Free Lessons, Old Testament, Study of Genesis
After Jacob blesses Joseph and his two sons (Genesis 48), he calls all of his sons to his bed to give a prophetic word concerning their tribal families in the future. He emphasizes how that one day the tribe of Judah and a descendant from Judah will eclipse even Joseph to reign over the entire world. But, for the near future, Joseph’s tribal family (Ephraim) will have the preeminence. Finally, he charges them all to bury him in the ancestral tomb, and the light goes out from Jacob’s eyes and he dies.
Free Lessons, Old Testament, Study of Genesis
Jacob falls sick and Joseph goes to his father so that he may bless him and his two sons before he dies. Jacob encourages them and tells them that God will be with them, just as He was with him. He adopts Joseph’s two sons in place of his own – Reuben and Simeon. Jacob then proceeds to bless Joseph’s two sons, giving the birthright to the younger son Ephraim over Manasseh, the eldest.
Free Lessons, Old Testament, Study of Genesis
After Joseph prepares his brothers to meet Pharaoh, they are set before him. He inquires of their occupation; and they tell him that they are shepherds. The pharaoh welcomes them into Egypt and tells Josephs to set some of them as caretakers of his own livestock. Joseph then brings his father Jacob before the king; and Jacob blesses pharaoh – twice.
Free Lessons, Old Testament, Study of Genesis
After Joseph reveals himself to his brothers, he tells them to return home and bring his father back to Egypt. There are still five years of famine left; so, if they all come to Egypt, there, Joseph could provide for them. This same gracious invitation is extended from the Pharaoh, as well. And the brothers return to Canaan to tell their father Jacob all that has transpired in Egypt and how that Joseph is still alive.
Free Lessons, Old Testament, Study of Genesis
After the brothers returned to Joseph again for the third time, in tears he revealed that he indeed was their brother. They were taken aback and dumbfounded at his declaration. But, he commanded them to return to Canaan and bring his father and all of their little ones to him in Egypt so that he could provide for them for the remaining five years of famine.
