Schedule

Date 9-7 9-14 9-21 9-28 10-5 10-12 10-19 Text N/A 1:1-2-3 2:4-4:6 5:1-9:29 10:1-16:16 17:1-20:18 21:1-25:18 Topic(s) Introduction Creation #1 Creation #2, Fall, Cain & Abel Adam to Noah, Flood, Covenant Table of Nations, Babel, Shem to Abram, Call of Abram, Abram in Egypt, Abram and Lot Separate, Abram Rescues Lot, Covenant with Abram, Hagar & Ishmael Circumcision, Three Visitors, Pleading for Sodom, S & G Destroyed, Lot & Daughters, Abraham & Abimelech Birth of Isaac, Hagar & Ishmael Sent Away, Treaty at Beersheba, Abraham Tested, Nahors Sons, Death of Sarah, Isaac & Rebekah, Death of Abraham, Ishmaels Sons Jacob & Esau, Isaac & Abimelech, Jacob Gets Isaacs Blessing, Jacob Flees to Laban, Jacobs Dream, Jacob Arrives in Paddan Aram, Jacob Marries Leah & Rachel, Jacobs Children, Jacobs Flocks Increase Jacob Flees from Laban, Laban Pursues Jacob, Jacob Prepares to Meet Esau, Jacob Wrestles with God, Jacob Meets Esau, Dinah & Shechemites, Jacob Returns to Bethel, Deaths of Rachel & Isaac Esaus Descendants, Josephs Dreams, Joseph Sold, Judah & Tamar, Potiphars Wife, Cupbearer & Baker, Pharaohs Dreams, Joseph in Charge Josephs Brothers in Egypt, Second Journey to Egypt, Silver Cup in Sack, Joseph Makes Himself Known, Jacob Goes to Egypt, Joseph & Famine, Manasseh & Ephraim, Jacob Blesses, Death of Jacob, Joseph Reassures Brothers, Death of Joseph

10-26

25:19-30:43

11-2

31:1-35:29

11-9 11-16

36:1-41:57 42:1-50:26

Go to www.mrcc.org/genesis to view and download class materials.

Week One: Introduction

Josh Kingcade

Schedule
Date 9-7 9-14 9-21 9-28 10-5 10-12 10-19 Text N/A 1:1-2-3 2:4-4:6 5:1-9:29 10:1-16:16 17:1-20:18 21:1-25:18 Topic(s) Introduction Creation #1 Creation #2, Fall, Cain & Abel Adam to Noah, Flood, Covenant Table of Nations, Babel, Shem to Abram, Call of Abram, Abram in Egypt, Abram and Lot Separate, Abram Rescues Lot, Covenant with Abram, Hagar & Ishmael Circumcision, Three Visitors, Pleading for Sodom, S & G Destroyed, Lot & Daughters, Abraham & Abimelech Birth of Isaac, Hagar & Ishmael Sent Away, Treaty at Beersheba, Abraham Tested, Nahors Sons, Death of Sarah, Isaac & Rebekah, Death of Abraham, Ishmaels Sons Jacob & Esau, Isaac & Abimelech, Jacob Gets Isaacs Blessing, Jacob Flees to Laban, Jacobs Dream, Jacob Arrives in Paddan Aram, Jacob Marries Leah & Rachel, Jacobs Children, Jacobs Flocks Increase Jacob Flees from Laban, Laban Pursues Jacob, Jacob Prepares to Meet Esau, Jacob Wrestles with God, Jacob Meets Esau, Dinah & Shechemites, Jacob Returns to Bethel, Deaths of Rachel & Isaac Esaus Descendants, Josephs Dreams, Joseph Sold, Judah & Tamar, Potiphars Wife, Cupbearer & Baker, Pharaohs Dreams, Joseph in Charge Josephs Brothers in Egypt, Second Journey to Egypt, Silver Cup in Sack, Joseph Makes Himself Known, Jacob Goes to Egypt, Joseph & Famine, Manasseh & Ephraim, Jacob Blesses, Death of Jacob, Joseph Reassures Brothers, Death of Joseph

10-26

25:19-30:43

11-2

31:1-35:29

11-9 11-16

36:1-41:57 42:1-50:26

Background
Relationship to Bible
Part of the Pentateuch (or Torah) o First five books of Bible o The foundational text for the Israelites/Jews Each book presupposes the previous book o Now Joseph and all his brothers and all that generation died (Ex. 1:6) o The Lord called Moses (Lev. 1:1) Leviticus is a response to the events of Ex. 32-33 o The Lord spoke to Moses (Num. 1:1) o These are the words Moses spoke (Deut. 1:1) o And beyond the Pentateuch After the death of Moses (Josh. 1:1) After the death of Joshua (Judg. 1:1) In the days when the judges ruled (Ruth 1:1)

Date
Historical references o At that time the Canaanites were in the land (12:6); The Canaanites and Perizzites were also living in the land at that time (13:7) o Laish/Dan (Gen 14:14; Judg. 18:27) Name changes well after Moses time o Before any Israelite king reigned (Gen. 36:31) Presupposes Israelite monarchy; began during time of Samuel Final form: probably during exile (mid 6th century B.C.)

Author
Moses o o o o Moses said, Honor your father and mother (Mark 7:10). Moses wrote you this law (Mark 10:5). have you not read in the book of Moses (Mark 12:26). Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms (Luke 24:44) We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law (John 1:45).

o Others o See date issues above o (Now Moses was a very humble man, more humble than anyone else on the face of the earth.) (Num 12:3) o The death of Moses (Deut. 34) o Perspective: Since then, no prophet has risen in Israel like Moses, whom the LORD knew face to face, who did all those miraculous signs and wonders the LORD sent him to

do in Egyptto Pharaoh and to all his officials and to his whole land. For no one has ever shown the mighty power or performed the awesome deeds that Moses did in the sight of all Israel. (Num. 34:10-12) Moses + inspired editors

Genre
Not primarily a science book Not primarily a history book It is a theology book it tells us about God.

Content
Prologue (1:1-2:3) Beginnings (2:4-11:32) o Creation of humans (2:4-25) o The fall (3:1-24) o Cain and Abel (4:1-26) o Genealogy from Adam to Noah (5:1-32) o Noah (6:1-9:29) o Table of nations (1:1-32) o Babel (11:1-9) o Genealogy from Shem to Abram (11:10-32) Ancestral Stories (12-36) o Abraham and Sarah (12:1-23:20) o Isaac and Rebekah (24:1-26:35) o Jacob and his wives (27:1-36:43) The Joseph Story (37-50) o In his fathers house (37:1-36) o Interlude: Judah and Tamar (38:1-30) o In Potiphars house (39:1-23) o In the big house (40:1-41:40) o In Pharaohs house (41:41-50:26)

Themes
The God of Covenant
Three promises to Abraham (Gen. 12:1-3) o Land (12:1) o Descendants (12:2) o Blessing to all people (12:2-3) These play out throughout the entire Pentateuch

The Reason for Things

Etiologies Why does the world work how it does? How did humans get to be this way? Why do we speak different languages? Why do we circumcise baby boys?

How Do We Restore Our Relationship to YHWH?

If finalized during exile, the Pentateuch shows people what YHWH expects of them. Shows how to follow the Law.

God is at Work
As the sole character (Gen. 1-2) As a partner with his creation (Gen. 3-11) As the driving force (Gen. 12-36) Behind the scenes (Gen. 37-50)

Week One: Introduction

Josh Kingcade

Schedule
Date 9-7 9-14 9-21 9-28 10-5 10-12 10-19 Text N/A 1:1-2-3 2:4-4:6 5:1-9:29 10:1-16:16 17:1-20:18 21:1-25:18 Topic(s) Introduction Creation #1 Creation #2, Fall, Cain & Abel Adam to Noah, Flood, Covenant Table of Nations, Babel, Shem to Abram, Call of Abram, Abram in Egypt, Abram and Lot Separate, Abram Rescues Lot, Covenant with Abram, Hagar & Ishmael Circumcision, Three Visitors, Pleading for Sodom, S & G Destroyed, Lot & Daughters, Abraham & Abimelech Birth of Isaac, Hagar & Ishmael Sent Away, Treaty at Beersheba, Abraham Tested, Nahors Sons, Death of Sarah, Isaac & Rebekah, Death of Abraham, Ishmaels Sons Jacob & Esau, Isaac & Abimelech, Jacob Gets Isaacs Blessing, Jacob Flees to Laban, Jacobs Dream, Jacob Arrives in Paddan Aram, Jacob Marries Leah & Rachel, Jacobs Children, Jacobs Flocks Increase Jacob Flees from Laban, Laban Pursues Jacob, Jacob Prepares to Meet Esau, Jacob Wrestles with God, Jacob Meets Esau, Dinah & Shechemites, Jacob Returns to Bethel, Deaths of Rachel & Isaac Esaus Descendants, Josephs Dreams, Joseph Sold, Judah & Tamar, Potiphars Wife, Cupbearer & Baker, Pharaohs Dreams, Joseph in Charge Josephs Brothers in Egypt, Second Journey to Egypt, Silver Cup in Sack, Joseph Makes Himself Known, Jacob Goes to Egypt, Joseph & Famine, Manasseh & Ephraim, Jacob Blesses, Death of Jacob, Joseph Reassures Brothers, Death of Joseph

10-26

25:19-30:43

11-2

31:1-35:29

11-9 11-16

36:1-41:57 42:1-50:26

Background
Relationship to Bible
Part of the P______________________ (or T_______________) o o First f____________ books of Bible The f__________________ text for the Israelites/Jews

Each book p____________________ the previous book

Date
Historical references Final form: probably during e___________ (mid 6th century B.C.)

Author
M______________ O_______________ M______________ + i_______________ e_______________

Genre
Not primarily a s______________ book Not primarily a h______________ book It is a t______________ book it tells us about God.

Content
Prologue (1:1-2:3) Beginnings (2:4-11:32) o Creation of humans (2:4-25) o The fall (3:1-24) o Cain and Abel (4:1-26) o Genealogy from Adam to Noah (5:1-32) o Noah (6:1-9:29) o Table of nations (1:1-32) o Babel (11:1-9) o Genealogy from Shem to Abram (11:10-32) 2

Ancestral Stories (12-36) o Abraham and Sarah (12:1-23:20) o Isaac and Rebekah (24:1-26:35) o Jacob and his wives (27:1-36:43) The Joseph Story (37-50) o In his fathers house (37:1-36) o Interlude: Judah and Tamar (38:1-30) o In Potiphars house (39:1-23) o In the big house (40:1-41:40) o In Pharaohs house (41:41-50:26)

Themes
The God of C__________________
Three p_______________ to Abraham (Gen. 12:1-3) o o o L_________ (12:1) D_________ (12:2) B___________ to all p_______________ (12:2-3)

The R_______________ for Things

E________________

How Do We R_________________ Our R__________________ to YHWH?

Shows how to follow the L______________.

God is at W_________________
As the s_________ c__________________ (Gen. 1) As a p_______________with his c________________ (Gen. 2-11) As the d_______________ f_______________ (Gen. 12-36) B______________ the s_______________ (Gen. 37-50)

Week Two: Creation #1 (Gen. 1)

Josh Kingcade

Order and Features

Order
Day 1: Light and dark Day 2: Sky and water Day 3: Land and plants Day 4: Sun, moon, and stars Day 5: Birds and fish Day 6: Land animals and humans Day 7: Rest

Features
God speaks Creation is orderly Gods verdict on everything? good Humans and animals are vegetarians

Ancient Near-Eastern Worldview

Ancient Near-Eastern Creation Stories

Enuma Elish Atra-Hasis

Lessons
Questions Genesis doesnt try to answer: o How old is the earth? o How long did creation take o How did DNA come about? Questions Genesis answers well: o Who created? o Why? o What does it mean to be created in Gods image?

Week Two: Creation #1 (Gen. 1)

Josh Kingcade

Order and Features

Order
Day 1: __________ and __________ Day 2: __________ and __________ Day 3: __________ and __________ Day 4: __________, __________, and __________ Day 5: __________ and __________ Day 6: __________ and __________ Day 7: __________

Features
God __________ Creation is __________ Gods verdict on everything? __________ Humans and animals are __________

Ancient Near-Eastern Worldview

Ancient Near-Eastern Creation Stories

Enuma Elish Atra-Hasis

Lessons
Questions Genesis doesnt try to answer: o o o How __________ is the earth? How __________ did creation take How did __________ come about?

Questions Genesis answers well: o o o __________ created? __________? What does it mean to be created in __________ __________?

Week Three: Creation #2, The Fall, Cain & Abel (Gen. 2:4-4:16)
Josh Kingcade

Order and Features in Gen. 1

Order
Day 1: Light and dark Day 2: Sky and water Day 3: Land and plants Day 4: Sun, moon, and stars Day 5: Birds and fish Day 6: Land animals and humans Day 7: Rest

Features
God creates by speaking Orderly God is in the heavens, speaking things into existence from far away

Creation of Humans (Gen. 2)

Man is formed before shrubs and plants (2:5). God forms man from the dust and breathes life into him (2:7). YHWH is getting his hands dirty and is down amongst his creation. The prohibition: Do not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, or you will die (2:16-17). The animals are proposed as helpers first (2:19-20).

Comparison of Gen. 1 and 2

Gen. 1 Name Literary Style Scope Method Image Elohim (God) Poetry Everything Speak Sovereign Gen. 2 YHWH Elohim (LORD God) Narrative Earth Form Accommodating

Which forms a complete picture of God.

Relationships in the Garden

God Humans Humans Man Humans Land Animals Woman Good Good Good Good

The Serpent
Hebrew word nahash o Meaning: serpent o Related to nehoshet copper/bronze? Moses makes a bronze serpent in the wilderness (Num 21:9) Hezekiah demolishes it centuries later when it became a fetish and object of worship (2 Kgs 18:4) o Or related to nahash to practice divination o Not talking about the devil; the related words are not used o The serpent is one of the created beings

The Trees
Good and evil in Hebrew thought o Good = beneficial o Evil = harmful The temptation is for humans to know whats best for them (instead of God) 2

Adam is at the tree with Eve.

The Temptation
The Immediate Consequences o Shame (v. 7) o Fear of Yhwh (v. 8-10) o Blame (v. 11-12) The Secondary Consequences o Statement to Serpent Cursed among animals (crawl and eat dust) Conflict between human offspring and serpent offspring Prophetic message about Jesus? Future of human/serpent relationship? o Statement to Woman Increase pain in childbirth Desire for husband; he will rule over her Note: Why have we sought to remedy one of these curses but not the other? o Statement to Man Harder work ground is cursed Death

Prophecy in Gen. 3:15

Never cited in the NT as a prediction of Jesus o Use of Gen 3:15 as prophecy does not occur until 2nd or 3rd century in the church In Hebrew, victory is not suggested; rather, an ongoing battle (strike/strike) People who originally read Genesis would understand why humans and animals do not get along

Relationships in the Garden

God Humans Humans Man Humans Land Animals Woman Bad Bad Bad Bad

YHWHs Response
Grace Provision Punishment

NT Uses
Adam failed temptation; Jesus beat it (Luke 4). Adam began the sin cycle; Jesus ended it (Rom. 8). Deception of Eve is used as basis for gender role distinctions in worship (1 Tim. 2:11-14).

Cains Sacrifice Condemned

Options: o Not blood o Not his best o Not matched by inner righteousness o Taken from cursed land The text gives no reason for Yhwhs preference, nor is that the point.

Parallels to Adam & Eve

Temptation Hiding from Yhwh Curse Grace

Firstborns
Firstborn/Older Cain Ishmael Esau Jacobs 10 oldest sons Younger Abel Isaac Jacob Joseph

Week Three: Creation #2, The Fall, Cain & Abel (Gen. 2:4-4:16)
Josh Kingcade

Order and Features in Gen. 1

Order
Day 1: Light and dark Day 2: Sky and water Day 3: Land and plants Day 4: Sun, moon, and stars Day 5: Birds and fish Day 6: Land animals and humans Day 7: Rest

Features
God creates by ________________ ________________ God is in the ________________, speaking things into existence from ________________

Creation of Humans (Gen. 2)

Man is formed ________________shrubs and plants (2:5). God forms man from the ________________and ________ ________into him (2:7). YHWH is getting his hands ________________and is down amongst his creation. 1

The prohibition: Do not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, or you will die (2:16-17).

The ________________are proposed as helpers first (2:19-20).

Comparison of Gen. 1 and 2

Gen. 1 Name Literary Style Scope Method Gen. 2

Image

Which forms a ________________________________of God.

Relationships in the Garden

God Humans Humans Man Humans Land Animals Woman

The Serpent
Hebrew word ________________

o o o o o

Meaning: ________________ Related to nehoshet ________________/________________? Or related to nahash to practice ________________ Not talking about the ________________; the related words are not used The serpent is one of the ________________ ________________

The Trees
________________and ________________in Hebrew thought o o Good = ________________ Evil = ________________

The temptation is for humans to know whats ________________for them (instead of God) ________________is at the tree with Eve.

The Temptation
The Immediate Consequences o o o ________________ (v. 7) ________________of Yhwh (v. 8-10) ________________ (v. 11-12)

The Secondary Consequences o Statement to ________________ o ________________among animals (crawl and eat dust)

Conflict between ________________offspring and ________________offspring Prophetic message about ________________? Future of ________________/________________relationship?

Statement to ________________ 3

Increase ________________in childbirth Desire for ________________; he will rule over her Note: Why have we sought to remedy one of these curses but not the other?

Statement to Man Harder ________________ ground is cursed ________________

Prophecy in Gen. 3:15

Never cited in the NT as a ________________of ________________ o Use of Gen 3:15 as prophecy does not occur until ________________or ________________century in the church In Hebrew, ________________is not suggested; rather, an ongoing ________________ (strike/strike) People who originally read Genesis would understand why humans and animals do not get along

Relationships in the Garden

God Humans Humans Man Humans Land Animals Woman

YHWHs Response
________________ 4

________________ ________________

NT Uses
Adam failed ________________; Jesus beat it (Luke 4). Adam began the ________________cycle; Jesus ended it (Rom. 8). Deception of Eve is used as basis for gender role distinctions in ________________ (1 Tim. 2:1114).

Cains Sacrifice Condemned

Options: o o o o Not ________________ Not his ________________ Not matched by inner ________________ Taken from ________________land

The text gives no ________________for Yhwhs preference, nor is that the ________________.

Parallels to Adam & Eve

________________ ________________from Yhwh ________________ ________________

Week Four: The Flood (Gen. 6-9)

Josh Kingcade

Sons of God and Daughters of Men (6:1-4)

Sons of Seth and daughters of Cain Heavenly beings/angels and human women o See Job 1:6 for sons of God as members of the heavenly council. o Common belief in ancient times

Prelude to Destruction (6:5-8)

Great wickedness Human heart is evil God regrets God will undo creation o Humans o Animals o Birds o Creatures that move on ground What has happened? o very good (1:31) has become I will blot out (6:7) o They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creatorwho is forever praised (Rom. 1:25 NIV 2011).

Noah
Finds favor with God Righteous, blameless, and walks faithfully with God 600 years old The bringer of new possibility amidst despair and judgment 1

The Flood (6:9-8:19)

Earth is corrupt and full of violence. o Lamech: seventy-sevenfold vengeance Noah commanded to build ark for him and his seven family members. Take animals Springs of deep and floodgates of skies (7:11)

(Russell Pregeant, Reading the Bible for All the Wrong Reasons, 45)

Rain for 40 days and nights People, animals, creatures that move along the ground, birds (7:23; cf. Gen. 1) Key verse: God remembered (8:1) God sends a wind (same word for Spirit of God in Gen. 1:2). o Re-creation! Noah sends ravens and doves as scouts.

After the Deluge (8:20-9:17)

Noah builds an altar. Noah makes sacrifices. God makes an unconditional covenant: o Never again curse ground Even though humans still evil. Nothing has changed! o Never destroy all living creatures o Never again flood the earth New rules and new reality o Be fruitful and multiply o Birds (above), fish (below) and land animals will now fear humans o Humans are now carnivorous o No eating blood o Capital punishment o Limiting, not enabling (cf. Lamech) o Eye for an eye A new sign: rainbow 2

God moves o From judgment to assurance o From destructive anger to promissory vow o From law-suit speech to salvation oracle
(Walter Brueggemann, Genesis, 85)

Humanity has not changed; God has.

Gilgamesh
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. Gilgamesh is a brutal king. The people solicit the god Enkidu to overthrow him. Enkidu is humanized after a week with a prostitute. Enkidu fights Gilgamesh, but they end up teaming up to fight monsters The goddess Ishtar proposes to Gilgamesh, but he says no. Ishtar kills Gilgameshs friend Enkidu Gilgamesh is scared; goes to find the immortal Utnapishtim Utnapishtim tells his story: 1. The god Ea tells Utnapishtim to prepare for a flood, so he builds a boat, deceiving neighbors. 2. When Ea finds out that Utnapishtim and his wife have survived, he makes them immortal, so that no mortals are left after the flood

Noah vs. Gilgamesh

What is the motive for the flood? Why are any mortals saved?

Other Uses
Ezekiel 14:12-20 o Not even Noah could make a difference o Israel is not worth saving o But God should save it anyway, for Gods own sake 1 Peter 3:17-21 o Floodwaters parallel to waters of baptism

The Sin of Ham

Literally saw his father naked Slept with his father o You shall not uncover the nakedness of your father, which is the nakedness of your mother; she is your mother, you shall not uncover her nakedness. You shall not uncover the nakedness of your fathers wife; it is your fathers nakedness (Lev 18:7-8 ESV) Slept with his mother 3

But then, literally cover him up o No known symbolism in this The symbolic sin explains the curse on Hams son, but it does not explain the literal solution.

Week Four: The Flood (Gen. 6-9)

Josh Kingcade

Sons of God and Daughters of Men (6:1-4)

Sons of _______________ and daughters of _______________ Heavenly _______/________ and human _______________ o o See Job 1:6 for sons of God as members of the heavenly council. Common belief in ancient times

Prelude to Destruction (6:5-8)

Great _______________ Human heart is _______________ God _______________ God will undo _______________ o Humans o Animals o Birds o Creatures that move on ground What has happened? o very good (1:31) has become I will blot out (6:7) o They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creatorwho is forever praised (Rom. 1:25 NIV 2011).

Noah
Finds _______________ with God _______________, _______________, and walks _______________ with God _______________ years old The bringer of _______________ amidst _______________ and _______________

The Flood (6:9-8:19)

Earth is _______________ and full of _______________. o Lamech: seventy-sevenfold _______________

Noah commanded to build _______________ for him and his _______________ family members.

Take _______________ _______________ of deep and _______________ of skies (7:11)

(Russell Pregeant, Reading the Bible for All the Wrong Reasons, 45)

Rain for _______________ days and nights _______________, _______________, _______________ that move along the ground, _______________ (7:23; cf. Gen. 1) 2

Key verse: God _______________ (8:1) God sends a _______________ (same word for _______________ of God in Gen. 1:2). o _______________!

Noah sends _______________ and _______________ as scouts.

After the Deluge (8:20-9:17)

Noah builds an _______________. Noah makes _______________. God makes an _______________ covenant: o Never again _______________ ground o o Even though humans still evil. Nothing has changed!

Never _______________ all living creatures Never again _______________ the earth

New _______________ and new _______________ o o o o o o o Be _______________ and _______________ Birds (above), fish (below) and land animals will now _______________ humans Humans are now _______________ No eating _______________ _______________ punishment _______________, not _______________ (cf. Lamech) _______________ for an _______________

A new sign: _______________ God moves o From _______________ to _______________

o
o

From destructive _______________ to promissory _______________ From law-suit _______________ to salvation _______________
(Walter Brueggemann, Genesis, 85)

Humanity has not _______________; God has.

Gilgamesh Other Uses

Ezekiel 14:12-20 o o o Not even _______________ could make a difference Israel is not worth _______________ But God should save it anyway, for _______________ own sake

1 Peter 3:17-21 o Floodwaters parallel to waters of _______________

The Sin of Ham

_______________ saw his father naked _______________ his father o Lev 18:7-8 ESV

_______________ his mother But then, literally _______________ him up o No known _______________ in this

The symbolic sin explains the curse on Hams son, but it does not explain the _______________ solution.

Week Five: Babel, Abram (Gen. 11-16)

Josh Kingcade

Babel (11:1-9)
One language and speech People are scattering geographically Decide to build a tower reaching to the skies Let us make a name for ourselves (11:4). o Avoid scattering YHWH comes down and is concerned o They speak the same language o They have a common purpose YHWH confuses their language YHWH scatters them Babel: confused Questions answered: o Why are we scattered over the whole earth? o Why do we speak different languages? o Why is this place called Babel?

Abram and Sarai (12-16)

Characters
Abram Sarai: Abrams wife; childless Pharaoh: title for ruler of Egypt Lot: Abrams nephew and closest heir Kings Hagar: Abram and Sarais maidservant 1

Ishmael: Abram and Hagars son; heir to Abram

Call and Promises (12:1-9)

Three promises to Abram: 1. Great nation (12:2) 2. Land (12:7) 3. Blessing to all nations (12:2-3) Promises are unconditional

Lying to Pharaoh (12:10-20)

Family travels to Egypt Abram afraid for Sarai and for himself Instructs her to lie o She is his sister o So that he will be treated well! o So that his life will be spared! Pharaoh takes Sarai Abram gets livestock and servants Pharaoh gets a plague Pharaoh discovers the lie Pharaoh sends them both away

Splitting Land (13:1-18)

Abram becomes wealthy But still no heir o How will he have a great nation? Abram and Lot have too much wealth and possessions to stay together Abram gives Lot the choice of new land YHWH restates his promises to Abram (13:14-17) Why is Abram being so deferential to Lot?

Rescuing Lot (14:1-24)

Battle in the Valley of Siddim (Dead Sea) Red Team Blue Team Amraphel king of Shinar Bera king of Sodom Arioch king of Ellasar Birsha king of Gomorrah Kedorlaomer king of Elam Shinab king of Admah o Oppressor (14:4) Shemeber king of Zeboyim Tidal king of Goyim Zoar king of Bela

The red team defeats many other nations The blue team decides its enough Blue team falls in tar pits 2

Red team takes their possessions, as well as Lot (who was living in Sodom) Abram takes 318 men from his household and recovers Lot and others Melchizedek the priest blesses Abram Abram refuses an offer to exchange people for goods with the king of Sodom. Abram recalls promise not to accept anything His riches are from YHWH Why does Abram go after Lot so intensely?

Cutting a Covenant (15:1-21)

Abram is skeptical about an heir YHWH promises a son Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness (15:6; cf. Rom. 4:3) Abram is skeptical about the land YHWH cuts a covenant o Elements Heifer Goat Ram Dove Pigeon o Action YHWH walks in between the animal carcass halves (15:17) o Promises Descendants will be enslaved for 400 years Oppressors will be punished Descendants will emerge wealthy Abram will be buried in peace

Making an Heir (Gen. 16:1-16)

God has just promised a son But Sarai cant have one So, maybe Abram needs Hagar Sarai initiates this conversation Sarai gives Hagar in marriage Hagar becomes pregnant; despises Sarai Sarai gets mad Abram refuses to mediate Sarai mistreats Hagar Hagar runs away Angel instructs her to return Her son will be Ishmael (YHWH hears) Wild, scorned, living in hostility Names a nearby well Beer Lahai Roi (well of the one who sees me) 3

Theology
Trust o Does Abram trust God? Lies to protect his wife Rescues Lot Fathers a child with Hagar The God of covenant

Week Five: Babel, Abram (Gen. 11-16)

Josh Kingcade

Babel (11:1-9)
One __________________ and __________________ People are __________________ geographically Decide to build a __________________ reaching to the skies Let us make a __________________ for ourselves (11:4). o Avoid __________________

YHWH comes down and is __________________ o o They speak the same __________________ They have a common __________________

YHWH __________________ their language YHWH __________________ them Babel: __________________ Questions answered: o o o Why are we __________________ over the whole earth? Why do we speak different __________________? Why is this place called __________________? 1

Abram and Sarai (12-16)

Characters
Abram Sarai: Abrams wife; childless Pharaoh: title for ruler of Egypt Lot: Abrams nephew and closest heir Kings Hagar: Abram and Sarais maidservant Ishmael: Abram and Hagars son; heir to Abram

Call and Promises (12:1-9)

Three promises to Abram: 1. Great __________________ (12:2) 2. __________________ (12:7) 3. __________________ to all nations (12:2-3) Promises are __________________

Lying to Pharaoh (12:10-20)

Family travels to __________________ Abram afraid for __________________ and for __________________ Instructs her to __________________ o o o She is his __________________ So that __________________ will be treated well! So that __________________ life will be spared!

Pharaoh takes __________________ Abram gets __________________ and __________________ Pharaoh gets a __________________ Pharaoh discovers the __________________ Pharaoh __________________ them both away 2

Splitting Land (13:1-18)

Abram becomes __________________ But still no __________________ o How will he have a great nation?

Abram and Lot have too much __________________ and __________________ to stay together Abram gives Lot the choice of new __________________ YHWH restates his __________________ to Abram (13:14-17) Why is Abram being so __________________ to Lot?

Rescuing Lot (14:1-24)

Battle in the Valley of Siddim (Dead Sea) Red Team Blue Team Amraphel king of Shinar Bera king of Sodom Arioch king of Ellasar Birsha king of Gomorrah Kedorlaomer king of Elam Shinab king of Admah o Oppressor (14:4) Shemeber king of Zeboyim Tidal king of Goyim Zoar king of Bela

The red team __________________ many other nations The blue team decides its __________________ Blue team falls in __________________ __________________ Red team takes their __________________, as well as __________________ (who was living in Sodom)

Abram takes __________________ men from his household and recovers __________________ and others

Melchizedek the priest __________________ Abram Abram refuses an offer to exchange __________________ for __________________ with the king of Sodom. 3

Abram recalls promise not to __________________ anything His __________________ are from YHWH Why does Abram go after Lot so __________________?

Cutting a Covenant (15:1-21)

Abram is skeptical about an __________________ YHWH promises a __________________ Abram __________________ the Lord, and he credited it to him as __________________ (15:6; cf. Rom. 4:3) Abram is skeptical about the __________________ YHWH cuts a covenant o Elements o Action o YHWH walks in between the animal carcass halves (15:17) Heifer Goat Ram Dove Pigeon

Promises Descendants will be __________________ for 400 years Oppressors will be __________________ Descendants will emerge __________________ Abram will be __________________ in peace

Making an Heir (Gen. 16:1-16)

God has just promised a __________________ But __________________ cant have one So, maybe Abram needs __________________ Sarai __________________ this conversation Sarai gives Hagar in __________________ Hagar becomes __________________; despises Sarai Sarai gets __________________ Abram refuses to __________________ Sarai mistreats __________________ Hagar __________________ __________________ Angel instructs her to __________________ Her son will be __________________ (YHWH hears) Wild, scorned, living in hostility Names a nearby well _____________ _____________ ________ (well of the one who sees me)

Theology
Trust o Does Abram trust God? Lies to protect his wife Rescues Lot Fathers a child with Hagar The God of covenant

Week Six: Abraham to Abimelech (Gen. 17-20)

Grant Testut

Sign of Circumcision
God appears to Abram I am El Shaddai; walk before me and be blameless. (17:1) Reminder of covenant; Abram now 99 No legal code, but covenantal expectation

God changes Abrams name Abram = Exalted Father Abraham = Father of a Multitude

What is new about this promise in Ch. 17? Father of a crowd of nations (vs. 4) Kings shall come forth from you. (vs. 6) Covenant will extend to future generations (vs. 7)

Why was circumcision introduced? It was a sign of the covenant (vss. 10-11) Where have we seen a sign of covenant before? Gen. 9:9-17 The rainbow was a sign of covenant. 1

Circumcision not restricted to Abrahams line Egypt, Arabs, Phoenicians (Jer. 9:25-26; Ez. 28:10) Special significance for Abrahams people

Penalty for disobedience That soul shall be cut off from its people (vs. 14) Relationship to cutting a covenant Death sentence? (Ex. 31:14)

God changes Sarais name (vss. 15-16) Sarah = noble/royal lady

Abraham laughs (vss. 17-19) God gives the name Isaac (He laughs) Provision for Ishmael (vs. 20)

Abraham obeys All the males in the household are circumcised

Three Visitors
Yahweh appears to Abraham at Mamre (18:1) The LORD and two angels (18:22; 19:1)

Hospitality in Ancient Near East (rd. vss. 1-8) No sign that Abraham knew it was God at first Bowing and calling one lord (humility and respect)

Gods promise to give Sarah a son Sarah laughs (12; cf. 17:17) Is anything too lofty for Yahweh? (vs. 14)

God tells Abraham his plan.

The outcry of Sodom and Gomorrah was great.

Abraham bargains with God 50 > 45 > 40 > 30 > 20 > 10 Will you even sweep away the righteous with the wicked?! (vs. 23) I am dust (fr) and ash (fer) Demonstrates Abraham as a blessing to nations

Sodom and Gomorrah

The two angels arrive at Sodom. Lot compels them to stay with him. Men of Sodom demand to know them. Do not commit evil, my brothers! (vs. 7) Lot offers his daughters They have come into the protection of my roof. (vs. 8)

Angels blind the men, lead Lots family away Lots wife looks back pillar of salt Lot and his daughters flee to Zoar. Lots daughters sleep with him. Let us preserve offspring from our father. (32) Birth of two nations: Moab and Ammon Speaks to their relationship with Israelites Speaks to the future depravity of these nations

Abraham and Abimelech

Abraham goes to the Negev 3

He says that Sarah is his sister (cf. 12:10-20) Abimelech takes Sarah God reproves Abimelech (rd. 20:3-7) Abraham prays for Abimelechs household God opens up their wombs segue to ch. 21 Abraham becomes a blessing to Abimelech.

Week Six: Abraham to Abimelech (Gen. 17-20)

Grant Testut

Sign of Circumcision
God I am Reminder of to Abram ; me and be ; Abram now ________ . (17:1)

No legal code, but ________________________________

God changes Abrams ____________ Abram = ______________________________ Abraham = _______________________________

What is new about this promise in Ch. 17? Father of a _______________________________ (vs. 4) shall come forth . (vs. 6) (vs. 7)

Covenant will extend to

Why was circumcision introduced? It was a of the (vss. 10-11) before? 1

Where have we seen a

The

was a

Circumcision not restricted to ________________________________ Egypt, Arabs, Phoenicians (Jer. 9:25-26; Ez. 28:10) Special for Abrahams people

Penalty for disobedience That shall be Relationship to Death sentence? (Ex. 31:14) (vss. 15-16) from its people (vs. 14) a covenant

God changes Sarais

Sarah = _______________________________ (vss. 17-19)

Abraham

God gives the name Isaac (__________________________) Provision for (vs. 20)

Abraham obeys All the in the are circumcised

Three Visitors
Yahweh The LORD and to Abraham at (18:1) (18:22; 19:1)

Hospitality in Ancient Near East (rd. vss. 1-8) No sign that Abraham knew Bowing and calling one lord ( at first and )

Gods promise to give Sarah _________________ Sarah Is anything too (12; cf. 17:17) for ? (vs. 14)

God tells Abraham his plan. The of Sodom and Gomorrah was .

Abraham bargains with God 50 > 45 > 40 > 30 > 20 > 10 Will you even sweep away the I am Demonstrates Abraham as a and with the to ____________ ?! (vs. 23)

Sodom and Gomorrah

The two Lot compels them to Men of Sodom demand to Do not , arrive at . them. ! (vs. 7) .

Lot offers his __________________ They have come into the the men, Lots family away of my . (vs. 8)

Angels Lots wife

_________________________ to with him. from our father. (32) : and ____________ with Israelites of these _____________ .

Lot and his daughters Lots daughters Let us Birth of two Speaks to their

Speaks to the future

Abraham and Abimelech

Abraham goes to _______________ He says that Sarah is Abimelech takes __________ God Abraham Abimelech (rd. 20:3-7) for Abimelechs _________________ segue to ch. 21 to Abimelech. (cf. 12:10-20)

God opens up their Abraham becomes a

Week Seven: Abraham & Sarah; Isaac & Rebekah (Gen. 21:1-25:18)
Josh Kingcade

Characters
Abraham Sarah Hagar Ishmael son of Abraham and Hagar Abimelek king of Gerar Isaac son of Abraham and Sarah Ephron the Hittite gives cave for burial Abrahams servant goes to get Rebekah Rebekah Abrahams great niece; Isaacs wife Laban Rebekahs brother Keturah Abrahams new wife (after Sarahs death)

Birth of Isaac (21:1-7)

God fulfills his promise o at the very time God had promised him (Gen. 21:2) o Abraham is 100 years old Isaac he laughs

Hagar & Ishmael Sent Away

Family rivalry o Ishmael vs. Isaac o Hagar vs. Sarah 1

Ishmael now seems unnecessary Hagar feels abandoned God promises a great nation through Ishmael God was with the boy (21:20)

Treaty at Beersheba
Abimelek recognizes God (elohim) at work in Abraham Abimelek asks for a promise of peace Dispute over a well Abraham brings sheep and cattle Beersheba well of seven, well of the oath

Abraham Tested
Issue: Does Abraham trust God? o Isaac is the promised son o 22:2 mirrors 12:1 Isaac is probably at least a teenager o Josephus 25 years old o Genesis Rabbah 37 years old We will come back (22:5); God will provide a lamb (22:8) great faith, or benign deception? Promises to Abraham confirmed because of Abrahams faith (22:16ff) Descendants will o Be numerous o Possess enemy cities o Bless all nations What kind of God is this? o God is a bully (mastiff) Emily Dickinson o God sets up Abraham to fail as a father Steven Sultzman o God is arbitrary Sren Kierkegaard o Other possibilities? God has an ongoing give and take relationship with Abraham Heb. 11:8-12, 17-19 James 2:21-23

Death of Sarah
Sarah is an important character Dies at age 127 Abraham wants to buy a plot from the Hittites 2

The Hittites want to give it to him He wants the cave of Machphelah, owned by Ephron Agree to price of 400 shekels How do the Hittites view Abraham?

Rebekah
Abraham asks as servant to get a wife for Isaac o Is Isaac inept? Servant goes to Nahor (town or person) Servant prays to YHWH o Sign will be a woman who offers water to servants camels Rebekah shows up o Daughter of Bethuel, son of Milkah, wife of Nahor

Servant offers gold nose ring and two gold bracelets Servant goes to Rebekahs house, meets brother Laban and father Bethuel Servant recounts his mission Laban and Bethuel respond: This is from the LORD; we can say nothing to you one way or the other. Here is Rebekah; take her and go, and let her become the wife of your masters son, as the LORD has directed (24:50-51). Brother and father ask Rebekah when she wants to leave (24:57-58). o Rebekah is not completely voiceless. Isaac was comforted after his mothers death (25:67).

Death of Abraham
New wife: Keturah Six new sons 3

But Isaac gets full inheritance Abraham dies at age 175 Buried alongside Sarah by Isaac and Ishmael

Theology
Trust o Does Abraham trust God? The God of Covenant God who is at work in the foreground and background.

Week Seven: Abraham & Sarah; Isaac & Rebekah (Gen. 21:1-25:18)
Josh Kingcade

Characters
Abraham Sarah Hagar Ishmael son of _____________ and _____________ Abimelek king of _____________ Isaac son of _____________ and _____________ Ephron the Hittite gives _____________ for burial Abrahams servant goes to get _____________ Rebekah Abrahams _____________ _____________; Isaacs _____________ Laban Rebekahs _____________ Keturah Abrahams _____________ _____________ (after Sarahs death)

Birth of Isaac (21:1-7)

God _____________ his promise o at the very time God had promised him (Gen. 21:2)

Abraham is _____________ years old

Isaac he _____________

Hagar & Ishmael Sent Away

Family _____________ o o _____________ vs. _____________ _____________ vs. _____________

Ishmael now seems _____________ Hagar feels _____________ God promises a great _____________ through Ishmael God was _____________ the boy (21:20)

Treaty at Beersheba
Abimelek recognizes God (elohim) at _____________ in Abraham Abimelek asks for a _____________ of peace Dispute over a _____________ Abraham brings _____________ and _____________ Beersheba well of _____________, well of the _____________

Abraham Tested
Issue: Does Abraham _____________ God? o o Isaac is the _____________ son 22:2 mirrors 12:1

Isaac is probably at least a _____________ o Josephus _____________ years old 2

Genesis Rabbah _____________ years old

We will come back (22:5); God will provide a lamb (22:8) great _____________, or benign _____________?

Promises to Abraham _____________ because of Abrahams _____________ (22:16ff) Descendants will o o o Be _____________ Possess enemy _____________ Bless all _____________

What kind of God is this? o o o o God is a _____________ (mastiff) Emily Dickinson God sets up Abraham to fail as a _____________ Steven Sultzman God is _____________ Sren Kierkegaard Other possibilities? God has an ongoing _____________ and _____________ relationship with Abraham

Heb. 11:8-12, 17-19 James 2:21-23

Death of Sarah
Sarah is an important _____________ Dies at age _____________ Abraham wants to _____________ a plot from the Hittites The Hittites want to _____________ it to him He wants the _____________ of Machphelah, owned by Ephron Agree to price of _____________ shekels

How do the _____________ view Abraham?

Rebekah
Abraham asks as _____________ to get a wife for Isaac o Is Isaac _____________?

Servant goes to _____________ (town or person) Servant _____________ to YHWH o Sign will be a woman who offers water to servants _____________

Rebekah shows up o Daughter of Bethuel, son of Milkah, wife of Nahor

Servant offers gold _____________ _____________ and two gold _____________ Servant goes to Rebekahs _____________, meets brother Laban and father Bethuel Servant recounts his _____________ Laban and Bethuel respond: This is from the LORD; we can say nothing to you one way or the other. Here is Rebekah; take her and go, and let her become the wife of your masters son, as the LORD has directed (24:50-51).

Brother and father ask Rebekah when she wants to _____________ (24:57-58).

Rebekah is not completely _____________.

Isaac was _____________ after his mothers death (25:67).

Death of Abraham
New _____________: Keturah Six new _____________ But Isaac gets full _____________ Abraham dies at age _____________ Buried alongside Sarah by _____________ and _____________

Theology
Trust o Does Abraham trust God?

The God of _____________ God who is at work in the _____________ and _____________.

Lesson outlines, audio, and video available at www.mrcc.org/genesis

Week Eight: Jacob and Esau (Gen. 25:1930:43)

Grant Testut

The Birth of Jacob and Esau

Rebekahisbarrenchallengetothepromise Isaacprays;Rebekahbecomespregnant Covenantisreaffirmed;Isaacisablessing

Thetwinspressagainsteachother(rd.2223) Yahwehsaidtoher,Twonationsareinyourwomb,andtwopeoplesshalldiverge fromyourinsides.Onepeopleshallbestrongerthantheother,andtheeldershall servetheyounger. Gen.25:23

Firstsonbornreddish(Hb.admn>edm) Hisentiretywaslikeacloakofhair(vs.25) Hair(Hb.r)>Mt.Seir(Hb.r;cf.Dt.2:5)

GiventhenameEsau Secondsonbornclutchinghisheel GiventhenameJacob(Hb.qb>yaaqb) Namemeanshetricks/undercuts(cf.27:36)

Esau Hunter;manofthefield(vs.27) LovedbyIsaac Jacob Aperfect(/civilized?)man;dwellsintents LovedbyRebekah Esaucomesinfromthefield/wildweary. Jacobiscookingredlentilstew Letmeeatsomeofthisredstuff.(vs.30) redstuffHb.dm>edm Lit.Forgame(/food)inhismouth(vs.28)

Esausellshisbirthright.

Isaac and Abimelech

Famineintheland IsaacgoestoGerar ToldnottogotoEgypt;trustsinthepromise

{Difficultieswiththepassage: Philistinesmovedintoareaca.1200B.C. SimilarstorywithAbimelechinch.20}

Isaacincreaseswealth;toldtoleave(26:16) Quarrelingoverwells: seqcontention inhenmity/accusation rebthspaces

IsaacshowsfaithintheLORDandpatience

AbimelechmakesacovenantwithIsaac IsaacandAbimelechswear(Hb.shba)anoath BershebaWellofOath

Blessing and Curse

JacobtricksEsauoutofhisblessing(ch.27) Whatisablessing? Thebestowalofgooduponsomeone

IsaacsblessingofJacob;Rd.vss.2729 Q:Whatarethemajorthemesofthisblessing? Blessingofagriculture Sovereigntyovernations Sovereigntyoverfamily Curse/blessingonothersinconnectionwithJacob

IsaacscurseonEsau;Rd.vss.3840 Q:Whatarethemajorthemesofthiscurse? Curseonagriculture SubmissiontoJacob EventualrebellionagainstJacob(i.e.:Israel) Cf.2Sam.8:14;2Ki.8:1620

EsauintendstokillJacob.

Jacob at Bethel
JacobissentofftoPaddanAram. 3

{EsaumarriesanIshmaelitewoman(Mahalath) Anattempttoregainfavor(26:3435;28:69)}

JacobhasavisionatLuz(stairwaytoheaven) TheLORDpromisesland,offspring,protection JacobmakesashrineBethel(28:1819) JacobmakesavowtotheLORD(vss.2022)

Jacob in Paddan Aram

JacobmeetsRachelatawell. Exampleoftypologyrecurringpattern Leahseyesweresoft,whileRachelwasbeautifulinformandappearance.(29:17) ThenJacobworkedforRachelsevenyears,andtheywereasafewdaysfromhis perspectivebecauseofhisloveforher.(29:20)

Jacobmeetshismatch:Labanthetrickster JacobmarriesLeahandRachel

The Children of Jacob

Contestforchildrenb/wLeahandRachel YahwehsawthatLeahwasunloved,soheopenedherwomb,butRachelwasbarren.(29:31) RachelandLeahusemaidservants,BilhahandZilpah,togainmorechildren Parallelsin14thcent.Nuzidocuments(cf.Gen.16)

Rd.30:1415 Mandrakeperceivedasaphrodisiac/fertilitytreatment

GodredeemsthesituationTwelveTribesofIsrael

Week Eight: Jacob and Esau (Gen. 25:1930:43)

Grant Testut

The Birth of Jacob and Esau (ch. 25:1934)

Rebekahistothe__________________ Isaac;Rebekahbecomes__________________ Covenantis;Isaacisa___________________

Thetwinseachother(rd.2223) Yahwehsaidtoher,areinyourwomb,andshall divergefromyourinsides.Onepeopleshallbestrongerthantheother,andthe __________shallservethe. Gen.25:23

Firstsonborn(Hb.admn>edm) Hisentiretywaslikea(vs.25) (Hb.r)>(Hb.r;cf.Dt.2:5)

Giventhename____________________ Secondsonbornhis___________ Giventhename(Hb.qb>yaaqb) Namemeans(cf.27:36)

Esau ;manofthe(vs.27) Lovedby___________ Jacob Aman;dwellsin________________ Lovedby__________________ Esaucomesinfromthefield/wild. Jacobiscooking____________ Letmeeatsomeofthis.(vs.30) Hb.>_______________ Lit.Forinhis(vs.28)

Esauhis.

Isaac and Abimelech (ch. 26)

inthe_______________ Isaacgoesto__________ Toldnottogoto;trustsin_______________________

{Difficultieswiththepassage: Philistinesmovedintoarea_____________________ SimilarstorywithAbimelechin_______________}

Isaacincreases;toldto(26:16) Quarrelingover:

IsaacshowsintheLORDand_____________________.

AbimelechmakesawithIsaac IsaacandAbimelech()an__________

Blessing and Curse (ch. 27)

JacobEsauoutofhis(ch.27) Whatisablessing? Theofuponsomeone

IsaacsofJacob;Rd.vss.2729 Q:Whatarethemajorthemesofthisblessing? Blessingof_____________________ over_______________ over____________ onothersinconnectionwith____________

IsaacsonEsau;Rd.vss.3840 Q:Whatarethemajorthemesofthiscurse? Curseon__________________ to_____________ Eventualagainst() Cf.2Sam.8:14;2Ki.8:1620

Esauintendsto.

Jacob at Bethel (ch. 28)

Jacobissentoffto. 3

{Esaumarriesan() Anattemptto(26:3435;28:69)}

Jacobhasavisionat() TheLORDpromises,,__________________ Jacobmakesa(28:1819) Jacobmakesato(vss.2022)

Jacob in Paddan Aram (ch. 29)

Jacobmeetsata. Exampleofrecurring_______________ Leahseyeswere,whileRachelwasbeautifulinand.(29:17) ThenJacobworkedforRachel,andtheywereasafewdays fromhisbecauseofhisforher.(29:20)

Jacobmeetshis:thetrickster Jacobmarriesand_______________

The Children of Jacob (ch. 30)

Contestforb/wand_______________ Yahwehsawthatwas,soheopenedher,butwas ________________.(29:31) RachelandLeahuse,and,togainmore __________. Parallelsin14thcent.Nuzidocuments(cf.Gen.16)

Rd.30:1415 Mandrakeperceivedastreatment

GodthesituationofIsrael 4

Week Nine: Jacob, continued (Gen. 31:1-35:29)

Josh Kingcade

Characters
Jacob Laban Rachel Leah Esau Dinah Jacobs sons (Simeon, Levi) Shechem resident of land where Jacobs family settles Hamor father of Shechem

Jacob and Laban (31:1-55)

Tension between in-laws YHWH tells Jacob to return home Jacob packs up family and livestock Rachel steals Labans gods Why does Laban have idols? Laban pursues and catches Jacob has no knowledge of stolen gods 1

Rachel deceives father Jacob makes his case (31:36-42) They make a stone structure: witness heap o Serves as memorial and boundary

Jacob Prepares for Esau (32:1-21)

Jacob meets angels; calls place Mahanaim (two camps) Jacob sends messengers with promises of gifts Esau is coming with 400 men Jacob divides people and livestock Jacob prays, recalls promises (32:9-12) Gifts: o o o o o o 200 female goats, 20 male goats 200 ewes and 20 rams 30 female camels and young 40 cows, 10 bulls 20 female donkeys, 10 male donkeys Sends in multiple waves?

Does Jacob trust God?

Jacob Wrestles God (32:22-32)

Jacob wrestles a man overnight Tie; man disables Jacobs hip Jacob Israel (he struggles with God) Man wont say his name; blesses Jacob 2

Etiology (source story) o Why dont Israelites eat tendon attached to hip socket?

Jacob Meets Esau (33:1-20)

Jacob _____________ family Esau runs to _____________ Jacob _____________ family Esau _____________, then _____________, gifts Jacob sends Esau _____________; family is too _____________ But doesnt _____________; goes to _____________ (Shelters) Pitches tent in _____________ _____________

Dinah and the Shechemites (34:1-31)

Jacobs only _____________ _____________ rapes her; then asks _____________ (Hamor) to get her as wife Jacob has no _____________ Hamor _____________ with Jacob Hamor proposes _____________: o o o o Give _____________ to Shechem _____________ _____________ and _____________ in land Name _____________ for bride

Jacobs _____________ devise a plan: o Require Shechemites to be _____________

Shechem loses no _____________ complying 3

Hamor and Shechem _____________ other men to be circumcised o Must be _____________ and _____________

_____________ and _____________ (two full brothers of Dinah) _____________ and _____________ while men still in pain

Jacob _____________, but brothers defend _____________

The House of God (35:1-29)

YHWH commands Jacob to build _____________ at Beth El (House of God) Jacob purges _____________ of foreign gods o Why do they have them?

Builds altar at _____ _____________ (God of Bethel) YHWH _____________ and _____________ name and promises Rachel has another son, Ben-Oni (_____________) Buried on way to _____________ Isaac dies at _____________; buried by _____________ and _____________

Theology
Trust o Does Jacob trust God?

_____________ people The God who _____________ promises _____________

Week Nine: Jacob, continued (Gen. 31:1-35:29)

Josh Kingcade

Characters
Jacob Laban Rachel Leah Esau Dinah Jacobs sons (Simeon, Levi) Shechem resident of land where Jacobs family settles Hamor father of Shechem

Jacob and Laban (31:1-55)

Tension between in-laws YHWH tells Jacob to return home Jacob packs up family and livestock Rachel steals Labans gods Why does Laban have idols? Laban pursues and catches Jacob has no knowledge of stolen gods 1

Rachel deceives father Jacob makes his case (31:36-42) They make a stone structure: witness heap o Serves as memorial and boundary

Jacob Prepares for Esau (32:1-21)

Jacob meets angels; calls place Mahanaim (two camps) Jacob sends messengers with promises of gifts Esau is coming with 400 men Jacob divides people and livestock Jacob prays, recalls promises (32:9-12) Gifts: o o o o o o 200 female goats, 20 male goats 200 ewes and 20 rams 30 female camels and young 40 cows, 10 bulls 20 female donkeys, 10 male donkeys Sends in multiple waves?

Does Jacob trust God?

Jacob Wrestles God (32:22-32)

Jacob wrestles a man overnight Tie; man disables Jacobs hip Jacob Israel (he struggles with God) Man wont say his name; blesses Jacob 2

Etiology (source story) o Why dont Israelites eat tendon attached to hip socket?

Jacob Meets Esau (33:1-20)

Jacob _____________ family Esau runs to _____________ Jacob _____________ family Esau _____________, then _____________, gifts Jacob sends Esau _____________; family is too _____________ But doesnt _____________; goes to _____________ (Shelters) Pitches tent in _____________ _____________

Dinah and the Shechemites (34:1-31)

Jacobs only _____________ _____________ rapes her; then asks _____________ (Hamor) to get her as wife Jacob has no _____________ Hamor _____________ with Jacob Hamor proposes _____________: o o o o Give _____________ to Shechem _____________ _____________ and _____________ in land Name _____________ for bride

Jacobs _____________ devise a plan: o Require Shechemites to be _____________

Shechem loses no _____________ complying 3

Hamor and Shechem _____________ other men to be circumcised o Must be _____________ and _____________

_____________ and _____________ (two full brothers of Dinah) _____________ and _____________ while men still in pain

Jacob _____________, but brothers defend _____________

The House of God (35:1-29)

YHWH commands Jacob to build _____________ at Beth El (House of God) Jacob purges _____________ of foreign gods o Why do they have them?

Builds altar at _____ _____________ (God of Bethel) YHWH _____________ and _____________ name and promises Rachel has another son, Ben-Oni (_____________) Buried on way to _____________ Isaac dies at _____________; buried by _____________ and _____________

Theology
Trust o Does Jacob trust God?

_____________ people The God who _____________ promises _____________

Week Ten: Joseph (Gen. 37:1-41:57)

Josh Kingcade

Characters
Joseph Jacob Josephs Brothers o Reuben o Judah Midianites group that buys Joseph Potiphar high-ranking Egyptian official; captain of the guard Potiphars wife Cupbearer joins Joseph in prison; has dream Baker same as above Pharaoh ruler of Egypt Manasseh he forgets Josephs first son Ephraim twice fruitful Josephs second son

Outline
Joseph in o His fathers house (37:1-36) Interlude Judah and Tamar (38:1-30) o Potiphars house (39:1-23) o The big house (40:1-23) o Pharaohs house (41:1-57)

Fathers House (37:1-36)

Eleventh of twelve children 1

Special from before birth o 22 Then God remembered Rachel; he listened to her and opened her womb. 23She became pregnant and gave birth to a son and said, God has taken away my disgrace. 24 She named him Joseph, and said, May the LORD add to me another son. (Gen 30:22-24) o Barren/trouble conceiving = special child Name means May Yahweh add handsome and good-looking (Gen 39:6) Joseph is 17 years old Tattles on his older brothers Has an ornate robe from father Brothers are resentful Josephs first dream o Josephs sheaf rises, and brothers sheaves bow down o Brothers hated him all the more Josephs second dream o Sun, moon, and eleven stars (brothers) bow down to Joseph Jacob rebukes Joseph for telling his dream o Brothers jealous; Jacob keeps matter in mind Jacob sends Joseph to check on brothers Meets brothers at Dothan Brothers conspire to kill him o Here comes this dreamer (19) o Kill him, throw him in pit o Say a wild animal killed him o Reubens modification: dont kill, just throw in pit (Reuben plotted to rescue Joseph later) o Judahs modification: dont kill, sell to others Jacob heartbroken Joseph sold to Potiphar one of Pharoahs officials

Potiphars House (39:1-23)

The Lord was with Joseph (2) o Potiphar saw this (3) Joseph administers Potiphars house (4-6) Potiphars house receives blessings because of Joseph (5) o Promise to Abraham blessing to all nations (Gen. 12:3ff) Potiphars wife (unnamed) o Approaches Joseph o Joseph refuses o Finally, Joseph runs off o Potiphars wife has piece of garment o Accuses Joseph of rape 2

o Joseph thrown in prison The Lord was with Joseph (21) Joseph administers the prison (22) the Lord was with him; and whatever he did, the Lord made it prosper. (23)

The Big House (40:1-23)

Cupbearer and baker thrown in prison Each has a dream No one to interpret Joseph: interpretations belong to God Cupbearer o Vine o Three branches o Budded, blossomed, and turned into grapes o Squeeze grapes into Pharaohs Cup o Interpretation: Three branches = three days Pharaoh will lift up your head and restore you Baker o Three baskets of bread o Top basket has all kinds of baked goods for Pharaoh o Birds ate baked goods o Interpretation Three baskets = three days Pharaoh will lift up (off) your head and impale body on pole Birds will eat flesh Dreams come true Cupbearer did not remember Joseph; he forgot him (22)

Pharaohs House (41:1-57)

Two years later, Pharaoh has a dream o Seven fat cows emerge from Nile o Then, seven skinny cows eat the fat cows Second dream o Seven healthy heads of grain growing on stalk o Then, seven thin, scorched heads grow o Scorched heads eat healthy heads Pharaohs magicians and wise men are unable to interpret (cf. Exod. 8:18) Cupbearer remembers Joseph I cannot do it, but God will give Pharaoh the answer he desires (16) Interpretation o Seven good years o Seven years of famine Let Pharaoh look for a discerning and wise man and put him in charge of the land of Egypt (33) Can we find anyone like this man, one in whom is the spirit of God (or the gods)? (38) 3

there is no one so discerning and wise as you (39) Joseph gets a wife Joseph is now thirty years old Has two sons before famine: Manasseh and Ephraim All the world came to Egypt to buy grain from Joseph during famine (57)

Theology
The Lord was with Joseph
God: present under the surface Joseph does not consult God o First reason to spurn Potiphars wife: practical, not theological God is working, even when it is not apparent o Even though you intended to do harm to me, God intended it for good (Gen. 50:20) o The human mind plans the way, but the LORD directs the steps (Prov. 16:9)

Joseph as a Wise Man

Dreams/dream interpretation Capable administrator Spurns the strange woman (Prov. 2:16; 5:20; 6:24; 7:5; 23:27) o See esp. Prov. 6:23-29 Wise/ Wisdom (Gen 41:8, 33, 39) o Pharaoh sends for all the wise men (8) o Joseph tells Pharaoh to look for a wise man (33) o Pharaoh: there is no one as discerning and wise as [Joseph] (39) Genesis portrays Joseph as a model wise man Joseph demonstrates the twin virtues of outspokenness and good counsel precisely the qualities upon which the wisdom-teachers continually insist. o (Gerhard von Rad, The Joseph Narrative and Ancient Wisdom).

Questions
How do we view Gods work in the world and in our lives? What do we do with people like Joseph? How does favoritism affect a family? o Jacob was favored by his mother o Jacob turns around and favors Joseph How does deception affect a family? o Jacob deceived his father o Jacob is deceived by his sons

Week Ten: Joseph (Gen. 37:1-41:57)

Josh Kingcade

Characters
Joseph Jacob Josephs Brothers o o Reuben Judah

Midianites group that __________ Joseph Potiphar high-ranking __________ official; __________ of the guard Potiphars wife Cupbearer joins Joseph in __________; has __________ Baker same as above Pharaoh __________ of Egypt Manasseh he __________ Josephs first son Ephraim twice __________ Josephs second son

Outline
Joseph in o His __________ house (37:1-36) Interlude Judah and Tamar (38:1-30) o o o __________ house (39:1-23) The __________ house (40:1-23) __________ house (41:1-57)

Fathers House (37:1-36)

__________ of __________ children __________ from before birth o 22 Then God remembered Rachel; he listened to her and opened her womb. 23She became pregnant and gave birth to a son and said, God has taken away my disgrace. 24 She named him Joseph, and said, May the LORD add to me another son. (Gen 30:22-24) o Barren/trouble conceiving = special child

Name means May Yahweh __________ __________ and __________ -__________ (Gen 39:6) Joseph is __________ years old __________ on his older brothers Has an ____________________ from father Brothers are __________ Josephs first dream o o Josephs sheaf __________, and brothers sheaves __________ __________ Brothers __________ him all the more 2

Josephs second dream o Sun, moon, and eleven stars (brothers) __________ __________ to Joseph

Jacob __________ Joseph for telling his dream o Brothers __________; Jacob keeps matter __________ __________

Jacob sends Joseph to __________ on brothers Meets brothers at __________ Brothers conspire to __________ him o o o o Here comes this dreamer (19) Kill him, throw him in __________ Say a __________ __________ killed him Reubens modification: dont __________, just throw in __________ o (Reuben plotted to __________ Joseph later)

Judahs modification: dont __________, __________ to others

Jacob __________ Joseph sold to __________ one of __________ officials

Potiphars House (39:1-23)

The Lord was __________ Joseph (2) o Potiphar saw this (3)

Joseph __________ Potiphars house (4-6) Potiphars house receives __________ because of Joseph (5) o Promise to Abraham __________ to all nations (Gen. 12:3ff)

Potiphars wife (unnamed) o __________ Joseph

o o o o o

Joseph __________ Finally, Joseph __________ __________ Potiphars wife has piece of __________ Accuses Joseph of __________ Joseph thrown in __________

The Lord was w__________ ith Joseph (21) Joseph __________ the prison (22) the Lord was __________ him; and whatever he did, the Lord made it __________. (23)

The Big House (40:1-23)

__________ and __________ thrown in prison Each has a __________ No one to __________ Joseph: interpretations belong to __________ Cupbearer o o o o o __________ Three __________ Budded, blossomed, and turned into __________ Squeeze grapes into __________ Cup Interpretation: Baker o Three __________ of bread Three __________ = three __________ Pharaoh will lift up your head and __________ you

o o o

Top basket has all kinds of __________ __________ for Pharaoh __________ ate baked goods Interpretation Three __________ = three __________ Pharaoh will lift up (off) your head and __________ body on __________ __________ will eat flesh

Dreams __________ __________ Cupbearer did not __________ Joseph; he __________ him (22)

Pharaohs House (41:1-57)

Two years later, __________ has a dream o o Seven __________ __________ emerge from Nile Then, seven __________ __________ eat the __________ __________

Second dream o o o Seven __________ __________ of grain growing on stalk Then, seven __________, __________ __________ grow __________ __________ eat __________ __________

Pharaohs __________ and __________ __________ are unable to interpret (cf. Exod. 8:18) Cupbearer __________ Joseph I cannot do it, but __________ will give Pharaoh the answer he desires (16) Interpretation o o Seven __________ years Seven years of __________

Let Pharaoh look for a __________ and __________ man and put him in charge of the land of Egypt (33)

Can we find anyone like this man, one in whom is the __________ __________ __________ (or the gods)? (38)

there is no one so __________ and __________ as you (39) Joseph gets a __________ Joseph is now __________ years old Has __________ __________ before famine: __________ and __________ ______________________________ came to Egypt to buy grain from Joseph during famine (57)

Theology
The Lord was with Joseph
God: present under the __________ Joseph __________ __________ __________ God o First reason to spurn Potiphars wife: practical, not theological

God is __________, even when it is not __________ o o Even though you intended to do harm to me, God intended it for good (Gen. 50:20) The human mind plans the way, but the LORD directs the steps (Prov. 16:9)

Joseph as a Wise Man

Dreams/dream __________ Capable __________ Spurns the ____________________ (Prov. 2:16; 5:20; 6:24; 7:5; 23:27) o See esp. Prov. 6:23-29

__________/ __________ (Gen 41:8, 33, 39)

o o o

Pharaoh sends for all the wise men (8) Joseph tells Pharaoh to look for a wise man (33) Pharaoh: there is no one as discerning and wise as [Joseph] (39)

Genesis portrays Joseph as a __________ __________ __________ Joseph demonstrates the twin virtues of __________ and __________ __________ precisely the qualities upon which the wisdom-teachers continually insist. o (Gerhard von Rad, The Joseph Narrative and Ancient Wisdom).

Questions
How do we view Gods work in the world and in our lives? What do we do with people like Joseph? How does favoritism affect a family? o Jacob was favored by his mother o Jacob turns around and favors Joseph How does deception affect a family? o Jacob deceived his father o Jacob is deceived by his sons

Week Eleven: Joseph, Part 2 (Gen. 42:1-50:26)

Josh Kingcade

Characters
Joseph Josephs Brothers Simeon left as collateral Benjamin proof of brothers intentions; captive to Joseph Judah leads the brothers back to Egypt Jacob Manasseh & Ephraim Josephs sons

Outline
Joseph and his brothers (42-45) Loose ends (46-50)

Joseph and His Brothers

Jacob sends sons to Egypt for food o Benjamin stays behind Josephs brothers arrive and bow to him Joseph hides his identity; treats them harshly o Accuses them of being spies three times o First request: Send one home to get youngest brother Prison for three days Modified request: leave one and others go to get youngest Brothers think theyre being punished for their earlier actions toward Joseph 1

Simeon is bound over to Joseph Joseph returns their silver gifts Jacob wont send Benjamin; would rather lose Simeon Need more food, so must return Judah takes the lead Joseph treats brothers better o Feast o Gives Simeon back Joseph asks about father and Benjamin o Overcome with emotion; must leave room Joseph deceives o Hides silver cup in Benjamins sack o Judah defends; tells about father (44:18-34) Joseph dismisses attendants Discloses his identity to brothers Brothers are terrified Joseph: it was to save lives that God sent me (45:5-7) Sends for family Pharaoh provides

Tying Up Loose Ends

Jacob comes to Egypt o I will make you into a great nation there. (46:3) Jacob blesses Pharaoh (47:10) Joseph accepts peoples livestock and land in exchange for food o Helps Pharaoh build the empire that will oppress Josephs people Jacob grows ill; wants to be buried in homeland Joseph takes sons, Manasseh and Ephraim, to Jacob for blessing Jacob blesses Ephraim more; Joseph displeased o Deception in blessing (Isaac, Jacob, and Esau) Jacob gives extended blessing to all children Jacob dies; buried by sons Joseph reassures brothers (50:20) Joseph dies at 110; embalmed in Egypt.

Theology
Has Joseph forgiven his brothers? o Is there a place for vengeance in forgiveness? Gods overall plan vs. human vantage points 2

Week Eleven: Joseph, Part 2 (Gen. 42:1-50:26)

Josh Kingcade

Characters
Joseph Josephs Brothers Simeon left as _________________ Benjamin _________________of brothers intentions; captive to Joseph Judah _________________the brothers back to Egypt Jacob Manasseh & Ephraim Josephs sons

Outline
Joseph and his brothers (42-45) Loose ends (46-50)

Joseph and His Brothers

Jacob sends sons to Egypt for _________________ o _________________stays behind

Josephs brothers arrive and _________________to him 1

Joseph hides his _________________; treats them _________________ o o Accuses them of being _________________three times First request: __________________________________home to get __________________________________ Prison for three days

Modified request: __________________________________and others go to get youngest Brothers think theyre being _________________for their earlier actions toward Joseph _________________is bound over to Joseph Joseph returns their __________________________________ Jacob wont send _________________; would rather lose _________________ Need more _________________, so must _________________ _________________takes the lead Joseph treats brothers _________________ o _________________Gives _________________back

Joseph asks about _________________and _________________ o Overcome with _________________; must leave room

Joseph _________________ o o Hides __________________________________in Benjamins sack _________________defends; tells about father (44:18-34)

Joseph _________________attendants Discloses his _________________to brothers Brothers are _________________ Joseph: it was to save lives that God sent me (45:5-7) Sends for _________________ 2

Pharaoh _________________

Tying Up Loose Ends

_________________comes to Egypt o I will make you into a great nation there. (46:3)

Jacob _________________Pharaoh (47:10) Joseph accepts peoples _________________and _________________in exchange for food o Helps Pharaoh build the _________________that will oppress Josephs people

Jacob grows ill; wants to be buried in _________________ Joseph takes _________________, Manasseh and Ephraim, to _________________for blessing Jacob blesses _________________more; Joseph _________________ o _________________in blessing (Isaac, Jacob, and Esau)

Jacob gives __________________________________to all children Jacob _________________; buried by _________________ Joseph _________________brothers (50:20) Joseph dies at 110; _________________in Egypt.

Theology
Has Joseph _________________his brothers? o Is there a place for _________________in forgiveness?

Gods overall _________________vs. human __________________________________