Advent2019.Song of Glory

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 -

The dawning of a long awaited salvation

God’s promise to Jacob in the land of Canaan

Ending of 400 years of silence and darkness

God’s provisions for his people outside the land

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

HISTORICAL -

Israel living under Roman occupation

Census decree for everyone to be registered in their town of lineage.

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.

Augustus is seeking to establish the boudaries of his empire. Show the breadth and depth of his rule.

Pax Romana - Peace of Rome

BIBLICAL -

God will provide godly line

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.

V.1-7 - The Occasion of Christ’s Birth - (The Futility of Striving for glory)

The Time

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

The Place

The Means

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

V. 8-12 - The Announcement of Christ’s Birth (The Light of True Glory)

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

The Audience

The Language

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

The praise

V. 13-20 - The Response to Christ’s Birth (The Beholding of True Glory)

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

The Praising of the Incarnate Son

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

The Declaring of the Incarnate Son

The Treasuring of the Son

The Everyday Change of the Son

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

Because the Incarnation is glorious, we now live under the rule of a better King and in the safety of a better Kingdom

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?

Redemptive-Historical Progression

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

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

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.

The sinful pride of worldly kings and kingdoms

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.”

The sovereign will of God superceding the plans of kings and kingdoms

The birth of the long awaited & promised Messiah King

The Faith and Obedience of Mary and the Shepherds

The Joy-filled

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?

GOAL:

APPLICATIONS:

APPLICATIONS:

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 -

Sermon Outline -

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:

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).

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

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

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

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: