Pray Like This

1. How does the context inform the meaning of this passage? Please consider: a) the literary context (passages before and after the passage), b) the historical context (circumstances of the audience), and c) the biblical context (citations/allusions or historical connections to other books that the author is making).

LITERARY -

- larger periscope is “beware of practicing righteousness before men.

Jospeh’s invitation to move Jacob and his entire family to Egypt.

Two main areas of concern

Our service and generosity to others

God’s promise to Jacob in the land of Canaan

Our spiritual piety of prayer and fasting

God’s provisions for his people outside the land

God speaks to Abraham about these events in Genesis 12 and 15

HISTORICAL -

The Pharisees have turned obedience to the Law into a Dog and Pony show

There they would not intermarry with the Egyptians b/c the Egyptians placed a high value on genetic purity as well. IT would be a tough 400 years but they would leave prosperous and numerous in the end.

BIBLICAL -

Biblical theology of the Law

We are law breakers and Jesus is the Law Keeper

2. How has the author organized this passage? Please a) show the structure in sections with verse references and b) explain what strategies you used to see this structure.

The Attitude of a praying life (v.5-6)

Scene 2: Jacob journeys to Egypt (46:5–27)

The Pattern of a praying life (v.7-15)

Scene 3: Joseph meets Jacob (46:28–34)

The Attitude of fasting (v.16)

The Pattern of fasting (v.17-18)

Scene 4: Joseph’s brothers meet Pharaoh (47:1–6)

Scene 5: Jacob meets Pharaoh (47:7–10)

Scene 6: Joseph cares for his family and Egypt (47:11–26)

Scene 7: Jacob prepares to die (47:27–31)

3. Drawing on your work to this point, state the author’s aim for his audience (in one short sentence).

Prayer & fasting are an admittance of our weakness before the Lord not a demonstration of our strength before men. Beward of false righteousness that corrupts the goodness of God’s Law in our hearts.

To assure Israel that their God, unlike the local gods, goes with them wherever they go

4. What parts of this passage connect to the gospel of Jesus Christ? What part of the gospel is in view?

4. What parts of this passage connect to the gospel of Jesus Christ? What part of the gospel is in view?

Redemptive-Historical Progression

Since Jacob is “afraid” (46:3) to leave the Promised Land without God’s blessing, God promises him that he will go down to Egypt with him and will bring him up again (cf. Bethel, 28:15). In fulfillment of his promises, God saves Israel from the great famine, makes them into a great nation, and later brings Israel up out of Egypt again. God promises Moses, “I will be with you” (Exod 3:12). Moses, in turn, encourages Israel to capture Canaan: “Have no fear or dread of them, because it is the Lord your God who goes with you; he will not fail you or forsake you” (Deut 31:6). God also assures Joshua, “As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will not fail you or forsake you” (Josh 1:5). Still later, when Israel is in exile, the Lord again assures his people of his presence: “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you” (Isa 43:2; cf. 41:10). Thus in Old Testament times, God keeps alive the people who will give birth to the Messiah. When Jesus is born, Matthew observes fulfillment of the prophecy about Emmanuel, “which means, ‘God is with us’ ” (Matt 1:23; cf. John 14:9–10; Col 2:9). After Jesus rises from the dead, he promises his disciples, “Remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matt 28:20). When Jesus ascends to heaven, he pours out the Holy Spirit to dwell in God’s people (Acts 2:33). On the last day, when Jesus comes again, God will dwell with his people; “they will be his peoples, and God himself will be with them” (Rev 21:3).

New Testament References

Communion and Lordship of Jesus for the Believer

The appendix to the Greek New Testament again has references to Stephen’s speech in Acts 7 (vv. 14, 15, and 17). For Genesis 46:2, “Jacob, Jacob,” it lists Acts 9:4, “Saul, Saul.” For Genesis 46:30, Jacob’s words, “I can die now, having seen for myself that you are still alive,” it lists Luke 2:29, Simeon’s words, “Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace …; for my eyes have seen your salvation.” And for Genesis 47:31, “Then Israel bowed himself on the head of his bed,” it lists Hebrews 11:21, Jacob “bowing in worship over the top of his staff” (based on the Septuagint). Only one of these references, Luke 2:29, is linked to Jesus. Accordingly, except for Luke 2:29, these New Testament references are not good bridges from this Old Testament narrative to Jesus.

There are, however, some other New Testament references that link the theme of God’s presence with his people to Jesus. In addition to the passages mentioned earlier, one might consider Matthew 18:20, where Jesus promises, “Where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.” And especially Romans 8:35–39, where Paul raises the question, “Who will separate us from the love of Christ?” After enumerating many possibilities, he concludes that nothing “in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

5. Drawing on your work to this point, what conclusion will you argue to your audience (in one short sentence)? What applications will you make for your audience?

Main Conclusion

The Bible commands us to Cultivate a communion with God through prayer and fasting as means to live out the Law of God.

APPLICATIONS

Communion with God is the reward of keeping God’s Law

See this in Garden

Dependency on the sovereign grace of God is the assurance that we will find the reward of communion with God.

6. Sermon Title & Outline

6. Sermon Title & Outline

APPLICATIONS:

We must trust in the presence of God’s Spirit in us.

We must seek the good of our neighbor, including our ideological enemies, not just our own good.

We must be thankful for God’s provisions in our life.

We must understand the the world will grow jealous of our blessing (Christendom)

6. What is your sermon title and your preaching outline?

Sermon Title - LIfe Far From Home

Sermon Outline -

I. God promises to go with his people Israel to Egypt

Exposition of Genesis 46:1–4 .

State the textual theme: “In accord with his promise, God goes with his people Israel to Egypt.”

II. We see God’s presence in Egypt in:

TITLE - PRAY LIKE THIS

Reuniting Jacob and his son Joseph (46:28–30)

Pharaoh giving Israel access to the best of the land of Egypt (46:31–47:6).

Jacob being able to bless Pharaoh (47:7–10).

Joseph giving Israel “a holding” in Egypt and sufficient food (47:11–12).

Joseph saving the lives of the Egyptians (47:13–26).

God prospering Israel and multiplying them exceedingly (47:27).

OUTLINE -

III. We see God’s presence with us in Jesus (typological parallels):

The Goal of our Prayer & Fasting

As Joseph granted Israel “a holding in the land,” so Jesus grants us a holding in the kingdom of God (Matt 25:34 )

Attitude and Pattern of our Fasting

As Joseph provided food for Israel, so Jesus provides us with “the bread of life” (John 6:35 ).

The Pattern of our Prayer & Fasting

As Joseph saved Israel from starvation, so Jesus saves us from sin and gives us eternal life (John 3:16 ).

In accord with his promise, God goes with his people wherever they go (Matt 28:20 ).

7. QUOTES: