Session Three: Patriarchs: Genesis 12-50:
God's Everlasting Promis to Abraham
· 2000-1700 BC
· Burgundy (God's blood covenant with Abraham)
God’s Love Story:
· He showed His mercy by choosing another man (Abram) to fulfill His covenant. This Abrahamic covenant could eventually reverse the curses of the Adamic covenant. (Genesis 12:1)
· He promised Abram three special rewards (15:1) if he keeps the covenant: (1) He promised him land (fulfilled in Moses) which serves as a land bridge between nations in the north and in the south. (2) He promised him a kingdom for his descendants (fulfilled in King David), and (3) worldwide blessings (fulfilled in Jesus, the King of Kings). But Abram must undergo some tests of his faith, conditions for the covenant promises to be fulfilled. He must travel to an unknown land where he will meet a priest (Melchizedek) from a place of peace (Jerusalem) who offers sacrifices of bread and wine (similar to the Jesus offering the Eucharist). He must believe that God will give him and his wife in their old age a son or their own, not a son from a slave. He must agree to a covenant of blood according to which he deserves to die if he fails to keep his part of the bargain. Abraham (name changed 17:5) must submit himself and his followers to circumcision as a sign in the flesh of this covenant to create, holy tribe. He must also offer to sacrifice his only son, his only hope of having descendants, when God asks Abraham to sacrifice him (22:1).
· He spared the life of Isaac but will offer up the life of His own son. He sends a lamb to replace the sacrifice of Isaac, but He will offer His own son, Jesus, as a sacrifice for the salvation of all mankind.
· He was merciful even looking past deceptive ways so that the promises made to Abraham might happen: After Abraham died, Isaac married Rebekah (24:1) who gave birth to Esau and Jacob. Esau, as the oldest, was entitled to the birthright, a double portion of his father’s inheritance. He sold his birthright to Jacob for a bowl of soup then loses the rest of his inheritance when Jacob stole his blessing from their father (27:1), by pretending to be Esau when Isaac was blind and near death. Jacob paid for his deception when he was exiled and was tricked into marrying Leah, the sister of the one he loved (Rachel), and had to work many years for her father, Laban, until he could finally marry Rachel. His name was changed to Israel after he wrestled with an angel. He became the father of twelve sons (30:31), leaders of the twelve tribes of Israel, after surviving many trials.
· He was patient and merciful even when Jacob’s sons were jealous and murderous (37:1). They became jealous of Joseph who was apparently Jacob’s favorite in interpreting dreams and receiving a special coat of many colors. The eldest son, Ruben, would not agree to the suggestion that the brothers kill Joseph. Then Judah suggested selling him into slavery instead. Joseph was sold into slavery and ended up in prison because of the accusation of his master’s wife that he attempted intimacy with her. When he was released from prison to interpret the Pharaoh’s dream, he was rewarded for his interpretation with a position of head of the Pharaoh’s household.
· He sent trials and merciful redemption to those who sinned: Judah was involved in an improper relationship with his daughter-in-law, Tamar, and Jacob’s household was suffering from a famine. Jacob sent all of his sons, except Benjamin, to obtain grain from Egypt. They met with Joseph but didn’t recognize him. Joseph sent grain to Jacob but insisted that Simeon stay in Egypt and that the brothers return with Benjamin. When they returned, Joseph, planted his chalice in Benjamin’s bag of grain head so that he would be judged a thief. To save Benjamin from slavery, Judah offered to take his place. Joseph was moved to tears, revealed his identity to his brothers, and offered to bring Jacob and the entire family to Egypt to avoid the famine. The brother, Joseph that the other brothers had sold into slavery became their redeemer.
· He rewarded those who turned away from sin and followed His ways: Before Jacob died, he recognized the transformation of Judah (offering to take Benjamin’s place as a slave in Egypt) and gave the birthright and blessing traditionally reserved for the firstborn to him, his fourth son, Judah. The royal line of Judah would be realized in Jesus as the Lion of the tribe of Judah (49:9 – 11; Rev 5:5)
Session Three Summary: As we read the final words from the Book of Genesis, we realize that we can believe and trust in God. He always keeps his promises and will even agree to abide by the terms of a blood covenant like the one He made with Abraham. He promised his children land, a royal kingdom, and worldwide blessing. God uses difficult circumstances to do marvelous things. The rest of the Bible will demonstrate how God makes good on His promises despite our shortcomings. Abraham, Melchizedek, Sodom and Gomorrah, Isaac, Jacob, Twelve Tribes, Joseph, Egypt
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS ANSWERED
1. God’s first step toward restoring his scattered people to himself is to call one man, Abram, to leave everything behind in Ur (interestingly, this is near the location of the Tower of Babel and, even today, is known for the remains of its ziggurats) and follow him to a new land. The restoration God will accomplish for his people is implicit in the blessing he gives Abram, by whom “all the families of the earth will bless themselves” (Genesis 12:3)
2. Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob are the main patriarchs of Israel. Some also consider Jacob’s sons to be patriarchs—particularly Joseph, whose story takes up the final third of the book of Genesis.
3. Burgundy is the color of blood, the blood that sealed the covenant God made with Abraham.
4. Genesis 12:3 says: “Now the Lord said to Abram, ‘Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and him who curses you I will curse; and by you all the families of the earth shall bless themselves.’”
This promise can be divided into three parts: (1) a promise of land for Abrams’s many descendants; (2) a promise of a nation and a great name; and (3) a promise of worldwide blessing. Point to the “Abrahamic Covenant” box on the Timeline Chart. It lists the second promise as a promise of “royal kingdom” because later in Genesis, God tells Abraham that this is his plan for the nation.
5. The promises of God passed down from Abraham to his son (by Sarah) Isaac; to his son Jacob; and from Jacob to his twelve sons with particular emphasis on Judah and Joseph (through his sons Ephraim and Manasseh). Eventually, the promise would extend to all mankind.
6. Land Promises: Moses
Kingdom Promises: David
Promise of Worldwide Blessing: Jesus Christ
7. Those who trust God act on his promises. Abraham is known as our “father in faith.” Jeff explains how Abraham’s faith is shown when God takes him outside to look at the stars, and again when he offers up Isaac. For further discussion, ask how knowing the time of day contributes to our understanding of his faith. You also may want to share the following passage from Hebrews 11:8-19 with your group:
By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place which he was to receive as an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing where he was to go. By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise. For he looked forward to the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God. By faith Sarah herself received power to conceive, even when she was past the age, since she considered him faithful who had promised. Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, were born descendants as many as the stars of heaven and as the innumerable grains of sand by the seashore…by faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was ready to offer up his only son, of whom it was said, “Through Isaac shall your descendants be named,” He considered that God was able to raise men even from the dead; hence he did receive him back and this was a symbol.
8. Answers vary. Encourage discussion by adding a question or two such as: “What makes it hard or easy to follow in this area? Does anything you learned from this session inspire you or give you strength?”
· Job: This book of the Bible (Wisdom Book) offers insight into suffering at the Fall of Adam and Eve and throughout time. God in His merciful love offers some answers to our questions about suffering. Just men may suffer. Our suffering may be a test of our fidelity to Him. We are called to thank Him for both blessings and suffering in our lives. Our wrestling with the questions about suffering can be solved by a broader and deeper awareness of His power, presence, and wisdom.
Next: Session Four
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