God.  Why?

·          Only God could provide a means to bridge this barrier.

·          God is showing Jacob that the deliverer that will come from His descendants will be the One that will bridge the barrier between God and man.

·          First promised to Eve God continues to remember His plan to send the deliverer.  Ps. 33:11

3.   Gen. 28:13-17  Jacob hears God reaffirm that the promises to Abraham have come down to him through his father Isaac.  The Deliverer will come.

4.   Jacob now has a clearer understanding of God’s plan for him.  Now God is truly the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

5.   Jacob went to Mesopotamia and married there.  He had twelve sons.  These twelve sons are very important to God’s plan to send His promised one.  From these twelve sons the “nation of Israel” will be built. The 12 are named; Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Dan, Naphtali, Gad, Asher, Issachar, Zebulun, Joseph, Benjamin. (Gen. 35:23 ff. In order of age.)

JOSEPH  GENESIS 37:1-36

A.   Joseph the favored.  Gen. 37:1-4

1.   Jacob loved joseph more than his other sons.

2.   Varicolored tunic = full length robe.  Not suited to labor.  Jacob was elevating Joseph above all the other boys in the family.

3.   Joseph’s brother’s hated him terribly. 

B.   Joseph’s dream.  Gen. 37:5-11

1.   First he dreamt that he’s rule over his brethren.  They were in shock to hear it.

2.   Then he dreamt that the whole family including his mother and father would be under him.

3.   God was using dreams to predict what He would do in Joseph’s family.  Now God has given us His plan in the Bible.  It is His word and it is true.  He need not use dreams any longer.

C.   Joseph’s brothers finally triumph.  Gen. 37:12-28

1.   Gen. 37:12-17  Joseph is sent by Jacob to report on his brothers.

2.   Gen. 37:18-24  Joseph’s brothers hate him so much they want to kill him.  But God plans to use Joseph in a great way.  Why was Reuben more concerned for Joseph than the others?  He was the eldest.

3.   Gen. 37:25-28  Joseph’s brothers sold him.  Even though he had done nothing to them they sold him to some traveling merchants heading to Egypt.

D.   Jacob mourns Joseph.  Gen.   37:29-36

1.   Joseph’s brothers have to continue their evil.  Once their hate exposed itself in action they are forced to continue their deceit even with their own father. 

2.   As Jacob is mourning the loss of his son, Joseph is being sold once again.  This time he is sold into the household of an officer of Pharaoh.

3.   What had Joseph done wrong?  Do you think his dreams have any chance of coming true now?  Did his brothers really triumph over him?

 

Joseph: Down into Egypt

REVIEW

SELECT VERSES

GENESIS 39:1-23; 40:1-23; 41:1-16,37-40; 42:1-7; 45:1-11; 46:26-27; 50:20

TOPIC OVERVIEW

This is the continuation and completion of the story of how Jacob, now renamed Israel, ends up in Egypt.  His son Joseph plays a major role in it.  God and His sovereign plan are interwoven throughout and give us a behind the scenes glimpse as to how God uses even the profane in bringing about His plan.  The work of men will never hinder the will of God.

LESSON

FAITH IN SPITE OF CIRCUMSTANCES  GENESIS 39:1-23; 40:1-23

Hated and sold by his brothers, yet protected by God and honored by his master. 39:1-6

Falsely accused, Joseph goes to prison.  39:7-19

1.   What of Joseph’s dreams now.

2.   Has God abandoned Joseph just as other men had?

Protected by God and honored by his master.  39:20-23

Joseph the dreamer interprets dreams.  (Paraphrase 40:1-23 for students.)

1.   God had a plan for Joseph’s life.

2.   Joseph didn’t know what it was but He trusted God and acted in faith daily.

3.   Meanwhile God’s plan unrolled in Joseph’s life.

4.   Joseph did not abandon his faith in times of crisis, and God did not abandon Joseph just because he was experiencing troubles.

5.   It is impossible to please God without faith.

GOD SUPREME WORKS IN ALL CIRCUMSTANCES.  GENESIS 41:1-16

Pharaoh:  The King of Egypt

1.   The Egyptians did not believe in the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

2.   The Egyptians worshipped the sun, moon and stars.  The worshipped the Nile river and the frogs and other animals in it. they also worshipped Pharaoh, their King as God.

God uses even the profane in His purposes.

1.   God is the source of all life.  He is the creator of all humanity, therefore He is over all human kind.

2.   Psalm 115:3 “God is in heaven and He does whatever He pleases.”

3.   God’s purpose will be carried out by the Pharaoh of Egypt and the Egyptians.

Joseph abandoned himself to God.

1.   Joseph did no wrong and yet his brothers hated him and sold him.  But God did not forget Joseph and he excelled in Potiphar’s house.

2.   Joseph did no wrong and yet Potiphar’s wife falsely accused him and got him thrown into Prison.  But God did not forget Joseph and the jail master honored him.

3.   Joseph did no wrong and yet those whom he had helped forget about him and abandoned him.  But God did not forget Joseph.  He brought Joseph to the cupbearers mind.

Joseph’s honest view of himself and his high view of God.  41:15-16

1.   Even when his opportunity to shine arrives, Joseph humbled himself and gave God the credit for his dream interpreting skills.

2.   (Paraphrase the account of the Pharaoh’s dreams and his frustration in trying to understand their meaning.)  7 cows and 7 ears of grain.  Pharaoh dream is interpreted as meaning that there would come seven good years and then seven bad years.

3.   Joseph advised storing up food from the seven productive years and selling it during the seven years of famine.  He also advised Pharaoh to find a wise man to do this for the king.

Joseph is exalted by Pharaoh.  41:37-40

1.   Pharaoh chooses Joseph to be the one who’ll prepare for the coming 7 year famine.

2.   13 years after his dreams of ruling over his family Joseph is elevated to a position comparable to vice president of Egypt. 

JOSEPH’S BROTHERS COME TO EGYPT.  GENESIS 42:1-8; 45:1-8

True to the interpretation of the Pharaoh’s dreams there were 7 productive years followed by 7 years of famine.  The famine was not just in Egypt but it spread all the way into the land of Canaan where Jacob and Joseph’s brothers lived.

Jacob/Israel sends the brothers to Egypt for food.  42:1-5

Joseph’s dreams come true.  42:6-7

1.   God’s plan will not be derailed.  His Word is true even when communicated by dreams.  How does God communicate with men today?

2.   Joseph’s brothers literally bow down to Joseph.

Joseph reveals himself to his brothers.  Gen. 45:1-4

After some intrigue through which Joseph tests the hearts of his brothers and discovers that his father and younger brother Benjamin are alive Joseph reveals himself.

Without faith it is impossible to please God.  45:5-8

ISRAEL GOES DOWN INTO EGYPT.  45:9-11; 46:26-27; 50:20

God’s word is true, Israel is now in Egypt.  (cp. Gen. 15:3)

All of Israel at this time consists of 70 souls. 46:26-27

Jacob/Israel dies, the brothers become afraid.

Joseph teaches them again about the sovereignty of God.  50:20

The work of man will not affect the will of God.

 

TOPIC WRAP UP

1.   What difference was there between Isaac’s two sons?

2.   What was God communicating to Jacob in his dream of the ladder?

3.   What did Joseph dream and tell his father and brothers?

4.   Who knew what was in the future for Joseph and showed him?

5.   How did Joseph’s brothers think they’d triumphed over Joseph?

6.   What pattern becomes very clear in Joseph’s life?

7.   How did Joseph become second in command in Egypt?

8.   Why did God take care of Joseph?

9.   Should circumstances affect the faith of a person?  Why or why not?

10.  What prophecy was beginning to be fulfilled when all of Israel moved down to Egypt?