Sabbath School Lesson for June 18-24, 2022
Overview of Lesson 13
The last five chapters of Genesis give us a glimpse into the final years of Jacob’s life in Egypt. We will see…
- in Genesis 46–how the families of Israel traveled to and settled in Egypt, as part of God’s overall plan to save them–Sunday
- in Genesis 47–how Jacob blessed Pharaoh and the way Joseph took care of them in Goshen–Monday
- in Genesis 48–how Jacob blessed Joseph’s two sons, the only two of his grandsons to receive such a blessing–Tuesday
- in Genesis 49–how Jacob blessed all his sons, providing personal character insights and predictions of their future as tribes of Israel–Wednesday
- in Genesis 50–how the deaths of Jacob and Joseph affected the remaining brothers, leaving them sad, but hopeful that the Promised Land was still in their future–Thursday
As we find for many of the books of the Bible, and the Bible itself, there is a distinct beginning and end of life within its pages. The beautiful creation of our world, elaborately described for us in the first chapters of Genesis, comes to an abrupt end with the final words “and he [Joseph] was put in a coffin in Egypt” (Genesis 50:26).
Despite the finality expressed in these “endings”, there is always left a hope for a better future, a view of the Promised Land on the horizon. Revelation 22:20, 21 wraps it up nicely: “He who testifies to these things says, ‘Surely I am coming quickly.’ Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus! The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.”
Memory Text: “So Israel dwelt in the land of Egypt, in the country of Goshen; and they had possessions there and grew and multiplied exceedingly.” Genesis 47:27 NKJV
It sounds like a perfectly orchestrated happy ending to the story, but just as Joseph’s life was filled with ups and downs, we find that this picture of prosperity may not last.
For now though, the sons of Israel would live in relative peace, punctuated by the deaths of their two most valued patriarchs.
Sunday: Jacob Goes to Joseph (Genesis 46)
The meeting of Jacob with his long-lost son Joseph was a tender scene, as described in this chapter. Joseph went in a chariot to meet his father, falling on his neck and weeping “for a good while”, we are told. For more than twenty years, the father and son had survived their separation, not knowing for certain if the other was alive or dead.
Joseph immediately made arrangements in Egypt for his family to be separate, but accepted, or at least tolerated, by the Egyptian people. He chose Goshen so they could be separate geographically. He then gave them the advice to reveal their occupation as shepherds, when asked.
Shepherds were considered an abomination by the Egyptians (Genesis 46:34), so this would help distance them socially. Sheep and cattle were seen as pagan deities to the Egyptians, which may have been the reason why their occupations were not desirable.
Genesis 46 named seventy people in Jacob’s family, including Joseph and his two sons, that came and settled in the country of Goshen. The number 70 is believed to symbolize the totality and unity of humanity. So, including Joseph and his sons, showed that they were considered part of the family, even though they probably didn’t live in Goshen.
Discussion Questions:
Genesis 46:1-4
- Why were these encounters with God important to Jacob as they left for Egypt?
- What is referred to when it says in v. 4 that Joseph would put his hand on Jacob’s eyes? (See other translations.)
Genesis 46:31-34
- In what ways was Joseph looking out for his brothers and their families, and how would these measures ensure their happiness and safety in Egypt?
Monday: Jacob Settles in Egypt (Genesis 47)
Joseph is quite savvy in how he dealt with the famine, as explained in Genesis 47. While looking out for Pharaoh’s interests and increasing his wealth substantially as the famine lingered, he also allowed the common man to have a way to support himself. Eventually, they would get to keep 4/5 of what they could produce on the land that would mostly belong to Pharaoh.
Joseph is also methodical in his handling the settlement of his family in Egypt. This was accomplished by speaking to Pharaoh first, and then introducing five carefully-chosen family members to the monarch. All this would prepare the way for them to be amply supplied and cared for during their stay in Egypt.
Then Joseph introduced his father to Pharaoh. Although Pharaoh was considered the highest priest in the land, Jacob, a lowly foreigner, proceeded to bless Pharaoh. At that moment, we are shown that Jacob, or Israel, stood higher than the mighty leader of Egypt and was given the best of the land as long as needed.
Discussion Questions:
Genesis 47:7 and 1 Peter 2:9
- How are we, as God’s holy priests, to bless those around us?
Genesis 47:26
- Why was land of the priests treated differently?
Tuesday: Jacob Blesses Joseph’s Sons (Genesis 48)
When Joseph heard that Jacob was sick, he and his two sons paid their father and grandfather a visit. This strengthened Jacob, causing him to sit up in bed when they arrived (Genesis 48:1, 2). After greeting Joseph, he then spoke blessings on the two boys, Manasseh and Ephraim.
There seems to be two reasons why these blessings are recorded so carefully in this chapter. First, no other grandsons received such blessings. It showed the particular regard Jacob had for Joseph and his sons. But also, the way the blessings were delivered reminds us of similar times when God blessed the second, and not the firstborn. Jacob himself had experienced such an unusual circumstance, receiving the spiritual blessing from his father Isaac even though he was born second after his twin Esau. Rachel also was considered higher than her older sister Leah, when it came to the family’s lineage.
Thinking it was just his failing eyesight that caused Jacob’s preferred treatment of Ephraim over Manasseh, Joseph tried to correct his father’s mistake. But Jacob refused to change his blessing, confirming that Ephraim and his descendants would indeed be greater than his brother’s.
Discussion Questions:
Genesis 48:3, 4 and 17:8
- Even while they lived comfortably in Egypt, why was it important for Jacob to cling to the promise given to Abraham? How should this have sustained them in their foreign surroundings?
- How should we be focused on the heavenly home we’ve been promised? What can we do to keep that focus?
Wednesday: Jacob Blesses His Sons (Genesis 49)
The first verse of this chapter claims that these blessings pertain to “the last days” (Genesis 49:1). That would most likely refer to the coming of the Messiah, either His first coming in the flesh, or His second coming in the clouds with all His angels.
One must keep in mind that Jacob’s predictions are just that. The description of his sons’ characters and what that will mean for their descendants in no way causes them to have such fates. God values our freedom of choice too much to lock our lives into His set pattern. We go there of our own free will. He just happens to know where we will go.
The language in these blessings seems vague, but in hindsight one can see their fulfillment when the brother’s tribes later settled in Canaan hundreds of years later. The words spoken about Judah are particularly revealing for their accurate forecast of the Messiah being the “Lion from the tribe of Judah” (Revelation 5:5).
Discussion Questions:
Genesis 49:8-12, 37:26, 27, 38:1, 26, 43:8, 9, and 44:14-16
- Why does Judah, the third born son of Leah, appear so many times in the story? What might have been his character and personality that caused him to speak out so often?
- Why did Jacob honor Judah above the others in this final blessing? How did Judah’s life resemble that of the Messiah’s?
- What disciple does Judah remind you of?
Thursday: The Hope of the Promised Land (Genesis 50)
The deaths of both Jacob and later Joseph might have blotted out all hope for the saddened brothers and family members left behind. But their dying requests that their bones be buried on Canaan’s soil, pointed forward to where their hope should be planted.
Full possession of the Promised Land was meant to be their ultimate destiny. Joseph made sure that his father’s embalmed body was tenderly placed exactly where the dying patriarch had designated–in the cave near Mamre, where his forefathers already slept, awaiting, too, the promises of the covenant.
The brothers became anxious after the passing of their father Jacob, fearing that Joseph would now repay them for their past wrongs against him. Joseph once again reassured them of his interest in their well-being. He pointed to God as the One who had arranged for him to be in a position to preserve them during the famine. Joseph apparently had nothing but forgiveness for his brothers, and their fears subsided.
Hebrews 11:22 sums up Joseph’s last request. “By faith Joseph, when he was dying, made mention of the departure of the children of Israel, and gave instructions concerning his bones.” Little did any of them know how many long years would precede their being able to carry out his final wishes.
Discussion Questions:
Genesis 50:18-21
- What did Joseph mean by claiming to be in the place of God?
- How do we separate doing God’s work from attempting to be God? What human emotion is involved?
Genesis 50:25, 26 and Exodus 13:19
- How was Joseph’s wish carried out, and why did it take so long?
Friday: Final Thoughts
The book of Genesis leaves us with the idea that God’s people are in a comfortable, prosperous position, even after the deaths of Jacob and Joseph. Our memory text states that they had possessions, and were growing and multiplying in numbers (Genesis 47:27).
Many times we think our testing time comes when we are experiencing hardship and trials. We wonder if our faith can withstand extensive personal and family losses that often tend to drag us down spiritually and in every other way.
But faith can be in jeopardy even when we are in the most prosperous, comfortable time in our lives. Jesus recognized this danger when He pointed out that it is harder for a rich man to get to heaven than for a camel to go through the eye of a needle (Matthew 19:24).
Pride is a constant test for mankind, especially when we have signs of our achievements all around us. Our only safety is to remember that all the wealth in the world doesn’t compare to what God is preparing for us in heaven.
We are all pilgrims and strangers here and our lifetimes are short. Let’s be ever mindful of what is truly valuable, and that is our connection with the God of the universe.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wC3KT8BYSg4
Next Week: The Shepherd’s Crucible
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