Genesis : Jacob, Joseph, and Egypt

Isaac

This little bundle of “laughter,” the child of promise, came to Sarah and Abraham when they were 90 (Sarah) and 100 years (Abe) old. Remember, Abe was called out by God to walk 25 years before the promise was born.

Along the way, Sarah and Abe thought that it would be the will of God for Abe to have children through Hagar, and Ishmael was born. Through Ishmael, 12 sons will be born. The “wild donkey of a man” will be the head of Arabic descendants and Muslim nations.

Isaac married Rebekah, who bore him twin sons, Esau and Jacob (Gen. 24-25). Isaac is seen as one of Israel’s great patriarchs and as an example of true faith, willing to be obedient to the point of death.

Jacob

This little “heel grabber, cheater, or supplanter,” was born with twin brother, Esau. Jacob is going to deceive Isaac, rob Esau of his blessing, and he will be the original ancestor of the nation of Israel, he is the father of 12 tribes.

One night (Gen. 28:10-22), Jacob had a dream of a ladder that connected heaven to earth, and angels of God ascended and descended on it. In other words, Jacob had a dream about Jesus (Read John 1:51). Jesus is the gate/door (Read John 10:9). Bethel, the House of God points forward to God making His house with us in Christ (John 1:14), and He will also be our Bethlehem, our House of Living Bread.

Jacob spent 14 years working for his wives, and then 6 more years to gain wealth through God’s grace and Laban. In and through it all, God worked to change Jacob’s character, and after wrestling with (the Angel of the Lord, with God, or preincarnate Jesus) God changes His name to Israel (one who struggles with God; God strives). Jacob is now a changed person, and his walk will never be the same.

As mentioned before, Jacob did not have television, so they had a very large family, concluding with Joseph and then Benjamin.

Key Point: Jacob was chosen by God (Malachi 1:3; Romans 9:10-13), not because of what he had done or who he is. God was personally involved in his life, and his story is a story of conflict and pain. But, through it all, God’s promises continue and God works through all things for good.

Joseph

Joseph and Benjamin had the same mother, Rachel, Jacob’s favorite wife. He became Jacob’s favorite child and was given a coat of many colors. Jealousy almost led to his murder after God gives him a dream of his family bowing down before him. (This will be fulfilled later) Instead, he is sold to a group of Ishmaelites (Now who are they?) and he was taken to Egypt. This is where God will bless Joseph, save the people of Egypt, and also save Israel and his family, preserving the promises of God.

Key Verses: The scepter shall not depart from Judah (Gen. 49:10; Rev. 5:5). Genesis 50:20 - “You meant it for evil against me, but God meant it for good...” Another Joseph received a dream and brought his family to Egypt to save them. Out of Egypt God will call His people; out of Egypt God will also call His Son (Hosea 11:1; Matt. 2:13-23).

Egypt

Was Egypt part of God’s plan? God told Abram that his descendents would be as numerous as the dust on the earth (Gen. 13:16). God told Abram: “Know certainly that your descendants will be strangers in a land and they will serve them and will be afflicted by them for 400 years. I will judge that nation and they will come out with great possessions (Gen. 15:13-14). There will be conflict, pain, and evil… but God will fulfill His promises and work all things together for _____________.