Jacob Blesses Pharaoh Genesis 47

 

Genesis 47 – Jacob Blesses Pharaoh

 

Jacob was a blessing in Egypt.  He blessed Pharaoh, Joseph, and his sons, and all twelve of the sons of Israel. God blesses us that we might be a blessing. Circumstance’s change, but God never changes.

Egypt was a haven for Jacob and his family, and God knew that Egypt was not his home.  Canaan was and he wanted to be buried there with the others who had the same pilgrimage of faith.  He was a testimony in life, and he wanted to be a testimony in death.  Despite his mistakes and failures in life, Jacob ended well at the age of 147. He had lived 17 years in the land of Egypt. 

When he blessed Pharaoh, He gave God glory for his life, and he made no boast about his accomplishments.  He was just a sinner, saved by the grace of God.

We have not anything to brag about except a wonderful Savior who has been gracious and patient with us down through the years.  He is all any of us must boast about.

Joseph had stored grain in the land of Egypt, but the land is not producing grain anymore.  Joseph then bought the land for Pharaoh, and he is allowing the people to live by furnishing them food.  There is no doubt that the famine was a terrible thing, not only in the land of Egypt and Canaan but all over the earth.  We keep our focus here because this is where the story happens. Joseph is aware that the famine will end the next year, so he tells the people to sow their own grain.

The success of Joseph in acquiring all the land for Pharaoh makes Jacob believe that his family might become comfortable and never want to return to Canaan. He knew that he would die soon so requested he be buried in Canaan.  Abraham believed that he would be raised from the dead in Canaan. Isaac believed the same.  Now Jacob is expressing the same faith.

For believers today it makes no difference where we are buried.  At the time of the rapture, wherever we are, we shall be raised, and our bodies will join our spirits; that is, if we have died before the rapture takes place.  If we are still living, then we shall be changed and caught up to meet the Lord in the air.

 

To catch up on previous lessons go to: https//sherryasouthard@blogspot.com

 

J. Vernon McGee commentary, Nelson Commentary,  NKJ version.

 

 

Jacob and Family Move To Egypt Genesis 46

 

Genesis 46- Jacob and Family Move to Egypt

 

Jacob, for most of his life, had not been looking to God, but now as he comes to Beersheba, he offers sacrifices to the God of his father Isaac.

God speaks to Jacob. He says, “I am God, the God of your father: fear not to go down to Egypt and I will make of you a great nation.” It would not be easy for Jacob, now 130 years old, to leave the land God gave him and go to Egypt. But Jacob was able to go with confidence and peace because he was sure of God’s promise and presence.  Jacob knew that God had gone before him, and that Joseph was there making everything ready for him.

Our future is ours when Christ is our Lord, and we follow Him.

 Jacob left the land with just a staff.  When he came into Haran, he was God’s man living in the flesh.   He came out of Haran, running away from his father-in-law and was afraid to meet his own brother Esau.  Then in the land of Canaan Jacob wrestled with an angel.  He was fighting in his own strength.  And now he is going to Egypt.   He is not walking in his own strength, and he is not running away anymore.  He is now walking in faith. Jacob has become the man God wanted him to be, and only God can make this kind of man.

There was a time in our lives when we met the Gospel, the Word of God and we turned to Him.  Then there was that period of struggle when we thought we could live our own lives in our own strength.  Perhaps that lasted a while.  Then there came a time when we did grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus and began to walk in faith.

There was sixty-six people who came with Jacob to Egypt.  In Jacob’s genealogy there are names that mean nothing to me. But each of them is precious in God’s sight.  Here we are amid a great population with literally millions of people around us, yet each of us are an individual to God.  He delighted to put their names down and is delighted to list our name.  The question is.. Is your name written in the Lamb’s Book of Life?

When they got to Joseph, they fell on each other’s neck and embraced and wept.  What a glorious reunion after all this time!

 

To catch up on previous lessons go to: https//sherryasouthard@blogspot.com

 

J. Vernon McGee commentary, Nelson Commentary,  NKJ version.

 

Joseph Reveals Himself Genesis 45

 

Genesis 45 – Joseph Reveals Himself

 

 

After visiting with his brothers and seeing Benjamin, Joseph becomes so emotionally charged that he cannot contain himself.  In the house of Pharaoh, they can hear the weeping.  Joseph says to his brothers, “I am Joseph.”  The brothers were terrified at his presence.  If you think they were afraid before, they were really terrified now.  It had been near to twenty-five years since they had seen him.  They are sure now that he will get his revenge.  Joseph is not angry, and he does not seek revenge. Joseph could see in all of this was that God had permitted it for a purpose. God was moving in all their lives. Our Lord knows just how to work in our lives to bring us to submission.  Joseph explained to them that God had sent him before them to preserve the nation so that Israel could be a blessing to all the earth. God’s purpose did not minimize their sins or negate their responsibility, but it did help to ease their fear and sorrow. Joseph was thirty-nine years old and has been living in the land of Egypt for twenty-two years.  The brothers stood absolutely spellbound, they had nothing to say as they listened to Joseph speaking words that seemed unbelievable. He fell on his brother Benjamin’s neck and both wept.

Pharaoh heard the weeping and wanted to know what was happening.  When he heard that Joseph’s brothers were in the land, he was delighted.  He trusted Joseph and was pleased to have more like him in their land.

Joseph wants to bring them down to the land of Goshen which is the best part of Egypt.  It is in that land that God is going to make them a nation, sheltered from the rest of the world. Pharaoh ordered wagons to be sent. He told them that they will not need to bring anything extra, that he will furnish all their needs. 

The brothers went out of Egypt and came into the land of Canaan to their father Jacob.  They told Jacob that Joseph is still alive and he is governor over all the land of Egypt.  Jacob could not believe it was true.  Once he saw the wagons and all that was in them, he was finally convinced, and his spirit was renewed. The prospect of seeing Joseph certainly influenced Jacob to make the decision to go down to Egypt.  He probably intended to come back to Canaan but that never happened until he died and was buried there.

 

To catch up on previous lessons go to: https//sherryasouthard@blogspot.com

 

J. Vernon McGee commentary, Nelson Commentary,  NKJ version.

 

Judah Offers Himself Genesis 44

 

Genesis 44 – Judah Offers Himself

 

When Joseph sends his brothers back to Jacob, they go away thinking all is well.  They have no idea that Joseph’s divining cup is in Benjamin’s sack.  Here comes a whole troop after them and accuses them of stealing.  They were so sure none of them had the cup.

Joseph was a prophet, he interpreted dreams as we read of the Butler, Baker and Pharaoh. We must understand that his gift of prophecy was a gift that God had given him, and this was written before any revelation.  We are not to get a cup and look at tea leaves, nor are we to watch our horoscope – that is not of God.  Joseph had a gift, and it was not in the cup but from God.

When the cup was found in Benjamin’s sack which Joseph had instructed his steward to do to test his brothers, they tore their clothes as a gesture of extreme distress.  They went back and once again fell on the ground before Joseph. Judah steps forward and makes a full confession that it is because of their sin that this has come upon them.  Joseph wants to see how much his brothers love Benjamin.  Was it more than they loved him?  He says that Benjamin is the guilty one and must stay behind as Joseph’s slave.

Once again, Judah steps forward and relates what has happened and how his father would feel if they left Benjamin behind.  No way were they going to leave him behind!  Jacob had been deceived and now Joseph can see that now.  He knows exactly what the brothers told their father about what happened to him so long ago.  They had told Jacob that he “was not” meaning Joseph was dead. In this all the brothers had passed the test as any one of them would have offered to stay in Benjamin’s place. 

 

Later on in history there came one in the line of Judah, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, who bore the penalty for the guilty.  “God commanded his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8.  Christ took the place of the Guilty.

 

 

To catch up on previous lessons go to: https//sherryasouthard@blogspot.com

 

J. Vernon McGee commentary, Nelson Commentary,  NKJ version.

 

Joseph Entertains His Brothers Genesis 43

 

Genesis 43 – Joseph Entertains His Brothers

 

Due to the seriousness of the famine, the sons of Jacob are forced to return with Benjamin to Egypt where they again have an audience with Joseph and present Benjamin.  Joseph does not make himself known unto them at this time. 

Jacob realized they would starve to death if they did not go down to Egypt again. Judah tells his father very definitely, “If we go down there, we must have Benjamin with us.  You would not send him before, but there is no going if he is not with us this time because the man will not see us.”  The man is Joseph.  Jacob wishes his sons had kept their mouth shut.  They had not intended to tell Joseph everything, but he had kept probing them.  Judah comes forward as surety for Benjamin. 

You and I have surety today.  The Lord Jesus took our place and became our shepherd, took our place, and took our penalty. Jesus stepped in and became our surety and gave his life for us.

Jacob and sons lacked bread, the staff of life.  But they must have had honey, nuts, and spices as Jacob wants to send the man a gift.  So, Jacob releases Benjamin and lets him go along with his older brothers.  We can imagine Joseph’s emotion as his eye singles out Benjamin! The reason Joseph invited them to his home is because he wants to talk with them in private.  He dealt with them so harshly before and now he is inviting them to lunch!  But to these men, such a privilege brings no joy.  They have a guilt complex because they are the ones who sold their brother.  Guilt changes joy into misery.  They are beginning to apologize, explain and plead to the official who is bringing them to Joseph. He merely says, “I had your money”. Joseph is seated, not on a throne but in a prominent place and his brothers bow before him.  Joseph looks at his brother Benjamin. He asks “is this your younger brother?  Joseph says to Benjamin, “God be gracious unto you.” Joseph was deeply moved, and his heart went out to him.  He went into his own private quarters, and he wept. He regained control and returned to his brothers. The first thing is that Joseph did not eat with the Egyptians.  The brothers may have thought this was simply the head man in this particular place.  Joseph arranged all the brothers according to their ages.  They looked at each other and wondered how he knew all that.  The portions for Benjamin were greater than the others because Joseph could not refrain from showing his affection for his own brother.  It was a glorious affair.  And what a wonderful day it will be when Joseph finally reveals himself to his brethren.

 

Ten Go, Nine Return Genesis 42

 

Genesis 42 – Ten Go, Nine Return

 

The famine is over all the earth, and all the earth is coming to Egypt to get grain.  The famine forces Jacob to send his ten sons to Egypt to buy food.  Joseph recognized his brothers, but they did not recognize him.  First, they thought Joseph was dead; so, they were not looking for him at all.  They never expected to see him again, but he did expect to see them.  He is almost forty years old, and he is dressed like an Egyptian, speaks and acts like an Egyptian. Joseph has been watching for them. then here comes ten of them.  They all bow down before him.  Here is the literal fulfillment of the dreams of Joseph.  Do you know why he treated them so roughly?  He is testing them.  He tests them all the way through.  He is going to ask them some important questions about his dad, and Benjamin that they left behind.  He is trying to get as much information as he can about his family without letting them know who he is.  He accuses them of being spies.  They confess that they are really twelve and that one is with their father.  The other “is not” is what they think.  They consider Joseph dead, but there he is standing before them! Joseph is attempting to contact his youngest brother.  These men are really half-brothers of his, but Benjamin is his full-brother, and he wants to see him.  Joseph then throws them in jail.  Afterwards, he made the statement, “I fear God.”  That should have been a clue for his brothers. Joseph never misses an opportunity to give a testimony for God.  He always gave God the glory as the One who is directing his life. These brothers are men, some of them being over fifty years old.  They are being dealt with by one who fears God.  They begin to speak among themselves in Hebrew, and Joseph can understand them.  Joseph had been speaking to them through an interpreter.  He did not need to, but he did because he is posing as an Egyptian. They feel that what is happening to them is the vengeance of God, upon them for the way they treated Joseph. Joseph was so moved, so emotionally charged by all that this that he had to weep.  But he goes aside and washes his face; then comes in again as if nothing had happened. He just could not take their money.  So, he not only gave them back their payment for the grain, but he gave them food for their trip home. Nine of the brother’s leave with Simeon still held in jail.  When they found the money and food in their sacks they thought it was a trick.

Jacob’s life was wrapped up in the life of his youngest son, Benjamin.  Joseph was his favorite son because he was the firstborn of his lovely Rachel.  Now joseph is gone, which is a heartbreak to him.  Now he faces the chance that he may lose Benjamin also.  He says that if this takes place he will die.

Pharaoh's Dream Genesis 41

 

Genesis 41 – Pharoah’s Dream

 

After Joseph was in prison for two years, the chief butler finally remembered that Joseph could interpret dreams.  He remembered this because Pharoah had two dreams that disturbed him.  When the Butler told Pharoah of Joseph he sent for him.  He told Joseph that he heard of him and his ability to interpret dreams.  Joseph did not take the credit for this but gave all the credit to God.  It is true that whatever our talent or ability is, that it all comes from God.  Pharoah told Joseph of his dreams which Joseph said both had the same meaning.  Both dreams had the number seven.  It meant seven years of plenty followed by seven years of famine. Joseph recommended Pharoah put a wise and discerning man in position over all the land.  This man could appoint officers to collect one-fifth of the produce and grain during the seven years to keep for the famine.  His advice impressed Pharoah so much that he gave Joseph the highest position over the house.  He was set up to b better than everyone except Pharoah himself. Not only that, Pharoah set him up over all the land of Egypt.  He gave him garments of fine linen, chains of gold and Pharoah’s signet ring, and even found Joseph a wife.  Joseph was thirty years old when this happened.  He went from chief prisoner to chief of household and land in one day’s time.  God had invested thirteen years making a man out of Joseph; when it comes to building character, God is never in a hurry.

This happened because Pharoah saw God in Joseph, He saw wisdom and his faith in God. From Joseph’s viewpoint, God must receive the glory.  The child of God should be careful that God gets the glory for all their accomplishments.  If what we do is a blessing, it is because God is doing it through us. 

In the first seven years, the plentiful years, Joseph gathered so much food and grain that he could not count it or measure it out.  During these years, Joseph had two boys, Manasseh, and Ephraim. Not only was he favored in Pharoah’s eyes, but God favored him in all the land. 

Have you ever looked back over your life, saw all the bad things turn into good and felt really blessed?  It happens to God’s people all the time.  Romans 8:28 “All things work together for the good to those who Love the Lord and are called according to His purpose.

 

To catch up on previous lessons go to: https//sherryasouthard@blogspot.com

 

J. Vernon McGee commentary, Nelson Commentary,  NKJ version.

 

The Baker and the Butler Genesis 40

 

Genesis 40 – The Baker and The Butler

 

Joseph is now in prison and is placed over the other prisoners.  Two of them are the baker and the butler to the king.  These were not just a baker and a butler, but the chief baker and chief butler.  They were in the best positions with the most responsibility.  More was expected of them than others in the household.  We as Christians hold the best position in God’s kingdom and we have a great responsibility.  More is expected of us than those in the world.  We are responsible for bringing others to Christ and for setting a good example to those in the world. 

The Baker and the Butler offended the king.  It has not told us why there were in prison.  The most important thing is they were put under Joseph’s care. If we were put in prison, I am sure we would be sad, even sadder if we knew we offended God.  That was not the only reason they were sad.  They were sad because each of the men had a dream and did not understand the meaning of them.  Joseph told them (in today’s language) if you listen to God, He will reveal the meaning to you.  The fact that Joseph could interpret dreams meant that he understood his own dream.  In each of their dreams were three.  The Butler dreamed of three branches on the vine.  The Baker dreamed of three baskets.   Both threes represented three days.  The number three represents divine wholeness, completeness, and perfection.  In this chapter it represents completeness in fulfillment.  The dreams were fulfilled in three days.  One was restored to his position and the other was hanged.  Now joseph is forgotten in prison, but God has not forgotten him, and He is at work in Joseph’s life.

There is a reason That God gave us this story of Joseph.  He wants us to know that He cares and that He is moving in our life.  If you are His child, He is permitting things to happen to us for our own good.  How wonderful is our God!

 

Other threes in the Bible:

Trinity – Father, Son, Holy Spirit

Body, Spirit and Soul which represents our life.

Spirit, Water, and blood testify that they agree.  I John 5:7-9

There were three apostles that followed Christ to the Garden of Gethsemane.  Peter, James, and John.

There were three wise men bearing three gifts to baby Jesus.

Jesus was three days and three nights in the tomb.

Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the big fish.

 

Joseph and Temptation - Genesis 39

 

Genesis 39 Joseph and Temptation

 

Sometimes you cannot talk someone out of doing wrong- you just must get out of the way.  Potiphar’s wife presented Joseph a problem.  Giving in to temptation would offend his master; resisting it would offend his master’s wife.  Joseph knew only one answer to his moral challenge; view it from God’s perspective.  Thus, he concluded that violating his sexual integrity would be a great wickedness and sin against God.  Joseph realized that he had no choice but to run! 

Temptation.  It whispers to us, appeals to our pleasure.  Arouses our interest,

 And can cause us to fall quickly.  Temptation is like stepping into quicksand of sin, many people respond in many ways.  Some ,weep bitterly with regret and shame, but most hide within the crevices of their soul- afraid, alone, hurt and ashamed with waves of guilt crashing in around them.  These feelings are common when we know we have gone too far, made the wrong choices, and led a reckless life.  When we make poor choices, we self-destruct- yet it was our choosing that got us there.

Temptation seems to creep around when we least expect it.  We deceive ourselves into thinking that we are strong and can handle it.  Satan knows just when to push our buttons.  At precisely the wrong time, when we are weak, and our defenses are down.  The enemy presents us with his temptation.  He has a way of deceiving us into thinking it is alright, making us see various shades of gray rather than the black and white of right and wrong.

Society says, “Live for the moment, seize the day!”  We do not have to look for sin; it finds us, even chases us.  By failing to walk or run from temptation we lose.  We lose strength, self-respect, health, security, and safety.  We embrace a life of regret.  And that is why we must guard our hearts.  Remember that temptation itself is not a sin.  Jesus was tempted – but yielding to temptation is sin.

Whatever our temptation is, we are never alone in it.  We have a mighty God who has the power to change us, make us godly people, satisfy our deepest needs, be our greatest defense against the enemy, deliver us from evil.  Our victory has already been won through Jesus Christ.

 

 

 

Judah and Tamar Genesis 38

 

Genesis 38 – Judah and Tamar

 

Judah was one of Jacob’s sons.  He was the one that convinced his brothers to sell Joseph into slavery.  After that, Judah left his brothers to start a life of his own.

Marrying a Canaanite woman was disobedience on Judah’s part.  He had three sons, the oldest was Er who was given to Tamar in marriage.  It was customary that when Er died and Tamar became a widow that the next son would marry the widow to preserve the family.  When the second died, Judah promised Tamar the third son when he comes of age.  Judah probably did not intend to keep his promise. Tamar’s purpose was good, but her plan was wicked.  Leaving the signet and staff was like leaving fingerprints, because each man’s was distinctive.  Judah was quick to condemn Tamar for sinning, but what about his own sins toward joseph and Tamar?  God does not approve these things; His people are acting like Canaanites which is why He removes them to the land of Goshen later on.  It is interesting that we can all see sin so clearly in other people, but we cannot see it within our own being.

Tamar is brought in to face her father-in-law.  Judah was adamant and was going to have her burnt until Tamar reveals his staff and signet which belongs to the father of the child.  Judah had to admit they belonged to him.  Judah had certainly lowered himself to the level of the Canaanites. 

It is an amazing thing that Jesus Christ, according to the flesh, should come through the line of Judah and Tamar.  When He came into the human family, He came into a sinful line.  He was made sin for us, He who know no sin, that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him (see 2 Corinthians 5:21)

 

 

To catch up on previous lessons go to: https//sherryasouthard@blogspot.com

 

 

J. Vernon McGee commentary, Nelson Commentary,  NKJ version.

 

 

Please read the above scripture in order to know in your heart that any lesson you read is in alignment with God’s Word.  It is extremely important to study God’s Word on a daily basis and work out your salvation through His truths.

 

Sibling Rivalry Genesis 37

 Genesis 37 – Sibling Rivalry

 

“Whatsoever things are true, whatever things are honest, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report;..think on these things.” Phil. 4:8. This is the life of Joseph. After Jacob lost his favorite wife, Rachel and his father, Isaac, him and his 12 sons landed in the land of Canaan. Joseph was the 11^th. child of Jacob and the oldest son of Rachel. He was 17 years old.  Joseph was Jacob’s favorite son, and he made him a coat of many colors.  No family is exempt from problems.  Perhaps the most common family problem is sibling rivalry, sometimes increased by parental favoritism. Jacob should have known better because of the trouble it caused when his own mother favored him over Esau.  Joseph’s brothers despised his status. When he revealed his dreams to his half-brothers, they became angry at him. They understood that Joseph was telling them about themselves, the sons of Israel. Old Jacob understood it exactly.  His brothers just dismissed it, paid no attention to it.  They thought it was not even in the realm of possibility.  They knew that not one of them would ever bow down to Joseph!  But Jacob observed it. Tragically, their jealousy resulted in Joseph being sold as a slave, and Jacob being told that his son is dead. Can you imagine how Reuben, the oldest son felt when his younger brother came up missing.  He did not know Joseph was sold.  He thought “how could I go back to my dad”, when he felt it was his responsibility to care for his brother’s. Then his brother’s dipped Joseph’s coat in animals’ blood and took it to their dad.  Reuben’s heart was in the right place but Judah meant to be rid of his little brother, so they sold Joseph to the Ishmaelites who took him to Egypt.  When they took the coat to Joseph, they act as if they had never seen Joseph.  They pretend they just found his coat. Jacob broke down believing that Joseph was mauled by a wild beast, and his brothers showed no remorse nor told him the truth.  It is certain his brothers would rather see their dad mourn than to have their brother back. Remember how Jacob took the skin of a goat and put it on his hands and arms to deceive his father.  Now the brothers are using the blood of a goat to deceive their father, Jacob is deceived in the same way. Jacob mourned so hard that he said he will mourn until his death.  No amount of comfort eased his pain.  It is hard to believe that all eleven brothers stuck to their story over the years.  How could they sleep at night, not knowing where Joseph ended up, or if he was dead or alive?  That should have bothered them to no end.  It appears all of them was happy to see him gone and had no worries where Joseph was concerned. All of this could have been avoided if truth were told within the family

The Family of Esau - Genesis 36

 

Genesis 36 – The Family of Esau

 

The family of Esau settled in Edom which later became Esau’s name.  It is southeast of the Dead Sea.  It is a mountainous area, and the capital of Edom, the rock-hewn city of Petra is still there today.  Esau was an attractive young man, but he was a man of the flesh.  He had married two Canaanite women and an Ishmaelite woman.  Esau had become about one hundred thousand Edomites.  It was a nation filled with pride.  God said to Edom, “the pride of thy heart has deceived thee…..thence I will bring thee down, saith the Lord.”  Obadiah 1:3-4.  The pride of their heart was a declaration of independence, a soul that says it can live without God and does not have a need for God.  That is Esau.

Esau left the promised land on his own due to economic circumstances.  The beginning of nobility began in the family of Esau. Pride reigns.  If you belonged to the family of Esau, you would have needed a title, because that was the type of people they were.  The people of Esau had kings long before the people of Israel.  It was not until later, that Israel demanded Samuel to give them a king like the other nations.  Genesis 36 ends with a listing of the dukes in their land, which is Edom.  “He is the father of the Edomites.”

 

 

To catch up on previous lessons go to: https//sherryasouthard@blogspot.com

 

 

J. Vernon McGee commentary, Nelson Commentary,  NKJ version.

 

 

Endings and Beginnings - Genesis 35

 

Genesis 35 – Endings and Beginnings

 

God once more appeared and told Jacob what to do. This was part of the Bethel promise. 

We walk by faith when we obey God despite circumstances or consequences.

They are now returning to Bethel and once they arrive, Jacob tells his family to give up all the idols they acquired from the Hittites, and remember Rachel had taken her dad’s idols.  They gave them to Jacob to bury under the Terebinth tree.  Terebinth trees were very numerous in this area and is mentioned many times in the Bible.  It is also known as the Elah tree or Pistachio nut tree.

They then purified themselves and built another altar.  They did this out of respect and obedience to God as Jacob and his descendants were considered Holy people.  If we are coming back to God where we first met Him, then we must put away all that is wrong in our life.  Even bad habits.

Bethel is particularly important property.  He promised it to Abraham, Isaac and now Jacob.  Now Deborah, his mother’s nurse died and was buried under another terebinth tree.  When they left Bethel and had not travelled far, Rachel gave birth to Benjamin and died in childbirth.  The tribe of Benjamin gave us the Apostle Paul (Phil. 3:5). Travelling on, they came to Isaac’s Father who was 180 years old.  There Isaac died and Esau came and helped Jacob bury him. 

Despite their failures, the sons of Israel (Jacob) are the chosen instruments to accomplish God’s will on earth.

 

 

 

To catch up on previous lessons go to: https//sherryasouthard@blogspot.com

 

 

J. Vernon McGee commentary, Nelson Commentary,  NKJ version.

 

Dinah - Genesis 34

 

Genesis 34 - Dinah

 

Dinah was the youngest of Leah’s children.  She had six older brothers born of Leah, two of which were Simeon and Levi.  Later, God makes a promise to Moses that when the Israelites claim back the land of Canaan He will rid the land of the Hivites, Jebusites, Amorite and Perizzites.  Exodus 3:17. In the days of Jacob they were told not to marry into these nationalities.  Nor were they to give their daughters into marriages with them.  Shechem was a Hittite who lusted after Dinah.  Shechem first “lay with” Dinah and violated her, then claimed to love her and want to marry her.  While his love for her may have been genuine, his actions were inexcusable.  He said he wanted to marry Dinah, but he had already done evil.  A young man may think he is in love, but to force a woman to have sex with him, violates and abuses her.  This does not show love at all.  For Shechem, his act resulted in death and destruction for an entire city.  The consequences of such abuse, no matter how one tries to justify it, are far reaching and destructive.

Dinah’s brothers were incredibly angry with Shechem and deceitfully told Shechem and his dad Hamor, that the only way the marriage could work is if all the men got circumcised.  So, in agreement, all the men got circumcised.  On the third day when their pain was at the highest and their strength gone, Levi and Simeon killed all the Hittite men.  They rescued Dinah while the rest of the brothers took their sheep, oxen, and their donkeys.  They captured all the women and children.  They completely plundered all the city and houses. Jacob rebuked Levi and Simeon because now he feared that the Canaanites and Perizzites would take revenge on them for their actions.  His sons, however, felt justified since their sister was defiled.  Had Jacob and his sons consulted God with the matter he might have told them to take Dinah and leave the land.  As it is, because of their actions they had to leave to save their lives. 

Some sins, if not handled properly can end up in destruction to ourselves whether it be imprisonment or death.  Those who commit grievous crimes, unless they repent and change their ways, will face the final judgment of hell.

 

 

To catch up on previous lessons go to: https//sherryasouthard@blogspot.com

 

 

J. Vernon McGee commentary, James Coffman Commentary, NKJ version.

 

Jacob and His Twin Brother Genesis 33

 

Genesis 33- Jacob and His Twin Brother

 

 

I would love to have a picture of Jacob meeting his brother Esau! I suppose that while he was a mile away from him, he started bowing.  He is coming with his hat in his hand because Esau has four hundred men with him. Jacob does not know whether Esau is coming as friend or enemy.  Apparently Jacob believes for a moment that his strategy of approaching his brother has worked.  But it was not necessary.  Up to this time, each was trying to get something from the other.  This was especially true of Jacob.  Now he is insisting that his brother receive a gift from him. Esau says, “you do not have to give it to me, I have plenty.”  Certainly, there is a change taken place in Jacob. In that land if one refused a gift which was urged upon him, it was considered an insult.  Therefore, Esau takes the gift. All of Jacob’s scheming to present a gift to Esau was for nothing.  God had prepared the heart of Esau to receive Jacob. Now he has peace.  Since Esau is now prosperous, and since he attached no value to his birthright anyway, there is no reason why he should not be reconciled to his twin brother.  Before too long Jacob is going to look back over his life, and when he does, he is going to see the hand of God in his life, and he is going to give God the glory.  However, the evil that he has sown is yet to bring forth a full harvest.  Trouble is still on its way for this man.  It is waiting for him.  Actually, we should not expect too much of Jacob at this time.  He has been crippled, and he is just beginning to learn to walk with his spiritual legs.  Jacob builds and altar.  He calls it El-elohe-Israel which means, “God, the God of Israel.”  This indicates real growth in who is just learning to walk.  He is on his way to Bethel, but first goes to Succoth.

 

 

 

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J. Vernon McGee commentary, James Coffman Commentary, NKJ version.

 

 

Jacob's Return Home - Genesis 32

 

Genesis 32 – Jacob’s Return Home

 

“He gives power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increases strength.”  Isaiah 40:29

Jacob is going home to the land of Canaan.  He expected a battle between Esau and Himself, so his concern was escape, not reconciliation.  He saw the army of angels protecting him, but even that did not encourage his faith.  Had Jacob remembered his experience with God at Bethel, he would not have been afraid of Esau. 

One minute Jacob prayed for God’s help, and the next minute he devised some new way to appease his angry brother. 

When the messenger returned from Esau to Jacob he failed to say that Esau is coming with open arms.  Instead, he says Esau is coming with four hundred men.  That would terrify even me if I believed my brother was still out to kill me.  He reminded God of his great promises and then acted as though God never spoken.  How many times have we given our problems over to God, just to take them back again?  This is the conduct of a believer who needs to be broken before God.  He prayed to be delivered from Esau, but his greatest need was to be delivered from himself. 

Jacob was broken to be healed and weakened to be stronger.  When he surrendered, he won and became a “prince with God.”  His limp would be a constant reminder that God would be in control of his life.  When we let God have His way, it is a dawning of a new day!

 

 

 

To catch up on previous lessons go to: https//sherryasouthard@blogspot.com

 

 

J. Vernon McGee commentary, James Coffman Commentary, NKJ version.

 

 

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Jacob's Journey - Genesis 31

 

Genesis 31 – Jacob’s Journey

 

Jacob had been working so hard for Laban for twenty years; Fourteen years for his wives, 6 years for the cattle.  Now, after all those years he overhears his brothers-in-law griping about him.  It appears that jealousy runs in this family.  With further observance he notices Laban is no longer happy with him.  Laban and his sons see that Jacob is blessed and there are few blessings for them.  The reason for this is because of the deception on Laban’s part.  God sees all this too, so he tells Jacob to return to his family.  God knows everything that goes on in our life.  When we do good, God blesses us with more.  When we do not do good, God takes away what we have. Matthew 13:12 “For whoever has, to him more will be given and he will have abundance; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away.”  That is the case with Jacob and Laban.  Now that God has blessed Jacob so much God has decided it is time for Jacob to return to his family and leave Laban behind.  Jacob tells Rachel and Leah, and they agree to go.  The only problem here is that Rachel thinks that God’s blessings are not enough, and she feels entitles to take Laban’s idols. There are many people in this world that have the feeling of entitlement.  Maybe they grew up with very little and they think the world owes them something. Maybe they have been mistreated and now they feel they should be treated right so their expectations of others are more than they should be.  Whatever it is, they are not content with what God has blessed them with already.  We need to learn to be content with what we have.

Now Jacob and his family and all that he has, leaves Padan Aram and travels to the land of Canaan.

Three days later Laban learns that Jacob has fled and later he catches up with them.  He confronts Jacob, rebukes him for leaving but because of God’s warning he does not take it any further than that.  Laban realizes he has lost everything but feels the need to have his idols back. They search everything but because of Rachel’s deception, they did not find them.  Now Jacob feels angry because he thinks he was falsely accused. In return, he rebukes Laban.  They solve their argument with a promise that they will stay on their side of the fence and not bother each other.  They sealed their promise with a sacrifice and a feast, then go their separate ways.

Jacob and Laban both knew that God was in charge here because of their conversations with God, so settling their differences the way they did showed maturity and trust in the Lord.

 

 

Jealous Sisters - Genesis 30

 

Genesis 30 – Jealous Sisters

 

Probably no situation on earth could bring out the worst sibling rivalry between sisters than to be married to the same man.  Both Rachel and Leah were Jacob’s wives.  They battled for his attention and affection.  No weapon was considered off limits. Overnight Jacob’s home became a place of conflict. 

Although Rachel had Jacob’s heart, she was at first unable to have his children.  Leah gave Jacob four sons.  Rachel became so upset that she insisted Jacob have children with her servant Bilhah.  The two sons Jacob had with Bilhah were a costly and bitter victory for Rachel. (Note that Abraham and Sarah did the same thing).  The sisters bickered constantly. 

Monogamy certainly would have been a better option for the family, but it probably would not have kept Rachel and Leah from jealous battles.  Jacob could have practiced greater wisdom and compassion with his wives, but his love for Rachel blinded him to many mistakes.  Leah never got over being the second-place wife. When she saw that she was not having any more children, she gave her maid Zilpah to Jacob to conceive more children.  Rachel allowed her insecurities and envy toward her sister to disrupt the special place she had with Jacob.  In the end, Leah had given him six sons before Rachel had Joseph.

Having grown up his mother’s favored son, Jacob was accustomed to a woman telling him what to do. But now he had four different women involved in his life! When he came home from the fields, he never knew which one he would be living with.

Going back to Uncle Laban, he is trying to make Jacob poor, but God overruled and made Jacob a very wealthy man.  In fact, God even blessed Laban because of Jacob (King Abimelech had been blessed because of Isaac).  This old trickster knew it and admitted it. It was God’s blessings and not Jacob’s scheming that increased the flocks. God was keeping the promise He had made at Bethel.  When we are in difficult situations, we can trust in God to take care of us.

 

 

 

 

Nelson’s Quick Reference Bible Commentary.

 

God Speaks to Jacob Genesis 28

 

Genesis 28 – God Speaks to Jacob

 

Rebekah did not mention to Isaac that she wanted to send Jacob to her brother so that he would get away from the wrath of his brother, Esau, but she did mention the fact that he could chose a wife from among her family.  Jacob was a lonely fugitive, forced to flee from home.

He comes to Bethel where God appears to him and confirms to him the covenant made to Abraham.  Bethel is twelve miles north of Jerusalem.  Jacob covered at least forty miles that first day.  The farther he gets away from Esau, the father he gets away from home.  At Bethel he discovered that God was with him and working for him and had a perfect plan for his life.  Jacob may have been away from home, but he was not separated from God.  The very angels of God were caring for him.  The first night God says to him “I am going to be with you, Jacob, and I’m going to bring you back to this land.”

In Jacob’s vision he saw a ladder with angels descending and ascending.  The ladder is Christ, not one that we climb, but one we can trust.  Jacob has a lot to learn and like us he will be disciplined.  Jacob called the place a dreadful place.  That is because he was a sinner trying to run away from God.  Every church ought to be a dreadful place to any sinner running away from God.  It is the place where the sinner ought to be able to meet God, through Christ.  Jacob thought that when he left home, he left God too.  Instead, God found him and that surprised Jacob.  God tells him what he is going to do for Jacob, and he answers, okay, if you do this I will serve you.  God does not do business that way and He did not do it with Jacob.  If he had, Jacob would have never made it back to that land.  God’s grace and mercy brought Jacob back into the land twenty years later, a wiser man.  He came back to worship and praise God for his mercy.

God extends mercy and grace to us without asking anything in return.  He does say that if you Love Him, you will want to serve Him.  Many people are trying to make a deal with God.  God just wants to become your Father through faith in Christ.

 

What Goes Around, Comes Around

 

Genesis 29 – What Goes Around, Comes Around

 

“Be not deceived God is not mocked: for whatever a man sows, that shall he reap.”  Galatians 6:7. 

God’s providence brought Jacob to the well just as Rachel was arriving.  Jacob had lived by his wits.  He was rather clever and cocky.  True to his scheming nature, Jacob tried to get rid of the shepherds so that he could have Rachel all to himself. Rachel was a shepherdess which was the woman’s work of that day.  This was love at first sight for both. Laban welcomes Jacob into his home. Jacob was not wealthy like Isaac.  He had to work for his Uncle Laban to have the woman he loved.  Uncle Laban is clever.  Frankly, you do not live with Laban for a month without making some sort of arrangement to pay for your board.  Now he is going to deal with his nephew and Jacob begins to reap what he has sown.  Jacob deceived his father and now his father-in-law deceives him.  Laban has two daughters, and it is obvious that Jacob loves his youngest daughter, Rachel. It was customary in those days that the oldest marry first.  Jacob was willing to work for seven years for Rachel and Laban accepts the bargain.  Uncle Laban worked Jacob hard in all kinds of weather, but Jacob’s mind was on Rachel making his task easier.  In those days, the woman was heavily veiled during the wedding ceremony.  She could not be seen.  After the wedding, Jacob had seen that he had been tricked since it was Leah in his bed and not Rachel. When he confronted Laban, he then agreed to another seven years labor for Rachel. As a result, Jacob took two wives which he should not have done.  Leah is a sad person because she knows her husband loves Rachel more than her.  Reuben is Jacob’s firstborn, but he is not the one who will begin the line leading to Christ.  It will be Leah’s fourth son, Judah.  Judah was the kingly line, David also was in this line, and later, the Lord Jesus Himself.  Leah was the mother of some of the outstanding sons of Jacob.

 

Favoritism and Discord - Genesis 27

 

Genesis 27 – Favoritism and Discord

 

Isaac and Rebekah had a fairy tale courtship.  They were brought together by God’s power and loved each other from the first encounter.  But it seems that they failed to work at their relationship with the diligence that true loves practice, for in the end, we find them invalidating each other instead of loving and honoring each other.  Granted, there were some unusual stresses in the early years of marriage.  Rebekah was infertile for a long time.  When she did get pregnant, twins were born, Jacob and Esau had distinctly different characters right from birth.  Unfortunately, each parent chose a favorite.  Isaac favored Esau and Rebekah favored Jacob. It was only a matter of time before the home would start to self-destruct, and it all began with Isaac. He knew that God had chosen Jacob for the blessing, but he announced that he would give it to Esau. He was not the spiritual person he had once been.  Rebekah knew what God’s promise was to Jacob and she should have let God work it out in His own way. “Faith is living without scheming” and who can hinder the Lord from accomplishing His purposes. Dan. 4:35. Playing favorites can only disrupt a marriage.  There is division, dishonesty, divided loyalties, and manipulation.  Each parent becomes selfish.  Isaac showed this when he claimed Rebekah to be his sister to save his own life.  Rebekah showed selfishness when she manipulated her favorite son, Jacob to receive the blessing.  Esau made it clear years before that he had no interest in spiritual things and certainly he knew about God’s word about the blessing. This selfishness trickled down to Esau when he married two Hittite women without his parent’s approval.  Rebekah conspired with Jacob to lie to her husband.  Jacob lied because of his mom’s deceit.  Esau sold his birthright which he regretted and resulted in Jacob’s blessing.  Rebekah’s “a few days” became over twenty years! Despite all her scheming she never saw her son on earth again.

Have you ever heard the saying, “if in doubt, don’t do it”? If Isaac had waited just a few more minutes longer, giving Esau time to get there he would have known for sure it was not Esau he was about to bless.  Then again, if he had waited, Jacob would have been cursed for his deceit and not been blessed as God had planned and the blood line of David and Jesus Christ would not have turned out like it did.

Conflict can happen in many situations and can be resolved when handled in a respectful manner.  Open, honest communication between two people is always helpful.

 

 

Isaac and Abimelech - Genesis 26

 

Genesis 26 – Isaac and Abimelech

 

King Abimelech is experiencing the same thing with Isaac and Rebekah that he did with Abraham and Sarah.  Both Abraham and Isaac told the king that his wife was his sister. It is sad when the new generation imitates the sins of the old generation. God did not intervene with Isaac and Rebekah like he did with Sarah by making King Abimelech’s household sick. In this case the King witnessed Isaac showing affection to Rebekah.  After confronting Isaac, he charged his people not to touch Rebekah.  Isaac and Rebekah stayed on and prospered so much that the King sent them away. Isaac moved from the town of Gerar to the valley of Gerar.  While there, he dug several wells that caused disputes between the Philistine herdsmen and his own. Each time Isaac moved on until he ended up in Beersheba where he built an altar and worshiped the Lord.  King Abimelech had kept a watchful eye on Isaac and realized that God had blessed Isaac abundantly.  Wanting to be a part of that blessing, he came to Isaac and sought forgiveness for running them out of town.  Isaac quickly forgave him and threw him a feast.

Isaac and the King made peace, but it was not so in Isaac’s household.  Isaac’s son Esau had taken two women to be his wife, and both were Hittites.  Being an Israelite, it was a sin for him to marry outside of God’s chosen people.  This caused contention between Isaac, Rebekah, and their daughters-in-law.  The Bible does not go on o discuss what the contentions were other than they were not Israelites.  The rest can only be speculation.

In Romans 12:18 it says, “If it is possible, as much as it depends on you, live peaceably with all men.”  This means there are some people who love to keep us in confusion and stir up trouble, but it is up to us to be a peace maker and not a peace breaker.

In all cases where Isaac had dug a well and caused strife, he kept the peace by moving on and allowing the other side to have the wells.  Finally, he found a well that he could keep and maintain. In contrast to his father Abraham who dared to declare war, Isaac was a quiet, meditative man who tried to avoid trouble.  He boldly faced his neighbors with their bad conduct – and he won! 

 

 

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A Blessed and Dysfunctional Family

 

Genesis 25 – A Blessed and Dysfunctional Family

 

After Isaac was born and Sarah died, Abraham took a second wife named Keturah.  She gave him 6 children and 9 grandchildren.  Besides Ishmael and Isaac, he had children from his concubines, all of which he gave gifts to and sent away so that Isaac would inherit all that he had.  Abraham was 175 years old when he died and was buried with Sarah.  Ishmael had 12 sons and lived to be 137 years old.  Isaac was 40 when he married Rebekah and after much prayer she gave birth to twins, Jacob, and Esau.  In a time of desperation, Esau sold his birthright to Jacob which he later regret.  When a family is in pain, the family members hurt deeply.  Parents grieve when their children rebel.  Siblings may struggle with rivalry.  There are as many types of family problems as there are families.  Usually, they feel they are the only ones who ever suffered in that way.  But even the great families of the Bible had problems.  For instance, with Jacob and Esau, the problem could be defined as sibling rivalry or Esau’s impulsiveness, or Jacob’s greed, or even Isaac and Rebekah’s parenting.  One might suggest that Jacob and Esaul learn to get along, or that Esau learn self-control, or that Jacob practice generosity, or that Isaac and Rebecca improve their parenting skills.  When we look back further we can see patterns develop in families. In Abraham’s family their sins and failures lie bare for the world to see.  These people knew God, and sometimes it did not make a difference in their behavior.  From Abraham to Joseph, every generation was both blessed by God and full of sin.  Abraham failed to wait for the son of promise and bore Ishmael by a servant.  The results haunt his descendants even to this day.  Isaac and Rebekah lived at odds with each other in their marriage.  Their differences led to deceit and pain in the lives of Jacob and Esau.  In these lessons, we read of unfair comparisons, favoritism, divided loyalties, competition, greed, and envy.  Yet these people knew and loved God. Even though they could not live up to their faith, they lived by it.  When God spoke, they listened, and they did their best to pass that reverence for God to their children. They clung to the promises God made to Abraham.  They believed fully that God would remain faithful.  Did they Love God? Certainly.  Did they make mistakes in their daily living?  Who does not? Yet God reported their failures to us in the Bible to offer us hope.  If He kept His promises with them, He would keep them with us.  Today’s families are no more perfect.  Except that we have God’s Word to teach us and people around us to help.  We need only to trust God to keep His promises.