50 Genesis Characters

The following is a study of 50 characters from the book of Genesis. The intent is to draw a character lesson from each of these biblical persons, and to then apply that principle to our lives today. We desire for each student of these lessons to seek to live a life more committed to bringing God glory.

Each lesson suggests a tiny glimpse into the character’s life and situation and share a current illustration that points the reader to the truth being presented. All the lessons are followed by questions that lead to further thought on the topic. The conclusion of each lesson should be a time of prayer.

Written by Kevin Binkley, Rocky Coleman, and Jeremy Luman.

Edited by Kevin Binkley.

Copyright © 2010.

50 Genesis Characters

Lesson 1 Adam

Genesis 3:12 Then the man replied, "The woman You gave to be with me—she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate."

It’s not my fault. I didn’t do it. You do the same thing. You made me do it, she made me do it, he made me do it, the devil made me do it, or, I didn’t have any choice. Excuses abound for every human shortcoming.

Adam was in a tough spot. He has blown it, and being the only man on earth, he has very few options when it comes to finding someone to blame for his sin. He can only blame God, the devil, or his wife Eve. He has no experience in lying or blame shifting. So, Adam adds sin to sin by blaming God. It’s your fault. You gave her to me. Oh yeah, it’s her fault to. She started it, she gave me the fruit. And so the yet to end game of blame that leads to shame continues to this day.

Man, anxious to exonerate himself, seeks to minimize his guilt by condemning others. How interesting that God held Adam and Eve individually responsible for their actions, essentially saying, “Your actions are your own.” Adam did not take responsibility for his actions.

1. Why do we blame others for our failures?
2. Why are we so concerned about what people think of us?

Lesson 2 Eve

Genesis 3:2-6 The woman said to the serpent, "We may eat the fruit from the trees in the garden. But about the fruit of the tree in the middle of the garden, God said, 'You must not eat it or touch it, or you will die.'" "No! You will not die," the serpent said to the woman. "In fact, God knows that when you eat it your eyes will be opened and you will be like God, knowing good and evil." Then the woman saw that the tree was good for food and delightful to look at, and that it was desirable for obtaining wisdom. So she took some of its fruit and ate it; she also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it.

Satan hates God and loves to make God look bad. The devil is the enemy of our souls and he is the father of lies. Lies are his native tongue. The devil lies to us about God by attacking and questioning God’s values and motives.

What we believe will determine what we do. So when the devil lies to us, he attempts to change our minds to change our actions. Satan desires for our actions to dishonor God, and to question his glory. The sin that everyone commits is to fall short of the glory of God. To fall short of the glory of God is to say, “God, your glory (beauty, worth, love) isn’t really that big of a deal.” That is why John Piper says that to bring glory to God is “to go public with his infinite worth.” The serpent (Satan) questioned God and his motives to Eve and she fell for it. The tree does look good for food. Maybe God is holding out on me. I would like to be like God. I would like more wisdom. Eve believed a lie. Believing the devils lies will lead to actions that dishonor God, and destroy relationships.

1. What lie(s) did Eve believe?
2. What are some common lies that Satan sells today?
3. What is one of the lies Satan uses on you?
4. What is a truth you can use to fight this lie?
5. How can we get better at spotting Satan’s lies?
6. What is Satan’s most deceptive lie?
7. How can we pray concerning this truth?

Lesson 3 Abel

Genesis 4:4 And Abel also presented [an offering]—some of the firstborn of his flock and their fat portions. The LORD had regard for Abel and his offering,

Going on a road trip can be a fun way to see different parts of the country. Driving for long distances can also produce stressful and difficult situations, and sometimes you have to even pay to be on the road. Have you ever driven on a toll road? It always seems like toll booths appear every couple of miles as the money in your car disappears quicker and quicker. After each toll booth the driver hopes that it was the last one and the passengers search under seats for a few more coins in case another booth pops up. Ideally however, the added burden of paying a toll should mean that I am traveling on a better road.

One would rarely think of not paying the toll when driving on toll roads, because it is required for the privilege of traveling the roadway. Giving gifts back to God is similar in that as we travel through life we need to take time to give back to God some of the blessings He has given us. We can choose to ignore the opportunities but eventually we miss out on the privileges of living life on God’s road.

We should seek to be like Abel because he gave back to God what was required for a good sacrifice. God blessed Abel with livestock, and Abel gave back to God as an expression of thanks to God.

1. What was the difference between the sacrifice of Abel and the sacrifice of Cain?
2. What does it mean, “The Lord had regard for Abel and his offering?”
3. What does God require people to give back to Him today?
4. What are some ways that you may have withheld from God what He has required from you?
5. What adjustment could you make in your life to give with an attitude more like Abel’s?
6. How can we pray concerning this truth?

Lesson 4 Cain

Genesis 4:5-7 but He did not have regard for Cain and his offering. Cain was furious, and he was downcast. Then the LORD said to Cain, "Why are you furious? And why are you downcast? If you do right, won't you be accepted? But if you do not do right, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is for you, but you must master it."

Groups will often go to a retreat center to build teamwork skills and many times this involves going through a high ropes course. Ropes courses present challenging tasks for team members to perform thirty feet in the air connected to ropes, pieces of wood, and trees. One particular challenge is “the Perch.” To complete the challenge a person must climb a telephone pole, stand on the top, and then jump and grab a trapeze bar several feet away from the pole. Jumpers are secured by ropes and harnesses, but they still must overcome the natural fear their body has for doing such a feat.

Cain was also going through an exercise that challenged him to display his faith and trust. Cain and his brother offered their sacrifices, and Abel’s was accepted but Cain’s was not. God told Cain clearly that he must overcome temptation to sin. Cain’s sacrifice would have been accepted if he would have listened to God. He did not have to get upset, did not have to get angry, did not have to grow bitter. Sin would not have gotten he upper hand, and Abel would not have been killed.

We live with the ever present danger of sin, but we must desire as God’s children to live in the safety of His ropes and harnesses. We should always take the leap of faith to trust God and fight sin.

1. When did Cain’s downward spiral start?
2. Describe what a better ending to Cain’ story would look like?
3. What should Cain have done at the end of verse 7?
4. Discuss a situation where you responded poorly to a mistake you already made.
5. What should you have done to overcome the temptation in that situation?
6. How can we pray concerning this truth?

Lesson 5 Lamech

Genesis 4:23-24 Lamech said to his wives: Adah and Zillah, hear my voice; wives of Lamech, pay attention to my words. For I killed a man for wounding me, a boy for striking me. If Cain is to be avenged seven times over, then for Lamech it will be seventy-seven times!

I was going down the road with the cruise control on when it happened. Although a few persons do not know what it’s like, most adult drivers can relate to that sickening feeling of knowing that the lights on the police car are blinking for me. Sometimes it really obvious when the officer does a U-turn in the median, or right in the middle of the road, flips on his lights, and pulls in behind you indicating it may be in your best interest to pull over and talk to the officer. Other times, you driving along and you are surprised to discover you are being tailed be a trooper, and maybe he wants to talk.

I was pulled over, and I knew it had to be mistake. With the cruise control on, my speed was within the law. I explained my situation to the officer, who however sympathetic, was not merciful. I guess I went over the speed limit enough other times without a ticket, that I deserved one anyway.

The ticket I got that day was not fair, at least not for that day. We all have this fairness monitor this works in our minds which gives us a general sense of fairness. Sometimes it works well, sometimes maybe not so well.

Lamech killed someone for “his wounding.” Someone harmed, or injured, or hurt Lamech, and apparently in self defense, Lamech killed him. Lamech calls on his sense of fairness and says, “If God protected Cain, who was a premeditated killer, how much more will he protect me, who killed in self defense.

Avenging is risky business. We have a prideful tendency to take justice into our own hands. That is why Romans 12:19-21 says, “Friends, do not avenge yourselves; instead, leave room for His wrath. For it is written: Vengeance belongs to Me; I will repay, says the Lord. But if your enemy is hungry, feed him. If he is thirsty, give him something to drink. For in so doing you will be heaping fiery coals on his head. Do not be conquered by evil, but conquer evil with good.”

Lamech believed God would protect him in his innocence. We should trust God to be our avenger, even though our fairness monitor says I should take action.

1. Do you think Lamech acted with integrity?
2. Why do you think God placed this story between Cain’s city building, and Seth’s birth?
3. Describe a situation where you have seen revenge acted out badly?
4. How tempted are you to take revenge?
5. Why does God say to leave vengeance up to him?
6. How can this lesson inform my prayers?

Lesson 6 Seth

Genesis 4:25 Adam knew his wife intimately again, and she gave birth to a son and named him Seth, for [she said,] "God has given me another child in place of Abel, since Cain killed him."

Assembling toys for children can often be a challenging task. The last thing a parent wants to see when a new toy is purchased is the phrase “Some assembly required.” The most frustrating part of the process is when you think that the assembly is complete but there are extra pieces. The child is impatiently waiting to play with the new toy and the parent is just hoping that it works. Imagine the parent turning the brand new toy on and nothing happens, it does not work, clearly one of the extra pieces is vital for the functioning of the toy. The parent must now spend the time to go back through the assembly process to see where the extra part fits before the toy will ever work.

The Bible does not say a lot about Seth. Often, he is simply listed in the genealogies as the link between Adam and the line of people that leads to Christ. It would be easy to say that Seth was insignificant or unimportant, but that is not true. Seth is one of the important pieces that link Noah, the nation of Israel, and even Christ, back to Adam. Because we all are descendants of Noah, we are all descendants of Seth. But most important is that that through Seth God continued the promise to send a Savior to redeem fallen man. Seth might appear as just an insignificant person listed in the Genesis account, however, he was an important link in the genealogy of Christ, sent through Eve, by God, and without him, this link would be incomplete.

1. What was the purpose for Seth’s life?
2. What would you say is the most significant impact from Seth’s life?
3. What is your life’s purpose and how do you know?
4. Are you living up to your responsibility? Why or why not?
5. What would you say to another person who is looking for “purpose”?
6. How can we pray concerning this truth?

Lesson 7 Enosh

Genesis 4:26 A son was born to Seth also, and he named him Enosh. At that time people began to call on the name of the LORD.

Anyone who has ever seen the typical teenager’s bedroom knows that it can be an adventure of exploration. You never can be sure what you might find under all of those layers of clothes and CD cases and who knows what else. My college roommate was the worst for this, as I would literally have to leap to my bed so as to avoid stepping on his personal belongings.

While these arrangements rarely aggravate those who have made the mess, they can be quite disconcerting for those who live with these persons. Inevitably, there comes a time when enough is enough, and the entire family is put on spring cleaning detail. You know what I’m talking about. The mess begins to creep out of the bedroom and into the hall, affecting even the kitchen and the den until finally someone gets fed up enough (usually mom) to call a “family meeting” and declare that “No one leaves until this place is livable again.” Sometimes, if the mess doesn’t creep down the hall, the smell does!

The same could be said of our walks with God. Oftentimes, we’ll tolerate a little sin in the camp, until we’ve amassed enough errors that even our sinful heart grows tired of the grievance, “I can’t take it anymore!” It’s usually only at that point when we “call upon the name of the Lord.”

Sin had fast made its impact in the early days of humanity, with murderous Cain and Lamech having their way. It was amidst this environment that Enosh was born. I love reading in the Bible that men began to call on the name of the Lord. I am glad they did, and I am thrilled that we can as well.

1. What does “..call on the name of the Lord…” mean?
2. Can you describe a time when you were compelled to “call upon the Lord?”
3. Why do men not seek God as they ought?
4. Have you noticed a pattern of circumstances in your life that seem to compel you seek God more?
5. How could you be the most consistent in calling on the name of the Lord as you should?
6. How can we pray tonight concerning this truth?

Lesson 8 Enoch

Genesis 5:21-24 Enoch was 65 years old when he fathered Methuselah. And after the birth of Methuselah, Enoch walked with God 300 years and fathered sons and daughters. So Enoch's life lasted 365 years. Enoch walked with God, and he was not there, because God took him.

Enoch just disappeared one day. One day he was hoeing the corn, feeding the sheep, and eating tacos. The next day he was gone, God took him. Wow! What do we do with that? Where did God take him? Why did God take him?

Commentators speculate. Some say God took him and relocated him to a different place on earth. Some say God took him straight to heaven. Either way, he was taken.

But why? Some say he was taken so he would be safe from sinful men who were ever growing more wicked, and were inclined to harm righteous Enoch. Others say God took him because he was so pleased with Enoch, that one day he was ushered into the presence of God. It is suggested that he is a prophetic picture of the rapture of the church.

With all the things we don't know, there are several things we do know. Enoch was a righteous man. Enoch also had the kind of faith that pleased God. Hebrews 11:5 says that Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death, and that prior to his transformation, he was approved, and he pleased God. So we know God took him, we know he was righteous, we know he had the kind of faith described in Hebrews 11 that pleases God.

But we know a little bit more. In Jude 14-15 Enoch preaches some very harsh words of judgment to his contemporaries. The very fact that he is used to illustrate the message of Jude indicates the evil nature of Enoch’s audience. It is not a stretch to think that God removed his preacher and prophet before he was harmed. We would be wise to tell the truth for God, trust him to the point of death, and leave the results up to God.

1. What do you think happened to Enoch?
2. Why is he mentioned in Hebrews 11?
3. Why is he mentioned in Jude 14-15?
4. What would it look like for you to emulate Enoch’s faith?
5. How should we handle the things we don't know about Enoch?
6. How can you pray concerning this truth?

Lesson 9 Methuselah

Genesis 5:25-27 Methuselah was 187 years old when he fathered Lamech. Methuselah lived 782 years after the birth of Lamech, and he fathered sons and daughters. So Methuselah's life lasted 969 years; then he died.

What if you were 750 years old. When you were young, there would have been no refrigerators, no plastic, no Teflon or telephone, no computers, no fast food, no blacktop roads to drive on, or cars to drive on them. As a matter of fact, if you were 750 years old now, you would have been nearly 650 years old before anything in your world went over 30 miles per hour. And, by the time you were in your 700’s, you would have watched on TV as the space shuttle zoomed by the night sky at 17,320 mph! In the last one hundred years, the change experienced in our world has been almost beyond belief.

But what about Methuselah? The Bible says he lived to be 969 years old. What? Are you kidding me? Can that be real? Is the Bible trustworthy? What about 900 year old grandpas, and world wide floods, and walking on water? Oh and don’t forget, talking donkeys!

The credibility of God is on the line when we question the credibility of the Bible. God wrote the Bible, and he was telling the truth. Do you believe it?

1. What are some unbelievable things in the Bible?
2. What is the hardest thing for you to believe in or about the Bible?
3. How could Methuselah live to be 969?
4. How much of the Bible does a Christian have to believe?
5. Why would God put stories in the Bible that are hard to believe?
6. How can this teaching instruct our prayers?

Lesson 10 Lamech

Genesis 5:28-31 Lamech was 182 years old when he fathered a son. And he named him Noah, saying, "This one will bring us relief from the agonizing labor of our hands, caused by the ground the LORD has cursed." Lamech lived 595 years after Noah's birth, and he fathered sons and daughters. So Lamech's life lasted 777 years; then he died.

Have you ever heard of Gerhard Groote? If your answer to the question is no, chances are you are not alone. Most people have not heard of Groote, but his impact on the church affects us even today. According to an article in TableTalk magazine (“An Unpopular Vision,” by George Grant, February 2010) Groote was born to a wealthy family in the fourteenth century. Groote was converted to Christianity after living many years in rebellion and was deeply distressed by the condition of the church. His conviction was that the church was in such terrible condition that it would take generations to make an impact that would change its direction. For the remainder of his life Groote worked to start schools that held the authority of Scripture above all else. The schools worked to train men and women how to read, study, and teach Scripture so that everyone could understand God’s Word. In these schools men such as Luther, Zwingli, and Calvin were eventually trained. Groote’s impact was not immediate, or even in his lifetime, but he worked to prepare the following generations to make a great impact.

Lamech is a little like Grootte in the fact that he is not well known, but his impact on the following generations affected all of history. Lamech was the father of Noah. The passage says that he named him Noah because he believed that God would use Noah to bring relief from the agonizing labor. Lamech was intentionally preparing the next generation to make an important impact on the world.

1. Name some other people who have made a big impact on the world but may not be well known? What did they do? What affect has this had?
2. Do you think that Lamech knew about the significance of Noah’s life for all of history? Why or why not?
3. How does Lamech’s story impact the way that you think about the next generation?
4. In what ways can you work to prepare the next generation to work in God’s kingdom?
5. Are you satisfied to be totally unknown, yet faithful?
6. How can we pray concerning this truth?

Lesson 11 Noah

Genesis 6:22 And Noah did this. He did everything that God had commanded him.

In the Belgian Congo, the weather was hot and dank. No breath of air stirred; leaves hung from the trees as though they were weighted. In the garden not far from the missionary home a small boy played under a tree. Suddenly, the father called to him: “Philip, obey me instantly--get down on your stomach.” The boy reacted at once, and his father continued, “No crawl toward me fast.” The boy again obeyed. After he had come about halfway, the father said, “Now stand up and run to me.” The boy reached his father and turned to look back--hanging from the branch under which he had been playing was a fifteen-foot serpent. (Excerpted from D.G. Barnhouse’s Let Me Illustrate. 1967, p. 231.)

The obedience of the boy most certainly saved his life. Noah was given an incredible task, having never seen rain. Even more so, God asked him to become a carpenter, shipmaster, and herdsman. Shoot, he was even working as a lion tamer. Incredible! And, what was Noah’s response? “According to all that God had commanded him, so he did.” In the simplest sense, Noah’s obedience to his father saved his life. I imagine he didn’t understand a lot more than little Philip in the Congo did when daddy said, “Now you do exactly as I say.”

1. How do you imagine that you might respond if you were in Noah’s sandals?
2. Has there been an instance in your life when you had to do something that seemed senseless, but out of obedience you did it, anyway? For a spouse, or parent, God, etc.?
3. Has there been a time when you were not willing to obey? What happened?
4. Are you more willing to obey when you’ve been given the whole picture, or are you satisfied to take step-by-step instruction?
5. Which of the two ways does God typically use more often?
6. How can we pray concerning this truth?

Lesson 12 Naamah

Genesis 7:7, 13 So Noah, his sons, his wife, and his sons' wives entered the ark because of the waters of the deluge...On that same day Noah along with his sons Shem, Ham, and Japheth, Noah's wife, and his three sons' wives entered the ark with him.

In 1645, one vote gave Oliver Cromwell control of England.

In 1649, one vote caused Charles I of England to be executed.In 1845, one vote brought Texas into the Union.

In 1868, one vote saved President Andrew Johnson from impeachment.

In 1875, one vote changed France from a monarchy into a republic.

In 1876, one vote gave Rutherford B. Hayes the United States presidency.

In 1923, one vote gave Adolph Hitler control of the Nazi party. (Paul Lee Tan in Charles R. Swindoll’s The Tale of the Tardy Oxcart. 1998, p. 297.)

In Genesis chapter 7, Noah’s wife was a part of a godly family who would populate the entire planet. The Bible never uses her name, but tradition says it was Naamah. She had a very difficult spot. It is certain that all Noah’s neighbors thought he was losing his mind. We have no record of God personally reassuring Naamah, but we can be sure the ladies in town talked. Some of the hurtful talk must have gotten back to Naamah. “Can you believe what Noah is doing? He is so self righteous, who does he think he is. He is so preachy...repent, repent, repent, all the time. Everyone is so tired of hearing it.” And then the worst part, “That poor woman, I feel so sorry for her being married to that kook Noah. I don't know why she stays with him. The poor thing!”

We don’t know much about Naamah, but we know she stood by Noah and their family, and was one of only 8 people saved in a world wide flood. And lets face it, that is knowing a lot! She left a legacy of being righteous, even though the Bible never mentions her name.

1. Do you anticipate being remembered for being a person who followed God?
2. What actions are you taking regularly to have a lasting impact?
3. What is your background, and how could that limit or enhance your future godliness?
4. What is one action you could take to better leave a godly legacy?
5. How can we pray concerning this truth?

Lesson 13 Noah

Genesis 9:21 He drank some of the wine, became drunk, and uncovered himself inside his tent.

I love to eat. I’m always the last to finish at the table, as I savor each bite. Thankfully, God in His mercy has gifted me with a high metabolism, so that, as of yet, it has not shown on me (too much). My high metabolism, however, is both a blessing and a curse, since I tend to overindulge, trusting that I won’t gain much weight.

Now, I’m certainly not ignorant to the punishment such indulgence will later beget. I know full well that I will soon be in writhing pain, as my stomach adjusts to this mass of food it must now take on. Still, my tongue is overcome by the great taste of these meals, and so it gives in, time and again.

And, it doesn’t stop there. I find myself overindulging in sleep, enjoying lying in the bed more than expending the energy to get up. I overindulge in speed, trusting that my timely arrival at my destination is more important than the law. I overindulge in words, believing so often that what I have to say is of more value than what others have to share.

Noah found himself in a similar predicament. The righteous architect of the Ark had put all of that adventure behind him, and was beginning to farm. He even planted a vineyard. Like any producer of goods, he helped himself to the wine he was creating, which was certainly his right and privilege. He erred, however, in overindulging and getting drunk, resulting in the only mistake recorded about him in Scripture.

1. What was the result of Noah’s overindulgence as recorded in Genesis 9:22-25?
2. What differences, if any, are evident between building the Ark and planting a vineyard that may have made Noah prone to this error?
3. In what areas might you be inclined to overindulge?
4. What guards can we put in place to avoid giving in to these temptations?
5. How might we better focus so that we desire God more than these excesses?
6. How can we pray concerning this truth?

Lesson 14 Ham

Genesis 9:22 Ham, the father of Canaan, saw his father naked and told his two brothers outside.

She came to see me on a Tuesday morning. It’s not uncommon for parishioners to visit the pastor with questions, or ideas, or suggestions. But this visit was not one of those “easy” visits. As soon as she sat down, the tears began to flow. “My life is so hard,” she said. “It seems like God just won’t give me any peace, any comfort, and I don’t think I can take it anymore!” I was listening already, but then she improved my attention when she said, “What have I done for God to punish me like this?”

I had the joy of looking at her life with her, finding no harbored or unrepentant sin, and sharing that maybe God was not doing this to her, but for her. We were able to pray that God would show himself to her as her provider, her comforter, and her joy…even in difficulty.

My daughter emailed me this morning and asked how to respond to people who say that weather disasters are God’s specific judgment on specific sins. Sometimes, God does judge sin in a specific and immediate way in the life of the sinner. Ham sinned badly against his father, and his father pronounced judgment on him that God did bring to pass. We can only speculate on the exact nature of the sin, but we do know Ham violated God’s stated moral boundaries.

Ham’s sin was serious enough for the consequence to condemn him as a slave. We should take sin seriously enough to realize that even though God forgives sin, there are often immediate consequences for them. Avoid the correcting hand of God in your life by committing to be obedient.

1. What are some of the sins suggested by commentators that Ham may have committed?
2. Why does God include this story in the Bible?
3. Are there some other examples in the Bible of God’s immediate judgment of sin?
4. Is there an example from your own life of God’s immediate judgment of sin?
5. How can this lesson inform our prayers?

Lesson 15 Shem & Japheth

Genesis 9:23 Then Shem and Japheth took a cloak and placed it over both their shoulders, and walking backwards, they covered their father's nakedness. Their faces were turned away, and they did not see their father naked.

A few years ago there was a large pothole in the front entrance to the parking lot here at Emmanuel. Instead of purchasing a new patch of asphalt to fill up the hole, it was decided that a bag of concrete, which the church already had, could be used instead. The concrete was mixed and poured into the hole fixing the pothole problem. Cars could now enter the church parking lot on a smooth surface. However, using the concert presented a new problem; it was obviously a different color than the asphalt that surrounded it. The patch worked to fill in the whole but it did not look attractive. This problem was solved by purchasing black spray paint to color the concrete to match the asphalt around it. The paint covered the patch making it almost invisible to the passerby.

In the passage today Shem and Japheth were informed of a shameful act that occurred with their father. Instead of participating with Ham in highlighting and mocking their father’s shame, the two brothers worked together to cover their father’s nakedness. They were very careful to avoid sin in any way by walking backwards and hiding behind the cloak that they laid on their father. Instead of adding sinfulness to the situation, the brothers worked to bring righteousness into the situation. They covered what was unsightly, and honored God by doing it.

1. How were Shem and Japheth’s actions better than Ham’s?
2. In verses 24-27 Noah curses Ham and blesses Shem and Japheth, was his reaction appropriate? Why or why not?
3. Describe a situation that you were in that you had the opportunity to make a shameful situation better by acting righteously.
4. In that situation would it be easier to act shamefully or righteously? Why?
5. How can we pray concerning this truth?

Lesson 16 Nimrod

Genesis 10:8-12 Cush fathered Nimrod, who was the first powerful man on earth. He was a powerful hunter in the sight of the LORD. That is why it is said, "Like Nimrod, a powerful hunter in the sight of the LORD." His kingdom started with Babylon, Erech, Accad, and Calneh, in the land of Shinar.

I grew up on a farm. I remember always being impressed with the horse power and pulling ability of the farm tractor. Tractors were built bigger and bigger every year. Manufacturers constantly build more powerful and larger machines. Tractors that were the main power source for large farms 50 years ago are barely able to move today’s farm equipment around the farm yard, much less put it to use.

Power is fascinating and wonderful, well, at least it is if it is under control, and channeled into appropriate use. After all, a bomb is just a whole bunch of power unleashed for destruction. Gasoline properly channeled into an internal combustion engine explodes and makes for great transportation. The same gasoline, exploding in your garage without going through an engine, might transport your garage into your neighbor’s back yard.

Nimrod was a powerful hunter in the sight of the Lord, but not for the Lord. Nimrod founded the cities of Babylon and Nineveh. These cities were well known for their nefarious behavior. I appears that those who followed Nimrod and his power put their power to evil use.

Everyone has power, power to do tasks, say words, and accomplish objectives. However, this “power” can be used for good, or for bad. Assyria in Micah 5:6 is called the land of Nimrod, and a land that experienced God’s harshest judgment. What will you do with your power? Will it be mighty before the Lord, or will it be might for the Lord.

1. How close was Nimrod to the time of the flood?
2. Would he have known what God’s judgment looks like?
3. How did he get so powerful?
4. Why do you think he is included in the Genesis narrative?
5. What kind of “power” do you have?
6. How could you use that power badly?
7. What adjustment could you make in your life to effect your power for good?
8. How can this story inform our prayers?

Lesson 17 Sargon

Genesis 11:1-4 At one time the whole earth had the same language and vocabulary. As people migrated from the east, they found a valley in the land of Shinar and settled there. They said to each other, "Come, let us make oven-fired bricks." They had brick for stone and asphalt for mortar. And they said, "Come, let us build ourselves a city and a tower with its top in the sky. Let us make a name for ourselves; otherwise, we will be scattered over the face of the whole earth."

Being a celebrity in today’s culture is more than just starring in the important movie roles. Celebrities hire agents and sign contracts to make their name known in as many places as possible. Celebrities will have clothing lines, perfumes, colognes, video games, and companies use their names as a way to sell more products and increase their recognition. Our culture has developed an entire industry that follows these people around, taking pictures and finding out what they do in their free time. The motto, “No publicity is bad publicity,” is proving itself to be true as more and more celebrities are caught in reprehensible behavior. Sadly, often their popularity rises higher and higher. Being a celebrity today is all about making a name for one’s self.

The passage in Genesis today introduces the story of the Tower of Babel. The Bible does not give us any names for people who built the tower but tradition points to a man named Sargon as the leader of the area when the tower was built. Although not all of the blame for the tower project can be placed on Sargon, he certainly had the influence to help or hinder this project. Sargon could have stood against this project, but instead he participated in trying to make a name for himself and his city.

1. Why would the Lord not approve of building the tower of Babel?
2. Do you think Sargon should be held responsible for this project? Why or why not?
3. What is the difference between the Tower of Babel and skyscrapers that we build today?
4. What are some modern day “Towers of Babel” that persons might try to build today?
5. Have you seen God frustrating these activities? How?
6. What is one way you might try to make a name for yourself?
7. How can we pray concerning these truths?

Lesson 18 Terah

Genesis 11:31-12:4 Terah took his son Abram, his grandson Lot (Haran's son), and his daughter-in-law Sarai, his son Abram's wife, and they set out together from Ur of the Chaldeans to go to the land of Canaan. But when they came to Haran, they settled there. Terah lived 205 years and died in Haran. The LORD said to Abram: Go out from your land, your relatives, and your father's house to the land that I will show you. I will make you into a great nation, I will bless you, I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, I will curse those who treat you with contempt, and all the peoples on earth will be blessed through you.

I have chickens in my backyard. I keep a dozen birds in my employ for their ongoing efforts at egg making. They eat some grass and bugs, mix it with a little gravel, add a mosquito or two, and I get nice, fresh tasty eggs. I get brown ones, white ones, and even blue green ones. The blue – green ones are called Easter egg chickens by some.

So here is what is interesting. My chickens basically eat garbage. Added to their already less than tasty diet is the garbage from my kitchen. All our inedible leftovers, stale bread, and plate scrapings go out to the chickens who convert it all to tasty omelet’s for breakfast.

God is in the same business. No person is too far gone. God can take the trash and hardship of life and sin and make something good. God brings himself glory, that is, he makes himself look good by redeeming awful situations. On all accounts, Abraham has a pretty weak chance of being a man of God.

The Ur of the Chaldeans was a great and prosperous city, with perhaps 360,000 people living in the city and its suburbs. It is from here that Terah, Abraham’s father, left. Not only did he live in a prosperous city, but Terah was an idol worshipper. (see Joshua 24:2)

It would be easy to see no good thing coming from the generations of Terah, but God had different plans. Have you have a hard past? Are you the only Christian in your family? Do you struggle now with a situation where there is little hope? Remember, God loves to bring good out of difficult circumstances.

1. Why did Terah leave the Ur of the Chaldeans?
2. How did Abrahams past prepare him for his future?
3. Do you have a situation in life where it is difficult to see any good coming from it?
4. How could God change that situation?
5. What are some signs that God may already be working?
6. What adjustments do you need to make to your thinking to trust God better?
7. How can this story inform our prayers?

Lesson 19 Abraham

Genesis 22:1-3 After these things God tested Abraham and said to him, "Abraham!" "Here I am," he answered. "Take your son," He said, "your only [son] Isaac, whom you love, go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains I will tell you about." So early in the morning Abraham got up, saddled his donkey, and took with him two of his young men and his son Isaac. He split wood for a burnt offering and set out to go to the place God had told him about.

There’s an oft repeated tale about how hunters in Africa catch monkeys.  Quick and limber monkeys can be very difficult to corral, so hunters have employed a more cunning method. Rather that chase the monkey, they trap them by appealing to a weakness.  A small jar is placed at the base of a tree with nuts or other items which may attract the monkey’s curiosity. 

The opening of the jar allows the monkey to place his hand in, but when he tries to withdraw it, he is unable to do so without letting go of the contents of the jar.  Believe it or not, many monkeys will stay there with their hand in the jar until the hunter comes back to trap them!  They are trapped because they are unwilling to let go of something they desire and are not willing to give up.

It’s not just monkeys who are trapped by what they are unwilling to release.  While, most of us would not be tempted by peanuts or sweets in a jar, it’s amazing the things we will hang onto rather than release them so we can move on.

Abraham had a very strange, almost evil test from God. God told him to sacrifice, meaning kill, his son—a very strange test indeed. Isaac, his son, was likely the most important part of Abraham’s life. God tested to see if Abraham’s allegiance was to his own agenda (to have an heir) or God’s agenda (to give Abraham an heir). Abraham had to be willing to let go of his own agenda to see God purposes revealed. When Abraham became willing to be obedient to God in a very challenging test, God showed him his mighty miraculous intervention.

1. Does God test his servants, please explain?
2. What may have happened if Abraham had failed the test?
3. Has God ever tested you, requiring you to “prove” your trust in him?
4. God will probably not tell you to sacrifice your child on an altar, but he may test you in the area of your children. What would a test in that area look like for you?
5. How can you prepare to pass this test?
6. How can this story inform our prayers?

Lesson 20 Lot

Genesis 13:12-13 Abram lived in the land of Canaan, but Lot lived in the cities of the valley and set up his tent near Sodom. Now the men of Sodom were evil, sinning greatly against the LORD.

One afternoon while I was cooking in the church kitchen, I smelled wood burning. This was unusual because I clearly was not cooking with wood or using wood to fuel the stove. As I sniffed around, I noticed that the wooden handle on the pan I with my food in it was turning black. It was about to start on fire. The wooden handle was too close to the cooking flame, and it was not made to with stand the heat that close. It is common knowledge that when flammable objects get too close to a fire that they will eventually start to burn. Instinctively I wanted to remove the pan from the burner, but grabbing the handle without an oven mitt could have burned my hand. The pan’s handle was too close to the flame, putting it in danger, but it also put me in danger of getting burned.

Today we are looking at the character of Lot. Like the pan on the stove, he found himself in a situation where he was too close to sin and it almost cost him and his entire family their lives. It is tempting to paint Lot as a sinful person saying that he wanted to live near Sodom because he was an unrighteous man, however the Bible does not support this view. In 2 Peter 2:7 the Bible says that the Lord “rescued righteous Lot.” The clear implication is that Lot was deemed by the Lord as a righteous man, but he made choices that put him too close to sin for his own well being. Notice that Lot’s choice of where to live also put his family in danger of being enticed by the sin around them. It is difficult to know what to do with the story of Lot, but we can be sure that he got a little to close to the fire.

1. What are some situations like Lot’s where being too close to something could be harmful?
2. Was Lot’s choice to live near Sodom good or bad? Why?
3. Describe a time that you may have made a decision that put you or your family in a situation where they were too close to danger?
4. What are some steps that you can take to avoid putting yourself too close to sin?
5. How can we pray concerning these truths?

Lesson 21 Melchizedek

Genesis 14:17-20 After Abram returned from defeating Chedorlaomer and the kings who were with him, the king of Sodom went out to meet him in the Valley of Shaveh (that is, the King's Valley. Then Melchizedek, king of Salem, brought out bread and wine; he was a priest to God Most High. He blessed him and said: Abram is blessed by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth, and give praise to God Most High who has handed over your enemies to you. And Abram gave him a tenth of everything.

Our culture has an obsession with super heroes. We love the idea of a mysterious figure appearing to save the common citizens from the bad guy. Superman flies into the situation, saves the day, and flies away. Batman appears just in time to catch the criminals, hand them to the police, and then disappear. These mysterious figures appeal to us because they work for good. In a similar way, it is not uncommon to hear about situations where a stranger pulls a person out of a wrecked and burning car, only to disappear before their identity can be revealed. The person clearly did the right thing, but their identity will never be revealed.

The character under study today is the mysterious character of Melchizedek. Genesis gives little background or context to this king appearing. The king blesses Abraham and receiving a tenth of his spoils. The reader is simply told that he was a priest to the Most High God and the he is also the king of Salem (which is most likely Jerusalem). In Psalms 110 he is mentioned again stating that he is a priest forever. The writer of Hebrews uses Melchizedek to build his argument of how Christ is better than the Levitical priesthood. From these few references to this man in the Bible, there has been much debate and speculation. Instead of getting caught up in details we cannot know, it is important to note what Melchizedek did do in Genesis. Melchizedek served as a priest to the most High God, and was instrumental in enabling Abraham to be a better worshipper.

1. What do we know about Melchizedek?
2. How was Melchizedek helping Abraham?
3. What is the significance of the person of Melchizedek, that makes him so referred to in the New Testament?
4. Describe a situation where someone that you did not know helped you be a better worshipper?
5. Describe a time you helped someone without revealing who you were.
6. How can we pray concerning this truth?

Lesson 22 Hagar

Genesis 16:7-9, 13-14 The Angel of the LORD found her by a spring of water in the wilderness, the spring on the way to Shur. He said, "Hagar, slave of Sarai, where have you come from, and where are you going?" She replied, "I'm running away from my mistress Sarai." Then the Angel of the LORD said to her, "You must go back to your mistress and submit to her mistreatment."...So she named the LORD who spoke to her: The God Who Sees, for she said, "Have I really seen here the One who sees me?" That is why she named the spring, "A Well of the Living One Who Sees Me." It is located between Kadesh and Bered.

She had a really rough time. She tried to do the right thing, which in her case was merely whatever she was told to do. She was told to sleep with her boss’s husband, not the kind of task most employees anticipate. But, in this culture, at this time, with no other way to survive, Hagar did what she was told. Although morally she would be crossing a line, culturally this practice not totally uncommon.

In the face of her serious dilemma, she thought, if I don’t do this, I am at best mistreated, and at worst, harshly abandoned. Her fears came true, and both happened—mistreated by Sarah because of jealousy, and abandoned by Sarah because of bitterness.

Hagar was driven away from her home and ended up in the wilderness—pregnant, alone, hungry, scared, and prepared to die. God speaks to her there and says, “What are you doing?” “What? Are you kidding me? I am running away from the cruel mistreatment of my master,” she tells the angel. Then the angel gives some very unexpected instructions. Now get this, she is not told to just go back to her master, but, she is told to go back and “...submit to mistreatment..”

We often struggle to know the mind of God, but we usually know what he wants us to do. Hagar names the place she met God Beer Lahai Roi, or “the God who sees.” Strangely, it was sufficient for Hagar to see God and know he cares. That “seeing” gave her the strength and courage to go back to expected mistreatment. We often associate the provision of God with taking away uncomfortable circumstances. God seems more inclined sometimes to provide strength within difficult circumstances.

1. What was God’s part and Hagar’s part in this story?
2. What is the hardest part of Hagar’s story for you?
3. Will God ever ask you to submit (yes I said submit) to harsh, undeserved treatment?
4. If he already has, what was it like?
5. How did you know it was God’s will to submit?
6. Does God ordain your mistreatment, and if yes, how can you plan for it?
7. How can this story inform our prayers?

Lesson 23 Ishmael

Genesis 16:11-12 Then the Angel of the LORD said to her: You have conceived and will have a son. You will name him Ishmael, for the LORD has heard your [cry of] affliction. This man will be [like] a wild ass. His hand will be against everyone, and everyone's hand will be against him; he will live at odds with all his brothers.

How to stop a horse from kicking:

A horse can't pull while kicking.
This fact we merely mention.
And he can't kick while pulling,
Which is our chief contention.
Let's imitate the good old horse
And lead a life that's fitting;
Just pull an honest load, and then
There'll be no time for kicking!

Moral: To get a horse to stop kicking, get him to start working!

Some horses kick, and sadly some people do as well. Ishmael was a kicker. Genesis 16 says he will be like a wild…, um, donkey, I guess, and his hand would be against everyone. These are not flattering words.

I remember when some men were trying to help me be better person, and they told me that conflict seemed to follow me around. Initially, I was deeply offended. Later on, I spent some time pondering how much of that conflict was my fault, and more importantly , how I could have done better in the face of it. I am afraid a little more of that conflict was my fault than I was willing to admit at the time.

Don’t be know as a person of conflict. Don’t be afraid of it when it is needed, but know when to help conflict go away.

1. What are the characteristics of a person like Ishmael whose hand is against everyone?
2. What are some instances when you should be willing to be in conflict?
3. Are you more or less confrontational than other? ...than you need to be?
4. Why do people seek confrontation?
5. Why do people avoid it?
6. What adjustment could you make in your life to best honor God in the area of seeking or avoiding conflict?
7. How can this story inform our prayers?

Lesson 24 Sarah

Genesis 18:11-15 Abraham and Sarah were old and getting on in years. Sarah had passed the age of childbearing. So she laughed to herself: "After I have become shriveled up and my lord is old, will I have delight?" But the LORD asked Abraham, "Why did Sarah laugh, saying, 'Can I really have a baby when I'm old?' Is anything impossible for the LORD? At the appointed time I will come back to you, and in about a year she will have a son." Sarah denied it. "I did not laugh," she said, because she was afraid. But He replied, "No, you did laugh."

Some people have an amazing ability to conceal there true emotions and feelings. I am not one of those persons. I might tell myself, “OK, now, hold it together, don’t let your frustration show, give no indication that you are upset.” Often, no amount of self talk for me results in fully puling this off.

I remember a man who came into the office to show me some documents for a mutual project he had recently finished. At first glance a realized that all the headings on all the pages had a rather amusing typo. I casually mentioned this and he said, “Woops, I guess I’ll have to fix that!” To my surprise, when I looked up, his face was beet red. I was amazed! It really was not a big deal, but I could not believe how instantly the blood rushed to his face? He was embarrassed and it showed! He could not hide it. I felt badly for him, but not as bad as he felt for himself!

Sarah overheard God’s words to her husband and she thought, there is no way that is going to happen! She laughed in her heart (not even out loud) and God busted her for it! The Lord asked why she laughed. A simple answer would have sufficed? “Well,” Sarah could have said, “This just seems to impossible to be true! That’s all!” But that is not what she said, she lied and said, “I did not laugh.” God knew better.

You cannot hide what you are feeling and thinking from God. He knows, so why add the sin of lying to it? Be honest. You might say, “God, I am having a hard time trusting you right now, or I am angry at you right now, or God there is no way I can see you working out the situation that YOU have gotten me into.” God already knows what your thinking. Tell the truth. Instead of the intent to deceive, ask God for the strength to believe.

1. Why did Sarah laugh?
2. Why did she lie about it?
3. What could have she done or said?
4. How might the story have gone differently?
5. How honest are you with God?
6. What is one hard thing you could be really honesty about before God right now?
7. How can this story inform our prayers?

Lesson 25 Ildith

Genesis 19:23-26 The sun had risen over the land when Lot reached Zoar. Then the LORD rained burning sulfur on Sodom and Gomorrah from the LORD out of the sky. He overthrew these cities, the entire plain, all the inhabitants of the cities, and whatever grew on the ground. But his wife looked back and became a pillar of salt.

There is an old proverb that says “what the eye does not admire the heart does not desire.” It’s true, isn’t it? We only look on that which we desire. Imagine if every day when I wake and I again when I lie down, I made sure to tell my wife how much I loved her, but I never looked her in the eye. She would have a pretty hard time believing me, wouldn’t she?

We focus our eyes upon those things that we want. When we drive, we wish to not have a wreck, so we keep our eyes on the road. When we pay $20 to see a movie, we don’t go in the theater and take a nap. We watch the film to get our moneys worth.

Tradition says the name of Lot’s wife is Ildeth, sort of an antiquated version of today’s name Edith. Ildeth demonstrated where her affections were when she looked back at her hometown of Sodom. Though she and her family had been expressly forbidden to look back as they left that wicked city, she couldn’t help but at least take one fleeting glance at the life she once knew and loved.

Had she desired God and been obedient to Him, she would have continued into the place of refuge to which her husband Lot and her daughters escaped. It is so easy to nurture wrong desire in the heart. Correct your affections before it’s too late.

1. Why was Ildith’s punishment so harsh?
2. Thomas Carlyle said, “Weak eyes are fondest of glittering objects.” We’ve all been there. What things do you find yourself looking at which may demonstrate misplaced priorities?
3. Can you share of an instance when your eyes got off of God? What did you learn?
4. How can we pray concerning this truth?

Lesson 26 Abimelech

Genesis 20:14 Then Abimelech took sheep and cattle and male and female slaves, gave them to Abraham, and returned his wife Sarah to him.

To be politically correct, I am “directionally challenged.” My mind struggles to piece together a working map of a place, so that if I don’t leave from Point A each time, it’s very likely I won’t make it to Point B. If I leave from Point C to get to Point B, I often get turned around as well. Often, I realize my mistake, but instead of turning around and starting again, I’ll take another turn in the hopes that it will set things aright.

Rarely does this tact work. Two wrongs have yet to make a right; or a left, for that matter. I simply grow more and more lost, and more and more frustrated, until finally I stop and ask someone for help, or retrace my errant steps to a familiar point.

Abimelech, however, when confronted with his error, quickly righted it, so as to avoid further trouble. In his ignorance, he took Abraham’s wife, not knowing that she was married. When God made it apparent, however, he not only gave Sarah back to Abraham, but also gifted him with sheep, oxen, servants, and a thousand pieces of silver. In this way, the curse was lifted from upon him and his household. I am quite sure he avoided serious additional consequence by his right response.

1. What might have happened if Abimelech had responded in disobedience instead?
2. Can you think of other Biblical figures avoided great harm by right actions?
3. Has there ever been an instance when you’ve tried to right a wrong, and it backfired?
4. What are some things that prevent us from mending mistakes?
5. How might a proper perspective of God’s sovereignty keep from piling mistake upon mistake?
6. How can we pray concerning this truth?

Lesson 27 Isaac

Genesis 25:21 Isaac prayed to the LORD on behalf of his wife because she was barren. The LORD heard his prayer, and his wife Rebekah conceived.

High speed car chases always seem to gather a lot of attention. In larger cities the fleeing car will often have a TV helicopter following it, filming its every move while viewers watch to see what is going to happen. In these situations, it is rare for the suspect to actually get away. After awhile, the car will run out of gas, will get a flat tire, or it will hit another vehicle. The person driving the car usually tries to get out and run, but by that time the chase is over because multiple police officers have surrounded the person and arrested them. As the chase ends, you wonder why the person tried to out run the police in the first place. They are now in more trouble because not only did they break the law, they then tried to evade the law’s authority over them.

Genesis 25:21 speaks to Isaac acknowledging God’s sovereignty and control of all areas of life. Isaac’s wife, Rebekah, was barren and Isaac turned to God for help to provide a child. There were probably many other places Isaac could have gone to first. In Ancient times they probably had numerous practices and superstitions to overcome barrenness, but Isaac realized that the best place to turn was to God. The text said that he prayed to the Lord, the Lord heard, and so Rebekah conceived. Obviously God knew that Rebekah was barren, He did not need Isaac to tell Him that, but He was allowing Isaac the opportunity to acknowledge His sovereignty in the situation. God is able to overcome any obstacle in life if he chooses so. We must trust God enough to ask him to intervene in our situation, and trust him enough to accept his decision in our lives.

1. In what ways do people avoid acknowledging authority in their lives?
2. In what ways do we avoid acknowledging God’s sovereignty in our lives?
3. Does it provide comfort or anxiety knowing that God is in control of all things in your life? Why?
4. Describe a difficult time in your life. Where did you turn for help first? How could you have turned to God sooner?
5. How can we pray concerning this truth?

Lesson 28 Eliezer

Genesis 24:12-14 "LORD, God of my master Abraham," he prayed, "grant me success today, and show kindness to my master Abraham. I am standing here at the spring where the daughters of the men of the town are coming out to draw water. Let the girl to whom I say, 'Please lower your water jug so that I may drink,' and who responds, 'Drink, and I'll water your camels also'—let her be the one You have appointed for Your servant Isaac. By this I will know that You have shown kindness to my master."

It is easy to be selfish. It comes naturally. No one teaches us to be selfish, we come by it naturally. And, as natural as it is, we rarely see in ourselves what is so easy to spot in another.

There was a story of two friends who met for dinner in a restaurant. Each requested filet of sole, and after a few minutes the waiter came back with their order. Two pieces of fish, a large and a small, were on the same platter. One of the men proceeded to serve his friend. Placing the small piece on a plate, he handed it across the table. "Well, you certainly do have nerve!" exclaimed his friend.

"What's troubling you?" asked the other. "Look what you've done," he answered. "You've given me the little piece and kept the big one for yourself."

"How would you have done it?" the man asked. His friend replied, "If I were serving, I would have given you the big piece." "Well," replied the man, "I've got it, haven't I?" At this, they both laughed.

Eliezer would have inherited Abraham’s vast wealth, that is, until Isaac the miracle baby came along. We are not aware of how exactly Eliezer felt about Isaac, but we certainly can understand the temptation to be selfish, even bitter. When Abraham sent his servant off to find a bride for Isaac, Eliezer marches out with task in hand, and accomplishes his masters objective with absolute integrity.

There is no indication of bitterness, regret, or selfishness. Way to go, Eliezer.

1. What do we know about Eliezer?
2. How was Eliezer able to be such a great servant?
3. How often are you tempted to be selfish? Bitter?
4. Can you share a recent example?
5. What should you do when you are feeling selfish?
6. How can this story inform our prayers?

Lesson 29 Rebekah

Genesis 27:13-17 His mother said to him, "Your curse be on me, my son. Just obey me and go get them for me." So he went and got them and brought them to his mother, and his mother made the delicious food his father loved. Then Rebekah took the best clothes of her older son Esau, which were there at the house, and had her younger son Jacob wear them. She put the goatskins on his hands and the smooth part of his neck. Then she handed the delicious food and the bread she had made to her son Jacob.

Watching sports can be an enjoyable activity, but for some people it becomes much more serious. Try wearing a Packer’s jersey at a Vikings football game. Or take a drive through Madison, WI with a University of Minnesota sweatshirt. It quickly becomes apparent if someone does not agree with the team your clothes are advertising. Others will often make comments both joking and threatening. What drives this behavior? Why do people get so worked up over sports teams? There are probably many answers, but one of the factors is that people pick favorites. A person in Madison, WI has decided that the Badgers are their favorite college team and that anyone who thinks differently is wrong and needs to be corrected. People will stand up for their favorites when they think that they are being attacked. I know someone who would actually hit opposing team members by tapping the TV screen!

Picking favorites in sports can be fun, however picking fa vorites in a family will be devastating. Rebekah favored Jacob, Isaac favored Esau. These preferences became evident to the two sons and it ended up dividing the family. Rebekah worked to make sure her favorite son was given the birthright and blessing. In the passage it is clear that Jacob was hesitant to go along with her plan. Her actions ended up splitting the family apart, and Jacob had to leave the area so Esau would not kill him. Commentators speculate that Rebekah died before Jacob ever returned to the land. If that is true, than her actions divided her family against themselves for the remainder of her life. She would have had to daily deal with the damage her favoritism caused.

1. Describe something that is your favorite.
2. Discuss times when it is appropriate to pick a favorite.
3. Discuss times when it is inappropriate to pick a favorite.
4. Can you describe a situation where favoritism did great damage?
5. How can we pray concerning this truth?

Lesson 30 Jacob

Genesis 32:24-28 Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him until daybreak. When the man saw that He could not defeat him, He struck Jacob's hip as they wrestled and dislocated his hip socket. Then He said to Jacob, "Let Me go, for it is daybreak." But Jacob said, "I will not let You go unless You bless me." "What is your name?" the man asked. "Jacob!" he replied. “Your name will no longer be Jacob," He said. "It will be Israel because you have struggled with God and with men and have prevailed."

Why do people deceive? Why do they lie? Maybe they fear the results of honesty. If I tell the truth, or if I do not manipulate this situation, I might not get what I want. Or, maybe I won’t get the respect and recognition I crave. Fear is a primary motivation for deception.

Jacob was a supplanter, a deceiver. Year after year God promised and provided for him, and yet Jacob, continued to manipulate circumstances for his benefit. He cajoled his brother out of his birthright (Gen 25), he bargained with God and says I will serve you if you will keep me safe (Gen 28), he manipulated Laban’s flocks for personal gain (Gen 30), and he snuck away from Laban to avoid confrontation (Gen 31).

Finally God says enough. Jacob is back to scheming again. He is trying to figure out how he can best position himself to avert Esau’s anger, and to win his favor. The night before Jacob meets Esau, He ends up in a wrestling match with God. Truth is, it is not he first round with God. Jacob has wrestled with God over and over, and never been able to trust God enough to stop manipulating circumstances.

God has the upper hand in this match, and gives Jacob a life long sign that God is bigger than Jacobs fears. Adam remembers the garden, Noah remembers the rainbow, Moses remembers the Red Sea, and Jacob will remember the night he wrestled with God. What encounter with God has remained with you like this?

1. Why is it so hard to trust God for his promises?
2. Do the stories of others who wrestled with God encourage you? Why or why not?
3. Who else in the Bible wrestled with God?
4. Do you think Jacob had a life changing event in this story? Why or why not?
5. Over what issues are you inclined to wrestle with God?
6. How can this story inform our prayers?

Lesson 31 Esau

Genesis 25:34 Then Jacob gave bread and lentil stew to Esau; he ate, drank, got up, and went away. So Esau despised his birthright.

They were sobering words. No one had ever said anything like this to me before. I was taken back as I rolled them over and over in my mind. My company was building a house in a small rural community and hired a respected contractor from a big city for one part of the job. We had worked together on a number of projects, and always enjoyed the opportunity to share construction “war stories.”

I could tell my friends usual exuberance and strong general optimism about life was noticeably absent. After a pause in the conversation he said to me, “My wife is leaving me. 20 Years of marriage. I don’t get it. We got along, she works in the company, I cannot believe this is happening.” What he said next is what I remember the most. He was a very successful business man by any measure, and was recognized for his longevity, accomplishments, and financial stability.

That’s when he said, “I have new trucks, new equipment, and the best workers in the industry. I have everything, I have it made! But I would give it all up if I could just have her back!” Wow, that really struck me. What a trade off.

Esau made a big mistake. He traded away his birthright for a bowl of soup. A birthright might not mean much to us today, but in the Esau’s culture, it meant a physical inheritance and a verbal blessing that traditionally came to pass. It was such a bid deal, the Bible says he “…despised his birthright…”

It is so easy to lose sight of something very valuable. A moment of indiscretion leads to a lifetime of pain. Don’t let this happen to you. Guard with great care that in life which might lead to great regret if it were overlooked and taken away.

1. What factors contributed to Esau’s careless attitude?
2. Have you seen others around you make a similar mistake as Esau?
3. What things / relationships / or other people can you be careless about?
4. What is something of value that you haven given up that led to later regret?
5. How can you best guard what is valuable?
6. How can we pray regarding this principle?

Lesson 32 Laban

Genesis 31:5-9 He said to them, "I can see from your father's face that his attitude toward me is not the same, but the God of my father has been with me. You know that I've worked hard for your father and that he has cheated me and changed my wages 10 times. But God has not let him harm me. If he said, 'The spotted sheep will be your wages,' then all the sheep were born spotted. If he said, 'The streaked sheep will be your wages,' then all the sheep were born streaked. God has taken your father's herds and given them to me.

Have you ever played a game where the rules change as the game progresses? It can be a really frustrating experience because when the rules change, it always seem to favor the person changing the rules. My sister, when she was younger, was known to be a rule changer so that she could win. One day when my grandmother was babysitting, they decided to play Old Maid. If you do not remember the game the purpose is to not get stuck with the Old Maid card at the end. My sister wanted to ensure that she would win, so she bent over the corner of the Old Maid card. Through multiple games my grandmother was amazed that she never once drew the card and that she continually won. This is a innocent example from a child still learning to play fairly, but some competitive people will go to great lengths to win a game.

People who will be dishonest in playing a game are often dishonest in their lives as well. Laban is clearly a person who was dishonest with Jacob in their business practices. The text says that he changed Jacob’s wages 10 times. He is a classic rule changer, looking for a way to ensure his victory. However, God was with Jacob and He blessed Jacob despite Laban’s actions. Laban’s dishonesty is what eventually drove Jacob to flee with his wives (Laban’s daughters) and children (Laban’s grandchildren). In the end the text says that the Lord took Laban’s herds and gave them to Jacob. Clearly his dishonesty and scheming did not pay off.

1. Do you think Laban would have been blessed more if he dealt fairly with Jacob? Why or why not?
2. How should Jacob have responded to Laban’s dishonesty?
3. Describe a situation that you have been in when someone has changed the rules or acted dishonesty for their benefit.
4. When are you most tempted to act dishonestly? What steps can you take to act honestly in these situations?
5. How can we pray about this truth?

Lesson 33 Rachel

Genesis 30:1-2 When Rachel saw that she was not bearing Jacob [any children], she envied her sister. "Give me sons, or I will die!" she said to Jacob. Jacob became angry with Rachel and said, "Am I in God's place, who has withheld children from you?"

God is sovereign. God does not guess. God does not forget. God does not fail. God does not change his mind. God does not have a single plan that can be thwarted by man. God is sovereign, man is not. God’s sovereignty means that he has the absolute power and right to do all things for his good pleasure. In Daniel 4 Nebuchadnezzar rightly says of God,

“His dominion is an eternal dominion; his kingdom endures from generation to generation. All the peoples of the earth are regarded as nothing. He does as he pleases with the powers of heaven and the peoples of the earth. No one can hold back his hand or say to him: "What have you done?"

That is a pretty strong statement. In Genesis 30, Rachel is upset because she is unable to have children. It was fairly common to attribute the fruit of the womb (or lack thereof) to God. Our first mother Eve said “God has given me a child in the place of Abel...” when Seth was born.

Jacob responded to Rachel’s frustration by asking her, “Am I in the place of God?” Later in the chapter the Bible narrative says “God opened her womb. (v 22)” Clearly, God had something to do with the conceiving of children.

So, who is Rachel really angry with? Jacob for sure, and probably Leah (the “other wife”) as well. In the end, she is likely angry with God. It is a subtle but common occurrence for us to take our frustrations with God out on the people around us. Don’t let this happen. Never underestimate the sovereign work of God in the frustrations of life. Be like the barren women of the Bible who gently pled with God for him to intervene. If you have a grievance with a brother or sister in Christ, do take it to them and iron out the wrinkle. But if your grievance is with God? Share your emotion with another person, but don’t take your frustration with God out on others.

1. Is the sovereignty of God a comforting thought? Or not? Please explain your answer?
2. Can you share some current examples of people taking their frustration with God out on others?
3. Are you presently frustrated with God about anything?
4. If yes, what should you do?
5. How can we pray concerning this truth?

Lesson 34 Leah

Genesis 29:31-32 When the LORD saw that Leah was unloved, He opened her womb; but Rachel was barren. Leah conceived, gave birth to a son, and named him Reuben, for she said, "The LORD has seen my affliction; surely my husband will love me now."

The Beatles sang a song titled, “All you need is love.” The song is made up almost entirely of the phrase being repeated. Our culture has bought into the idea that we would all be happy if we just had someone to love, someone to love us, and if we all just got along. One of the saddest places to be in our world today is feeling unloved, unwanted, and alone. We seek companionship and love because that is how God designed us; however the love that the Beatles were singing about, and the love our culture seeks, is not always a love that will ultimately bring happiness or contentment. Ultimately the love that satisfies is love from God that can only come in a right relationship with Him through Christ’s work on the cross.

Genesis 29:31-32 states that Leah was not loved by her husband. This is clearly a difficult place to be. We all seek love and affection from our spouses and to have to go through life without it would be difficult for anyone. However, the text does bring hope to the situation by showing that the Lord saw her and loved her when no one else would. Throughout Scripture God directs His people to care for the widows and orphans which is one way to love them. This passage shows that God loves the unloved people of the world. Praise God that even in the moments in our own lives when we feel unloved, God loves us and cares for us.

Sadly, we don’t often get the immediate satisfaction we crave. Others love us right here and right now, but God somehow seems more distant, less tangible. Remind yourself often, God sees me, God knows me, and God cares for me.

1. Do you think Leah was comforted by God’s act of love? Why?
2. How is our culture’s definition and God’s definition of love different? The same?
3. How does knowing that God loves the unloved affect your life?
4. In what ways can we highlight how God loves the unloved in the world day?
5. How can we pray about this truth?

Lesson 35 Dinah

Genesis 34:1-3 Dinah, Leah's daughter whom she bore to Jacob, went out to see some of the young women of the area. When Shechem son of Hamor the Hivite, a prince of the region, saw her, he took her and raped her. He became infatuated with Dinah, daughter of Jacob. He loved the young girl and spoke tenderly to her.

I cannot even comprehend the horror of this violation, but the this story is in the Bible. Actually, it brings credibility to the Bible to see the good, the bad, and the horrible. Well, this story is horrible. Dinah went to see the girls in the neighborhood. No harm in that. She went without an escort, no harm in that. Then an unruly, undisciplined man saw her, and took her and raped her. There is harm in that. Dinah was probably the virgin daughter of Jacob and Leah.

It is common for victims of rape, or incest, or other forms of sexual assault to feel guilt over what happened. How sad to be the victim of a horrible evil and then wrestle with a hundred different ways you could have avoided what happened.

I want to be very careful here. When something horrible happens to you, when another person acts in an evil way towards you, that is never your fault, it is always their fault. They sinned, they were evil, they took advantage of you. They were bad. That is the truth.

OK, now here is the hard part. As true as the previous paragraph is, sometimes we get ourselves into situations where we are more vulnerable to harm than what is prudent. The message from the life is Dinah is that her perpetrator was a horrible evil bad man, and, that she should have exercised more precaution.

The principle applies to us as well. We can avoid some of the pitfalls in life be exercising wise and deliberate caution. Careful is often better than carefree.

1. Can you elaborate on the struggle to know that Dinah was innocent on one hand, and yet could have been more cautious?
2. What are some precautions Dinah could have taken?
3. What does a modern day story like Dinah’s look like?
4. Have you experienced harm when you could have been more cautious?
5. How well can you prepare to avoid evil?
6. How can we pray concerning this truth?

Lesson 36 Shechem

Genesis 34:4, 11 "Get me this girl as a wife," he told his father Hamor...Then Shechem said to Dinah's father and brothers, "Grant me this favor, and I'll give you whatever you say.

At the beginning of this year, a car company showed up frequently in the news. Under normal circumstances the company would appreciate the free publicity, however, this time, they probably wished that the news would ignore them. A report came out showing that many of their vehicles were having trouble with their accelerators sticking. People driving cars with stuck accelerators got into accidents because of their unrestrained cars. What became clear through the reports and investigations is that the company knew about the problem but took only a few steps to correct it. Company leaders were evidently quoted saying that investors tried to push the issue aside because the recalls and repairs would be too costly. The car manufacturer made mistakes that put their customers at risk when driving their vehicles. A lot of advertising money has been spent to rebuild trust and loyalty from wary consumers.

In the passage today, Shechem clearly has trouble controlling himself. He pursued Dinah in an unrighteousness manner and is now looking to get this girl for himself for good, maybe to make things right, or maybe not. Shechem could not control himself when he first met Dinah, and now he tells his father, get me this girl! Marriage to her will not erase the sinful act he had already committed.

We can find ourselves in similar situations in our own lives. Sometimes we are unable to control our lust and passion and give in to sin. We would be wise to stop sinful behavior nipping sinful thoughts in the bud. We should catch wrong thoughts and tell our minds to think about something else.

If we do wrong, it is important to take steps to do the right thing after a mistake. We must seek forgiveness and confess our sins before moving on.

1. Where did Shechem’s sin start?
2. Was Shechem right or wrong to pursue marriage to Dinah?
3. Would Shechem marrying Dinah make his previous actions more excusable?
4. Discuss a situation when you tried to cover up mistakes rather than confess and repent of them.
5. How can we pray concerning this truth?

Lesson 37 Levi & Simeon

Genesis 34:25-30 On the third day, when they were still in pain, two of Jacob's sons, Simeon and Levi, Dinah's brothers, took their swords, went into the unsuspecting city, and killed every male. They killed Hamor and his son Shechem with their swords, took Dinah from Shechem's house, and went away. Jacob's [other] sons came to the slaughter and plundered the city because their sister had been defiled. They took their sheep, cattle, donkeys, and whatever was in the city and in the field. They captured all their possessions, children, and wives, and plundered everything in the houses. Then Jacob said to Simeon and Levi, "You have brought trouble on me, making me odious to the inhabitants of the land, the Canaanites and the Perizzites. We are few in number; if they unite against me and attack me, I and my household will be destroyed."

1 Thessalonians 5:15 states “See to it that no one repays evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good for one another and for all.”

In life it is easy to go against God’s Word when someone does something to wrong you. Our natural bent is to repay evil actions by doing something worse back to someone. We justify ourselves by saying that the person deserves what we are doing because of how they treated us. This principle plays out in life all the time. Even in movies, how many times have you seen the plot revolve around one person fighting and pursuing another purely out of revenge? In “The Count of Monte Cristo,” a man who dedicated his entire life to repaying a wrong action done against him. At the end of the story when many have died, the character had his revenge you are left to ask whether it was worth it or not.

Levi and Simeon took actions in this passage to repay a wrong done to their sister. What is worse is that they first acted as though they would forgive Shechem and his fam ily. By convincing the townsmen to circumcise themselves Levi and Simeon put them in a vulnerable and weak situation. Their intentions were never good; they were seeking a way to get revenge for their sister. Jacob’s response to their actions makes it clear that this was not how he expected them to act towards Shechem. Their actions put the whole family in danger from the surrounding people groups. In the end, you have to ask yourself the question for Levi and Simeon, was it worth it? Revenge never is. In chapter 49 when Jacob is blessing his other sons he says to these two, “I will disperse them throughout Jacob and scatter them throughout Israel.” In the book of Joshua we read that the Levites were spread out throughout the land of Israel and that the descendants of Simeon were given a portion of Judah’s land but not their own land.

1. Why is living out 1 Thessalonians 5:15 so difficult?
2. How should they have responded in this situation?
3. Discuss some examples of people living in revenge. How does this affect that person? Their family? Their friends?
4. How often are you tempted to repay evil with evil?
5. How can we pray concerning this truth?

Lesson 38 Israel

Genesis 35:10-12 God said to him: Your name is Jacob; you will no longer be named Jacob, but Israel will be your name. So He named him Israel. God also said to him: I am God Almighty. Be fruitful and multiply. A nation, indeed an assembly of nations, will come from you, and kings will descend from you. The land that I gave to Abraham and Isaac I will give to you. And I will give the land to your descendants after you.

When I was younger I would frequently ride with my grandmother up north to her cottage on Lake Huron. The trip was only two hours but it seemed like a long time to me as a child. My grandma decided that instead of continually answering my question of, “how much longer?” that she would give me markers to look for that would remind me how much further we had to go. I knew that the ice cream shop that we stop at was half way there and from the point there were two towns and seven rivers that we had to pass. As a boy I would count these things knowing that we had to pass them all before we would get to our destination. I can remember the excitement I would feel as we drove over the bridge of the seventh river because I knew that it was only a few more minutes until the trip was complete.

Jacob’s life can be described as a long journey towards God. When reading through his it is easy to stop and ask, “is he there yet?” Jacob was born a deceiver and would do anything if it benefited himself, yet God pursued him and we can see that little by little he starts seeking and trusting God more and more. This passage gives us a glimpse into that big moment when Jacob finally gave it all into God. Jacob was in a difficult place; his family was about to be overtaken by Esau and potentially killed. Jacob wrestled with God and finally came to grips with the fact that his own deception was not going to save him or his family – he had to rely solely on God’s protection. At that point God gives Jacob a new name, Israel. In verse 14 he sets up a marker to be a constant reminder of the journey he has taken from deceiver to disciple.

1. What is the significance of Jacob wrestling with God?
2. Was it important for Jacob to set up a marker in verse 14? Why or why not?
3. Have you wrestled with God?
4. What are markers in your own life that show you moving closer to God?
5. How can we pray concerning this truth?

Lesson 39 Reuben

Genesis 35:22, 37:21-22 While Israel was living in that region, Reuben went in and slept with his father's concubine Bilhah, and Israel heard about it...When Reuben heard this, he tried to save him from them. He said, "Let's not take his life." Reuben also said to them, "Don't shed blood. Throw him into this pit in the wilderness, but don't lay a hand on him"—intending to rescue him from their hands and return him to his father.

There was a man who spent much of his life doing the most wicked and horrible things possible against humanity. He was responsible for tearing apart families and communities as he bought and sold human beings into slavery. This man treated humans as less than human and showed no remorse if one or many of them died or where killed during the process. To this man, people were simply a way to make money. We read these sentences and consider this man worthy of and judgment, even condemning him to eternity in hell for the life that he lived.

What if I told you there was another side to the story. This man, who was the worst of sinners cried out to God, was saved through Christ’s work on the cross, dedicated the rest of his life to serving God and fighting against slavery, and wrote the song, “Amazing Grace.” John Newton was a man who lived life at both extremes of God’s favor. At one end he experienced the brutality of sin in this world and at the other he experienced God’s amazing grace to a sinner.

Reuben also lived his life in the extremes of God and his father’s favor. In Genesis 35:22 we read about a sinful and wicked act that Reuben did, however in 37:21-22 we see the transformation as Reuben works to save Joseph from his brother’s evil plot. Reuben knew that his brother’s were acting out of jealousy and improper motives and he was seeking a way to save Joseph from their plot. Verse 29 shows that Reuben was not even present when Joseph was sold into slavery, but one can guess that he would have took actions to stop this as well.

1. Do you struggle with the idea of men like John Newton receiving God’s forgiveness? Why or why not?
2. What do you think is the reason behind Reuben’s change in character?
3. In what ways have you been changed by God from bad to good?
4. How can we pray concerning this truth?

Lesson 40 Er

Genesis 38:7 Now Er, Judah's firstborn, was evil in the LORD's sight, and the LORD put him to death.

Our culture is obsessed with shows like American Idol and America’s Got Talent. The whole premise of these shows is that a person gets up and gives their very best effort in singing, or some other talent, with the hope that the judges will allow them to enter the “real” competition. These shows progress in stages so the contestants have to continually prove themselves good enough, by the judge’s standards, to move on to the next round. It is always difficult to watch as someone gets up, does their best, and does not make it to the next round. The panel of judges decides that the competition is over for that person.

At the end of life we are all going to face the Judge. God will sit and judge us based on the lives that we live. The good news about this is that God’s judgment will not be arbitrary or wrong. God looks beyond outward appearances and judges the person’s heart. For some people this will actually be bad news because God, as a fair judge, will give everyone what they deserve. Without faith in Christ’s work on the cross all men deserve death and eternal punishment.

Throughout the Bible we see numerous examples of God’s judgment on the spot because of sin. Korah, Ananias, and Sapphira are three quick examples. In the passage today, it is not clear whether or not Er was judged instantly for a sin or if God put him to death because of a life bent towards sin. The point is that God is the Judge and he will judge us all for our sins at one point or another. Hebrews 9:27 says “Just as it is appointed for people to die once, and after this judgment.” Are you ready? Have you repented? If God took you right this second, like Er, what would happen to you?

1. What is the difference between human judgment and God’s judgment?
2. Why can we trust God to be a fair judge?
3. Is it good or bad news that God is a fair judge? Why?
4. How can you ensure that you will not be condemned when you face God’s judgment?
5. How can we pray concerning this truth?

Lesson 41 Onan

Genesis 38:8-10 Then Judah said to Onan, "Sleep with your brother's wife. Perform your duty as her brother-in-law and produce offspring for your brother." But Onan knew that the offspring would not be his; so whenever he slept with his brother's wife, he released his semen on the ground so that he would not produce offspring for his brother. What he did was evil in the LORD's sight, so He put him to death also. Stopped here

Well, here is an interesting story. In our culture today we have trouble making sense of a story like this. A brother taking up his sisters wife? And, it is required? This story is an example of the Levirate marriage in the Old Testament. A little more of a discussion of this can be found in Deuteronomy 25:5-10. Essentially, when a married man died, an unmarried brother was encouraged to marry the widow and raise up children in his brother’s name. Brothers were encouraged to do this, but, and this is important, they were not actually required to do so. If a brother chose not to sire children for his brother, he was looked down on and suffered contempt from the elders. Some brothers would refuse because they wanted their children to be their own.

Onan apparently wanted the respect of his family and elders. He want it to look like he was doing the right thing, but he had no intention of doing so. Some have suggested that he was immoral in this way. He pretended that he would father children for his brother so he could have sex with Tamar, but would always make sure that actual conception never happened. He wanted the sex, the respect of the elders, and the appearance of doing right, but was intentionally disobedient.

While Levirate marriage is no longer common, the reasons behind Onan’s sin are very common. Persons want to have the appearance and respect of doing right, but secretly are disobedient to God. We do well to remember, that the one we are really sinning against with every sin, is the one who sees us always. Let’s have our appearance of right living be the reality.

1. Are you uncomfortable with this story in the Bible?
2. What do you know about the Levirate marriage?
3. Why would Onan not want to father his brothers child?
4. What are some ways people sin today so that the appearance does not match the reality?
5. How can we pray concerning this truth?

Lesson 42 Tamar

Genesis 38:13-19 Tamar was told, "Your father-in-law is going up to Timnah to shear his sheep." So she took off her widow's clothes, veiled [her face], covered herself, and sat at the entrance to Enaim, which is on the way to Timnah. For she saw that, though Shelah had grown up, she had not been given to him as a wife. When Judah saw her, he thought she was a prostitute, for she had covered her face. He went over to her and said, "Come, let me sleep with you," for he did not know that she was his daughter-in-law. She said, "What will you give me for sleeping with me?" "I will send you a young goat from my flock," he replied. But she said, "Only if you leave something [with me] until you send it." "What should I give you?" he asked. She answered, "Your signet ring, your cord, and the staff in your hand." So he gave them to her and slept with her, and she got pregnant by him. She got up and left, then removed her veil and put her widow's clothes back on.

It is easy to retaliate once you have been treated unfairly. The sad fact is that we sometimes even realize our own bad behavior is based on another person’s actions towards us. At work we might justify not putting in full effort because we were recently passed over for a promotion that we thought we deserved. When driving on the road and someone cuts us off we might see that as an opportunity to excuse swearing or other inappropriate gestures. Finally, siblings use each other’s actions as excuses all the time. One will tattle on the other for hitting them and the response is, “He hit me first!” The fact is we use other people’s behavior to justify the sins that we commit.

The passage today gives an interesting glimpse into how Tamar responds to Judah’s wrong actions against her. Tamar has already had a difficult life. Her first husband dies because of his sinfulness. Then his brother, who was supposed to provide her with a child, dies because of his wickedness. Tamar must feel like the world is against her as Judah works to make sure his final son does not take Tamar as his wife. Despite all this, it is still wrong for Tamar to act as a prostitute and deceive Judah. Her response to the injustice in her life is to act sinfully.

The amazing part of this story is that God still used Judah and Tamar to serve His purposes. Through her deception Tamar does become pregnant and she gives birth to a son that is ultimately in the lineage of Christ. This fact does not make Tamar’s actions acceptable, however it does show that despite sin in our own life we can always turn to God for forgiveness and trust that we can still serve a purpose in serving Him.

1. Discuss situations where someone might justify their sinful actions because of someone else’s behavior.
2. Discuss a time when you responded wrongly to someone else’s actions against you.
3. In what other ways could Tamar have responded to the injustice in her live?
4. What are some other examples of times when God as used sinful actions to carry out His purpose in the Bible? In your own life?
5. How can we pray concerning this truth?

Lesson 43 Judah

Genesis 38:24-26 About three months later Judah was told, "Your daughter-in-law has been acting like a prostitute, and now she is pregnant." "Bring her out!" Judah said. "Let her be burned [to death]!" As she was being brought out, she sent her father-in-law [this message]: "I am pregnant by the man to whom these items belong." And she added, "Examine them. Whose signet ring, cord, and staff are these?" Judah recognized [them] and said, "She is more in the right than I, since I did not give her to my son Shelah." And he did not know her intimately again.

Ever cut in line? Ever have someone else cut in front of you? Is there any difference in how those two situations make you feel? Often, if we are to cut in line we my think we have a good reason. Maybe, I planned ahead, I had a friend in line, I had someone hold my spot, or a dozen other reasons why it is justifiable. When someone else cuts, I often immediately think they should not do that! Why the double standard? We are wired to justify our own actions. A wise man once wrote, "All a man’s ways seem right in his own eyes" (Proverbs 16:2). We are born as sinners who generally overestimate our own goodness. One of the reasons it is hard for many to come to Christ is they are unable to admit they are bad enough to need saving.

Judah thought he was pretty righteous. Judah was not that happy with his daughter in law Tamar in the first place. Even though it was Er and Onan’s own fault, these two sons of Jacob lost their lives because of her. It wasn’t Tamar’s fault, but it would be easy to blame her, especially for a grieving father. Judah did not know her very well. Not even enough to recognize her through her prostitute garb. If he knew her at all, he might recognize her voice, or mannerisms, or something. So when Tamar turns up pregnant, Judah is ready to fire out judgment, literally, he says bring her out and let her be burned.

We are quick to condemn others when we fail to consider our own shortcomings. Judah discovers Tamar’s obvious immorality, and despite his own failure in the exact same sin, and with her no less, he demands justice. When Tamar reveals that he (Judah) was the father, that he was as guilty of immorality as she was, he owns his mistake, and admits that his own sin was greater than hers.

Apart from his judgmental attitude and personal sin, at least he owned it when confronted. We have enough trouble dealing with our own shortcoming, we will be wise to incorporate mercy toward others in theirs.

1. Which one of these two, Tamar or Judah, had the greater sin?
2. Why did Tamar act as she did?
3. Why did Judah act as he did?
4. How tempted are you to judge others in areas of personal weakness?
5. How should you respond when you want to "call down judgment" on others?
6. How can we pray concerning this truth?

Lesson 44 Joseph

Genesis 39:2-6 The LORD was with Joseph, and he became a successful man, serving in the household of his Egyptian master. When his master saw that the LORD was with him and that the LORD made everything he did successful, Joseph found favor in his master's sight and became his personal attendant. Potiphar also put him in charge of his household and placed all that he owned under his authority. From the time that he put him in charge of his household and of all that he owned, the LORD blessed the Egyptian's house because of Joseph. The LORD's blessing was on all that he owned, in his house and in his fields. He left all that he owned under Joseph's authority; he did not concern himself with anything except the food he ate.

It is not uncommon to hear about the children of wealthy people acting out and living lives that do not reflect their parents’ work ethic or drive. These children could pursue almost any dream that they might have and yet they squander the opportunities with their reckless lives. It is not a stretch to say that they are not good stewards of the provisions that their parents have provided.

In the story Joseph finds himself a slave of Potiphar, a wealthy Egyptian. Joseph has a chose to make, he can serve Potiphar well or he can seek to do the bare minimum.

Joseph serves Potiphar well because he realizes he is actually serving God. The story shows that God blessed Potiphar because of Joseph and because of that Potiphar promotes Joseph over his entire house. Joseph knows that the blessing is from the Lord and later in Genesis 41:16 he states to Pharaoh that he can only work under the Lord’s direction. Joseph continually finds himself in the favor of men, but he continually states and shows that the blessings are from the Lord.

As God’s children we have an inheritance greater than any wealth that a person on earth could obtain. The question we need to ask ourselves is do we respond to God’s blessings like wealthy children in the first example, or do we respond like Joseph? Do we take the time to work hard at the responsibilities that God has given us? Do we make sure that we are continually point others to the fact that it is God and not us?

1. When have you taken for granted blessings in your own life?
2. When have you responded like Joseph to blessings in your own life?
3. Do you think it was easy or difficult for Joseph to always give God the credit? Why?
4. Is it easy or difficult for you to give God credit in your life? Why?
5. How can we pray concerning this truth?

Lesson 45 Zaleika

Genesis 39:7-9 After some time his master's wife looked longingly at Joseph and said, "Sleep with me." But he refused and said to his master's wife, "Look, my master does not concern himself with anything in his house, and he has put all that he owns under my authority. No one in this house is greater than I am. He has withheld nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. So how could I do such a great evil and sin against God?"

If you have ever seen the movie, “A Christmas Story,” then you know that the only thing that the boy wants for Christmas is a Red Rider BB gun. Throughout the whole movie whenever he tells someone that he wants one they all respond by saying, “You’ll shoot your eye out.” Despite their warnings he still insists that it is the only thing that he wants for Christmas. At the end of the movie he does get the BB gun for Christmas. Excited to use it he runs outside in his pajamas to take his first shot. The gun fires and the BB hits something, bounces back and breaks his glasses. He almost did shot his eye out. Out of his desire for the BB gun he did not stop to consider the possible consequences.

You may be wondering who Zaleika is, thinking that you do not remember ever reading that name in the book of Genesis. Zaleika is the name that tradition has given to Potiphar’s wife. In the story we see her pursuing Joseph, trying to obtain her desires without considering the consequences. Joseph’s response to her advances infuriates her and she conceives the wicked plot to get rid of Joseph. Zaleika is so blinded by her desires that she does not stop to consider that her accusations could cost Joseph his life. The only thing that Zaleika cares about is meeting her own desires.

In our own lives we often come to times when we act recklessly while pursue our own desires. We might make a purchase we cannot afford because we desire the new car, bigger house, or latest TV. We may hurt those close to us as we give to much time to a hobby or sport because it gives us joy. Ultimately as believers we should seek to desire God above all else, knowing that through this desire we will live a life that is pleasing to Him and others.

1. What are some inappropriate desires that people seek to meet?
2. What are some appropriate desires that people seek to meet?
3. Have you ever acted recklessly while pursuing a desire?
4. What are some steps to take to desire God above all else?
5. How can we pray concerning this truth?

Lesson 46 Potiphar

Genesis 39:6 He left all that he owned under Joseph's authority; he did not concern himself with anything except the food he ate.

The way that a person treats those who work for him can have a big impact on how much effort they are willing to put into their jobs. For example, the owner of the Detroit Red Wings, a profession hockey team, has a reputation for treating his employees and players very well. It is often said that he treats them like family. This is very different than most owners of sports teams who treat the people under them as pieces to achieving their own success. Interestingly as this perception of the owner spread players were excited and willing to play for the Red Wings, even if it meant less money or ice time. These players sacrificed the chance to make more money in other cities because they wanted to be somewhere that their boss cared for them and treated them well. This is one of the main reasons why the Red Wings were able to remain competitive throughout the late 90s and early 00s seasons.

We do not learn a lot about Potiphar in the Genesis narrative. Only that he treated Joseph well and promoted him to head of his household. However, we can also draw out some other conclusions about him based on his reactions to the incident between Joseph and his wife. Many commentaries point out the fact that it would have been acceptable for Potiphar to have Joseph killed because of his wife’s accusation. However, Potiphar does not have Joseph killed, instead he puts him into Pharaoh’s prison, which was probably better than the other prisons of that day. Potiphar may have realized Joseph was innocent and did what he could to remove Joseph from the situation without endangering his life or his wife’s reputation.

1. Was Potiphar merciful to Joseph? Why or why not?
2. Describe a time when you worked for someone who did not care about you as a person.
3. Describe a time when you worked for someone who did care about you as a person.
4. Which person was it easier to work for? Why?
5. How can we pray concerning this truth?

Lesson 47 Cupbearer & Baker

Genesis 40:1-4 After this, the king of Egypt's cupbearer and his baker offended their master, the king of Egypt. Pharaoh was angry with his two officers, the chief cupbearer and the chief baker, and put them in custody in the house of the captain of the guard, in the prison where Joseph was confined. The captain of the guard assigned Joseph to them, and he became their personal attendant. And they were in custody for some time.

God rules over every part of Joseph's life. Joseph is taken from his home because of his brother's jealousy. Joseph is in Egypt because of his brothers cruelty. Joseph is a slave because some traders greed. Joseph is in jail because he was falsely accused. Joseph is righteous because he refused to commit adultery with Potiphar's wife. Joseph is in charge of the prison because God gave him favor in the eyes of the prison warden.

If I were Joseph and were able to choose, I would say, "God, give me favor in the eyes of my brothers so I can live at home with my family." But God is not like man. God intricately weaves together his plan for his glory so that the only possible way that I can sustain my hope in this life is to trust in the goodness, and love, and power of God. Joseph did.

Joseph probably never saw it coming. Two more guys show up in prison and they are under Joseph's charge. The baker and the cupbearer have dreams that Joseph interprets. Both dreams of the baker and cupbearer indicate that they will be removed from the prison, and Joseph says, "Remember me!" Remember the falsely imprisoned slave away from home because of his jealous brothers. A part of me sarcastically says, "Sure! Good chance of that happening!"

But a little later on, the king has some dreams of his own and finally, after the cupbearer has clearly forgotten Joseph (Genesis 41:9), he remembers Joseph. Two years have gone by. Two long prison smelly years, and the cupbearer remembers.

Sure enough, Joseph is hauled out of prison, cleaned up, and brought before the king, and finally, exalted to a high position of authority in the land. What would have happened if Joseph would have slept with Potiphar's wife? What would have happened if out of bitterness Joseph would not have interpreted the baker and cupbearer's dreams? Likely not this turn of events.

Joseph watched the sovereign hand of God work and weave all though his life, and through horrible difficulty and injustice. Joseph likely never dreamed (a lot of others were dreaming however) that his kindness to the baker and the cupbearer would eventually lead to his release. Friend, trust the strong and loving hand of God no matter how difficult or unjust your place in life becomes.

1. Why was God so kind to Joseph?
2. Why did God cause so much hardship for Joseph?
3. Is it easier to trust God in ease or hardship? Explain?
4. Has there been a "baker or cupbearer" in your life?
5. Is there anyone that you have unjustly forgotten?
6. How can we pray concerning this truth?

Lesson 48 Apophis

Genesis 41:37-40 The proposal pleased Pharaoh and all his servants. Then Pharaoh said to his servants, "Can we find anyone like this, a man who has the spirit of God [a] in him?" So Pharaoh said to Joseph, "Since God has made all this known to you, there is no one as intelligent and wise as you. You will be over my house, and all my people will obey your commands. Only with regard to the throne will I be greater than you."

When reading almost any book on leadership today, whether it’s Christian or secular, one of the main principles for the leader will be to recognize and promote talent. The reason for this is that to better the organization the leader needs people around him who are talented a capable to take some of the responsibility off of his shoulders. It may be easier to look at this principle when it is not being used. Imagine Pastor Jeremy not allowing anyone else to play the guitar or sing during worship because he was fearful that someone might be better than him. Imagine if Pastor Kevin did not let anyone else teach a small group or Sunday school class because they might do it better than him. This sounds ridiculous, and most people would tell them that they are wrong for operating that way. For Emmanuel to be the best church that it can be both Jeremy and Kevin need to look for talented individuals who can take some of the load off of them and even improve on what they could do by themselves.

For this lesson you might be wondering, again, where the name Apophis came from. Tradition tells us that the Pharaoh at the time of Joseph was most likely named Apophis.

The passage today illustrates very well the leadership idea of recognizing and promoting talent. Apophis could have acted differently towards Joseph. He could have written his interpretation of the dream off as nonsense; he could have taken Joseph’s interpretation and advice and carried them out by his own power. Instead, Apophis saw that Joseph was a capable man and decided to put him into a position where he could succeed at carrying out the plan. Apophis had a kingdom to run and he knew that providing for the famine would be better done in the hands of a skilled and talented person.

1. Describe a situation where the leaders held someone back. What eventually happened to the person?
2. Describe a time when a leader promoted you based on potential talent?
3. Describe when you may have been concerned about someone being more talented at what you do and maybe taking your place?
4. How can we work to recognize and promote talent in our own lives?
5. How can we pray concerning this truth?

Lesson 49 Manasseh & Ephraim

Genesis 41:51-52 Joseph named the firstborn Manasseh, meaning, "God has made me forget all my hardship in my father's house." And the second son he named Ephraim, meaning, "God has made me fruitful in the land of my affliction."

We don't name our children today like they did in the Old Testament. Children commonly had names directly related to specific circumstances in life. Adam in the Hebrew simply means man. The name Seth means placed or appointed one as God gave him to Adam and Eve in the place of Abel who was killed. Isaac in the Hebrew means laughter because Sarah laughed when God said she would have a son. The name Jabez means pain because of the pain his mother suffered in his delivery. I guess in the end, I am glad names today are not quite so literal. I don't want to know what I may have been called!

Biblical names significantly mirrored life's events. So much so, that God changed the names of great men and women when he called them to be his special servants. Abram, Sara, Jacob, and others all had name changes to remind them of God's work in their lives.

Joseph named his sons specifically to remind him of the goodness of God in his life. His first born son was called "God has made me forget all my hardship in my father's house," and the second son was called "God has made me fruitful in the land of my affliction." These sons and their names would be an ever present reminder to Joseph of God's care for him, even through great difficulty. Their names indicate Josephs clear and continual focus on the work of God in his life.

What reminds you of the work of God in your life? How are you reminded of the central position that God should have in your life? It is important to remember the work of God and to establish whatever markers you can to keep your focus on God central to your life. It's not be the best plan to name your next child "skinny," or "pain" or "hardship," but do remember that God is sovereign over it all.

1. Do you have any spiritual landmarks in your life?
2. What is a special way you remember significant events in your walk with God?
3. How important is it to remember God's working?
4. If God would have changed your name at conversion, what would he have changed it to?
5. How can we pray concerning this truth?

Lesson 50 God

Genesis 50:24-26 Joseph said to his brothers, "I am about to die, but God will certainly come to your aid and bring you up from this land to the land He promised Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob." So Joseph made the Israelites take an oath: "When God comes to your aid, you are to carry my bones up from here." Joseph died at the age of 110. They embalmed him and placed him in a coffin in Egypt.

Joseph had experienced a lot at the hand of God. He started off as a favored son of his father, and the despised brother of his siblings. God sent Joseph into slavery at the hands of his wicked brothers. Joseph could have easily gotten bitter.

Joseph was righteous a heathen land. He was lied about by Potiphar's wife and thrown in jail. Joseph could have easily gotten bitter.

God kindly reveals the meaning of dreams to Joseph for the kings baker and butler who are also in prison. Joseph asks them to remember him when they are restored, but they do not. Again, Joseph could have been bitter, and no one would have blamed him.

We have no record in the Bible of Joseph ever whining or complaining about or to God. And even greater than that, he attributed what happened to him, everything that happened, to God's doing. Joseph's brothers were scared that he would retaliate against them, and he told them, "You planned evil against me; God planned it for good to bring about the present result-the survival of many people." Genesis 50:20 Joseph acknowledged that God planned the bad circumstances Joseph endured.

How have you responded to the challenging circumstances in your life? It is so easy to complain, and so difficult to firmly place your trust in the goodness of a sovereign God. In today's passage, I see no doubt whatsoever in the mind of Joseph that God will come to the aid of his people. Bear in mind, when Joseph said that, there was nothing for which God needed to come to their aid. The Egyptians were more than kind to the children of Israel, they had their own land, and they were not slaves, nor did they intend to be.

Joseph in somewhat of a prophetic sense speaks into the future and says when God comes to your aid, and he will have to, you must promise me you will take my bones with you. God is that trustworthy, and Joseph trusted him fully.

Do you trust God fully? Do you await his deliverance when you are at the end of your rope? Can you, like so many men and women in Genesis, display a constant unwavering trust in the God of the universe? I hope that you can.

1. How did Joseph develop this deep sense of trust in God?
2. How have you seen God come to your aid when there was little or no hope?
3. What would you say to someone who says that God has not "delivered" for them?
4. Do you more easily trust in God, or whine about circumstances?
5. How can we pray about this truth?

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EMMANUEL BAPTIST CHURCH
2911 18th Avenue NW, Rochester MN 55901

Phone: 507-289-7244 Fax: 507-292-9170

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