Genesis

Genesis One…(1-31)

1. Verses 1-2

a. Who was in the creating business? (John 1:1-3; Colossians 1:16-17)

The Tri-une God…..God the Father, God the Son (the Word) and God the Holy Spirit

b. What were the elements of the world made from? (verses 3, 6, 9; Hebrews 11:3)

Nothing…. God spoke and it was done!

c. What were they made by?

The Word of God’s power…..He spoke and it was done

d. When was the world created? (verse 1)

In the beginning!

e. What part does the Lord Jesus have in creation today? (Hebrews 1:3a)

He is still holding it all together today by the Word of His power.

f. What are we told about God’s plan BEFORE He even began to lay the foundation of the world?

Matthew 25:34…… God’s kingdom was prepared for His people.

Luke 11:50… All martyred prophets were known.

Ephesians 1:4…. Believers were chosen in Christ, and it was decreed that they should live holy lives.

1 Peter 1:19-20… Christ was fore-ordained to die like a lamb without blemish

Revelation 17:8…. The names of all believers were written in the Lamb’s Book of Life

g. What does all this tell us?

That nothing is happening by accident and that nothing is out of control…..all is going

according to God’s eternal plan.

h. Have you ever seen a loved one suffer ( a child, a husband) and been powerless to help them? Would you willingly put them in this position?

No, of course not!

i. What was it going to cost God (the Triune God of Father, Son and Holy Spirit) to put this world in place with all its creation?

i. God the Father (John 3:16) His only beloved Son

ii. God the Son (Philippians 2:8) His life

iii. God the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 4:30) The pain of seeing believers sin wilfully

j. Think of the fact that God knew BEFORE He started His work of creation what it was going to cost Him personally, yet He went ahead just the same. What is man’s responsibility to God now, in the light of these verses? (Psalm 29:2; 136:1-9)

To give thanks and praise to Him for ever going ahead with His plan of creation and salvation, knowing all things as He did.

2. Verses 2-23

a. What was the earth like when God first made it? (verse 2; Job 38:4-6)

It had no shape; it was empty; it was dark and just a mass of water

b. How many stages were there in creating the world as it is? (verses 5, 8, 13, 19, 23, 31)

Six stages.

c. What was the first stage? What did God call this? (verses 3-5)

Light was made….. a division between light and darkness. God called this day and night.

d. What happened on day two? (verses 6-8)

God brought the atmosphere into being, dividing the clouds and the seas; making the heavens and creating space.

e. What was made on day three? What did God call them? (verses 9-13)

The dry land and the oceans…… God called them Earth and Seas, and He made the plants and vegetation to appear..

f. How did God feel about His creation thus far? (verse 12c)

He saw that it was good.

g. What did God put in place on day four? What purpose did they serve? (verses 14-15)

The sun, moon and stars were now seen…. they not only gave light by day and night, but they governed the seasons, time and give direction.

h. What else does the moon control? (Job 38:8-11)

The tide levels and times

i. What did God make on the fifth day? (verses 20-23)

Life in the seas and skies…..fish and birds.

j. What did God intend these creatures to do? (verse 22)

To multiply and fill the earth and sea.

k. Have you ever thought how amazing it is that the different species still remain pure and unmixed? E.g. the different types of sea birds so similar and yet not interbreeding? What does this prove?

That God’s creation which man calls “nature” is still working perfectly and hasn’t evolved since then.

k. What has God’s Word in creation done? (Isaiah 55:8-11)

It has accomplished the reason He said it would, and we can still see it happening all around us!

l. Has man any valid argument against what God has done in creation? What have man’s

arguments resulted in? Romans 1:19b-22)

Man has no valid argument because the evidence is to be seen all around. Man’s arguments

have only resulted in their minds becoming more darkened as time goes on!

3. Verses 24-31

a. What did God create on the sixth day? (verses 24-25)

Every beast, mammal, and crawling creature that inhabits the earth.

b. How did God feel after each day of creation? (verses 4, 10, 12, 18, 25c)

He felt satisfied that it was a good job well done.

c. How does God still feel when observing His creation? (Revelation 4:11)

He regards it with pleasure.

d. What was God’s final and crowning creation? (verses 26-30)

Human beings….. mankind

e. For what purpose did God create man? (Isaiah 43: 7, 21)

For His glory, and to give Him praise and glory by walking in His ways.

d. Why do you think God meant, when in making man, He said…. “Let Us make….” (Hebrews 1:2)

Because the Tri-Une God was in the creating business…. God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.

e. God is a three part Being (the Trinity)….in what way is man a three part being? (1 Thessalonians 5:23)

He is body, soul and spirit.

f. What part of man’s make up is God conscious? (Romans 8 :16)

Man’s spirit relates to God’s Spirit, and can only be fulfilled by Him

g. What place is man given in God’s creation? (verses 28-30)

To have dominion over everything else…. to farm it and look after the environment.

h. Everything that God had made was perfect and He had said that it was good….what did He say when He made man? (verse 31a)

When man was made, God saw that everything was VERY good!

i. What was originally food for all creatures? (verses 29-30)

Vegetation….fruit, vegetables, grass, leaves……all creatures were vegetarians.

j. What will creation be like in the new earth and heavens? (Isaiah 11:6-9)

The same again….there will be no more killing for food.

k. What still continues today that was put in place at the very beginning? (Psalm 104:5-24)

Time….seasons, sun and moon operating together

Reproduction….animals, birds and fish still producing their own sort

Fruitfulness…. The earth still providing food for all creatures, either directly or indirectly.

Genesis Two……( 1-25)

1. Verses 1-25

a . What did God create on the seventh day? What did He do? (verses 1-3)

A day of rest; He rested and did nothing else.

b. What did God intend to be done on the seventh (Sabbath) day? (Exodus 20:8-11; Isaiah 58: 13-14)

It was intended as a day of rest for both man and beast to take time out to delight themselves in thinking of the Lord, and delighting themselves in Him (not to do their own pleasure) Not just once a year, or once a month, but every week.

c. What phenomena is mentioned here? (verses 5-6)

There was no rain as such…..the ground was watered by a heavy mist.

d. What are we told that God made man from? What are we told about man that is not said of animals? (verse 7)

The dust of the earth…God breathed into man’s nostrils the breath of life (eternal life that will live for ever), and man’s soul came into being.

e. What did we read about God saying when he created man? In what way does this make man different from the other creatures? (chapter 1:27)

God said He was making man in HIS image, a three part being of body, soul and spirit which will live forever somewhere. Just as God was the Great Creator, so man in his own way can create things….whereas creatures act by instinct which is a marvellous God-given thing, man is able to think to invent and create.

f. What do we see in the modern world in this respect? Where does this knowledge come from? (Daniel 12:4)

Technology is not man’s invention….it is merely given to man by God for His purposes in the end times.

g. Where did the man live, and what was it like? (verses 8-10)

In the Garden of Eden…..it was towards the east, and it had every fruit tree imaginable in it; also the Tree of Life and the tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil; a river had its source in the garden and then split into four different rivers.

h. What was the man’s job to do? (verses 15, 19-20)

To keep things tidy in this wonderful garden that had no weeds growing; and to name all the animals as God brought them to him.

i. What did God say was “NOT good” in Eden? (verse 18)

For the man to be alone….he needed a mate to help him.

j. What was the woman made from? (verses 21-22)

Adam’s rib.

k. How did Adam regard her? (verse 23)

As part of him.

l. What did God ordain at this time that has never been revoked by Him? (verse 24; Matthew 19:4-6)

That marriage is for life….nothing must come between husband and wife because God regards them as one.

m. What is the New Testament picture that marriage portrays? (Ephesians 5:25-31)

A man is to love and cherish his wife as Christ loves and cherishes the Church. Just as Christ will never forsake His church (people), so a marriage is meant to last for life. If Christ’s people sin, He never forsakes them and this forgiveness must be practiced in marriage.

Genesis Three……(v.1-24)

1. Verses 1-6

a. God had clearly laid down the ground rules for Adam to live in the garden….what were they? (chapter 2:15-17)

He was to tend the garden and keep it, and was to eat of everything that was grown there, EXCEPT the fruit of one tree.

b. What tree had God clearly told Adam that he was NOT to eat the fruit of? What would happen if he disobeyed? (chapter 2:17)

He was told not to eat of the fruit of the tree of the Knowledge of good and evil; if he did he would die.

c. What creature now approached the man and woman in the garden? Who was actually speaking through it? (verse 1; Revelation 12:9)

The serpent came and Satan (or the Devil) was speaking through it.

d. Who did he approach of the two human beings? (verse 1b)

The woman.

e. Did the woman know what God had said to Adam? (verses 2-3)

Yes, she knew as much as Adam did and told the serpent exactly what God had told them..

f. What does Satan do? What is his main aim? (Job 1:11; 2:4-5)

To deceive men and to destroy God’s plan…. He goes up and down through the earth seeking to destroy and accuse, and to get people to curse God.

g. What was Satan’s reply to Eve? What was he suggesting?

He contradicted God’s command and was suggesting that God was with-holding something to

be desired.

h. What was Eve’s first mistake in this encounter? (verses 2-5; 2 Corinthians 11:3)

She stopped and listened to him.

i. What is often the first step in temptation for us? (2 Corinthians 11:3, 13-15)

Our minds are swayed by suggestions and by charismatic personalities.

j. What was her second mistake? (verse 6a)

She had a second look at the tree and saw that it was very appealing.

k. What was her third and final mistake? (verse 6b)

She took the fruit and then gave it to Adam as well.

l. In what ways can you relate to this progression of temptation?

It is easy to be tempted to buy something one doesn’t really need, or to eat something that one is better without!

m. What could (and should!) Eve have done? What can we do? (James 4:7; 1 Peter 5:8-9)

She shouldn’t have listened in the first place! We are told to resist the devil and he will flee from us.

n. What give us the power and ability to resist Satan’s temptations? (Ephesians 6:11-17)

The whole armour of God, especially the shield of faith, and the sword of the Spirit, God’s Word….we must know it to be able to use it effectively.

o. Where was Adam while all this was going on? What did he do? (verse 6)

He was there with her, watching and listening to all that was going on, and when she passed it to him, he ate the fruit too!

p. What does this suggest to you?

That Eve was the dominant one…..Adam was a weak character and she was taking the lead.

2. Verses 7-13

a. What happened to them after disobeying God? How did they feel? (verses 7-8 )

They felt naked and ashamed and tried to cover their nakedness; they didn’t want to see God….their fellowship with Him was broken.

b. What did they use for clothing? How long would their covering have lasted? (verse 7b )

They sewed fig leaves together to cover themselves, but this wasn’t satisfactory….they would have withered and torn within hours.

c. What does this show us about man’s efforts to hide his sin? (Psalm 139:1-12; Hebrews 4:12-13)

It is impossible to hide our sin from God….. He sees our every action and knows our every thought…..it is as if we are naked before Him.

d. How did Adam and Eve feel now about facing God? (verse 8)

They couldn’t….. they hid themselves from Him.

e. What does sin do to our relationship with God? (Psalm 66: 18; Isaiah 59:2)

It comes between man and God, and hides us from Him. It breaks our relationship and communion with God….. God will not hear us if we deliberately disobey Him.

f. If God seems far away, guess who moved? Why had they moved? Who was doing the seeking? (verse 9)

Adam and Eve were guilty and didn’t want to face God. God was doing the seeking…. looking for them and calling to them to come out of hiding.

g. Can you relate to this feeling? (Isaiah 6:5-7)

Yes!! We feel dirty in the presence of holiness.

h. How did Adam give himself away? What did he now know? (verses 10-11)

He knew he was naked….. it had never bothered him before.

i. What was both Adam’s and Eve’s immediate reactions when faced with their sin? (verses 12-13)

They both blamed someone else….Adam blamed Eve and indirectly God…. “you gave her to me”! Eve blamed the serpent “It deceived me!”

j. Have you ever seen this in little children? (big ones too?)

Yes…… “it wasn’t my fault, I didn’t do it!”

3. Verses 14-21

a. What was the serpent’s punishment and curse? (verses 14-15)

It would now slither along the ground its full length, eat dust, and have a perpetual enmity with human beings.

b. What is Satan’s ultimate punishment? (Revelation 20:10)

To be in the lake of fire for ever and ever, locked away from freedom and tormented for eternity.

c. We see here a prophecy concerning Satan… what human being bruised his head…..where and when? (verse 15; Romans 5:19-21)

The Lord Jesus destroyed Satan’s power and man’s fear of death when He died on the cross.

d. What was Eve’s punishment for her disobedience? (1 Timothy 2:11-14)

She would have sorrow in child-bearing and would be subject to her husband’s leadership (in God’s order of things)

e. How is this shown in a church situation? (1 Timothy 2:11)

The women are to keep silent and under the authority of man’s leadership and headship.

f. What is Adam’s curse that is still with us today? (verses 17-19 )

WEEDS! Man now has to work hard to make his garden grow.

g. What was man’s ultimate end as the result of sin? (verse 3b; Romans 6:23)

Death….. man’s body would die and decay….. the wages of sin is death.

h. What does the name “Eve” mean? (verse 20)

The mother of all living

i. What provision did God give them and how did it contrast with their own efforts? (verse 21)

He gave them coats of skins that were durable and warm in contrast to their own puny efforts with leaves that would shrivel away.

j. What does this tell us? (Romans 3:23)

That what Gold does is far ahead of our efforts…. we can never attain to God’s standards.

k. What happened to the animals that provided the skins for their covering?

They had to die as a result of man’s sin.

l. Who had to die to cover our sins? (Hebrews 9:27-28; 1 John 1:7b)

The Lord Jesus Christ had to die and shed His blood to cleanse us of our sins.

4. Verses 22-24

a. What does the tree of life signify? Describe it. (verse 22; Revelation 2:7b; 22:2)

It signifies eternal life… it bore twelve different sorts of fruit every month (12 X 12) and its leaves brought healing to those who touched it. It grows in the midst of God’s heavenly Paradise, and those who eat of it will never die.

b. Why could man not live any more in God’s Garden of Paradise? (chapter 2:17)

Because he had disobeyed God. God’s rule was…. if you eat, you die; once man ate of it, he had the seeds of death within his body, soul and spirit…. man was now under the curse and no curse can be in God’s presence.

c. What now began? (verses 17-18, 23)

Man’s hard work to survive….Adam had to till the soil…. plant, dig and weed. Children began to be born.

d. What was the whole creation put under now, due to mankind’s rebellion against God? (Romans 8: 22)

The bondage of death and corruption, pain and sorrow….weeds grew choking the good plants and animals had to hunt each other for food.

e. What will creation experience when sin is dealt with and finally done away? (Isaiah 11:6-9; Revelation 22:3a)

Freedom from fear…. no more killing for food, no more death, and perfect harmony in all ways….there will be no more curse for creation.

f. What is the result of sin? What is man’s ultimate punishment? (Ezekiel 18:20a; Romans 6:23)

Death….not only physical death but also spiritual death which is separation from the Paradise of Eden, and God’s presence until he repents.

g. What happened to the tree of Life for Adam? Where is the Tree of life growing now? (verse 24; Revelation 22:2)

The tree of life was well out of bounds for Adam, being guarded by an angel with a flaming sword. It was transferred from earth to grow in God’s heavenly garden.

Genesis Four…. (v.1-26)

1. Verses 1-5a

a. Who were the first two sons born to Adam and Eve? (verses 1-2)

Cain and Abel

b. What were these two young men like? (verses 3-4)

Just as members of our families have different characteristics, so these two boys were quite different….Cain loved gardening and growing things; Abel loved animals and kept sheep

c. How do you think they would have known to bring offerings to God?

Adam and Eve would have told them that God required an offering of an animal for sin and taught them by example.

d. What did each of them bring as offerings? (verses 3-4a)

Cain brought his best fruit and vegetables; Abel brought his best sheep.

e. What did God think of these offerings? How did He accept them? (verses 4b-5)

God was pleased with Abel’s and accepted it but He was not pleased with Cain’s and didn’t accept it.

f. Why do you think God wasn’t pleased with Cain’s offering? (Hebrews 11:4; 1 John 3:12)

For several reasons….

i. Because the offering of fruit and vegetables meant nothing to God symbolically.

ii Because Cain’s attitude was wrong…… he was going to do it HIS way, not God’s way.

iii Even when God told him what to do, he still refused to give God the right sacrifice.

g. What had it taken to cover Adam’s and Eve’s disobedience? (chapter 3:21)

The death of animals (most likely lambs) to provide skins to cover them both symbolically and physically.

h. Because of Adam and Eve’s sin, what were their children born with? Are people today any better? Do we have to teach children to say “No” ? (Romans 3:23)

No, every person since Adam’s disobedience are born with a sinful nature that wants to do its own thing.

i. What did it take then to cover sin? How is sin cleansed today? (Hebrews 9:22-28)

It took the shedding of blood to cover sin then and now it is by the blood of Christ…. a person is not a sinner because he sins, he sins because he is born a sinner! When a sinner (anyone at all) believes in Jesus Christ sincerely and confesses this, Christ’s blood is then applied to his soul and he is cleansed from all sin and from its penalty. Man’s “goodness” is like Adam’s fig leaves…it will not last or go into eternity.

2. verses 5b-16

a. How did Cain feel when he realised that God wasn’t going to accept his offering? (verse 5b)

He became very angry, and grump.

b. How could Cain have remedied the situation? (verses 6-7)

God told him that if he made an offering the right way, he would be accepted….why not obtain an animal from Abel and offer it?

c. What do you think prevented Cain from doing this? (1 John 3:12)

His heart was not right with God…his pride and self will in thinking his way was good enough.

d. What did Cain’s sin of disobedience lead him to do? (verse 8)

To hate his brother and commit the first murder in killing him.

e. What sin did Cain add to the sin of murder? (verse 9)

That of lying to God.

f. Was Cain’s sin hidden from God? Is our sin hidden from God? (verse 10; Psalm 139:1-4)

No, God saw his every action. God knows our every thought and deed, we can hide nothing from Him so we may as well confess it straight away!

g. What was Cain’s punishment from God? (verses 11-12)

His garden would grow no longer and he would become a nomad moving on continually.

h. What was Cain afraid of now? (verses 13-14)

He was afraid he would be killed for murdering his brother.

i. What did God do for Cain in spite of his sin? (verse 15)

He put a mark of protection on him.

j. Can a person do their own thing and follow God at the same time? (Psalm 66:18; Isaiah 59:2)

No, it doesn’t work that way; if a believer persists in going his own way, his fellowship with God is broken, and he will go from bad to worse in his spiritual life.

k. What sad statement do we read about Cain here? (verse 16)

Cain went out from the presence of the Lord, and we don’t read that he ever made contact with God again.

3. Verses 17-24

a. What common question do people often ask about Cain? (verse 17)

Where did Cain get his wife from?

b. What else do we see in verse 17?

That Adam and Eve must have continued to have many more children, having daughters as well as the first two sons!

c. How many generations do we see in verse 18?

Six….Cain….Enoch….Irad…. Mehujal… Methusal…..Lamech

d. What do we see Cain’s sons doing? Names and occupations…… (verses 20-22)

i. Jabal nomad with herds of cattle

ii Jubal musical, and made musical instruments

iii. Tubal-Cain Was very clever working with metals….brass and iron

e. Who was responsible for this second mention of murder in the Bible? (verse 23)

Lamech

f. What was Adam’s third son called? (verse 25)

Seth

g. What do we see Seth’s name included in? (Luke 3:38)

The genealogy of Joseph, the husband of Mary, the mother of Jesus.

h. What was Seth’s son’s name, also included in the genealogy? (Luke 3:38a)

Enos

i. What did people start doing after Enos was born? (verse 26b)

Starting to call on the name of the Lord.

j. What does this suggest to you?

We know that Seth was the beginning of the godly line of people, so it seems that Seth was preaching about God and trying to encourage his relatives to follow Him.

Genesis Five…… (verses 1-32)

1. Verses 1-32

a. What was God’s intention for mankind to do? (chapter 1:28; 9:7)

To multiply and populate the earth; to farm it, use the animals and to generally look after the environment.

b. What was God’s further intention for man to do? (Isaiah 43:7)

God’s desire is that every person will give Him praise and glory….this is the prime intention for mankind.

c. How old was Adam when Seth was born? (verse 3)

130 years

d. How old was Adam when he died? (verse 5)

930 years.

e. Adam saw nine generations in his life time….work out from the ages given, how old Adam would have been when Enoch was born? (Add the ages of each man when his eldest son was born)

Adam was 622 years old when Enoch was born.

f. Who was the longest living man of all time? What was his age? (verse 27)

Methusaleh lived to be 969 years old.

g. We are told that the name Methusaleh’s name prophetically means “When he dies, it shall come”. What was the world wide calamity that came when Methusaleh died? (chapter 7:1-6)

The flood came that year.

h. Name all the men who lived over 900 years and their ages……

Adam 930 years Seth 912 Enos 905

Cainan 910 Jared 962 Methusaleh 969

Noah 950

i. What sort of man was Enoch? (verses 22-24; Hebrews 11:5)

He was a godly man who walked with God and pleased God in all his ways.

j. What unusual thing happened to Enoch instead of dying? (verse 24;Hebrews 11:5)

God took him straight to heaven in his body without dying naturally.

k. Was it possible that Enoch could have known Adam personally?

Yes.

l. Who was the other person who went to heaven without dying? How did he go? (2 Kings 2:11)

Elijah went up in a fiery chariot.

m. What are we told that Noah’s name meant? How did Noah do this? (verse 29)

Noah’s name meant Comfort….. Noah would provide God’s comfort to the living creatures during the flood.

Genesis Six…… (verses 1-22)

1. verses 1-7

a. How old was Noah when his sons are first mentioned? (chapter 5:32)

500 years old

b. What was the state of the world by the time of Noah? (verses 5-6)

Total wickedness and refusal of the knowledge of God.

c. We sometimes hear that these “sons of God” were angelic beings who came to live in human form…how do we know this is not true? What must we then assume? (Matthew 22:29-30; Luke 20:34-35)

Jesus Christ said that angels do not marry or have children…therefore we must assume that they are sexless and that these “children of God” means the godly descendants of Seth.

d. What happened to the godly line of Seth’s descendants? (verse 2)

They had inter-married with ungodly women who turned their husbands’ hearts away from God.

e. What has God’s ruling always been in the matter of marriage? Why? (2 Corinthians 6:14-15)

Christians must not marry unbelievers, because they will be nearly always be dragged away from the Lord. God says not to do it, and we should obey His ruling.

f. What sort of people were being born in those days? (verse 4)

Giants….. mighty men of great renown.

g. How did God feel about man’s wickedness? (v. 3a; Romans 1:24a, 26a, 28)

God felt that He had had enough of man’s rebellion….. there comes a point in time that God gives man up to his own devices and leaves him to wallow in his wickedness

h. How long did God say man’s life would now be? (verse 3b)

One hundred and twenty years.

i. How long were people living in David’s time? (Psalm 90:10)

Seventy years, perhaps a little longer, the same as today.

j. Where is the seat of man’s sin? What defiles a man? (Jeremiah 17: 9; Matthew 15:18-20)

It comes from the heart of man which is naturally deceitful and terribly wicked.

k. What happens to a person who continually, deliberately refuses God’s ways and words? (Romans 1: 28-32)

God gives them up and they go from bad to worse.

l. What is the end of the sinner’s way? (Romans 6:23a; Revelation 21:8)

Eternal death and destruction.

m. What was the end of man here? (verse 7)

Judgement… God was grieved at man’s sin and was sorry that man had got to this state.

n. How does man’s continual rebellion make God feel? (Psalm 78:40, 58; Isaiah 63:10. )

God is saddened and grieved by man’s disobedience; He can be vexed and made angry by continual rebellion and hardness of heart.

2. verses 8-22

a. We read that Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord. What does the expression “found grace” mean? (verse 8; Hebrews 11:6-7)

It means he had faith in God which pleased Him and God protected him.

b. What was Noah’s character before God? (verse 9)

He had faith in God, and believed in Him; he was just (fair and honest) and upright in his dealings; he walked with God.

c. What does God require of mankind? (Micah 6:8)

That man (and woman) be fair and honest, to be kind and merciful, and most importantly of all to be humble enough to walk with Him.

d. There are those who say they are good enough to get by, as good as the next person (or better), but what do they lack in God’s sight? (Micah 6:8b)

The humility to walk with God.

e. What is the result of walking with (pleasing) God? (chapter 5:24; Jude 1:14)

There is constant communion (conversation) with God and obedience to Him, and a greater understanding of the things of God.

f. How many sons did Noah have? What were their names? (verse 10)

He had three sons….Shem, Ham and Japheth.

g. What does a corrupt way of living result in? (verses 11-12)

Crime and violence

h. How did God feel about this? What did He tell Noah? (verses 13-21)

He had had enough of it! He said He was going to destroy mankind and cleanse the earth. He told Noah to build a large boat, and gather enough food to feed all the animals that would come to the boat for safety. He and his family would be kept safe in this boat as they did what God told them.

i. There are some people who don’t believe that Noah’s story is literal….. they say it is only a myth. How can we be sure that it is true? (Luke 17:26-27; 2 Peter 2:5)

Jesus Christ referred to it as fact and He is not a liar; Peter also referred to it….this is another case of the New Testament backing up what the Old Testament teaches.

j. Apart from Noah building this huge boat, were there any other indications that a disaster was about to come? (Matthew 24:37-39; Hebrews 11:7)

No, life continued on as it always had.

k. What do we read about the animals that were to go on board with Noah? (verses 20-21)

There would be two of every sort, and they would come of their own accord…. Noah and his sons didn’t have to round them up! Noah was to gather enough food to feed them all and store it in the ship.

l. In spite of the whole thing being very strange and no doubt people thinking he was mad, what did Noah do? (verse 22)

He did everything that God told him to.

Genesis Seven…..(verses 1-24)

1. Verses 1-10

a. What happened once the ark (boat) was finished and the animals with all their food were safely inside? (verse 1)

God told Noah and his family to go inside too.

b. How many people were saved in the boat? Who were they? (verse 7; 1 Peter 3:20)

Noah and his wife, Shem and his wife, Ham and his wife, Japheth and his wife….eight people.

c. How does Peter describe Noah? What does this suggest? (2 Peter 2:5)

As a preacher of righteousness, and as the eighth person suggesting that he was the last person to go in.

d. How many times in this chapter are we told about the animals being in the ark? (verses 2-4, 8-9,15-16)

Three times.

e. Why were there two of each species of animal sent into the boat? (verses 2-3)

There were male and female of each type of animal so they would be preserved to continue the species on the earth.

f. How long after they went inside the ark before the water began to come? (verse 4, 10)

Seven days.

g. What made Noah do all this? (chapter 6: 9, 22; Hebrews 11:7)

Because he was a godly man who walked with God and had faith that whatever God said would come to pass would happen….he believed what God said.

h. Can you imagine what the people outside were doing and saying? (chapter 2:5-6; Matthew 24: 37-39)

Silly people! What is this rain Noah is talking about? Nothing is going to happen, everything is going on the same as usual!

i. What are Noah, the flood., and the ark all a picture of? (Matthew 24:39-42)

The end times when Christ will return and take judgment on the earth.

j. How old was Noah when he went into the ark? (verse 6)

Six hundred years old.

k. How old was he when we first read of him? (chapter 5:32)

Five hundred years

2. Verses 11-24 Proverbs 8:27-29 Jeremiah 5:22

a. How was the door of the ark shut? (verse 16b)

God shut it behind Noah…. Noah could not open it.

b. Can you imagine why this may have been done like this?

Noah couldn’t feel sorry for those outside as there was nothing he could do about it.

c. In what two ways did the flood come? (verses 11-12)

With continual rain and the tide keeping coming in.

d. What normally keeps the tide under control? (Job 38:8-11; Proverbs 8:27-29; Jeremiah 5:22)

God does….He uses the moon to work on the tides to keep it under strict control…..the tide never goes beyond the shoreline. Tides can be predicted with great accuracy because of this.

e. How long did it rain for? (verse 17)

Just on six weeks….forty days.

f. How high did the flood rise? (verses 18-20)

Fifteen cubits (ten feet or three metres) above the highest mountain top.

g. What was the result of the flood? (verses 21-23)

All flesh died, all animals, birds and man

h. What effect do we see that sin has over all creatures? (Romans 8:22)

All living things are under the bondage of sin and death.

i. How many survived the flood? (verse s 21-24)

Nothing that lived survived, only those that were in the ark were safe.

j. How long did the flood last for? (verse 24)

Five months (150 days)

Genesis Eight….. (verses 1-22)

1. Verses 1-14

a. How did Noah cope with all the animals cooped up in such a small area? (verse 1)

He was doing it in obedience to God’s command, and God had it all under control…. God remembered Noah and all the animals with him.

b. What did God do to make the water recede? (verses 2-3)

God started the tide going out, and caused the rain to cease until the tops of the mountains were seen.

c. What date is given when the ark touched down? Where was it? (verse 4 )

The ark touched down on Mt.Ararat in the seventh month on the seventeenth day of the month.

d. How much longer was the ark there while the water level continued to drop? (verse 5)

It was the tenth month before all the mountain tops were seen round about them…it took three months for the water level to get back to normal.

e. How much longer did Noah wait before doing anything? What first two birds did Noah send out and what happened to them? (verses 6-8)

The raven was sent out first and it never came back…. it kept flying until more dry ground appeared. The dove went out and looked around then came back.

f. How long before he sent it out again? What happened this time? (verses 9-11)

It was another week when it went out again….this time it came back with an olive leaf in its beak.

g. What happened the third time the dove went out? (verse 12)

It never came back at all.

h. How long was Noah in the ark altogether? (verses 13-14)

Approximately for 12 months

2. Verses 15-22

a. When did Noah leave the ark? How long did it take for the ground to dry out? (verses 13-16)

When God told him to, after the earth had dried up. It took about a month before the ground dried out enough for God to tell Noah to leave the boat.

b. What was God’s plan for all the animals? (verses 17-19)

To breed abundantly and fill the earth again.

c. What was the first thing that Noah did when he left the ark? (verse 20)

He sacrificed one of every clean animal and bird to the Lord.

d. Why was he able to do that? (chapter 7:2)

Because he had taken seven of each of them into the ark (that left three pairs).

e. How did God view this action of Noah’s? (verses 21-22)

With pleasure…. It made a sweet smell rise up to Him.

f. What makes a sweet fragrance to God now? Why? (Revelation 5:8b; 8:3-4)

The prayers and praises of His people, because they are communicating with Him.

g. What was God’s reaction to Noah’s sacrifice? What promise did He make? (verses 21-22)

God promised that He would never again completely destroy everything, and that the seasons would continue unbroken until the end of time.

h. If the flood is a picture of God’s judgment, what is the ark a picture of? What protects us from God’s judgment now? (Romans 5:18-21)

The Lord Jesus Christ is our refuge from God’s judgment….. He keeps us safe.

Genesis Nine…. (v.1-29)

1. verses 1-17

a. What were God’s commands to Noah and his sons? (verses 1-7)

i. Be fruitful and multiply and replenish the earth!

ii. You are at liberty to eat meat and fish as well as vegetables and fruit.

You must NOT eat blood
You must NOT shed another man’s blood…..the punishment for murder is the death penalty.

b. What are believers told about Christians eating blood? Why? (Acts 15:28-29; 1 Peter 1:18-19; 1 John 1:7b)

It is not to be done. It is because it took the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ to cleanse us from our sins. God says not to do it and that should be sufficient reason….obedience to Him.

c. Why was man now allowed to kill animals for food, but not his fellow man? What is the difference between man and beast? (verse 6)

Man is made in the image of God, and animals aren’t.

d. What does being “made in God’s image” tell us about man? What can man do that animals can’t? (chapter 1: 26-27; 2:7; 1 Thessalonians 5:23)

Every person is given a soul that lives for ever….man is made in the image of God, a three part being who is God-conscious, and can have fellowship with God which animals can’t. Man can pray to God, and give Him thanks and praise.

e. What was God’s promise to Noah and all mankind? (verses 8-15)

That there would never be another flood that would wipe out every living creature.

f. What is the token of this promise that we can still see today? (verses 16-17)

The rainbow…because there was now rain falling at times, a rainbow could be formed and this is God”s promise still to mankind that He will never completely wipe them out.

g. Who remembers this promise whenever a rainbow is seen? (verse 16)

God remembers and so should we.

h. What does God call this promise of His? How many times did God use this term? (verses 9-17)

It is His covenant with the earth and every living creature…. He said this seven times….seven is the perfect number.

i. How does God describe this covenant in verse 16? Does that mean anything to us today? (Hebrews 13:20; 1 John 1:7)

That it is an everlasting covenant, one that will never cease, but last for ever! The blood of the Lord Jesus Christ that cleanses us from our sin is our everlasting covenant.

j. What else does God remember? (verse 15)

That He will have mercy on His people and all living creatures and not destroy them again in His anger.

k. What will be taken away before God’s love and kindness is removed from His people? (Isaiah 54:8-10)

The hills and mountains will disappear….when we see this happen we know that God’s judgment has come.

l. How can God show love and kindness to sinful people today when He couldn’t in Noah’s time? (Ephesians 2:1-13)

Even though we may be as great sinners as those in Noah’s time, now God can show us His marvelous love and kindness through Jesus Christ when we have faith to believe in His Name. It is because of the obedience of Jesus Christ to His Father’s will that people can be saved from God’s judgment.

2. verses 18-29

a. Who were Noah’s three sons? In what order do we read of them? What were they responsible for? (verses 18-19; chapter 5:32)

Shem, Ham and Japheth…they were responsible for repopulating the earth.

b. What was the first thing that Noah did after the flood? What does that suggest? (verse 20)

He planted a vineyard…he may have taken young plants or cuttings into the ark with him.

What happened when he enjoyed the fruit of it? (verse 21)

He made wine, drank too much of it and got drunk! Then lay down naked and slept it off!

d. Who looked into the tent and saw him? What did he do? (verse 22)

Ham did…..he went and told his two brothers

e. Reading between the lines, what do you think Ham’s attitude to his father was? (verses 24-25)

Disrespectful and uncaring….dishonouring to his father.

f. What did Shem and Japheth do? (verse 23)

They carefully took a cloak (or sheet), and walked into the tent backwards, covering him up without looking at him.

g. What does God expect people to do to their parents? (Exodus 20:12)

To honour and respect them even when they don’t deserve it.

h. What was Noah’s reaction when he sobered up? (verses 25-27)

He cursed Ham and his descendants forever, and blessed the other two sons.

i. What is Ham’s curse? (verse 25)

That he be servant to the other two brothers.

j. Eventually from Ham came the southern nations; from Shem came the middle-eastern nations and from Japheth came the rest of the nations….. which son of Noah did the Messiah (Christ) come from? (Luke 3:36)

From Shem

k. What did Noah say about God in connection with Shem? (verse 26)

He referred to God as being the Lord God of Shem

l. What did he say about God and Japheth? What has history proved about his descendants? (verse 27)

That God would enlarge Japheth…. the great arts, and renaissance revivals have come through them.

m. How long did Noah live after the flood? How old was he when he died?

Noah lived for another 350 years after the flood, and died at age 950 years.

Genesis Ten…. (verses 1-32)

1. Verses 1-32

a . What sort of nations does verse 5 tell us came from Japheth? (verses 2-5)

The Gentile nations

b. What relation was Nimrod to Ham? (verses 6-8a)

A grandson

c. What was Nimrod known for? What were two of the cities that he established? (verses 8b-11)

He was a mighty hunter, and founded the cities of Babylon and Nineveh as well as others.

d. Who was Canaan and who were his descendants? (verses 6, 15-18)

Canaan was the son of Ham, and he founded all the “ites” that made up the land of Canaan, the land that God promised to give to Abraham.

e. Notice that this was the land that God was going to give Abraham. What was the reason that God waited to give the land to him? (chapter 15:16)

Because their sins were not yet full. f. Which cities were the sons of Ham responsible for building? What did they become known for? (verses 19-20; chapter 13:13) Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah and Zeboam. …their wickedness exceeded all other places. g. Which son of Shem did the line of Joseph (husband of Mary) come from? (Luke 3:26)

Arphaxad. h. What happened to the earth in the days of Peleg? (verse 25; chapter 11:7-8) This was when the earth was divided into different language groups when the tower of Babel was built.

i. How does verse 32 fulfill chapter 9:1? God told Noah’s sons to multiply and repopulate the earth…… this is what they did. j. What has God told His people to do today? (Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 1:8) To go into all the world and preach the Gospel to bring as many into God’s Kingdom as possible.

k. Who comes into God’s kingdom? (Acts 13:48)

Those who are ordained to eternal life believe and come into it.

l. What analogy can you draw between God’s two commands in this study? (chapter 9:1; Matthew 28:19)

Just as it was the responsibility of Noah’s family to populate the earth, so it is the responsibility of God’s people today to bring others into His family.

Genesis Eleven…. (v. 1-32)

1. Verses 1-9

a. What do we see in verse 1?

There was only one language throughout the world!

b. What does verse 3 suggest?

That they were just starting to build with bricks, and not with stone as previously

c. What was their aim? (verse 4)

To build a city with a tower tall enough to reach heaven that would make a name for themselves

d What did God think of all this? (verses 5-6)

He took a dim view of their ambition and put a stop to it.

e. How did God stop their project? (verse 7)

By making them all speak different languages.

f. What happened as a result of that? (verse 8)

They were all scattered and the tower was never finished.

g. What was at the bottom of their ambitions? Where did this attitude come from? (Isaiah 14:12-14)

They were filled with pride, and wanted to reach Heaven and God! Pride and wanting to have God’s place was Satan’s downfall too and he passes this on to whoever will listen to him.

h. Later on Nebuchadnezzar lived in the same region…..what had he done and what was his attitude? (Daniel 4:30)

He had built Babylon into one of the most beautiful cities in the world and he was full of pride in his achievement.

i. What did God think of that? What did He do to Nebuchadnezzar? (Daniel 4: 31-33)

God took a dim view of it and struck Nebuchadnezzar down, making him grovelling idiot until he realized that God was over all.

j. Why was King Herod struck down? (Acts 12:21-23)

Because he allowed people to say that he was a god and not a man….he didn’t give the God of Heaven the glory.

k. What do we learn from all of this? (Romans 12:3)

To not be proud and think of ourselves more highly than we ought to think. We are to give God the glory and not take it for ourselves

2. Verses 10-32

These questions may seem irrelevant, but they impress on us that these were real people, whose lives overlapped each other , and could have very well interacted with each other, rather than just being another name in a list.

a. What do we see about the ages of these men as they started their families compare to those in chapter 5? (verses 12,14, 16, 18)

They started at a much younger age…..at approx. 30 years of age.

b. Starting with Shem at 100, add each man’s age when his first son was born….. how old was Shem when Abraham was born? How old was Shem when he died?

He was 390 years old when Abraham was born, and lived to be 600 years old.

c. Using the same method, how old was Shem when Isaac was born? (chapter 21:5)

He was 490 years old

d. Work out how old Shem was when Jacob and Esau were born…..and when Esau got married. (chapter 25:7, 26)

He was 550 years old when Jacob and Esau were born and 590 when Esau got married.

e. Shem was 390 years old when Abraham was born…..what does chapter 25:7 tell us about Shem’s age when Abraham died? (verses 10-11)

Shem lived to 602 years and out-lived Abraham by five years.

f. What do we see about Shem’s great age compared to that of Ham and Japheth? (chapter 10:1-5, 20)

Their ages at death are not mentioned.

g. How long did Noah live after the flood? (Genesis 9:28)

He lived 350 years after the flood.

h. What do we notice about the length of people’s lives after the flood? (verses 13, 15,21, 25)

They got progressively shorter….from around four hundred years down to two hundred and then around the 120 mark.

i. Whose family is described here in detail? (verses 27-32)

The family of Terah.

j. How many sons did he have? What were their names? (verse 26)

Three…. Abram, Nahor and Haran

k. Who was Haran’s son and where did Haran die? (verses 27-28)

Lot was Haran’s son and Haran died in his native city of Ur of the Chaldees.

l. Who did Abram marry and who was she? (verse 29; 20:11-13)

Abram married his half sister Sarai….she was the daughter of his father but not his mother.

m. Who left Ur of the Chaldees and why? Where did they go? (verse 31; 12:1)

God told Abram to leave the city, and his wife Sarai, nephew Lot and father Terah went with him to the city of Haran.

n. Have a look at a map of the ancient world….. were Haran and Ur near each other?

No, they were over 500 miles apart.

Genesis Twelve……(v. 1-20)

1.Verses 1-3

a. Where was Abram living? What did God tell him to do? (verse 1; chapter 11:31)

To leave his country and relatives and go to a new land.

b. Did Abram have any idea where this new land was? What made him go? (Hebrews 11:8)

God had told Abram to go to Canaan , but Abram had no idea where exactly he was to go once there ….. he had faith to believe what God said and just went.

c. What did God promise Abram when he first told him to leave his relatives and land? (verses 2-3)

That He would make him a great nation, bless him and give him a great name. that he would be blessing to all peoples in the world….God would bless all those who blessed Abram and his descendants and curse all those who cursed them.

d In what way are all the people of the earth blessed because of Abram? (Galatians 3:7-9, 29)

Abraham was the father of the people of Israel, and Jesus Christ came from his descendants. Just as Abraham’s faith and trust in God blessed him, so those who put their faith and trust in Jesus Christ can be said to be blessed because of Abraham. Those who do this are said to be the “seed” of Abraham, no matter what their ethnic origin is.

e Why did God choose Abram to give this command and promise to? (Deuteronomy 7:6-8)

Because He loved him, and Abram responded with obedience and faith in God.

2. Verses 4-8

a We sometimes read that Abram waited in Haran until his father died before moving on, but according to the dates and times given here, this is not correct. How old was Terah when Abram was born? (Genesis 11:26)

He was 70 years old.

b. How old was Abram when he left the city of Haran? How old would this make Terah? (verse 4)

He was 75 years old when he left Haran, and Terah would have been 145.

c. Therefore how much longer did Terah live after Abram left? (chapter 11:26, 32)

Another sixty years.

d. Who did Abram take with him when he left Haran? (verse 5)

His wife Sarai and his nephew Lot, with all their servants and gear.

e. What exactly had God told Abram to do when he first told him to leave his home? (verse 1)

To leave all his family and relations behind.

f. Who was with Abram when he eventually left Ur? Who went with him from Haran? (verse 5; chapter 11:31)

His father and nephew went from Ur with him, and Lot carried on with him from Haran.

g. Which direction did they travel to reach Canaan? (verse 9)

More or less south

h. What did God do when Abram reached Canaan? (verses 6-7)

He appeared to Abram and spoke to him, telling him that he would be given all this land where he now was.

i. What do we see Abram doing when he stopped on his journey? (verses 7-8)

He built an altar in each place and called on the name of the Lord.

j. What does an altar signify? (Hebrews 13:15-16)

Sacrifice and worship.

k. How does an altar or sacrifice have significance for us today? (Hebrews 13:15-16)

It is a spiritual thing, a giving of oneself (thoughts and deeds) to the Lord and praising and thanking Him continually for all He has done and given to us. It also has the thought of giving to others in time and in sharing material things to those more disadvantaged.

3. Verses 9-20

a. Why did Abram keep travelling south? (verse 10)

Because there was a famine in the land and no food was available.

b. What was he showing by not staying in the land when God had told him that he was in the right place? (Psalm 17:6-8)

A lack of faith and trust….. unbelief in God’s word. By trusting in his own judgment, he was limiting God’s protection and provision.

c. Would it have been easy for Abram to have stayed in the promised land and trusted God to supply his needs? What would he have saved himself if he had? (verses 17-20)

No, it would not have been easy, but he would have saved himself from telling a lot of lies and suffering the shame of having a heathen king rebuke him!.

d. What happens to us when we lack faith and trust? What do we find if we trust God as we should? (1 Peter 1:6-7)

We don’t pray as we ought and start acting foolishly and make a lot of mistakes. Things might be tough if we trust in God, but we will still be able to praise God and will have no regrets afterwards.

d. Egypt is a picture of the world system that we are born into. …… what lesson is there in this for us? ( James 1:5-7)

When we are in situations where the world prevails, we can’t afford to go without asking the Lord to keep us and trusting Him to keep us from temptations and lusts.

e. What did Abram tell Sarai to say when the people asked her who she was? Why? (verses 11-13)

He told her to say that she was his sister because he was afraid that he might be killed and Sarai taken for someone’s wife on account of her beauty.

f. What happened when Pharoah and his men saw Sarai? (verses 14-16)

They took her from Abram thinking she was a single lady, and gave Abram many presents of animals and servants as her dowry.

g. How do you think that Sarai felt at this turn of events? What saved her? (verse 17; 1 Peter 3:6)

She would have been afraid, wondering what was going to happen next ! The Lord preserved her and plagued Pharoah’s household until he realized that something was wrong with Abram’s story.

h. What was the most shameful part of this story as far as Abram was concerned? (verses 18-19)

The shame of having a heathen man rebuke him for being dishonest!

i. Read 2 Samuel 13:14. This story is concerning David’s great sin of murder and adultery and of God dealing with him because of it. But what do Christian women have to very careful of? (1 Peter 3:16-17; 4:14-16)

Not to put themselves into compromising situations that could cause people to mock their Christian testimony and bring shame on God.

j. We might think that Abram hadn’t acted in a chivalrous manner putting Sarai into this compromising situation. What do we read about Sarai’s attitude? (1 Peter 3:6)

That she obeyed what Abram told her to do, and acted respectfully towards him.

k. What part was Sarai to have in God’s plan for Abram? (chapter 17:19)

She would bear the chosen son who would inherit God’s promises.

l. What was one legacy from Egypt that they took when they left, that they could very well have done without? (chapter 16:1)

The slave girl Hagar that was Sarai’s maid.

Genesis Thirteen…. (verses 1-18)

1. verses 1-4

a. What did Abram do the first time he reached Bethel? (chapter 12:8)

He built an altar and called to God in praise and worship.

b. Where did Abram go from that place of worship? What is it figuratively? (chapter 12:10)

He went down to Egypt which is a picture of the world system

c. What was this a result of? What did it lead him to ? (chapter 12:11-20)

It was a result of lack of faith and trust in God’s provision. It led to him intentionally telling half truths to mislead others, and in doing so to break down his testimony before the people of that place.

d. Where did Abram have to go back to when he came out of Egypt? (verses 1-3)

He had to go back to Bethel , to the altar he had made before, and call to the Lord again there.

e. What significance does this have for us when we have sinned or done something silly? (1 John 1:9)

We have to confess our sin to God, and He will forgive us and cleanse us through the Lord Jesus Christ

f. What do we have to be specific about when we confess to God? (Psalm 51:1-4)

We have to name the sin….. it is not enough to hide behind “God forgive my sin”….. we have to acknowledge what we have done and recognise that it is against God that we have done this sin.

g. What can we NOT do until this step has been taken? Why not? (Psalm 66:18)

We cannot truly worship God with unconfessed sin in our life. God will not hear us if we hang onto our sin or try to push it under the rug.

2. verses 5-18

a. What had God told Abram to do initially? (chapter 12:1)

To leave his country and relations.

b. Had Abram done this completely? (verse 1)

No, he still had his nephew Lot with him.

c. What does partial obedience lead us into? (verse s 5-7)

Strife and trouble.

d. How did Abram solve the problem? (verses 8-9)

By doing what God told him to do in the first place….. leave Lot to go on his own.

e. Which area did Lot choose? What was it like? (verse s 10-11)

Lot chose the easy life, the beautiful flat lush plain by the river Jordan….plenty of food and water for his cattle.

f. What was the danger in living there? (verses 12-13)

The nearest towns were populated by evil people with wicked practices.

g. Did that bother Lot? (2 Peter 2:7-8)

Not at first, he thought he could handle it! But later on when he was tied to the place in relationships and politics, he was vexed every day with the wickedness around him.

h. Are YOU ever like that? When you are faced with temptation, do you think you can handle it? What does the Bible tell you to do about it? (Psalm 1:1; 1 Timothy 6:9-11)

It doesn’t pay to ever allow yourself to be in a situation like this… we are told to keep away from temptation and compromising situations, and follow the things of God with other Christians.

i. What did God do now that Abram had fully obeyed Him? (verses 14-17)

He gave him the promise again.

j. How was the promise expanded this time? (verses 14-17; chapter 12:2-3)

God said “ALL the land is yours, and your descendants will be without number”

k. Can we appreciate God’s promises fully if we are only partly obedient? (Isaiah 26:3)

No, we will not have the peace of God.

Genesis Fourteen (verses 1-24)

1. verses 1-24
a. What is this passage all about? (verses 1-12)

The battle of the heathen kings raging around Sodom with Lot and his family being taken captive.

b. How long were they under bondage? (verses 2-4)

For twelve years, and then they rebelled.

c. Where had Lot ended up living? What do we find when we compromise with the world? (verse 12; chapter 19:1; 2 Corinthians 6:14-15)

Right in the city of Sodom, in a place of authority.

d. Where did Abram live and who were his friends? (verse 13)

He lived in the plain of Mamre and three Amorite brothers (Mamre, Aner and Eshcol) were his friends.

e. What do we see about Abraham’s household? (verse 14)

That Abram was ready for any emergency….. he had 314 servants who were trained for battle, and he had the arms they needed for fighting.

f. How can we apply this to ourselves? (Ephesians 6:10-18)

We are to keep ourselves alert to the spiritual dangers around us and our family, and be ready armed with the word of God, being strong in faith and wearing the whole armour of God, ready to fight the enemies of doubt, fear and laziness that would try to drag us down.

g. What was Abram able to do? What had happened to Lot? (verses 15-16)

Abram split his army up, and they came from both sides to win the battle and rescue the captives and their possessions. Lot had been taken captive too and his uncle rescued him.

h. What did the king of Sodom want to give Abram?

He wanted to give Abram all the stuff he had rescued.

i. What was Abram’s attitude? ii. Why? (verses 21-24)

ii. No thanks, I don’t need it for myself, just give those who went with me their share

iii. He didn’t want anything from the king of Sodom in case he might say he had made Abram rich…..Abram had promised God that he would only take his riches from Him.

j. What lesson is there in this for us? (1 Timothy 6:9-10, 17)

Not to have our minds set on being rich in money, or loving it so much that it consumes our thinking. There are so many other things that are better for us to be rich in and to enjoy that are available to everyone no matter how poor financially they might be.

2. verses 18-20

a. Who else came to meet Abram after the battle besides the King of Sodom? (verse 18)

Melchisedek the king of Salem

b. What else was Melchisedek besides being a king? (verse 18)

He was a priest of God

c. What did he say to Abram when he met him? (verses 19-20)

He blessed Abram and blessed God who had made him victorious in battle, giving God all the glory.

d. What did Abram give Melchisedek? Had this concept been given before? (verse 20c)

Tithes of all that he had. This was the first time that tithes were mentioned.

e. Who is Melchisedek compared to in the New Testament? (Hebrews 7:1-4, 15-17, )

To Jesus Christ.

f. What did his name mean? (Hebrews 7:2)

King of Righteousness and King of Peace.

g. In what other ways was Melchisedek a picture of Christ? (Herb 7:3)

There is no earthly genealogy given; no parents, no descendants mentioned, no birth date or death date given. He just appeared in Scripture in these three verses.

h. What did Melchisedek do for Abram? (verses 18-19; Ephesians 1:3)

He gave him bread and wine…… he supplied all Abram’s needs, and gave him the blessing of God. In the same way the Lord Jesus Christ supplies and satisfies all a believer’s spiritual needs. He has given us every spiritual blessing that we need.

i. What did David prophesy in the Psalms? (Psalm 110:1, 4)

That someone (Christ) was going to be a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.

j. What does it say in this psalm about the appointment of this person to this priesthood? ( Psalm 110:4)

That it was God Who said it would be so, it was not a man’s appointment.

k. In what way did Christ fulfil the function of a priest? (Hebrews 7:24-28)

Just as the High Priest was able to offer the blood of animals for a sacrifice for the sins of the people, so Christ was able to offer His own blood before God to cleanse the sins of all those who come to Him.

l. Who do we see involved in the cleansing of man’s sins? (Hebrews 9:14)

The whole three persons of God (the Godhead)….God the Son (Christ), God the Spirit and God the Father (the Living God)

m. The earthly priests of Israel’s time had to offer this sacrifice every year. From Hebrews 7:23-28, how many times does Christ have to offer a sacrifice to cleanse our sins?

He only had to make the one sacrifice….. it is sufficient for ALL time and ALL people.

5. Challenge…. What lessons can we learn from this chapter which we have just gone through in Genesis?

i. 1 Corinthians 16:13……To always be alert and prepared in the things of God

ii. Matthew 28:19…..To rescue those who have been taken in by the enemy …. Preach the Gospel.

iii. 2 Corinthians 9:7…..To give to the Lord willingly and cheerfully, not because we HAVE to!

Genesis Fifteen….(verses 1-21)

1. verses 1-6

a. Read the whole chapter right through in one sitting….what is it all about?

Abram and God talking together, and God making a covenant with Abram.

b. How did God describe Himself to Abram? (verse 1)

As his Shield and exceeding Great Reward

c. Could we say that God is that to us? In what ways? (Ephesians 1:3)

Yes, God is our protector and keeper, and gives us more blessings than we are aware of in our Lord Jesus Christ.

d. What was Abram’s greatest concern at this time? (verses 2-3)

Who was going to be his heir as he was still childless.

e. What assurance did God give Abram? (verses 4-5)

You WILL produce a son yourself……. not only that, but you will have as many descendants as there are stars in the sky!

f. What was Abram’s situation at this time as far as having a family went? Was it physically likely? (chapter 16:16)

It wasn’t likely from a human point of view as Abram was 85 years old and Sarai was 75

g. Have you ever been in a situation that seemed totally impossible and then seen God work for you?

Yes, many times over the years.

h. What was Abram’s attitude to what God said? (verse 6; Romans 4:3)

He believed what God said totally.

i. What made Abram so sure that what God said would happen? (Hebrews 11:11-12)

He had faith in what God said… he knew that God could not lie and God once more gave him the promise of as many descendants as there were stars in the sky!

j. How did God view Abram’s faith? (verse 6)

God counted his faith to him for righteousness….. in other words, God gave him a clean slate in His sight.

k. There is a little jingle that says, “God says it, I believe it, and that settles it!” How does this fit in with Abram’s attitude to God?

This was it exactly! That is what faith is! Whatever God said, Abram believed totally.

l. What (or Who) do we have to have faith in, to become righteous as Abram did? (Romans 4: 11, 17-25; Hebrews 11:6)

We have to believe in Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection for our sins. This is the faith that makes us righteous the same way that Abram’s faith made him righteous in God’s sight.

2. verses 7-21

a. What did God remind Abram of? (verse 7)

How he brought Abram from Ur to this new land.

b. What did Abram ask for as confirmation of this promise? (verse 8)

Something that he could see to prove it was true.

c. What was the sign that God gave Abram as confirmation of this promise? (verses 9-11, 17)

God gave Abram instructions on what to take for a sacrifice to Him, and then He consumed it in an unnatural way.

d. What did Abram do? Did God work instantly? (verses 12,. 17)

No, Abram had to wait until after dark. He killed the animals and birds and prepared them on the altar and then had to chase the birds off until God sent fire to consume it all.

e. What else did God tell Abram about this promise that He was giving him? (verses 13-16)

He said that Abram’s descendants would be in a land that wasn’t theirs for 400 years and that they would be treated badly during this time but then leave with much wealth.

f. What was going to happen to that nation in the end? (verse 14)

God would judge it for their bad treatment of the Israelites.

g. What interesting statement did God make about the Amorites in verse 16? What does it suggest? (chapter 6:3a)

The iniquity (or sins) of the Amorites was not yet full. God’s mercy was so great that He could put up with so much defiance and rebellion, but there would come a time when His patience would come to an end. Punishment would then be inevitable. God said that He would not always strive with man.

h. Where did the Amorites come from? (chapter 10:16-20; verses 9-21)

They were the descendants of Canaan, son of Ham, son of Noah.

i. What were the Canaanites known for? (1 Kings 21:26)

Following idols and worshipping them.

j. When was this prophecy of Israel being a mighty nation fulfilled? (1 Kings 4:20-21)

In the time of Solomon’s reign

Genesis Sixteen (v. 1-16)

1. Verses 1-6

a. What was the situation that drove Sarai to do the thing that she did? (verse 1)

She was now 76 years old and humanly speaking it was impossible for her to have a child.

b. Where and when had Sarai got this maid Hagar? (verse 1)

Sarai had picked her up when she and Abram were in Egypt.

c. Taking Egypt as a picture of the world system, what can often trouble a backslidden Christian who has come back to the Lord?

It could be habits or diseases (like AIDS or emphysema) picked up while away from the Lord or the consequences of things done while in that state, e.g. addictions or tattoos.

d. What was Sarai’s suggestion to Abram? (verse 2)

God hasn’t given us a child and yet He says that you will have many descendants…..why don’t you get Hagar pregnant and I can at least bring the child up!

e. What altered the situation when Hagar got pregnant? (verse 4b)

Hagar gave herself airs and despised Sarai as a barren woman; perhaps she refused to do the heavy work now that she was carrying the coveted child!

f. How did both Sarai and Abram feel about this coming child now? (verse s 5-6)

Sarai didn’t want it after all, and Abram didn’t care what happened to Hagar.

g. How do you think they both felt about the situation now?

Sarai probably wished she’d never thought of the idea, and Abram probably felt he shouldn’t have agreed to it after all. Sarai wasn’t happy after all!

h. When we get impatient waiting for the Lord to act, what are we NOT to do?

Try to manipulate things ourselves in our way

i. What are we TO do? (Psalm 37:3)

We are to trust in the Lord, and commit our way to Him.

j. What happens when we delight ourselves in the Lord? (Psalm 37:4)

He gives us the desires of our heart because our desires change as we seek God’s face.

k. What happened to Hagar then? (verse 6)

Abram told Sarai to do what she liked with her, so when she got a bit hard on Hagar, she ran away.

2. verses 7-16

a. What special thing happened to Hagar in her time of trouble? (verses 7-9)

The angel of the Lord came to her with a message from God to go back to Sarai and do as she was told.

b. What promise did Hagar receive from God? (verses 10-12)

That her baby was a boy and he was to be called Ishmael and that he would be father of a great nation.

c. How many grandsons did Hagar have? (chapter 25:12-16a)

Twelve

d. What name did Hagar give to God? Why? (verse 13)

God has looked after me…. “You, God, are seeing me”.

e. What special name did the well then have? (verse 14)

Beer-la-hai-roi

f. How old was Abram when Ishmael was born? (verse 16)

He was 86.

g. How long had Abram been in the Promised Land? (chapter 12:4)

For ten years.

Genesis Seventeen (verses 1-27)

1. verses 1-3

a. How many years had elapsed (approximately) since the last recorded time God spoke to Abram? (verse 1; chapter 16:16)

Fourteen years.

b. Who was the heir apparent to Abram during this time? (verse 18)

Ishmael.

c. What were God’s first words to Abram? (verse 1)

Who He was…..the Almighty God.

d. What response did God require of Abram? (verse 1c)

To walk in His ways and be sincere and upright.

e. Does God expect anything less of people today? Why not? (Micah 6:8; Philippians 2:15-16a)

He expects the same today because He has not changed.

f. Had God’s promise to Abram changed? What new addition did He now bring in? (verses 4-8)

It was still the same, but now the word covenant came in.

g. What was Abram’s reaction to God speaking? (verse 3)

He fell down on his knees with his face to the ground.

h. What did the disciples do when they heard God’s voice? (Matthew 17:5-6)

They got down on the ground with their faces down.

i. What does this indicate?

That one is in the presence of a much greater person…it indicates respect, reverence and awe.

j. What is every single human being going to do in a day to come? (Philippians 2:9-11)

They will bow down before the Lord Jesus Christ and proclaim Him to be Lord.

k. What does this tell us about approaching God today? (Hebrews 12:28b-29)

We should acknowledge Jesus Christ as our Lord, with the greatest of reverence and awe.

l. What do you think about those who say glibly that they will say this or that to God when they face Him? (Matthew 22:11-12 )

They do not know Him now, and they will actually be speechless apart from saying with all their beings that Jesus Christ is Lord

2. verses 4-14

a. What was God making with Abram? What sort was it? (verses 4, 7)

He was making a covenant with Abraham , and it was to be an everlasting one.

b. What was God’s side of the covenant? (verses 5-8)

Abram’s name was changed to Abraham , meaning “Father of Many Nations”. He would have many descendants and be very fruitful; it would last for ever. God would be the God of these people, and would give them this land for ever.

c. What was Abraham’s side of the covenant? (verses 9-13)

His people were to keep the covenant for ever, and every male was to be circumcised or lose their position in the nation.

d. What was circumcision a picture of? (Romans 2:28-29)

It was an outward sign of an inward state, the taking way of everything that was unnecessary to be close to God…..basically it was their hearts that were to be circumcised by taking away everything that was unnecessary and that came between them and God.

e. What did God require of Abraham and later His people? (Deuteronomy 10:12-16)

To love and obey Him always, and to trust Him forever.

f. Does God still require this of His people? Does God change? (Mark 12:29-31)

God still requires His people to be circumcised in their hearts, to live for Him and to obey Him.

3. verses 15-22

a. What was Sarai’s part in this covenant? (verses 15-16)

Her name was changed to Sarah which means “Princess”, and she would become the mother of many nations.

b. What happened to Abraham’s faith when God told him this? What did he still have his hopes pinned on? (verses 17-18)

It went thin and flew out the window! He laughed in his heart at the very idea! He wanted Ishmael to be the one for God to bless….he had this son, never mind one from Sarah!

c Was Ishmael part of God’s original promise to Abraham? What was Ishmael the result of? (Galatians 4:22-23, 31)

No! Ishmael was the result of Abraham’s and Sarah’s disbelief and impatience.

d. How can we relate this to ourselves? What is this the result of? (Psalm 37:3-5; James 4:2-3)

By asking for the wrong things and by not relying on God to bring things to pass in our lives that we want. It is the result of scheming things out to suit ourselves when we are impatient and unbelieving. If we learn to delight in the Lord and wait for Him, we will find we only want what He wants for us anyway.

e. Can we sometimes produce an “Ishmael” in our life?

Yes, if we act outside of waiting for the Lord, and we sometimes have lasting consequences to our actions.

f. What was Abraham still wanting? (verse 18) Why couldn’t it happen? (verse 19; Galatians 3:14; 4:22-24, 28,31)

He was still wanting Ishmael to be his heir….. Ishmael was not the son that God had promised, and he was the son of a heathen woman. He was the son of the “flesh”, he was not the son of promise.

g. Did God ignore Ishmael because he was not the chosen son? (verse 20)

No, Ishmael was blessed because he was Abraham’s son, and became the father of twelve princes.

h. What do verses 19 and 21 tell us?

God became specific with details and dates….He gave him a name (Isaac) and said that His covenant would be with this son, not Ishmael. The baby would be born the next year.

4. verses 23-27

a. What did Abraham do immediately God stopped talking to him? (verses 23-27)

He circumcised all the males in his household, himself and Ishmael included.

b. How old was Abraham when this was done? (verse 24)

He was 99 years old.

c. What does this show us? What do we see about Abraham’s obedience? (verse 23)

It shows that Abraham was obedient immediately to what God told him to do.

d. Do you think that Abraham thought this was nice or a good idea? How would it affect him?

No, it would have been a painful thing for him to go through and humanly speaking at his age it seemed rather a pointless thing to do.

e. What can we learn from this? (Romans 6:17; James 4:17)

To obey God when we see some truth in His Word that we may not particularly like or want to do….if we don’t, then it is a sin.

f. What made Abraham a righteous man? (Galatians 3: 6-9)

It was the faith that he had in God.

g. What did this faith in God lead him to? (Hebrews 11:8)

To obey God’s commands.

h. What did the Lord Jesus tell His disciples (and us too)? (John 15:14)

That they would be His friends if they did what He told them to.

i. What comfort can we have when we remember that Abraham slipped up a couple of times? (verses 18-19; Psalm 37:24; 1 John 1:9)

That God didn’t give up on him and that His promises still stood for him. If God did that for Abraham He will do the same for us when we confess our mistakes and sins. When we turn back to the Lord in repentance, He will forgive and start us on the right way again.

Genesis Eighteen (verses 1-33)

1. verses 1-15

a. What do we see about Abraham in this passage? (verses 1-2)

He was hospitable and friendly.

b. It says “he bowed himself”…..this is the first time the Hebrew word for worship is used in the Scriptures. It contains the thought of bowing self down and at the same time exalting God. What did Abraham provide for these unknown guests? (verses 3-5)

Water for cleansing and refreshing; a place to rest and food to eat.

c. How long do you imagine it would have taken to prepare the meal? (verses 6-7)

A couple of hours at least!

d. What lesson is there for us in this account? (Hebrews 13:2)

To be hospitable and friendly to strangers….. it is still possible to entertain angels unawares!

e. How does God view people being mean and stingy? (Matthew 25:41-45)

Pretty dimly, He appreciates those who are generous.

f. Who did one of the strangers reveal Himself as? How do we know this? (verses 9-10)

The Lord…..by saying He would have a hand in Sarah producing a son at that great age.

g. How did Sarah take this news? (verses 11-12)

With great disbelief!

h. What great truth can we hang onto for ourselves here? (verses 13-14; Matthew 19:26)

That nothing is too hard for God to do.

i. What did Sarah’s disbelief cause her to do? (verse 15a)

She laughed and then lied to cover it up.

j. If we find a truth hard to believe or a promise hard to hold onto, what can we do about it? (Mark 9:23-24)

Ask God to help us to believe, and to help us overcome our disbelief.

k. What did Sarah find after she had lied about her laugh? (verse 15b)

That the Strangers knew what she had done anyway.

l. What does that remind us of? (Psalm 139:1-4)

That God knows how we feel, what we say and think, so we might as well tell Him and confess it on the spot even if we don’t feel like it!

2. verses 16-33

a. Where did it seem that these men were heading? (verse 16)

Towards Sodom.

b. What was Sodom like in those days? (verse 20; chapter 13:13)

It was a very wicked and immoral city.

c. Have you ever wondered where the word “sodomy” came from?

It came from what the people of Sodom did.

d. What did the Lord say about Abraham here? (verses 17-18)

Will I hide from Abraham what I’m going to do, seeing he will be a great nation one day?

e. What sort of man was Abraham in God’s sight? (verse 19)

He was one who obeyed the Lord and ran his household according to God’s ways of justice and judgment… he was honest and fair in all that he did.

f. What sort of city was Sodom in God’s sight? (verse 20)

It was a wicked city full of sin, which rose up before God.

g. Why was Abraham so concerned about Sodom’s fate? (verses 21-32)

Because this was where Lot was now living.

h. What was Abraham’s first request? (verses 23-25)

Will You destroy the righteous with the wicked…..what if there are fifty righteous there, would You destroy the city?

i. What great truth is there in verse 25 that we can hang onto when things puzzle us?

God, as the Great Judge, will always judge rightly and fairly.

j. What sort of attitude did Abraham speak to God with? (verse 27)

A humble attitude, pleading with God for mercy on the city.

k. What numbers did he go down by from the original 50? (verses 29-32)

To 45, 40, 30, 20 and finally 10.

l. Why do you think that Abraham stopped at ten?

He was too ashamed to go any less….surely Lot would have at least ten in his household who followed the Lord?!

m. Stop and think about this situation for a moment…..here is a city full of wickedness, and yet the Lord would have spared it if there were ten righteous people living there! What does this tell us about the values that Christians hold and stand for in a community? (1 Samuel 2:30b; John 12:26b)

By living good honest lives, Christians stand out like a sore toe from others…. they are like the backbone of a community, like salt in food and like a light in a dark place; without them it would collapse, be tasteless and in darkness. God honours those who honour Him.

n. What does the way God listened to Abraham tell us? (2 Peter 3:9)

That God is very patient and longsuffering, not wanting anyone to die in their sins but turn to Him in repentance. But there comes a time when His patience comes to an end, and then His judgment will fall.

Genesis Nineteen (verses 1-38)

1. verses 1-11

a. What do we see about Lot’s character here? (verses 1-3)

He was hospitable and welcoming

b. What do we see about the character of the people who lived in Sodom? (verses 4-5)

Their wickedness and evil intentions concerning the strangers visiting their city…. they were homosexually perverted.

c. What was Lot’s suggestion to them to appease them? (verses 6-8)

“I’ll give you my two unmarried daughters, but leave these men alone.

d. What was their reaction to this idea? (verse 9)

“No way! You think you can tell us what to do! We’ll take you instead”, and then they mobbed him and tried to break down the door.

e. How was Lot protected? (verse 10)

Only by the intervention of the two visitors…..they got the door open, pulled Lot inside and struck the men outside with blindness.

f. What are we told about Lot’s feelings as he lived in Sodom? (2 Peter 2:6-9)

That he was a righteous man surrounded by an evil society…..he didn’t like what they did, but he had got himself into a position that he was too weak to get out of.

g. What had Lot actually done? (Genesis 13:10-12; 14:12,14,16; 19:1,9)

He had chosen to live in the plain of Sodom and he pitched his tent towards Sodom. He had been rescued by Abraham but had gone back to Sodom, and was now in a position of authority in the gate of Sodom. He was trying to judge the people rightly but it didn’t work.

h. What does Psalm 1:1 tell us about how a godly man should act?

He is not to walk, stand or sit with ungodly men or with people who were scornful of godly values.

i. What advice does Paul give to believers? (1 Timothy 6:9-11)

To keep away from striving after making the quick dollar and doing dodgy deals, and to follow faith and love etc.

j. What do (h) and (i) prove?

That we can’t handle being under the influence of sinful people, evil will overcome us if we play with it. We can’t afford to flirt with sin!

2. verses 12-21

a. How many (at least) were there in Lot’s household and family? (chapter 18:32)

His sons-in-law (plural, at least 2) 4 daughters, wife and self = at least 8….there were under the ten that God promised would spare Sodom from destruction.

b. What did the visitors tell Lot to do? (verses 12-13)

Round up his family and leave the city as soon as possible because it was going to be destroyed.

c. What did his sons-in-law think of the idea? (verse 14)

They thought he was joking and told him it was a silly idea!

d. What do we see about Lot’s leaving the city ? What was probably the hold up? (verses 15-16)

He was slow to get moving….he didn’t realize the seriousness of the situation, and his wife was probably unwilling to leave all her things.

e. How did he finally get out of the city, and what did he take with him? (verse 16)

The two visitors grabbed Lot and his wife and his two single daughters by the hands and almost dragged them forcibly out of the city……he took nothing else with him.

f. What were they told to do and what was Lot’s attitude? (verses 16-20)

They were told to go quickly to the mountains and to not look behind them! Lot was too soft for this option and begged to be allowed some comforts….what about staying in this little city not far away?

g. How did God react to Lot’s request? (verses 21-23)

He gave permission to go there, but to get there as quickly as possible….destruction was coming.

h. Lot got into Zoar after sunrise…..try to imagine the scene of devastation behind him, and describe it. (verses 24-25)

There would have been earthquakes and rumblings; eruptions and smoke with great amounts of lightning and thunder. The whole thing would have been clearly visible from Zoar and very scary.

i. What was Mrs. Lot’s reaction to all of this? (verse 26a)

She hung back behind Lot, looking back to Sodom, hankering after all that she had left behind.

j. What happened to her as she was doing this? Why do you think it happened? (verse 26b)

She was reluctant to obey God because she didn’t believe it was really going to happen. As she was gazing towards Sodom and longing after it, she was suddenly turned into a pillar of salt.

k. How do we know this is a true story and that it really happened? (Luke 17:31-33)

Because the Lord Jesus referred to it as a historical fact, and used her as an example of what not to be like.

l. What did Mrs. Lot lose?

She lost everything…..her possessions, her soul and her life; her family and all that she had.

f. How is this a lesson for each of us? (Matthew 16:24-26)

She was hankering after her possessions left in Sodom, and lost her life in the process. It is pointless to gain material things here on earth at the expense of losing one’s spiritual life.

2. verses 27-38

a. What did Abraham see from his home on the hills when he got up early that morning? (verses 27-28)

He could see the smoke rising from the destroyed cities, and could probably still hear the rumbles and feel the tremors from where he was standing.

b. What did this tell him when he thought about his conversation with God the previous day?

That there hadn’t even been ten righteous in Sodom, not even Lot’s family had followed the Lord.

c. What was a contributing factor in Lot’s preservation? (verse 29)

Abraham’s concern and prayers.

d. What happened to Lot in the end? (verse 30)

He left Zoar and went up into the mountains to live, and made his home in a cave with his two unmarried daughters.

e. Contrast his situation now with his position twelve months earlier…..

He had everything a man could wish for then…possessions, position, wife and family; now he had nothing, only a cave to live in and his two daughters.

f. What did this prove? (Proverbs 23:5)

It proved that riches and things are not enduring.

g. How is a Christian to view riches? (1 Timothy 6:17)

To remember that everything one has is given by God. We are not to trust in them but in the Lord. Riches only give pride and heartaches.

h. What does this last recorded story of Lot show? (verses 31-38)

A weak character pushed around by his daughters and easily led…. a sad story of drunkenness and incest.

i. What were the names of the two sons and what nations came from them? (verse s 37-38)

Moab and Ben-Ammi…. the Moabites and the Ammonites.

j. Was Israel ever given the land of Moab or Ammon? Why not? (Deuteronomy 2:9, 19)

No, because they were Lot’s descendants, and God had given them their land.

k. What did Moab and Ammon prove to be in days to come? (Judges 10:7-8)

A pain to Israel….whenever Israel fell into sin, one or the other of these two nations would over-run them and oppress them.

l. .Were Lot’s daughters acting according to God’s commands? What contributed to what they did? (verses 31-32)

No, God did not tell them to behave like that. They were acting according to their heathen upbringing in the wicked city of Sodom.

m. What does all this show us? Do we read any more of Lot after this?

That backsliding and falling into sin only brings trouble and far reaching consequences, which sometimes affects people for generations to come. It certainly did in the case of Lot. We never read any more of Lot .

Genesis Twenty (v. 1-18)

1. verses 1-13

a. What nationality does Abimelech appear to have been? (verse 1)

He was the King of Gerar in the land of the Philistines.

b. How many stopping off places are we told that Abraham stayed in, during the 23 years since leaving Egypt? (verse 1; Genesis 13:1, 3, 12,18.)

Bethel. Canaan, Mamre, Gerar in the land of the Philistines.

c. Where did Abraham move to after the destruction of Sodom? Which direction was it in? (verse 1)

He moved south to Gerar

d. What did he get Sarah to say about herself? Why? Was this the truth? Was this the first time he had got Sarah to say this? (verses 2,12; chapter 12:11-13)

This was not the first time he had got Sarah to say she was his sister so that he wouldn’t be killed for her. It was only a half truth…..she was his half sister, but she was also his wife. She kept this fact to herself. She was very beautiful and took the men’s eyes wherever she went.

e. Does it pay to tell half truths? What is the oath one takes when giving evidence in a court of law?

No, it doesn’t, one is often caught out. In court, one is required to tell the whole truth and nothing but the truth!

f. What happened in Sarah’s case? (verses 2-7)

She was taken from Abraham into the king’s harem with the view to become one of his women. This was not part of God’s plan and he spoke directly to Abimelech to leave her alone.

g. How seriously does God take sexual immorality? Does God regard it any more seriously than telling a half truth? (Psalm 51:3-4)

All sin is against God and He takes it very seriously…immorality is a sin against Himself, not just against another human being.

h . Does God think the same today? (Malachi 3:6a)

Yes, He does NOT change in ANY way.

i. What was Abimelech told to do? (verse 7)

To give Sarah back quickly before God judged him.

j. How did Abimelech react? (verses 8-10)

He called Abraham the next morning and asked why he had done this thing!

k. What was the mistake that Abraham made? (verse 11)

He showed a lack of trusting God to keep them all safe….he thought there was no-one there who feared God.

l. What was the mistake that Elijah made? (1 Kings 19:14, 18)

He thought that he was the only one left who followed God when there were actually 7,000 others in hiding.

m. What lesson is there in this for us? (1 Samuel 16:7b)

We can’t always judge who is a true Christian by their appearance.

n. What did Abimelech prove in this story? (verses 6-9)

That he believed in God and feared Him, and God kept him from sinning and being destroyed.

2. verses 14-18

a. What did Abimelech give to Abraham ? (verse 14)

He gave Sarah back to him, also sheep, cattle and servants and money as well as the choice of where to stay in the land.

b. Abraham had not acted at all wisely in this incident….

i. How did Sarah still regard him in this matter? (1 Peter 3:5-6)

She still honoured and obeyed him.

ii. What should he have remembered? (Hebrews 11: 8-9)

To have faith in God in this situation….that God was with him and helping him, and he should have trusted in Him.

c. What must we remember when we get into awkward situations? (2 Samuel 12:13-14; 1 Peter 2:12)

To rely on the Lord and to not behave in a way that others can point a finger at, to always be honest and open with others.

d. What did God tell Abraham to do for Abimelech? With what results? (verses 7, 17-18)

To pray for him, even though he had sinned himself. The women of Abimelech’s household were now able to conceive as God had shut their wombs up until this matter was cleared up.

e. What was the point of Abraham praying for Abimelech when God knew all about it anyway? What about us?

It showed that Abraham’s heart was right towards God now….he was acting in obedience to what God told him. Praying for others will not necessarily bring them to the point that we want, but it will make a difference to how we feel about the situation we are praying for, to be able to say, “Thy will be done”..

f. What does this tell us about God? (Psalm 103:8-12)

His abundant mercy , patience and grace with His people….Abraham made a slip up but God knew his heart.

Genesis Twenty-0ne (verses 1-33)

1. verses 1-21

a. What long awaited event happened in this chapter? (verses 1-2)

Sarah at last had the promised son to Abraham just as God said.

b. What did the long waiting time prove about this child? (chapter 12:2; 17:19)

God promised this son when Abraham was 75, and he had to wait another 25 years for him to arrive…that showed that he had specially come from God.

c. What did all this waiting show about Abraham ? (Romans 4:18-22; Hebrews 11:8-12)

It showed his faith in God, believing that He would fulfill his promise….he was strong in faith and gave the glory to God.

d. What are we told to do while waiting for God to act? What will happen if we do? (Philippians 4:6-7)

We are not to be anxious or worry, but are to tell God all about our problem and give Him thanks for whatever answer we may get, and His peace will fill our hearts and quiet our minds.

e. Was this son the only one that Abraham had in his old age? What happened to the others? (chapter 25:1-6)

No, Abraham had six sons to his second wife and he had concubines as well. He gave all his sons a settlement and sent them far away from Isaac who was his only heir according to God’s promise.

f. What does the name “Isaac” mean? (verses 5-7)

Joy, laughter.

g. How old were Abraham and Sarah when Isaac was born? (verse 5; chapter 17:17)

Abraham was 100 and Sarah was 90.

h. How do you imagine Ishmael as a boy of 14 felt when Isaac was born?

Very put out….all his hopes of inheritance would be gone with child of the chief wife being born! He had no patience with this new child.

i. What happened at the weaning celebrations? (verses 8-9)

Ishmael was mocking at what was going on, and Sarah caught him at it. She went to Abraham and told him saying she was fed up with Ishmael and his mother….they had to go!

j. How does the New Testament tell us we fit into this picture? (Galatians 4:22-31)

Hagar is a picture of those in bondage to Satan, and Sarah a picture of those who are free n Christ. The children of the free woman are heirs of the Father (God) while the children of the slave inherit nothing of God’s Kingdom. If we belong to Christ, we have all the blessings of God (eternal life, a living hope, peace and joy which nothing can take away). If we do not know the Lord Jesus Christ personally we are without hope for eternity.

k. How did Abraham feel about Sarah’s ultimatum? What did God say to him? (verses 1-12-13)

Abraham was grieved that Sarah wouldn’t put up with the situation (which she herself had originated!), but God told him to do as she said. Isaac was indeed His chosen one, but that Ishmael too would be the father of a great nation.

l. What happened to Hagar and Ishmael then? (verses 14-21)

Abraham packed food and water and sent them both away. When the water was all gone, they lay down to die and once more God appeared to Hagar in her dire straits. He told where to find water, and they revived. They made a home in the desert with Ishmael becoming a good archer finding food. Hagar went back to Egypt to find a wife for Ishmael.

m. Read the end of Ishmael’s story, and put it all into one sentence….(chapter 25:12-18)

Ishmael had twelve sons and he lived just north of Egypt until he died at 137 years of age surrounded by his family.

n. Ladies, put yourself in Sarah’s shoes in this whole business….would you have acted any differently (knowing how a woman’s mind works) ? What does this teach us? (Romans 7:18-19; Galatians 4:22-23)

Probably not….a woman deprived of a child can be totally illogical (especially in that culture) and it seemed a good idea to achieve God’s (?) purpose from a human point of view which was of the flesh. Sometimes we know what we should do spiritually, but somehow we act quite differently (in the flesh)…no-one is exempt from this curse.

2. verses 22-33

a. Who was Abimelech and what did he recognise about Abraham ? (verse 22)

King of Gerar where Abraham was living. Abimelech could see that God was with him.

b. What did Abimelech want to do? (verses 23-24)

Make a covenant with Abraham….. a fair trading act!

c. What was the problem between the two men? How did they resolve it? (verses 25-30)

Squabbling over the wells of water, so Abraham dug another one and bought it with seven lambs, making a covenant over this one..

d. What well known place did it become, and what did Abraham do there? (verses 31-33)

The place of Beersheba where Abraham built an altar for sacrifice and worship.

Genesis Twenty-Two (v. 1-24)

1. verses 1- 11

a. What was this test that God was going to put Abraham through? (verses 1-2)

The test of seeing if he would be obedient or not.

b. What would the loss of his son mean to Abraham? (Hebrews 11:18)

That God’s promises for Isaac would come to nothing.

c. How did Abraham view this request from God? (Hebrews 11:17-19)

If God was asking him to do this thing, then God would raise him from the dead again so His promises would be fulfilled.

d. Where was this place that God told Abraham to sacrifice Isaac? (verses 3-4)

It was three days’ journey away in the land of Moriah.

e. What happened later in this very same mountain? (2 Chronicles 3:1)

This was where Solomon built his temple; Jerusalem was built there and this was where Jesus Christ was crucified, the supreme Sacrifice for man’s sin.

f. Can you make some comparisons about this site? What was God asking Abraham to do?

God was asking Abraham to make a sacrifice of his son, and this was the same spot where years later many sacrifices would be made to God.

g. Did Abraham hesitate when faced with this command from God? (verse 3)

No, he obeyed immediately.

h. How do we react when faced with some truth in the Bible that we know we should do? What is it called if we ignore it? (James 4:17)

Do I obey immediately as Abraham did? If I don’t, then it is disobedience to God, and is sin.

i. What did Abraham and Isaac take with them up the mountain? What did Isaac think was missing? (verses 6-7)

They had the fire and the wood, but Isaac asked where the sacrificial lamb was.

j. What great truth was Abraham unwittingly foretelling in verse 8? (John 1:29, 36)

That God would provide a Lamb for the sacrifice, and this is exactly what He did when the Lord Jesus came to earth and died on the cross.

k. Who else was willing to go through with this sacrifice beside Abraham? How? (verse 5)

Isaac had to be willing to be bound by his father as he could have run away.

l. How could Abraham bear to do this to his only son? (Hebrews 11:17-19)

His faith was so great that he figured that seeing God had made the promises to him about Isaac, that God would raise him from the dead again.

m. How far did Abraham go and what stopped him? (verses 9-12)

Abraham was prepared to go the whole way , and had lifted the knife in his hand to kill Isaac when he heard a voice calling out to him to stop.

2. verses 12-14

a. How did God stop Abraham? (verse 11)

By calling out his name to him.

b. In what way had Abraham passed his “test”? What did God say to him? (verse 12)

He had obeyed God all the way until God stopped him….God said that He could see that Abraham was prepared to give his son to Him.

c. What happened when King Saul was tested, and what did God think of it? (1 Samuel 15:18-22)

God had told him to utterly destroy all the Amalekites and their animals, but Saul only partly did it. He thought what he had done was good enough, but God viewed it as a serious sin..

d. How does God view partial obedience? (1 Samuel 15:22-23)

It’s not good enough…. God requires full obedience to pass His tests.

e. Why did God test the people of Israel? (Deuteronomy 8:2)

To prove whether they would obey Him or not.

f. How and when does God test us today? (Hebrews 12:11)

By allowing unpleasant circumstances to come our way to teach us and show us how He can work in our lives. It is all for our ultimate good.

g. When do we appreciate these testing times? (Romans 8:28)

When they are over we can see the good that has come out of it all, and the way God has worked through these trials.

h. How did God provide the sacrifice for Abraham ? (verses 13-14)

As he turned around, he saw a ram tangled in the bushes behind him, so he took that and sacrificed that instead.

i. What did God say to Abraham again? (verse 15-18)

He gave Abraham the promise of blessing his descendants and how all nations of the world would be blessed in him.

j. How did Abraham become this blessing to us today? (Galatians 3:16, 29)

Because Jesus Christ came as his direct descendant and it is in Him that all nations can have forgiveness of sins, the greatest blessing of all time.

k. Where did Abraham go back to live? (verse 19)

At Beersheba where he had dug the wells.

l. What was this place noted for and how can we relate it to ourselves? (Psalm 51:17; 116:17; John 10-14; 7: 37-38; Hebrews 13:20)

This was the place of much water…..we have taken of the water of life in Jesus Christ

It was the place of the covenant between Abraham and Abimelech, the man of God and the pagan king. We, the sinful ones, have entered into a covenant with the holy Son of God.

It was the place of sacrifice and worship….we have to make the sacrifice of thanksgiving and praise to God before we can worship Him.

m. What are the last few verses of this chapter about? (verses 20-24)

It tells of Abraham’s relatives that he had left behind in the land of Mesopotamia.

Genesis Twenty-Three (verses 1-20)

1. verses 1-20

a. Sarah died at 127 years of age….how old was Isaac? (verse 1; chapter 17:17)

He was a man of 37.

b. What became Abraham’s main concern now? (verses 2-4)

To have a recognised and proper burial ground for Sarah.

c. What suggestion did the locals make? (verses 5-6)

They suggested that he take his pick of one of their sepulchres.

d. What did Abraham think of that idea? (verses 7-9)

He didn’t want to do that….he wanted a family burial place of his own.

e. What sort of plot did he have his eye on? (verses 10-13)

He wanted to buy the cave of Machpelah from Ephron.

f. He was able to buy his cave…..what was it like and what was the cost? (verses 14-18)

He paid 400 pieces of silver for the field that had the cave in it; it must have been a pretty place with all the trees around it, and the rocky ground that made the cave area.

g. Who else was eventually buried in this cave? (verse 19; chapter 49:29-32)

Himself (Abraham ), Isaac, Rebekah, and Leah and Jacob.

Genesis Twenty-Four (verses 1-67)

1. verses 1-9

a. What was Abraham’s next concern? (verses 1-3)

To find a wife for Isaac who was not one of the local heathen girls.

b. What other options did he have? (verse 4)

Only one, to go back to his home country and find a wife among his relatives.

c. Why did Abraham NOT want a local girl for Isaac? What principle is involved here? (Deuteronomy 7:4)

A heathen girl would bring her idols into Abraham’s household and turn Isaac’s heart for God.

d. Does this principle still stand for today? What does Paul say about it? (2 Corinthians 6:14-17)

Yes, it still stands. Paul says we are only to marry in the Lord. A Christian is not to be yoked together with a non Christian, not to be tied into any situation, business, marriage or social.

e. What was the name of Abraham’s servant and where was he from? (chapter 15:2)

He was Eliezer from Damascus.

f. What did he think of this job that Abraham was giving him? (verse 5)

He was afraid that no girl would leave home and come back with him.

g. What was Abraham most adamant about? (verse 6)

Isaac was NOT to go back to Abraham’s homeland.

h. Who did Abraham have faith in, for this quest? (verse 7)

He said that God would send His angel ahead of Eliezer.

i. Abraham made the servant swear an oath (promise) that he would not take a heathen girl for Isaac’s wife….there was only one thing that would release the servant from this oath…what was it? (verse 8)

If the girl would not come with him, then he was to be cleared of his promise.

j. What do you think made Abraham so sure that this would work? (Hebrews 11:8-10)

Because he had faith in God.

2. verses 10-27

a. What did Eliezer take with him, and where did he head for? (verse 10)

He took ten camels loaded with gifts and went to the city in Mesopotamia where Nahor lived.

b. Who was Nahor? (chapter 22:20)

He was Abraham’s brother.

c. What did Eliezer do when he got to the city? (verses 11-12)

He went to the well where everyone went to draw water, and prayed to God about this mission asking that the right girl would come along.

d. What was the time of the day, and what usually happened then? (verse 1)

It was evening time when the girls came out to draw water for the households’ needs.

e. What did he ask God , and what sign did he ask for? (verses 13-14)

He asked God to show him the right girl, and that she would give not only him a drink, but also offer to water his camels.

f. Does this principle still hold good in asking God for directions? How must we ask? (Proverbs 3:5-6; James 1:6-7)

Yes, God wants us to ask in faith and trust in Him, asking Him for directions in every situation

g. Stop and think what it would mean for ONE girl to draw enough water for ten thirsty camels! (each camel drinks about 30 gallons) . What would this action show Eliezer about her? (verse 14)

That she was helpful, thoughtful and a good worker. It also proved that she was God’s choice for Isaac’s wife.

h. Who came out to the well immediately and what relation was she to Abraham? (verse 15)

Rebekah was the first girl to arrive….she was the grand-daughter of Abraham’s brother Nahor, making her his grand-niece.

i. Describe her and her actions….. (verses 16-20)

She was a beautiful, strong, single girl who was kind and helpful. She was a willing worker and she offered to water those thirsty camels as well as give the men drinks.

j. What do you imagine that Eliezer was thinking while she was doing this? (verse 21)

This is amazing! Is this the right girl already? I wonder who her father is?

k. What did he do when she had finished doing this? (verses 22-23)

He gave her a gift of jewellery and asked who her father was.

l. What did he ask next? What was her reply? (verses 23-25)

Who her father was, and if it would be possible for him to stay the night with her family, and she said told him her father’s name and said yes, it would be OK.

m. What did Eliezer do right then and there? (verses 26-27)

He gave thanks to God and worshipped Him on the spot for leading him so specifically.

3. verses 28-60

a. Who was the next character to enter the picture? (verse s 28-29)

Rebekah’s brother, Laban.

b. What did he do? What had impressed him? (verses 30-32)

The quality of the bracelets and earrings that Eliezer had given her for her work….he ran out to meet him and invite him in and stabled his camels for the night.

c. What did Eliezer do before he ate his meal? (verses 33-49)

He told who he was, and who his master was and why he had come to this land.

d. Eliezer is a picture of the Holy Spirit seeking believers to be the Bride of Christ and working in their lives. In what way is this passage showing the parallel to this? (John 16:13-15; Romans 8:14, 16)

Just as Eliezer introduced his Master to this girl, so the Holy Spirit introduces the Lord Jesus Christ to people so they will come to know Him. He shows them the glories of Christ as they read His Word, and teaches them all the truth as they want to learn. Eliezer spoke of the glories of his master and the opportunity for Rebekah to share in this if she married into this family. So it with those who come to know the Lord Jesus Christ, they are made to be the heirs of God, to inherit all that God has to give them.

e. When Eliezer told the whole story of how he had prayed and how God had answered his prayer , what reaction did Bethuel and Laban both have? (verses 50-51)

They said that they couldn’t argue with him, it was obviously from God, and that he could take Rebekah back with him.

f. What did Eliezer do when he heard their answer? (verses 52-53)

He worshipped the Lord and brought out all the presents for the rest of the family that he had with him.

g. How can we relate this to what the Holy Spirit does for believers? (1 Corinthians 2:9-11)

He shows them the wonderful things that God has prepared for them, things that an ordinary person doesn’t even dream of.

h. Was Rebekah willing to go straight away with Eliezer? (verse 58)

Yes, she was..

i. In what way was her family’s blessing fulfilled for her? (verses 59-60)

By marrying Isaac she became part of Abraham’s promise fro God that all people of the earth would be blessed in him. She became part of the genealogy of the Lord Jesus Christ, and therefore the thousands of millions of believers down through the ages.

j. Rebekah was going off to a new life, a new husband, and a new status….what is the parallel when a person becomes a Christian? (2 Corinthians 5:17)

The old life is left behind, we become new creatures in Christ and everything becomes new…. new interests, new friends, new life style and new attitudes. We become part of a new family, God’s family.

4. verses 61-67

a. What was happening to Rebekah between her leaving home and meeting Isaac? (verse 61)

She was travelling through the desert with the servant Eliezer, and he was looking after and protecting her.

b. If you were in her position, what would you be talking about with Eliezer?

I would be wanting to find out as much as I could about my new home, husband and family.

c. What is this a picture of? What should believers be doing between becoming a Christian and meeting their bridegroom (the Lord Jesus)? (John 15:26; 16:13-14)

They should be learning as much as they can from the Holy Spirit as they travel through this life about their heavenly home, family and Father.

d. What did Rebekah do when she saw Isaac coming to meet them on her way back? (verses 64-65)

She put a veil on.

e. What part of a person is covered by a veil?

The head and face.

f. Rebekah was covering her beauty before her bridegroom….what picture do we see in this for us? (Isaiah 42:8)

God’s glory is not to compete with anyone else’s, He will not share His glory with another; any beauty we might have is only what He has given us anyway, and we must cover it (figuratively) when we come into His presence and give Him all the glory.

g. Rebekah became Isaac’s (the promised son) bride, and he loved her…..what is the NT picture in this? (Isaiah 62:5; Ephesians 5:25-27)

Christ is our heavenly bridegroom and He loves the church and has done everything possible to make her spotless and acceptable to God, even to providing the robe of righteousness for her to wear.

Genesis Twenty-Five (verses 1-35)

1. verses 1-26

a. What did Abraham do now that Sarah was dead? (verse 1)

He married again, a much younger woman of child bearing age.

b. How many sons did she have? How did Abraham regard them? (verses 2-4, 6)

She had six sons who Abraham gave a good start in life to. He sent them off to the east country far away from Isaac.

c. What did he give to Isaac? (verse 5)

His whole estate and prestige, because Isaac was God’s chosen one who Abraham’s line would descend from.

d. Abraham was ten years older than Sarah., so how old was he when Sarah died? How old was he when he died? (verse 7; chapter 23:1)

Abraham was 137 when Sarah died, and he was 175 when he died….he lived another 38 years after Sarah died.

e. What do you notice about Abraham’s funeral? (verses 9-10)

Both his sons (Ishmael and Isaac) buried him in the same place as Sarah was buried.

f. Where was Isaac living after Abraham died? (verse 11)

At a place called the well of Lahairoi

g. What had happened at that place when the well was first named? (chapter 16:6-14)

Hagar had run away from Sarai, and was dying of thirst when the angel spoke to her and told her where the well was. She gave it the name.

h. What does it mean? What happened at the same place at the second mention of it? (chapter 16:13; 24:62)

It means “God sees me in my distress”. It was where Isaac met Rebekah for the first time.

i. How old was Isaac when he married Rebekah? (verse 20)

He was 40.

j. How long were they married with no sign of children? (verse 26c)

Just on twenty years.

k. What did Isaac do about the situation? (verse 21)

He begged the Lord to give them a child.

l. What sort of pregnancy did Rebekah have? (verses 22-24)

Not too good, pretty uncomfortable due to the fact she was having twins.

m. What did God tell her when she asked what was wrong with her? (verse 23)

He told her she was having twins and that the oldest one would be the servant of the younger one.

n. Describe the twins….. (verses 25, 27-28)

They were not identical twins….Esau was the eldest and was a rough type of guy who liked the outdoors, the hunting, fishing type. He was a very hairy man. Jacob was quieter, and preferred helping his mother around the tents…..he was smooth skinned.

o. Did the parents have favourites? Which ones? (verse 28)

Yes, they did; Esau was the favourite of his father and Rebekah favoured Jacob.

p. Do you think that this made a happy home? What lesson can we learn from this?

No, it wouldn’t. Parents shouldn’t favour children but treat them all the same.

q. What seemed to be uppermost in Jacob’s mind? (verse 31)

He wanted the birthright from Esau.

r. What did the birthright signify?

It belonged to the eldest son and was the right to the father’s estate and position when he died.

s. What was Esau’s attitude to his birthright? (verse 32-34)

He couldn’t have cared less and was prepared to exchanged it for a pot of stew.

t. Was this transfer of the birthright considered a legally binding thing? (chapter 27:36)

Yes, Esau mentioned it later as having lost it.

Genesis Twenty-Six (verses 1-35)

1. verses 1-11

a. What is the first phrase in this section? (verse 1)

There was a famine in the land.

b. What is a famine? What causes it?

A famine is lack of food caused by no rain.

c. Who did Isaac go to in this time of famine? What sort of man was this king? (verse 1b)

Isaac went to the heathen king of the Philistines.

d. What can cause a spiritual famine in our lives? (Psalm 143:6; John 4:14; 6:35)

Lack of the Water of Life

e. How do we get more of this water of life as Christians? (Psalm 63:1-6)

By reading God’s Word and thinking about it all the time.

f. If we stay in a state of famine, where are we likely to find ourselves going for spiritual satisfaction? (verse 2a; 1 John 2:15-17)

Back into the world and worldly companions with their entertainments.

g. What did God tell Isaac NOT to do? Did he take notice? (verses 2-3, 6)

He was not to go into Egypt, and he obeyed this command of the Lord.

h. What else did God tell Isaac at this time? (verses 4-5; chapter 12:11-13)

He gave Isaac the same promises that he had given Abraham .

i. What commendation did God give Abraham? (verse 5)

That he obeyed God’s voice, kept His ways, His commands, His statutes and His laws. In other words, Abraham was obedient to what God said.

j. What does the New Testament call Abraham’s attitude? How did God view this? (Galatians 3:6)

One of faith, and God saw this as righteousness before Him.

k. How does this affect us? (Galatians 3:6-7)

Everyone who believes what God says and acts on it, is counted as a descendant of Abraham .

l. What slip-up did Isaac make while he was living in Gerar? (verse 7; chapter 20:2-3)

He did exactly what Abraham had done all those years earlier, in saying that Rebekah was his sister because he was afraid that he might be killed and Rebekah taken by the king.

m. What did Abimelech discover about Isaac and Rebekah’s relationship? What did he say to them? (verses 8-11)

He discovered that they were in fact husband and wife, and he rebuked Isaac for deceiving him in this way.

n. What did this deception of Isaac’s show? What are we supposed to be to others? (Psalm 16:1; 1 Timothy 4:12)

Isaac’s deception showed his lack of faith and trust in God to protect him. We are to be a good example in every way of our life.

2. verses 12-22

a. How did God treat Isaac in spite of his lack of faith? (verses 12-14a)

He didn’t hold it against him, but blessed him financially.

b. What does God do for His people today when they slip-up? (Psalm 37:24; 1 John 1:9)

Even if they fall, God will lift them up again and forgive them when they confess their shortcomings.

c. How did the Philistines view Isaac with his wealth of cattle and sheep? (verses 14a-15)

They were very envious and began to block up the wells that his servants were digging.

d. What did Abimelech tell Isaac to do? (verse 16)

To leave the country as he had too many flocks and herds.

e. What did Isaac have to keep doing as he moved along? (verse s 17-21)

He had to keep digging wells, and keep moving because as soon as he had dug one, the people of the land would block it up

f. Where did the people of the land finally stop harassing him? (verse 22)

At Rehoboth.

g. What does it seem that God was doing for Isaac at this time without any voice directions? (verse 22b)

He was nudging him along in the direction He wanted him to go; he was to get away from Abimelech.

h. What do you think this is a picture of in our lives? (James 4:13-15)

There may be associations in our lives that are \not helpful to our Christian walk with God and we will have to move away from them. Circumstances will arise that will point us to where God wants us to be….we are to look to the Lord to show us what to do.

3. verses 23-35

a. What had Abraham done when he was at Beersheba? (chapter 21:25-33)

He had dug a well, made a covenant with Abimelech that they would leave each other alone, and then built an altar to God and worshipped Him there.

b. How does this apply to Christians in their walk with God? (1 John 2:5-6, 15-16)

We need to be drinking from the water of life, leave the old associations alone, and worship God daily.

c. What did Isaac do when he got to Beersheba? (verse 25)

Isaac stayed there and settled down, opened up the well again, and built an altar for the worship of God.

d. What did God do for Isaac when he did this at Beersheba? (verse 24; chapter 13:15-16)

God gave him the same promises that He had given Abraham .

e. What overall picture do you see here in the life of Isaac? Does this have any relevance for us? (verse 25; 1 John 1:9)

He had made a mistake, but repented and obeyed God once more, and fellowship with God was restored. This is a general principle in all of God’s dealings with people…..if we disobey God, fellowship with Him is broken, but once we turn back to Him and confess our sin, we are forgiven and cleansed, and can once more enjoy God’s promises.

f. When Isaac made his altar and worshipped the Lord, what effect did this have on his neighbours? (verses 26-29)

They were watching everything he did, and could see that the Lord was blessing him, in other words, that things were going very well for him.

g. What does this tell us? ( Philippians 2:15; 1 Peter 2:12)

That people see what we do and how we react…. we are to live in a way that honours God.

h. What did the Lord Jesus say we were to be like? (Matthew 5:16)

Like lights on a hill that everyone can see, and that light up around it.

i. What did the people want Isaac to do for them? (verses 28-29)

They wanted him to promise that he would leave them alone

j. What did Isaac do for them? (verse 30)

He gave them food and drink before they left and went home.

k. Isaac had come back to the Lord and found water for himself…….how can we apply this to ourselves? (John 4:13-14; 1 John 3:23)

That we cannot be a blessing to others or love them while we are away from the Lord….we can’t pass on to others what we don’t know and have for ourselves.

l. What did Esau do that upset his parents? Why would they feel like this? (verses 34-35; Exodus 34:16)

He married two heathen girls, and they knew that his wives would take their heathen gods with them into the marriage.

m. What does this show us about Esau? (Hebrews 12:16-17)

That he wasn’t following God’s ways or direction at all, he wanted to do his own thing.

Genesis Twenty-Seven (v. 1-46)

1. verses 1-29

a. We aren’t told exactly how old Isaac was at this time, but he was at least over which age? (chapter 25: 26; 26:34)

Since he was 60 when his boys were born, and Esau was 40 by this time, he was over 100.

b. What did he want to do? (verse 4b)

He felt it was time to give his patriarchal blessing to his heir.

c. What did he ask Esau to do? (verses 2-4a)

To go hunting, shoot a deer and make him a venison stew.

d. Who overheard him asking Esau to do this and what did she do? (verses 6-10)

Rebekah heard him ask Esau, and she immediately called Jacob and told him to go quickly to get a couple of kids for her to make a stew to take to Isaac.

e. What objections did Jacob make to this scheme? (verses 11-12)

He said that they were so different, Esau having hairy arms and him with smooth skin.

f. What was he more concerned about than the deceitfulness of such a plan? (verse 12b)

He was afraid his father would catch him out and give him a curse rather than a blessing.

g. How did Rebekah overcome the problem of Jacob’s smooth arms? (verses 13-17)

She covered his arms and neck with the skins of the kids.

h. How many lies did Jacob tell in this interview and what were they? (at least 4) (verses 19-24)

I am Esau Here is the venison.

I caught it quickly Feel my hairy hands.

i. What did this blessing of Isaac’s involve? (verses 26-29)

Prosperity in business, and headship over the family.

j. How did Jacob’s lies impact him in a very short while? What about us? (Numbers 32:23c)

He was found out as soon as Esau went to his father….he had to face his brother’s wrath and leave home…..fellowship was broken in the family. When we sin like this, there is broken fellowship with God immediately as well as with people (whether we are found out or not), and then we are faced with having to put things right.

2. verses 30-41

a. What sort of feeling do you get from verse 30?

One of relief that Jacob got out in time!! There is a feeling of urgency….Jacob to get away, and Esau coming in.

b. How did Isaac feel when he heard Esau’s voice? (verses 30-33)

Extremely upset……he got the shakes.

c. Could the blessing he gave to Jacob be revoked? (verses 34-36)

No, it would stand for ever.

What was the best that Isaac could tell Esau now? (verses 37-40)

You will do well, but you will have to live by your sword and serve your brother.

d. In this whole sad and sorry story, what should Isaac and Rebekah have both remembered? (chapter 25:23)

That God had told Rebekah before the babies were born that the eldest would serve the youngest! They should have left it to God to work things out in His way and time.

e. Perhaps they DID remember… what got in the way of them leaving the matter to God?

It was their strong preferences of one son over the other.

f. Did Rebekah have to step in to bring God’s prophecy to pass?

No, she only thought she had to.

g. What is the lesson in all of this for us today? (Romans 8:28, 31; Hebrews 12:10-11)

Not to let our own ideas get in the way of God’s timing or ways when thing seem to
be going wrong…..God will work it all out for the best. In other words be led by the Spirit of God, and not by the flesh.

h. What was the result of Isaac’s blessing for Jacob? (verse 33)

It couldn’t be changed or altered, but stood for ever.

f. How did Esau react to his father? (verse 38)

Terribly upset, crying bitterly out loud and begging his father to give him a blessing too.

i. How did Esau react towards Jacob? (verse 41)

He was extremely angry with him and hated him very much.

3. verses 42-46

a. What does the New Testament tell us about Esau and Jacob? (Romans 9:10-16)

That God chose Jacob over Esau

b. How is Esau described in Hebrews? (Hebrews 12:16-17)

As being an immoral and unrepentant, disrespectful person towards God; his tears and crying in front of his father were because he had missed the blessing, not because he was truly repentant for his sins.

c. In the light of this, can we see why God chose Jacob over Esau? (Psalm 44:21; Isaiah 40:27-28)

Yes, because God knows everything from beginning to end, He knew Esau’s heart was not right before Him and would never change.

d. What was the end result of this family deception and deceit? How did it affect them all? (verses 41-45)

Isaac…… lost faith in his wife and youngest son

Rebekah… She lost both her sons as a result….she never saw Jacob again, and Esau turned against her. (v.45)

Esau…. Hated his brother and threatened to kill him, and turned against his mother as well.

Jacob…. Had to leave home

e. Rebekah had not done with scheming… what was her plan to save Jacob from his brother’s threats? (verses 42-45)

For him to go and stay with her brother Laban over 500 miles away until Esau had calmed down.

f. What was her excuse to Isaac for Jacob leaving home? What does this suggest about Isaac? (verse 46; chapter 26:34-35)

She said he needed to find a wife among their relatives, rather than a heathen one like Esau. It seems to suggest that Isaac hadn’t heard of Esau’s threats to kill Jacob, and was unaware of the feelings between the two brothers.

Genesis Twenty-Eight (v.1-22)

1. verses 1-22

a. Did Isaac go along with Rebekah’s suggestion for Jacob? What did he tell Jacob to do? (verses 1-5)

Yes, he did. He told Jacob to go to his uncle’s place and take a wife from the girls there.

b. What did Jacob receive from his father now? (verses 3-4)

Isaac gave him the blessing of Abraham that he should have given him in the first place.

c. What were the main points of the blessing? (verse 4; chapter 13:14-17)

It was the same one that God had given Abraham his grandfather, that he would have many descendants who would inherit the land in which he was still a stranger.

d. What did Esau overhear, and what did it make him do? (verse s 6-9)

He heard Isaac telling Jacob to go and find a wife from his relatives, and also heard the blessing that Isaac gave him once more. So he thought he would gain his father’s favour by going and getting a wife from his half uncle Ishmael’s relatives

e. What happened that first night Jacob was away from home? (verses 10-15)

While he was sleeping out in he open, God appeared to him in a dream

f. Who did God identify Himself to Jacob as? (verse 13a)

The Lord God of Abraham your grandfather and the God of your father Isaac.

g. What did God now give to Jacob personally? (verses 14-15)

His promise of many descendants, and the promise of the land for them …… that He would be with Jacob and keep him safe wherever he went.

h. What was Jacob’s reaction when he woke up? (verses 16-17)

One of fear and awe….God is in this place! He built an altar there on the spot.

i. What did he call the place, and what did it mean? (verses 17-19, 22)

Bethel, the House of God.

j. What was the content of the vow that Jacob made? (verses 20-22)

The Lord will be my God and I will give a tenth to Him.

k. What does verse 20 show us about Jacob’s knowledge of God?

He had never had a personal encounter with God before and was very new in his experience of Him….. he said “if” God kept His promise, then he would too! He didn’t realise that one can’t make bargains with God!

2. Summing Up…

a. What spiritual blessings has God given to His people today? (Ephesians 1:3-6; 2:4-7, 19)

He has made us His people; He has given us ALL spiritual blessings in Christ Jesus; He chose us and made us the children of God; He has made us alive to God, has given us this position and will continue to show us these blessings for ever. He has made us the citizens of heaven!

b. What should our attitude to God be? (1 Thessalonians 4:1-7; Hebrews 12:28)

One of reverence and wanting to please Him in living holy lives.

c. What follows in a person’s attitude to God when there is an understanding of Him and Who He is? (1 Timothy 1:17; Hebrews 12:28)

Worship and praise, in both our words and deeds; wanting to serve Him acceptably.

d. What was the meaning of “Bethel” and how can we relate that to us? (Hebrews 10:25)

Bethel means the “House of God”, and we must associate with others of God’s people to keep encouraging one another.

e. What did Abraham do at his “Bethel”? (chapter 12:8; 13:3-4)

He built an altar to worship God; it was the place of renewal after he had come back from Egypt.

f. What did Jacob do at his “Bethel”? (verses 18-21 )

He made a vow to God and set up a memorial to his faith there.

g. What can we learn from these two “Bethels”? (Psalm 96:9; 138:2; Romans 10:9-10)

That we must each have a Bethel of our own, a place where we come and worship God for ourselves.

Genesis Twenty-Nine (v.1-35)

1. verses 1-27

a. Where did Jacob stop when he arrived in the land? (verses 1-2)

He stopped at the local well.

b. What did he see there? (verses 3-8)

All the local shepherds sitting around with their sheep waiting for the stone to be rolled away.

c. Who came along next? What did Jacob do next? (verses 9-12)

Rachel with her father’s sheep; he introduced himself as her cousin, kissed her in greeting and helped her water her sheep.

d. The well was the place where thirst and cleansing came from…..what lesson can we learn from this, especially if we are in a strange place as Jacob was? (Hebrews 10:25)

To find a church for fellowship and encouragement….it is the quickest way to get to know people.

e. What was Laban’s reaction when he heard of Jacob’s arrival? (verses 13-14)

He ran to meet him and welcomed him to his place.

f. What did Jacob do now? (verse 15)

He stayed with Laban and worked for him, falling in love with Rachel in the process.

g. What agreement did he enter into with Laban? (verses 16-19)

He said that he would work for Laban for seven years in return for having Rachel for his wife.

h. How long did the time seem while fulfilling the time? (verse 20)

The time just flew by, he loved Rachel so much!

i. What happened to Jacob on his wedding night? (verses 21-24)

Laban deceived him in giving him Leah, his eldest daughter for his wife……. Jacob didn’t realise this until the next morning.

j. Imagine his feelings when he saw the wrong girl lying beside him the next morning? What did he do? (verses 25-27)

He went to Laban demanding what was going on! Laban smoothly said it wasn’t their custom to marry off the youngest before the eldest.

2. verses 28-35

a. Jacob’s domestic life went anything but smoothly…….why was that? (verses 29-35)

He had two wives, each with their maids . One wife was loved and the other not loved. One wife had children and the other didn’t which led to a lot of jealousy.

b. Why do you think Leah may always have been jealous of Rachel? (verse 17)

Because Rachel was beautiful and Leah was plain.

c. How many sons did Leah have straight away? (verses 32-35)

She had four sons one after the other.

d. How do the meanings of the names of Leah’s sons reflect her yearnings and feelings? (verses 32-35)

Reuben…Perhaps my husband will love me now.

Simeon…God has seen I’m hated and given me this son too.

Levi… My husband will surely be joined to me now I’ve given him three sons

Judah… I will praise the Lord for giving me these sons!

e. What was her greatest desire? (verse s 32c, 34)

To have her husband love her.!

Genesis Thirty (v.1-43)

1. verses 1-26

a. How did Rachel feel about her sister’s family? (verse 1)

She was envious of her and blamed Jacob.

b. How did that make Jacob feel? (verse 2)

He became angry and said that he wasn’t God who gave or with-held children.

c. All these emotions (including Leah’s) are natural and understandable in this situation…. what does Paul tell us we have to do when we are overtaken with similar emotions of anger, jealously, malice and bitterness? What do we replace them with? (Ephesians 4:31-32)

We are to put them away and be kind, forgiving and loving.

d. How do we do this? What do we experience when we do this? (Colossians 12:17)

If we pray about it and ask the Lord to help us, and read His word and meditate on it; and sing and praise the Lord, He will lift us out of the doldrums and give us His peace. We are to count our blessings and be thankful for what we have and not be envious of what we don’t have!

e. What did Rachel do to partly alleviate her feelings? (verses 3-8)

She gave her maid to Jacob as a wife to have sons by her.

f. How did Rachel feel as these two sons were born in the meaning of the names she gave the boys? (verses 6-8)

Dan…. God has judged me, heard me and given me a son.

Naphtali I have wrestled with my sister to have this son.

g. What did Leah do now? (verses 9-13)

She gave HER maid to Jacob as another wife to see what would happen.

h. How many sons did she have? How many did this give Jacob altogether?

She had two and this brought the number of Jacob’s sons up to eight.

i. Had the sisters’ relationship improved at all by this time? How did Leah feel towards Rachel by now? (verses 14-21)

Not really, she was still resentful of the amount of time that Jacob spent with Rachel, and grabbed every chance she could, to have Jacob with her.

j. How many children did Leah have altogether? (verses 19-21)

Six boys and one girl.

k. What actually happened to Rachel now? (verses 22-24)

She had a son herself

l. What did she call him and what did it mean? (verses 23-24)

She called him Joseph saying that God had heard her prayer and taken away her reproach, and would give her another son.

m. How long had Jacob been with Laban and what did he want to do now? (verses 25-26)

He had served his time of fourteen years for his two wives and now he wanted to return his father.

3. verses 27-43

a. What was Laban’s reply to Jacob’s request to leave? (verses 27-28)

“Don’t go, I know God has blessed me because of you. Let’s work out a wages contract!”

b. What did Jacob suggest? (verses 29-33)

To not pay him money but to let him take all the marked and brindle cattle, and the brown sheep and speckled goats. That way there would be no argument as to whose each were.

c. What did Laban think of that idea? (verse 34)

He thought it was a good suggestion.

d. What did Jacob do then? (verses 35-36)

He sorted the animals out into separate mobs and sent them three days journey apart, sending his sons with his.

e. Did Jacob really need to go through all this performance with the streaky branches when the animals were mating? Why ? (verses 37-41; chapter 31:6-12)

No! Because God was watching over him to increase his flocks and herds regardless of what he (Jacob) did. God spoke to Jacob in a dream telling him what to do to increase his flocks and herds.

f. Did Laban honour his promise of pay? (chapter 31:7)

No, he kept changing his mind.

g. What are we told about Jacob’s flocks and herds? (verses 42-43)

That Jacob’s animals were the strongest and that Jacob increased greatly with many cattle, camels, asses and servants.

Genesis Thirty-One (v.1-55)

1. verses 1-13

a. What was the stage being set for now? (verse 3)

Jacob’s return to his homeland.

b. What brought it about? (verses 1-2)

Laban’s sons were starting to mutter about Jacob’s wealth, and Jacob could see that Laban himself was starting to turn against him .

c. God stepped into the picture…..what and how did He tell Jacob to do? (verses 3, 13)

It was time for Jacob to move, and God spoke to him in a dream telling him to return to the land of his father and that He would be with him.

d. How did Paul know when it was time for him to move? (Acts 16:6-10)

He was forbidden by the Holy Spirit to preach in Asia, and then tried to go to another place but was stopped from going there too. Then he had a vision (or dream) showing a man from Macedonia calling him to come and help.

e. How did he know for sure this was what he was meant to do? (verses 14-21)

When he made the move to go, nothing stopped him…..his wives were in agreement with him and everything else fell into place.

f. How can we know when it is time for us make a big move?

We can have a strong urge to take a certain course of action, but it must be coupled with circumstances and other Christians’ advice.

g. What did Jacob tell Leah and Rachel? (verses 4-13)

That things had changed in his relationship with their father and that God had spoken to him telling him to return to his own land.

h. How had Jacob worked for Laban? (verse 6)

To the best of his ability

i. How had Laban treated Jacob? (verse 7)

He had deceived him and changed his wages ten times.

j. Who did Jacob give the credit to? (verses 8-9)

He realised that whatever Laban changed his wages to, God over-ruled it and gave Jacob the stronger animals.

k. What was God’s direction and promise to Jacob now? (verses 11-13)

God said that He had taken notice of all that Laban had done to Jacob, and that he was to go back to where he had come from.

l. What specific place did God mention ? What had happened there? (verse 13; chapter 28:12-22)

He was to go back to Bethel, the place where God had given him the promise, and where Jacob had made the vow to God to make Him his God.

m. What lesson is there in this for us? (1 Peter 2:21-25)

That if we drift away from God, we have to go back to where we left Him from and put things right in our life (or with other people if necessary) before we can continue to grow in our Christian life.

2. verses 14-38

a. How did Leah and Rachel feel about this prospective move? (verses 14-16)

They were happy about it and agreed that Laban had given Jacob a raw deal….they felt that he had cheated them as well.

b. In what way did Jacob leave? What should he have done? (verses 17-21)

He waited until Laban was away busy shearing and then packed up and left. He should have told Laban first and put up with any unpleasantness that would come from his decision.

c. How many days start did he have on Laban? (verse 22)

Three days….it was seven days before Laban caught up with him.

d. What protected Jacob from the full force of Laban’s anger? (verse 24)

God spoke to Laban in a dream and told him he was not to say or do anything to Jacob.

e. What points did Laban accuse Jacob of? (verses 25-30)

Stealing away with no official farewell, and of taking his (Laban’s) images with him.

f. Who HAD taken the images? Why do you think she took them? (verses 31-35)

Rachel had taken them without Jacob’s knowledge , and hidden them. She wanted to have them, because she had never truly turned to God in her heart.

g. What did she do with them when her father came looking for them? What does this show about her? (verses 32-35)

She hid them in her camel’s seat, and then sat on it pretending she wasn’t well enough to get up and greet her father. She not only stole them, but she lied about them and deceived both her father and her husband.

h. Assuming that Jacob was in his forties when he left his father’s encampment, how old would he have been now? (verses 38, 41; chapter 26:34)

In his sixties.

3. verses 39-55

a. What did Jacob say to Laban? (verses 38-42)

You have nothing to complain about! I never cheated you in business, I bore all the losses myself, and I looked after your animals the best way I could, yet you changed my wages ten times! If God hadn’t been looking after me, I would have ended up with nothing!

b. What did Laban suddenly realise? (verse 43)

That if he continued blaming Jacob, he would lose his daughters’ and grandsons’ respect altogether.

c. Laban changed his tune now….what did he suggest? (verse 44)

Everything you’ve got has come from me, now let us make an agreement!

d. What was built to show this agreement? (verses 45-46)

A heap of stones which was called “A Heap of Witness”

e. What did Laban get Jacob to promise in this agreement? (verses 48-53)

That he wouldn’t ill-treat his daughters or grandchildren and wouldn’t come back past this heap to harm him (Laban).

f. Who did both Laban and Jacob recognise as witness to this agreement? (verse 53)

The God of Abraham (Jacob) who was also the God of Nahor (Laban)

g. What did Jacob do to seal the agreement? (verses 54-55)

He made a sacrifice to God, and a feast for themselves and they all left the next morning on good terms.

h. What can we learn from this incident when there is unpleasantness between relations? (Matthew 5:22-24)

To go directly to the person concerned, with a right attitude before the Lord, and sort it out and apologise if need be.

i. Does “sweeping a matter under the rug” achieve anything? (Matthew 18:15-16)

No, it is better to have it out into the open and sort things out before the Lord.

Genesis Thirty-Two (v.1-32)

1. verses 1-12

a. Who met Jacob as he carried on his journey? (verse 1)

The angels of God.

b. What did this make Jacob aware of? (verse 2)

God’s presence and protection as He had promised.

c. What do we need to be aware of? Have you ever had an inexplicable experience of being kept safe in dire danger? (Psalm 34:7)

The fact that God has his angel around each of us keeping us safe from harm. We could each probably tell of some occasion where we have had a “lucky” escape. Just remember it is not luck but God watching over us!

d. What was Jacob’s message to Esau in the nature of? (verses 3-5)

A greeting of placation and a sort of apology.

e. Why was Jacob so afraid of Esau? What did he do to keep his family safe? (verses 6-8; chapter 27:41-45 )

Because of unconfessed sin….he still had a guilty conscience from all those years before.

f. Verses 9-12 are Jacob’s prayer……

i. What does Jacob recognise here? (verse 9)

The fact that God was the God of Abraham and Isaac and that He had promised to look after Jacob as he returned to Canaan

ii. How does Jacob see himself before God? (verse 10)

As being unworthy of His help and mercy.

iii. What does Jacob ask for? (verse 11)

Protection and deliverance from his brother Esau.

iv. What does Jacob remember and remind God of? (verse 12)

He reminds God of what He said when he left Laban, it was God’s promise of protection.

g. How can we use this as a pattern in our own prayers? (Philippians 4:6; 1 John 1:9)

i. To remember Who God is and His attributes….His holiness, might, majesty and power

ii. To confess the sin and shortcomings in our lives.

iii. To remember God’s promises to us in His Word and how He has already worked in our lives.

h. What will give us this wonderful peace that passes all understanding as we pray? (Philippians 4:7)

When we give God the thanks in advance for the answer that He will give us, even if it is not what we want! We will find that it will be the best for us in the end.

2. verses 13-32

a. What sort of animals did Jacob sort out as a present for Esau? (verses 13-15)

Goats, sheep, camels, cattle and asses.

b. Imagine the scene that met Esau’s eyes as he approached Jacob and describe it…….(verses 16-19)

He was astonished as each drove of animals with its drover arriving where he was camped. But he kept on moving towards Jacob, seeing each drove of animals as he went.

c. Why do you think that Jacob did this? (verse 20)

He was still afraid of Esau’s death threats all those years before and wanted to show he was sorry for how he had behaved all those years earlier.

d. When did Jacob’s family travel across the stream? (verses 21-23)

He sent them across ahead of himself during the night

e. What did Jacob do the rest of the night? (verse 24)

He wrestled with a stranger who he recognised as someone sent from God.

What was the result in Jacob’s life of this experience? (verses 25, 31-32)

His thigh became out of joint and he limped for the rest of his life.

f. Point to ponder….. is there anything in our life that we are wrestling with God over? What might happen if we don’t give in? (2 Corinthians 12: 7-10)

God might have to touch us physically to make us listen and take notice, and learn .His grace.

g. What did Jacob ask for in the course of this wrestling? (verse 29)

He asked the Stranger what His name was….he wasn’t told but he was given a blessing instead.

h. Jacob was given a new name (Israel, which means Prince with God) and told that he now had power with God…. in what way can we relate that to ourselves? (1 Peter 2:9; 1 John 3:1)

Those who accept the Lord Jesus into their lives are now the sons of God and His special people, a royal priesthood who can come freely to the God of Heaven and make their requests to Him..

i. What did Jacob realise after this wrestle was over? (verse 30)

That he had in fact been wrestling with God and was still alive!

j. After we have gone through tough times, what must we realise? (Hebrews 12:11-13)

That God is trying to teach us lessons that will yield the peaceable fruit of righteousness. We must pick ourselves up and carry on for the sake of the testimony of God.

Genesis Thirty-Three. (v.1-20)

1. verses 1-20

a. In what order did Jacob arrange his family to meet Esau? (verses 1- 2)

The two maids first with their children, Leah next with hers and Rachel behind the others.

b. Who went ahead? (verse 3)

Jacob went ahead to meet Esau first.

c. What sort of reception did he get? (verse 4)

Very friendly and loving.

d. What happened then? (verses 5-7)

He introduced each of his wives and their children.

e. What was Jacob’s feeling as he urged Esau to accept his gift? (verses 10-11)

One of great relief that Esau was pleased to see them all.

f. What did Esau suggest they do? (verse 12)

All move on together.

g. What was Jacob’s reply? (verses 13-16)

That they would come at their own pace with the children and cattle.

h. Where did Jacob settle eventually? (verses 17-19)

In Succoth first where he built a house, and then in Shalem where he bought a piece of land he could call his own.

i. What was the first thing he did there? (verse 20)

He built an altar where he could worship God.

j. What lesson is there in this for us? (Psalm 101: 2-3)

We must make our homes a place where we can worship God daily

k. What did God instruct the people of Israel to do when they got to the promised land and settled down? (Deuteronomy 6:6-9)

That they were to remember the words which God had told them continually. They were to teach them to their children in their homes, and have them displayed in their houses.

l. What were they NOT to forget? (Deuteronomy 6:12)

The Lord God who had brought them out of the land of Egypt into this good land.

m. What was David’s resolve to the Lord concerning his home life? (Psalm 101:2-3)

That he would behave himself wisely in a perfect way at home with a sincere heart, and that he wouldn’t set any wicked thing before his eyes.

n. How can we relate this to ourselves in our homes? (2 Timothy 3:15 )

To make sure that we talk to our children about the Lord in relation to the daily things that happen around everyone. To speak of these things naturally and continually so that God’s Word surrounds the family. We should not watch or read things that are not pleasing to the Lord.

o. How do we know what sort of things we should look at? (Philippians 4:8)

Things that are true, good, lovely , honest, pure, worth watching (praiseworthy)…..these are the things that Christians should look at and read.

Genesis Thirty-Four. (v.1-31)

1. verses 1-31

a. Read the whole chapter through at once and then rewrite it into three sentences………….

Dinah went out with the girls of the land, and met Shechem the prince, who fell in love with her and wanted to marry her. He slept with her and her brothers said it was OK as long as all the men folk got circumcised. They agreed to this and while they were still sore and recovering from the operation, Dinah’s two brothers crept in and slaughtered them all, taking the women and children for slaves and the cattle for booty, rescuing Dinah in the process.

2. verses 1-17

a. What was the first mistake Dinah made in this whole sorry saga? (verse 1)

Socialising too much with the heathen young folk.

b. What was her second mistake? (verse 2)

Flirting with, and then sleeping with the prince.

c. What was Jacob’s mistake? (verses 3-5)

Doing nothing about the matter until his sons came home.

d. What did the young prince’s father suggest to Jacob? (verses 6- 12)

What’s the big deal? Let’s make an alliance together, and intermarry and trade together.

e. What would the end result of such an alliance be? (verse 16)

They would all become one people.

f. What was the condition of the alliance? (verses 14-15)

That the men folk all get circumcised.

g. Who seemed to be making the decisions around Jacob’s household? Who should have? (verses 13-17)

Jacob’s sons seemed to be taking the lead when Jacob should have done it himself.

h. What is God’s purpose for His people? Now? (Deuteronomy 7: 2-4; 2 Corinthians 6:14-18)

To remain a separated people, special for Himself, and to not make any agreement with the heathen or unbelievers at all.

3. verses 18-31

a. How did Hamor get his countrymen to agree to this? (verses 18-24)

Because they were thinking that they would get hold of all Jacob’s wealth and animals for themselves if this alliance went ahead. They were greedy.

b. Who was the mother of Simeon, Levi and Dinah? (chapter 29:33-34; 30:21)

Leah was their mother.

c. What did Levi and Simeon do? (verses 25-29)

They killed all the men, rescued Dinah, and took the women and children for slaves and the cattle and belongings for booty.

d. What could have averted this massacre? (verses 5-7)

Jacob allowed his sons to deal with the matter instead of showing proper leadership in the family. If Jacob had taken his place as head of the clan, and not allowed his sons to agree to Shechem’s proposal, and then moved out of the land, it may not have happened.

e. What do we see about Jacob’s family in this story? (verse 13)

They were deceitful just as their father had been in his younger days; they were obviously not following the ways of the Lord.

f. How can we keep ourselves and our families out of compromising situations? (Colossians 1:9-10)

By praying always that God will keep us walking in His ways and training our children while they are young by our example, and doing the best we can to please God and to know Him better all the time.

g. How do you think you can do this? What lessons can we learn from this episode in Jacob’s life? (2 Timothy1:5; Hebrews 10:25 )

By reading the Bible every day and meeting with other Christians each week….. by building our life around godly things and ways. By taking our young people where there are other Christian young people and activities.

Genesis Thirty-Five. (verses 1-29)

1. verses 1-7

Jacob had failed in his duty to his family, and his reputation had fallen to shreds among the surrounding nations………..

a. What did God have to say to him now? (verse 1)

Go back to Bethel, and live there. Make an altar to Me there, the God who appeared to you when you ran away from your brother.

b. Did God rebuke him for making a hash of things where he had been? What does God tell us when we’ve made mistakes and come back to Him in repentance? (verse 1; Psalm 37:23-24)

No, God was telling Jacob to make a fresh start, and go back to the beginning again. He picks us up when we fall and raises us up again to go on for Him once more.

c. What was the first thing that Jacob did before he obeyed? (verses 2-4)

He confessed the need for his household to be cleansed, and all the heathen gods were to be got rid of….they were to be buried completely out of sight.

d. What was Jacob’s condition when he made the altar at Bethel the first time? (chapter27:33-35; 28:18-19)

He was in distress after running from his brother who he had deceived and cheated, and was leaving everything familiar.

e. What did he remember as he did went back to Bethel? (verse 3)

He built the altar again because it was here that God first appeared to him with the wonderful promise of Abraham and he remembered all of this.

f. What does all of this tell us about the spiritual state of Jacob now? (verse 5)

He was ready to obey and follow the Lord more fully this time. It was known that God was with him and that God’s protection was over him.

g. What three things did Jacob have to do to make a fresh start with God again? (verses 2-3, 7, 10-12)

He had to repent and renew his vows.

He had confessed and cleansed his house of all the heathen idols.

He was then in a fit state to receive God’s promises once more.

h. How does all this encourage us in our day to day walk with God? (Psalm 145:14)

When we fall, God will pick us up again and set us on our way once more.

2. verses 8-15

a. What is suggested here? (verse 8; chapter 24:59)

That Jacob’s mother’s nurse was living in Jacob’s household…. it also suggests that Rebekah was dead by this time if Deborah was in Jacob’s household.

b. What did God do now? (verses 9-13; chapter 13:14-17)

God appeared to Jacob again, and gave him his grandfather Abraham’s promise and blessing.

c. How does God refer to Himself here? (verse 11)

As being God Almighty.

d. What else did He say to Jacob? What did it mean? (verse 10)

That Jacob’s name was changed to Israel which means “Prince with God”.

e. What did God say to Jacob about the land? (verse 12)

That He had promised Abraham it would be given to his descendants, and He would also give it to Jacob’s descendants.

f. Why was the land not given to Abraham, Isaac or Jacob at the time? (chapter 15:16b)

Because they didn’t yet have the population to fill it or overcome the other nations and because the time was not yet right for the Amorites to be wiped out.

g. What does this show us about the character of God? (chapter 18:25)

That He is totally just in His dealings with sinful men.

h. What did Jacob erect and do to show this promise was made? (verses 14-15)

He put up a pillar of stone, and poured out a drink offering and oil over it.

3. verses 16-29

a. Where did Jacob move on to? What happened while he was there? (verse 16)

Jacob and his family moved on a short distance to Ephrath where Rachel went into a hard labour to give birth.

b. How did Rachel fare in this experience? (verses 17-19)

She didn’t survive, but the baby did….she was able to name him Benoni which Jacob changed to Benjamin. She died and was buried there.

c. What was this place more commonly known as in later years? What else happened here or near this place? (1 Samuel 10:1-2; Matthew 2:3-6)

Samuel anointed Saul to be the first king over Israel there, and Jesus was born in Bethlehem.

d. What did Rachel’s grave become over the years? (verse 20; 1 Samuel 10:2)

It became a well known monument.

e. What sin did Rueben commit that is mentioned here? (verse 22)

He had sex with his mother’s maid (his father’s concubine) who must have been years older than he was.

f. How many sons did Jacob have altogether? (verse 22c-26)

Twelve.

g. What information do we read about here? (verses 27-29)

About Jacob going to see his father who was still living at Manmre, and then about his death at the age of 180 years.

h. Approximately how old would Jacob and Esau have been at this time? (chapter 25:26)

120 years old.

Genesis Thirty Six (v.1-8)

1. verses 1-8

This chapter consists of the names of all Esau’s immediate descendants.

a. How many wives did Esau have? (verses 2-3)

Three

b. What do you notice about the first two? (chapter 26:34)

They were heathen women.

c. What did his parents think of these wives? Why? (chapter 26:35)

They weren’t happy about it at all because they were heathen women and probably brought their idols with them into Isaac’s encampment.

d. What did Esau then do to try to make his parents happier with him? (chapter 28:6-9)

He married a cousin of his, a daughter of Ishmael his father’s half brother.

e. How many sons did Esau have? (verses 10, 14)

Five.

f. Where did Esau settle? Why? (verses 6-8)

Esau moved away from Jacob with all his possessions and family as the land wasn’t great enough to hold them all.

g. What nation was Esau the founder of? (verse 43c)

The Edomites.

h. What does verse 31 tell us?

That there were kings reigning over the people of Edom long before there was any king in Israel.

i. What does the first phrase of each of verses 33-39 tell us?

About the inevitably of death… (and so and so died)

Genesis Thirty Seven (verses 1-36)

1. verses 1-11

a. What do we find about Joseph in this passage? (verses 1-3)

He was seventeen, working with his older brothers looking after the sheep. He was his father’s favourite and wore a special coat.

b. What do we see about his brothers? (verse 4)

They were jealous of Joseph and hated him so much that they were at him the whole time…… they were also up to no good

c. What did Joseph tell his father? (verse 2b)

About all the mischief the older ones got up to.

d. What reasons do you think made Jacob favour Joseph? (chapters 30: 22-24; 39:6b)

He was the eldest son of his favourite wife born in his old age, was reliable and a good worker, as well as being a likeable kid. He seems to have been the only one of Jacob’s sons who followed the Lord.

e. What caused Joseph’s brothers to hate him all the more? (verses 5-9)

His two dreams.

f. Who did he tell the first dream to? What did they think it meant? (verse 5, 8)

He told it to his brothers and they thought it meant that one day he would rule over them.

g. Who did he tell the second dream to as well as his brothers? What did he say? (verse 10)

He told his father this time as well as his brothers, and his father wasn’t very impressed and asked if he expected his parents to be bowing down to him as well!

h. What effect did these dreams have on the family? (verse 11)

His brothers were jealous and hated him all the more, but his father thought deeply about it all.

i. What would the contrast have been between Joseph and his brothers as far as being future leaders of the dynasty? (chapters 39:4-6, 21-23; 49:3-5, 17)

His brothers were cruel and hasty men; Reuben the eldest, was unstable and couldn’t be trusted, as well as being dishonest . Joseph was quiet, capable, dependable, honest and the Lord was with him.

2. verses 12-36

a. Where did Jacob send Joseph to? Did Jacob realise how much his other sons hated Joseph? (verses 12-13)

He sent Joseph to see how the others were getting on with the sheep and couldn’t have realised the danger he was sending the boy into.

b. What do we see about Joseph as he went on this errand? (verse 13b, 15-17)

He went willingly and diligently searched for his brothers, keeping looking until he found them.

c. What could he have done rather than keep looking?

He could have gone home and told his father he couldn’t find them.

d. What did the brothers say when they saw him coming? (verses 18-20)

Here comes this dreamer…..let’s kill him and throw him into a pit and we’ll tell our father that a wild animal killed him!

e. Who kept Joseph safe this time? (verse 22)

Rueben kept them from killing him…. he thought he would teach him a lesson by giving him a good fright instead.

f. What did they do to him? (verses 23-24)

They took off his fancy coat and dumped him into an empty well that he couldn’t get out of.

g. Rueben must have gone off elsewhere for a period of time ….what did he find when he came back, and how did he react? (verses 29-30)

The pit was empty and Joseph was gone! Rueben was very upset indeed.

h. What had happened to him? whose idea was it? (verses 25-28)

They had seen a camel train of merchants travelling to Egypt and Judah suggested they sell Joseph to them instead of killing him.

i. What did the brothers do when they returned home? (verse 31)

They took his coat and smeared it with the blood of a kid, and gave it to their father saying they had found it on the road…..was it Joseph’s?

j. What did Jacob assume when he saw that? (verses 32-33)

That Joseph had been killed and eaten by a wild animal.

k. How did Jacob feel? (verses 34-35)

He refused to be comforted.

l. How did Joseph feel with this turn of events? (chapter 42:21)

He begged and pleaded that they wouldn’t do this to him, but they wouldn’t listen.

m. Where did Joseph end up? (verse 36)

In Egypt, being sold as a slave.

3. Summing Up….

a. What lesson can we learn from this story of Joseph? ( 1 Peter 2:12, 18)

No matter what the cost, always do what is right and serve your bosses faithfully.

b. What parallels do we see between Joseph and Jesus Christ? (Matthew 3:17; Mark 14:10-11; John 7:5, 8:29b; Hebrews 5:8)

They were both loved sons of their father.

Their brothers didn’t like them.

They were both obedient sons.

They were both betrayed and sold by those close to them.

They didn’t flinch in the face of danger and went ahead in obedience just the same.

Genesis Thirty Eight (verses 1-30)

1. verses 1-30

a. Who did Judah leave, and who did he ally himself with? (verse 1)

He left his brothers and went to Hirah the Adullamite

b. What nationality was the wife that Judah chose? (verse 2)

She was Shua, the Canaanite .

c. How many sons did Judah have? What were their names? (verses 3-5)

He had three sons, Er, Onan and Shelah.

d. What sort of person was Er and what happened to him? (verse 7)

He was wicked and God killed him.

e. What sort of person was Onan and what happened to him? (verses 8-10; Deuteronomy 25:5-6)

He was disobedient and refused to have a son in his brother’s name according to God’s law…..he died too.

f. What did Judah tell Tamar to do now? What were his real intentions? (verse 11)

He told her to go back home to her father’s household and wait until Shelah was old enough to marry her, but he didn’t really intend Shelah to have her at all.

g. What did Tamar do when she realized that Judah didn’t mean what he had said about his third son? (verses 12-18)

She dressed as a prostitute and enticed Judah himself, making sure she was covered by taking a pledge that he would recognize to cover herself from the death penalty.

h. What did Judah say when he heard that Tamar was pregnant? (verse 24)

Let her be burned to death!

i. What did he say when she produced his ring and bracelet that he had given her? (verse 25)

That he was fault for not giving her Shelah as a husband.

j. What happened to Tamar? (verses 27-30)

She had twin boys and remained a solo mother.

k. Which one of Judah’s sons is mentioned in the Lord’s genealogy? (Matthew 1:3)

Pharez, the twin that was technically born second.

l. Judah wasn’t a particularly honourable man, or even one who is mentioned as pleasing God, and yet who came from his descendants? (Genesis 49:10; Ruth 4:12, 18-22; Revelation 5:5)

The kingly line of David and then later, Mary, the mother of Jesus; the Lord Himself was known as the Lion of the tribe of Judah.

m. What do we learn from these things? (Daniel 4:32c, 35)

That God is sovereign and uses men to perfect His plans and purposes.

Genesis Thirty Nine (verses 1-23)

1. verses 1-9

a. What happened to Joseph when he arrived in Egypt? (verse 1)

He was put up for sale in the slave market and was bought by Potiphar, captain of Pharoah’s guard.

b. What was Joseph’s attitude at his bad luck and unfairness of his brothers’ treatment of him?

Joseph wasn’t bitter, but made the best of a bad situation and looked to the Lord for comfort and then got on with his work and did the best he could.

c. What did his new master find out about him? (verse 2)

He soon saw that Joseph was reliable, honest and a hard worker; he could see that everything that Joseph did was tops.

d. What was obvious about Joseph? (verse 3)

That God was with him.

e. What lesson is there in this for us? (Colossians 3:22-23)

To look to the Lord in our day to day situations, and serve Him through doing our daily work for our employer cheerfully, to the best of our ability, working in this way for the Lord.

f. We often have the wrong idea about “serving the Lord” and doing the “Lord’s service”….. what do these verses teach us that “serving the Lord” really is? (Ephesians 6:5-8)

It is doing our daily tasks as though He were our literal employer, working hard and doing an honest job for our pay and being cheerful about it.

g. What was the result of Joseph’s work? (verses 4-6)

He was put in charge of everything and it all prospered and went well.

h. What are we told about Joseph’s personal appearance? (verse 6c)

He was nice looking with a good personality

i. We can’t ride high all the time….what temptation came Joseph’s way and what did he do about it? (verses 7-10)

His master’s wife fell for him and kept pestering him to have sex with her, but he refused each time.

j. What reason did Joseph give for refusing? (verse 9; Psalm 51:1-4)

He said that he couldn’t sin against God or his master, in this way.

k. What else does the New Testament put forward against immorality? (1 Corinthians 6:18-20)

It is sinning against (and abusing) one’s own body which is the temple of God’s Holy Spirit….we have been bought with the price of the Lord Jesus’ death and we are not our own to do our own thing with any more.

2. Verses 11-23

a.
How did Mrs. Potiphar catch Joseph in the end? (verses 10-12)

She grabbed hold of him one day when no-one else was around and there was a struggle. He wriggled out of his coat and ran for his life.

b. What did she do then and what was the result? (verses 13-18)

She became very angry and called the other servants showing Joseph’s coat and then told her husband when he came home that Joseph had forced himself on her. Potiphar became very angry and threw Joseph into prison.

c. This was the second time that Joseph had been treated unjustly……how did he feel and what was his attitude now? (verse 21)

He did his jobs cheerfully and honestly, and still looked to the Lord for strength to do his daily work.

c. What happened to him in prison? (verses 22-23)

The keeper of the prison could tell that God was with him, and made him the head orderly in charge of all that needed to be organised and done.

d. We may be bored with our job, or with being “just a housewife”…….what lesson can we learn from Joseph? (1 Corinthians 7:22; )

To do everything to the best of our ability as far as work goes…..after all, we are God’s servant in everything that we do. By all means go and find other interests if your normal duties don’t suffer as a result, but remember to keep the Lord first, and husband, children and home second, then other things after that if you still have the energy for it!

e. How are we to go about our menial tasks? (Ephesians 5:19-20)

Cheerfully, with a song in our hearts and minds, and do our work with all our heart.

f. Can we be grumpy if we are singing?

No!

g. How can we always be cheerful and rejoicing? (Philippians 4:6-7; 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)

By praying non-stop and giving thanks in (not necessarily for) every situation we find ourselves in.

Genesis Forty (verses.1-23)

1. Verses 1-23

a. Who else was thrown into prison with Joseph? (verses 1-3)

Pharaoh’s butler and baker.

b. Who was actually in charge of the prison? What was his name? (verse 3a; chapter 39:1)

Potiphar, Joseph’s previous master.

c. What was Joseph’s particular job now? (chapter 39:22-23)

To look after these two new prisoners.

d. What did both the butler and baker have the same night? (verse 5)

They both had a dream.

e. How did they feel the next morning? Why? (verse 6)

A bit worried and concerned, they felt the dreams must mean something and they didn’t know how they could find out.

f. How did they find out in the end? (verses 7-8)

When Joseph went in to them the next morning, he asked why they looked so sad. When they told him about these dreams, he said that God was the only One who could give the meaning of dreams. He then asked what they were.

g. What was the butler’s dream? (verses 9-11)

He dreamed that he was standing in front of a dry vine that budded, blossomed, and then bore grapes which he squeezed into Pharaoh’s cup and gave to him.

h. What did Joseph say the meaning was? (verse 12-13)

That in three days’ time, he would be re-instated in his job.

i. What else did Joseph take the opportunity to do? (verses 14-15)

He asked the butler to tell the king of his plight being put into jail for nothing, and ask if he could be released.

j. What was the baker’s dream and what did it mean? (verses 18-22)

He had dreamed that he had three baskets on his head with sweet-meats for Pharaoh and the birds were flying down and taking them away. Joseph told him that in three days time he would be hung and the birds would peck his flesh off him.

k. What did the butler do for Joseph? (verse 23)

He forgot all about him.

l. How do you think Joseph would have felt then?

Let down and disappointed.

m. What do we see about Joseph in this whole incident? (verses 12-13; 18-19)

He was honest with the two men…..he said that the meanings would be coming from God, not him; he told the news fearlessly, the good and the bad.

e. Who is the Revealer of Secrets? (verse 8; Daniel 2:47)

The God of Heaven.

f. What secrets has God revealed to His people today? (1 Corinthians 2:9-12)

The things that He has prepared for them for a day to come; and the things of God that the world does not understand.

Genesis Forty One (v.1-57)

1. Verses 1-36

a. How much longer was Joseph in prison for? (verse 1a)

Another two years.

b. What did Pharaoh have at the end of that time? (verse 1b)

He had two vivid dreams in one night.

c. What were they about? (verses 2-7)

He saw seven fat cows come out of the river and they were eaten by seven skinny cows which stayed skinny; then he saw seven fat ears of corn being eaten by seven thin ones, which stayed just as skinny and lanky as before.

d. How did Pharaoh feel the next morning and what did he do about it? (verse 8)

He felt uneasy and uncomfortable and wanted to find out what they meant, but none of his wise men could tell him.

e. What did his butler suddenly remember? (verses 9-13)

He remembered how Joseph correctly interpreted his dream when he was in prison two years earlier.

f. What did Pharaoh do when he heard of Joseph? (verse 14a)

He called for him to come from prison.

g. What do you notice about Joseph when he met Pharaoh? (verse 14b)

He shaved and dressed in good clothes.

h. What was the first thing that Joseph told Pharaoh? (verse 16)

That it wasn’t in him to give the interpretation of dreams, it was from God that the answer came.

i. What did he tell Pharaoh that the dreams meant? (verses 25-32)

The two dreams meant the same thing. There would be seven good years where the crops would bear huge amounts, and then they would be followed by seven famine years that would swallow up all that had been kept from the seven good years.

j. What did Joseph suggest should be done? (verses 33-36)

That someone should be put in charge of all the surplus harvests and store the food up in barns, and that more land should be cultivated with as much spare food as possible grown and stored.

k. What lesson can we learn from Joseph in all of this?

Just as Joseph made himself neat and tidy before he met the king, so we should be neat and tidy when we meet together to praise our King. Joseph gave all the credit to God for his knowledge, and likewise we should take no credit for our talents and abilities which God has given us, but give Him all the glory for them.

2. Verses 36-57

a. What did Pharaoh and his servants think of Joseph’s suggestions? (verse 37)

They all agreed that it was a good idea.

b. Who did Pharaoh think was the best person for the job? Why? (verses 38-39)

He recognised that God was with Joseph, guiding him and that no-one else could do better job.

c. What position was Joseph given? (verses 40-41)

The highest position in the land….only Pharaoh was higher. Joseph was to have control over everything.

d. What did Pharaoh give Joseph as a sign of this? (verses 42-44)

His ring (authority and power), fine clothes (clean and white) and a gold chain (wealth)

e. How can we relate this to what God has given His people? (Acts 1:8; Revelation 19:8; Ephesians 1:3)

God has given His people all power in Christ Jesus to preach His message far and wide

He has clothed His people in clothes of righteousness, clean and white.

ii He has given His people all the riches in Christ Jesus

f. What else was Joseph given? (verses 43, 45)

Pharaoh’s second chariot, and a wife.

g. How old was Joseph when he was made ruler of Egypt? How many years since he had been sold into Egypt? (verse 46; chapter 37:2)

He was 17 when he went to Egypt and he was now 30…..he had been in Egypt for 13 years.

h. Where was a lot of his time in Egypt spent? (chapter 39:20)

In prison

i. How many sons did Joseph have and what were their names? (verses 50-52)

Two….Manasseh and Ephraim

j. What did Joseph do in his first seven years? (verses 47-49, 53)

He stored up every bit of spare grain that was produced..

k. What happened next? What happened when they ran out of their own corn? (verses 54-55)

The seven years of famine began, and people ate of their own stores. When they ran out, Pharaoh sent them to Joseph to buy from him.

l. Who else was affected besides that land of Egypt? (verse 57)

All the nearby countries….they all came to Egypt to buy corn from Joseph.

m. What does the New Testament teach about helping people in time of need? (2 Corinthians 8:13-15; 9:7)

That those who have, share with those who have not! Then when the tables are turned, the others share back!

Genesis Forty Two (verses 1-38)

1. Verses 1-38

a. How was Jacob and his family faring in Canaan? (verse 1)

They were suffering from the famine the same as all the other countries.

b. What did Jacob decide to do? (verses 1-3)

To send his ten older sons off to Egypt to buy corn for their cattle and selves.

c. Why did he not allow Benjamin to go? (verse 4)

He didn’t trust the other brothers to look after him properly after losing Joseph.

d. Who were the brothers sent to, to buy the corn? (verses 5-6a)

The Governor who was Joseph!

e. What did they do when they met him, and what did that fulfil? (verses 6b-7,9; chapter 37:7-8)

They all bowed down to him just as Joseph’s dream had foretold all those years before!

f. Did Joseph recognise them? Did they know Joseph? (verse 8)

Yes, Joseph knew them straight away, but they didn’t have a clue they were standing in front of their despised younger brother!

g. How did they describe their family to Joseph? (verses 10-13)

We are twelve brothers….the youngest one is home and the other is dead!

h. What did Joseph do with them all? For how long? (verse 14-17)

He put them all in prison for three days.

i. What happened when he let them out of prison? (verses 18-20)

He told them he would let them go home with corn because he feared God, but that one would have to stay in prison as a guarantee that they would come back with Benjamin the next time!

k. What was their reaction? What was Joseph’s? (verses 21-24)

They began to blame each other for what they had done in selling Joseph into Egypt; Joseph understood what they were saying, and had to leave the room because he was overcome with emotion

2. verses 24-38

a. Who did Joseph order to stay in prison while the others went back home? (verse 24)

He put Simeon in prison.

b. What did Joseph order to be done that made them afraid? (verses 25-26)

He ordered each man’s money to be put back in the sacks.

c. When did they discover this? (verses 27-28)

When they got to the inn that night.

d. How did Jacob feel when he heard the report of their trip? What did he say? (verses 29-36)

He was miserable and afraid; he said, “Joseph is dead, and Simeon is as good as dead, and now you want to take Benjamin away too!”

e. Who promised with his life, to look after Benjamin while they were away? (verse 37)

Rueben, the eldest son.

f. What was Jacob’s reply to that? (verse 38)

He is not going, I’ll die if anything happens to him!

Genesis Forty Three (v.1-25)

1. Verses 1-15

a. What happened when Jacob’s corn had all gone? (verses 1-2)

Jacob told his sons to go back to Egypt and get more corn.

b. Which brother was the spokesperson to their father? Where did he fit into the family? (verse 3a; chapter 29:36)

Judah, Jacob’s fourth son from Leah.

c. What objection did the brothers have to going back? (verses 3-9)

The men wouldn’t go back without taking Benjamin with them.

d. What forced Jacob into letting Benjamin go in the end? (verse 2)

Their dire straits of needing more food.

e. Have you ever been forced by circumstances into some course of action you didn’t want to do or be in? What are some circumstances that can do this?

Bereavement, illness, accident, children’s behaviour, marriage breakdown or maybe a business going wrong.

f. What did the brothers take with them this time to placate the governor? (verse 11-13)

A present of extras from their meagre store; double money (to make up for what was given back last time), and Benjamin.

g. What was Jacob’s attitude as they left? (verse 14)

He was resigned to losing his family, and hoped that God would look after them in Egypt.

h. What did Joseph do as soon as he saw them all? (verses 15-17)

He told his steward to put on a feast for the midday meal at his house, and to take them there.

i. How did the brothers feel about this and why did they think it was happening like this? (verses 18-23)

They were afraid, and thought it was because their money had been returned to them the first time.

j. What did the steward do for the men while they were waiting? (verse 23c-24)

He gave them water to wash with and food for their asses, and brought Simeon out from jail to them.

2. Verses 26-34

a. What was the first thing that the brothers did when Joseph came into the room? (verse 26a)

They presented him with the gift from their father.

b. What did they do next? (verse b)

The brothers all bowed low before Joseph .

c. What do you think Joseph would have thought of again? (chapter 37:6-8)

His dream when he was a boy of the sun, moon and stars bowing before him.

d. What was the first thing that Joseph asked them after this? (verse 27)

How is your father? Is he well?

e. How did Joseph feel when he looked at Benjamin? (verses 29-31)

He was overcome with emotion and went out of the room to weep until he had composed himself.

f. What Egyptian custom had Joseph kept to? (verse 32)

Of eating at a separate table by himself; the brothers by themselves and the Egyptians separately again.

g. Why do you think the brothers were puzzled about their seating arrangements? (verse 33)

The fact that they were all in the correct order according to their ages!

h. What did Joseph give Benjamin? Why? (verse 34)

He gave him five times more than the others, because he was his full brother and an honoured guest.

i. Did the brothers have a good time at this meal time? (verse 34b)

It seems that they did.

j. Did the brothers deserve to receive this kind of treatment from Joseph, after the way that they had treated him all those years ago?

Not at all humanly speaking..

l. The New Testament talks about the disciples getting together on the first day of the week to “break bread” and then Paul preached to them. What does this mean? (Acts 20:7; 1 Corinthians 10:16; 11:23-26)

The “breaking of bread” is commonly called in churches today, the “Communion Service”. It is when Christians come together for the purpose of breaking bread as the Lord Jesus taught His disciples to do the last night he ate with them.

m. Do we deserve to be sharing in this “breaking of Bread” service any more than the brothers deserved to share in Joseph’s meal? )

No, not really.

n. What gives us the right to sit at the breaking of bread service? (Galatians 3:26)

It is for those who are the sons of God through believing in the Lord Jesus Christ, not for those who try to earn it by good works.

Genesis Forty Four (verses 1-34)

1. Verses 1-34

a. Briefly recap what happened to the brothers on their way home….. (verses 1-12)

They had just cleared the city when Joseph’s steward caught up with them saying that the Governor’s cup was missing and they had stolen it. They hastily went through their bags and it was there in the top of Benjamin’s bag of grain.

b. What did they all do then? (verse 13)

They returned to the city and ended up before the governor once more.

c. What did they all do yet again before Joseph? (verse 14)

Fell on their faces before him on the ground.

d. What did Joseph say to them about how he knew his cup was there? (verse 15)

He said that he could divine and knew without seeing.

e. What do you think that Joseph was up to when he played this game of putting his silver cup in Benjamin’s sack?

He wanted to see if his brothers were as hard and unfeeling with Benjamin as they had been with him all those years earlier….. he wanted to see if they had changed at all.

f. Whose idea had it actually been to sell Joseph back then? (chapter 37:26-27)

It had been Judah’s idea.

g. Who stepped forward now to speak up for Benjamin? (verses 16,18-34)

Judah did.

h. What feelings did Judah now show in his speech to Joseph?

i. verse 18:- Respect for Joseph’s authority.

ii. verse 20:- Respect for his father’s relationship with Benjamin.

iii. Verse 31:- Concern for his father’s well being.

i. What did Judah offer to do in place of Benjamin being imprisoned? (verses 33-34)

He offered to stay as a servant instead of Benjamin because he couldn’t face his father without his younger brother….. he felt that his father would die of a broken heart.

j. What attitude did Judah show in this situation? (verse 16)

One of humility and confession, he couldn’t deny the obvious sin of having the cup in their possession. He bowed and confessed that God had found them out.

k. What does this remind us of how we should come to God? (Romans 3:23)

We should bow before God and confess our sins to Him now, before it is too late. We have no excuses as we have all sinned and come short of His glory (His standard)

Genesis Forty Five (verses 1-28)

1. Verses 1-28

a. How did Joseph begin to feel after hearing all this? (verses 1-2)

He was so overcome that he sent all the Egyptians out of the room before bursting into tears and telling his brothers who he really was!

b. How did his brothers feel now? (verse 3)

Very uneasy and afraid.

c. How did Joseph now view the events of his life as he looked back on them? (verses 4-5)

He could see God’s hand in it all and wasn’t bitter about it or want revenge on his brothers at all. He could see that he would be the means of keeping his father’s family alive and preserving them.

d. Who did Joseph say had really sent him to Egypt? (verses 6-8)

He said that it was all part of God’s plan to get Israel to Egypt, and that God had sent him there ahead of his brothers to preserve their lives.

e. What plan did Joseph put forward to his brothers? (verses 9-10)

To go back and bring their father and families down to live in Egypt for the rest of the famine years.

f. How many more years of famine were there to come? (verse 11)

There were another five years ahead of them.

g. What did Joseph want his brothers to tell their father? (verses 12-13)

About all that Joseph had and the high position he held in the land.

h. What did Pharaoh think of this idea? (verses 16-24)

He was pleased and endorsed Joseph’s plan and gave them all they needed for their trip..

i. How did Jacob feel when his sons returned and told him all this? (verses 26-28)

He could hardly believe his ears, but his eyes told him that it was true when he saw the wagons and the food!

2. Application……

a. How can we relate this story to our position in Christ Jesus when we believe in Him? (Philippians 4: 19)

He has supplied all our need and more besides and will look after us until He takes us to be with Himself.

b. What are some of these blessings that God has given to His people today? (Ephesians 1:3-7)

i. He has chosen us in Christ.

ii. He has made us holy and without blame!

iii.He has made us His sons by adoption, simply because He wanted to, not because we

earned it!

iv. He has made us accepted before Him in Christ Jesus.

v. He has given us redemption and forgiveness of sins because Jesus Christ

died by bleeding to death for each one of us.

c. What do we have to do to take advantage of all these blessings that God has made available to us? (They don’t just happen automatically) (John :3:16)

We have to believe in Him (walk with Him) continually, it’s not a belief that we had once years ago. If it is, then we must repent and return to Him once more.

Genesis Forty Six (verses 1-34)

1. Verses 1-34

a. What was special about the place of Beersheba? (chapter 21:31-33; 26:23-25)

It was the place of an oath (a covenant made with others) where there was a well dug for water, and it was also a place of worship. Water was a very precious commodity in that land.

b. Who was this place special for? (chapter 21:31-33; 26:23-25)

For Abraham, Isaac and now Jacob.

c. Describe how we can each have a “Beersheba” in our lives………… (John 3:16)

Coming to know the Lord Jesus is a place of an agreement, an agreement where I acknowledge I am a sinner, and He promises to forgive and keep me. He gives me the living water of everlasting life that enables me to worship God in spirit and in truth.

d. What happened at Beersheba this particular time? (verse 1)

Jacob offered sacrifices to God, and God reassured him about going to Egypt temporarily.

e. What was Jacob worrying about at this time? What did God promise He would do for Jacob in this matter? (verses 2-4)

Jacob would have been wondering about the wisdom of moving his clan down to Egypt at this time, but God spoke to him in a vision and told him to not be afraid to go. He promised that Jacob would be made into a great nation there and that they would be brought back into the land again.

f. What did Jacob do after this? (verses 5-7)

He and his family all packed up and went off to Egypt to live.

g. How many people were there altogether? How many sons and grandsons of each wife? (verses 15, 18, 22, 25, 27)

There were seventy altogether… Leah had 33; Zilpah had 16; Rachel had 14 and Bilhah had 7.

h. Where did Jacob meet Joseph ? (verses 28-29)

Joseph met the family at the area of Goshen.

i. Imagine the meeting between Joseph and his father Jacob…. (verses 29-30)

It would have been a very emotional time with much weeping for joy on both sides. Jacob felt he could die happy now that he had met up with Joseph again.

j. What did Joseph instruct his brothers to tell Pharaoh? (verses 31-34)

That they were sheep and cattle men.

k. Where did Joseph feel would suit his brothers best to settle? (verse 34b)

In the land of Goshen.

Genesis Forty Seven (verses 1-31)

1. Verses 1-31

a. How did Joseph’s brothers describe themselves to Pharaoh? (verses 1-4)

As shepherds and cattlemen.

b. How did Pharaoh feel about them being there in the land of Egypt? (verses 5-6)

He was pleased for them to be there and said for them to choose where they wanted to live.

c. How old was Jacob at this time? (verse 1)

He was 130 years old.

d. Why do you think that Pharaoh was so kindly disposed towards Joseph’s family? (verse 1)

Because it was obvious that God was with Joseph and everything he did prospered.

e. How did Joseph’s family fare now that they were in Egypt? (verses 8-9)

They were given the best of everything.

f. What happened to the people of Egypt as the famine progressed? (verses 13-14)

They ran out of money and used their cattle as payment for food.

g. What did they sell when their money ran out? (verses 15-17)

They sold their land to the crown.

h. How did Joseph organise the people next? (verse 18-21)

He moved them into the cities around the country.

i. The people had sold their cattle, their land and themselves as servants to Pharaoh …. What did Joseph do with them then? (verse 23)

He gave them seed to plant up the land that they had previously owned.

j. What proportion of their income went to Pharaoh? (verses 24-26)

A fifth went in taxes, and the rest was for their food and seed for the next year.

k. Where was Israel living all this time? (verse 11, 27)

In the land of Goshen

l. What happened to them during this time? (verse 27)

They multiplied in numbers and possessions.

m. How long did Jacob live in Egypt before he died? (verse 28)

Seventeen years.

n. What was his concern now? (verses 29-31)

He didn’t want to be buried in Egypt, and he made Joseph promise that he would bury him in the family plot in Canaan.

o. What lesson can we learn from Jacob in this chapter? (Proverbs 3:5-6; Isaiah 41:10, 13)

That he was where God wanted him to be; he had gone to Egypt on God’s instructions….. in the same way God will direct and guide us if we ask for His guidance.

p. What was more important to Jacob than physical blessings? To us? (chapter 46:3-4; Philippians 4:9 )

To know that God was with him and that he was being directed by Him. For us to know God’s presence as we obey His Word and seek to walk (live) for Him.

Genesis Forty Eight (verses 1-22)

1. Verses 1-10

a. What is this chapter all about? (verses 1-22)

Joseph visiting his father in his old age when he was sick, and Jacob blessing his two sons…. Manasseh and Ephraim.

b. What family failing did Jacob have? (verse 10; chapter 27a )

Bad eyesight.

c. How old would Joseph’s sons would have been approximately ? (chapter 41:50; 47:28)

At least 19 and 20 years of age.

d. Where did Jacob start in his speech with Joseph? (verses 3-4)

About how God had spoken to him at Luz (Bethel) and given him the same blessing that He had given to Abraham..

e. What did Jacob say to Joseph about Manasseh and Ephraim compared to any other children Joseph may have had? (verses 5-6)

That they would belong to him (Jacob) and the others would belong to Joseph.

f. What similarity was there in Jacob blessing Joseph’s sons to the blessing he received from his own father? (verses 8-14, 19; chapter 25:23; 27: 29, 37)

He blessed the younger one ahead of the older one.

g. What are we told here that came to pass in the naming of the twelve tribes of Israel? (verse 16)

That these two grandsons would be named with the rest of Jacob’s sons.

h. How did this come true? (Joshua 17:17)

Manasseh and Ephraim were named as two of the tribes of Israel.

i. What do we see when Israel was on the way back to Canaan and pitched camp in the desert? (Numbers 2:18-20)

That Manasseh and Ephraim were recognised as two of the tribes and they pitched on the west side along with Benjamin.

j. What promise did Jacob give to Joseph? (verse 21)

God will take you back to Canaan again.

k. What and where was this bit of extra land that Jacob gave to Joseph? What was there? (verse 22; John 4:5-6a)

It was in the land of Samaria in the time of Christ near to Sychar….. it had a well that was known as “Jacob’s well”.

Genesis Forty Nine (verses 1-33)

1. Verses 1-21

a. What did Jacob do in this chapter? (verses 1-2)

He called all his sons together to make his farewell speech.

b. What good things did he say about Reuben? (verse 3)

He was the eldest and he had excellency of dignity and power.

c. What was his weak point? What incident was Jacob referring to? (verse 4; chapter 35:22 ; 1 Chronicles 5:1)

Reuben was unstable in his decisions; he had slept with his father’s concubine many years earlier, and forfeited birthright as a result.

d. Who was the mother of Levi and Simeon? (verse 5; chapter 35:23 )

Leah was their mother.

e. What was one instance we are told of where they acted cruelly? (chapter 34:25-27)

When they killed all the Shechemites in their weakness after they were circumcised.

f. What does it mean when it says that the scepter would not depart from Judah? (verse 10; 1 Chronicles 28:4; Revelation 5:5)

King David came from the tribe of Judah, and his line of descendants carried on down until the Lord Jesus was born of Mary from the tribe of Judah; He is the eternal King of kings and Lord of lords

g. The colours red and white are mentioned in verse 12….. what do you think these colours represent in Scripture? (Isaiah 1:18)

Red represents the colour of sin in God’s sight and is also the colour of the blood of sacrifice, while white represents the purity and holiness of God.

h. Where does Jacob say that Zebulon’s border would be? (verse 13)

He said it would have a coastal border, and be the haven for ships.

i. What does Issachar appear to have been? (verses 14-15)

A good worker who would pay tribute to others.

j. Did Jacob have much to say about the next four sons? (verses 16-21)

Not really, only that Dan seemed to be a sneaky type like a snake, yet he would judge his people.

2. Verses 22-27

a. What did Jacob describe Joseph as? (verse 22)

A fruitful bough whose branches run over the wall.

b. What else did Jacob mention about Joseph? (verse 23)

As having been shot at and hated.

c. What did Jacob say had been the strength of Joseph in those times? (verse 24)

He was made strong by the hand of God.

d. How does Jacob describe God here? (verse 25a)

As his God, the mighty God of Jacob, and the “God of your father”

e. What else does Jacob proclaim will be on Joseph above his brothers? (verse 25)

God’s blessings as well as his own blessings.

f. After all these comments about his sons, what do you notice stands out in Joseph’s? (verses 25-26)

He is the only one who relies on God for his strength

g. What sort of blessings does Jacob pronounce on Joseph in verse 25?

Spiritual blessings as well as physical and family blessings.

h. How does Jacob describe God in verse 24?

As the shepherd and stone of Israel.

i. How do these two descriptions fit our Lord Jesus Christ? (John 10:11; 1 Peter 2:6-8)

He is the Good Shepherd, and the Stone laid in Zion which is also a rock of offence to those who do not believe in Him.

j. Can we relate verse 25 to ourselves? (Ephesians 1:3)

God has blessed His people with all spiritual blessings in Christ Jesus…… spiritual blessings re more important than physical blessings

k. What does Jacob say about his blessings that he was giving at this time? (verse 26)

That they included, but superseded the blessings of his father and grandfather.

3. verses 28- 33

a. What did Reuben forfeit as the eldest son? (1 Chronicles 5:1-2 )

The birthright was given to Joseph, although Judah had the ruling rights.

b. After reading what has been said about Jacob’s sons, why do you think the birthright was given to Joseph? What was different about him to the others? (verse 1)

Joseph was the only one who depended on God, and the birthright included being the spiritual leader of the clan. Joseph was the only one fitted to be this.

c. Stop and think about Jacob’s family…Judah was the fourth son of Leah and yet it was through his tribe that our Lord Jesus came (Revelation 5:5); Joseph was the eldest son of Rachel and seemed to be the only one of the twelve who depended on the Lord, and he received all the spiritual blessings…..what does all this tell us about God? (Daniel 4: 34-35)
That none of us deserve the blessings that God gives us by right of birth or deeds, that He gives everyone the things as He sees fit….. God is Sovereign.

c. Consider this for a moment….. how do we measure up to this criteria in our family situation? Who was influenced by a godly mother and grandmother? (2 Timothy 1:5)

We should be a godly example in both words and deeds to our families; Timothy was taught by both his mother and grandmother, and their faith was passed on to him.

d. What was Jacob’s last request to his sons? (verses 29-32)

That he would be buried in the family plot in Canaan along with his grandparents, parents and Leah.

e. What happened after he said this? (verse 33)

He lay down on his bed and peacefully died.

Genesis Fifty (verses.1-26)

1. Verses 1-14

a. Who took charge of the situation when Jacob died? (verses 1-2)

Joseph…. he fare-welled him and then called in the Egyptian doctors to embalm his body.

b. How long did this process apparently take? (verse 3a)

Forty days (approximately six weeks)

c. How long did the mourning time last? (verse 3b)

Two months, ten days.

d. What was Joseph’s request to Pharaoh? (verses 4-5)

To take his father back to Canaan and bury him in the family plot.

e. Who went up to Canaan to bury Jacob? (verses 6-9)

All the sons of Jacob, all the house of Joseph, all the servants of Pharaoh and all the elders of Egypt, as well as chariots and horsemen for protection….it was a very large company of people.

f. Where did the cortege stop when they reached Canaan? How long was the lying-in state there? (verse 10)

They stopped at the River Jordan, and made deep mourning for another seven days.

g. What did all the locals think of this company of people? (verse 11)

They took notice of it and said that it must have been a very important person to the Egyptians who was to be buried.

h. Who buried Jacob, and where was it? (verses 12-13)

Jacob’s sons took him to the Cave of Machpela and buried him there.

i. Who else was buried in this cave? (chapter 9:30-31)

Sarah, Abraham, Isaac and Rebekah, Leah, and now Jacob.

j. What did they do once this was done? (verse 14)

They all returned to Egypt.

2. verses 15-18

a. What came back to the brothers’ minds now the Jacob was dead and buried? (verse 15)

They started to worry because of the way they had treated Joseph all those years before.

b. What did they finally do about it? (verses 17-18)

They apologized and confessed their wrong doing before God and before Joseph and asked for forgiveness.

c. What does verse 17 suggest about the brothers’ spiritual state now? (verse 17c)

They were concerned that they had not only sinned against Joseph, but also against God.

d. How did Joseph feel when they did this? (verse 17d)

He wept when they did this.

e. About how many years had this been hanging over their heads ? (chapter 37:2; 41:4; 47:28)

Joseph had been seventeen when they sold him to the traders and lied to their father. Joseph was thirty when he became ruler in Egypt and there were seven good years before the famine and about two years into it before they all moved to Egypt and another seventeen years since then…nearly forty years.

f. What did the brothers do in the process of apologising, and what does it bring to mind? (chapter 37:5-10)

They bowed down before him showing genuine contrition, just as Joseph’s dreams had foretold all those years before.

g. What does the New Testament teach about putting wrongs right? (Matthew 18:15; Mark11:25-26)

It’s no use trying to worship God if things are wrong between ourselves and another person.
That it pays to go directly to the person concerned and sort it out.
We are required to forgive those who have wronged us.
There is no point in trying to pretend nothing is wrong…. this solves nothing.

3. Verses 19-26

a. How were things between Joseph and his brothers once they had come to him and apologised? (verses 19-21)

Everything was fixed up…. Joseph explained that even though they had meant what they did to him for evil, yet God’s hand was in it for their eventual good. Joseph told them to not be afraid and he promised to look after them and their families.

b. How are we to look at unpleasant circumstances in our lives? (Romans 8:28; Hebrews 12:11)

As having lessons to teach us and bring us closer to the Lord, and to realise that God can bring good out of bad things that have happened to us.

c. How long did Joseph rule over Egypt? (verse 22; chapter 41:46)

Eighty years.

d. How did Joseph view Israel’s stay in the land of Egypt? (verse 24)

As a temporary thing…..he knew that God would take them out and back to the Promised Land one day.

e. How far back had God said that Israel would be in a strange land, and how long did He say it would be? (chapter 15: 13-14, 16)

God had told Abraham that his descendants would one day be in a strange land for 400 years.

f. How old was Joseph when he died? (verse 26)

110 years old.

g. What did he make his people promise him before he died? (verse 25)

That they would take his bones out of Egypt when they went, and bury them in Canaan.

h. Did the people of Israel remember this promise to Joseph when they eventually left Egypt? (Exodus 13:19)

Yes, they did, they took his bones with them.

i. Where did they finally bury them? (Joshua 24:32)

In the field that Jacob had bought from Hamor, the father of Shechem.

j. What had Jacob done with this bit of land? (chapter 33:18-20)

He had lived there, and built an altar there. This could have been where Joseph was brought up as a lad, and it was where his bones were laid to rest.

k. In what ways can the life of Joseph be likened to that of the Lord Jesus?

Matthew 3:17……He always pleased his father
Hebrews 4:15… Nothing wrong in his behavior has been recorded of him; when he

was tempted he didn’t give in.

John 10:38… He always did the best he could.
John 10:30… God was with him in all that he did.
Matthew 17:5… He was his father’s beloved son.
John 7:5…. His brothers didn’t believe him or even like him.
John 1:11; 11:53….His own people tried to do away with him; they plotted his death.

l. How can we challenge ourselves from the life of Joseph?

To remember to be always cheerful in the face of adversity; to always do the best we can no matter what; to walk (live) in the ways of the Lord; to always give God the glory when we are praised for what we do well.

Bible Studies 4 YOU!

Genesis…How Things Began

Genesis One…(1-31)

3. Verses 24-31

Genesis Two……( 1-25)

Genesis Three……(v.1-24)

See what God has to say to YOU.