In our last lesson we left off with Joseph in Prison, we pick up in Genesis Chapter 40 where Joseph has probably, by now, been in prison for a number of years. In Genesis 39 we learned that Joseph is the overseer or supervisor of the whole prison.
"The spiritual greatness of Joseph is a remarkable thing. How many people have become bitter over some real or imagined slight, or blamed the Lord for some personal tragedy? In the very midst of being faithful and holding true to that which is right, Joseph was falsely accused and thrown into prison. How easy it would have been for him to give up, to say, "What's the use of trying to serve God? All he does is punish me." but there was not a trace of bitterness, no blaming the Lord. Joseph just continued being righteous and faithful. Unselfishly he offered to interpret the dreams of his two fellow prisoners, telling them that the knowledge came from God (see Genesis 40:8). He still trusted in the Lord, although he must have felt doomed to spend his life in prison. If any person had cause for discouragement and bitterness, it was Joseph, but he never faltered in his faith. Truly, Joseph is a model to be emulated."
Old Testament Student Manual pg. 95
In Genesis 40 the butler and the baker's dreams are interpreted by Joseph. This will eventually lead to Joseph being brought before Pharaoh to interpret his dreams. In chapter 41, Joseph's fortunes change completely. When Pharaoh has two dreams that trouble him. The butler will remember Joseph's ability to interpret dreams and will call for him to come to Pharaoh. Pharaoh believes Joseph's interpretation and appoints him second in command, under him, for all of Egypt. (The Old Testament Made Easier, David J. Ridges)
Joseph's appointment puts him in a position to now to save his family from the drought that will happen just a few years from this point.
Chapter 42 brings us to a severe famine. The famine is so severe that Jacob (Joseph's father) and his family, who incidentally are still living in Canaan, cannot survive. Jacob heard that there is grain in Egypt so he sends ten of his sons to go buy food, but Benjamin remains home. You'll remember how heart broken Jacob was to learn that Joseph had been killed by wild beasts. He could not bare the thought of potentially losing Benjamin.
When Joseph's brothers get to Egypt they are brought before their brother, Joseph, who they do not recognize. Though he immediately knows them. He is very hard on his brothers, accusing them of being liars and spies. During the exchange, the brothers tell Joseph that they have another brother, Benjamin, who is not with them. Joseph demands that they prove that they are not lying by bringing their youngest brother to him. Joseph realizes during this exchange that his brothers hearts seemed to have softened over the years.
Regardless of the change that Joseph sees in his brothers, he still demands that they bring their youngest brother, Benjamin. They have no choice but to bring Benjamin. Joseph requires that they leave Simeon, hoping to ensure their return.
The Old Testament Student Manual provides some insight as to why Joseph would require that Simeon be left behind, while the brothers go for Benjamin.
"By demanding that Benjamin be brought back to Egypt, Joseph allowed his brothers to show whether or not they truly were sorry for what they had done to him so many years before. Would they now show the same lack of concern for Benjamin? It is significant that Judah, who suggested that Joseph be sold, became the one who was willing to become "the surety" for Benjamin. There does seem to be evidence of sincere repentance on the brothers' part, and Joseph's stratagem allowed them to demonstrate this repentance. When the pressure was on, Judah's change of heart was shown to be complete."
Chapter 43 commences with Jacob's refusal to let his sons take Benjamin to Egypt. They survive for a short time on the provisions that they had brought back, but it does not take long before their food is running out.
I am leaving the last two chapters for you to discover.
Purpose : To help class members understand that if we are faithful and obedient, God will consecrate our afflictions for our good.
Study the following scriptures:
a. Genesis 40–41. In prison, Joseph correctly interprets the dreams of Pharaoh’s servants. He then interprets Pharaoh’s dreams about cattle and corn. Joseph is made ruler over all Egypt under Pharaoh and prepares the people for a famine.
. Genesis 42–45. Jacob twice sends his sons to Egypt to buy grain. Joseph makes himself known to his brothers and forgives them, and they rejoice together.
• What does the world tell us to do when someone has wronged us, as Joseph’s brothers had done to him? What does the Lord tell us to do? (See D&C 64:8–11.) How have you been blessed when you have dealt kindly with others who have mistreated you? How can we become more forgiving?
• How did Joseph’s imprisonment in Egypt, which was a trial for him, become a blessing for him, his family, and all Egypt? (See Genesis 45:4–8.) What experiences have you had in which events that at first appeared negative became blessings?
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Easter Sunday and Conference
This next Sunday, April 4, 2010 is Easter Sunday and General Conference. Many of you may have already heard this clip of Elder Jeffrey Holland. He said, "One of the great consolations of this Easter season is that because Jesus walked such a long, lonely path utterly alone, we do not have to do so."
The 180th Annual General Conference will be held April 3–4 in the Conference Center. Live audio and video streams will be available from the broadcast page or BYU TV. You can also find activities for children to help them benefit more from conference. The Visitor Center will be broadcasting each session. Take advantage of the soft seats and big screen by viewing Conference at the foot of the temple. Enjoy a weekend full of the spirit and stay tuned for a sneak peak at our lesson for the week after next.
The 180th Annual General Conference will be held April 3–4 in the Conference Center. Live audio and video streams will be available from the broadcast page or BYU TV. You can also find activities for children to help them benefit more from conference. The Visitor Center will be broadcasting each session. Take advantage of the soft seats and big screen by viewing Conference at the foot of the temple. Enjoy a weekend full of the spirit and stay tuned for a sneak peak at our lesson for the week after next.
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Lesson 11: How Can I Do This Great Wickedness?
Due to Stake Conference, this lesson will be taught on March 28th rather than this coming Sunday. That means we have a full two weeks to study and prepare for our class. Given the extra time, I would love to share a "Sweet Reward" for blog readers/commenters. It would be fantastic to be able to include and reward our entire congregation, even those serving in other auxillaries who are unable to attend our class. I also LOVE sharing with visitors and appreciate knowing that this blog has followers of other faiths. We are happy to share this little blog and invite you to join us in class! We meet from 1-4pm at the Meetinghouse on 3790 East West Hwy in Hyattsville. Sacrament Meeting is from 1-2:10 and sunday school starts at 2:20.
Please share the blog address (http://www.sundaywithabbie.blogspot.com/) and reward incentive with others! Don't forget to leave a thoughtful comment so I will know how many treats to prepare.
The PURPOSE of this lesson is twofold. To help class members to (1) learn how to make all experiences and circumstances work together for their good and (2) strengthen their commitment to obey the Lord's standard of sexual morality.
Introduction/Background (Old Testament Institute Guide pg.93):
“The story of Joseph, the son of Jacob who was called Israel, is a vivid representation of the great truth that ‘all things work together for good to [those] who loved God.’ (See Rom. 8:28.) Joseph always seemed to do the right thing; but still, more importantly, he did it for the right reason. And how very, very significant that is! Joseph was sold by his own brothers as a slave and was purchased by Potiphar, a captain of the guard of Pharaoh. But even as an indentured servant, Joseph turned every experience and all circumstances, no matter how trying, into something good.
“This ability to turn everything into something good appears to be a godly characteristic. Our Heavenly Father always seems able to do this. Everything, no matter how dire, becomes a victory to the Lord. Joseph, although a slave and wholly undeserving of this fate, nevertheless remained faithful to the Lord and continued to live the commandments and made something very good of his degrading circumstances. People like this cannot be defeated, because they will not give up. They have the correct, positive attitude, and Dale Carnegie’s expression seems to apply: If you feel you have a lemon, you can either complain about how sour it is, or you can make a lemonade. It is all up to you.” (Hartman Rector, Jr., “Live above the Law to Be Free,” Ensign, Jan. 1973, p. 130.)
Please share the blog address (http://www.sundaywithabbie.blogspot.com/) and reward incentive with others! Don't forget to leave a thoughtful comment so I will know how many treats to prepare.
The PURPOSE of this lesson is twofold. To help class members to (1) learn how to make all experiences and circumstances work together for their good and (2) strengthen their commitment to obey the Lord's standard of sexual morality.
Introduction/Background (Old Testament Institute Guide pg.93):
“The story of Joseph, the son of Jacob who was called Israel, is a vivid representation of the great truth that ‘all things work together for good to [those] who loved God.’ (See Rom. 8:28.) Joseph always seemed to do the right thing; but still, more importantly, he did it for the right reason. And how very, very significant that is! Joseph was sold by his own brothers as a slave and was purchased by Potiphar, a captain of the guard of Pharaoh. But even as an indentured servant, Joseph turned every experience and all circumstances, no matter how trying, into something good.
“This ability to turn everything into something good appears to be a godly characteristic. Our Heavenly Father always seems able to do this. Everything, no matter how dire, becomes a victory to the Lord. Joseph, although a slave and wholly undeserving of this fate, nevertheless remained faithful to the Lord and continued to live the commandments and made something very good of his degrading circumstances. People like this cannot be defeated, because they will not give up. They have the correct, positive attitude, and Dale Carnegie’s expression seems to apply: If you feel you have a lemon, you can either complain about how sour it is, or you can make a lemonade. It is all up to you.” (Hartman Rector, Jr., “Live above the Law to Be Free,” Ensign, Jan. 1973, p. 130.)
What Were Joseph’s Reasons for Refusing Potiphar’s Wife?
Joseph’s answer to the advances of Potiphar’s wife shows his great personal righteousness. King
Benjamin taught the Nephites that “when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God” (Mosiah 2:17). If that principle were to be stated negatively, it would read, “When ye are exploiting or sinning against your fellow beings, you are only sinning against God.” Joseph understood this principle perfectly and answered Potiphar’s wife by pointing out that it would be a terrible thing to take advantage of his master in this way. He took the next logical step when he added, “How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?” (Genesis 39:9). 
Study the following scriptures:
a. Genesis 37. Joseph, eleventh son of Jacob, is hated by his brothers and sold into slavery.
b. Genesis 39. Joseph prospers as a slave but is accused of immorality and sent to prison (39:1–20). The keeper of the prison gives Joseph responsibility over the other prisoners (39:21–23).
c. Genesis 34:1–12; 35:22; 38:1–30. The sin of immorality has negative consequences on Jacob’s family (34:1–12; 35:22; 38:1–30).
Jacob’s wives bore him twelve sons, who became the beginnings of the twelve tribes of Israel (the Lord changed Jacob’s name to Israel; see Genesis 32:28). Jacob’s eleventh son was Joseph; as the eldest son of Jacob and Rachel, Joseph received the birthright when Reuben, the eldest son of Jacob and Leah, lost it through unrighteousness (1 Chronicles 5:1–2).
• What did Joseph do when Potiphar’s wife tried to tempt him to sin? (See Genesis 39:11–12.) How can we follow Joseph’s example when we are tempted?
• What can we learn from Joseph about turning bad experiences and circumstances into good ones? (See Genesis 39:20–23; see also Romans 8:28.)
Additional reading: Genesis 34:13–31.
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Birthright Blessings; Marriage in the Covenant
** Sorry for the delay this week...I've been especially busy. Hopefully with the study guide provided in class, you have already started preparing without the help/reminder from the blog.
This lesson will be taught tomorrow, March 14th. The lesson material for this week is Genesis 24-29.
PURPOSE: Strengthen our desire to live worthy of birthright blessings and of eternal marriage.
Chapter 24 Background:
"This chapter contains one of the greatest love stories of all time. It is tender and sweet. It is the story of finding a wife for Isaac.
By now, Isaac is nearly forty years of age. He was born 1900 B.C. and is the one through whom the Abrahamic covenant is to be perpetuated. Since this covenant involves the priesthood and taking the blessings and ordinances performed by worthy priesthood holders to all the world, Abraham is naturally concerned that Isaac not marry a wife whose lineage would prevent his posterity from holding the priesthood.
During this time, Abraham is living among the Philistines in the land of Canaan among people who are descendants of Cain, coming through the lineage of Ham (Noah's son) and his wife, Egyptus. The descendants of Ham and Egyptus were not permitted to hold the priesthood.
Thus Abraham is very concerned that Isaac marry a Canaanite woman. later, Isaac will have the same concern about his son, Jacob.
Abraham's inspired solution to this concern is to have his "eldest servant" travel to Haran to find a wife for Isaac. Haran was near the headwaters of the Euphrates River, some 450 miles northwest of Abraham's current home among the Canaanites. Abraham and Sarah had relatives still living in Haran." (The Old Testament Made Easier, pg 300-301)
In Chapter 25 we learn of Ishmael's posterity, and the birth of twins to Isaac and Rebekah (Esau and Jacob), and of Esau's disdain for the birthright blessing and the responsibility to live the gospel and carry on the heritage and blessings of Abraham and Isaac. Therefore, he will sell his birthright to Jacob for a meal of bread and lentil soup. (see The Old Testament Made Easier, pg.310) Also worth noting in this chapter, Abraham dies at the age of 175 and is buried with Sarah in Hebron.
Chapter 27 has long troubled Bible scholars and readers alike. While there are lots of things we do not understand, there are some that we do.
1) Rebekah was clearly told by direct revelation from the Lord that Jacob was to be the covenant son. 2) Esau did not respect or prove worthy of the birthright and the responsibility of perpetuating the Abrahamic covenant. He "despised" his birthright (Gen. 25:34) and sold it to Jacob for a mess of pottage. Furthermore, Esau married Canannite wives who were not worshippers of God and whose ancestry came through Ham and Egyptus and thus could not hold the priesthood. Therefore, his posterity could not have perpetuated the Abrahamic covenant, which includes the priesthood blessings and ordinances of the gospel of Jesus Christ. 3) Once the blessing had been given to Jacob by Isaac and Isaac had discovered the deception, he confirmed that the blessing belonged to Jacob by saying, "And he shall be blessed". If this had not been the case, he could have used his priesthood keys to revoke the blessing given to Jacob and pronounced it, instead, upon Esau. Such is the right of authorized servants of God. 4) It appears that Esau was not disputing the fact that Jacob had validly obtained the birthright from him but was disturbed that he had "taken away [his] blessing. The fact is that Esau had long since "taken away" the blessings of the Abrahamic covenant from himself by his apostate behavior. 5) We know from modern revelation that Isaac and Jacob have become gods (D&C132:20) Thus, Rebekah has also become a goddess (D&C 132:20). 6) One of the interesting things about the Old Testament is that it presents people as thy are. Thus we are often shown the human weaknesses of great people in its pages. This should be comforting to us, knowing as we do that if they could make it to exaltation despite their human frailties, so can we through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. 7) we have seen a great many examples of places in the Old Testament in which the Joesph Smith Translation corrections have completely changes the story. It may be that we simply do not have the correct version of all that went on here in this chapter. Since the Prophet Joseph Smith did not make any changes to it, we are left to wonder if it didn't need any or if it was something he planned to do thoroughly at a later date but did not get back to it.
With the above in mind, chapter 27 starts with Isaac being old and blind. He would like a good meal before he dies. Esau and Jacob were born when Isaac was 60 years old, and Esau was forty years old when he married the Hittite women. thus, Isaac was 100 yrs old at that time and could be much older when this chapter begins. It appears from the context that he expected to die soon and he lived to be 180 yrs old.
To PREPARE study the following scriptures:
This lesson will be taught tomorrow, March 14th. The lesson material for this week is Genesis 24-29.
PURPOSE: Strengthen our desire to live worthy of birthright blessings and of eternal marriage.
Chapter 24 Background:
"This chapter contains one of the greatest love stories of all time. It is tender and sweet. It is the story of finding a wife for Isaac.
By now, Isaac is nearly forty years of age. He was born 1900 B.C. and is the one through whom the Abrahamic covenant is to be perpetuated. Since this covenant involves the priesthood and taking the blessings and ordinances performed by worthy priesthood holders to all the world, Abraham is naturally concerned that Isaac not marry a wife whose lineage would prevent his posterity from holding the priesthood.
During this time, Abraham is living among the Philistines in the land of Canaan among people who are descendants of Cain, coming through the lineage of Ham (Noah's son) and his wife, Egyptus. The descendants of Ham and Egyptus were not permitted to hold the priesthood.
Thus Abraham is very concerned that Isaac marry a Canaanite woman. later, Isaac will have the same concern about his son, Jacob.
Abraham's inspired solution to this concern is to have his "eldest servant" travel to Haran to find a wife for Isaac. Haran was near the headwaters of the Euphrates River, some 450 miles northwest of Abraham's current home among the Canaanites. Abraham and Sarah had relatives still living in Haran." (The Old Testament Made Easier, pg 300-301)
In Chapter 25 we learn of Ishmael's posterity, and the birth of twins to Isaac and Rebekah (Esau and Jacob), and of Esau's disdain for the birthright blessing and the responsibility to live the gospel and carry on the heritage and blessings of Abraham and Isaac. Therefore, he will sell his birthright to Jacob for a meal of bread and lentil soup. (see The Old Testament Made Easier, pg.310) Also worth noting in this chapter, Abraham dies at the age of 175 and is buried with Sarah in Hebron.
Chapter 27 has long troubled Bible scholars and readers alike. While there are lots of things we do not understand, there are some that we do.
1) Rebekah was clearly told by direct revelation from the Lord that Jacob was to be the covenant son. 2) Esau did not respect or prove worthy of the birthright and the responsibility of perpetuating the Abrahamic covenant. He "despised" his birthright (Gen. 25:34) and sold it to Jacob for a mess of pottage. Furthermore, Esau married Canannite wives who were not worshippers of God and whose ancestry came through Ham and Egyptus and thus could not hold the priesthood. Therefore, his posterity could not have perpetuated the Abrahamic covenant, which includes the priesthood blessings and ordinances of the gospel of Jesus Christ. 3) Once the blessing had been given to Jacob by Isaac and Isaac had discovered the deception, he confirmed that the blessing belonged to Jacob by saying, "And he shall be blessed". If this had not been the case, he could have used his priesthood keys to revoke the blessing given to Jacob and pronounced it, instead, upon Esau. Such is the right of authorized servants of God. 4) It appears that Esau was not disputing the fact that Jacob had validly obtained the birthright from him but was disturbed that he had "taken away [his] blessing. The fact is that Esau had long since "taken away" the blessings of the Abrahamic covenant from himself by his apostate behavior. 5) We know from modern revelation that Isaac and Jacob have become gods (D&C132:20) Thus, Rebekah has also become a goddess (D&C 132:20). 6) One of the interesting things about the Old Testament is that it presents people as thy are. Thus we are often shown the human weaknesses of great people in its pages. This should be comforting to us, knowing as we do that if they could make it to exaltation despite their human frailties, so can we through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. 7) we have seen a great many examples of places in the Old Testament in which the Joesph Smith Translation corrections have completely changes the story. It may be that we simply do not have the correct version of all that went on here in this chapter. Since the Prophet Joseph Smith did not make any changes to it, we are left to wonder if it didn't need any or if it was something he planned to do thoroughly at a later date but did not get back to it.
With the above in mind, chapter 27 starts with Isaac being old and blind. He would like a good meal before he dies. Esau and Jacob were born when Isaac was 60 years old, and Esau was forty years old when he married the Hittite women. thus, Isaac was 100 yrs old at that time and could be much older when this chapter begins. It appears from the context that he expected to die soon and he lived to be 180 yrs old.
To PREPARE study the following scriptures:
- Genesis 24. Abraham emphasizes the importance of marriage in the covenant through the selection of a worthy wife for Isaac.
- Genesis 25:20-34. Rebekah receives a revelation concerning her unborn twin sons (25:22-23). When these sons are grown, Esau sells his birthright to Jacob (25:29-34).
- Genesis 26-29. Isaac and his descendants are promised the blessings of the Abrahamic covenant (26:1-5). Esau marries out of the covenant (26:34-35). Isaac blesses Jacob to rule over peoples and nations (27:1-46). Isaac pronounces on Jacob the blessings of the Abrahamic covenant and sends him away to find a worthy wife (28:1-10). Jacob marries Leah and Rachel in the covenant (29:1-30).
Questions to consider:
- How might some of us make errors similar to Esau's, choosing things that bring immediate gratification rather than things that have eternal value?
- What can we learn about Jacob from his efforts to marry in the covenant?
- What are some things children and youth can do to prepare to be married in the temple? After two people have been married in the temple, what must they do to ensure they have a truly eternal marriage?
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Lesson 9: God Will Provide Himself a Lamb
** This lesson will be taught on March 7th, 2010 **
The Story:
Elder Melvin J. Ballard wrote: "You remember the story of how Abraham's son came after long years of waiting and was looked upon by his worthy sire, Abraham, as more precious than all his other possessions, yet, in the midst of his rejoicing, Abraham was told to take this only son and offer him as a sacrifice to the Lord. He responded. Can you feel what was in the heart of Abraham on the occasion? you love your son just as Abraham did, perhaps not quite so much, because of the peculiar circumstances, but what do you think was in his heart when he started away from Mother Sarah, and they bade her goodbye? What do you think was in his heart when he saw Isaac, bidding farewell to his mother to take that three days' journey to the appointed place where the sacrifice was to be made? I imagine it was about all Father Abraham could do to keep from showing his great grief and sorrow at that parting, but he and his son trudge along three days toward the appointed place, Isaac carrying the wood that were to consume the sacrifice. The two travelers rested, finally, at the mountainside, and the men who had accompanied them were told to remain while Abraham and his son started up the hill.
"The boy then said to his father: 'Why, Father, we have the wood; we have the fire to burn the sacrifice; but where is the sacrifice?"
"It must have pierced the heart of Father Abraham to hear the trusting and confiding son say: 'You have forgotten the sacrifice.' Looking at the youth, his son of promise, the poor father could only say: 'The Lord will provide.'
"They ascended the mountain, gathered the stones together, and placed the wood upon them. Then Isaac was bound, hand and foot, kneeling upon the altar. I presume Abraham, like a true father, must have given his son his farewell kiss, his blessing, his love, and his soul must have been drawn out in that hour of agony toward his son who was to die by the hand of his own father. Every step proceeded until the cold steel was drawn, and the hand raised that was to strike the blow to let out the life's blood." (The Sacramental Covenant," new Era, Jan. 1976, pp.9-10.)
Bear in mind that Abraham was saved from a similar fate instigated in wickedness by his own father. as with most people, Abraham must have abhorred human sacrifice. Why would the Lord require such a trial of his faith? What can be learned from the life of Abraham, who was faithful to the end?
In the Priesthood Session of General Conference (1992), Elder Dallin H. Oaks
The Story:
Elder Melvin J. Ballard wrote: "You remember the story of how Abraham's son came after long years of waiting and was looked upon by his worthy sire, Abraham, as more precious than all his other possessions, yet, in the midst of his rejoicing, Abraham was told to take this only son and offer him as a sacrifice to the Lord. He responded. Can you feel what was in the heart of Abraham on the occasion? you love your son just as Abraham did, perhaps not quite so much, because of the peculiar circumstances, but what do you think was in his heart when he started away from Mother Sarah, and they bade her goodbye? What do you think was in his heart when he saw Isaac, bidding farewell to his mother to take that three days' journey to the appointed place where the sacrifice was to be made? I imagine it was about all Father Abraham could do to keep from showing his great grief and sorrow at that parting, but he and his son trudge along three days toward the appointed place, Isaac carrying the wood that were to consume the sacrifice. The two travelers rested, finally, at the mountainside, and the men who had accompanied them were told to remain while Abraham and his son started up the hill.
"The boy then said to his father: 'Why, Father, we have the wood; we have the fire to burn the sacrifice; but where is the sacrifice?"
"It must have pierced the heart of Father Abraham to hear the trusting and confiding son say: 'You have forgotten the sacrifice.' Looking at the youth, his son of promise, the poor father could only say: 'The Lord will provide.'
"They ascended the mountain, gathered the stones together, and placed the wood upon them. Then Isaac was bound, hand and foot, kneeling upon the altar. I presume Abraham, like a true father, must have given his son his farewell kiss, his blessing, his love, and his soul must have been drawn out in that hour of agony toward his son who was to die by the hand of his own father. Every step proceeded until the cold steel was drawn, and the hand raised that was to strike the blow to let out the life's blood." (The Sacramental Covenant," new Era, Jan. 1976, pp.9-10.)
Bear in mind that Abraham was saved from a similar fate instigated in wickedness by his own father. as with most people, Abraham must have abhorred human sacrifice. Why would the Lord require such a trial of his faith? What can be learned from the life of Abraham, who was faithful to the end?
In the Priesthood Session of General Conference (1992), Elder Dallin H. Oaks
shared a personal story about personal protection. He talked specifically about the experience of Abraham and his son Isaac. To read an excerpt from his talk follow THIS LINK!
PREPARE by reading the following chapters: Abraham 1; Genesis 15-17; 21-22
Study the following scriptures:
- Abraham 1:1, 5-20. As a young man, Abraham is persecuted by the false priests of Pharaoh. They attempt to sacrifice him, but he is saved by Jehovah.
- Genesis 15-17; 21. Later in his life, Abraham is promised seed (15:1-6). Sarah gives Hagar to Abraham as his wife; Hagar bears Ishmael (16:1-16). God again speaks of his covenant with Abraham, promising that Abraham will be the father of many nations (17:1-14). The birth of Issac, through whom the covenant would continue, is announced (17:16-22). Sarah bears Isaac (21:1-12).
- Genesis 22. God commands Abraham to sacrifice Isaac (22:1-2). Abraham prepares to sacrifice Isaac, but God provides a ram to be sacrificed instead (22:3-19).
Note: Genesis 17 tells of the Lord changing Abram's name to Abraham and Sarai's name to Sarah (see verses 5, 15). The names Abraham and Sarah are used throughout this section.
Questions to Ponder:
- How did Abraham respond to God's command to sacrifice Isaac? (See Genesis 22:2-3.) How did Isaac respond to this situation? (See Genesis 22:3-10) What can we learn from Abraham and Isaac about faith and obedience? (See Hebrews 11:17-19; James 2:21-23
- Abraham's willingness to sacrifice Isaac was a similitude of Heavenly Father's willingness to sacrifice his Only Begotten Son (Jacob 4:5; Genesis 22:8, 13). What are some similarities between Abraham's experience and Heavenly Father's? What is the greatest difference?
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