Abraham
God spoke to Abram, and asks Abram to go to the land God will show him; asking to leave behind his sources of identity & security.
God then promises him what three things?
1. Land
2. A Great Name (Many descendants / kingdom)
3. A World Wide Blessing
Abraham and Sarah had taken things into their hands to have a son before Isaac was conceived and born. What was the name of Abram's first son?
Ishmael
What is Jacob's brother's name, and why does he trade his birthright?
Esau - because he is caught up in a fit of hungry rage! (hanger)
Joseph’s father made this for Joseph, which made his brothers very jealous.
A coat/tunic of many colors
Abram was not chosen for own sake, but so he can bless the rest of the human family (Gen 12:1-3), marking him as this:
A model of faith
Abram's name is changed to "Abraham," which means this in Hebrew
Father of great many
The name "Isaac" means this is Hebrew
Laughter
Jacob was uncomfortable in his identity/ didn't trust God's plans for his life. How did Jacob deceive his father into giving him the blessing?
He pretended to be Esau by putting on hairy garments and cooking his father a tasty meal.
When Joseph's brothers conspired to kill him, this sibling talked them out of it, suggesting instead they throw Joseph into a pit (with hopes to rescue him later)
Reuben
This is the name of Sarai’s handmaid given to Abram to conceive Abram's son, Ishmael
Hagar
God upgrades his three promises to Abraham to covenant promises in Genesis 15, 17, and 22, each with a tangible sign. After Abram and Sarai take things into their own hands, what is the sign of the covenant God made with Abraham in Genesis 17
Circumcision
Isaac's willingness to cooperate in the sacrifice is a prefiguration of this:
Jesus's sacrifice on Calvary
What did Jacob receive once given the blessing from Isaac?
He became head of the family and the recipient of a double share of the inheritance (included the covenant blessing from God)
Where was Joseph taken to when he was sold into slavery
Egypt
Name changes in scripture are important, indicating what? Give 3 examples of where we see this in Scripture
God is changing something deeper, changing one's essence and purpose. God is doing bigger things with this person.
Abram - Abraham, Sarai - Sarah, Jacob - Israel
(Simon - Peter, Saul - Paul)
What did Sarah do when God promised she would have a child at 90?
She laughed
God commands Abraham to sacrifice Isaac on Mount Moriah. Abraham response demonstrates profound faith and trust. What does Abraham say that demonstrates this (Genesis 22:5)
Then Abraham said to his young men, “Stay here with the donkey; the boy and I will go over there; we will worship, and then we will come back to you.”
How many sons did Jacob have, and what would they represent?
12 (12 tribes of Israel)
Joseph was known for being a man of virtue. God was continuously with him, and blessed him with a gift of interpreting dreams, which ultimately helped him rise in power. Describe one of the dreams Joseph had about his brothers.
1. He and his brothers are out in the field harvesting grain, suddenly Joseph's sheaf of grain stands tall while his brother's bowed down to his
2. The sun and moon and eleven stars bowed down to him
The reunion between Esau and Jacob, as well as Joseph and his brothers, demonstrate the power of this
God's mercy & forgiveness
Describe the blood covenant ritual in Genesis 15
Abraham offered 5 animals. He splits them in half (except the birds) and laid the pieces in two rows, leaving a path through the center.
A blood covenant communicated an oath. The parties involved would walk the path between the animal carcasses so to say, “May this be done to me if I do not keep my oath."
God alone passed through the pieces of dead animals, and the covenant was sealed by God alone. Nothing depended on Abraham. Everything depended on God, who promised to be faithful to His covenant
Name 5 ways the sacrifice of Jesus is similar to the near sacrifice of Isaac with specific details.
Isaac was conceived miraculously by a mother who was past childbearing age | Jesus was conceived miraculously by the power of the Holy Spirit
Abraham was willing to sacrifice Isaac, the precious son of God’s promise | God the Father sent his only begotten Son to be sacrificed for our sins.
Isaac, who was at least a teenager, willingly cooperated with the sacrifice. | Jesus willingly gave his life as a sacrifice for our sins
The sacrifice took place on Mount Moriah, which is in Jerusalem | The Crucifixion took place at Calvary, near Mount Moriah in Jerusalem
Isaac carried the wood of his sacrifice | Jesus carried the wood of the Cross
Isaac was bound to the wood of the sacrifice | Jesus was nailed to the wood of the Cross
An angel stopped Abraham from sacrificing his son. A ram whose horns were caught in a thicket of thorns was provided for the sacrifice instead | Jesus, the Lamb of God, offered himself for the sins of the world. A crown of thorns was placed on his head before his crucifixion.
When Jacob is wrestling with God, God asks Jacob a question. What does God ask, how does Jacob respond, and why is this significant?
God asks Jacob what his name is. Jacob says "I am Jacob." This is significant because Jacob is finally confident in his identity and the blessing God gives him.
Genesis 50:20 teaches us that God worked through all the evil and hardship in Joseph's life to do what?
Bring about His plan and purpose
What did Joseph interpret Pharaoh's dream to mean? How did Pharaoh respond?
Egypt would have 7 years of plenty, follow by 7 years of famine, and suggests he store up grain to prepare. Pharaoh then puts Joseph in charge of this plan, elevating him to 2nd in command in all of Egypt.