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Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Genesis 46-50
Israel got God's blessing to go settle in Egypt. God promised to bless Israel and give him many descendants. We then go into the genealogy of Jacob. Jacob and Joseph reunited, and Jacob felt at peace, "ready to die."
Joseph arranged it so that Pharoah allowed his family to stay in Egypt. They were given food, and Pharoah put them in charge of his livestock.
The famine continued until the Egyptians ran out of money. They were still hungry, and began exchanging their livestock for food. Thus Pharoah ended up owning tons and tons of livestock. When they ran out of livestock, they gave their land to Pharoah in exchange for food. Joseph gave the Egyptians seeds and asked them to work the land. He told them they could use the crop that they harvested, as long as they gave 1/5 to Pharoah. All the Egyptians were really grateful for this opportunity to work and live.
When Jacob was about to die, he asked to see and bless Joseph's sons (Mannaseh (older) and Ephraim (younger)). Not surprisingly, Jacob blessed the younger son more, saying that Ephraim's nation would become greater than Manasseh's.
Then Jacob blessed all his sons, predicting what their nations would do in the future. Reuben would no longer excel, Simeon & Levi would be cursed and scattered, Judah would be successful and defeat his enemies, and on and on. He said that Joseph would be a "fruitful vine."
Jacob asked Joseph to swear that he would bury his father outside of Egypt (along with all their other forefathers). Joseph promised he would. When Jacob died, Joseph asked Pharoah for permission to bury his father, and Pharoah let him go.
After Jacob's death, the brothers feared Joseph would retaliate. So, they sent a fake message to Joseph, pretending it was from Jacob asking Joseph to forgive his brothers. Joseph was very moved, and again saw the good that came out of this. He understood God's plan all along and did not hold a grudge against his brothers.
Joseph stayed in Egypt for the rest of his life and died at the age of 110.
Joseph arranged it so that Pharoah allowed his family to stay in Egypt. They were given food, and Pharoah put them in charge of his livestock.
The famine continued until the Egyptians ran out of money. They were still hungry, and began exchanging their livestock for food. Thus Pharoah ended up owning tons and tons of livestock. When they ran out of livestock, they gave their land to Pharoah in exchange for food. Joseph gave the Egyptians seeds and asked them to work the land. He told them they could use the crop that they harvested, as long as they gave 1/5 to Pharoah. All the Egyptians were really grateful for this opportunity to work and live.
When Jacob was about to die, he asked to see and bless Joseph's sons (Mannaseh (older) and Ephraim (younger)). Not surprisingly, Jacob blessed the younger son more, saying that Ephraim's nation would become greater than Manasseh's.
Then Jacob blessed all his sons, predicting what their nations would do in the future. Reuben would no longer excel, Simeon & Levi would be cursed and scattered, Judah would be successful and defeat his enemies, and on and on. He said that Joseph would be a "fruitful vine."
Jacob asked Joseph to swear that he would bury his father outside of Egypt (along with all their other forefathers). Joseph promised he would. When Jacob died, Joseph asked Pharoah for permission to bury his father, and Pharoah let him go.
After Jacob's death, the brothers feared Joseph would retaliate. So, they sent a fake message to Joseph, pretending it was from Jacob asking Joseph to forgive his brothers. Joseph was very moved, and again saw the good that came out of this. He understood God's plan all along and did not hold a grudge against his brothers.
Joseph stayed in Egypt for the rest of his life and died at the age of 110.
Monday, March 15, 2010
Genesis 43-45
arghhh!! bug in Blogger caused me to lost this post. Re-writing it, but it will probably shorter than the original
More questioning followed. "Why did you tell him you had another brother?" Finally, Judah personally vouched for Benjamin's safety. They left again. This time, Joseph was so moved to see them he kept running off to hide and weep before composing himself and coming back and acting all strict.
He prepared a huge meal for them, giving Benjamin the largest portions. He then told his servants to give them as much stuff as they could carry to bring back. He secretly planted a silver cup in Benjamin's bag. Then he told the servant to run after them and accuse them of stealing. Of course, he asked to keep Benjamin as the slave, since Benjamin "stole" the cup.
Judah personally plead with Joseph, telling him that Jacob would DIE if they didn't bring Bejanmin back, since Jacob had already lost Joseph. At this point, Joseph couldn't hold it back any longer. He ordered his servants to leave and revealed himself to his brothers.
Lots of crying, hugging, kissing followed.
They told Pharoah, who was pleased. Pharoah gave them TONS of stuff to bring back, but also told them to bring the whole family to Egypt! He would take good care of them.
When the brothers told Jacob that Joseph was still alive, Jacob was ecstatic and regained lots of spirit.
More questioning followed. "Why did you tell him you had another brother?" Finally, Judah personally vouched for Benjamin's safety. They left again. This time, Joseph was so moved to see them he kept running off to hide and weep before composing himself and coming back and acting all strict.
He prepared a huge meal for them, giving Benjamin the largest portions. He then told his servants to give them as much stuff as they could carry to bring back. He secretly planted a silver cup in Benjamin's bag. Then he told the servant to run after them and accuse them of stealing. Of course, he asked to keep Benjamin as the slave, since Benjamin "stole" the cup.
Judah personally plead with Joseph, telling him that Jacob would DIE if they didn't bring Bejanmin back, since Jacob had already lost Joseph. At this point, Joseph couldn't hold it back any longer. He ordered his servants to leave and revealed himself to his brothers.
Lots of crying, hugging, kissing followed.
They told Pharoah, who was pleased. Pharoah gave them TONS of stuff to bring back, but also told them to bring the whole family to Egypt! He would take good care of them.
When the brothers told Jacob that Joseph was still alive, Jacob was ecstatic and regained lots of spirit.
Genesis 41-42
41
Pharoah then had two dreams that were similar: 7 fat cows/ 7 skinny cows. The 7 skinny cows ate the 7 fat cows. Similarly, 7 stalks of healthy grains and 7 stalks of thin and scorched grains. The thin and scorched grains ate the 7 healthy grains.
Pharoah tried to find people to interpret (magicians, wise men, etc.) but no one could do it. Finally, the cupbearer remember Joseph and told Pharoah about it. Joseph was able to interpret the dreams. He totally attributed the interpretation to God, not himself. Essentially, the dream stood for 7 years of abundance followed by 7 years of famine. Joseph advised Pharoah to collect grains during the years of abundance in preparation for the years of famine.
Pharoah put Joseph in charge of all of Egypt. Joseph married and had 2 kids during this time. When the famine came, Joseph opened the storehouses and sold the grains to the Egyptians, who sold them to outsiders to came looking for food.
42
Joseph's brothers heard that there was food in Egypt and traveled there. They did not recognized Joseph (though Joseph recognized them). Joseph pretended to be strict with them (accusing them of being spies). He demanded to know where the youngest brother was. Finally, he agreed to give them food, but told them they had to come back with the youngest brother.
While on their way back, while opening their sacks, they saw the silver inside that they had used to pay for the grains. They totally freaked out.
When they went back to their father, Jacob, they tried to convince him to let Benjamin come along. Jacob refused, saying he had already lost Joseph. So, they ate up the food, but then needed to go back and get more. Otherwise, they were going to starve. Reuben then personally plead with Jacob, even offering his own sons' lives if he did not bring Benjamin back safely.
Pharoah then had two dreams that were similar: 7 fat cows/ 7 skinny cows. The 7 skinny cows ate the 7 fat cows. Similarly, 7 stalks of healthy grains and 7 stalks of thin and scorched grains. The thin and scorched grains ate the 7 healthy grains.
Pharoah tried to find people to interpret (magicians, wise men, etc.) but no one could do it. Finally, the cupbearer remember Joseph and told Pharoah about it. Joseph was able to interpret the dreams. He totally attributed the interpretation to God, not himself. Essentially, the dream stood for 7 years of abundance followed by 7 years of famine. Joseph advised Pharoah to collect grains during the years of abundance in preparation for the years of famine.
Pharoah put Joseph in charge of all of Egypt. Joseph married and had 2 kids during this time. When the famine came, Joseph opened the storehouses and sold the grains to the Egyptians, who sold them to outsiders to came looking for food.
42
Joseph's brothers heard that there was food in Egypt and traveled there. They did not recognized Joseph (though Joseph recognized them). Joseph pretended to be strict with them (accusing them of being spies). He demanded to know where the youngest brother was. Finally, he agreed to give them food, but told them they had to come back with the youngest brother.
While on their way back, while opening their sacks, they saw the silver inside that they had used to pay for the grains. They totally freaked out.
When they went back to their father, Jacob, they tried to convince him to let Benjamin come along. Jacob refused, saying he had already lost Joseph. So, they ate up the food, but then needed to go back and get more. Otherwise, they were going to starve. Reuben then personally plead with Jacob, even offering his own sons' lives if he did not bring Benjamin back safely.
Genesis 39-40
Genesis 39
An Egyptian named Potiphar purchased Joseph from the Ishmaelites. The Lord was with Joseph and he prospered. Potiphar put Joseph completely in charge of his household since he totally trusted him. Potiphar's wife, however, was attracted to Joseph (because he was HOT!!) and wanted to sleep with him. Joseph kept refusing, in honor of his master. Finally, one day, Potiphar's grabbed Joseph's cloak and then accused him of trying to sleep with her. Potiphar was furious and threw Joseph in prison.
God was with Joseph and soon the warden put Joseph in charge of the entire prison.
Genesis 40
Soon after, a baker and cupbearer also got thrown into prison. One day, each of them had a dream. Joseph interpreted the dreams for them. The cupbearer dreamed there was a vine with three branches, and he was squeezing the grape into Pharoah's cup. Joseph interpreted this to mean that the cupbearer would be released in 3 days to serve the king. Joseph asked the cupbearer to remember him, to speak favorably of Joseph in order to get him out of jail.
The baker dreamed there were three baskets of bread. The basket on his head had bread that was being eaten by birds. oseph interpreted this to mean that the baker would be released in 3 days but would be hanged, and the birds would eat at his innards.
Joseph's interpretations came true, but the cupbearer forgot to mention Joseph to Pharoah.
An Egyptian named Potiphar purchased Joseph from the Ishmaelites. The Lord was with Joseph and he prospered. Potiphar put Joseph completely in charge of his household since he totally trusted him. Potiphar's wife, however, was attracted to Joseph (because he was HOT!!) and wanted to sleep with him. Joseph kept refusing, in honor of his master. Finally, one day, Potiphar's grabbed Joseph's cloak and then accused him of trying to sleep with her. Potiphar was furious and threw Joseph in prison.
God was with Joseph and soon the warden put Joseph in charge of the entire prison.
Genesis 40
Soon after, a baker and cupbearer also got thrown into prison. One day, each of them had a dream. Joseph interpreted the dreams for them. The cupbearer dreamed there was a vine with three branches, and he was squeezing the grape into Pharoah's cup. Joseph interpreted this to mean that the cupbearer would be released in 3 days to serve the king. Joseph asked the cupbearer to remember him, to speak favorably of Joseph in order to get him out of jail.
The baker dreamed there were three baskets of bread. The basket on his head had bread that was being eaten by birds. oseph interpreted this to mean that the baker would be released in 3 days but would be hanged, and the birds would eat at his innards.
Joseph's interpretations came true, but the cupbearer forgot to mention Joseph to Pharoah.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Genesis 36-38
Genesis 36 describes the Esau's lineage (not sure what else to say!)
Genesis 37 starts an intriguing story of Jacob's 11th son, Joseph - Rachel's first son. Jacob (also called Israel) loved Joseph more than any other of his sons. Now Joseph was an honest guy - when he had dreams about him being more powerful than his brothers, he just told them straight out. This made the jealous brothers angrier! They were plotting to kill him, but Reuben, the eldest, didn't want any blood shed so instead suggested to throw him in a cistern... the other brothers then sold Joseph to Ishmaelites who took him to Egypt. Then they lied to their father Jacob and produced evidence that Joseph being attacked and killed by wild ferocious animals. Jacob believed and went into mourning.
Chapter 38 of Genesis describes the story of Judah, Joseph's brother. He married a Canaanite woman who gave birth to 2 sons, both of which were wicked in God's eyes and were put to death. Judah's daughter-in-law, Tamar, was then told to live at her father's place until his son grew up. However, later on Tamar pretended to be a prostitute and somehow tricked Judah to sleep with her - and gave her the seal and and the cord as a pledge. Later on Tamar was pregnant. Judah heard the news and was really mad. He was going to burn her to death, until she sent the message to Judah with the pledge (seal + cord). Recognizing the pledge, he realized that he was the one who slept with her!
Tamar gave birth to twin boys, Perez and Zerah.
Genesis 37 starts an intriguing story of Jacob's 11th son, Joseph - Rachel's first son. Jacob (also called Israel) loved Joseph more than any other of his sons. Now Joseph was an honest guy - when he had dreams about him being more powerful than his brothers, he just told them straight out. This made the jealous brothers angrier! They were plotting to kill him, but Reuben, the eldest, didn't want any blood shed so instead suggested to throw him in a cistern... the other brothers then sold Joseph to Ishmaelites who took him to Egypt. Then they lied to their father Jacob and produced evidence that Joseph being attacked and killed by wild ferocious animals. Jacob believed and went into mourning.
Chapter 38 of Genesis describes the story of Judah, Joseph's brother. He married a Canaanite woman who gave birth to 2 sons, both of which were wicked in God's eyes and were put to death. Judah's daughter-in-law, Tamar, was then told to live at her father's place until his son grew up. However, later on Tamar pretended to be a prostitute and somehow tricked Judah to sleep with her - and gave her the seal and and the cord as a pledge. Later on Tamar was pregnant. Judah heard the news and was really mad. He was going to burn her to death, until she sent the message to Judah with the pledge (seal + cord). Recognizing the pledge, he realized that he was the one who slept with her!
Tamar gave birth to twin boys, Perez and Zerah.
Monday, March 8, 2010
Genesis 33-35
Jacob sees Esau coming with 400 men, so he divides his people in two in case one of them perishes, his descendants will still live on. Jacob is afraid that Esau is still mad at him after all these years, but instead Esau hugged and kissed him! Jacob gave Esau a present, but this can also be interpreted as "blessing" because they are the same word in Hebrew, so Jacob is giving back his blessing that he stole from Esau.
In the next chapter, Shechem son of Hamor the Hivite (a Canaanite), saw Dinah, one of Leah's daughters, he raped her and told his father he wanted her as his wife. His dad Hamor went to talk to Jacob for Dinah's hand in marriage and offered to pay whatever price David sets. Dinah's brothers were furious and set up a plan to destroy the Canaanites. They lied to them and said that Shechem could marry Dinah if all their men were circumcized. Then the brothers said they could be one people, and Shechem and Hamor happily agreed. I'm not sure how they convinced all the men in the town to be circumcized, but it seemed like they were very greedy and wanted a share of Jacob's livestock and property. Three days later, Simeon and Levi killed all the males, looted their houses, and stole their women and children as the Canaanites were still recovering from circumcision. Jacob did not know about their plot until now, and scolded Simeon and Levi for what they did. Jacob is afraid now that other Canaanites will hear wind of this, band together, and destroy them. But the brothers did not apologize and said they would not let them treat Dinah like a prostitute.
Then God told Jacob to build an altar for him at Bethel. He told everyone in his household to get rid of all their foreign gods and that they were moving to Bethel. God watched over them and did not let anyone pursue them. After he built the altar, God appeared to him, blessed him, and renamed him Israel. God confirms his covenant that he made with Abraham, and gives this land to him and his descendants.
In the next chapter, Shechem son of Hamor the Hivite (a Canaanite), saw Dinah, one of Leah's daughters, he raped her and told his father he wanted her as his wife. His dad Hamor went to talk to Jacob for Dinah's hand in marriage and offered to pay whatever price David sets. Dinah's brothers were furious and set up a plan to destroy the Canaanites. They lied to them and said that Shechem could marry Dinah if all their men were circumcized. Then the brothers said they could be one people, and Shechem and Hamor happily agreed. I'm not sure how they convinced all the men in the town to be circumcized, but it seemed like they were very greedy and wanted a share of Jacob's livestock and property. Three days later, Simeon and Levi killed all the males, looted their houses, and stole their women and children as the Canaanites were still recovering from circumcision. Jacob did not know about their plot until now, and scolded Simeon and Levi for what they did. Jacob is afraid now that other Canaanites will hear wind of this, band together, and destroy them. But the brothers did not apologize and said they would not let them treat Dinah like a prostitute.
Then God told Jacob to build an altar for him at Bethel. He told everyone in his household to get rid of all their foreign gods and that they were moving to Bethel. God watched over them and did not let anyone pursue them. After he built the altar, God appeared to him, blessed him, and renamed him Israel. God confirms his covenant that he made with Abraham, and gives this land to him and his descendants.
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