01 Genesis - 2009
Skip Heitzig
The book of Genesis is rich with theology including creation, the fall of man, and justification by grace through faith. Genesis, the book of beginnings, provides foundational truths from which we can learn who God is and how He operates in the lives of His people.
In this study of Genesis, Pastor Skip Heitzig presents an in-depth examination and fresh perspective of familiar stories like the creation, Adam & Eve, Noah and the Flood, the call of Abraham, and Sodom and Gomorrah. This series offers solid information to equip believers with truth in today's battle against the lies of evolution, the basic goodness of man, and a "fairy tale" approach to the Bible.
Table of Contents
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MESSAGE SUMMARY
The book of Genesis is foundational to the rest of the Scriptures. What a person believes about creation influences their view of the entire Bible. In this verse by verse examination of Genesis chapter 1 we'll uncover the origins of the universe and gain a greater appreciation of God's power, wisdom and care. Although many questions about the specifics of creation remain unanswered, we can rest assured that "In the beginning God."
DETAILED NOTES
- Introduction
- Popularity of the Bible
- Pure Revelation
- General Revelation - Created World
- Special Revelation - Special Revelation
- Theme of Scripture - Messiah
- First Coming
- Second Coming
- Divisions of the Bible
- Two Parts
- Old Testament
- New Testament
- Five Parts
- Preparation - Old Testament
- Manifestation - Gospels
- Propagation - Acts
- Information - Epistles
- Consummation - Revelation
- Divisions of the Old Testament
- Jewish Tradition
- Law
- Prophets
- Writings
- Western Tradition
- Law (Pentateuch) Genesis-Deuteronomy
- History Joshua - Esther
- Poetry (Wisdom Literature) Job - Song of Solomon
- Prophecy Isaiah - Malachi
- Divisions of Genesis
- Three Parts (G. Campbell Morgan)
- Generation (ch. 1-2)
- Degeneration (ch. 3-11)
- Regeneration (ch. 12-50)
- Two Parts - 2500 Years (or more) of History
- Primeval History (ch. 1-11)
- Patriarchal History (ch. 12-50)
- Science and the Bible
- Herbert Spencer
- Time (In the beginning)
- Force (God)
- Action (created)
- Space (the heavens)
- Matter (and the earth.)
- Evolution
- Most Intelligent people believe in evolution, because they believe most intelligent people believe in evolution.
- Speculative (Michael Denton-highly speculative and entirely w/o direct support)
- Fossil Record Does Not Support
- Darwin saw the problem
- David Raup - fewer examples of evolutionary transition than in Darwin's time
- Purpose of Genesis is not Biology course, but to point to the Messiah.
- The Teleological Argument
- The Creation
- Day defined
- Portion of a calendar day that is light - daylight
- Unspecified period of time - i.e. the Day of the Lord
- 24-hour period
- Numerical adjectives
- Evening & morning
- Day One - Light (vs. 3-5)
- God's first recorded words, "Light be!"
- No Sun
- God dwells in unapproachable light
- Shekinah Glory
- Day Two - Firmament (vs. 6-8)
- Water canopy
- Heavens
- Atmosphere
- Celestial Heavens, space
- Third Heaven, where God's glory dwells in fullness
- Day Three - (vs. 9-13)
- Seas - all bodies of water
- Dry Land
- Green Plants
- Created in mature form
- With seeds "after their kind"
- Horizontal, but no vertical transition (fossil record)
- Day Four (vs. 14-19)
- Sun
- Moon
- Stars
- Signs and Seasons
- Placement of the Earth in the Universe is just right.
- Marvelous Design
- As far as God is concerned, Center of the Universe
- Day Five (vs. 20-23)
- Sea Creatures
- Winged Creatures
- Day Six (vs. 24-31)
- Domesticated Animals
- Wild Animals
- Creepy Things
- Man
- God saw that is was very good.
Cross References: Psalm 19:1-4, 7, 10a, Job 38: 2-4, Hebrews 11:3, Romans 1:21, Isaiah 45:18, 19
Figures Referenced: Charles Spurgeon, Michael Denton, Charles Darwin, David Raup.
Hebrew terms: hayah (became), tohuw (formless), bohuw (void), yom (day).
Publications Referenced: Halley's Bible Handbook, Guinness Book of World Records.
Topic: Creation
Keywords: bible study, origin of the universe, gap theory, six days of creation, creation, fossil record, evolution
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SERIES: |
01 Genesis - 2009 |
MESSAGE: |
Genesis 1:24-2:25 |
SPEAKER: |
Skip Heitzig |
SCRIPTURE: |
Genesis 1:24-2:25 |
URL: |
http://SkipHeitzig.com/739 |
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MESSAGE SUMMARY
Mankind is confused about the origin of man. Sadly, many of the world's most intelligent minds embrace the lie of evolution. But man did not accidentally evolve from primordial soup. We are God's crowning creation, a result of His intricate design.
DETAILED NOTES
- God
- Genesis 1 - God as Creator
- Genesis 2 God as Gardener, Surgeon, Matchmaker
- Sixth Day of Creation (Genesis 1:24-31)
- Cattle - domestic animals
- Creeping thing
- Beast of the Earth - wild animals
- Dinosaurs
- Animals and man created the same day
- Conflict
- The Bible says they were created the same day
- Popular Science
"Dinosaurs Reigned Over the Earth"
"Extinct Before Man"
- Fossil Record
Horizontal dinosaur fossils in the earth's strata
Glen Rose, TX dinosaur and human footprints co-exist
- Trinity… vs. 26
- Elohim - (male plural)
- Plural in form (Let "Us" make man in "Our" image)
- -im (male plural)
- -ot (female plural)
- Singular in usage (in "His" own image "He" created)
- Oneness of God (Deuteronomy 6:4)
- Illustrations (helpful but limited)
- Apple
- Egg
- Time
- Yesterday
- Today
- Tomorrow
- Water
- Ice
- Vapor
- Fluid
- One God in Three Distinct Persons
- Father
- Son
- Holy Spirit
- Creation of Man
- Image of God
- Very different from animals
- Intellect
- Reason
- Rationale
- Logical thought attached to other thought
- In God's Image
- Tripartite
- Body (flesh)
- Soul (consciousness)
- Spirit
- Elevated
- No longer what God intended
- Perfect,
- Flawless,
- Sinless
- Jesus
- Man's unique relationship to the universe
- Subdue it
- Harness it
- Research it
- Use it for man's business
- Scientific Magna Carta (Proverbs 25:2)
- Have dominion over animals
- God gave vegetables for food
- Herbivores
- We should eat well
- Meat for food came later (Genesis 9:3)
- The Value of God's Creation
- It was good 7x
- It was very good - sums it up
- One thing was not good
- Genesis of Humanity(Genesis 2)
- Chapter 1 provides the scope of creation
- Chapter 2 zooms in on the creation of man
- Seventh Day of Creation (Gen 2:1-3)
- God ended the work and rested
- Blessed and sanctified it
- Not tired
- Significance of number 7
- 3x for emphasis
- To be full, complete
- Cultural Contrasts (The Biblical account was not borrowed from elsewhere)
- Babylonian Cosmogony
- Sun, moon, stars worshipped
- Zodiac, astrology
- 7th day unlucky
- Biblical account
- Man is the center
- 7th day blessed
- No command to keep the Sabbath at this point
- God created a day to enjoy (work 6 days, rest 1)
- New Name for God
- Chapter 1 is Elohim (transcendence and power over creation)
- Chapter 2 is Yahweh (covenant name revealing relationship to chosen people)
- Tetragrammaton YHWH, YHVH
- I AM THAT I AM (Exodus 3:14)
- Self-existent one
- Uncaused cause
- Hayah
- Eternal Nature
- Don't know how it is pronounced
- So Holy it is never uttered
- G-D
- Adonai
- Hashem (the Name)
- No rain (vs 4-6)
- May be canopy
- Green house effect
- Even temperature
- Restrict mass air flow
- Lush
- No desert or ice caps
- Restrict the Light Spectrum
- Longer life
- Slower aging
- Some believe the canopy theory causes more questions than it answers
- Creation of Man (vs.7)
- God Formed Man (yatsar)
- molded
- shaped like an artist
- God Breathed in him (ruoch)
- breath,
- wind,
- spirit
- Eden (vs 8-14)
- Antediluvian Geography
- Mesopotamian River Delta
- Pishon
- Gihon,
- Hiddekel
- Euphrates
- Humanism (man is a product of his environment)Untrue
- In Eden man rebelled
- After the millennium man will again rebel
- Depravity of Man
- Tree of Life (vs 9, Revelation 22: 2)
- Free Will (vs.15-17)
- Potential to Love
- Freedom
- Volition
- Creation of Woman (vs 21-23)
- It was not good for man to be alone
- Out of balance
- Wasn't complete
- Needed companionship
- Helper (Psalm 46:1)
- Made from rib or side (Matthew Henry)
- Not head (above him)
- Not foot (to be walked on)
- Side (equal)
- Under arm (to be protected)
- Near heart (to be loved)
- Adam's Response
- Bone of my bone, flesh of my flesh (vs. 23)
- This is it! (The Living Bible)
- The Origin of Marriage (vs-24, 25)
- Leaving
- Cleaving
- Permanence
- No divorce except for adultery
- Weaving
- Intimacy (vs.25)
- Physical
- Emotional
Cross References: Acts 20:27, Genesis 6-11, Deuteronomy 6:4, 1 Thessalonians 5:23, Genesis 9:3, Proverbs 25:2, Exodus 3:14, Revelation 22:2, Psalm 46:1
Hebrew Terms: Hashem(the name), YHWH, YHVH, hayah (to be), ruach(breath, wind, spirit), adam (man, mankind,) adamah (ground, land), yatsar (to form, to fashion,)
Greek Terms: pneuma (breath, wind, spirit)
Figures Referenced: Matthew Henry
Publications Referenced: The Living Bible
Topic: Creation
Keywords: creation, trinity, image of God, tripartite, Eden, Pishon, Gihon, Hiddekel, Euphrates, Adam, dusty, rib, side, Matthew Henry, marriage, male, female.
MESSAGE SUMMARY
The lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the boastful pride of life are the oldest tricks in the book. Just as Satan deceived Eve into believing God was holding out on her, we too can be tempted to believe that what God has forbidden is the key to our fulfillment. Can God be trusted? In this message we learn that while the consequences of disobedience are disastrous, the Lord has a plan for our redemption.
DETAILED NOTES
- God saw it was Good
- Creation was good and complete
- The only thing lacking (companion for man) God fixed
- Serpent (vs.1)
- Revelation 12:7-9
- Devil
- Satan (adversary)
- Serpent of old
- Ezekiel 28:11-15
- Prince of Tyre
- King or Tyre (Melek)
(full of wisdom, beauty, anointed cherub who covers, on mountain of God, perfect until iniquity found, seal of perfection, wisest of all creatures, prime minister, administrator, in charge of worship)
- Isaiah 14:12-17
- Lucifer
- Son of the morning
- "I wills" 5x (exalted self)
- Luke 10:18
- Lucifer
- Cast from heaven
- Shows up in the Garden of Eden (failed in Heaven, trying to advance his agenda on Earth)
- Rabbinic legend says pre-fall the serpent could speak
- Creature inhabited by the "shining one" (nachash)
- Temptation - Can God be Trusted?
- Satan challenges God's Word
- God's Word powerful, creation spoken into existence Heb 11:3
- Has God Said? First question mark in the Bible.
- Satan still challenges God's Word.
- Satan challenges God's Love
- Would a good God keep something from you?
- Turns a positive invitation to a negative prohibition.
- Satan denied God's Word
- You won't die
- We should not be ignorant of Satan's devices.
- Forbidden Fruit
- Apple (art)
- Grapes (legalism view, making wine sin)
- Symbolic of sexual activity (contradicts scripture, be fruitful and multiply)
- Limited freedom and dominion
- Accountability, responsibility
- Sin Introduced
- Eve's 4 steps to disobedience
- Saw
- Took
- Ate
- Gave
- Adam's Direct Disobedience
- Darkest day of history Gen 3:6
- S-I-N virus Romans 5:12
- Sin entered
- Death entered
- Death spread
- Death reigned
- Adam acted as the representative of mankind
- Jesus acts as our representative
- Sin mars the image of God in man
- Serious Consequences - Spiritually Dead
- Consequences
- Eyes Opened vs. 7
- Knew they were naked
- Hid selves vs. 8
- Fear
- Psalm 139:7 (can't really hide from God)
- Jonah
- Us (instinctive to hide sin)
- Self Consciousness
- God came in "cool of day" vs. 7
- Afternoon
- Customary
- Time of fellowship
- God walking with man
- Where are you? Vs 9
- Didn't lack knowledge
- Self-revelatory question
- Speaks to the condition of man
- Who told you?
- Man is a trinity
- Body
- Mind
- Spirit
- Different from Plants
- Animals have body and soul
- Man has body, soul and spirit
- Sin caused the spirit to die
- Fallen (instead of mind of spirit we have mind of flesh)
- Born Again (spirit awakened we have life)
- Blameshifting
- Logical (makes sense)
- Not Theological (not true)
- Adam blamed Eve
- Eve blamed the serpent
- Cursed
- Serpent
- Humiliated
- Enmity between Satan and her seed
- The invisible War (Satan trying to prevent his inevitable destruction)
- Cain kills Abel
- Flood (all destroyed but one family)
- Esau attempts to kill Jacob
- Pharaoh destroys male Hebrew children
- Saul attempts to kill David
- Haman plots to annihilate the Jews
- Herod kills the babies in Bethlehem
- Satan tries to exterminate Christ
- Persecution of Israel (Revelation 12)
- Eve
- Pain in childbirth
- Desires to rule over husband
- Adam
- Grinding toil of labor
- Covered
- Self Covering inadequate
- fig leaves
- good works
- religion
- God's substitution sacrifice
- animal skins (lambs?)
- One lamb for one individual (Adam and Eve)
- One lamb for one family (Exodus from Egypt)
- One lamb for the nation (Day of Atonement)
- One lamb for the world (Jesus)
- Cast Out
- Mercy
- Made way for redemption
- Religion
- Human Achievement (works)
- Divine Accomplishment
Cross References: Revelation 12:7-9, Ezekiel 28:2, 11-15, Isaiah 14:12, Luke 10:18, Hebrews 11:3, 2 Corinthians 2:11, 1 John 2:16, 1 Timothy 2:14, 1 Corinthians 15:22, Romans 5:12-14, Ephesians 2:5, Psalms 139:7-10, Jonah 1, 1 Thessalonians 5:23, Genesis 4:7, Hebrews 9:22
Hebrew Terms: melek (king) nachash (serpent, shining one), nephesh, (a soul, living being, life,) halak (move amongst, walk, conversant with)
Publications Referenced: The Invisible War, by Donald Grey Barnhouse.
Topic: Temptation and the Fall of Man
Keywords: Adam, Eve, Satan, devil, adversary, deception, temptation, Lucifer, Eden, disobedience, spiritual death, trinity, religion, cursed
MESSAGE SUMMARY
Though death was not God's original plan for His creation, through the sin of Adam, death entered the entire human race and has reigned ever since. As we explore the 1500 years of history covered in Chapters 5 and 6 of Genesis, the fruit of sin is evident. We'll discover that from the murder of Abel through the descendants of Cain, love of self ruled in the hearts of men, but those in Christ must rule over sin and let the love of God be our motivation.
DETAILED NOTES
- Review
- Chapter 1 Beginning of the Universe
- Beginning of the Human Race
- Beginning of Sin - Root of Sin
- Results and Progress of Sin (Fruit of Sin) Death
- Romans 5:12,14
- Sin Entered
- Death Entered
- Death Spread
- Death Reigned
- Requires the second Adam, Jesus Christ
- G Campbell Morgan's Outline of Genesis
- Ch. 1-2 Generation
- Ch. 3-11 Degeneration
- Ch 12-50 Regeneration
- Cain - Acquired a man
- Adam and Eve believed he was fulfillment of a promise
- Deliverer
- Messiah
- Not what they hoped for
- Could have been spoiled
- Gardener
- Abel- Breath, vapor, ascends
- Spiritual child
- Hoped he would live up to Cain
- Shepherd
- Offerings
- In the process of time, end of days
- Infers a set time
- Infers instruction by God
- Pattern of animal sacrifice
- Abel's Sacrifice - Lamb
- Respected by God
- Sad
- Not beautiful
- Blood
- Cain's Sacrifice - Grains, Plants
- Not respected by God
- Exciting
- Beautiful
- No Blood
- The Superior Offering
- Kind
- By faith (Hebrews 11:4)
- Substitutionary
- Quality
- Firstlings
- Fat
- Very best
- Character Behind the Offering (vs 5-7)
- Do well - accepted
- Do not do well - rejected
- God doesn't separate the worship from the worshipper (Matthew 15:8, Luke 18:13))
- Cain - False Worshiper
- Pride
- Anger
- We judge worship outwardly
- Sin in the Heart
- Crouches at the door
- Desired to control us
- Allow Jesus to deal with our sin/temptation
- You must rule over it
- God reasoned with Cain
- Murder of Abel
- First murder, death
- Planned
- Violence entered human race
- Lies
- Hardened heart Revealed
- Way of Cain
- Rejects God's solution - Christ
- Comes their own way
- Religion
- Works
- Refuse to Repent
- Cursed
- Wanderer
- Banished from Land
- Loss of family protection
- Work
- Land Cursed through Adam's Sin (Romans 8:20-22)
- Cain responded with self-pity instead of repentance
- Mark set on Cain
- Pledge
- Physical Mark (Ezekiel 9, Revelation 7: 3-8)
- Descendents of Cain
- Cain's wife/sister
- Not prohibited
- Gene pool not as polluted
- Cain's son Enoch
- Establishing a city - defying God's sentence as a wanderer
- Lamech
- First bigamist
- Descendants subdued the land for self-glory
- Killed a man
- Genealogy of Adam through Seth
- Seth
- Godly line
- Men called on the name of the Lord
- Focus on the Faithful (Malachi 3:16)
- Genealogy like walking through a graveyard (…he died)
- Age factor
- Adam created as a man
- Animals in adult form, not eggs
- Plants with seeds not as seeds
- Earth and Universe created with age factor possible
- Enoch
- Mentioned more in New Testament than Old
- Five times mentioned
- Twice in genealogies
- Genesis 5: 21-24
- Hebrews 11:5,6
- Jude 14,15
- Did not Die
- Transferred to heaven
- Rapture (1 Thessalonians 4: 13-18)
- Prophesied Judgment through Methuselah
- His name means "death shall bring it"
- Died the year of the flood
Works Referenced: "Death in the Long Grass" by Peter H. Captstick, "City of God" by St. Augustine
Figures Referenced: G Campbell Morgan, Francis Schaeffer
Hebrew terms: Qayin, qanah (to get, acquire)Hebel (vapor, breath)adam (mankind)
Cross References: Romans 5:12,14, Hebrews 11:4, Matthew 15:8, Luke 18:13, Jude 11, Romans 8:20-22, Genesis 9, Malachi 3:16, Hebrews 11:5,6, Jude 14,15, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
Topic: The Fruit of Sin
Keywords: sin, death, Cain, Abel, offering, murder, curse, Lamech, Seth, Enoch
MESSAGE SUMMARY
When Jesus told His disciples about His second coming, He said, "But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be." In this message we'll examine the world conditions at the time of the flood and see how the world has fallen back to similar depravity. We'll also uncover exciting parallels between God's plan of salvation of Noah through the flood and His plan to deliver His children from the coming tribulation.
DETAILED NOTES
- Introduction Genesis 6
- Unifomitarianism
- Cataclysmic Events
- Creation, 6 days, the created world
- The Flood, 371 days, earth as we see it now
- Evidence for the Universal Flood
- Natural Phenomena
- Great Inland Seas
- China
- India
- Great Basin
- Fossil Record
- Compressed Forests/Coal
- Sea Life
- Michigan
- Ohio
- Wyoming (over 7000' above sea level)
- Animal Remains (Agate Springs Nebraska)
- Strata Layer
- Out of Order
- Transecting Vertical Fossils
- Flood Stories
- 270 People Groups have Flood Accounts
- Virtually every part of the world
- Similarities
- 88% report a favored family
- 70% report survival by boat
- 95% report the sole cause was a flood
- 66% report the cause as the wickedness of man
- 77% report animals were also saved
- 57% report that survivors ended up on a mountain
- Many use a form of Noah's name
- Many report that a bird was sent out
- Many report a rainbow
- Many report 8 people were saved
- Differences because it was told and retold
- Worldwide Conditions before the Judgment (Matthew 24:37)
- Increase in Population
- Days of Noah
- Longevity
- 774 million within 18 generations (according to Genesis Flood by John Whitcomb and Henry Morris)
- 1 billion by the flood
- Now
- 250 million at the time of Jesus
- 1 billion in the 1800s
- 2 billion in 1927
- 3 billion in 1960
- 4 billion in 1975
- 5 billion in 1988
- 6 billion in 1998-1999
- 6.7 billion today (2009)
- Expected 11 billion by 2051
- Sexual Depravity
- Days of Noah
- 3 views
- Fallen Angelic Beings with Human Women
- Nephilim - fallen ones
- Ancient writers (perhaps Biblical writers) embraced this idea 2 Peter 2:4,5, Jude 6,7
- New Living Translation
- Septuagint "sons of God" always angelic beings
- Godly line of Seth with the ungodly line of Cain
- Rulers growing their harems
- Sexual Wicked - Against God's Order
- Holy Spirit active on the earth through Enoch and Noah
- Now
- Newly found sexual freedom
- Preoccupation with sex
- Increase in Wickedness (ra')
- Thought life
- Went from bad to worse
- Romans 1
- God was grieved vs.6,7
- Deist is wrong
- Anthropopathism
- Noah found Grace (grace, rule of 1st mention) vs. 8, 9
- Just
- Perfect, moral integrity - (tamim)
- Walked with God
- 2 Chronicles 16:9
- The Sons of Noah vs 10
- Shem (father of Semitic races, Near East)
- Ham (Canaanites, Egypt and Africa)
- Japheth (Media, Persia, Germany, etc)
- Violence increased vs. 11
- Days of Noah
- Cain killed Abel
- Lamach
- Epidemic
- Now
- Violence in entertainment
- 1 murder every 24 minutes
- 20,000/yr.
- The Ark vs. 14-17
- 3 levels
- Nests
- Covered with pitch (waterproof)
- Blueprint from God
- Size
- Length 300 cubits 450 ft. 1.5 football fields
- Width 50 cubits 75 ft. 7 parking spaces
- Height 30 cubits 45 ft. 3-4 story building
- 100,000 sq. feet of deck space
- 1.4 million cubic feet for storage
- Animals
- 125,000 the size of sheep
- Less than 17,600 species at the time
- 79,000 animals on the ark
- Big and Stable
- Dreadnought
- USS New Mexico
- Window
- Fresh air
- Rain water
- Eight People on the Ark
- Covenant (berith)
- First Mention
- Agreement
- Ancient Covenants
- Parity - between equals
- Suzerainty- between a superior and inferior
- New Covenant- unconditional covenant
- Animals
- Came to Noah
- Could have been close by due to climate
- Salvation by Faith
- Godly Fear
- By Faith Hebrews 11:7
- Demonstrated by obedience
- Fifth Worldwide Condition - Unheeded Preaching
- Noah's Theology
- Not liberal
- Conservative
- Symbols of Salvation
- Salvation from Flood - the Ark
- God's Design
- Only way
- One Door
- Salvation from Sin - Jesus
- God's Design
- Only Way
- One Door
- Great Tribulation Parallels
- Believing Remnant of Jews - Noah
- Believers Removed before the cataclysm - Enoch
Hebrew terms: Nephilim (fallen ones), ra' (evil), tamim (morally blameless) , berith (covenant)
Figures Referenced: Martin Luther
Publications Referenced: "Genesis Flood" by John Whitcomb and Henry Morris,
Cross References: 2 Peter 3:3, Matthew 24: 37, 2 Peter 3:4,5, Jude 6,7, Romans 1, Genesis 3:15, 2 Chronicles 16:9, Hebrews 11:7,
Topic: Noah
Keywords: Noah, ark, flood, covenant, Nephilim
MESSAGE SUMMARY
After 120 years of diligent, obedient preparation for the coming deluge, Noah received God's invitation to board the ark. It must have been a difficult, yet exciting time for Noah and his family; the animals entered the enormous ship, the door was closed behind them, and the rain began to fall. Soon, floodwaters covered the entire planet, and eight souls and the animals on the ark were all that remained. Why is it important to understand the worldwide nature of the flood? How should this ancient cataclysm affect our lives and our view of the coming judgment?
DETAILED NOTES
- How are We to Understand Scripture?
- Literal
- Straightforward, plain, common language
- Unless clear that figurative language is called for
- Grammatical - sentence structure
- Historical
- How are We to Interpret Genesis 1-11?
- Literal, Grammatical, Historical
- Worldwide Nature of the Flood
- Extensive language (Genesis 6:17, 7:18)
- Massive boat (120 years, could have moved to higher ground if localized)
- Comprehensive Promise (Genesis 8:21)
- Most New Testament Books refer to the Flood as literal, historical
- Jesus referred to the Flood as literal, historical
- God's Invitation
- Come! (first mention)
- Throughout the Bible God Invites Mankind (Isaiah 1:18, Matthew 11:28, Revelation 22:17)
- Salvation from the Cataclysm
- Isaiah 43:2
- Better to be with God in the storm than without Him anywhere else.
- Disciples in the storm with Jesus
- Noah was different from the world
- He walked with God
- He worked for God
- He worshiped God
- It was hard for Noah
- Non-conformist
- The Final Week
- Noah and his family enter the ark (Noah, his wife, Shem, Ham, Japheth, and their wives)
- The Animals
- God shut him in
- The Storm
- The water increases, prevails
- Water causes great geological change on the earth and environment (i.e. mountain ranges)
- Well documented date of the storm
- Water came from the sky
- Possibly the canopy (could account for 2.5% of ocean water)
- Rain
- Water came from the earth
- Fountains of the deep
- Hydro-plate theory (subterranean inter-connected chambers of water forming a shell 10 miles under the surface of the earth, ½-3/4 thick, volcanic pressure equal to 10 billion hydrogen bombs, could have traveled at 3 miles per second and covered the globe in 2 hours, water would have shot up 20 miles into the air, rock layers would have buckled to form mid-oceanic ridge, separate continents, mountains, deep water basins)
- The Theology
- God judged sin
- All men outside the ark died
- People choose to disbelieve, because they don't want a God who judges
- Judgment will come again.
- The waters continued, rose, prevailed
- God Remembered Noah
- Remembered (zakar) anthropomorphism
- Enacting subsiding of the water
- Enacting preservation of the family
- Enacting repopulation of the earth
- Everything beneath Noah was dead
- Noah could have felt abandoned and lonely
- Wind (ruach) passed over
- Rain stopped
- Waters receded
- Changes to the earth
- Mountain heights
- Basins of the deep
- 70% of earth covered with water
- The Ark Rested
- Mountains of Ararat
- Historical Claims of Appearance of the ark
- Chaldean Priest 275 BC
- Josephus
- Theophilus of Antioch 180 AD
- Soviet Aviators 1900s
- Public interest of 1990s
- Waters Decreased
- Noah sent out a raven (omnivourous - plenty of dead flesh to eat)
- Noah sent out a dove 3 times
- Noah Leaves the Ark
- He came out to a new world (geographical changes)
- Noah built an altar (1st altar ever built)
- Offered burnt offerings
- Noah Remembered God
- We should remember God (Ecclesiastes 12:1)
- The Promise
- God knows the wickedness of man
- He will not destroy the earth with a flood again.
- 4 seasons (result of tilt of the earth's axis, could be a result of the flood)
- Future Judgment
- Earth destroyed by fire
- Certain
- Skeptics don't want to believe in the flood because of judgment
- Jesus is our ark
Works Referenced: "Genesis Flood" by John Whitcomb and Henry Morris
Figures Referenced: Josephus, Theophilus of Antioch
Hebrew terms: zakar (remember), ruach (spirit, wind)
Cross references: Genesis 1:2, 6:17, 7:18, 8:21, Isaiah 1:18, 43:2, Ecclesiastes 12:2, Matthew 11:28, 2 Peter 3:5-12, Revelation 22:17
Topic: Noah and the Flood
Keywords: Noah, flood, ark, judgment
MESSAGE SUMMARY
Man is the crown of creation made in the image of God, but from the time of creation through the flood mankind was growing more and more corrupt. When Noah and his family stepped off the ark, God established human government and delivered four directives so that as society grew, it could function smoothly.
DETAILED NOTES
- Survival of Noah
- Life was basic (food and clothing)
- Life should be perpetuated.
- Children are a blessing.
- Fill the earth.
- 1804 - 1 billion people
- 1927 - 2 billion people
- 1960 - 3 billion people
- 1975 - 4 billion people
- Today 6.7 Billion people
- Christians can fill the earth with Christian kids.
- Man will be disobedient by gathering in Shinar.
- Life Should be Prolonged
- Man is to have dominion over:
- Beasts of the earth
- Birds of the air
- All that move on the earth
- Fish in the sea
- Man is crowning creation, made in God's image
- God gave animals a fear and dread of mankind so that the world would not be overrun by animals.
- Prior to flood man was vegetarian. (Gen 1:29)
- God now says eat plants and animals.
- Man was not designed to be vegetarian, (teeth)
- Cain-gardener, Abel-shepherd, Noah's descendants-hunters
- Do not eat Blood (Mark 7:15, Acts 10:9-16, Acts 15)
- Blood is the life sources of the animal
- Not a health concern only, but a spiritual concern
- Blood atonement (Leviticus)
- Life is sacred.
- Life should be Protected
- Man didn't care for one another
- Cain murdered Abel
- Lamech killed a man for injuring him
- Violence covered the earth
- As God had put the fear of man into animals, God puts the fear of God into man
- Capital punishment
- If you murder you will be killed
- This command is the basis for human government according to Kyle and Delitzsch
- The test of human government is the test of capital punishment according to James Montgomery Boyce
- God established government
- Governments have power
- Culture and society are to be overseen by government
- Arguments about Capital Punishment
- Doesn't deter crime
- Neither does any other punishment deter crime
- Capital Punishment honors the law, the society and God
- Man made in image of God
- When blood of human is shed it must be exacted.
- New Testament arguments
- Paul the apostle before Agrippa
- Romans 12:17 (delicate balance between forgiveness and punishment)
- We are to be subject to higher powers and governing authorities
- Every authority is from God
- Cesar Nero in charge when this was written
- God avenges through tan avenger
- Be fruitful and multiply
- Those against capital punishment today support abortion
- Since Revolutionary war 1.2 million US military killed
- 1.6 million babies murdered by abortion every year
- Life should be a Partnership/Covenant
- Behold - attention getter, I'm about to tell you something important
- Covenant is a basis by which Holy God and sinful man have relationship
- Conditional covenant - God has his part, man has his part if…then
- Unconditional covenant - unilateral, God declares it, He will do it
- Edenic, man occupies the garden conditional
- Abraham in the land, unconditional
- Moses and the law, conditional
- New Covenant (Jeremiah 31)
- Not based on our ability to keep it but on God's ability to give it.
- Internal not external
- Rainbow
- Sign of the covenant
- Preflood no rainbows, no rain
- Statement of peace, "I'm hanging up my bow"
- We look at it and so does God
- Covenant not to destroy the earth with a flood
- Unconditional
- Speaks to worldwide nature of the flood
- Sin of Noah
- Not that he drank wine, but that he drank too much wine
- Like Adam and Eve, the sin was in the area of food
- The ting to bless became a curse
- Sons of Noah
- Ham saw Noah's nakedness (vulnerability)
- Gossiped and gloated
- Some think he was trying to take over headship of the family
- Shem and Japheth covered him up and were respectful
- Shem will become the focus of the future,
- Central to God's Plan
- Abraham
- Messiah
- Cursed be Canaan
- Perhaps he was already notorious at the time this was written
- Perhaps Noah knew his reputation and made a prophecy based on his character
- Perhaps he was saying "Ham you did this to me, so your son will bring shame to your family)
- Fulfilled servant of servants Joshua 9 through NT times.
Figures Referenced:
Kyle and Delitzsch, James Montgomery Boyce, John Allen Muhammad
Hebrew Terms: qesheth (bow)
Cross References: Genesis 1:29, Mark 7:15, Acts 10:9-16, Acts 15, Romans 12:17, Romans 13, Jeremiah 31, Joshua 9
Topic: Noah
Keywords: Noah, flood, rainbow, covenant, government, capital punishment, death penalty
MESSAGE SUMMARY
The listing of genealogies recorded in scripture is, at times, difficult. What is the significance of such a detailed account? How are we to apply this information to our lives? Through this meticulous record of the descendants of Noah, God demonstrates His interest in people, His faithfulness to His promise, and His isolation of the people group through whom Messiah would come.
DETAILED NOTES
- Introduction
- Genesis is the book of beginnings (earth, mankind, marriage, family, Sabbath, sacrifice, gospel Gen 3:15, human government, nations.
- Chapter 10 is the Table of Nations (post-flood repopulation of the earth)
- Shem, Ham, and Japheth in order of redemptive importance
- Japheth, Ham, and Shem in order of age
- Entire earth populated by their descendants
- 70 Nations
- Descendents of Shem - 26
- Descendents of Ham - 30
- Descendents of Japheth 14
- God is interested in people
- One of if not the oldest ethnological tables in existence
- Genesis is also the book of blessings (God's selective isolation of a people group through whom the Messiah will come)
- Nahor
- Terah
- Abram and Sarai (Abraham and Sarah)
- Isaac
- Jacob and the 12 tribes
- Sons of Japheth (means to expand and enlarge) Genesis 9:27 a prediction of expansion
Japheth and his lineage expanded into Europe, became the basis for the Indo-European languages, uncivilized, uncouth, ungodly barbarians. Dark Ages. When the Judeo Christian God was adopted by them, they were blessed. Migrated and expanded even into North America. Ethnologists and linguists know the language base study Indian Ancient Sanskrit to get to the root of our language. Settled Europe, Iran, India Central India. - Gomer - Settled in Asia Minor and expanded into Central, Eastern Europe, Cumberland (encompasses Northern England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales) (Cimmerians)
- Magog - (Ezekiel 38,39- end time group which comes down to attack Israel in the last days) Father of ancient Russians, Slavs, Bulgarians, Bohemians, Poles and Croations.
Wall of China was referred to as the Wall of Magog and protected China from the Russians. - Madia- Father of the Medes and Persians Settled in Persia (India, Iran, Afghanistan, Kurds, Iranians (who are not Shemites, but speak Farsi, a Persian language-explaining the bad relationship between Iraq and Iran which goes back further than Islam)
- Javan-Greeks, Macedonians, some believe the Romans and Italians
- Tubal and Meshech (Ezekiel 38, 39) Moscow and Tubalsk - North and Northeast of the Black Sea, Russia,
- Tiras - Father of the Thracian and Atracians, on the far coast Aegean Sea of Asia Minor
- Ashkenaz- one of Gomer's Sons - Settled North of Israel and west to Eastern Europe, mainly Germany. With in Judaism there is tension between the German (Ashkenazi)and Portugese(Sephardi) Jews, because of looks and culture.(Sons's of Shem who migrated to the area of the sons of Japheth) The beginning of anti-Semitism was in a Japhethite who hated the Shemites, Adolph Hitler, forced the migration back to Israel and they dwell together there now.
- Torgarmah- Ancient Turkey, Armenia (Ezekiel 38, 39)
- Tarshish - (Jonah) Ancient Spain or England, distant coastlands
- Sons of Ham - Settled east, west, and southwest Mesopotamia, Egypt, and Africa.
- Cush - Ancient Ethiopia (Jeremiah 13:23, Isaiah 45:14) dark skinned and very tall
- Mizraim - Egypt
- Put - Libya
- Canaan - very important, the Hivites, Hittites, Jebusites, etc. settled. Wrongly applied verse Genesis 9:25 cursed Canaan but people used it as a Biblical mandate for slavery. God told the Israelites to leave Egypt, cross the Jordan, take the land as their own and exterminate the Canaanites, who were vile people. Known especially for child sacrifice and sexual perversion. God gave them 400 years to repent, very patient. God gave the land of the Canaanites to Israel (Genesis 15 )
- Sheba and Dedan - Saudi Arabia
- Havilah - Sandland, where gold was found, part of Saudi Arabia (Ezekiel 38, 39 when people of the North come down to attack Israel they will protest)
- Nimrod, was a might hunter against the Lord. Nimrod means rebel Prototype of the Antichrist. 2 Thessalonians 2 mighty works, in charge of known metaphorically as Babylon, Revelation 17, 18. Could be Sargon I
- Ruled Babel
- gateway to God , man's view, Babylonian language
- confusion, God's view, Jewish Language
- Ruler of Nineveh in Syria. Assyria and Babylon exiled Israel from their lands.
Nimrod's wife is Semiramis, myths about her child, Tammuz who mytholocially was born of a virgin, died and was resurrected. His birth is celebrated December 25, with trees and Yule logs, also on Ashtarte with eggs and bunnies symbols of fertility (Easter). Satanic plot.
- Sons of Shem - the rest of Genesis focuses on their lineage.
- Eber - beginning of the Hebrew people
- Elam - Elamites invade Canaan, 5 kings, Genesis 13, Chedorlaomer king of Elam
- Asshur - Assyria
- Lud - Lydia, Anatolia, Western Asia Minor
- Aram - ancient Syria, Damascus. Developed one of the 3 Biblical languages, Aramaic. What Jesus and the disciples probably spoke. Chaldean, the language of the captivity.
- Uz- Job came from Uz Northern Arabia, Jordan
After the flood there is a new social order (human government), a new physical order (environmental changes), and in Luke 10 a new Spiritual Order…70 countries, just like the descendants of Noah.
- The Tower of Babel Chapter 11-
- One language. So far the people have one language, communication is essential, but the people formed a plan against God.
- God sent them out to populate, but they gathered together to build a city, Shinar (Iraq) and a tower going to heaven. They build a city by man, for man and without God.
- Ziggurats, used to worship the zodiac. This is the beginning of secular humanism and false religion.
- Lineage of Shem Retold. Nahor, Tera, and Abram.
Figures Referenced: Sargon I, Josephus, Herodotus
Cross References: Genesis 3:15, 9:27, 13,15, Isaiah 45:14, Jeremiah 13:23, Ezekiel 38,39, Luke 10, 2 Thessalonians 2, Revelation 17, 18
Topic: Noah
Keywords: Noah, table of nations, Shem, Ham, Japheth, Tower of Babel
MESSAGE SUMMARY
The Bible presents Abraham is our example of justification by faith. Although his life was not easy and his walk was not perfect, Scripture refers to him as a friend of God. Let's take a look at the testimony and testing of Abram and learn important lessons about God's faithfulness in the lives of His people.
DETAILED NOTES
- Introduction - Genesis Records:
- Events (Chapters 1-11, 2000+ years of history)
- Formation of the Universe
- Fall of Man
- Flood on Earth
- Fallout from Rebellion (Tower of Babel)
- Formation of a Nation
- People (Chapters 12-50, 350 years)
- Abraham (Abram)
- Father of those who believe
- 3 religions revere him, (Jewish, Christian, Muslim)
- Our example of justification by faith (Romans, Galatians, Hebrews 11)
- Friend of God (2 Chronicles 20, Isaiah 41, James 2)
- Isaac
- Jacob
- Joseph
- Abram's Testimony
- Background (Genesis 11:24->)
- Terah was his father
- Ur (Southern Mesopotamia)
- Greatest, most advanced city
- 300,000 people
- Cultural (music, crafts, university, library)
- Center of idolatry, animistic, moon god Sin, Joshua 24:1-3 (legend says Terah was a dealer in idols and Abram was his assistant)
- Haran died (Abram's brother) (vs. 28)
- Tragedy which impacted Abram
- Abram raised Haran's son, Lot
- Fable- Terah told Haran to worship the god of fire, when he refused his father threw him into the furnace.
- Sarai, his wife is barren (vs. 30)
- In ancient cultures barreness is viewed as a curse
- Leah, Rachel, Jewish tradition
- Spiritual Journey
- The Lord HAD said get out of your country
- He didn't fully obey
- Abram wasn't leading and didn't leave his family Terah was leading
- Didn't go to the promised land until his Father died
- Stopped at Haran, a border town, (means delay)
- In tough circumstances, he didn't obey God
- Application - Your past and your heritage can be viewed as a hitching post and hold you back or a guide post you learn from and move forward.
- Covenant with God 12:1
- What GOD has done 1 John 4 (it's about what He has done, not about you)
- I will make you a great nation (Abram was 745 years old, with an infertile wife, now there are 7.2 million in Israel, 5.6 million are Jews, 43% growth rate is due to immigration, #4 in citrus production, #3 in flowers
- I will make your name great (God identifies Himself with the name Abraham, less that 2/3 of 1% of the world population are Jews, but they have won 25-33% of all Nobel prizes.
- And you shall be a blessing (Bible, 10 commandments, Savior)
- You will become a great need (bless those who bless you, curse those who curse you…those who turn against Israel become second rate nations)
- God told Abram to leave and he left. Didn't know where he was going, but he believed the promise. (what do you do with God's promises?)
- The route he took was along the rivers, Shechem, Bethel, Ai
- Testing Abram fails his first test
- We face trials of faith, like a muscle faith must be exercised.
- When Abram gets to the promised land there is a famine.
- Goes into Egypt
- Asks Sarai to lie and tell Pharaoh she is his sister instead of wife (half-lie, half-sister)
- He went outside of God's command and thought he got away with it.
- God plagued Pharaoh
- Application
- Whenever we sin, it has far reaching ramifications and it affects others.
- Ironic when unbelievers rebuke believers.a
- Doubt leads to disobedience you are in danger.
Figures Referenced: Donald Grey Barnhouse
Cross References: Joshua 24:1-3, Acts 7:2, Hebrews 11:8
Topic: Testimony and Testing of Abram
Keywords: Abram, Ur, Israel
MESSAGE SUMMARY
All of us make mistakes; we falter and fail in our relationships with the Lord and with others. Abram was no different, but by God's mercy he is the Father of them that believe. As we examine his life and the lives of those around him, we'll see that they encountered trials and temptations not so different from our own. Let's take a look at the differences between godly Abram and worldly Lot, and avoid the hazards of flirting with temptation.
DETAILED NOTES
- Warning! Doubt is Hazardous
- Abram looked back at what he did in running away to Egypt.
- Abram learned that doubt can be hazardous to your spiritual health
- Abram was a new believer, learning to trust and walk
- By mercy he is the father of them that believe
- We too falter, fall, and fail, we are all learning
- Abram returns to the land of promise (It is better to trust God when the cupboards are bare than to live in abundance outside of His will)
- Abram went up vs.1
- Geographically
- Spiritually
- Relationally
- Riches
- Money is neutral
- It depends how someone is affected by it
- It depends what someone does with it
- The LOVE of money is a root of all kinds of evil, whether you have it or not 1 Tim 6
- Source
- Sometimes a result of God's blessing
- Sometimes people abuse power, steal or work hard for money
- Abram left Egypt
- Coming back with more than he had when he left
- Figurative of the children of Israel who plundered the Egyptians
- Returned to Bethel - the house of God
- Pitched his tent toward the house of God, between the dump (Ai) and the house of God (like us in between the dump of this world, and the house of God, heaven, we're moving toward)
- Repentance
- Abram remembers
- Abram repents
- Abram repeats what he did before
- Like the church of Ephesus in Revelation
- When we stumble there is an altar waiting for us
- Strive
- Stuff is a source of conflict between Abram and Lot
- The Canaanaites and Perizzites are watching and listening
- The world is watching us
- We must be careful who is watching and listening
- Two men who want 2 different things
- Abram
- Walking with God
- Deferred to Lot
- Abram repented
- Let's God choose for him
- Pitched his tent toward the house of God
- wise
- fled temptation
- Lot
- Waling with Abram
- Wanted it all
- Lot returned
- Chose it all for himself James 4
- Pitched his tent as far as Sodom
- Worldly
- Flirted with temptation
- Separation
- Good for Abram
- Incomplete obedience to take his family
- God promises him descendants and the land
- Bad for Lot
- We are called to be separate from those who don't walk with the Lord 2 Tim 2
- War (chapter 14 first mention of war in the Bible)
- 4 Hammite Kings vs. 5 Shemite Kings
- The cities in the Jordan valley who had paid tribute to Chedorlaomer rebelled
- Lot is in Sodom
- Saw Sodom
- Separated from Abram
- Pitched his tent toward Sodom
- Living in Sodom
- Will be politician in Sodom (chapter 19)
- Abram is a Hebrew (first mention)
- Abram engaged in battle
- He is a peacemaker
- Loved peace enough to fight for it
- 318 trained militiamen vs. armies of 4 kings
- Abram meets Melchizedek
- King of Righteousness
- King of Salem (peace)
- Monotheistic king in polytheistic culture
- Worships El Elyon
- Brings bread and wine
- Abram paid him a tithe
- Higher priesthood than Levi and Aaron (paid a tithe to him in Abram's loins)
- Who was he?
- Shem
- Canaanite King with divine revelation
- Jesus, pre-incarnate, Christophany
- King of Sodom
- Offers Abram of the spoils of war
- Abram wouldn't take them, he remembers Egypt
- Honors God
- Application
- Be careful with your vision, where you set your eyes
- Be careful with your values
- Be careful with your choices
Figures Referenced: Raphael, Michelangelo, Francis Schaeffer, George Beverly Shay
Cross References: Genesis 19, Judges 7, Psalm 110, 1 Timothy 6, Hebrews 7:1-10
Topic: Abraham
Keywords: Abram, Lot, Melchizedek, war
MESSAGE SUMMARY
The nation of Israel is the avenue though which the Lord has blessed the world with the Messiah. God's promise to Abram guarantees their ownership of the land, and provides a picture of His divine accomplishment, based on God's work alone. Join us as we uncover the doctrine of justification by faith from our text in Genesis 15.
DETAILED NOTES
- Introduction
- Everything has a beginning, except God
- Genesis is the book of origins
- Universe
- Mankind
- Marriage
- Sin
- Salvation
- Israel
- Origin of Israel
- Abram called to go to Canaan
- Patriarchal Era 2165 - 1804 BC (Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, 12 Tribes)
- Receptacle of the Messiah to bless the world
- Genesis 14
- Abraham's rescue operation
- 5 Shemmite kings revolt against the 4 Hammite Kings
- Lot taken captive along with the Shemmite kings
- Abram and 318 servants form army to go to war
- Abram meets Melchizedek
- King of Salem
- Melchizedek gives Abram bread and wine
- Abram pays him a tithe
- Type of Christ or theophany
- Abram meets Bera
- King of Sodom
- Bera offers him a monetary reward
- Abram declines the reward
- Fear Not vs. 15 (first mention, used 70+ times in the Bible)
- Abram was afraid
- Fear of vision (Daniel in Daniel 10, John in Revelation 1)
- After-battle blues (Elijah 1 Kings 18)
- Fear of Man
- What if Chedorlaomer retaliates/
- Refusal of the reward meant refusal of future alliance
- Fear is a destructive emotion
- Paralyzes you
- Irrational (university of Wisconsin study revealed that 40% of what we fear will never happen)
- God Answers Panic with Promise
- God has promised descendants (Genesis 12:2,7 , 13:14-16)
- Abram's Perplexity
- Abram is about 85 at the time
- Eliezer of Damascus (Damascus was the commerce capitol of the world at the time. It could be like saying, "When I die, the bank is going to get everything.
- God Repeats the Promise
- God doesn't give explanations, He gives promises
- Same promise repeated, reveals patience
- God Clarifies the promise
- God Expands the promise
- Number the stars, so shall your descendants be
- Abraham looked up and saw a part of the galaxy (Isaiah 40) (Milky Way 10,000 light years x 100,000 light years, 7.5 times around the world in 1 second, pass the moon in 1.5 seconds, pass Venus in 2'18", Pass Mercury in 4'30" 7.5' pass the sun, but it would take 100,000 years to cross our galaxy)
- Believe - Genesis 15:6 (aman - to confirm, support)
- A key verse in the Bible
- The faith is counted as righteousness (Romans 4, Galatians 3, James 2)
- Justification by faith (Belief is all God requires, not works)
- Two Religious Systems
- Human Achievement
- Divine Accomplishment (all good works cannot cancel debt, but God accounts righteousness by putting what Christ did to the ledger of those who believe.
- Affirmation
- God introduces Himself
- God's self-proclamation
- Abraham believes, not unbelief he is looking for pragmatic solutions, how will it happen?
- Cutting a Covenant
- Cut the animal in two, (like shaking hands, or signing a contract)
- Abram waited from morning to night
- Why did God wait so long? To make a unilateral covenant (berith in Hebrew) not contingent on Abram
- Unconditional covenant to own the land
- Conditional to occupy the land
Hebrew Terms: aman (to confirm, support) berith (covenant)
Cross References: Genesis 12:2,7 , 13:14-16, 1 Kings 18, Isaiah 40, Daniel 10, Romans 4:1, Galatians 3, James 2, Revelation 1
Topic: God's Covenant with Abraham
Keywords: Faith, Abram, Abraham, fear, afraid, covenant, promise, believe, belief, justification
MESSAGE SUMMARY
It's a common problem; trusting our feelings rather than trusting the Lord. But feelings are misleading, and as we learn from Abram and Sarai, trying to help God fulfill His promises can be costly. Their spiritual detour from the will of God produced ramifications we are experiencing today. God is faithful however to fulfill His promises, His plan is perfect, and His will will be accomplished.
DETAILED NOTES
In our text, Abram and Sarai take a detour from the will of God. Abram displays a shallower faith than what we expect and we are still experiences the ramifications of his detour. Feelings are misleading. Sometimes when we trust the Lord it feels unsafe.
- Following God is the safest way to travel through life
- It was a mistake for Abram to heed Sarai's voice
- "God helps those who help themselves" not in the Bible. Ben Franklin said it.
- We think if we start a work in motion that God will carry us through .
- Abram and Sarai try to help God fulfill His promise.
- Abram and Sarai (assume good intentions)
- Sarai is past 75,
- She thinks the promise is not going to happen through her body.
- What exactly did God say? (through Abram, but not through her)
- Sarai proposes that her younger, Egyptian maid, Hagar, carry the child
- They had waited 11 years, it's hard to wait "Hope deferred makes the heart sick"
- We impose our own design in the flesh
- Hagar (vs 3)
- They must have picked her up in Egypt (the past has a way of catching up with you)
- Abram goes in to her and she gets pregnant
- Means the problem was with Sarai's body, not Abram's.
- In ancient culture that would mean Sarai was cursed.
- Hatred between Hagar and Sarai
- What had begun in the Spirit they tried to complete in the flesh (Galatians 3)
- How many times have we tried to step in and help God keep His promises? Given him advice?
- Proverbs 3:5,6 Trust in His ways, don't try to fulfill His promises in the flesh.
- Better to ask for the right road ten times than to take the wrong one.
- Hagar was Sarai's property
- Sarai is very angry.
- "Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned." Victor Hugo
- The seed of Ishmael and Isaac are still at war with each other 4,000 years later. "Whatever man does without God, he'll fail miserably or succeed more miserably." -George MacDonald
- Hagar leaves and is travelling toward Egypt in the barren desert. (vs 7)
- The Angel of the Lord meets her there - First Mention of Angel of the Lord - Gabriel?
- The story of failure, yet the mercy and grace of God meet her there.
- She should name him Ishmael, means God hears, every time she spoke she'd be calling out God's mercy.
- They go back
- When God can't rule, because we won't let him, He overrules. (Romans 5:20)
- Blessing in spite of disobedience (13 year gap between chapters 16 and 17)
- Sarai is 90 years old, Abram is 99, and the son of promise is not yet born.
- El Shaddai - Almighty God, God the most sufficient - first mention
- This name for God is used more in Job than anywhere else in the Bible
- Acadian word means mountain or breast, represents the earth flexing its muscle
- God is saying "I'm strong, you're weak, I can do what no other can do"
- Walk before me and be blameless
- When you are being watched you act differently, know I am watching you
- Reminder because of Abram's history
- He walked before his family and went to Haran for 15 years
- He walked before his servants and went into Egypt
- He walked before his wife and went into Hagar
- A new walk with God can begin at any age.
- Abram humbled himself before the Lord
- Abraham
- Abram means exalted father,
- but he had no children, must have been embarrassing
- When Ishmael was born he may have felt better about his name
- Abraham means Father of a multitude
- Named that before he fulfilled the promise
- God declares His purpose before he makes it happen
- Stretches the faith of Abraham
- Covenant Established
- Land
- The borders of the land given equaled 300,000 square miles
- Israel never occupied it all
- At their peak they occupied 30,000 square miles under Solomon
- What God promised they only took a tenth
- God promised every place your foot walks, they didn't believe God for all of it.
- What about the promises God has made you? What portion of his promises do you enjoy?
- Israel will possess all of the land during the millennium.
- Posterity
- Nations - plural
- 13.3 million Jews
- 22 Arab nations (300+ million people)
- 5% of the Earth's population today traces heritage back to Abraham.
- Circumcision
- Sign of the covenant
- Had been practiced in the Middle East, Egypt, Rome
- Social practice given a spiritual meaning, God redeems it (like baptism)
- Outward sign of covenant
- Noah and the rainbow
- Moses and the Sabbath
- Church and baptism
- Abraham and circumcision
- Eighth day, perfect day because of clotting of the blood
- The symbol
- Cutting of the flesh life which dominates
- Flesh of what gives life is cut
- I'll live in the Spirit, not in the flesh
- Jews turned it from a symbol to a sacrament, supposed to be inward not outward Deuteronomy 10
- Sarah
- Sarai means domineering and contentious
- Sarah means princess
- God promises the son through her
- Abraham believes him, excited
- Reality brings him back down to earth, and he says take Ishmael, let him live before you.
- The covenant must be thru the son of promise not the son of flesh
- Do we say "bless my thing"
- The death of your vision is sometimes required.
- Two Kinds of Covenant
- Conditional - Bilateral
- God does His part, man does his part
- Edenic
- Law of Moses Deuteronomy 28-30
- Their occupation of the land is conditional (captivity, Diaspora, Is 11:11)
- Unconditional - Unilateral
- Dependant on God alone
- This covenant with Abraham, for the land and for the people
- The land is theirs unconditionally
Figures Referenced: Benjamin Franklin, Victor Hugo, George MacDonald
Cross References: Deuteronomy 10, 28-30, Proverbs 3:5,6, Romans 5:20, Galatians 3
Hebrew Terms: El Shaddai (Almighty One)
Greek Terms: Diaspora (dispersion of the Jews to countries after the Babylonian captivity)
Topic: God's Faithfulness
Keywords: Abram, Abraham, Sarah, Sarai, Ishmael, covenant, Hagar, disobedience, Israel, El Shaddai, trust
MESSAGE SUMMARY
Abraham experienced trials and failures and yet the Bible refers to him as the friend of God. As we examine Genesis 18 we'll witness Abraham's encounter with three heavenly visitors and gain further insight into his relationship with the Lord. Let's explore the privileges and expectations of those who desire a friendship with God as we study the life of Abraham.
DETAILED NOTES
- Introduction - Abram to Abraham
- Abraham's Calling Genesis 11
- Abraham's Carnality Genesis 12
- Abraham's Courage Genesis 14
- Abraham's Communions Genesis 14
- Abraham's Covenant Genesis 15
- Abraham's Compromise Genesis 16
- Abraham's Circumcision Genesis 17
- Contrast between Abraham and Lot
- Abraham
- Blessed
- Blessing
- Gained God's promises (land and descendants)
- Lot
- Lost his home, wife, children, everything
- Application
- Put first things first and the second things will be thrown in
- Seek first the kingdom of God
- Abraham a friend to God
- Three unusual visitors (the Lord and 2 angels)
- We are Jesus friends when we obey him John 15:14-15
- The Bible refers to Abraham as the friend of God 3 times
- 2 Chronicles 20, James 2:23
- God Himself refers to Abraham as friend in Isaiah 41:8
- How to be a friend of God
- Spontaneity 18:1
- Heat of the day, people resting, and the Lord appeared
- God can suddenly change directions in your life
- The 3 men
- Trinity (view of the Church of England)
- Best to see this as the Lord and two angels
- Be flexible
- Humility
- Abraham was a sheik, but he bowed down - shachah - bow down
- In God's presence I'm not important (who He is, who we are) Isaiah 6
- Abraham called him my Lord, Adonai
- Ministry
- Personally
- Abraham didn't have his servants do the work, he did it personally
- Every Christian has a ministry
- Serving God's people is serving Him
- Immediately (Abraham was hot, old, and had servants, but he served)
- Generously
- Give the best
- Don't give leftovers
- Serving God costs something
(Sarah laughed that the visitors said she would have a child. God rebuked her. When Abraham laughed God didn't rebuke him. They were different types of laughter.)
- Conformity
- Abraham believed God, walked in God's will
- You are a friend if you do whatever Jesus commands you John 15
- Is there anything too hard for the Lord?
- Of course not!
- When you pray, remember who you are praying to!
- Destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah
- Sodom
- Mentioned 6 times in the Old Testament, and 4 times in the New Testament
- Byword for sexual perversion
- Abraham's influence
- His family
- Children spend 16% of their time in school, 1% in church, 83% at home
- We are called to set an example
- The world
- Outcry against Sodom
- God responds to the outcry
- Lot
- Could have been making the outcry
- Hebrews refers to him as righteous
- God is not reactive
- He makes personal investigation
- His judgment is never unrighteous
- God acts in judgment when iniquity is full
(The sin of Sodom Ezekiel 16:49 pride, abundance of food, abundance of idleness, didn't care for the poor)
- Intercession
- Abraham is not backing God into a corner
- God's plan was to spare the righteous
- Prayer is not my will in heaven, it's God's will on earth
- Christlike to pray
- Why did he stop at 10? Thinking of Lot and his family
- Lot was sitting in the gate, a leader, walking in the way of the ungodly
Hebrew terms: shachah (bowed), Adonai (Lord, master)
Figures Referenced: C.S. Lewis, Max Lucado, Mark Twain, Warren Wiersbe
Cross References: 2 Chronicles 20, Psalm 1, Isaiah 41:8, Ezekiel 16:49, John 15:14, 15, James 2:23
Topic: Friendship with God
Keywords: Friend, friendship, Abraham, theophany, Sodom, Gomorrah, prayer, intercession, Lot, laughter, Sarah
MESSAGE SUMMARY
The topic of God's judgment makes some people squirm. Believing that God is loving, gracious, merciful and kind often comes easier than viewing Him as Judge. As we investigate the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah we'll come to terms with the necessity of His judgment. We'll also be reminded that God is in the business of redemption, and that He dealt with the sin of those who believe at the cross of Calvary.
DETAILED NOTES
- Introduction
- God is patient, slow to anger
- God's judgment
- God is righteous, everything he does is always right (Genesis 18:25)
- God's judgment is essential
- To never judge would be amoral and unjust
- Attributes of God
- Love mentioned 360 times
- Grace mentioned 148 times
- Mercy mentioned 282 times
- Peace mentioned 397 times
- Judge mentioned 188 times, judgment 190 times, judgments 122 times (over 500 references to God's judgment)
- Jesus used the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah as an illustration of judgment Luke 17:22-30
- Lot
- Illustrates a worldly, half-hearted believer
- His downward steps
- Looked longingly at Sodom Genesis 13:10
- Chose to be near Sodom Genesis 13:11
- Moved closer to Sodom Genesis 13:12
- Moved into Sodom Genesis 14:12
- In a leadership position in Sodom Genesis 19:1
- Lot's house (first mention of house)
- Abraham - pilgrim, tent, heavenly minded Hebrews 11
- Lot - citizen, house, focused on earthly things
- The Wickedness of Sodom
- Yadha - in context refers to sexual knowledge
- Old Testament condemns homosexuality
- New Testament homosexuality is used as an example of the downward spiral of culture
- Practicing homosexuals don't consider it a sin
- Some claim to be Christian
- Reinterpret Scripture
- D. Sherwin Bailey - said the sin of Sodom was being inhospitable, claimed that New Testament references had no authority, said that homosexual promiscuity is a sin, but not homosexuality
- Troy Perry of the Metropolitan Community Church - claims homosexuality is a gift from God
- A straightforward reading of the text is clear, confirms it is a sin
- God is in the redemption business
- Sodom Takes its Toll on Lot
- Lot's daughters had not known a man in a sexual manner
- Hospitality was sacred
- Lot had lost his moral compass
- He offered his daughters to the mob
- Calls the people of Sodom "brethren"
- Women were degraded in ancient culture
- People accused him of judging them
- Angels Rescue Lot
- Angels are referenced in 34 books of the Bible (17 in Old Testament, 17 in New Testament - 103 references in Old Testament, 165 references in New Testament)
- God's secret agents - Billy Graham
- Ministering spirits - Hebrews
- Angels are invisible, but sometimes clothed with bodies so they can interact with them i.e. Garden of Eden, Abraham's dinner guests (Genesis 18)
- Angelic power (2 Kings 18)
- Get out of town!
- Escape to Zoar
- God Differentiates in Judgment Between the Godly and the Ungodly
- Flood - saved the 8
- Hailstones on the Amorites (Joshua 10)
- Those marked are spared (Ezekiel 9)
- 144,000 believing Jews (Revelation 7)
- Rapture of the church
- God doesn't destroy the righteous (2 Peter 2)
- Judgment
- Lot's wife looked back
- Abraham may have thought 10 righteous was enough
- God still delivered the righteous out of the city, though he didn't spare the city
- Melvin Kyle cites geological evidence of the destruction
- Sin Persists
- Lot's daughter's moral compass was awry
- Lot drunk
- His daughter's lay with him
- Moabites & Ammonites
- Archenemies of Israel
- Molech is one of their gods
- Carnal seduction of Israel (Numbers 25)
- Application
- Our decisions are significant
- God's actions are always right
- Sodom's judgment is a preview of future judgment
- We don't have to go through the future judgment
- Stand in Christ!
Hebrew terms: Yadha - to know
Figures Referenced: D. Sherwin Bailey, Troy Perry, Billy Graham, Melvin Kyle
Cross References: Genesis 13:10-12, Genesis 14:12, Genesis 18:25, Numbers 25, Joshua 10, 2 Kings 18, Ezekiel 9, Luke 17:22-30, Hebrews 11, 2 Peter 2, Revelation 7
Topic: God's Judgment
Keywords: Sodom, Gomorrah, homosexuality, judgment, wicked, angels
|
SERIES: |
01 Genesis - 2009 |
MESSAGE: |
Genesis 20:1-21:8 |
SPEAKER: |
Skip Heitzig |
SCRIPTURE: |
Genesis 20:1-21:8 |
URL: |
http://SkipHeitzig.com/780 |
|
MESSAGE SUMMARY
As believers we are new creations in Christ, however, we still carry around our old nature; the battle between the spirit and the flesh is a struggle for all of us. As we consider the life of Abraham, we see him fall once again into a familiar sin. The consequences of his choices are damaging, hurting others and ruining his testimony before unbelievers. But as we'll see in our text, God is faithful, and causes all things to work together for good for those who love Him and who are called according to His purpose.
DETAILED NOTES
- Repetition of Previous Sin
- Abraham was a believer
- He had a new life with an old nature
- Battle between the spirit and the flesh
- Struggle for all believers
- We want to serve the Lord
- We want to serve ourselves
- Abraham - Pilgrim and Worshiper (20:1)
- Journeyed to the south
- By faith
- Went to Gerar
- Just over the border
- Out of the promised land
- Enemy territory
- Living in fear
- Lies
- We are supposed to flee temptation
- Abraham Lies (vs. 2)
- Sarah is my sister
- She is 90 years old, but beautiful
- Customary to give women to form an alliance
- But God (vs. 3-6)
- Joseph in Egypt "you meant for evil, but God meant for good" - Genesis 50
- Ephesians 2
- Abraham did a dumb thing, but God came to the rescue
- Integrity
- First mention (from the lips of a Philistine)
- If you are a person of integrity, God will keep you from further plunging into sins that destroy families
- If you lack integrity you are in danger of going into areas that destroy
- The sin was primarily against God (adultery)
- God invented marriage
- God is always looking
- Abraham a Prophet (vs. 7-10)
- First mention
- Abraham was disobedient, but still God's prophet
- When we sin we can still be used by God
- Repercussions remain (Proverbs 13)
- God doesn't allow His children to sin successfully - Charles H. Spurgeon
- When believers stumble, we are like murky springs (Proverbs 25)
- Thinkers and Prayers (vs. 11)
- Abraham thought wrong
- Didn't pray, strategized
- Assumption is the lowest form of communication
- Half Truth (vs. 12)
- Technically Sarah was Abraham's half sister
- Half truth is a total lie
- False witness
- Ten commandments
- False witness against Jesus was a half truth
- Not the information, but the implication
- A Pattern of Sin (vs. 13)
- Abraham wasn't pressured, didn't panic, but he planned
- When a believer falls it is often where he's previously fallen
- Testimony Ruined (vs. 14-18)
- Abraham could not preach to Abimelech
- Abimelech would not receive from Abraham
- We all have someone we've hurt
- We can pray
- Frees us from bitterness
- Blesses them
- God Did What He Said (21:1)
- 25 years after the promise
- Long time between promise and fulfillment (vs. 2)
- More dramatic
- Walk by faith
- God's delays are not denials
- Isaac (vs. 3-7)
- Hebrew Yitzach, means laughter
- Circumcised the eighth day
- Abraham 100 years old, impossible
- Nothing is too hard for the Lord
- Brought laughter to the home
- Children laugh 150 times a day
- Adults laugh 15 times a day
- Laughter releases chemicals that elevate mood and are natural painkillers
- Isaac weaned (vs. 8)
- Three years old
- No longer dependant on milk, but solid food
- Spiritual parallel (Hebrews 5)
- As we mature we don't need to be spoon fed
- Ready for solid foods
- Celebration
Hebrew Terms: Yitzach (laughter)
Figures Referenced: Charles H. Spurgeon
Cross References: Genesis 50, Proverbs 13, 25, Romans 8:28-29, Ephesians 2, Hebrews 5
Topic: Abraham's Sin
Keywords: Abraham, Sarah, Abimelech, lie, prophet, disobedience, testimony, prayer
|
SERIES: |
01 Genesis - 2009 |
MESSAGE: |
Genesis 21:9-22:14 |
SPEAKER: |
Skip Heitzig |
SCRIPTURE: |
Genesis 21:9-22:14 |
URL: |
http://SkipHeitzig.com/782 |
|
MESSAGE SUMMARY
It can be challenging for us to line up our behavior with the teachings of Scripture. Biblical principles are often contrary to our human nature, and obedience can be uncomfortable. As we examine the profound testing of Abraham's faith, we must ask ourselves, "Am I willing to do what is difficult?" As we walk in obedience to the Lord, our faith is developed and our relationship with Him is strengthened.
DETAILED NOTES
- Introduction
- Relationships are a risk
- Vows are made
- Sibling Rivalry
- Isaac (age 3) has a party
- Ishmael (age 17) is scoffing
- Sarah wants Hagar and Ishmael cast out
- Abraham loves Ishmael
- Mutual Submission - Ephesians 5:18-22
- Listen to her
- Wives submit to husbands
- Submission to one another comes first
- Result of being filled with the Holy Spirit
- Five-fold submission (husbands, wives, children, fathers, employees)
- Hagar and Ishmael Sent Away
- Abraham gave only bread and water
- He was wealthy
- Why no caravan? Guards? Ample supplies?
- Code of Hammurabi, releasing a slave (according to some)
- More likely, faith
- Believed God would do what He said He would
- God promised a great nation out of Ishmael
- Didn't need a caravan, just release
- God will perfect that which is committed to Him
- Train up a child in the way he should go…
- Don't overprotect and worry about your children
- Believe the Lord's promises
- Hagar dedicated Ishmael to the Lord
- Picture of single mother
- God sets the solitary in families - Psalm 68
- Hagar selected an Egyptian wife
- Ishmael will become the father of 12 sons
- Abraham and Abimelech
- Abimelech watched Abraham
- Abraham had dealt falsely before
- Now Abmielech says, "God is with you!"
- Application - over time you can outlive your critics, even if you've blown it
- Abraham rebuked Abimelech
- Abraham and Abimelech make a covenant at Beersheba
- Well of the oath (er sheba - to swear)
- Well of the seven (sheba- seven)
- Well of the oath we made with seven sheep
- Abraham planted a tamarisk tree (indicating he was determined to stay there)
- Trusting God
- Faith
- When people make vows they focus on better, richer, health
- When disrupted, they fall away
- Faith must be tested
- God Tested Abraham
- God doesn't tempt man
- Satan tempts us to ruin us
- God test us to develop our faith
- We often can't tell the difference
- Joseph sold into Egypt
- Satan after Job
- God is sovereign
- All things work together for good for those who love the Lord, those called according to His purpose - Romans 8:28
- Preparation
- After these things - Genesis 22:1
- God prepared Abraham for the test
- Whom You Love
- God commands Abraham to sacrifice Isaac
- Not different from the pagan religions
- God didn't allow Abraham to go through with it
- Later sacrifice of children will be forbidden
- Abraham goes in obedience
- We will come back
- Demonstrated faith
- He trusted the character and power of God - Hebrews 11:17-19
- He logically considered the situation logizomai - to consider
- When faced with illogical contradictions make a logical conclusion based on the character of God, then jump!
- We will go yonder and worship
- Turned difficult circumstance into opportunity to worship
- We must learn to glance at our trials and gaze at the Lord
- Shadow of the Cross
- Abraham must go to the same mountain where God offered His Son
- Take your son, your only son - God's only begotten Son
- Only son whom you love - first use of love, a father's love for his only son
- Go to the land of Moriah - Golgotha
- On the third day - (dead in Abraham's mind for three days - Jesus raised on the third day
- In the mount of the Lord it shall be provided, prophetic
- How a man could love God! - How God could love Man!
Figures Referenced: Ann Kiemel
Cross References: Genesis 20, Psalm 68, Romans 8:28, Ephesians 5:18-22, Hebrews 11: 17-19
Hebrew Terms: El Olam - Everlasting God, Jehovah Jireh- God who provides, er sheba - to swear, sheba - seven,
Greek Terms: logizomai - to reckon, to consider
Topic: Faith
Keywords: faith, sacrifice, Isaac, Abraham
|
SERIES: |
01 Genesis - 2009 |
MESSAGE: |
Genesis 22:15-23:20 |
SPEAKER: |
Skip Heitzig |
SCRIPTURE: |
Genesis 22:15-23:20 |
URL: |
http://SkipHeitzig.com/784 |
|
MESSAGE SUMMARY
Death is a fact of life; the statistics show that every one of us will die; the ratio is 1:1. Let's consider the suffering and sorrow Abraham endured through the near sacrifice of his son Isaac and the death of his wife Sarah. We'll discover that the path of sorrow can also be the road to deeper fellowship with the Lord.
DETAILED NOTES
- Review
Mount Moriah (near Salem, later Jebus, now Jerusalem) is where Abraham nearly sacrificed Isaac, and where Jesus was sacrificed. The Temple (Solomon's, Nehemiah's, Herod's) was built on the slope of the hill, not the top. Golgotha is at the top of the mountain. Abraham was called to sacrifice his only begotten son, dead in his mind for three days, at the top of Mount Moriah picture of Christ, God's only begotten Son, dead for three days at the top of Mount Moriah. - Fellowship with God - (to share like experience with another)
- Abraham entered deepest fellowship with the Lord in suffering
- Power of the resurrection, fellowship of suffering
- Both Abraham and God know what it's like to sacrifice a son.
- Our times of suffering are an opportunity to fellowship with God
- See how a man could love God
- See how God could love men
- The Obedience of Faith
- Because you have obeyed (first mention of obey in the Bible)
- True faith
- Not what he felt or believed
- What he did
- Abraham's seed
- Natural seed - physical descendants (Romans 8,9,10)
- Natural-spiritual seed - Jewish believers
- Spiritual seed - non-Jewish believers
- Ultimate Seed - Jesus Christ (Galatians 3:16)
- Blessing through the seed
- No Jewish people, no Bible
- No Jewish people, no 10 Commandments
- No Jewish people, no Savior
- No Jewish people, no salvation
- Abraham Returns - no mention of Isaac until he returns with his gentile bride
- Record of Nahor's Sons
- Death of a Princess
- Sarai - contentious, Sarah - princess
- She was 127 years old
- Mother of the Jewish nation
- Only woman whose age, death, burial, and burial place mentioned in the Bible
- Example to women (Isaiah 51:2, 1 Peter 3)
- Language
- Straightforward
- Death is a fact of life
- Learn to talk about it openly
- Personal - Sarah mentioned by name
- Not in the hands of specialists
- Longevity
- Antediluvian
- Adam 930 years
- Seth 912 years
- Methuselah 969 years
- Vapor canopy
- Sarah looked good at 90
- Abraham weeps for Sarah
- First recorded tears in the Bible
- Weeping continues in history until Revelation
- Tears
- We are designed with the capacity to cry
- Time to weep, laugh, mourn, dance
- To not cry defies the Creator
- Cultural to take the dead back to place of origin
- Abraham stays and indicates this is his new home, believes promises of God
- Abraham stood up - time to move on
- Hebrew culture to mourn for 30 days
- Grief is good
- Prolonged grief is not good
- Foreigner and visitor among you
- Abraham is speaking spiritually, he's moving toward eternity (Hebrews 11)
- Land for his descendants
- Believers sorrow differently (if our loved ones know Jesus we know where they are) (1 Thessalonians 4:13)
- Abraham buys land for burial
- The land is for future generations
- Indicates faith in promise of God
- Cultural Custom - Bargaining
- 400 shekels - exorbitant price
- Hittite law
- Frowned upon to sell land to a foreigner
- If you sell only a portion, you still have to pay taxes on entire amount
- Cave of Machpelah - Family plot
- End of life
- Get comfortable with your own death
- Get your house in order
- Clear strained relationships
- Build friendships now
- Spiritual preparation
- Are you ready to stand before Holy God?
- Are you sure if you die you will be with God in heaven?
Figures Referenced: Princess Diana, Billy Graham
Cross References: Genesis 24,
Isaiah 51:2,
Romans 8,9,10,
Galatians 3:16,
1 Thessalonians 4:13,
Hebrews 11,
1 Peter 3
Topic: grief
Keywords: death, grief, sorrow, dying, Sarah, Abraham, Machpelah, obedience
MESSAGE SUMMARY
In most parts of the world, the methods of dating and marriage have changed dramatically over the past 4000 years. Arranged marriages, family involvement and dowries are foreign to our culture where online dating is becoming the norm. As we consider the way Isaac and Rebekah were brought together, we will discover timeless principles to apply to the modern dating game. We'll also uncover a deeper spiritual message as we examine the foundations of their relationship.
DETAILED NOTES
- Introduction
- Dating's spiritual roots have been secularized
- Ancient Customs
- Dating was a family event
- Arranged marriages, parents chose the mates
- Commitment before love, will before romance
- Dowry
- Paid by groom's family to bride's family
- In case of death or divorce, provision for the bride
- Payment for loss of a good laborer
- We are involved in the process of choosing a mate
- We should include God in the process
- Many parts of India still have arranged marriages
- Very low divorce rate
- Will over emotion
- Stable relationships
- Trust the Lord in it
- An Oath Between Abraham and His Servant
- Put your hand under my thigh
- Thigh is the strongest muscle
- Like swearing on a Bible
- Child came from the loins or thigh
- Common practice
- Abraham didn't want Isaac to marry a Canaanite
- The Unnamed Servant
- Eliezer means God my Helper, Comforter (Genesis 15:2)
- Type of the Holy Spirit
- Holy Spirit sent into the world
- Draw a gentile bride for the Son
- Isaac not in the picture
- Would you entrust your marital future to someone else?
- Depends on who it is
- Key is to trust God in finding the right mate
- Two are better than one (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 )
- Strength, accountability, warmth, encouragement
- Cord of 3 strands not quickly broken
- Relationship wrapped with God
- Separation - Separate from Unbelievers
- Abraham doesn't want Isaac to marry a pagan Canaanite
- Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers (2 Corinthians 6:11-16)
- Wise farmer yokes two animals of similar size, strength and temperament
- Need to plow in the same direction
- Don't be mismatched with unbelievers
- Marriage is the yoking of two people
- Survey of Christian teens revealed that 40% of Christian teens would date and unbeliever, and 25% would consider it
- Marry only in the Lord (1 Corinthians 7:39)
- Abraham was a man of faith
- God promised a son and spared the son
- God must want a wife for Isaac, promise of descendents
- Unnamed servant on a mission
- Doesn't speak of himself (John 16:13)
- Arranges a marriage (Matthew 22:2)
- Friend of the bridegroom
- Supplication
- Entrust the future to God
- Break the ice on the first date with prayer
- Place the relationship on spiritual ground
- If it doesn't work, you've lost nothing
- Servant's prayer
- Answered before he's done praying
- Let her be the one, let the person I meet be the one You've chosen
- She's beautiful, but that's not what he prayed for
- Prayed a spiritual prayer, which God honored
- Rebekah's beauty
- Puritans believed physical beauty was of the devil
- Scientists recognize love mapping in the brain, what brings attraction
- After about 1000 miles and four months, didn't want to bring back an unattractive bride
- Servant prayed all the way through
- Servant's prayer is answered
- I will draw for your camels also
- 10 camels could drink 4 barrels of water each
- Revealed she was industrious and submissive
- Servant trusted the Lord
- Being on the way, God led me
- God's providence revealed in man's diligence and obedience
- Steps ordered by the Lord (Psalm 37:23)
- Philip to Gaza, had to take the first step (Acts 8:26)
- Rebekah makes a choice
- Success
- Eliezer planned for success
- Plan only for success in your relationship
- Don't allow for failure
- Don't even speak of divorce
- Know what you're getting into
- Rebekah departs with Abraham's servant
- Servant would have revealed to bride information about the groom
- She couldn't wait to see Isaac
- As the Holy Spirit reveals the Son to us, we can't wait to see Him
Figures Referenced: Mike Driggs, Pam Sears, James Dobson, Mark Twain
Cross References:
Genesis 15:2,
Psalm 37:23,
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12,
Matthew 22:2,
John 16:13,
Acts 8:26,
1 Corinthians 7:39,
2 Corinthians 6:11-16
Topic: Dating
Keywords: Dating, courtship, Isaac, Abraham, Eliezer, Holy Spirit, marriage, arranged marriage, Laban, separation, unequally yoked, prayer, supplication
MESSAGE SUMMARY
It's been said, "He who dies with the most toys still dies;" a clever saying with profound insight. Abraham died full, not merely in quantity of years and physical blessings, but in satisfaction and relationship with the Lord. As we take a look at his final years and the legacy he left behind, we'll be reminded of what's really important in life, and be challenged to consider our own priorities and our spiritual birthright.
DETAILED NOTES
- Abraham Grows Old
- Abraham was 137 in previous chapter, now he's 175
- Environment allowed for this old age
- Average lifespan will taper down to 70 years (Psalm 90:10)
- We didn't see Abraham's early years - it's not how you start, it's how you finish that counts
- Death is not the worst thing that can happen - eternal separation from God is
- Death can be a blessing, a release
- Our bodies no longer expressing our selves
- Our body is a tent (2 Corinthians 5:1)
- Camping out is fun at first
- As time passes it's not as fun
- We long for our permanent home
- Abraham Marries Keturah
- He lives 38 years after Sarah dies
- Keturah means perfumed one
- Interest?
- Abraham is wealthy
- Keturah moves from concubine status (1 Chronicles 1:32) to legal status
- Loved one another
- Keturah bears 6 sons, 7 grandsons, 3 great grandsons (Genesis 17:4)
- God does more than we ask or think (Ephesians 3:20)
- Greatest accomplishments can come late in life
- Moses was 80 when called as the deliverer
- Caleb 85 and had the strength of youth (Joshua 14:10-11)
- Michelangelo was 89 when painted "The Last Judgment"
- John Wesley 88 and going strong
- JC Penney 95 and kept office hours
- George Beverly Shea
- Abraham Prepared to Die
- Wills all to Isaac
- Isaac a type of Christ
- The Father has given all things into His hands (John 17:2)
- Gives gifts to others
- Makes decisions while able to (2 Kings 20:1, 1 Timothy 5:8)
- Abraham breathed his last
- Died full of years
- "Of years" does not appear in Hebrew text, he died full, satisfied, not just quantity, but quality
- God has to retire me - J Vernon McGee
- Old age good when accompanied by blessing of God (Proverbs 16:31)
- Ishmael and Isaac bury Abraham
- Together after a family rift
- Strained families come together at weddings and funerals
- Genealogy of Ishmael
- Recorded for history's sake - Holy Spirit more concerned with genealogy of Jesus
- Twelve princes
- Early genealogy of Islam
- Ishmael named twelve times in the Koran
- Muslim - one who is submitted (Genesis 16:8-12)
- Islam is rooted in polytheistic religion (history of Kaaba)
- Ishmael a "wild donkey"
- Onager - represents fiercely independent, complement
- His hand against every man
- Mohammed - prophet of the sword
- Divisions of world in Islam - "Dar-al-Islam" - house of Muslim, "Dar-al Harb" - house of war
- 109 war verses in the Koran, 1 of 55 verses is about war
- Genealogy of Isaac
- Rebekah
- Barren for twenty years
- Isaac prayed for her - submit family planning to the Lord (Psalm 127:3)
- Two nations are born - Israel and Edom
- Law of primogeniture - first-born privileges
- Head of family
- Double-portion of physical inheritance
- Biblically it is often turned around
- Not Ishmael, but Isaac
- Not Esau, but Jacob
- Not Aaron, but Moses
- Joseph
- Esau and Jacob
- Esau
- Hairy
- Manly
- Isaac favored
- Skillful hunter
- More attractive
- Jacob
- Mild
- Rebekah favored
- Cook
- Hugely important
- The Lord does not see as man sees (1 Corinthians 1:26-29)
- The Nazareth principle - God is waiting to show what he can do
- Mighty God uses broken people
- That no flesh glories in His presence
- Like a surgeon with a Swiss Army knife
- Esau despised his birthright
- Not just physical, spiritual
- Are you despising your birthright?
- Don't leave earth without a relationship with Christ
Figures Referenced: Michelangelo, John Wesley, JC Penney, George Beverly Shea, J Vernon McGee, Mohammed
Cross References: Genesis 16:8-12, Genesis 17:4, Joshua 14:10-11, 2 Kings 20:1, 1 Chronicles 1:32, Psalm 90:10, Psalm 127:3, Proverbs 16:31, John 17:2, 1 Corinthians 1:26-29, 2 Corinthians 5:1, Ephesians 3:20, 1 Timothy 5:8
Topic: Aging
Keywords: aging, death, dying, old age, Abraham, Keturah, Ishmael, Islam, Mohammed, Muslim, birthright, primogeniture
MESSAGE SUMMARY
As Isaac takes center stage in our study through the book of Genesis, we'll see that it's not always best to follow in our earthly father's footsteps. Partial obedience and compromising truth rear their heads in a plot reminiscent of Abraham's struggles. Join us as we peek into the life of Isaac and get another glimpse of our God who is rich in mercy and faithful to his promises.
DETAILED NOTES
- Introduction
- Isaac followed in Abraham's footsteps
- Man of faith
- Also followed the wrong example
- Ran away in famine
- Lied about his wife
- Generational curses - false doctrine
- Stem from the second commandment (Exodus 20:4-6)
Curse refers to unbelievers, "those who hate Me" - People are affected by their parents example
- Children feel negative impact of sinful parents
- May have propensity toward same sinful behavior as parents
- Do not have to commit same sins as parents
- Sin is broken by power of God (2 Corinthians 5:17)
- Isaac's First Failure
- Isaac was a great patriarch, but not remarkable
- The Lord appeared to him twice in this chapter
- The Lord appeared to Abraham eight times
- 14 chapters dedicated to Abraham
- 11 chapters dedicated to Jacob
- "Ordinary son of a great father and ordinary father of a great son" - Griffith Taylor
- Do not go down to Egypt
- God had told Abraham 100 years before (Genesis 12)
- Isaac doesn't believe God can take care of him in Canaan
- Egypt better equipped during time of famine
- Breadbasket of the ancient world
- Nile River
- Not dependent on rain
- Canaan (Deuteronomy 11:10-11)
- Dependent on rainfall
- Land of hills and valleys
- Canaan is a place of faith
- Egypt represents the world (going back to the world instead of trusting God in the new life)
- Famine in the Promised Land
- Faith is worthless unless it is tested
- Tests help our faith grow
- God is Rich in Mercy (Psalm 103:1-11)
- Disobedient patriarch
- God doesn't respond harshly
- God pronounces a blessing
- Our faults are like a grain of sand next to the high mountain of God's mercy (Ephesians 2:4, Lamentations 3:22)
- Isaac's Second Failure - Lies about his Wife, Rebekah
- Immediately after appearance of God and blessing, Isaac lies
- We are all prone to see and hear God's goodness, then fall into old patterns
- Peter called blessed, then immediately rebuked (Matthew 16:17, Matthew 16:23)
- Isaac was afraid about the future
- We have nothing to be afraid of, the Lord is our Shepherd (Psalm 23:1-4)
- Sheep are stupid
- Bragging rights to focus on the Lord
- Dark valleys may be the path of God's blessing
- Isaac caught in a lie
- Abimelech - my father is king (family name or dynastic name)
- Sad day when the world rebukes a believer
- Pagan king seems to have better morals than Isaac
- We are to be a good example (Matthew 5:16)
- Give the world cause to blaspheme (2 Samuel 12:14)
- God's Blessing
- 100 fold in a barren land
- We are not blessed based on our merit
- We are blessed because of Jesus Christ
- Conflict Over Water
- Water was precious, collected in wells and cisterns
- Isaac again digs wells of water
- Esek - contention
- Sitnah - opposition
- Rehoboth - roominess
- Abraham confronted conflict but Isaac avoided conflict
- Wisdom required to know how to handle conflict
- Peacemakers (Romans 12:8)
- Isaac went to Beersheba
- Home for him
- What will it take to get you home?
- Esau marries unbelieving wives
- Conclusion
- Disappointing from human standpoint, faithlessness of Isaac
- Encouraging from spiritual perspective, faithfulness of God
- Sin affects 3-4 generations
- God's mercies affect thousands of generations
- Whatever blessing you subtract from life by disobedience, God's mercy is able to multiply back to you.
Figures Referenced: Griffith Taylor, William Mulholland, Warren Wiersbe
Hebrew terms: Yoreh-early, Malkosh - later, Esek - contention, Sitnah - opposition, Rehoboth - roominess
Cross References: Genesis 12; Genesis 20; Deuteronomy 11:10-11; 2 Samuel 2:14; Psalm 23:1-4; Psalm 103:1-11; Lamentations 3:22; Matthew 16:17; Matthew 16:23; Romans 12:8; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Ephesians 2:4
Topic: Isaac
Keywords: Isaac, lie, Rebekah, Egypt, Canaan, Gerar, famine, blessing, shepherd, wells, conflict, mercy, patriarch
MESSAGE SUMMARY
Isaac's family was plagued by distrust and scheming, but a dysfunctional family is no match for the sovereign hand of God. In spite of the continuing battle between Jacob and Esau, and the deceptive habits that have been passed down for generations, the Lord's plan will not be thwarted. His ways are not our ways, and He causes all things to work together for good for those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose.
DETAILED NOTES
Isaac's family was plagued by distrust and scheming, but a dysfunctional family is no match for the sovereign hand of God. In spite of the continuing battle between Jacob and Esau, and the deceptive habits that have been passed down for generations, the Lord's plan will not be thwarted. His ways are not our ways, and He causes all things to work together for good for those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose.
- Introduction - Isaac's dysfunctional family
- Lack of trust
- Isaac - doesn't trust Jacob or Rebekah, favors Esau
- Rebekah - scheming and deceptive
- Esau - lives for self
- Jacob - steals a blessing
- God functions amidst the dysfunctional family
- Continuing saga of Abraham's family
- Abraham lied about Sarah twice
- Isaac lied about Rebekah
- Be careful how you represent truth
- Continual battle between Esau and Jacob
- In the womb - Genesis 25:25-26
- For the birthright
- For the blessing
- Favoritism - Genesis 25:28
- Isaac favored Esau
- Rebekah favored Jacob
- God pre-ordained Jacob to get the blessing
- First impressions can be misleading - the Lord doesn't see as man sees 1 Samuel 16:7
- Genesis 27 - Isaac blesses Jacob
- 37 years pass between chapters 26 and 27
- Isaac 137 years old
- Esau and Jacob 77 years old
- Isaac wants to bless Esau
- Rebekah attempts to "help God" fulfill His promise
- Eavesdropping
- Set an example of scheming to Jacob
- Not doing God's work in God's way
- Moses - called to deliver Israel, kills an Egyptian
- David moving the Ark to Jerusalem, on a cart not by priests on poles
- Reputation versus Character
- Jacob is concerned about what others think, not what he is
- Reputation - what others think you are
- Character- who you are when no one is looking
- Jacob deceives Isaac
- Deceived with senses
- Smell - Esau's clothing
- Touch - Animal skins
- Spiritual fraud
- Uses the Lord to further his agenda
- Takes the Lord's name in vain
- Empty the Lord's name of its meaning
- Used lightly on lips
- Using His name to gain credibility
- Isaac is deceived by Jacob
- The word did not fail
- His senses and feelings failed him
- We must use the revealed Word of God as criteria for truth and error, not feelings
- Did Jesus mention it?
- Was it amplified and practiced in Acts?
- Was it re-iterated in the epistles?
- Isaac blesses Jacob
- God's blessing of Abraham
- Law of primogeniture reversed
- Father's spoken blessing is irrevocable
- Deception revealed
- Isaac blessed the wrong son in his mind
- Isaac blessed the right son in God's plan
- Isaac trembled under conviction
- Isaac blessed Jacob by faith
- God is sovereign
- Esau begs for blessing
- Jacob a deceiver
- Jacob made a deal for the birthright
- Esau represents the natural man - psuchikos - 1 Corinthians 2:13-14
- Jacob represents the carnal believer - uses fleshly means to arrive at a spiritual end
- Isaac blesses Esau
- Live in open spaces
- Fight for what he gets
- His descendants subject to Jacob's descendants
- Esau's descendants will break loose
- Esau hated Jacob (God hated Esau Malachi 1:3)
- Rebekah encourages Jacob to flee
- A few days turns into 20 years
- Her plan backfires, she won't see Jacob again
- Jacob will reap what he sows
- Laban will deceive him
- His own sons will deceive him
Figures Referenced: William Shakespeare, C.S. Lewis, John F. Kennedy, Richard M. Nixon, C.F. Keil, F. Delitzsch, John Hyrcannus, Herod Antipater, Herod the Great
Cross References:
Genesis 25:25-26; Genesis 25:28; 1 Samuel 14; 1 Samuel 16:7; 1 Corinthians 2:13-14; Malachi 1:3
Greek Terms: psuchikos - natural man, worldly minded, governed by fleshly appetites<
Topic: Isaac
Keywords: Isaac, Jacob, Esau, Rebekah, birthright, sovereignty, bless, lying, deceit, hate, feelings
MESSAGE SUMMARY
Grace cannot be earned; as AW Tozer said, "As mercy is God's goodness confronting human misery and guilt, so grace is His goodness directed toward human debt and demerit." Though Jacob is not deserving of blessing, the grace of God was poured into his life. Though we may reap what we sow, God's grace is sufficient for us.
DETAILED NOTES
- Introduction
- According to a Gallup poll, Amazing Grace is America's favorite hymn - (written by John Newton who was raised in a Christian home, when his mother died raised by other relatives, bitter about his situation, joined the Navy, ungodly living, slave trade, slave himself, came to Christ - a wretch)
- Theme is God's Grace
- Receiving something freely
- Our culture is built on earning
- We can't earn anything before God
- God freely bestows His favor on undeserving people
- Love Story
- Between Jacob and Rachel
- Between Jacob and God
- Jacob not a spiritual man to this point, he is a work in progress
- Esau (Genesis 28:1-9)
- Still wants his father's blessing
- Doing evil (multiplying wives) that good may come
- Jacob's Journey (Genesis 28:10-11)
- Ancient Luz - he will call it Bethel
- He traveled far, 12 miles north of Jerusalem equals at least 40 miles the first day
- He's running away
- He is uneasy (Will I see mom again? Dad? Where's God?)
- Long journey, uneasy conscience and hard pillow…the stuff dreams are made of.
- Beautiful/barren area
- God-forsaken place
- Black skies/brilliant stars
- Vastness - Isaiah 40:12
- Distance
- Jacob's Unusual Dream (Genesis 28:12-14)
- God is mindful, in spite of His vastness - Psalm 8:3
- Everyone dreams
- Not all dreams are from the Lord
- Some can be
- Ladder with angels ascending and descending
- Angels coming between heaven and earth on work shifts
- God is involved in the affairs of earth
- God speaking in a dream does not necessarily mean the recipient is more spiritual
- Jacob didn't listen to God until now
- God Speaks in the Dream (Genesis 28:14-15)
- Promise of Provision
- Same promise made to Abraham and to Isaac
- From biblical perspective easy to say who land belongs to - the children of Israel
- Promise of Presence
- Promise of Protection
- Grace
- God's blessing in spite of who Jacob is
- "A Few Words About Grace" - from "Romans, Verse by Verse" by William R Newell
- The Nature of Grace (God acting according to His nature of love and righteous in view of the cross, wholly reliant on the Giver, doesn't help-absolute-does all)
- The Place of Man Under Grace (accepted in Christ, consent to be loved by God while unworthy, refuse to make resolutions or vows as acts of the flesh, expect to be blessed while recognizing lack of worth)
- Things Gracious Souls Discover (to hope to be better is to fail, to see yourself in Christ only, to be disappointed in yourself is to have believed in yourself, to preach devotion first and blessing second is to reverse God's order because it preaches law not grace)
- Jacob Worships God
- The Lord IS in this place (Genesis 28:16-17)
- Is not was
- Did not know - I know it now
- Commemoration
- Committing
- Could be bargaining with God
- If/Since
- If- condition
- Since - response
- Contributing
(Jesus referred to the Dream - John 1:51- I am the ladder, the link, the mediator)
- Jacob's Search for a Wife (chapter 29)
- Compared to Abraham's search for Isaac's wife
- Eliezer sent - Jacob goes on his own
- Isaac didn't see her until engaged - Jacob saw her
- Eliezer was careful and prayerful - Jacob no prayer
- The providential meeting between Jacob and Rachel (Genesis 29:1-20)
- Jacob wants Rachel alone
- Jacob kissed Rachel
- Jacob wept
- Long and lonely trip
- Emotional man
- Love at first sight
- Love mapping (according to Helen Fischer: brains are hard-wired for attraction, infatuation lasts four years or less, the longer couples weather the years, the longer they stay married)
- Leah had pretty eyes (NLT)
- Rachel had a lovely face and shapely figure
- Jacob said he'd serve Laban seven years for Rachel (note: Laban never promised Rachel)
- Seven years seemed only a few days to Jacob
- Love is patient, it will wait (1 Corinthians 13:4)
- The Deceiver is Deceived - (Genesis 29:21-30) (Galatians 6:7)
- Laban gave Leah
- It was night
- Bridal suite dark
- Leah covered with veil
- Jacob worked seven more years for Rachel
- Sibling rivalry and deception reminiscent of Jacob and Esau, and Jacob and Isaac
- Application
- Know what you are getting into
- Mark Twain - "Keep your eyes wide open before marriage--and half-shut afterward."
- Divine Compensation (Genesis 29:31-35)
- Leah was unloved, God opened her womb
- Rachel was loved, but barren
- God's Grace
- Reuben - see, a son! (a son would earn Jacob's favor)
- Simeon - one who hears (Leah had prayed from her misery)
- Levi - attached (still trying to manipulate Jacob's love)
- Judah - praise- (reflects her attitude change)
- Application - Any barren place can become your house of God when He lets the ladder down to you. Will you let Him come to you in the thing you fear most?
Figures Referenced: Helen Fisher, Mark Twain
Publications Referenced: "Romans, Verse by Verse" by William R. Newell
Hebrew terms: sulam - staircase, ramp
Cross References: Psalm 8:3; Isaiah 40:12; John 1:51; 1 Corinthians 13:4; Galatians 6:7
Topic: Grace
Keywords: grace, Jacob, Rachel, Leah, Laban, dating, marriage, love, deceit, Bethel, Jacob's ladder, divine compensation
MESSAGE SUMMARY
God uses the foolish things of the world to confound the wise. Out of a dysfunctional family, and an oppressive workplace the Lord will ultimately accomplish His will. Let's take a look at Jacob's superstitious relatives and recognize God's powerful work in the midst of human failure.
DETAILED NOTES
- Introduction - re-cap
- Jacob the con-artist
- Took the blessing of the first born
- Flees for his life
- Jacob encounters God - Bethel
- Jacob and Laban
- Wants to marry Rachel
- Works for Laban seven years
- The conniver is connived- Laban gives Leah instead of Rachel
- Works for Laban fourteen years
- Dysfunctional Family
- Four wives
- Leah
- Rachel
- Bilhah
- Zilpah
- Poor at interpersonal relationships
- Competition between the wives
- Leah wants her husband's love
- Lived in Rachel's shadow
- Fertility - Genesis 29:32-35
- Ruben
- Simeon
- Levi
- Judah
- Rachel wants children
- Gives Bilhah her maid to bear her children
- "child on my knees" - adoption
- Code of Hammurabi
- Conformed to the world (Romans 12:2)
- Application - consensus of the group should not determine your morality
- Bilhah's children
- Dan
- Naphtali
- Leah's maid Zilpah
- Gad
- Asher
- Rachel in control of her husband
- Offers Leah a night with Jacob for her son's mandrakes
- Mandrakes - superstition
- Aphrodisiac
- Fertility
- Trust issue - "God isn't doing anything, I have to help Him out"
- Leah bears more children
- Issachar
- Zebulun
- Dinah
- Rachel conceives
- Trusting in God
- Joseph
- The Lord shall add to me another son
- Dominates the rest of Genesis
- Application - resolve conflicts, ask for forgiveness, move on
- Dissatisfying Workplace
- Jacob wants to provide for his own family
- Laban wants continued blessing
- Learned by divination that he is blessed on Jacobs account
- Not interested in Jacob's God, but in the blessings
- Others can be blessed for your sake
- God's promise to Abraham
- King of Gerar blessed for Isaac's sake
- Potiphar blessed for Joseph's sake
- Jacob and Laban strike a deal
- They don't trust each other
- Jacob offers the best to Laban, the rest are his
- Laban separates the flock
- Rods
- Selective breeding
- Superstition -
- The feeble are Laban's
- The strong are Jacob's
- Application
- Out of the worst family situation came the best blessing - a Savior
- Being tempted to meet legitimate needs by an illegitimate source is idolatry
- God can take the worst and make the best out of it
Figures Referenced: Hammurabi, Peter Kreeft
Cross References: Genesis 29:32-35; Romans 12:2
Topic: Jacob
Keywords: dysfunction, family, workplace, Jacob, twelve tribes of Israel, Rachel, Leah, Bilhah, Zilpah, blessing, Laban
MESSAGE SUMMARY
How can we know God's will for our lives? Genesis 31 offers beautiful lessons for the child of God. We'll see God confirm His will to Jacob through circumstances and His Word as he packs up his family and leaves Padan Adam to head home.
DETAILED NOTES
Genesis is a book of beginnings including: creation, mankind, sin, God's rescue plan, human government, marriage, and the beginning of a nation, including Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and his 12 sons. Chapters 1-11: Primeval History; 12-50: Patriarchal History. The record of these highly imperfect patriarchs encourages us, because we can relate.
Jacob stole the blessing from Esau, fled and had a spiritual awakening at Luz, a vision of angels ascending and descending on a ladder. "The Lord IS in this place." He went on to Padan Aram (modern northern Iraq), met up with Laban and married Leah and Rachel. Jacob worked 14 years for Laban for his daughters and then another 6. He made a deal with Laban for the castaways of his flock, which may have been superstitious, but may have been a revelation. The Lord increased his flocks.
- Heavenly Confirmation - God confirms His will to Jacob to go back home.
- Laban's body language elevated the tension between he and Jacob
- 20 Years of tension have reached a peek
- Out of tension can come great harmony
- Tension has become friction
- Jacob's success has gotten to Laban
- God Prepared Jacob to move back home
- He put the desire in Jacobs' heart (Genesis 30:25; Psalm 37:4)
- Circumstances
- The Word of the Lord comes to him.
- Confirmation of Others
- Conferred with his wives
- Appealed to God
- Trusted God
- Laban poor manager with money, daughters see that
- Husband should consult with wife
- Wife should submit
(Jacob packed up and left Padan Aram to go to Canaan. Rachel had stolen the household idols. Teraphim in Hebrew. Some believed ancestors, deities or spirits lived within them and consulted them. Futile - Psalm 115. Rachel probably took the idols for the legal right to property. (Nuzi documents) Jacob fled, did not tell Laban he was leaving. Same way he left his home 20 years before). - Earthly Confrontation
- Jacob had a 3-day head start, traveled with family 20 miles/day
- Laban overtook him in a week
- Laban probably wanted to kill Jacob
- God interrupted his intentions in a dream
- Laban confronted Jacob
- I would have thrown you a party
- You stole my gods
- Jacob was afraid
- Fear will keep you from fulfilling what God has for you
- Self imprisonment
- 63 times the Bible says "Fear not!" (Luke 8:49-50)
- The cure for fear is faith
- Jacob was angry (charah - to glow or to burn)
- Kill the one who took the idols
- Rachel lied (a pattern set by father and husband)
- Rebuked Laban (riyb - contend)
- Laban had not found the household items
- Jacob had assumed the losses as a shepherd
- Jacob felt justified
- He didn't have all the facts
- God knows everything, leave it to Him (Hebrews 4:13)
- Laban was a mirror for Jacob
- Carnal Cooperation
- An agreement reached between Jacob and Laban
- Erect a monument of witness (Jagar Sahadutha; Galeed)
- Mizpah (to watch or witness)
- Not a benediction, a malediction
- I can't keep my eye on you, God will!
- Here's the line in the sand
Cross References: Genesis 30:25; Psalm 37:4; Psalm 115;
Luke 8:49-50;
Hebrews 4:13
Hebrew Terms: Teraphim - idols; charah - to glow or to burn; riyb - contend; Galeed - a monument of witness; Mizpah - watch or witness)
Aramaic Terms: Jagar Sahadutha - a monument of witness
Topic: Jacob
Keywords: Jacob, Laban, God's will, Rachel, idols
MESSAGE SUMMARY
During the difficult days following 9-11, our country experienced a deeper sense of community and spiritual renewal. The tragedy served as a wakeup call; in spite of our prosperity, we are not immune to pain. Often, the Lord gets a hold of us in the midst of suffering; we may endure steady adversity so that we always depend on Him. Let's look again at the life of Jacob as he comes to another turning point on his spiritual journey where he learns that when he is weak, he is made strong.
DETAILED NOTES
- Introduction
- Some Christians are mastered by flesh, not by God
- Whom the Lord loves He chastens - Hebrews 12:6
- Jacob has been outside the Land of Promise, not outside the hand of promise
- Jacob is between Laban and Esau, between Padan Aram (Iraq) and Canaan
- Jacob is very frightened, the Lord allowed it
- Jacob encounters angels
- Mahanaim - double camp
- He encountered angels on his way out of the land - Genesis 28:12 and now encounters them on his way back in
- Land guarded on its borders by angels Deuteronomy 11:12
- God saying "I have my eye on you" Psalm 34:7
- Angels
- You may have encountered angels - Hebrews 13:2
- God's Secret Agents - Billy Graham
- Mentioned in 34 books of the Bible (17 times Old Testament, 17 times New Testament)
- Spiritual beings without physical form
- Sometimes clothed in physical form
- Magnificent
- Ministry of angels
- Stand in God's Presence Isaiah 6; Revelation 4-5
- Serve God's People Hebrews 1:14
- Jacob anticipates the encounter with Esau
- Jacob initiates the contact
- Jacob uses flattery (learned from Laban)
- Divides his group into 2 camps (uses his wife and children as buffers)
- Fear drives Jacob to his knees (First recorded prayer of Jacob)
- Recounts the past - Acts 4:24
- Uses the covenant name of God
- Recognizes who He is talking to
- Recalls the promise
- Realizes his own unworthiness (acknowledges he is a sinner) - Proverbs 28:13
- Requests deliverance
- Confesses something negative before the Lord
- Tell the Lord how you feel
- He knows our frame, remembers we are dust - Psalm 103:14
- Jacob offers Esau a gift
- 380 animals, demonstration of his wealth
- Not much faith - Mark 9:24
- We set burdens before the Lord and pick them up again
- Jacob encounters the Lord
- Jacob left alone
- God wrestles with Jacob - assaults him
- The Man
- Angel of the Lord, God Almighty Hosea 12:3-4
- Christophany, theophany - pre-incarnate appearance of Christ in the Old Testament Genesis 18:1
- The Man caused Jacob to surrender
- Touched his hip so he couldn't run
- Jacob begged for a blessing
- As he had from his father
- From a wrestler to a rester
- Jacob named Israel
- God fights, God strives, God rules - best: One who fights victoriously with God
- God changed Jacob's name, because he changed Jacob
- Secret to great spiritual strength is to admit your weakness - 2 Corinthians 12:7-10
- Jacob encounters Esau
- Jacob bowed down, but Esau ran to meet him
- It wasn't Jacob's plan that worked, it was his prayer that worked
- Alexander the Great spared Jerusalem, his heart had been prepared by the Lord
- Esau's heart had already been changed by the Lord
- God loved Jacob too much to leave him as he was
- God uses affliction to bring us to Him Psalm 119:67
Publications Referenced: Good News for Modern Man; Absolute Surrender, by Andrew Murray;
Figures Referenced: Billy Graham; Corrie Ten Boom; Flavius Josephus; Alexander the Great; Jaddua;
Cross References:
Genesis 18:1;
Genesis 28:12;
Deuteronomy 11:12;
Psalm 34:7;
Psalm 103:14;
Psalm 119:67;
Proverbs 28:13; Isaiah 6;
Hosea 12:3-4;
Mark 9:24;
Acts 4:24;
2 Corinthians 12:7-10;
Hebrews 1:14;
Hebrews 12:6;
Hebrews 13:2; Revelation 4-5
Topic: Jacob
Keywords: Jacob, Esau, angels, christophany, theophany, wrestle
MESSAGE SUMMARY
We take another look at the life of Jacob in Genesis 34 where the effects of his flaws become glaringly apparent. Jacob's passive parenting and dysfunctional family result in an ungodly reaction to the rape of his daughter, Dinah. Let's examine profound spiritual truths, learn important principles to apply to our own families, and renew our hope in the grace of God.
DETAILED NOTES
- Introduction
- Dysfunction Junction
Dysfunctional family - "family in which conflict and misbehavior on the part of individual family members occur continually and regularly leading other members to accommodate such actions" - Abraham
- Isaac
- Jacob
- The name of God does not appear in chapter 34 (His wisdom is not present in these activities)
- Jacob should be in Bethel
- He goes to Succoth and Shechem (a pagan neighborhood)
- He places his whole family in jeopardy
- We can place those close to us in a place of danger or a place of blessing
- Jonah
- Abraham
- Are you dragging your family down? Get back to a place of blessing! Revelation 2:5
- Remember
- Repent
- Repeat
- Rape
- Dinah is a young teen 15-16, or 13-15 according to Keil and Delitzsch
- Pagan neighborhood, but Dinah goes out alone
- Shechem raped her
- Prince of the country
- Spoiled
- Aggressive
- Young men give love to get sex
- Young women give sex to get love
- Remuneration
- Hamor and Shechem act honorably
- Let’s make marriages
- Settle down here with us
- One of Satan’s first attempts to pollute the royal line Genesis 3:15
- Cain kills Abel
- God judges the world, all destroyed except Noah and his family
- Don’t be separated, be one of us
- Principle - don’t be unequally yoked together with unbelievers 2 Corinthians 6:14; 1 Corinthians 6:39
- The dowry - mohar
- Given to the father of the bride to compensate for the loss of a worker
- In the case of premarital intercourse, dowry legitimized the union; the father could ask any price he wanted. Capped in Deuteronomy 22:28-29
- Retaliation
- The sons of Jacob act deceitfully
- Ask Hamor and Shechem and the whole city to be circumcised
- Sell the idea to the city by bringing up the economy vs. 23
- They had told Jacob it will be an economic benefit to them vs. 10
- Every male was circumcised
- Some commentators say this was Jacob’s attempt to make them right with God. Ritual without reality will not work.
- They did it to deceive and incapacitate them.
- Jacob is passive in all this
- Doesn’t confront Hamor or Shechem
- Allows his children to plot
- Passive parenting will ruin a child
- Simeon and Levi killed all the males
- Dinah and these two are children of Jacob and Leah -- Reuban, Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun were also full brothers)
- Prediction of Jacob in Genesis 49:5-8 (Simeon and Levi instruments of cruelty, in anger slew a man, cursed be their anger and their wrath-the blessing is taken from them and given to Judah -- Levi was scattered, but they became the priests; God takes vile filthy sinners and turns us into a kingdom of priests)
- Lex Talionis - eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth; limits vengeance
- Jacob reacts
- It’s all about me
- Doesn’t get angry for the rape of his daughter
- Rebukes his sons, not for the massacre, not for abusing the right of circumcision, but because he feels his own reputation is soiled
- Application
- Parent your children
- Understand the pressure they are under; apply counter pressure
- Jacob is flawed; all are flawed
- Jacob had a desire for spiritual things
- There is hope
- Make-believer, unbeliever; God can make the change in your life when you allow Him
Cross References:
Genesis 49:5-8;
Deuteronomy 22:28-29;
1 Corinthians 6:39;
2 Corinthians 6:14
Figures Referenced: Keil and Delitzsch; Ross Perot
Hebrew Terms: mohar--dowry
Topic: Jacob
Keywords: Jacob, disobedience, circumcision, rape, remuneration, retaliation, parenting, Dinah
MESSAGE SUMMARY
It's been said, "It's always darkest before the dawn." On the heels of a dark period in Jacob's life, the Lord works in his heart to bring about revival. As we dive into our text, we'll see that while Jacob lingered far away from God for a time, he renews his commitment to the God of second chances.
DETAILED NOTES
- Introduction
- All have a sin nature - Romans 5:12
- Jacob had stung Esau, Isaac, Laban, Dinah
- We serve a God of second chances
- God brings Jacob back to Bethel for a do-over
- Chapter 34 God-less chapter
- Absent in name and in principle
- Marked with deceit, lust, murder, shame
- Chapter 35 God-filled chapter God 's name 22 x (11 times the name of God, 11 times names like Bethel [House of God} and El Shaddai [God the Mighty])
- Revival
- First revival in the Bible
- Begins as a personal revival in Jacob and spreads to the rest of the family
- Revive-bring back from the dead, back to life, back to consciousness
- Jacob needed spiritual revival
- Revival-a new beginning of obedience to God - Charles Finney
- Sometimes it takes a crisis for revival to begin
- Jacob had already been at Bethel - Genesis 28:16-20, but never went back
- The Lord ordered Jacob back to Bethel-vs. 1
- Principles of Revival
- After a period of wickedness
- Time of the Judges - Judges 17:6; Judges 21:25
- Eli's sons weren't righteous, Samuel was born, God used him to bring about revival
- Darkest before the dawn
- When it seems dark, rejoice and pray for revival - Psalm 85:6
- God initiates revival
- You can pray for revival, but cannot program revival
- God speaks and works in the heart
- Put away the idols - vs. 2-5
- A lot of wickedness had been tolerated for a long time (Rachel stole the idols-Genesis 31)
- Idolatry in the Old Testament (bowing down to image, ascribing value to image)
- Idolatry in the New Testament - 1 John 5:21
- Idolatry is anything that takes the place of God in your life
- Jacob's renewed role as a parent
- First time Jacob is actively involved with his children
- Admonishing children is a parent's right and responsibility - Ephesians 6:4
- Parenting is the most important task
- 16% of child's time is school, 1% is church school, 83% under parental influence
- God uses parents to disciple children
- Jacob's children saw his commitment and followed his example
- Train up a child in the way He shoold go - Proverbs 22:6
- Chanoch - train, dedicate root word has to do with stimolating taste
- A parent shoold walk in the way himself-Abraham Lincoln
- God works behind the scenes vs. 5
- Terror of the Lord on the surrounding cities
- The Lord causes the enemies to be at peace with them - Proverbs 16:7
- Restoration vs.6-15
- El Bethel-God of the House of God
- God always seeks to bring us to the highest level, we settle for less
- Remember where you used to be- Revelation 2:5
- Jacob now impressed with God, not the place of God
- Jacob called Israel
- God reconfirmed the old information
- We need a reminder of what God already said - Luke 24:27-32; Philippians 4:19; 2 Peter 1:3
- Last appearance of God to man in Genesis, will now appear to Joseph in dreams
- The land promised
- Whose land is it? God's
- God gave it to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and 12 tribes of Israel vs. 12
- Drink offering (libation offering) vs. 13-15
- Oldest type of offering in history
- Pouring out a drink on rock or altar
- Symbol of pouring life out to the Lord - 2 Timothy 4:6
- Jesus poured out for our sins - Psalm 22; Isaiah 53
- Death of Rachel
- Hard Labor
- Rachel named the son Ben-Oni-son of my sorrow
- Renamed by Jacob Benjamin - son of my right hand
- Buried at Ephrath Bethlehem
- Micah 5:2
- Naomi's home, Ruth gleans, Davidborn, and Jesus
- Reuben lay with Bilhah vs. 21
- Could be he was usurping the authority of his father
- Lost his inheritance and his birthright - Genesis 49:2-4
- Simeon and Levi had also lost rights - Genesis 49:5-7
- Judah is the next on list - Genesis 49:8-9
- Jesus is the Lion of Judah
- Firstborn-prototokos-preeminent one - Colossians 1:15
- Death of Isaac vs. 27-29
- 180 years old
- Thought he was dying 43 years before - Genesis 27
- Length of life is in God's hands - Job 14:5
- Genealogy of Esau - Genesis 36
- After this chapter the focus will be on the lineage of Jacob
- Esau's wives and sons in Canaan vss. 1-8
- Esau is Edom
- God kept his promise to Esau - Genesis 25:23
- Nation located Southern Jordan
- Edomites later migrate to Southern Israel and cease to be a separate people group
- Idumeans
- Herod the Great
- Antipater- King of the Jews
- Esau's grandsons and powerfol men vss. 9-19
- Teman-area know for wisdom
- Eliphaz the Temanite - Job
- Sons of Seir vss. 20-30
- Kings and Chiefs vss. 31-39
- Chiefs of Esau vss. 40-43
- Edomites historically and traditionally become archenemies of Israel
- Obadiah pronounces judgment on Edom
- Don't miss out - Hebrews 12:15-17
Figures Referenced: Charles Finney, Abraham Lincoln, John Nelson Darby, William Randolph Hearst
Hebrew Terms: Yaweh- the Lord; Bethel -House of God; El Shaddai-God the Mighty; Chanoch - train, dedicate root word has to do with stimolating taste; El Bethel-God of the House of God; Ben-Oni-son of my sorrow; Benjamin - son of my right hand
Greek Terms: prototokos-firstborn, preeminent one
Cross References: Genesis 25:23; Genesis 27; Genesis 28:16-20; Genesis 36; Genesis 49:2-9; Judges 17:6; Judges 21:25; Job 14:5; Psalm 22; Proverbs 16:7; Proverbs 22:6; Isaiah 53; Micah 5:2; Luke 24:27-32; Romans 5:12; Ephesians 6:4; Philippians 4:19; Colossians 1:15; 2 Timothy 4:6; Hebrews 12:15-17; 2 Peter 1:3; 1 John 5:21; Revelation 2:5
Topic: Jacob
Keywords: Jacob, Isaac, Rachel, twelve tribes of Israel, Bethel, second chances, revival
|
SERIES: |
01 Genesis - 2009 |
MESSAGE: |
Joseph Looks A Lot Like Jesus |
SPEAKER: |
Skip Heitzig |
SCRIPTURE: |
Genesis 37 |
URL: |
http://SkipHeitzig.com/832 |
|
MESSAGE SUMMARY
We've all been told that we look like someone else. Often members of the same family carry a strong resemblance to one another. Joseph reminds us of someone else: Jesus. As we explore their similarities, we'll be challenged with two crucial questions. How much do we resemble Jesus Christ? Do we look like our Heavenly Father?
DETAILED NOTES
Joseph reminds us of someone else: Jesus. In the final division of Genesis, chapters 37-50, Joseph is the central focus of attention. More chapters are devoted to him than are devoted to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, or anyone else. If you compare these fourteen chapters to the first eleven chapters of origin in Genesis, (including creation, the fall, Noah & the Flood, etc.) more is recorded about Joseph. Joseph is almost flawless. Not one flaw is recorded in the Bible. He is pure in heart, unlike his father. Some have counted over 100 ways that Joseph is like Jesus.
- Joseph Was Uniquely Loved by His Father (Genesis 37:1-3)
- His father made him a tunic of many colors
- Honored him
- Gave him authority
- Some commentators say it was a seamless robe
- Jesus
- This is My beloved Son - Matthew 3:17
- All authority in heaven and earth – Matthew 28:18
- His garment was without seam – John 19:23
- Joseph Was Hated by His Brothers (Genesis 37:4)
- Joseph's brothers hated him
- Jesus
- The common people heard Him gladly – Mark 12:37
- Religious leaders were jealous and hated him
- False witnesses were brought in with accusations
- They demanded His Blood
- Joseph Was Sold for Pieces of Silver (Genesis 37:28)
- His own brothers sold Joseph to the Midianite traders
- 12 brothers, closest to him didn't understand
- Sold for 20 shekels
- Jesus
- Commanded great crowds of people
- Those closest were his 12 disciples
- Sold for 30 pieces of silver
- Joseph Was Falsely Accused (Genesis 39)
- Potiphar's wife falsely accused Joseph of rape
- Falsely accused for crimes He did not commit
- Perverts the nation
- Forbids people to pay taxes
- Joseph suffered Alongside of Two Others (Genesis 40)
- Joseph providentially placed with two criminals
- Butler (went free)
- Baker (died)
- Jesus crucified between two criminals
- One blasphemed and died spiritually
- One confessed and was forgiven
- Joseph Was Dead to His Father then Appeared Alive (Genesis 37:34)
- Jacob tore his clothes and mourned for his son
- Believed he was dead for many years
- When brothers come clean, Jacob finds out Joseph is alive
- Jesus
- Died on the cross
- Rose from the dead – Acts 3: 15
- Joseph Was in Charge of Everything (Genesis 37:5-8)
- Joseph becomes the prime minister of Egypt
If anyone wanted food or grain, had to get it from Joseph - The father has committed everything into the hands of the Son
Jesus said, "I am the Bread of Life" – John 6:35
- Men Had to Bow in Joseph's Presence
- Everyone humbly bowed down. (Genesis 37:9; Genesis 42; Genesis 47-48)
- His brothers
- His mother and father
- At the knee of Jesus every knee should bow and every tongue confess that Jesus is Lord – Philippians 2:10
These testify of the evidence of the fingerprint of the Holy Spirit on the pages of Scripture. We have the very words of God. The whole Bible is filled with Jesus. When on the road to Emmaus after the resurrection, Jesus began in Genesis and the prophets and expounded all the scriptures, the things concerning Himself–Luke 24:44-49.
Joseph looks a lot like Jesus. Do you? Is there a family resemblance? Can people tell you are a child of God? Jesus is the light of the world; he said we are the light of the world. We reflect Jesus' light as the moon reflects the sunlight.
Cross References: Matthew 3:17; Matthew 28:18; Mark 12:37; Luke 24:44-49; John 6:35; John 19:23; Acts 3:15; Philippians 2:10
Topic: Joseph
Keywords: Joseph, types of Christ, foreshadowing
|
SERIES: |
01 Genesis - 2009 |
MESSAGE: |
Genesis 37:1-38:10 |
SPEAKER: |
Skip Heitzig |
SCRIPTURE: |
Genesis 37:1-38:10 |
URL: |
http://SkipHeitzig.com/836 |
|
MESSAGE SUMMARY
Joseph takes center stage in our study through the book of Genesis. His father's preferential treatment backfires and this favorite son ends up in the bottom of a cistern, and then sold into slavery. Let's take a closer look at God's providential hand and tuck away some important events that we'll pull out later as evidence of His faithfulness.
DETAILED NOTES
- Introduction
- One-fourth of Genesis is dedicated to Joseph
- Compared to 10 words in Genesis 1:1
- Two chapters in Genesis giving an un-detailed account of Creation
- The Holy Spirit has different priorities, cares more about people than origins
- Bible has nothing bad to say about Joseph
- Only other figure Bible says nothing bad about: Daniel
- Joseph not sinless, sin not recorded
- Joseph looks a lot like Jesus
- Joseph a unique type of Jesus Christ
- Classic rags to riches story
- Begins when Joseph is 17
- Becomes the second most powerful man in the world (next to Pharaoh)
- Story of Providence
- God takes ordinary events and arranges them (utilizes natural events to achieve a predetermined outcome)
- Different from miraculous (when God intervenes or contravenes in natural law)
- Joseph despised by brothers, bad things happen, but God uses it for good - Romans 8:28
- God needs to keep a promise - Genesis 15:13-16
- Abraham in land, leaves, brought back
- To teach a lesson
- God is a merciful God (God gave the Canaanites 400 years to repent)
- When sin reaches a certain point, God must Judge
- Joseph goes into the land to prepare a situation for them to go in (Exodus 10-12)
- Strangers in the land
- Isaac was a stranger in the land
- Jacob's lifestyle resembled those in the area far more
- We are called to be strangers, different, separate. - 1 Peter 1:1; 1 Peter 2:11
- Jacob's favoritism
- Jacob had experienced favoritism
- Isaac favored Esau
- You would think he would avoid the mistake
- Sometimes the sins of parents pass unwittingly onto the children
- Jacob loved Joseph more than other children
- All the brothers see that
- When Jacob met Esau he put slaves up front, then sons of Leah, Bilhah, Zilpah
- Rachel and Joseph were in the back
- Caused division
- Coat of Many Colors
- Robe of Royalty
- Long sleeved, down to ankles
- Can't do much manual labor
- Supervise your brothers
- Joseph brought back a bad report
- Joseph dreams
- Brothers sheaves bow down to his
- Some things are better left unsaid
- Joseph is young, excited about life, naïve, innocent
- His brothers hate him even more
- His own dreams get him into trouble
- Thirteen years later the dreams of others will get him out of trouble.
- Sun, moon, eleven stars bow down to him
- First dream just his brothers bow down
- Second dream father and mother bow down to him
- What he dreams will happen
- His brothers envied him
- His father kept it in mind
(Jacob had his own dream in Bethel) - A key to Revelation 12:1-5
- Some say the woman is the suffering church
- She is pregnant
- Virgin bride of Christ
- The interpretation is revealed in Joseph's dream - represents Israel
- Idioms of Revelation are unlocked in previous biblical passages
- Joseph goes to his brothers
- Shechem
- 60 miles north
- Higher, greener
- Where Simeon and Levi committed mass murder
- Jacob still owns property there
- Dothan
- 10 miles north of Shechem
- On the caravan routes
- Joseph's brothers conspire to kill him
- See him and remember the dream
- Try to keep the dream from being fulfilled
- Reuben delivered him from their hands (trying to win back father's favor)
- Strip Joseph of his robe (it represents a special relationship with their father)
- Put him in a cistern (solid rock, huge, cavernous hole to store rain water i.e., 250,000 gallons of water stored in a huge hole near the Garden Tomb) - Jeremiah 2:13
- Joseph sold to Ishmaelites
- Ishmaelites descendants of Abraham and Hagar
- Midianites descendants of Abraham and Keturah
- Ishmaelites and Midiantes traveling together for bargaining strength
- Joseph sold for 20 pieces of silver
- Price of a handicapped slave
- Shows how little his brothers valued him
- Reuben
- Unstable and double minded - Genesis 49:4
- Half-hearted godliness can never withstand active wickedness
- Jacob is deceived when his sons kill a goat
- Jacob deceived his own father by killing a goat
- Never let envy and jealousy get a foothold - James 3:16
- God will work all things together for good to those who love Him - Romans 8:28
- Joseph sold to Pharaoh
- Amenemhat II 1929BC - 1895 BC (capital was Memphis, 12 miles from Cairo)
- Potiphar - He who was given by Ra
- According to Josephus, Joseph was the chief cook
- Parenthesis in Joseph's life
- Reasons
- Contrast of his life versus his brothers'
- Gives the genealogical background of Jesus
- Judah
- Married a Canaanite
- Three sons: Er, Onan, Shelah
- Ur married Tamar
- Ur was wicked and the Lord killed him
- First mention that God kills someone because they are wicked
- Ananias and Sapphira - Acts 5
- Those who abused the Lord's supper - 1 Corinthians 1:29-30
- When God is doing a new work; hypocrisy is so offensive to the Holy Spirit
- Tamar has no offspring, so Onan marries her, Levirate law of marriage - Deuteronomy 25
- Living brother takes widow as wife to produce child, protect inheritance
- Ruth
- Sadducees try to trap Jesus questioning him about the practice - Matthew 22:23-33
- Onan acts wickedly and the Lord kills him also
Figures Referenced: Amenemhat II; Josephus
Cross References:
Genesis 1:1;
Genesis 15:13-16;
Genesis 49:4;
Exodus 10-12;
Jeremiah 2:13; Acts 5;
Romans 8:28;
1 Corinthians 1:29-30;
James 3:16;
1 Peter 1:1;
1 Peter 2:11;
Revelation 12:1-5
Topic: Joseph
Keywords: Joseph, providence, favoritism, sibling rivalry
|
SERIES: |
01 Genesis - 2009 |
MESSAGE: |
Genesis 38:9-39:23 |
SPEAKER: |
Skip Heitzig |
SCRIPTURE: |
Genesis 38:9-39:23 |
URL: |
http://SkipHeitzig.com/838 |
|
MESSAGE SUMMARY
The contrast between Joseph and his brothers is great. Nothing bad is recorded about Joseph, but his brothers' lives are a mess. Joseph was faithful; his brothers were failures. Joseph had rock solid integrity; his brothers practiced wretched morality. Yet in the midst of it all, the Holy Spirit worked behind the scenes, using the most unlikely people to bring the Messiah into the world.
DETAILED NOTES
- Introduction
- Joseph was 17 years old when the Lord began to speak to him in dreams
- He was excited and naïve
- His brothers hated him
- His second dream gets his father's attention
- Lord will raise Joseph up to be the second in command, under Pharaoh over Egypt
- Joseph sold to Midianite traders
- Younger people
- The Lord often calls the young to His work
- Tender age receptive and impressionable
- Samuel
- Parents took him to minister at very early age – 1 Samuel 2:18
- The Lord called him, "Samuel, Samuel" 1 Samuel 3
- Jeremiah – Jeremiah 1:5-10
- Daniel was a teen when taken captive
- Timothy – 1 Timothy 4:12
- The young give the Lord the best years of their life
- Most who come to faith do so in their teenage years
- Coming to faith:
- Age 25 1 in 5,000
- Age 35 1 in 25,000
- Age 45 1 in 60,000
- Age 55 1 in 125,000
- Doesn't matter what age you come, most important that you come
- Judah – Genesis 38
- Reasons
- Contrast between Joseph and his brothers
- Continuance of the lineage of Christ–Ruth; Matthew 1
- The Bible shows failures plainly
- Real people; some are bad
- Nothing bad recorded about Joseph
- Judah married a Canaanite: Shua
- Had three sons: Er, Onan, Shelah
- Er died because he was wicked in the sight of the Lord; the Lord killed him vs. 6
- Onan vs 9
- Misapplied to birth control
- Not an issue of family planning; an issue of family plotting
- He was supposed to provide an heir so that the inheritance and name would be preserved
- Onan practiced coitus interruptus
- "When" is better translated "whenever"; regular practice
- Sexual gratification without parental responsibility
- Hated his brother; didn't want him to have an heir
- Onan died
- Judah and Tamar
- Judah sent Tamar home
- Didn't want a third son to die with her
- End of his family line
- "When son gets older" was an excuse; he had no intention of fulfilling the promise
- Judah's wife died; he visited a pagan friend
- Tamar disguised herself as a temple prostitute
- Common Canaanite worship; how they got converts
- She knew Judah's character
- Keep the lineage of the family
- Judah came to her and promised to pay a goat
- Tamar took a pledge from him: signet, cord, staff
- Canaanite culture
- Mesopotamian worship culture all about fertility
- Prostitutes were emblematic of Ishtar
- Men would go to prostitutes before planting fields or mating animals to cause abundance
- 3 months later Tamar shows up pregnant
- Amazing how bad our sin looks on someone else
- Burn her!
- Reminiscent of David when confronted by Nathan about Bathsheba
- Tamar reveals the father of the child
- Tamar gives birth to twins: Perez and Zerah
- Genealogy of Jesus Christ–Matthew 1
- To Jews, genealogy is a high priority
- Perez is an illegitimate son
- Women mentioned
- Most unlikely people
- Those who fail are in good company
- The Lord is developing Joseph's faith - Genesis 39
- The Lord often uses pain to cause faith to grow
- Joseph believed in God despite his circumstances
- Joseph sold as a slave
- Bought by Potiphar
- Joseph is successful, full of joy, great testimony
- Whatever Joseph touches, the Lord blesses
- Joseph is determined to be faithful and to give a faithful testimony for God's glory
- Joseph raises the ire and interest of Satan
- The enemy has studied you; knows your strengths and weaknesses
- The enemy waits for the opportunity – Luke 4:13
- Potiphar totally trusted Joseph
- Potiphar's wife was also impressed
- Joseph refused her advances
- Ethical Conviction
- Spiritual Devotion - Psalms 111:10; Proverbs 1:7; Proverbs 8:13
- He had an awesome awareness of God
- Moses looked "this way and that" and not up when he killed the Egyptian – Genesis 2:12
- Continual Refutation
- Our eyes and ears are like gates to a city; keep them closed to keep bad things out
- Refused to even be with her
- She accused Joseph of trying to rape her
- Potiphar's anger was aroused
- Perhaps not at Joseph
- Rape a capital offense
- He knows his wife
- He knows Joseph
- Joseph thrown into prison
- But the Lord was with Joseph
Figures Referenced: Dwight L. Moody, Martin Luther, Charles Spurgeon
Publications Referenced: "The Screwtape Letters," by C. S. Lewis; "Pilgrim's Progress," by John Bunyan
Cross References: Genesis 2:12; Ruth; 1 Samuel 2:18; 1 Samuel 3; Psalms 111:10; Proverbs 1:7; Proverbs 8:13; Jeremiah 1:5-10; Matthew 1; Luke 4:13; 1 Timothy 4:12
Topic: Joseph
Keywords: Judah, Tamar, Joseph, Potiphar, faith
MESSAGE SUMMARY
The account of Joseph's life has been a riches-to-rags tale thus far. While Joseph remains faithful in the midst of trials, the sovereign hand of God is fulfilling His purpose in Joseph's heart and in the world. Let's take a look at the dreamer of dreams as he takes his eyes off his circumstances and places them squarely on the Lord.
DETAILED NOTES
The account of Joseph's life has been a riches-to-rags tale thus far. While Joseph remains faithful in the midst of trials, the sovereign hand of God is fulfilling His purpose in Joseph's heart and in the world. Let's take a look at the dreamer of dreams as he takes his eyes off his circumstances and places them squarely on the Lord.
- Introduction
- Joseph's life thus far
- Dreamed dreams that come true
- Eleven sheaves of wheat bow down to his sheaf
- Sun, moon, and eleven stars bow down to him
- Sold as a slave to Midianite traders
- God-given status in Potiphar's house
- Potiphar's wife tried to seduce him
- Falsely accused and put in prison
- Sudden reversals are hard to take
- One day the favored son/sold as a slave the next
- One day the head of Potiphar's house/place in prison the next
- Never read of Joseph complaining
- The Lord is doing a work in the suffering
- Joseph is isolated, but the pagans are watching
- Unbelievers are drawn by the reality of faith of those who suffer - FB Meyer
- How do you treat God when you suffer a setback?
- Key verse: Genesis 39:21
- Genesis 40
- The baker and the butler
- Baker-baked bread
- Butler-cup bearer (NIV) ancient secret service
- Joseph in jail by appointment
- The dreams
- Highly significant in ancient Egypt and Babylon
- Theology
- Believed the pantheon of gods communicated through dreams
- God was communicating through the dreams
- Joseph noticed their trouble and asked about it
- The key to enduring a trial: forget about self
- His interest in their dreams was an affirmation of his faith
- Butler's Dream
- Positive interpretation
- Lift up head a biblical idiom for favor – Psalm 3:3
- Joseph asked to be remembered
- Baker's Dream
- A nightmare
- The birds eating the bread -Birds portend evil
- Parable of the sower – Matthew 13:4
- Parable of the mustard seed – Matthew 13:32
- Babylon fallen fowl – Revelation 18:2
- Joseph is forgotten
- We have no control over some experiences in life; we control how we respond
- William Sangster committed to:
- Never complain
- Make my home a bright place
- Count my blessings
- Turn a horrible situation into something good
- Genesis 41
- Two years pass – Proverbs 21:1
- God is working deep things inside Joseph
- "It is doubtful whether God can bless a man greatly until he has hurt him deeply" AW Tozer
- We don't know what God is preparing us for
- Pharaoh's dreams
- Cows
- Annual flooding of the Nile
- Cows feed in the river
- 7 fat/7 lean
- Grain
- Khamsin-wind
- Withered
- Dreams focused on Egypt's two greatest assets
- Isis–goddess of agriculture and fertility
- The earth
- God's master plan
- Bring Joseph into the court of pharaoh
- Bring his family to Egypt
- Children of Israel will grow in the land 400 years – Genesis 15
- Send them back to Canaan
- Give Canaan a chance to repent
- Give the land to Israel
- God's economy
- Subsidized by the Egyptians
- Paul's journey to Rome
- Magicians did not try to interpret the dream
- Joseph: from riches to rags to riches
- He is remembered
- He shaved like an Egyptian
- He interprets the dreams
- Two dreams that meant the same thing (familiar ground to Joseph)
- Not me, it's the Lord
- If you kneel before God, you can stand before anybody
- John the Baptist before Herod
- Paul before Felix and Agrippa
- Elijah before Ahab and Jezebel
- Joseph's advice
- Good management
- Faithful employees seek what's best for the boss
- Faithful in little/given much Luke 16:10
- Pharaoh set Joseph over all Egypt
- Geographic control
- Financial control
- Fashion upgrade
- Social prestige
- Extra-biblical support that Egyptians would elevate the lowly
- Story of Sinuhe (an Egyptian)
- Amarna Letters (a Semite called "greatest mouth in the world")
- Zaphnath Paaneah - Savior of the World
- Joseph's Family
- Married the daughter of the priest of On
- Two sons
- Manasseh - forgetful (forget about it)
- Ephraim - doubly fruitful – Philippians 3:13-14
- Joseph had no pettiness or bitterness
- Let God handle people who wrong you
- Who knows what God is preparing for you – Romans 8:28-29
Figures Referenced: FB Meyer; William Sangster; AW Tozer; J Oswald Sanders
Hebrew Terms: Manasseh- forgetful; Ephraim- doubly fruitful
Cross References: Genesis 15; Genesis 39:21; Psalm 3:3; Proverbs 21:1; Matthew 13:4; Matthew 13:32; Luke 16:10; Romans 8:28-29; Philippians 3:13-14; Revelation 18:2
Topic: Joseph
Keywords: Joseph, dreams, trials, sovereign, Egypt
MESSAGE SUMMARY
What things does God work together for good in the lives of those who love Him? Sold into slavery, falsely accused, forgotten in prison– these are troubling events in the life of Joseph. As we approach this text, we'll see the sovereign hand of God at work, fulfilling His promise and truly working all things together for good in the life of Joseph.
DETAILED NOTES
Topic: Joseph
Keywords: Joseph, Egypt, famine, good, forgiveness
- Introduction
- Joseph never gave up
- Sold as slave to Midianites
- Became a slave in Potiphar's house
- Falsely accused and placed in prison
- When worldwide famine is foreseen, he comes up with a plan
- Life of Joseph greatest biblical example of Romans 8:28
- Synergéo - work together
- Synergy - working together of various elements to produce a result greater than the sum of those elements
- God works together the sum of circumstances in our lives for good even at times we can't imagine it would be good.
- Certain elements which are individually poisonous become helpful when combined (sodium chloride).
- God takes certain events and causes them to be beneficial to you
- Dr. Reuben A. Torrey wrote, "Romans 8:28 is a soft pillow for a tired heart."
- God knows the way that we take – Job 23:10
- Joseph will look back and see God's perfect plan
- What is your limit in trusting God? "Though he slay me" – Job 13:15
- Joseph went from riches to rags to riches
- Some are okay with adversity, few can handle prosperity
- Joseph holds the checkbook of the world
- God loves you too much to ruin you
- Genesis 42
- Setting
- 21 years since Joseph sold to the Midianites
- Joseph had predicted seven years of abundance followed by seven years of famine
- Probably year two of the seven years of famine in Egypt
- Brothers "look at each other" v. 1
- Nobody seemed to talk about the famine
- No one dealing with issues
- I've heard there is grain, let's check that out! v. 2
- Demonstration of Faith
- When you believe a promise from God's Word, and act on it, your faith is increased
- Ten sons travel to Egypt
- 300 miles, 6 weeks roundtrip
- Meet Zaphnath Paaneah (Joseph)
- Joseph will recognize them, they won't recognize him
- Joseph has grown older, wealthy, Egyptian culture, family
- Benjamin
- Didn't travel to Egypt
- Favored son as Joseph had been
- Son of Rachel, whom Jacob loved
- Overprotected
- Famine in Egypt, severe famine in Canaan Deuteronomy 11:10-11
- Egypt relied on the flooding of the Nile
- Canaan relied on the rain
- No rain/no life
- Dream fulfilled
- His brothers bowed down to him v. 6
- Not a complete fulfillment of the dreams
- Theme of forgiveness
- Forgiveness separates the men from the boys
- Easy to love those who love you
- Love your enemies, bless those who curse you – Matthew 5:43-44
- Brothers did not recognize Joseph v.8
- Twenty-one years had passed
- Egyptian appearance
- Robes
- Shaven
- Goatee
- Language
- Culture
- Custom
- Joseph tested his brothers v. 9
- Spoke roughly
- Have they changed?
- What of Benjamin?
- Suspicious (protocol)
- Brothers were scoundrels
- Slaughtered the Shechemites
- Judah slept with his daughter-in-law
- Took oath in Pharaoh's name (concealed identity) v. 15
- Sequestered his brothers for three days v.18
- Brothers spoke in Hebrew, not knowing Joseph understood v. 23
- Admitting guilt is the first step
- Confess and find mercy – Proverbs 28:13
- God wants to hear you agree with Him
- After 21 years, their conscience is still guilty
- "Time heals all wounds," – not true
- Joseph weeps v. 24
- 6 times in this story
- Here
- When he sees Benjamin
- When he sees father
- When Jacob dies
- When he assures his brothers of forgiveness
- What makes you weep is a test of your character
- Joseph holds Simeon hostage v. 24
- Not Rueben the eldest
- He had told his brothers not to kill Joseph
- Simeon was in charge when Joseph sold into slavery
- Consider the goodness and Severity of God
- Kindness and severity for their own God – Romans 11:22
- Repentance and reconciliation
- Brothers head home v. 26
- Encampment - inn, where caravans would stop
- The money is restored v.28
- Joseph paid for their grain v. 25
- Put their money in their sacks
- Provision for the next journey
- Joseph wanted them to come back
- Guilt turns blessings into distress v.35
- Brothers mention God
- Their view of Him is warped
- "Love your enemies, it'll drive 'em nuts!"
- Jacob makes it all about himself v.36
- People change, but not that much
- Crisis doesn't make a man, but shows what he is made of
- Different from how Joseph would respond (you don't have to follow in your parents' footsteps if not a good example)
- Jacob is living in the pain of the past
- Reuben swears by his sons' lives v.37
- Don't swear at all – Matthew 5:34-37
- Be honest and full of integrity
- Why did these bad things happen?
- To save the world from famine
- To bring Israel to Egypt to be nurtured for hundreds of years
- To preserve the lineage of the Messiah
- God has a purpose for your life
Figures Referenced: Winston Churchill, Dr. Reuben A. Torrey , James MacDonald, Alistair Begg
Cross References: Deuteronomy 11:10-11; Job 13:15; Job 23:10; Proverbs 28:13; Matthew 5:34-37; Matthew 5:43-44; Romans 8:28; Romans 11:22
Hebrew terms: Synergéo - work together
Topic: Joseph
Keywords: Joseph, Egypt, famine, good, forgiveness
|
SERIES: |
01 Genesis - 2009 |
MESSAGE: |
Genesis 43-44:17 |
SPEAKER: |
Skip Heitzig |
SCRIPTURE: |
Genesis 43:1-44:17 |
URL: |
http://SkipHeitzig.com/848 |
|
MESSAGE SUMMARY
Love isn't always easy. The natural response to difficult people may be retaliation. After cruel treatment by his brothers, Joseph is placed in a powerful position--their fate is in his hands; however, rather than payback, Joseph chooses pardon. He sets a wonderful example for us of supernatural love for unlovely people.
DETAILED NOTES
- Introduction
- Joseph and his brothers
- 21 years have passed since Joseph sold into slavery
- When his brothers come for grain, he recognizes them
- He is tender to them
- He loves them
- He is willing to forgive them
- Genesis 42-45
- Chapter 43 is the second of 3 meetings between Joseph and his brothers
- Joseph postures himself; plays tough—he is testing them
- Test of sincerity (Chapter 42)
- Test of jealousy
- God wants to do a work in them before He will work through them
- They will be the pillars of the nation of Israel
- They will bring forth the Messiah
- As Joseph tests to see how far they have grown in relationship with each other, God is working to grow their relationship with Him.
- Joseph was tested
- Test of adversity –passed
- Test of prosperity–passed
- No matter the conditions, he was successful in them
- Prison or prosperity Josephs attitude lined up with Romans 8:28-29
- Joseph: a type of Jesus Christ
- Joseph wasn't recognized at first meeting with his brothers
- Jesus wasn't recognized by his Jewish brethren first time – John 1:11; Matthew 23:37
- Joseph will reveal himself at the second meeting
- The Jews will understand Jesus is Messiah at his second coming – Acts 7:12; Zechariah 12:10
- A Predicament in Canaan – the Famine is Severe
- They have waited a long time
- Simeon is in jail in Egypt
- Don't want to bring it up to Jacob
- Hunger motivates a person
- Jacob sulks it's "all about him" v. 6
- He hasn't changed much – Genesis 42:36
- He is about to be blessed beyond his wildest dreams.
- If God is for us who can be against us? – Romans 8:31
- Jacob's flaws
- Blind to the favoritism of his child
- Mourning for Joseph hard to deal with
- Judah
- We should have gone long ago
- Offers self as surety v. 8
- Surety - guarantor, caretaker of Benjamin
- Judah willing to be the substitute for his brother
- Reuben pledged his own sons as collateral
- Jacob ignored the request
- Jacob would never trust Reuben again
- Jacob said Reuben will not excel in anything – Genesis 49:4
- Jacob took Judah up on it-Judah is in the process of change
- Take a present to Egypt vs.11
- Staple items unaffected by famine
- Giving a gift can get you in front of rulers
- Now they are thinking logically
- If they do nothing they will die, necessary risk
- Jacob is a control freak
- Jacob instructs, "Take your brother" not "Take my son" v. 14
- Relationship
- Responsibility
- El Shaddai - God Almighty
- Abraham
- Isaac
- They stood before Joseph; Joseph wondering:
- Will they abandon Simeon?
- Will they bring Benjamin with them?
- Party in Egypt
- Steward - chief butler (finances, confidant, advisor)
- Let's do lunch!
- Men are afraid v.18
- Money returned the first time
- Guilt ruins every joyful experience
- Joseph is forcing them to deal with their guilt
- Ancient Middle Eastern custom–
- Invited into home/protection
- Meal represents becoming one with those you share with – Revelation 3:20
- Best thing for mental health is to have guilt alleviated
- Guilt is good if it drives you to the cross
- Steward said, "Your God" had Joseph evangelized him? v. 23
- Simeon
- Suffering didn't make him better man – Genesis 49:5-7
- We should grow though suffering – James 1:17
- The brothers bow down again v. 26
- Fulfill the dreams
- El Amarna tablets - protocol bow to Pharaoh 7 times forward, 7 times backward
- Joseph remember his past (his brothers, his home, his God)
- Joseph chose to forget his pain (Manasseh - forgetful, amnesia)
- Joseph ate separately v. 32
- Egyptians considered all others barbarians
- Hebrews were shepherds
- Shepherds an abomination to Egyptians
- Hyskos dynasty (tribe of nomadic shepherds, conquered Egypt, overthrown just prior to Joseph entering Egypt)
- Wanderers have a bad reputation
- Joseph arranged them in birth order
- Joseph gave Benjamin 5 times portion
- Guest of honor
- Spartans gave a double portion
- Cretans gave 4 times portion (gluttons Titus 1:12)
- Penitence in the Hearts of Men – Genesis 44
- Test of Charity - the silver cup
- With whomever you find it, let him die! – James 1:19; Proverbs 18:21
- Searched oldest to youngest
- How would they react to another brother as slave in Egypt?
- Benjamin's brothers tear their clothing
- "Practice divination"
- Hydromancy - prediction of the future using fluid in a cup
- No scripture says Joseph practiced it
- Joseph was a prophet; he could interpret dreams
- No attempts to cover up the past
- Judah offers self (didn't abandon Benjamin as he had Joseph
Hebrew terms: El Shaddai - God Almighty; Mannasseh - forgetful;
Figures referenced: Sir Walter Scott
Cross references: Genesis 42:36; Genesis 49:4; Genesis 49:5-7; Proverbs 18:21; Zechariah 12:10; Matthew 23:37; John 1:11; Acts 7:12; Romans 8:28-29; Romans 8:31; Titus 1:12; James 1:17; James 1:19; Revelation 3:20
Topic: Joseph
Keywords: Joseph, Egypt, test, love, Benjamin
|
SERIES: |
01 Genesis - 2009 |
MESSAGE: |
Genesis 44:18-45:28 |
SPEAKER: |
Skip Heitzig |
SCRIPTURE: |
Genesis 44:18-45:28 |
URL: |
http://SkipHeitzig.com/850 |
|
MESSAGE SUMMARY
How do you respond in the face of adversity? Do you see life's difficulties through the filter of God's sovereignty? Joseph had been sold into slavery, forgotten in prison, and falsely accused. When faced with the brothers who got him into this mess, rather than revenge, Joseph chose the high road of forgiveness. Let's uncover how his vertical relationship with the Lord equipped him to restore his horizontal relationships with his brothers.
DETAILED NOTES
- Introduction
- Murphy's law
- If something can go wrong, it will
- Pessimist's view
- Horizontal perspective
- Joseph's law
- If something can go wrong, and it does go wrong, God is always working behind the scenes to make it right
- Romans 8:28 - "a soft pillow for a tired heart"–R.D. Torrey
- Believer's view
- Vertical perspective
- What could God's plan be in the midst of difficulty?
- Joseph tested his brothers
- Sincerity - do they mean what they say?
- Jealousy - will they be jealous if I lavish Benjamin with love, attention, and favor?
- Charity - do they love my father and Benjamin?
- Joseph has not yet revealed himself
- He recognizes them, loves them
- They don't recognize him
- Egyptian dress
- Time
- He wants to confirm that they are ready
- Should not be criticized for the delay
- Like Jesus
- He loves us
- We aren't ready yet
- He is readying us for the future
- When we are ready we'll be in His presence and enjoy what He has prepared for us
- Judah's Intercessory Speech
- Called trivial by some (Martin Luther)
- Not trivial to Joseph and his brothers
- Not trivial to the Holy Spirit
- Many marvel it as one of the best pieces of literature ever penned or speeches ever given
- Sir Walter Scott (Scottish poet)
- These words are unmatched in Old Testament literature – Leopold (German scholar)
- The Spirit of God considers some situations important that we might not consider important
- Creation, origins not given the same attention to detail
- Fourteen chapters devoted to Abraham
- One-fourth of Genesis devoted to Joseph
- These were written as examples – 1 Corinthians 10:11 (excellent lessons in forgiving those who have wronged us)
- Joseph acted angry, but was filled with compassion
- Judah pleads for mercy
- "his [Benjamin's] brother is dead" said to Joseph (reminiscent of Hebrews 11:4)
- Jacob and Rachel had two sons
- Benjamin is only one left to remind Jacob of favorite wife, Rachel
- Judah repeats what Jacob said and was told
- First time Joseph hears what Jacob was told about his disappearance
- Describes the relationship between Jacob and Benjamin
- His life is bound up in the lad's life
- His soul is knit with the lad's soul (Amplified Bible)
- They are inseparable
- Jacob failed to grieve Joseph in a healthy manner
- Denial
- Anger
- Depression
- Coping
- Judah has changed since proposing to sell Joseph in Genesis 37
- Pleading for the favored brother's life
- Not jealous, sticking up for him
- Willing to be the substitute
- A prefiguring of Christ
- Jesus gave his life so others can go free
- Judah a lion's whelp – Genesis 49:9/Jesus Lion of the tribe of Judah – Revelation 5:5
- Forefather foreshadowing the vicarious atonement
- Be careful how you handle your relationships
- One incident or word can sever a relationship
- Think before we speak or act – James 1:19
- Three rules of relationship
- Repentance
- Responsibility
- Results
- The Brothers Wanted Food/They Needed Forgiveness
- Joseph could have
- Imprisoned them
- Sent them home with nothing
- Executed them
- Joseph chose
- Forgive
- Lavish blessings
(Predicament in Canaan – Genesis 43:1-15
Party in Egypt – Genesis 43:16-34
Penitence in Hearts–Genesis 44)
- Pardon in the Family–Genesis 45
- Genuine forgiveness doesn't parade people's sins
- Joseph no longer uses an interpreter
- Joseph wept
- Last time he wept alone
- Middle eastern culture
- Joseph called them near
- Nagash - to draw near, close in proximity and intimacy
- Look me in the eye
- Genuine forgiveness wants to set a person at ease
- Joseph's Theology/Vertical perspective
- Not your ploy/God's plan
- God is sovereign above everything that happens
- Father to Pharaoh - an advisor
- Land of Goshen
- Joseph dealt with his brothers the way God deals with us
- Justice - get what you deserve
- Mercy - go not get what you deserve
- Grace - getting what you don't deserve
- His brothers can talk with Joseph confidently
- Lavish love
- Carts
- Changes of Clothing
- Jacob's heart was stunned, unable to respond
- Forgiveness is a choice (Corrie Ten Boom)
- Surprise to be so lavishly loved by God
Figures Referenced: Martin Luther; Sir Walter Scott; Leopold; Corrie Ten Boom;
Cross References: Romans 8:28; 1 Corinthians 10:11; Hebrews 11:4; James 1:19; Revelation 5:5
Hebrew terms: Nagash- to draw near, close in proximity and intimacy
Topic: Joseph
Keywords: Joseph, Benjamin, Judah, forgiveness, relationships, Jacob
MESSAGE SUMMARY
Perspective can be everything. Do you view life's challenges and success through the lens of God's sovereignty? Joseph spent twenty-two years in Egypt trusting in God's faithfulness. As we witness the reunion of Joseph and Jacob, we should remember that the God who sees all things also has a perfect plan for you and me.
DETAILED NOTES
- Introduction
- Joseph's struggles
- Sold into slavery, falsely accused of rape, put in jail, interprets dreams, 2 more years in prison
- Joseph interprets Pharaoh's dreams and puts a plan into action that saves the world
- Learned to live his life through the lens of God's providence
- Sovereign God sees all things, knows all things, and has a perfect plan
- When the plan is not revealed, that's where faith comes in
- God moves supernaturally, naturally
- Jacob's struggles
- Thought Joseph has been dead for 22 years
- Struggling in the womb
- Struggling with the will of God
- Now sees 20 donkeys loaded with food and Benjamin with 300 shekels, 15 times what Joseph was sold for
- God is working right now
- Paderewski (great Polish pianist)
- The master and the novice play together
- Keep playing
- Whenever you have accomplished something listen for the Lord
- Genesis 46
- Jacob sacrifices to the Lord at Beersheba (lowest border)
- Abraham planted a tree there and called on the name of the Lord
- Isaac built an altar there and called on the name of the Lord
- Jacob wants confirmation that this is the right move
- Abraham went to Egypt—bad move
- Isaac went to Egypt—bad move
- It wasn't Gods will for them, is it for me?
- Most enjoyable worship service for Jacob
- Fleeing from Esau, wonderful moment but unsure future
- At Gilead, chased by Laban, strife and uncertain future
- Wrestled with God
- Now seeking the Lord first, Joseph alive, cautiously excited
- God spoke audibly and appeared to the patriarchs
- God spoke to Joseph through dreams
- Every relationship with God is different
- God's promises to Jacob
- I will make you a great nation (Israel Today)
- 7.2 million in Israel (5.6 are Jewish)
- $10 billion/year
- Fourth largest exporter of citrus fruit
- Third largest exporter of fruit
- From 70 people to 2.1 million when they left Egypt under Moses
- I will bring you up again
- Jacob died in Egypt, but his body was brought back again
- Came back as a nation
- Joseph put hands on eyes (privilege to close the eyes of the dead)
- Jacob's ambivalence
- For Abraham and Isaac, going to Egypt had been a bad thing to do
- God's promise that the descendants would be slaves for 400 years–Genesis 15
- The will of God varies for individuals, but it is good, acceptable, and perfect–Romans 12:1-2
- Jacob's whole family was saved by Joseph/God wants to save your whole family
- The Philippian jailer–Acts 16:31
- God uses the saved as a catalyst for others
- List of names
- Points to the most significant genealogy of Jesus Christ
- No little people to God–Luke 12:7
- Job
- Possible THE Job
- Moses wrote first five books, could have written Job
- Like Jesus, Joseph has a gentile bride
- Israel is the wife of Jehovah
- The church is the bride of Christ
- Benjamin has 10 children in his mid-twenties (started young, twins, triplets)
- Sixty-six go into Egypt plus Jacob, Joseph, Ephraim, and Manasseh equals 70
- Stephen says to Sanhedrin 75–Acts 7:14 (add two children of Ephraim, two children of Manasseh and one grandchild)
- Israel goes to Goshen (900 square miles of the best part of Egypt)
- Joseph presented himself to Jacob—respect
- Joseph a type of Jesus Christ
- Uniquely loved by his father
- Unjustly hated by his brothers
- Sold for silver
- Didn't reveal himself to brothers the first time
- The second time he did—Zechariah 12:10
- Mediator
- Instructor
- Genesis 47
- Jacob blessed Pharaoh
- Implies Jacob is superior to Pharaoh–Hebrews 7:7
- We are called to be a blessing
- Jacob is 130 years old; few compared to: Terah 205, Abraham 185; Isaac 175
- Goshen called Rameses later on
- The fulfillment of Jacob's blessing on Pharaoh
- First mention of horses
- Horses of Egypt–1 Kings 10:28
- Solomon multiplied horses to himself
- 20% flat tax
- God blessed Pharaoh because he blessed Israel
- God cursed another Pharaoh because he dealt harshly with Israel
- Seventeen years
- Joseph had been nurtured by his father
- Jacob will be nurtured by his son
- Jacob wanted to be buried in the Canaan
- Demonstration of faith
- Didn't want them to be too comfortable in Goshen, (as they will in Babylon)
Figures Referenced: Ignacy Jan Paderrewski; Rameses II;
Cross References: 1 Kings 10:28; Zechariah 12:10; Luke 12:7; Acts 7:14; Acts 16:31; Romans 12:1-2
Topic: Joseph
Keywords: Jacob, Joseph, sovereignty, providence, Egypt
|
SERIES: |
01 Genesis - 2009 |
MESSAGE: |
Genesis 48:1-49:12 |
SPEAKER: |
Skip Heitzig |
SCRIPTURE: |
Genesis 48:1-49:12 |
URL: |
http://SkipHeitzig.com/854 |
|
MESSAGE SUMMARY
It's a deathbed scene; the end of Jacob's life is drawing near and there are things he wants to set in order. While the law of the firstborn requires the oldest son to receive a double portion, Jacob chooses to honor the younger grandson, Ephraim. We'll learn why, and how that is relevant to our own lives in this study from Genesis.
DETAILED NOTES
- Introduction
- Chapters 48-49 are a deathbed scene
- Seven decades of man (spills, drills, thrills, bills, ills, pills, wills)
- At 147 years, his days were "few and hard" – Genesis 47:9
- Compared to Isaac 180, Abraham 175, and Terah 205
- Shift in longevity
- Antediluvian (preflood) men lived even longer (Adam 930, Methuselah 969)
- Moses onward like today, about 70 years–Psalm 90:10
- Factors : greater radioactivity, more UV radiation, water pollution, serious climatic swings in the hydrologic cycle, shortened the telomeres which affected cellular degeneration
- Four great events
- Formation of the universe
- Fall of man
- Flood
- Fallout from sin of man
- Four great people
- Abraham
- Isaac
- Jacob
- Joseph
- Joseph gave Jacob 17 years of reciprocal care
- Genesis 48
- Jacob - birth name-heel catcher, deceiver, manipulator
- Israel - God-given name, one who fights victoriously and valiantly with God
- Jacob is told Joseph is coming and it gives him strength
- Jacob focuses on God's blessings for the first time in 147 years
- There is hope for us
- Only God can teach an old dog tricks
- God's Promise to Jacob
- People - family-70 people go down to Egypt
- Population-your descendents-70 people grows to 2.1 million at the time of the Exodus
- Place-the land
- It's God's land–Leviticus 25:23
- Promised to Abraham and his descendents–Genesis 12:7
- Gift was an unconditional covenant–Genesis 17:8
- The land was promised to Isaac, not Ishmael–Genesis 17:8
- The land given to Jacob, not Esau–Genesis 48:4
- The nations of the world will fight against Israel–Zechariah 14
- Ephraim and Manasseh
- The birth order was switched (Ephraim was the younger)
- Jacob called them his own, elevating them to status of patriarchs
- Thirteen Tribes of Israel
- Ephraim and Manasseh gave Joseph a double portion
- Levi given no land allotment
- 20 listing of the tribes, all slightly different
- Tribe of Joseph listed only in Revelation 7:8
- Dan not mentioned (hosted first fall idol worship in the nation)
- Ephraim not mentioned (led Israel into idolatry)
- Right hand placed on Ephraim (hand of strength and authority)
- Right hand of fellowship–Galatians 2:9
- God's righteous right hand–Isaiah 41:10
- Benjamin–son of the right hand–Genesis 35:18
- Law of primogeniture
- Law of the firstborn
- Benefits: authority, head of family, twice the land allotment
- Law of preeminence
- God has the sovereign right to chose who he wants
- Not Cain, Abel
- Not Ishmael, Isaac
- Not Esau, Jacob
- Not Reuben, Joseph
- Not Aaron, Moses
- Supersedes the law of primogeniture
- Jehovah's Witnesses and the "firstborn"
- Jesus is firstborn Colossians 1:15
- Ephraim is firstborn Jeremiah 31:8-9
- Both cannot be firstborn
- Prototokos-firstborn, highest in order rank, heir of all creation
- God promised Jacob the Older shall serve the younger–Genesis 25:23
- David, though youngest was King of Israel–1 Samuel 16:7
- Ephraim became more dominant and populous than Manasseh
- In Jewish homes the father reads the blessing (Proverbs 31 to wife)
- Shechem - one portion, city in Israel–John 4
- Genesis 49
- Deathbed
- One's last words are most important
- Jacob remembers the birth order of his sons
- Firstborn - aggressive, leaders, organized, precise, exact
- Reuben didn't fit that
- The Blessings
- Reuben - "you will not excel"
- Forty years earlier he lay with Bilhah
- Tribe will join Korah in rebellion against Moses
- Simeon and Levi - "instruments of cruelty"
- When Dinah was violated, they reacted violently
- Judah - "whom your brothers shall praise"
- Sold Joseph into Egypt
- Took Benjamin's place
- Prophecy of Jesus Christ
- Lion a symbol of Judah
- Lion of the tribe of Judah–Revelation 4
- Scepter-authority, tribal identity, right to rule
- Shiloh - to whom it belongs
Publications Referenced: Talmud
Figures Referenced: Josephus
Cross References: Genesis 12:7; Genesis 17:8; Genesis 25:23; Genesis 35:18; Genesis 47:9; Genesis 48:4; Leviticus 25:23; 1 Samuel 16:7; Psalm 90:10; Proverbs 31; Isaiah 41:10; Jeremiah 31:8-9; Zechariah 14; John 4; Galatians 2:9; Colossians 1:15; Revelation 4; Revelation 7:8
Topic: Ephraim and Manasseh
Keywords: Ephraim, Manasseh, Joseph, Jacob, firstborn, blessing
MESSAGE SUMMARY
As the book of beginnings comes to a close we'll witness Jacob's final declaration of blessing and admonition toward his sons, his death, and his burial in Canaan. Let's glimpse into his faith, consider his testimony, and learn from his example.
DETAILED NOTES
- Introduction
- Jacob blessed with 13 children: 12 sons and a daughter
- Parents' responsibility to bring up their children in the training and admonition of the Lord–Ephesians 6:4
- Admonition - νουθεσία-nouthesia-instruction, warning
- Joseph blesses, warns, and admonishes his children from his deathbed
- Prophetic testimony
- Though 147 years old, he remembers their names, birth order, and character
- He isolates a trait, appraises life, and predicts the future
- Genesis 49 written in poetic style-Hebrew parallelism
- Genesis 47:28-49:32 comprise the deathbed scene
- Blessings Pronounced in Egypt–Genesis 49
- Zebulun - beachfront property
- Landlocked; never occupied beachfront property
- Unlikely interpretation: merged with Issachar, worked for Phoenicians
- Moses predicted "abundance of seas"–Deuteronomy 33:19; seas means oceans
- Fulfillment in the Millennial kingdom–Ezekiel 48
- Issachar - a strong donkey, two burdens
- Hard workers
- Land between two mountains
- Dan - judge his people
- Positive - deliverers
- Judges
- Samson
- Made Philistines miserable
- 300 foxes/jawbone of a donkey
- Negative - Jeroboam rebels, Dan introduces idolatry in Northern Israel
- Gad
- Play on words: troop will be attached by a troop of attackers, but he will attack
- Border raids were common
- Asher
- Most beautiful part of Israel
- Breadbasket of the north
- Naphtali
- Deborah praises the warriors of Naphtali–Judges 5:18
- Joseph
- Receives a double -portion
- Ephraim and Manasseh
- Judah head of tribes, but the blessings are Joseph's–1 Chronicles 5:1-2
- Secrets of Joseph's Life
- Fruitful while away
- Married; two children
- His government program blessed the world
- Fruitful while alone
- No fellowship in Egypt
- Moves closer to God –Psalm 1
- Bountiful while affluent-John 7:38
- Used abundance to bless others
- Used position to bless brothers
- Life like the sea (Galilee-inlet and outlet, verdant; Dead Sea-inlet only, dead)
- Stable while attacked (arrows of jealousy, hatred, treachery, temptation, false accusation, forgotten)
- Blessing
- Of above-rain
- Of beneath-streams and wells
- Of the breasts and womb-offspring
- Blessing is a key word in Genesis; used 88 times
- Benjamin - ravenous wolf
- Aggressive nature (Ehud, Saul, Jonathan)
- Judges 20 incident
- Summation
- The sons were judged/blessed by the father
- What they had done comes to light
- We will stand before the judgment seat of Christ–2 Corinthians 5:10
Βήματος bematos - judgment seat- Run to win– 1 Corinthians 9:24
- Store up treasures in heaven–Matthew 6:20
- "Only one life,' twillsoon be past, Only what's done for Christ will last." C. T. Studd
- Jacob wanted to be buried next to Leah
- In the land God gave
- A demonstration of faith
- Jacob breathed his last
- Pulled his feet up - he'd always been running
- Leaned on his staff - dislocated hip
- Gathered to his people
- Life after death
- Resurrection
- Sadducees questioned Jesus – Matthew 22:28
- Burial Performed in Canaan–Genesis 50
- Egyptians mourned Jacob for 70 days (mourned 72 days for a pharaoh)
- Egyptian embalming
- Extracted the brain through the nasal cavity
- Removed the organs, stored in jars, or replaced
- Cleaned the peritoneal cavity
- Packed the body with myrrh and cinnamon
- Body sewn and stored 30 days in nitre compound
- Wrapped in cloth strips saturated with lime compound
- Wood encasement
- Cremation
- Biblically not practiced
- Burying the body is an act of faith (sown in disorder, raised in glory)
- Joseph's practical theology - God is Sovereign
- Joseph died 54 years after Jacob
- God will visit you (Moses, ultimately Jesus Christ)
- Genesis begins with life, ends in death
- Hebrews 11–hall of fait
Figures referenced: C.T. Studd;
Cross references: Deuteronomy 33:19; Judges 5:18; Judges 20; 1 Chronicles 5:1-2; Psalm 1; Ezekiel 48; Matthew 6:20; Matthew 22:28; John 7:38; 1 Corinthians 9:24; 2 Corinthians 5:10; Ephesians 6:4; Hebrews 11
Greek Terms: Βήματος (bematos) - judgment seat; νουθεσία (nouthesia)-instruction, warning
Topic: Jacob
Keywords: Jacob, Egypt, Joseph, twelve tribes of Israel, blessing, burial, death
MESSAGE SUMMARY
Why did God place the tree of the knowledge of good and evil in Garden of Eden? Did dinosaurs and man co-exist? Was the flood local or global? These are some of the questions Pastor Skip addresses in our recap of the book of Genesis. Let's explore the answers to these common concerns and gain a deeper understanding of God's plan for mankind.