Our study thus far has led us up to the 22nd chapter of Genesis. When we began there was nothing but God. Then followed the creation. Then, out of a condition of wasteness and ruin the earth is fitted up for the abode of man, and man himself put upon it. That was a simple beginning. But by now things have taken many turns, and Gen. 22 find, God working in the development of His plan of redemption. A backward glance will help us to proceed with better understanding and interest.

      1. Look over the space so far covered with the thought that Genesis is the Book of Beginnings. The beginning of creation, the beginning of the habitable earth, vegetable fife, animal life, of man--where are these found? Then the beginning of sin: the beginning of the scheme of redemption, the beginning of the [80] distinction between God's people and the world. Where do we find theme? The beginning of the Hebrew race and of the people of Israel?

      2. Sum up these foregoing chapters by epochs (1) Creation; (2) Edenic; (3) Antediluvian (before the flood); (4) Postdeluvian; (5) Patriarchal.

      3. Sum up by person Adam, Cain, Abel and Seth; Noah, Abraham.

      4. Then look it over once more, and this time with special care in reference to God. Consider (1) God as Creator; (2) God in His relation to Adam and Eve; (3) God as revealed in His attitude toward Cain and Abel; (4) God's attitude toward sin and toward faith as shown in the case of Noah and in the Flood; (5) God in His dealings with Abraham: (a) taking the initiative, (b) making promises, (c) entering upon covenant-relation, (d) showing special favor to one that he may later reach the many. We will now resume our regular study.

      Gen. 22. The supreme test of Abraham's faith. Read Heb. 11:17-19; Jas. 2:21-24. There are "works by which faith is made void," and "works by which faith is made perfect." Of which sort was this? Could Abraham have argued and explained away the command God gave him? Why did he not? Here, for the first time God confirmed the promise with an oath. See Heb. 6:13-20. Who else went to the altar as it were, like Isaac carrying the wood of his own sacrifice? Did Abraham lose anything by giving God his best?

      Chapters 23 to 25. Sarah's death; the purchase of Machpelah; Eliezer woos a wife for Isaac. Note Acts 7:5. Even this small spot Abraham bought. As to Eliezer's mission: it was God's purpose that Isaac's wife should come of the original stock. The servant's trust, the providential guidance of God, the willingness of the maiden, and the fact that Isaac "loved her" when he saw her, are the fine features of this story. Would God yet help a man to find the proper wife? or a woman to find the right husband? See Prov. 3:5, 6.

      Chapter 26.--Isaac. Read again what has thus far been told us of Isaac: Birth 21:1-10; submissiveness when a lad, 22:5-10; marriage, 24:62-67. See the repetition of the Promise to him 26:2-5; also how Abraham's duplicity crops out in his son. Verses 26-33 are prophetic of the fact that the day comes when the nations shall seek the Jews because God's blessing is with them. (Zech. 8:20-23).

      Chapter 27.--Read again 25:19-24. God had intended both the birthright and the attendant blessing for Jacob--but did he do right to get them as he did? If a man is only true to God will he not come into his own by and by? On Esau see [81] Heb 12:16, 17. Esau had no faith; present gratification was more to him than God's promise. Does anybody sell his birthright today?

      Chapter 28--Jacob's departure to Paddanaram. The dream of Jacob was very significant. The ladder is the connection between earth and heaven, between God and Man. Compare John 1:51. Jacob's vow would seem sordid, but it has the redeeming element of faith. He felt dependent, and promised the Lord the tenth of all wherewith he was prospered. There is a wrong way of "Serving the Lord for pay," which is well pointed out in an article of this issue. But see Mal. 3:10 and 2 Cor. 9:6-11.

      Chapters 29, 30. Jacob's wives and children. Do you see any similarity in the wrongs Jacob suffered at the hands of Laban, and the wrongs he had done his father and brother at home? Make a list of Jacob's sons, noting the mother in each case.

      Chapter 31. Jacob's Flight. Note why Laban did not dare to hurt Jacob. (v. 29). Read Ps. 105:9-15. How hard his life had been may be gathered from verses 38-42. Note the trickery practiced by Jacob in chapter 30; the theft and deception of Rachel. God does not approve of such things by any means. But there was one hopeful fact: Jacob was under God's discipline and training.

      Chapters 32, 33. The meeting with Esau. The news of 32:6 fills Jacob with alarm. He does all he can think of to relieve himself, at least in part. Verses 7, 8, 13-20. Jacob's great prayer (verses 9-12) shows he has got to the end of his wits. It was his own fault; but he appeals to God now in his extremity. What will God do in such a case? Ps. 107:10-22. The episode of the wrestler brings out a great principle: so long as Jacob strove and schemed in his own strength "he gained nothing, but when, helpless, he clings, to God he obtains the blessing. A good many of God's children are going around with the very same sort of limp Jacob got--which is not so bad. Henceforth he is Israel. Esau was forgiving and generous. The name of Jacob's altar (33:20) shows how big God became in Jacob's estimation.

      Chapters 34, 35. A bad chapter is the 34th. The heathen prince shows up to better advantage than Jacob's sons. Their deed came up for reckoning later. (Gen. 49:5-7). In 35:2 it is seen that the idols had been treasured, not by Jacob, but in his household. Now he realizes they must be put away. What did they do with them? A better riddance is described in Exod. 32:20. What have you done with your idols? Compare Ezek. 14:3; Col. 3:5; Phil. 3:19. Read over chapter 36.

      Chapter 37. Here begins the stony of Joseph. No stain rests upon Joseph's life, Jacob unwisely showed partiality toward the boy. Joseph's dream added to the hatred of his [82] brethren. Whatever reasons they may have for their hatred, the real reason was envy and jealousy Which one of the sons sought to save Joseph altogether? Which other one sought to save turn from death, and suggested profitable compromise? Remember that. Imagine Joseph's emotions! How was Jacob still getting paid for deceiving his father? Gal. 6:10. Chapter 38 shows it was high time for the chosen family to leave Canaan. Tamar's name appears in Christ's genealogy. Matt. 1.

      Chapter 39. How often do we read in this chapter that God was "with Joseph"? On what ground does Joseph refuse the suggestion of sin? Think what a miserable ending of the story it would have been had Joseph yielded! Oh, what we lose by sinning! After all his loyalty to God Joseph lands in a prison to spend the sweet years of youth behind the bars! Is that true? No. Joseph has not landed yet. Read, Psalms 37 and 73.

      Chapter 40. The only touch of the supernatural in Joseph's career was his gift of interpreting dreams. Note how Joseph prospers even in prison. Read Psalm 1. The butler's forgetfulness was also a factor in God's plans. Rom. 8:28.

      Chapter 41. Joseph's Exaltation. In that the Lord Jesus rose from the tomb to the highest place in the universe. (Eph. 1:20, 21), second only to God, the Father; (1 Cor. 15:27), and all are required to bow their knees to him (Phil. 2:9-11); and he became the sole controller of all life and sustenance (Col. 1:19)--so Joseph's career typifies Him step by step. This is the finger of God. Note how Joseph's modesty and humility becomes the reason of his exaltation. Verses 16, 25, 38, 39. Joseph could not know that his father was deceived; nor that two of his brothers had endeavored to save him. To him it must have seemed that they had all abandoned him. See verse 51. Who else, besides Joseph was sold and delivered up by his brethren, and during his rejection finds a Gentile bride? (2 Cor. 11:2; Acts 15:14).

      Chapter 42. Now begins Joseph's dealings with his brethren. Why do they come to him? How does Joseph meet them? Note fulfillment of Joseph's early dream, v. 6, 9. Joseph accidentally gets some news, vs. 21-23.

      Chapter 43. Judah offers himself as surety for Benjamin, without whom they cannot go. Joseph on the other hand has his mind made up to get Benjamin in his power and keep him, for Benjamin is his only full brother, and innocent of the others' deed. But it was to turn out different. Note the points in vs. 33, 34.

      Chapter 44. The scheme of Joseph now appears, The climax from verse 14 on is tremendous. Judah's speech is an example of natural eloquence, unsurpassed, wrung from a heart [83] full of agony. Joseph learns of his father's mourning (vs. 27, 28) and sees a great light. The repentance of Joseph's brethren also is manifest: once they cast off an innocent brother, now they are willing to suffer for and with a supposedly guilty one. Once they lightly broke their father's heart; now, to save their father the last drop of sorrow one of them offers himself for the prison in his brother's stead.

      Chapter 45. Joseph reveals himself to his brethren, points out God's wonderful ways, sends for his father. Words fail to describe the situation. And thus will the Lord Jesus also manifest Himself to His brethren according to the flesh, from whom in wrath He has hid His face for a little while, but whom in everlasting mercy He will gather. Then shall they say, "Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord." (Isa. 8:17; 54:7, 8; Zech. 12:10; Matt. 23:39; Rom. 11:25-32).

      Chapter 46. Jacob goes to Egypt.--See how God steps in again just in the crisis to reassure and comfort His servant. (Vs. 2-4). Jacob had had a hard life: God saved him the best wine for last. Henceforth Egypt becomes the cradle of God's ration. From Egypt they get protection, and civilizing influence; while yet they are kept separate (Gen. 43:32; 46:34).

      Chapter 47. Jacob meets Pharaoh. With verses 7, 10, read Heb. 7:7. That is how God rates men. In verse 9 he calls his and his fathers' lives "pilgrimage"; read again Heb. 11:8-16. Note the magnitude of Joseph's financial operations. So does the Lord Jesus Christ, because He alone controls the Bread of Life (is Himself the Bread of Life, and of His fullness have we all received, grace upon grace) buy up everything for the Father. See Jacob's stipulation about his place of burial.

      Chapter 48. Jacob blesses the sons of Joseph. Note how he gave Ephraim the preference. These "blessings" were not mere expressions of good wishes, but oracular utterances of God, and of prophetic force. V. 15, 16 are wonderful. V. 21 is the word of Jacob's faith.

      Chapter 49. The blessing of Jacob's sons. Reuben, the oldest is rejected from the pre-eminence of the first-born for good cause. Simeon and Levi, next in order of age, are also set aside. But the next one, Judah, gets the supremacy and the sceptre. The point of v. 10 is that, from the time Judah should become the royal tribe, the royal power should never pass to any other tribe, until the great Messiah should come (and of course, not after that). Compare v. 18 with 47:9. This is the essence of the pilgrim life--to live in expectation of God's promise. This is especially true of Christians. Phil. 3:19-21. The second supremacy is given to Joseph (Ephraim). This accounts for the rivalry in after years between Judah and Ephraim, which led to [84] the division of the Kingdom. The cave of Machpelah is yet existent, and, it is confidently testified by those who know, that it is as yet intact, with the ancient coffins and remains of Abraham and the members of his family who were there buried. The Mohammedans have guarded it jealously for centuries.

      Chapter 50. Jacob's and Joseph's death. Note the renewed dread of Joseph's brethren, and Joseph's magnanimous answer. See how Joseph recognized God's hand. In matters not by what ways and instrumentalities, good or bad, our events and changes come--by the time they reach us they are of God. Joseph's grave in Egypt, with the injunction he had left against the day of the promise, was a perpetual witness to sojourning Israel (Heb. 11:22). The contrast has been pointed out between the grand beginning words of Genesis and the mournful conclusion"--"in a coffin in Egypt." That is because sin had came into the world, and death by sin. But provision for salvation had also been made within this book, and redemption was well under way. There lies a hope behind the doleful closing words.

["Bible Study Course" (Genesis 22-50). Word and Work 9 (February 1916): 80-85.]

      The electronic version of R. H. Boll's "Bible Study Course" (Genesis 22-50) has been produced from microfilm of Word and Work for 1916.

      Pagination in the electronic version has been represented by placing the page number in brackets following the last complete word on the printed page. Inconsistencies in spelling, capitalization, punctuation, and typography have been retained; however, corrections have been offered for misspellings and other accidental corruptions. Emendations are as follows:

            Printed Text [ Electronic Text
 -----------------------------------------------------------------------
 p. 81:     chapters by epochss [ chapters by epochs
            (4) Post deluvian; [ (4) Postdeluvian;
 p. 82:     Jacob. v. 29). [ Jacob. (v. 29).
 p. 84:     Chapter 45. Jacob [ Chapter 46. Jacob
 

      Addenda and corrigenda are earnestly solicited.

Ernie Stefanik
Derry, PA

Created 4 February 2002.
Updated 22 June 2003.