The Crow's Nest

Saturday, July 15, 2023

“Notes Version 1.0”

I have just completed a short study on the Book of Genesis. The how and why of it is not understood by some, and that is why I put these notes here.

Many people read the Bible, sometimes more than once. Like a textbook in Physics, just reading it is not enough to understand it. As a kid in high school I had a teacher that asked us to outline a chapter from a textbook.

Why?

Books, especially textbooks, present information in small doses. For instance, a textbook about the study of “Statics” began with what does “Statics” mean. Statics is the study of the moment something starts to move. It is one of the building blocks in engineering. To understand what “Statics” means, then the textbook goes into the math of it.

By outlining a book you can find the chapters, sections, paragraphs, and sentences that provide the “meaning”. This takes just reading something to a higher level of “understanding”.

Do an outline by yourself, without using other sources that have outlined the book. Then compare and contrast your outline with that of others. Meaning and understanding is revealed. It may create questions that require further investigation.

That is the purpose of The Bible. To answer your questions about God and Jesus. The idea that something is true, just because someone told you it was true, does not equal “Understanding” or “Truth”.

My father had a saying, “The Bible is true, but not everything in the Bible is true.” Take this verse as an analogy of what my father said, ” For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.” (Gen 3:5) This verse is the Serpent speaking to the woman in the Garden of Eden. It is True that the Serpent said this. It is the first lie in the Bible that the Serpent was not truthful.

As I continue to add notes I will provide an outline to Genesis, that may help in the study of the Beginning.

“12 Brothers 12 Tribes”

As Jacob, now called Israel, is dying, he foretells his son’s last days.

“Gather yourselves together, and hear, ye sons of Jacob; and hearken unto Israel your father.” (Gen 49:2)

Reuben had committed a gross sin by laying with Jacob’s wife. He forfeited his birthright by doing so. The Tribe of Reuben will never excel.

Simeon and Levi were cruel and cursed in Jacob’s eyes. Their vengeance taken on the Shechemites was murder. Jacob knew the sin they harbored. He scatters the Tribes of Simeon and Levi. Levi is scattered to be priests in Israel.

Judah, his name means “Praise”. Judah will be as strong and as stable as a lion. The sceptre will not depart from Judah. He will bring kings.

Zebulun will be a haven for ships.

Issachar will burden in the fields, yet the fields will yield pleasant fruits. His rest will be abundant based on his labor.

Dan is described as a snake, a deadly snake at that who blocks the road of a traveler. Not against the Tribes, but against the enemies of Israel.

Gad, which means “Troop” will at first seem defeated, but in the end achieves victory.

Asher will be rich and enjoy those riches, although he will be envied by others.

Naphtali is a hound set loose. Unlike the sure and steady perseverance of a donkey, he will seek quick results. He will cover himself through godly words.

Joseph was the cornerstone of Israel and its tribes. He had suffered the indignities of his brothers, but kept his faith. He followed the directions of God and did not waiver. Joseph will be the shepherd of Israel’s tribes.

Benjamin will be like a wolf. A warlike tribe that will attack the enemy as a wolf would attack a prey. Unlike the wolf, Benjamin will share his victories with the other Tribes.

“All these are the twelve tribes of Israel: and this is it that their father spake unto them, and blessed them; every one according to his blessing he blessed them.” (Gen 49:28)

Jacob dies. Joseph petitions the Pharaoh to return his father’s body to Canaan to bury with the Patriarchs, Abraham, Sarah, and Isaac. The Egyptian leadership mourned the passing of a great man. Even the land of Canaan saw the mourning of Egypt and paid respects to Jacob.

Joseph’s brothers are worried that now that their father is dead Joseph could deal harshly with them. Joseph was not that type of man. He worshiped and had faith in God. He put his brothers fear to rest and told them that one day they would return to the land of Canaan. Joseph told them to fear God and have faith. Then Joseph died. Joseph lived 110 years.

The End of Genesis.

“Israel Grows”

God guided Joseph in the art of economics. “And Joseph gathered up all the money that was found in the land of Egypt, and in the land of Canaan, for the corn which they bought: and Joseph brought the money into Pharaoh’s house.” (Genesis 47:14)

When the money ran out the people of Egypt began to starve. Joseph has them trade their livestock for more bread. They are fed for the year.

The next year the people returned saying they were out of money and had no livestock left. The people want seeds to plant so they can eat. Joseph trades them the seeds for their land.

Joseph takes the people’s land and it becomes Pharaoh’s land. Joseph moves the people from their land and puts them in the cities.

Joseph says to them, “23Then Joseph said unto the people, Behold, I have bought you this day and your land for Pharaoh: lo, here is seed for you, and ye shall sow the land.

24And it shall come to pass in the increase, that ye shall give the fifth part unto Pharaoh, and four parts shall be your own, for seed of the field, and for your food, and for them of your households, and for food for your little ones.” (Genesis 47:23-24)

The people are happy because they see this as a good thing. In some ways it is a good thing. They give up some of their freedom in exchange for a house in a city and food.

“And Israel dwelt in the land of Egypt, in the country of Goshen; and they had possessions therein, and grew, and multiplied exceedingly.” (Gen 47:27)

Jacob (Israel) is 147 years old and is dying. He has Joseph swear to not bury him in Egypt, but to bury him with his fathers, Abraham and Isaac in Canaan.

Jacob (Israel) reminds Jacob of God’s covenant to him and his fathers,

“3And Jacob said unto Joseph, God Almighty appeared unto me at Luz in the land of Canaan, and blessed me,

4And said unto me, Behold, I will make thee fruitful, and multiply thee, and I will make of thee a multitude of people; and will give this land to thy seed after thee for an everlasting possession.” (Gen 48:3-4)

Before Jacob dies he give a blessing to Joseph’s two sons, Ephraim (the younger) and Manasseh (the older). Just as Isaac had blessed Jacob, Jacob now blesses the younger son of Joseph. Jacob also gives Joseph a portion of his wealth above that of his brothers.

“And Israel said unto Joseph, Behold, I die: but God shall be with you, and bring you again unto the land of your fathers.” (Gen 48:21)

“Goshen”

Land O’Goshen! It is a common Southern idiom meant to exclaim surprise. Goshen is first used in the Bible as an Egyptian province. It will be used later in the series.

“And Israel took his journey with all that he had, and came to Beersheba, and offered sacrifices unto the God of his father Isaac.” (Genesis 46:1)

God spoke to Israel by visions that it was safe to go down to Egypt because God would be with him. God also promised to use Egypt to make Israel a great nation and bring him up again.

“And Jacob rose up from Beersheba: and the sons of Israel carried Jacob their father, and their little ones, and their wives, in the wagons which Pharaoh had sent to carry him.” (Gen 46:5)

For a Pharaoh to do anything for Hebrews was a great honor. It is obvious from how Pharaoh made Joseph the second in command of Egypt, that Pharaoh greatly respected him.

Israel brought everyone and everything he had to Egypt. It can sound like a lot, but to include Joseph’s children it was a group of 66 persons.

Joseph told everyone that he was going to explain to Pharaoh what the Children of Israel did for a living. They are shepherds, and the Egyptians considered a shepherd to be the lowest order in society.

Joseph takes his men, 5 at a time to meet the Pharaoh. They tell Pharaoh that they are shepherds and need pastures for their cattle.

And the Pharaoh said, “The land of Egypt is before thee; in the best of the land make thy father and brethren to dwell; in the land of Goshen let them dwell: and if thou knowest any men of activity among them, then make them rulers over my cattle.” (Gen 47:6)

“And Joseph placed his father and his brethren, and gave them a possession in the land of Egypt, in the best of the land, in the land of Rameses, as Pharaoh had commanded.” (Gen 47:11)

“Deliverance”

“And he commanded the steward of his house, saying, Fill the men’s sacks with food, as much as they can carry, and put every man’s money in his sack’s mouth.” (Genesis 44:1)

Joseph had his steward fill the brothers sacks with as much as they could carry. Just like the first time Joseph also had their money put in the sacks. In Benjamin’s sack he had Joseph’s silver mug placed inside.

At first light the brothers left, heading towards their father. This time Joseph had the steward follow them and when he caught up to them he should accuse them of theft.

When the steward caught up to them each man searched his own bag and found the money, including the silver cup in Benjamin’s bag. The brothers were distraught and tore their clothes. The steward explained that not only would they be guilty of theft, so would the stewards boss be held to blame.

The brother Judah takes the lead role in discussions with Joseph. He explains that there is no way for the brothers to explain what had just happened. But if Benjamin is held guilty and not allowed to return with to his father, Israel will die of grief.

“Then Joseph could not refrain himself before all them that stood by him; and he cried, Cause every man to go out from me. And there stood no man with him, while Joseph made himself known unto his brethren.” (Gen 45:1)

Joseph wept aloud. The Egyptians heard him, the house of the Pharaoh heard him.

“And Joseph said unto his brethren, I am Joseph; doth my father yet live? And his brethren could not answer him; for they were troubled at his presence.” (Gen 45:3)

Imagine the brothers shock that their brother Joseph is standing before them. As a powerful Egyptian he could have them thrown in chains or worse. Confusion was rampant.

Joseph went on to relieve their guilt.

“5Now therefore be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither: for God did send me before you to preserve life.

6For these two years hath the famine been in the land: and yet there are five years, in the which there shall neither be earing nor harvest.

7And God sent me before you to preserve you a posterity in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance.

8So now it was not you that sent me hither, but God: and he hath made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house, and a ruler throughout all the land of Egypt.

9Haste ye, and go up to my father, and say unto him, Thus saith thy son Joseph, God hath made me lord of all Egypt: come down unto me, tarry not:

10And thou shalt dwell in the land of Goshen, and thou shalt be near unto me, thou, and thy children, and thy children’s children, and thy flocks, and thy herds, and all that thou hast:” (Gen 45:5-10)

A wonderful picture of love. Joseph does not blame them for the sin they did unto him, he was happy that it was part of God’s plan. As rough as Joseph’s, his brother’s, and his mother’s and father’s life was, God had made a path to prosperity and a future posterity.

God didn’t make their lives easy, but he made it easier than it would have been. Life is not easy, you will suffer, but God, through Jesus eases the way. By believing that Jesus is the Son of God who died on the Cross for YOUR sins, and inviting Jesus to take over your life your way to eternity is secure.

Joseph now brings Israel to live in the land of Goshen, a very fertile part of Egypt.

“The Party”

"And their father Israel said unto them, If it must be so now, do this; take of the best fruits in the land in your vessels, and carry down the man a present, a little balm, and a little honey, spices, and myrrh, nuts, and almonds:” (Genesis 43:11)

The sons of Israel return to Joseph bringing twice the money, Benjamin, and gifts. They sought Joseph’s acceptance and hopefully food, Simeon, and Benjamin.

When they arrived in front of Joseph, Joseph told the ruler of his house to prepare a noon time meal for his brothers. The steward of the house brought the brothers into Joseph’s house. For an Egyptian to bring Hebrews into his house was an abomination. This would have unnerved the brothers.

As often times happens the brothers guilt brings explanations. They are afraid the Egyptians will treat them harshly, to possibly include death. While standing at the door to Joseph’s house they explain to the steward about the money they found in their sacks.

The steward’s response is shocking, at least to the brothers. ” 23 And he said, Peace be to you, fear not: your God, and the God of your father, hath given you treasure in your sacks: I had your money. And he brought Simeon out unto them.

24 And the man brought the men into Joseph’s house, and gave them water, and they washed their feet; and he gave their asses provender.” (Gen 43:23-24)

For the brothers this was against everything they had learned. Egyptian’s didn’t like anyone that was not Egyptian. When it came to people from Canaan, they considered them dirty and of low intelligence. The brother’s must have marveled at the change in Egypt.

When Joseph came home they gave him the present and bowed deeply to Joseph. Reminds us of Joseph’s first dream, sheaves of wheat bowing before the master.

After speaking to them about their welfare he asked about the health of their father. The told Joseph that their father was in good health and still alive.

Joseph then looked at Benjamin, his mother’s son.

Joseph asked them, “Is this your younger brother, of whom ye spake unto me?” (Gen 43:29)

Then Joseph said to Benjamin, “And he said, God be gracious unto thee, my son.” (Gen 43:29)

Joseph couldn’t contain his emotions and went to his room to weep. He then cleaned his face and returned to the brothers.

He sat them before him in order of Birthright. The fact they were in his house was one thing, but to sit in front of him to eat was beyond anything they had ever experienced.

He had food served for each man, but with Benjamin he gave him five times more than anyone else. The brothers and Joseph drank and were merry together.

Stay Tuned…