by David Wright on July 5, 2010 Were the Israelites in Egypt for only 215 years? If so, what about the passages that have 400 or 430 years? In books and articles it is often claimed that the Israelites were only in Egypt for 215 years. Jacob and his family moved to Egypt, during the famine, 215 …
God is beautiful in how he communicates to us. Everything recorded for the benefit of humanity has significance for the time it was written, and down through the ages to our day. Reuben means ‘behold a son’ is born to us. Leah said, “Surely the Lord hath looked upon my affliction.” Jacob said before he …
Genesis Takeaways – The Meaning of the Names of Jacob’s Sons Read More »
This is an overview of the twelve tribes that came from Jacob (Israel, as God called him). Then a brief history of the tribes. Jacob had twelve sons (Genesis 29:32 – 30:24 and Genesis 35:18), they are as follows in birth order: Reuben (L) Simeon (L) Levi (L) Judah (L) Dan (B) Naphtali (B) Gad …
Genesis 36 In Genesis 36, we find a narration of the genealogy of Esau. The Edomite people descended from Esau, the son of Isaac and the twin brother of Jacob. Interestingly, the name Edom means “red,” which is easily linked with Esau, who sold his birthright for red stew and thereby earned the name Edom (Genesis 25:30). In spite …
Genesis 35 Overview, Isaac and Rachel Die Genesis 35 Once again, we see how the deviousness of the parents is passed on to the children in the deceitful way they overcame their enemy. Jacob was angry with his sons and, in obedience to God’s guidance, moved his family back to Bethel as recorded in Genesis …
Genesis 34 Overview, The Rape of Dinah Genesis 34 This chapter records the rape of Jacob’s daughter, Dinah, and the revenge her brothers Simeon and Levi carried out on the rapist’s entire community. Dinah, the daughter of Leah . . . went out to see the daughters of the land.” We are immediately told that …
Genesis 33 Jacob’s 20 years of service in Mesopotamia were characterized by jealousy, contention, and intrigue. One sister sought to outdo the other in the number of sons she bore as both vied for first place in their husband’s affections. Son-in-law and father-in-law shone in their attempts to deceive each other, with Laban manifesting interest …
Genesis 32 When things in our lives come to a standstill, and nothing is going right, the best course of action is to turn to God in prayer. Jacob’s wrestling with God teaches us that battles are only won when we are on our knees, communing with God, presenting our difficulties before Him. When things …
Genesis 32 Next Jacob had to face his brother, Esau. Though twenty-one years had passed since they had last seen each other, the memory of Esau’s threat to kill Jacob had never left him (v. 11). Jacob sent messengers ahead of him with gifts, instructing them to tell Esau that he was following after. The …
Genesis 31 The sons from Leah, Rachel, and the handmaids Bilhah and Zilpah would be the progenitors of the twelve tribes of Israel. After the birth of Joseph, Rachel’s first child and Jacob’s eleventh, Jacob asked Laban to send him back to his homeland. Laban asked Jacob to remain, telling him to name his wages. …
The question that needs to be asked is: Why did Rachel steal those household idols from her dad, Laban? A little background might help us to better understand what this story is about. Household gods, or teraphim, were common in homes. Their name could be translated “figures” or “images” or even “oracles.” Some of them …
What Are the Mandrakes Mentioned in the Bible? In Song of Solomon 7:13 we read, “The mandrakes send out their fragrance, / and at our door is every delicacy, / both new and old, / that I have stored up for you, my beloved.” A mandrake is a short-stemmed, flowering plant in the nightshade family (and therefore …
Genesis 30 Jacob’s Children Despite Rachel’s great beauty, she also was near despair. Each sister wanted what the other had: Leah wanted to be loved like Rachel, and Rachel wanted to have a child. The tension in this family was apparent. Yet in it all, Jacob saw the hand of God in the matter, even …
Genesis 29 Jacob returned to the land his mother Rebekah came from, being also the land of his grandfather Abraham. As Jacob came near to the home of his mother’s family, he noticed a well that was used to water the sheep. The well was covered and protected by a large stone. Jacob didn’t know …
Genesis 29 – Overview, Jacob’s Marriages and Children Read More »
Genesis 28 Isaac called Jacob and blessed him and told him he was not to take a wife from the daughters of Canaan. Jacob was instructed to go to Padan Aram, house of Bethuel (Rebekah’s father) and find a wife from the daughters of Laban (Rebekah’s brother). Laban was Jacob’s uncle. Verses 1-5. Perhaps Isaac …
Genesis 27 In verses 1-4, we are told that Isaac was old and his eyesight faded, he thought he was near to his death. Since he does not know how much longer he will live, he made arrangements with Esau to pass on to him the blessings due to the firstborn son. It is interesting …
When God declares Himself the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Exodus 3:6; Matthew 22:32; Acts 3:13) He declares Himself the God of struggling people and troubled families who are saved and healed by His grace. The story of Genesis is really one long family story, specifically focused on the first four generations of the …
Malachi 1:2-3 declares, “‘I have loved you,’” says the LORD. But you ask, ‘How have you loved us?’ ‘Was not Esau Jacob’s brother?’ the LORD says. ‘Yet I have loved Jacob, but Esau I have hated, and I have turned his mountains into a wasteland and left his inheritance to the desert jackals.’” Malachi 1:3 is quoted in Romans …
19 And these are the generations of Isaac, Abraham’s son: Abraham begat Isaac: This is the promised son, his only begotten son. It was a miracle performed by God. 20 And Isaac was forty years old when he took Rebekah to wife, the daughter of Bethuel the Syrian of Padanaram, the sister to Laban the Syrian. 21 And …
