GENESIS -- Key Message/ Verse:
BOOK OF BEGINNINGS – Genesis is the book of beginnings. The first five books of the Bible are called the Pentateuch (penta, “five,” and teuchos, “volume”) or Torah (Jewish Law). Genesis begins with “God” (1:1) and ends “in a coffin” (50:26). The book is a history of man’s failure. Satan has made Genesis one of the most attacked books of Scripture -- Moses’ authorship, relation to science, literal testimony to It exposes him as an enemy of God, deceiver of humanity. Why? It foretells his destruction and doom (Genesis 3). Satan worked disobedience through a serpent on a tree. God worked obedience through the God-man Jesus Christ on a tree (Deuteronomy 21:22-23; 1 Peter 2:24).
THE ABRAHAMIC COVENANT – Genesis 12:1-3 – The Old Testament Great Commission
Extremely important to understand chosen people, Old Testament, Jesus’ First Coming, issues involving Middle East & Israel’s land today, God’s heart for missions). The Abrahamic Covenant is unconditional, depending solely on God and His grace. It has never been revoked (Romans 11:29). God promised Abraham that his descendants would (1) inherit the Land, (2) become a great nation, (3) would bless them, (4) through them all nations would be blessed. These promises were repeated to Abraham (Genesis 13:14-17; 15:5-21; 17:3-8; 22:17-18), Isaac (Genesis 26:1-5), and Jacob (Genesis 28:13-15). Through Christ we have inherited with Israel these blessings (Galatians 3:15-18; Romans 9:1-5). The Abrahamic Covenant forms the basis for the Land Covenant (Deuteronomy 30:1-10), the Davidic Covenant (2 Samuel 7:12-16), promise of blessing in Old and New Covenants (Exodus 19:3-6; Jeremiah 31:31-40).
JOSEPH – Genesis 37-50
Messianic patriarch, Joseph most reflects Jesus Himself. There are 130 parallels between Joseph and Jesus’ lives.
A FEW OF THE 130 PARALLELS: JESUS & JOSEPH (GENESIS 37-50)
Loved by their fathers Genesis 37:3; Matthew 3:17
Shepherds of their fathers’ sheep Genesis 37:2; John 10:11, 27
Sent by father to brothers Genesis 37:13-14; Hebrews 2:11
Hated by brothers Genesis 37:4; John 7:5
Plots to harm them Genesis 37:20; John 11:53
Tempted but faithful Genesis 39:7; Matthew 4:1
Taken to Egypt Genesis 37:25, 28; Matthew 2:14-15
Robes taken from them Genesis 37:23; John 19:23
Sold for price of slave Genesis 37:28; Matthew 26:15
Bound in chains Genesis 39:20; Matthew 27:2
Falsely accused Genesis 29:16-18; Matthew 26:59-60
2 prisoners, one saved, one lost Genesis 40:2-3; Luke 23:32
30 yrs old at public recognition Genesis 41:46; Luke 3:23
Exalted after suffering Genesis 41:41; Philippians 2:9-11
Forgave wrongdoers Genesis 45:1-15; Luke 23:34
Saviors of the nations Genesis 45:7; Matthew 1:21
What do you think, please, of Obadiah Shoher's interpretation of the story? (here: samsonblinded.org/blog/genesis-37.htm ) He takes the text literally to prove that the brothers played a practical joke on Yosef rather than intended to murder him or sell him into slavery. His argument seems fairly strong to me, but I'd like to hear other opinions.
ReplyDeleteIt seems clear to me that it was more than a practical joke. In Genesis 37:18 and 20 it is plain their intent to kill him.
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