Genesis 23 50 John Stevenson 2012 Genesis 23

Genesis 23 -50 © John Stevenson, 2012

Genesis 23: 2 -4 Sarah died in Kiriath-arba (that is, Hebron) in the land of Canaan; and Abraham went in to mourn for Sarah and to weep for her. 3 Then Abraham rose from before his dead, and spoke to the sons of Heth, saying, 4 “I am a stranger and a sojourner among you; give me a burial site among you that I may bury my dead out of my sight. ”

The Cave of Machpelah • A Fair Purchase. • A Legal Deed. • A Lasting Possession.

Genesis 24: 2 -4 Abraham said to his servant, the oldest of his household, who had charge of all that he owned, “Please place your hand under my thigh, 3 and I will make you swear by the LORD, the God of heaven and the God of earth, that you shall not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I live, 4 but you will go to my country and to my relatives, and take a wife for my son Isaac. ”

Haran Ur

Introduces a Romance Motif • Rebekah hears of the one who shall be her husband • Jacob meets Rachel • Moses meets Zipporah • Ruth meets Boaz (water jars in Ruth 2: 9) • Jesus meets a Samaritan Woman

Terah Abraham Isaac Nahor Rebekah Haran Laban Lot

Genesis 25: 19 -20 Now these are the records of the generations of Isaac, Abraham’s son: Abraham became the father of Isaac; 20 and Isaac was forty years old when he took Rebekah, the daughter of Bethuel the Aramean of Paddan-aram, the sister of Laban the Aramean, to be his wife.

Genesis 25: 21 Isaac prayed to the LORD on behalf of his wife, because she was barren; and the LORD answered him and Rebekah his wife conceived. What is significant about Rebekah’s barren condition given the context of Genesis?

Genesis 25: 21 Isaac prayed to the LORD on behalf of his wife, because she was barren; and the LORD answered him and Rebekah his wife conceived. Isaac’s age at marriage: 40 Isaac’s age at the birth of Jacob & Esau: 60* (See verse 26)

Genesis 25: 22 But the children struggled together within her; and she said, “If it is so, why then am I this way? ” So she went to inquire of the LORD.

Genesis 25: 22 -23 The LORD said to her, “Two nations are in your womb; And two peoples will be separated from your body; And one people shall be stronger than the other; And the older shall serve the younger. ”

What does this prophecy have to say about God’s sovereignty versus the decisions that will be made by Jacob and Esau?

“It affirms that we do not live in a world where all possibilities are kept open and we may choose our posture as we please. It does not deny freedom. But it requires us to speak also about destiny, about the working of this Other One who will have a voice in the future…” (1982: 215).

“There are some options that are closed and some choices denied this people of God. Jacob had some freedom. He could stay or go. He could fear or care. But all his freedom is bounded by the choices God has already made on his behalf” (1982: 215).

Genesis 25: 24 When her days to be delivered were fulfilled, behold, there were twins in her womb. Arthur Sussman

Genesis 25: 25 Now the first came forth red, all over like a hairy garment; and they named him Esau. Admoni (yn. Imod> a; )

Genesis 25: 26 Afterward his brother came forth with his hand holding on to Esau’s heel, so his name was called Jacob; and Isaac was sixty years old when she gave birth to them. Ya’aqob (bqo[]y") Aqeb (bqe[') The heart is more deceitful (bqo[') than all else And is desperately sick; Who can understand it? (Jeremiah 17: 9)

Genesis 25: 27 When the boys grew up, Esau became a skillful hunter, a man of the field, but Jacob was a peaceful man, living in tents. Where has Genesis previously mentioned a hunter?

Genesis 25: 27 When the boys grew up, Esau became a skillful hunter, a man of the field, but Jacob was a peaceful man, living in tents. Ish Tam (~T' vyai) Driver suggests this refers to a “domesticated man. ”

Genesis 25: 28 Now Isaac loved Esau, because he had a taste for game, but Rebekah loved Jacob.

Genesis 25: 29 -31 When Jacob had cooked stew, Esau came in from the field and he was famished; 30 and Esau said to Jacob, “Please let me have a swallow of that red stuff there, for I am famished. ” Therefore his name was called Edom. 31 But Jacob said, “First sell me your birthright. ” Edom (~Ada/) Min-ha. Adom (~doa'h'-!mi)

See to it that no one comes short of the grace of God; that no root of bitterness springing up causes trouble, and by it many be defiled; 16 that there be no immoral or godless person like Esau, who sold his own birthright for a single meal (Hebrews 12: 1516)

For you know that even afterwards, when he desired to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no place for repentance, though he sought for it with tears (Hebrews 12: 17)

Genesis 26: 1 Now there was a famine in the land, besides the previous famine that had occurred in the days of Abraham. So Isaac went to Gerar, to Abimelech king of the Philistines.

26: 1 -5 26: 6 -14 Isaac lies about Isaac told to stay in Rebekah: Canaan “She is my sister. ” God blesses gives Isaac with promises abundance 26: 15 -25 Contrast with Jesus who willingly gave up His own life for His bride

26: 1 -5 26: 6 -14 Isaac lies about Isaac told to stay in Rebekah: Canaan “She is my sister. ” 26: 15 -25 Isaac is continually Abimelech displaced makes and forced covenant to new dig with Isaac wells God blesses God gives Isaac with promises Beersheba promises abundance

Birth of Twins: Jacob is named (25: 19 -34) Interlude: Rebekah in foreign palace, pact with foreigners (26) Jacob fears Esau and flees (27: 1 - 28: 9) Jacob’s encounter with God — ladder (28: 10 -22) Arrival in Haran (29: 1 -30) Jacob’s wives are fertile (29: 31 - 30: 24) Jacob’s flocks are fertile (30: 25 -43) Flight from Haran (31) Jacob’s encounter with God — angel (32) Jacob returns and fears Esau (33: 1 -20) Interlude: Dinah in foreign palace, pact with foreigners (34) Death of Rebekah’s nurse: Named Israel (35)

Genesis 27: 1 Now it came about, when Isaac was old and his eyes were too dim to see, that he called his older son Esau and said to him, “My son. ” And he said to him, “Here I am. ”

Genesis 27: 5 Rebekah was listening while Isaac spoke to his son Esau. So when Esau went to the field to hunt for game to bring home… Sarah listening (18: 10) Rebekah listening (27: 5)

Genesis 27: 11 -12 Jacob answered his mother Rebekah, “Behold, Esau my brother is a hairy man and I am a smooth man. 12 Perhaps my father will feel me, then I will be as a deceiver in his sight, and I will bring upon myself a curse and not a blessing. ” What is the basis of Jacob’s hesitancy?

Genesis 27: 13 But his mother said to him, “Your curse be on me, my son; only obey my voice, and go, get them for me. ”

Genesis 27: 15 -17 Then Rebekah took the best garments of Esau her elder son, which were with her in the house, and put them on Jacob her younger son. 16 And she put the skins of the young goats on his hands and on the smooth part of his neck. 17 She also gave the savory food and the bread, which she had made, to her son Jacob.

Genesis 27: 26 -27 Then his father Isaac said to him, “Please come close and kiss me, my son. ” 27 So he came close and kissed him; and when he smelled the smell of his garments, he blessed him and said, “See, the smell of my son Is like the smell of a field which the LORD has blessed…”

Genesis 27: 28 “Now may God give you of the dew of heaven, And of the fatness of the earth, And an abundance of grain and new wine;

Genesis 27: 29 “May peoples serve you, And nations bow down to you; Be master of your brothers, And may your mother’s sons bow down to you. Cursed be those who curse you, And blessed be those who bless you. ”

Jacob leaves Esau arrives

Genesis 27: 36 Then he said, “Is he not rightly named Jacob, for he has supplanted me these two times? He took away my birthright, and behold, now he has taken away my blessing. ” And he said, “Have you not reserved a blessing for me? ” bq; ['

Jacob Jesus He was the younger brother He was our elder brother He sought to steal the He sought to share the blessing that belonged blessing that was to another rightfully His He took on the skins He took on flesh in of a goat in order to accomplish the our salvation deception

Genesis 27: 41 So Esau bore a grudge against Jacob because of the blessing with which his father had blessed him; and Esau said to himself, “The days of mourning for my father are near; then I will kill my brother Jacob. ”

Esau Isaac Jacob Bethuel Rebekah Laban Haran

Haran Beersheba

Genesis 28: 10 -11 Then Jacob departed from Beersheba and went toward Haran. 11 And he came to a certain place and spent the night there, because the sun had set; and he took one of the stones of the place and put it under his head, and lay down in that place. 10

Genesis 28: 12 He had a dream, and behold, a ladder was set on the earth with its top reaching to heaven; and behold, the angels of God were ascending and descending on it.

Genesis 28: 12 …and behold, the angels of God were ascending and descending on it. “Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see the heavens opened and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man. ” (John 1: 51).

The Promise • I am the Lord • I will give the land • Your descendants will be many • The families of the earth will be blessed • I am with you

Abraham I am God Almighty (17: 1). Isaac Jacob I am the God of I am the Lord, the your father God of your father Abraham (26: 24). Abraham and the God of Isaac (28: 13). For all the land For to you and to The land on which you see, I your descendants you lie, I will give it to I will give all to you and to your these lands descendants (26: 3). (28: 13). forever (13: 15).

Abraham Isaac Jacob And I will make And I will multiply Your descendants your descendants shall also be like descendants as as the stars of the dust of the heaven (26: 4). earth (28: 14). earth (13: 16). And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed (12: 3). And by your And in you and in descendants all your descendants the nations of the shall the families earth shall be of the earth be blessed (26: 4). blessed (28: 14).

Abraham Isaac Jacob Do not fear, for I And behold, I am Abram, I am a am with you (Gen with you, and will shield to you (Gen 26: 24). keep you wherever 15: 1). you go (28: 15). Isaac was told to stay in the land Jacob was told to the Lord would be with him

Genesis 28: 16 -17 Then Jacob awoke from his sleep and said, “Surely the LORD is in this place, and I did not know it. ” 17 He was afraid and said, “How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven. ” The Lord sometimes makes Himself known unexpectedly.

Genesis 28: 18 So Jacob rose early in the morning, and took the stone that he had put under his head and set it up as a pillar and poured oil on its top. • Symbol of banishment • Sign of faith • Anointing

Genesis 28: 19 He called the name of that place Bethel; however, previously the name of the city had been Luz.

Genesis 28: 20 -21 Then Jacob made a vow, saying, “If God will be with me and will keep me on this journey that I take, and will give me food to eat and garments to wear, 21 and I return to my father's house in safety, then the LORD will be my God…”

Genesis 28: 22 “This stone, which I have set up as a pillar, will be God’s house, and of all that You give me I will surely give a tenth to You. ”

Genesis 28: 22 “This stone, which I have set up as a pillar, will be God’s house, and of all that You give me I will surely give a tenth to You. ” He gave him a tenth of all…(Genesis 14: 20)

Genesis 29: 1 Then Jacob went on his journey, and came to the land of the sons of the east. Haran Beersheba

Meeting by a Well A Familiar motif • The Steward of Abraham meets Rebekah by a well. • Jacob meets Rachel by the well. • Moses meets Zipporah by a well. • Boaz meets Ruth by a well (Boaz refers to the water jars drawn by his servants) • Jesus meets the Samaritan woman by a well.

Genesis 29: 11 -12 Then Jacob kissed Rachel, and lifted his voice and wept. 12 Jacob told Rachel that he was a relative of her father and that he was Rebekah’s son, and she ran and told her father. Then the girl ran and told her mother’s household about these things (Genesis 24: 28).

Lot Esau Isaac Jacob Bethuel Rebekah Rachel Leah Laban Haran

Genesis 29: 13 -14 So when Laban heard the news of Jacob his sister’s son, he ran to meet him, and embraced him and kissed him and brought him to his house. Then he related to Laban all these things. 14 Laban said to him, “Surely you are my bone and my flesh. ” And he stayed with him a month.

Genesis 29: 16 Now Laban had two daughters; the name of the older was Leah, and the name of the younger was Rachel.

Genesis 29: 17 And Leah’s eyes were weak, but Rachel was beautiful of form and face. Figure of speech • Vision problems • Tender on the eyes

Genesis 29: 17 And Leah’s eyes were weak, but Rachel was beautiful of form and face. He has no stately form or majesty That we should look upon Him, Nor appearance that we should be attracted to Him. (Isaiah 53: 2).

Genesis 29: 18 -20 Now Jacob loved Rachel, so he said, “I will serve you seven years for younger daughter Rachel. ” 19 Laban said, “It is better that I give her to you than to give her to another man; stay with me. ” 20 So Jacob served seven years for Rachel and they seemed to him but a few days because of his love for her.

Genesis 29: 23 Now in the evening he took his daughter Leah, and brought her to him; and Jacob went in to her. Jacob Deceives Isaac Laban Deceives Jacob

Genesis 29: 26 -27 But Laban said, “It is not the practice in our place to marry off the younger before the firstborn. 27 Complete the week of this one, and we will give you the other also for the service which you shall serve with me for another seven years. ”

Jacob’s Deception Laban’s Deception Jacob’s mother plots to deceive Isaac regarding two brothers Jacob sets out to violate custom regarding birth order Rachel’s father plots to deceive Jacob regarding two sisters Jacob sets out to violate custom regarding birth order Jacob dresses as his brother Leah dresses as her sister Jacob deceives Isaac when he cannot see Laban deceives Jacob when he cannot see George Sayour

Jacob’s Deception Laban’s Deception Isaac gives the blessing to the wrong brother Jacob ends up marrying the wrong sister Isaac finds out when it is too late and says that Jacob came with “deceit” Jacob finds out when it is too late and asks why he has been “deceived” Isaac gives Esau a secondary blessing Jacob marries Rachel secondarily Birthright is supplanted Custom regarding birth order is maintained George Sayour

Mother Leah Bilhah (Rachel’s maid) Zilpah (Leah’s maid) Leah Son Reuben Simeon Levi Judah Dan Naphtali Gad Asher Issachar Zebulun Mother Rachel Son Joseph Benjamin

Jacob is building a family that will grow & prosper until he takes them home. • There is opposition • There is bondage • But Jacob endures and escapes the presence of Laban.

Jacob is building a family that will grow & prosper until he takes them home. The story of Israel is about building a family that will grow & prosper until they find their home in the Promised Land. • There is opposition • There is bondage • But Israel escapes from Egypt.

Jacob is building a family that will grow & prosper until he takes them home. The story of Israel is about building a family that will grow & prosper until they find their home in the Promised Land. Jesus is building a family that will grow & prosper until He takes us home.

Genesis 31: 19 When Laban had gone to shear his flock, then Rachel stole the household idols that were her father’s. Teraphim (~ypir'T. )

Haran

Genesis 31: 32 “The one with whom you find your gods shall not live; in the presence of our kinsmen point out what is yours among my belongings and take it for yourself. ” For Jacob did not know that Rachel had stolen them.

Jacob fears Esau and flees (27: 1 - 28: 9) Jacob’s encounter with God — ladder (28: 10 -22) Arrival in Haran (29: 1 -30) Jacob’s wives are fertile (29: 31 - 30: 24) Jacob’s flocks are fertile (30: 25 -43) Flight from Haran (31) Jacob’s encounter with God — angel (32) Jacob returns and fears Esau (33: 1 -20)

Genesis 32: 22 -23 Now he arose that same night and took his two wives and his two maids and his eleven children, and crossed the ford of the Jabbok. 23 He took them and sent them across the stream. And he sent across whatever he had.

Genesis 32: 24 Then Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him until daybreak. qbea'YE Niphal imperfect of qb; a'

Genesis 32: 25 When he saw that he had not prevailed against him, he touched the socket of his thigh; so the socket of Jacob's thigh was dislocated while he wrestled with him.

Genesis 32: 26 Then he said, “Let me go, for the dawn is breaking. ” But he said, “I will not let you go unless you bless me. ”

Genesis 32: 27 -28 So he said to him, “What is your name? ” And he said, “Jacob. ” 28 He said, “Your name shall no longer be Jacob, but Israel; for you have striven with God and with men and have prevailed. ” ~yhil{a/-~[i t'yr. If-y. Ki'

Genesis 32: 29 Then Jacob asked him and said, “Please tell me your name. ” But he said, “Why is it that you ask my name? ” And he blessed him there.

Genesis 32: 30 So Jacob named the place Peniel, for he said, “I have seen God face to face, yet my life has been preserved. ”

Genesis 35: 16 -17 Then they journeyed from Bethel; and when there was still some distance to go to Ephrath, Rachel began to give birth and she suffered severe labor. 17 When she was in severe labor the midwife said to her, “Do not fear, for now you have another son. ”

Genesis 35: 18 -19 It came about as her soul was departing (for she died), that she named him Ben-oni; but his father called him Benjamin. 19 So Rachel died and was buried on the way to Ephrath (that is, Bethlehem). “Son of my sorrows” “Son of my right (hand)”

Rachel’s Story • Rachel’s untimely death is a part of a curse unwittingly placed on her by Jacob “The one with whom you find your gods shall not live; in the presence of our kinsmen point out what is yours among my belongings and take it for yourself. ” For Jacob did not know that Rachel had stolen them. (Genesis 31: 32).

Rachel’s Story • Rachel’s untimely death is a part of a curse unwittingly placed on her by Jacob • Rachel is buried “on the way to Ephrath (that is, Bethlehem)” • A later reference to “Rachel weeping for her children” will point to untimely deaths in Bethlehem. • We have a “Son at the right hand” from Bethlehem who became a curse for us.

Genesis 37: 3 Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his sons, because he was the son of his old age; and he made him a varicolored tunic. ~y. Si. P; tn<to. K. Two possible meanings: • A coat with sleeves • A coat with colors

Genesis 37: 3 Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his sons, because he was the son of his old age; and he made him a varicolored tunic. ~y. Si. P; tn<to. K. The same phrase is used in 2 Samuel 13: 18 -19 to describe Tamar’s royal robe

Genesis 37: 3 Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his sons, because he was the son of his old age; and he made him a varicolored tunic. What does the Bible say about favoritism?

Dothan Shechem Hebron

Genesis 37: 18 When they saw him from a distance and before he came close to them, they plotted against him to put him to death.

Jacob deceives Ten sons Tamar deceives Isaac deceive Jacob Judah Jacob dons the The sons of Tamar take the clothing of Esau Jacob deceive pledge of Judah’s and uses the skin him with the coat seal and cord and of a goat in the of Joseph stained staff and is deception with the blood of a promised a goat as payment Isaac in 27: 23 Jacob in 37: 32 Judah recognizes (rkn) does not asked to recognize (rkn) examine (rkn) the items of his Jacob the coat pledge

What are we to think of Tamar? Judah recognized them, and said, “She is more righteous than I, inasmuch as I did not give her to my son Shelah. ” (Genesis 38: 26)

Tamar is the account of a Canaanite who came into the covenant community and who learned to value the heritage of the seed of Abraham.

Younger Brother Motif • • • Seth instead of Cain Isaac instead of Ishmael Jacob instead of Esau Perez instead of Zerah Ephraim instead of Manasseh We have an elder brother who has given us His inheritance

Joseph in Canaan Joseph in Egypt Joseph is favored in his Joseph is favored in father’s house Potiphar’s House Joseph gives reports to Joseph’s master his father entrusts Joseph with all Joseph is mistreated by his brothers Joseph is mistreated by Potiphar’s wife Joseph is stripped of his cloak, which is used Thrown to deceive father to into deceive Potiphar into his a pit prison

• The Cupbearer • 3 Branches on a budding vine • Squeezed grapes into the Pharaoh’s Cup • He puts the cup in Pharaoh’s hand • The Baker • 3 Baskets of bread on his head • They were food for Pharaoh • Birds were eating them out of the basket

Joseph’s Plea Only keep me in mind when it goes well with you, and please do me a kindness by mentioning me to Pharaoh and get me out of his house. (Genesis 40: 14) Yet the chief cupbearer did not remember Joseph, but forgot him. (Genesis 40: 23)

Genesis 41: 1 -7 Now it happened at the end of two full years that Pharaoh had a dream… Two Dreams – 7 Fat Cows are Eaten by 7 Gaunt Cows – 7 Plump Ears of Grain are Swallowed by 7 thin Ears of Grain

Genesis 41: 16 Joseph then answered Pharaoh, saying, “It is not in me; God will give Pharaoh a favorable answer. ” ~Alv'

Genesis 41: 32 “Now as for the repeating of the dream to Pharaoh twice, it means that the matter is determined by God, and God will quickly bring it about. ”

Joseph’s Five-Step Plan • Find a Discerning and Wise Man and Place Him over Egypt • Appoint Overseers over the Land • Collect 1/5 of the Produce during 7 Years • Store Up the Food in Pharaoh’s Cities • Use/Sell the Stored Food During the Famine

Joseph manipulates his brothers in order to bring the family back together, not just physically, but spiritually.

Joseph manipulates his brothers in order to bring the family back together, not just physically, but spiritually. As Moses writes this narrative, God is doing the same thing to Israel.

Joseph manipulates his brothers in order to bring the family back together, not just physically, but spiritually. What is God doing in your life today to bring you closer to Himself?

Genesis 50: 19 -20 But Joseph said to them, “Do not be afraid, for am I in God’s place? 20 As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive. ”