Genesis
Jacob Prepares to Die
In this passage the writer sums up Jacobs words to his sons. They express the theme and blessing that is being passed along through the seed of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. The focus of Jacob’s words has been the promise that when the one comes to whom the kingship truly belon …
The Burial of Jacob
The Egyptians were a very demonstrative people. They tore their clothes, smote their breasts, threw dust and mud on their heads and chanted funeral songs with the accompaniment of the tambourine. It was an astonishing sight for the local people. Warren Wiersbe said, “When J …
Judah And Tamar
Judah, the brother who suggested they sell Joseph, married a Canaanite woman. They had three sons, Er, Onan, and Shelah (vv. 1-5). Intermarriage with the Canaanites had been avoided up to this time. Judah’s first son Er died because he was wicked (vv. 6-11). By custom the “husband’s …
Jacob Blesses His Sons
In this chapter we find Jacob calling his sons to his bedside and telling them what will happen to them in the days ahead (vv. 1-2). The key expression, “In the last days” (v. 1) signifies the last days in prophetic literature (Ezek. 38:16) or points more …
Joseph Brothers Go to Egypt to Buy Grain
The famine was so great in Canaan that Jacob decided to send his sons (except Benjamin) down to Egypt to buy food (vv. 1-3). Benjamin was the only son by Rachel that he still had, and Jacob did not want something to happen to him (v. 4). Many other people from Canaan went to Egypt to buy …
Prophecies About Noah’s Family
Noah lived faithfully for over 600 years but he was not perfect. Noah plant¬ed a vineyard and drank of the wine (vv. 20-21). He was drunk and naked in his tent (v. 22). Ham saw his father drunk and naked. This destroyed his respect and relationship with his father. When Ham reported it to his …
The Genealogy of Adam through Noah
Adam and Eve had several sons and daughters as we read in (Gen. 5:4), but here we are intro¬duced to their son Seth (v. 25). Seth means the “appointed one.†Eve said that God had provided or “appointed†a son in the place of slain Abel. We are never told on when Cain murdered Abel …
Isaac And Rebekah Are Married
The servant took every advantage that he could to share about Isaac and to invite Rebekah to give herself to this unseen man who was dwelling far away (vv. 52- 57). However, he did not attempt to coerce or force her to make a decision. Rebekah could have had a hundred reasons why she …
Joseph Takes His Family to Egypt
While Joseph’s brothers had come to repentance in chapter 44 and realized the forgiveness of Joseph in chapter 45, it is not until this time, late in the life of Jacob, that he comes to a significant turning point of his life. While he may well have been saved years before (Gen. 28:10), he has not …
Leah And Rachael Compete for Jacob’s Love
Rachel was envious of her sister Leah, because Leah had given Jacob four sons, but she had none (v. 1). Rachel blamed Jacob for her childlessness, but Jacob blamed the Lord (v. 2). In anger, Rachel offered up her servant, Bilhah, as a way for Rachel to have children (v. 3). In accepting …