Day 31

IV From the Patriarchs to the Exodus - 1606 - 1462 B.C. ~ cont.

F. Moses, the deliverer ~ cont.

4. The ten plagues ~ cont.

i. Darkness - Exodus 10:21-23, 24-27
j. Pharoah cancels negotiations - Exodus 10:28-29
k. Killing of the firstborn
(1) Warning - Exodus 11:1-8
(2) Pharoah's heart hardened - Exodus 11:9-10
(3) Passover instructions - Exodus 12:3-12
(4) Importance of the blood - Exodus 12:13-27
(5) Obeyed by Israel - Exodus 12:28
(6) First born killed, Passover kept - Exodus 12:29
5. From Goshen to the Red Sea
a. Egyptians demand immediate departure - Exodus 12:30-36
b. Deliverance begins - Exodus 12:40-42; Numbers 33-1-4
c. From Ramses to Succoth - Exodus 12:37; Numbers 33:5
d. At Succoth - Exodus 12:38-51

...And he (Moses) went out from Pharaoh in a great anger.  (Exodus 11:8)

A great anger, I was pondering why Moses would be in such a state.  Prior to understanding the doctrine of election, I would be frustrated (not angry) and how people could not grasp the magnitude of the sacrifice made by Christ.  Father has graciously opened my understanding and made me realize, that unless HE opens the understanding of a person, they can not grasp HIM, His mercy, truth, favor, etc. etc.  Just as Pharaoh was hardened again and again.  He could see the natural, but not the spiritual.

great - H2750 - From H2734; a burning (that is, intense) anger.

• H2734 - A primitive root (compare H2787); to glow or grow warm; figuratively (usually) to blaze up, of anger, zeal, jealousy.

H2750 is used 6 times in 6 verses - Exodus 11:8; Deuteronomy 29:24; 1 Samuel 20:34; 2 Chronicles 25:10; Isaiah 7:4; Lamentations 2:3.

1 Samuel 20:34 - So Jonathan arose from the table in fierce anger, and did eat no meat the second day of the month: for he was grieved  for David, because his father had done him shame.

Always translated fierce or great.

anger - H639 - From H599; properly the nose or nostril; hence the face, and occasionally a person; also (from the rapid breathing in passion) ire.

• H599 - A primitive root; to breathe hard, that is, be enraged.

H639 used 276 times in 269 verses.  Wow.  The first time in:

Genesis 2:7 - And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.

This is the same word which Father uses to express Himself when Moses is arguing about being HIS mouthpiece.

Exodus 4:14 - And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Moses...

Numbers 11:1 - And when the people complained, it displeased the Lord: and the Lord heard it; and his anger was kindled; and the fire of the LORD burnt among them, and consumed them that were in the uttermost parts of the camp.

Browsing through the first verse of each chapter which had H639.  Quite a few of them are similar to the one stated above.  Frightening thought.  Israel seemed to be in a continual cycle of causing the Lord's anger to kindle against them.  Then I came across this one:

1 Samuel 1:5 - But unto Hannah he gave a worthy portion; for he loved Hannah: but the LORD had shut up her womb.

I found that intriguing that the word is translated worthy ~ was it due to the passion Elkanah had for her?

In 2 Samuel 6:7 the Lord's anger is kindled against Uzzah for touching the ark.  This is a poignant reminder that Father has a set of rules.  He has stated what HE wants, likes, desires, expects and we are required to avail ourselves of learning what is most pleasing to Him.

K&D commentary:

With this announcement Moses departed from Pharaoh in great wrath. Moses' wrath was occasioned by the king's threat (Exo_10:28), and pointed to the wrath of Jehovah, which Pharaoh would soon experience. As the more than human patience which Moses had displayed towards Pharaoh manifested to him the long-suffering and patience of his God, in whose name and by whose authority he acted, so the wrath of the departing servant of God was to show to the hardened king, that the time of grace was at an end, and the wrath of God was about to burst upon him.

Day 30

IV From the Patriarchs to the Exodus - 1606 - 1462 B.C. ~ cont.

F. Moses, the deliverer ~ cont.

4. The ten plagues ~ cont.

b. Frogs - Exodus 8:1-7; 8:8-11; 8:12-15

c.  Lice - Exodus 8:16-19
d. Flies - Exodus 8:20-23, 24-28, 29-32
e. Murrain - Exodus 9:1-5, 6, 7
f. Boils - Exodus 9:8-12
g. Hail - Exodus 9:13-19, 20-26, 27-35
h. Locusts - Exodus 10:1-6, 7-13; 12:1-2; 10:14-15, 16-20

Murrain?  What is that?

H1698 - From H1696 (in the sense of destroying); a pestilence.

• H1696 - A primitive root; perhaps properly to arrange; but used figuratively (of words) to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue.

H1698 is used 49 times in 48 verses.  Except for Exodus 9:3 where it is translated murrain and Hosea 13:14 where it is translated as plagues, all the other instances are pestilence.

That did not help...Gill's commentary:

a very grievous murrain: or "pestilence" (y), a very noisome one, and which would carry off great numbers; the Targums of Onkelos and Jonathan render it a "death", as the Jews commonly call a pestilence, whether on man or beast, because it generally sweeps away large numbers.

Not a lot of information available about murrain, other than it is a disease which kills cattle.  :-O

Browsing for information on the murrain and the 10 plagues and came across this site, which supposedly has a natural answer for the plagues.  Ultimately God is always in control and whether HE used natural means to bring about the plagues or just made them happen, I do not know.  I do know HE is in complete control.

Father separates the land of Goshen from the rest of Egypt with the fourth plague - flies.  Ick...flies, always remind me of sin and Baalzebub (king of the flies - 2 Kings 1:2).

Came across this site which discussed how the 10 plagues correspond to the top 10 gods or goddesses of Egypt.

Day 29

IV From the Patriarchs to the Exodus - 1606 - 1462 B.C. ~ cont.

E. Moses' commission ~ cont.

2. Moses' objections - Exodus 4:1-13
3. Moses complies - Exodus 4:14-18
F. Moses, the deliverer
1. Returns to Egypt - Exodus 4:19-29
2. Reports to the people - Exodus 4:30-31
3. Contends with Pharaoh
a. Burdens increased by Pharaoh - Exodus 5:1-23
b. Final instructions - Exodus 6:1-30; 7:1-77
c. Rods turn to serpents - Exodus 7:8-14
4. The ten plagues
a. Rivers to blood - Exodus 7:15-25

Exodus 4:11 - And the Lord said unto him, Who hath made man's mouth or who maketh the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? have not I the Lord?

I made a notation by this verse to remind myself to look at the NT verse regarding one of the blind man.

Joh 9:1  And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth.
Joh 9:2  And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind?
Joh 9:3  Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him.

Solely for the purpose of glorifying God are we given, or not given, anything we have (or do not have).  Whether it be sight, hearing, ability to walk, spouses, children, physical family, work.  This is a much needed reminder at this juncture of my life.  To be content and glorify Father.  Regardless of what I have or do not have.  I fall short in this area, much prayer appreciated.  :-D

Exodus 4:24 - And it came to pass by the way in the inn, that the Lord met him, and sought to kill him.

Why?

Well, quite an interesting lesson on Moses, Zipporah (a Midianite) and apparently their younger son who had not been circumcised. I browsed all the commentaries and decided to share this one from Jamieson, Faussett and Brown:

the Lord met him, and sought to kill him — that is, he was either overwhelmed with mental distress or overtaken by a sudden and dangerous malady. The narrative is obscure, but the meaning seems to be, that, led during his illness to a strict self-examination, he was deeply pained and grieved at the thought of having, to please his wife, postponed or neglected the circumcision of one of his sons, probably the younger. To dishonor that sign and seal of the covenant was criminal in any Hebrew, peculiarly so in one destined to be the leader and deliverer of the Hebrews; and he seems to have felt his sickness as a merited chastisement for his sinful omission. Concerned for her husband’s safety, Zipporah overcomes her maternal feelings of aversion to the painful rite, performs herself, by means of one of the sharp flints with which that part of the desert abounds, an operation which her husband, on whom the duty devolved, was unable to do, and having brought the bloody evidence, exclaimed in the painful excitement of her feelings that from love to him she had risked the life of her child [Calvin, Bullinger, Rosenmuller].

Several of the commentaries suggest that at this juncture Moses sent his wife and sons back to his father-in-law. This site alludes to how indisposed the child would have been having just received circumcision.

Highlights our need to be cognizant of what sin we have in our life, but are avoiding.  Especially if we are allowing our judgment to be clouded by our feelings and/or affection for another.

Day 28

IV From the Patriarchs to the Exodus - 1606 - 1462 B.C.

A. Population grows exceedingly - Genesis 47:27; Exodus 1:7

Egypt is the world power - C 1600 - 1200 B.C.

1. Birth of Tahan (Ephraim to Joshua lineage)
2. Birth of Jochebed
3. Death of Levi (137 years)
B. Egyptian bondage and oppression increases - Exodus 1:8-14
C. Various biographical happenings - 1. Birth of Laadan (Ephraim to Joshua lineage)
2. Birth of Amminadad (38th gen)
3. Moses' parents marriage - Numbers 26:59; Exodus 6:20
4. Growth of Israelites - Exodus 1:15-20
5. Death of Kohath (133 years) (son of Levi)
6. Birth of Ammihud (Ephraim to Joshua lineage)
D. Moses' early days
1. Birth of Miriam
2. Birth of Aaron - 1 Chronicles 23:13
3. Baby boys' death decree enforced - Exodus 1:21-22
4. Birth of Moses (hidden Mar-May 1543) - Exodus 2:1-4
5. Discovered by royalty - Exodus 2;5-9
6. Childhood in palace - Exodus 2:10
7. Birth of Elishama (Joshua's grandfather)
8. Birth of Nahshon (37th gen)
9. Aaron's family - Exodus 6:23; Numbers 26:60; 1 Chronicles 6:49
10. Birth of Non (Joshua's father)
11. Moses slays Egyptian - Exodus 2:11-15
12. Enslavement - Exodus 2:23-25
13. Moses Flees to Midian - Exodus 2:16-20
14. Moses marries Zipporah - Exodus 2:21-22
15. Birth of Caleb (Joshe 14;7)
16. Sons of Moses - 1 Chronicles 23:14-15
17. Birth of Eleazar (Aaron's son)
18. Death of Amram (Moses' father) (137 years)
19. Birth of Joshua
20. Birth of Phinehas - Exodus 6:25
E. Moses' commission
1. Burning bush call - Exodus 3:1-22

You aren't really expecting me to type in anything else as this point, right?

A few brief highlights - in Exodus 1 there is concern about the children of Israel becoming mightier...I found this interesting because...the majority of the people were not mixed with the Egyptians.  They had kept themselves separate.

Wondered what the name Jochebed (Moses' mama) means:

H3115 - From H3068 contracted and H3513; Jehovah-gloried; Jokebed, the mother of Moses.

Wondered when Pharaoh 'charged his people, saying, Every son that is born ye shall cast into the river, and every daughter you shall save alive.' did he mean all the people or just the people of Israel?

Gill to the rescue:

saying, every son that is born ye shall cast into the river; the river Nile; not every son born in his kingdom, for this would have ruined it in time; but that was born to the Jews, as the Targums of Onkelos and Jonathan; and it is added in the Septuagint version, to the Hebrews:

Wondered how long Jochebed was able to nurse Moses before she had to hand him over.  I am amazed at some of the rabbit trails I follow to find answers to my questions.  It would seem that between 2 to 3 years of age a child was weaned in the mid-east cultures.

Day 27

II The Age of The Patriarchs - 1967-1606 B.C. ~ cont.

E. Joseph ~ cont.

13. Birth of Beriah (son of Ephraim)

14. Last days of Jacob

a. Charge to Joseph - Genesis 47:28-31

b. Charge to twelve sons - Genesis 49:1-32

c. Death of Jacob (147 years) - Genesis 49:33

d. Burial of Jacob - Genesis 50:1-14

15. Joseph's brethren fearful: reassured by Joseph - Genesis 50:15-21

16: Important births

a. Birth of Resheph (Ephraim to Joshua lineage)

b. Birth of Amram (Levi's grandson, Moses' father) (Num 26:58)

c. Birth of Ram (39th gen)

d. Birth of Telah (Ephraim to Joshua lineage)

17. Joseph's latter days

a. Last days - Genesis 50:22-23

b. Last words - Genesis 50:24-25

c. Death of Joseph (110 years) and his brethren - Genesis 50:26; Exodus 1:6

Jacob's foretelling of events and recognition of various son's and their future tribes.

Reuben - 2 verses - first born; excellency of dignity and power; unstable; will not excel.
Simeon and Levi - 3 verses - instruments of cruelty; fierce and cruel; scattered in Jacob and Israel.
Judah - 5 verses - praised by brethren; father's children bow to; lion, sceptre shall not depart; lawgiver, Shiloh, eyes red with wine; teeth white as milk.
Zebulun - 1 verse - haven of the sea; haven for ships.
Issachar - 2 verses - strong donkey; bowed shoulder to bear; a servant under tribute.
Dan - 3 verses - judge people; serpent/adder biting at the heels.
Gad - 1 verse - overcome by a troop; overcomer at the last.
Asher - 1 verse - bread sufficient; yields royal dainties.
Naphtali - 1 verse - loose hind; goodly words.
Joseph - 5 verses - fruitful bough; grieved, shot and hated by archers; strength in his arms and hands; blessings of the Almighty.
Benjamin - 1 verse - raving wolf; devour prey; divide the spoil.

I thought it interesting that Simeon and Levi shared 1 verse, they were the leaders in attacking the village of men where Dinah was raped.  Judah and Joseph had the most verses.  I did a search and came across this article.  I tend to hesitate when Jewish tradition is mentioned, but the information provided is thought provoking.

I especially enjoyed the reference to the verse:

Gather yourselves together and hear, ye sons of Jacob; and hearken unto Israel your father.  (Genesis 49:2)

There is a significance between the use of the word Jacob versus Israel.  I have heard in the past that Jacob = the flesh, while Israel = the spiritual.

Jacob - H3290 - From H6117; heel catcher (that is, supplanter); Jaakob, the Israelitish patriarch.

Israel - H3478 - From H8280 and H410; he will rule as God; Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity.

Went searching to satisfy my curiosity - did an E-sword search for Jacob/Israel - used 183 times in 82 verses.  Quite the list.  I've had an interesting time trying to track down and verify my perception of Jacob = the physical and Israel = the spiritual.

I went back to this verse:

Gen 32:28  And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed.

and then found this site, which made mention of Jacob's name change being re-emphasized again later:

Gen 35:10  And God said unto him, Thy name is Jacob: thy name shall not be called any more Jacob, but Israel shall be thy name: and he called his name Israel.

God even refers to Jacob/Israel in the same verse here:

Gen 46:2  And God spake unto Israel in the visions of the night, and said, Jacob, Jacob. And he said, Here am I.

This will be one for me to ponder and reflect upon, prayerfully seeking counsel and wisdom from Father to completely understand.  :-D

Day 26

II The Age of The Patriarchs - 1967-1606 B.C. ~ cont.

E. Joseph ~ cont.

9. Joseph reunited with kin ~ cont.

e. Birth of Hezron (40th Gen) - Ruth 4:18; 1 Chronicles 2:5

f. Jacob to Egypt, after God's assurance at Beer-Sheba - Genesis 46:1-7; 28

g. Summary of those that took the trip - 70 souls - Genesis 46:8-27; Exodus 1:15

h. Joseph's kin established in Egypt - Genesis 46:29-34; 47:1-12

10. Wise leadership continues - Genesis 47:13-17; 47:18-21; 47:22-26

11. Zerah's descendants (brother of Pharez) - 1 Chronicles 2:6-8
12. His blessing to Manasseh (replaces Levi) and Ephraim (replaces Joseph) - Genesis 48:1-22

The whole verse in context: That ye shall say, Thy servants' trade hath been about cattle fromour youth even until now, both we, and also our fathers: that ye may dwell in the land of Goshen; for every shepherd is an abomination unto the Egyptians.

The portion that aroused my curiosity: ...for every shepherd is an abomination unto the Egyptians. (Genesis 46:34)

I always wondered why?

Well...Gill had an interesting perspective, which included more of the verse that what I originally sought to satisfy myself regarding:

that ye may dwell in the land of Goshen; Joseph instructed his brethren to be very particular in the account of their occupation to Pharaoh, that it might be a direction to him how to dispose of them, and where to settle them, namely, in the land of Goshen; which was a country that abounded with good pasture, and so the fittest place for them to be fixed in: and besides this, Joseph had some other reasons for placing them there, as that they might be near to him, who might dwell at On or Heliopolis, to which place, or province, Goshen belonged; and that being also the nearest part of the land to Canaan, they might the more easily and sooner get away when there was an occasion for it; as well as he was desirous they should not be brought into the heart of the land, lest they should be corrupted with the superstition, and idolatry, and vices of the people; and being afar off, both from the court, and the body of the people, might be less subject to their contempt and insults, since it follows:

for every shepherd is an abomination unto the Egyptians; not because shepherds ate of the milk and flesh of the creatures they fed, which the Egyptians abstained from; for the Egyptians in those times did eat the flesh of slain beasts, see Gen_43:16; nor because they fed, and slew, and ate those creatures, which the Egyptians worshipped as gods, as Jarchi; for it does not appear that the Egyptians were so early worshippers of such creatures; nor is this phrase, "every shepherd", to be understood of any other than foreign shepherds; for one of the three sorts of the people of Egypt, as distinct from, and under the king, priests, and soldiers, according to Diodorus Siculus (d), were shepherds, and were not despised on that account; for, as the same writer says, all the Egyptians were reckoned equally noble and honourable (e); and such it is plain there were in Egypt, in the times of Joseph, see Gen_47:6; and goat herds were had in esteem and honour by those about Mendes, though swine herds were not (f): wherefore this must be understood of foreign shepherds, the Egyptians having been greatly distressed by such, who either came out of Ethiopia, and lived by plunder and robbery (g), or out of Phoenicia or Arabia; for, according to Manetho (h), it was said that they were Arabians or Phoenicians who entered into Egypt, burnt their cities, &c. and set up kings of their own, called their Hycsi, or pastor kings: and therefore Joseph might the rather fear his brethren and father's family would be the more contemptible in that they came from Canaan, which was near to Arabia and Phoenicia; but Dr. Lightfoot (i) is of opinion, that the Egyptians, being plagued for Abraham's and Sarah's sake, made a law, that for the future none should converse with Hebrews, nor with foreign shepherds, so familiarly as to eat or drink with them.

That is an interesting thought, that the Egyptians would have remembered that they suffered because of Abraham and Sarah.  Abraham died around 1792 B.C. and Jacob/Israel arrived in Egypt around 1677 B.C.  That makes for a time lapse of at least 115 years.  Scripture does not indicate the longevity of others, but assuming that all peoples (regardless of nationality) could live 100+ years, the story of Abram and Sarai (at that time) could have still been 'fresh' in the minds of the Egyptians.  Interesting thought.

Day 25

II The Age of The Patriarchs - 1967-1606 B.C. ~ cont.

E. Joseph ~ cont.

9. Joseph reunited with kin ~ cont.

b. Provides family with food ~ cont. 43:1-34; 44:1-34

c. Reveals himself to brethren - Genesis 45:1-15

d. Jacob hears news and prepares to travel - Genesis 45:16-28

Judah - the tribe of our Lord and Savior - the substitutionary.

Gen 44:31  It shall come to pass, when he seeth that the lad is not with us, that he will die: and thy servants shall bring down the gray hairs of thy servant our father with sorrow to the grave.

Gen 44:32  For thy servant became surety for the lad unto my father, saying, If I bring him not unto thee, then I shall bear the blame to my father for ever.

Gen 44:33  Now therefore, I pray thee, let thy servant abide instead of the lad a bondman to my lord; and let the lad go up with his brethren.

Gen 44:34  For how shall I go up to my father, and the lad be not with me? lest peradventure I see the evil that shall come on my father.

These verses always cause me to pause and wonder what I have my fist clenched around, refusing to trust Father in and through every circumstance.  Jacob had a 'tight' hold on Benjamin, but was forced, by God, to let go and trust.  What an appropriate lesson for all of us...take a moment and consider what or who you may be holding on to, refusing to release to God.

Day 24

II The Age of The Patriarchs - 1967-1606 B.C. ~ cont.

E. Joseph ~ cont.

7. Joseph's exhalted position

a. Interprets Pharaoh's dream - Genesis 41:1-37

b. Made governor - Genesis 41:38-44

c. Marries Asenath - Genesis 41:45

d. Seven years of plenty - Genesis 41:46-49

e. Sons born - Genesis 41:50

(1) Manasseh - Genesis 41:51

(2) Ephraim - Genesis 41:52-53
8. Sons of Levi, including Kohath (1683 B.C. grandfather of Moses Gen 46:11) - Exodus 6:16; Numbers 3:17; 1 Chronicles 6:16
9. Joseph reunited with kin
a. Seven years of famine - Genesis 41:54-57
b. Provides family with food - Genesis 42:1-38

I made a notation next to the outline heading:  Marries Asenath

~ "Egypt with all its perversity still honored one man and one woman in marriage."

~ Noted that Israel had already endured 2 years of famine before seeking assistance from Egypt.

~ Reuben offers to be surety for Benjamin, but had already proved himself to be unstable by defiling his father's bed and engaging with Bilhah (Genesis 35:22).  Israel (Jacob)'s response?

And he said, My son shall not go down with you; for his brother is dead, and he is left alone: if mischief befall him by the way in the which ye go, then shall ye bring down my gray hairs with sorrow to the grave.  (Genesis 42:38)

Wondering if there was some emphasis on with you when he spoke?  Browsed Gill:

Gen 42:38 And he said, my son shall not go down with you,.... He gives a peremptory denial; this was his then present resolution and determination:

for his brother is dead; meaning Joseph, Benjamin's own brother by father and mother's side; him he supposed to be dead, such circumstances being related and produced, which made it highly probable, and he had not heard anything of him for twenty two years:

and he is left alone; Benjamin being the only surviving child of his dearly beloved Rachel, as he thought:

if mischief befall him by the way in which ye go; that is, to Egypt, whether by thieves and robbers, or by the fatigue of the journey, or by any means whatever, so that he loses his life. All the Targums interpret this mischief of death:

then shall ye bring down my gray hairs with sorrow to the grave; the sense is, should this be the case he should never lift up his head, or have any more comfort in this world, but should pass his time with continual sorrow until his gray head was laid in the grave, or till he came to the state of the dead.

Day 23

II The Age of The Patriarchs - 1967-1606 B.C. ~ cont.

E. Joseph ~ cont.

c. Sold into Egypt by his brethren - Genesis 37:36; 39:1

2. Prosperity in Egypt - Genesis 39:2-6

3. Judah and Tamar

a. Tamar's husbands - Genesis 38:6-30; 1 Chronicles 2:4

4. Joseph flees adultery - Genesis 39:7-19

5. Joseph jailed

a. His prosperity - Genesis 39:20-23

b. Joseph interprets dreams of baker and butler - Genesis 40:23

6. Death of Isaac (180 years) - Genesis 35:28-29

And the Lord was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian.  (Genesis 39:2)

And his master saw that the Lord was with him, and that the Lord made all that he did to prosper in his hand.  (Genesis 39:3)

But the Lord was with Joseph, and shewed him mercy, and gave him favour in the sight of the keeper of the prison.  (Genesis 39:21)

The keeper of the prison looked not to any thing that was under his hand; because the Lord was with him, and that which he did, the Lord made it to prosper.  (Genesis 39:23)

Joseph was known to be a good steward and favored of God.  Gill's commentary on the portions underlined above:

Gen 39:2 And the Lord was with Joseph,.... Blessing him with his gracious presence, with discoveries of his love, and communion with himself, though destitute of the means of grace and ordinances of worship he enjoyed in his father's house; favouring him with bodily health, and protecting him from all evils and enemies:

Gen 39:3 and that the Lord made all that he did to prosper in his hand; and though Potiphar might have no knowledge of the true Jehovah, whose name he uses, yet he might have a notion of a supreme Being, and that all outward prosperity was owing to him; and knowing Joseph to be an Hebrew, as it is plain his wife did, Gen_39:14; and Jehovah to be the God of the Hebrews, he imputes all the prosperity that attended Joseph and his services unto his God.

Gen 39:21 And the Lord was with Joseph,.... Comforting him with his presence under his afflictions; supporting him with his right hand; sanctifying all his troubles to him, and so causing him to bear them patiently and cheerfully:

Gen 39:23 and that which he did the Lord made it to prosper; every method he took to secure the prisoners, every scheme he formed to bring them to confession of their crimes, or to clear those that were innocent; and every other thing relative to prison affairs, all through the good hand of God upon him, guiding, directing, and blessing him, succeeded well, which gained him the favour and good will of the keeper and the prisoners.

I am feeling a tad bit convicted ~ Joseph who had done no evil, sold, made a servant first to Potiphar (who could have had him executed for the 'assault'), then as a servant to the jailer. In such circumstances one might be tempted to bewail the situation, wondering if there is anything lower to which one might descend.

It does not appear that Joseph was upset or annoyed by the situation, though (after interpreting the butler's dream) he does respond thus:

For indeed I was stolen away out of the land of the Hebrews: and here also have I done nothing that they should put into the dungeon. (Genesis 40:15)

Requesting that the butler, once restored, petition Pharaoh for him. Two years pass - Joseph obviously spent his time prudently and diligently. In due time Father will exalt us if we are about HIS business. This does not necessarily mean wealth and exalted positions of authority on this side of glory.

Taken to the depths, plunged into situations and circumstances that tried, tested and settled Joseph's resolve, Father brings him to the juncture:

And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, I am Pharaoh, and without thee shall no man lift up his hand or foot in all the land of Egypt. (Genesis 41:44)

Take comfort beloved of the Lord, for Father has said:

Heb 13:5  Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. 

Heb 13:6  So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.

Day 22

II The Age of The Patriarchs - 1967-1606 B.C. ~ cont.

D. Jacob ~ cont.

6. His return to Canaan ~ cont.

d. Dinah's defilement - Genesis 34:1-31
e. Return to Bethel - Genesis 35:1-15
f. Death of Rachel upon Benjamin's birth - Genesis 35:16-19; 48:7; 35:20-22
g. Return to Hebron - Genesis 35:27; 37:1
E. Joseph
1. His early days
a. Joseph and his dreams - Genesis 37:2-11
b. Joseph to Shechem and Dothan - Genesis 37:12-35

Dinah's defilement - this portion of scripture always touches my heart.  Leah's only daughter, besmirched.

And Dinah the daughter of Leah, which she bare unto Jacob, went out to see the daughters of the land. (Genesis 34:1)

I though Matthew Henry's commentary on verses 1-5 worth inclusion:

Dinah was, for aught that appears, Jacob's only daughter, and we may suppose her therefore the mother's fondling and the darling of the family, and yet she proves neither a joy nor a credit to them; for those children seldom prove either the best or the happiest that are most indulged. She is reckoned now but fifteen or sixteen years of age when she here occasioned so much mischief. Observe, 1. Her vain curiosity, which exposed her. She went out, perhaps unknown to her father, but by the connivance of her mother, to see the daughters of the land (Gen_34:1); probably it was at a ball, or on some public day. Being an only daughter, she thought herself solitary at home, having none of her own age and sex to converse with; and therefore she must needs go abroad to divert herself, to keep off melancholy, and to accomplish herself by conversation better than she could in her father's tents. Note, It is a very good thing for children to love home; it is parents' wisdom to make it easy to them, and children's duty then to be easy in it. Her pretence was to see the daughters of the land, to see how they dressed, and how they danced, and what was fashionable among them. She went to see, yet that was not all, she went to be seen too; she went to see the daughters of the land, but, it may be, with some thoughts of the sons of the land too. I doubt she went to get an acquaintance with those Canaanites, and to learn their way. Note, The pride and vanity of young people betray them into many snares. 2. The loss of her honour by this means (Gen_34:2): Shechem, the prince of the country, but a slave to his own lusts, took her, and lay with her, it should seem, not so much by force as by surprise. Note, Great men think they may do any thing; and what more mischievous than untaught and ungoverned youth? See what came of Dinah's gadding: young women must learn to be chaste, keepers at home; these properties are put together, Tit_2:5, for those that are not keepers at home expose their chastity. Dinah went abroad to look about her; but, if she had looked about her as she ought, she would not have fallen into this snare. Note, The beginning of sin is as the letting forth of water. How great a matter does a little fire kindle! We should therefore carefully avoid all occasions of sin and approaches to it. 3. The court Shechem made to her, after he had defiled her. This was fair and commendable, and made the best of what was bad; he loved her (not as Amnon, 2Sa_13:15), and he engaged his father to make a match for him with her, Gen_34:4. 4. The tidings brought to poor Jacob, Gen_34:5. As soon as his children grew up they began to be a grief to him. Let not godly parents, that are lamenting the miscarriages of their children, think their case singular or unprecedented. The good man held his peace, as one astonished, that knows not what to say: or he said nothing, for fear of saying amiss, as David (Psa_39:1, Psa_39:2); he smothered his resentments, lest, if he had suffered them to break out, they should have transported him into any decencies. Or, it should seem, he had left the management of his affairs very much (too much I doubt) to his sons, and he would do nothing without them: or, at least, he knew they would make him uneasy if he did, they having shown themselves, of late, upon all occasions, bold, forward, and assuming. Note, Things never go well when the authority of a parent runs low in a family. Let every man bear rule in his own house, and have his children in subjection with all gravity.

Our culture does not defend or protect young women as it ought - they are left to their own devices far to often with peers who are as ill prepared to represent any semblance of propriety.  The movies, books, music all collude to give the same appearance of fun and frivolity that Dinah experienced.  The thoughts and behaviors of rebellion are sowed and reap horrid consequences.

Pray for those parents who are trying to raise their children counter to the culture.  Desiring to set good before them, to raise them up in the strength and admonition of the Lord.  Pray for children to have submissive hearts and minds to follow that which is godly and good.  Lord, please turn the hearts of the parents to the children and the children to the parents.

Day 21

II The Age of The Patriarchs - 1967-1606 B.C. ~ cont.

D. Jacob ~ cont.

5. Jacob's closing days with Laban ~ cont.

b. Departure from Laban - Genesis 31:17-55

6. His return to Canaan

a. Reunion with Esau

(1) Apprehension - Genesis 32:1-23

(2) Wrestles with angel, name changed - Genesis 32:24-32; 35:10

(3) Meets Esau - Genesis 33:1-16

b. Journey resumes - Genesis 33:17-20

c. Judah's three sons - Genesis 38:1-5; 1 Chronicles 2:3

(1) Birth of Er

(2) Birth of Onan

(3) Birth of Shelah

And Jacob went on his way, and the angels of God met him.  (Genesis 32:1)

And when Jacob saw them, he said, This is God's host: and he called the name of that place Mahanaim. (Genesis 32:2)

I am amazed each year when I read through the Bible and discover or see something I had not in previous years.  Thank you Father for the continual discoveries.  :-D

Setting - Jacob left Laban, Rachel stole Laban's gods, Laban is warned not to harm Jacob, Jacob and Laban come to an understanding.

The verses above caught my attention because of the reference to angels and host.  Exploring:

angels - H4397 - From an unused root meaning to despatch as a deputy; a messenger; specifically of God, that is, an angel (also a prophet, priest or teacher).

host - H4264 - From H2583; an encampment (of travellers or troops); hence an army, whether literally (of soldiers) or figuratively (of dancers, angels, cattle, locusts, stars; or even the sacred courts).

Mahanaim - H4266 - Dual of H4264; double camp; Machanajim, a place in Palestine.

Browsed Gill's commentary:

And Jacob went on his way,.... From Gilead towards the land of Canaan:

and the angels of God met him; to comfort and help him, to protect and defend him, to keep him in all his ways, that nothing hurt him, Psa_91:11; these are ministering spirits sent forth by God to minister to his people, the heirs of salvation; and such an one Jacob was.

And when Jacob saw them,.... These appeared in a visible form, most probably human, and in the habit, and with the accoutrements of soldiers, and therefore afterwards called an host or army. Aben Ezra thinks that Jacob alone saw them, as Elisha first saw the host of angels before the young man did that was with him, 2Ki_6:17,

he said, this is God's host: or army, hence he is often called the Lord of hosts; angels have this name from their number, order, strength, and military exploits they perform:

and he called the name of the place Mahanaim; which signifies two hosts or armies; either his own family and company making one, and the angels another, as Aben Ezra observes; or they were the angels, who very probably appeared in two companies, or as two armies, and one went on one side of Jacob and his family, and the other on the other side; or the one went before him, and the other behind him; the latter to secure him from any insult of Laban, should he pursue after him, and distress him in the rear, and the former to protect him from Esau, near whose country Jacob now was, and of whom he was in some fear and danger; thus seasonably did God appear for him. The Jewish writers (t) say, the host of God is 60,000, and that the Shechinah, or divine Majesty, never dwells among less, and that Mahanaim, or two hosts, are 120,000; there was afterwards a city of this name near this place, which very likely was so called in memory of this appearance, Jos_21:38; and there seems to be an allusion to it in the account of the church, Son_6:13; it was in the land of Gilead, and tribe of Gad, forty four miles from Jerusalem to the southeast (u).

Gill references the verse that came to my mind when reading that Jacob saw an angelic host.

2Ki 6:17 And Elisha prayed, and said, LORD, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.

An encouragement to those who are of the household of faith that we are always under the watchful care and protection of the Lord and His host.

Psa 91:11 For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.

Heb 1:14  Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation? 

Day 20

II The Age of The Patriarchs - 1967-1606 B.C. ~ cont.

D. Jacob ~ cont.

4. Jacob and Esau both leave ~ cont.

Parallel Passages ~ cont.

Jacob's History ~ cont.

f. Twelve children born as he works additional years for Rachael and cattle ~ cont. Genesis 30:1-6; 29:35; 30:9, 7-8, 10-11, 14-18, 12-13, 19-24

Notable children included

(1) Levi 

(2) Judah

(3) Joseph

(4) Dinah (only daughter)

Esau's History ~ cont.

b. Esau's future ~ cont.

(2) Kings of Edom

(a) Bela - 1st King - Genesis 36:31-33; 1 Chronicles 1:43-44

(b) Other kings following - Genesis 36:34-39; 1 Chronicles 1:45-50

(3) Dukes of Edom - Genesis 36:40-43; 1 Chronicles 1:51-54

END Parallel Passages

5. Jacob's closing days with Laban

a. Increased material blessings - Genesis 30:25-43; 31:1-16

And Jacob came out of the field in the evening, and Leah went out to meet him, and said, Thou must come in unto me; for surely I have hired thee with my son's mandrakes.  And he lay with her that night.  (Genesis 30:16)

I chuckled over this verse.  It appears to be the first biblically recorded incidence of paying for sex, and by the woman no less!  Hopefully that does not come across as being sacrilegious.  Jacob apparently had no choice in the matter?

Exploring a few of the words in the verse:

hired - H7936 - The second form by permutation and used in Ezr_4:5; a primitive root (apparently akin (by prosthesis) to H3739 through the idea of temporary purchase; compare H7937); to hire.

This word is doubled when used in this verse.  This word is used 21 times in 18 verses.  First usage is in Genesis 30:16, most of the verses translate the word as hired, except in Proverbs 26:10 where it is translated, twice, as rewardeth.  The last usage in Haggai 1:6, also used twice, it is translated as wages (put into a bag with holes).

mandrakes - H1736 - From H1731; a boiler or basket; also the mandrake (as aphrodisiac).

• H1731 - From the same as H1730; a pot (for boiling); also (by resemblance of shape) a basket.
• H1730 - From an unused root meaning properly to boil, that is, (figuratively) to love; by implication a love token, lover, friend; specifically an uncle.

Used only 7 times in 5 verse, primarily in the Genesis passage, also in Song of Solomon and Jeremiah.  Since this was not enough information, I went on a hunt.  Not much on mandrakes, and what is out there is, well, odd.  This site seemed decent.

I thought Gill's commentary on the passage interesting:

And Jacob came out of the field in the evening,.... From feeding his flocks:

and Leah went out to meet him; knowing full well the time he used to come home:

and said, thou must come in unto me; into her tent, for the women had separate tents from the men; as Sarah from Abraham; and so these wives of Jacob had not only tents separate from his, but from one another:

for surely I have hired thee with my son's mandrakes: that is, she had hired that night's lodging with him of Rachel, with the mandrakes her son Reuben had brought out of the field. Jacob made no objection to it; but consented, being willing to please both his wives, who he perceived had made this agreement between themselves:

and he lay with her that night; and that only, for the present: for, by the way of speaking, it looks as if he did not continue with her more nights together at that time, but went, as before that evening, to Rachel's tent.

Another interesting observation is Leah's motive - not so much to one up Rachel, but to acquire a good dowry ~ of children.  Which in our day and age is looked upon with disdain or outright scoffing.  People have been so brainwashed into thinking that children are a burden, when in reality they are a blessing from the Lord.

Psalm 127:3  Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.

Day 19

II The Age of The Patriarchs - 1967-1606 B.C. ~ cont.

D. Jacob ~ cont.

4. Jacob and Esau both leave - 

Begin Parallel Passages

Jacob's History

a. Sent to Laban's House - Genesis 28:1-5

b. Dream at Bethel - Genesis 28:10-22

c. Arrives at Haran - Genesis 29:1-14

d. Works seven years for Rachel - Genesis 29:15-20

e. Marriage to Leah and then to Rachael one week later - Genesis 29:21-31

f. Twelve children born as he works additional years for Rachael and cattle - Genesis 29:32-34

Esau's History

a. Esau marries Mahalath - Genesis 28:6-9

b. Esau's future

(1) Marriages and Descendants - Genesis 36:1-30; 1 Chronicles 1:35-42

My heart weeps for Leah ~ there was no other recourse for women, marrying a man who could and would protect, defend and provide was the only means of insuring provision for oneself. To be thrust into such a situation :-( where she is forced to marry a man that she knows loves her sister. To be treated so contemptuously by her father and now husband. Browsing commentaries, sharing Gill's:


Gen 29:25 And it came to pass, that, in the morning, behold, it was Leah,.... The morning light discovered her, and her veil being off, her tender eyes showed who she was: it is much her voice had not betrayed her; but perhaps there might be a likeness of voice in her and her sister; or she might keep silence, and so not be discovered in that way; but to excuse her from sin is not easy, even the sin of adultery and incest. Manythings may be said indeed in her favour, as obedience to her father, and, being the eldest daughter, might be desirous of having an husband first, and especially of having the promised seed, which God promised to Abraham, and was to be in the line of Jacob: and it may be, as Schmidt observes, that Laban had persuaded her to believe, that the matrimonial contract he had made with Jacob was on her account, and that she was truly his spouse; and the same he might say to Rachel, which made her easy, or otherwise it is difficult to account for it that she should acquiesce in it; for it can hardly be thought to be done without her knowledge, when it was for the solemnity of her marriage that the men of the city were called together, and a feast made for them; for that she should deliver up to her sister the things or signs that Jacob had given her to carry on the fraud, as the Jewish writers (r) say, is beyond belief:

and he said to Laban; when he arose in the morning, and at first meeting with him:

what is this that thou hast done unto me? what a wicked thing is it? as it was, to put another woman to bed to him that was not his wife, and in the room of his lawful wife; or why hast thou done this to me? what reason was there for it? what have I done, that could induce thee to do me such an injury? for Jacob knew what he had done, of that he does not inquire, but of the reason of it, and expostulates with him about the crime, as it was a sin against God, and an injury to him:

did I not serve thee, for Rachel? even seven years, according to agreement? was not this the covenant I made with thee, that she should be my wife at the end of them?

wherefore then hast thou beguiled me? by giving Leah instead of her: though Laban is not to be justified in this action, yet here appears in Providence a righteous retaliation of Jacob; he beguiled his own father, pretending he was his brother Esau; and now his father-in-law beguiles him, giving him blear eyed Leah instead of beautiful Rachel.

Day 18

II The Age of The Patriarchs - 1967-1606 B.C. ~ cont.

D. Jacob

1. Obtains Esau's birthright - Genesis 25:27-34

2. Incidents in Isaac's life

a. Famine and covenant renewal with Isaac at Gerar - Genesis 26:1-5

b. Isaac lies about Rebekah at Gerar - Genesis 26:6-10

c. Isaac's success at Gerar - Genesis 26:11-16

d. Isaac, the well-digger at Gerar caused temporary strife - Genesis 26:17-22

e. Esau marries two Canaanite women - Genesis 26:34-35

f. Makes altar at Beer-Sheba - Genesis 26:23-25

g. Death of Ishmael (137 years) - Genesis 25:17-18
h. Isaac's truce with Abimelech at Beer-Sheba - Genesis 26:26-32
3. Jacob obtains Esau's blessing - Genesis 27:1-46

Never thought to ask, "What is a birthright?"

The word, 'birthright' is used 10 times in 9 verses. In the OT:

H1062 - Feminine of H1060; the firstling of man or beast; abstractly primogeniture.

primogeniture?

–noun

1.

the state or fact of being the firstborn of children of the same parents.

2.

Law: system of inheritance or succession by the firstborn, specifically the eldest son.

• H1060 - From H1069; firstborn; hence chief.
• H1069 - A primitive root; properly to burst the womb, that is, (causatively) bear or make early fruit (of woman or tree); also (as denominatively from H1061) to give the birthright.

Burst the womb?  Interesting turn of words.  :-D  The first child most definitely changes a woman's body.  {laugh}

First usage of H1062 is in Genesis 4:4 when Abel brings the firstlings of his flock as an offering.  Last usage in Nehemiah 10:36 which uses firstborn (H1060) and firstlings (H1062).

In the NT:
G4415 - From G4416; primogeniture (as a privilege).

• G4416 - From G4413 and the alternate of G5088; first born (usually as noun, literally or figuratively).

Okay, this helps me not at all in really understanding what a birthright entails.  From K&D commentary (portion):

"The birthright consisted afterwards in a double portion of the father's inheritance (Deu_21:17); but with the patriarchs it embraced the chieftainship, the rule over the brethren and the entire family (Gen_27:29), and the title to the blessing of the promise (Gen_27:4, Gen_27:27-29), which included the future possession of Canaan and of covenant fellowship with Jehovah (Gen_28:4)."

Deu 21:17 But he shall acknowledge the son of the hated for the firstborn, by giving him a double portion of all that he hath: for he is the beginning of his strength; the right of the firstborn is his.

Here is what I gleaned from a couple of websites I browsed:

1. Double portion - of divisible property;
2. Head of the family - responsible for widow(s), other sons and unmarried daughters;
3. Authority - over other members of family; and
4. Blessing - close and favored covenant-relationship with Yahweh

I found Matthew Henry's commentary intriguing - if you do not have E-Sword (with free download program, commentaries and dictionary) please avail yourself by clicking the link.  For a quick view, go here, scroll down to Verses 29-34.

Day 17

II The Age of The Patriarchs - 1967-1606 B.C. ~ cont.

C. Isaac ~ cont.

2. Death of Job (apx 200 years) - Job 42:16-17

3. Rebecca chosen for Isaac - Genesis 24:1-67; Genesis 25:20

4. Abraham's domestic life continues

a. Marriage to Keturah - Genesis 25:1

b. Abraham's children - Genesis 25:2-4; 1 Chronicles 1:32-33

5. Death of Shem (600 years) - Genesis 11:11

6. Birth of Esau and Jacob (43rd gen) - Genesis 25:19, 21-26

7. Isaac heir of all things - Genesis 25:5-6

8. Death of Abraham (175 years) - Genesis 25:7-10

9. His survivors - 1 Chronicles 1:28; Genesis 25:11

10. Death of Eber (464 years) - Genesis 11:17

And the servant took ten camels of the camels of his master, and departed; for all the goods of his master were in his hand: and he arose, and went to Mesopotamia, unto the city of Nahor.  (Genesis 24:10)

This verse caught my attention because of the similarity between Eliezer and Joseph.

As it relates to Potiphar:

Gen 39:4 And Joseph found grace in his sight, and he served him: and he made him overseer over his house, and all that he had he put into his hand. 

The keeper of the jail:

Gen 39:22 And the keeper of the prison committed to Joseph's hand all the prisoners that were in the prison; and whatsoever they did there, he was the doer of it.

Made me ponder (and continue to pray) about how a wife could be construed as having a similar level of respect and honor from her husband:

Pro 31:11 The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.

servant - H5650 - From H5647; a servant.

• H5647 - A primitive root; to work (in any sense); by implication to serve, till, (causatively) enslave, etc.

Used 800x in 714 verses - I am most definitely opting out on reading all of these. :-D

First used in Genesis 9:25 when Ham is cursed to be a servant to his brother. Last usage in Malachi 4:4 with the Lord's admonishment to remember the law of Moses His servant.

master - H113 - From an unused root (meaning to rule); sovereign, that is, controller (human or divine).

Used 335times in 287 verses (passing on this one too). First used in Genesis 18:12 with Sarah referring to Abraham as her Lord. Last usage:

Malachi 3:1 Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts.

I thought the word Lord meant Jesus Christ/Messiah, checked Gill's commentary to confirm that I was on target. :-D

Eliezer puts out a fleece (in my estimation) - I liked all the commentaries, but decided to use Poole.

"That this was not a rash and vain fancy, but a special expectation and confidence wrought in him by God's Spirit, appears both by the eminent prudence and godliness of this person, and by the exact correspondency of the event with his prayer, and by parallel examples, as Judges 6:36; 1 Samuel 6:7; 14:8."

I had to chuckle over "Abraham's domestic life continues" in the outline. Sarah laughed at Abraham being too old (as well as she) to conceive a child. Abraham sends Eliezer off to fetch a wife for Isaac because he thinks he is to be called home soon. He then turns around and marries Keturah and produces 6 more children! At about 140 years of age!

Prior to his actual departure he sends those sons off to the east country. Only Isaac and Ishmael are in attendance (of his sons) to bury Abraham.

Abraham would have seen Esau and Jacob. I am still amazed at the overlapping of lives. Eber died 4 years later...another 48 years and Ishmael dies. We all will one day pass from this temporal plane, stepping into eternity. Have you ever considered where you will abide?

Day 16

II The Age of The Patriarchs - 1967-1606 B.C. ~ cont.

B. Abram ~ cont.

7. Abraham and his family ~ cont. 

f. Covenant with Abimelech - Genesis 21:22-34

g. 400 years of Gen 15:13 and Acts 7:6*
h. Death of Salah (433 years) - Genesis 11:15
i. Birth of Rebekah (Gen 22:23)
j. Ishmael's children - Genesis 25:12-16; 1 Chronicles 1:29-31
C. Isaac
1. Incidents in Abraham's life
a. Abraham's sacrifice of Isaac - Genesis 22:1-19
b. Abraham learns of his brother Nahor's family - Genesis 22:20-24
c. Death of Sarah (127 years) - Genesis 23:1-20

As I have been reading along - and typing out the outline - I found it interesting how long those who were either on the ark, or born soon after continued to live.  For instance Noah got off the ark, yet lived to see the Tower of Babel and the ensuing disruption due to the lack of obedience.

As a preacher of righteousness this must have been deeply troubling to him.

Using Reese's calculations each of those listed below died on or about the time stated:

2319 B.C. - Ark departure (give or take)
2032 B.C. - Nimrod
1979 B.C. - Peleg
1978 B.C. - Nahor I
1969 B.C. - Noah ~ so he was still around!  He outlived Peleg!  Telling HIS story!
1926 B.C. - Serug
1892 B.C. - Terah
1879 B.C. - Arphaxad
1849 B.C. - Salah
1830 B.C. - Sarah
1827 B.C. - Job - he was still around after Abraham and Isaac were on the scene.
1817 B.C. - Shem - he was on the ark, he was still around telling what happened!
1792 B.C. - Abraham
1788 B.C. - Eber
1744 B.C. - Ishmael

I have gone waaaay past the outline for today with the death chronology. :-D  Thought provoking though about how lives overlap.  An exhortation to all of us.  Our lives are overlapping others, what does Father want us to say and/or do for those that we come in contact?

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

*I don't get this one either

Day 15

II The Age of The Patriarchs - 1967-1606 B.C. ~ cont.

B. Abram ~ cont.

6. Destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah ~ cont.

b. Intercession for Sodom - Genesis 18:23-33

c. Angels visit Lot to warn - Genesis 19:23

d. Destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, Dead Sea formed - Genesis 19:24-29

7. Abraham and his family

a. Lies to Abimelech - Genesis 20:-1-18

b. Birth of Isaac (44th Gen) - Genesis 21:1-7; 1 Chronicles 1:34

c. Lot's daughters bare his sons, Moab and Benammi - Genesis 19:30-38

d. Conflict of Isaac and Ishmael - Genesis 21:13

e. Hagar and Ishmael cast out - Genesis 21:21

And Abraham said of Sarah his wife, She is my sister: and Abimelech king of Gerar sent and took her.  (Genesis 20:2)

I'm always amazed when I come to this portion of scripture...Sarah was not a 'youngster' though she died at the ripe 'old' age of 127 - she is about 90 here, give or take a few months.  I find it amazing that at her age the king would want to add her to his harem.  Father providentially protected and kept Sarah (and the king) from any mischief.

And unto Sarah he (the king) said, Behold, I have given thy brother a thousand pieces of silver: behold he is to thee a covering of the eyes, unto all that are with thee, and with all other: thus she was reproved.  (Genesis 20:16)

Abraham lies - gets 1000 pieces of silver, Sarah gets rebuked....for obeying.  What is up with that?

rebuke - H3198 - A primitive root; to be right (that is, correct); reciprocally to argue; causatively to decide, justify or convict.

First usage of the word represented by H3198 is in Genesis 20:16, last usage in Habakkuk 1:12 and translated as correction.  Used in Genesis 24:44 as 'appointed out' which is speaking of Rebekah whom Abraham's servant prayed for God to reveal.

In Job 5:17 Behold happy is the man whom God correcteth: therefore despise not thou the chastening of the of the Almighty.

I have spent almost a year wrestling out the issue of headship, submission, covering etc.  Obviously the phrase "he is to thee a covering of the eyes" caught my attention and was in need of a tad more research.

covering - H3682 - From H3680; a cover (garment); figuratively a veiling.

• H3680 - A primitive root; properly to plump, that is, fill up hollows; by implication to cover (for clothing or secrecy).

I checked the commentaries - thought this one from Wesley was interesting:  "Thy brother is to thee a covering of the eyes - Thou must look at no other, nor desire to be looked at by any other. Yoke - fellows must be to each other for a covering of the eyes. The marriage - covenant is a covenant with the eyes, like Job's, Job_31:1."

Women can and do seduce with their eyes...I had not thought about how covering the eyes of a married woman would be beneficial.  The practicality in literally having the eyes veiled is not probable, though I do think women can and should guard their eyes.  I will have to think upon that a bit more.

Poole's commentary:  i.e. a protection to thee from the wanton eyes and attempts of others, whilst they know thee to be the wife of another man, and he such a one whom they reverence and fear; and therefore thou didst take a very wrong course to disown him, whereby thou didst expose thyself to great danger. Or, this is to thee, &c., i.e. this I give to thee to buy thee a veil, wherewith thou mayest cover thy face, as it is fit and usual for married persons to do. Compare Genesis 24:65; 1 Corinthians 11:3, 6, 7, 10.

I saved Gill's for last...I have read it several times...his turn of words in a particular phrase are somewhat vexatious.  I am pasting his commentary on just the phrase:

behold, he is to thee a covering of the eyes, unto all that are with thee; a protection of her person and chastity: so an husband, in our language, is said to be a cover to his wife, and she under a cover: thus Abraham being now known to be the husband of Sarah, would for the future be a covering to her, that no one should look upon her, and desire her, and take her to be his wife; and he would also be a protection to her maidens that were with her, the wives of his servants, that these also might not be taken from him: but it seems best to refer this to the gift of the thousand pieces of silver, and read the words, "behold, this is to thee (h) a covering of the eyes"; so the Targums of Jonathan and Jerusalem; for the words are a continued biting sarcasm on Sarah; as Abimelech twits her with calling Abraham her brother in the preceding clause, so in this he tells her that he had given him so much money to buy her a veil with, and to supply her with veils from time to time to cover her eyes, that nobody might be tempted to lust after her, and that it might be known she was a married woman; for in these countries married women wore veils for distinction, Gen_24:65; and so not to be had by another, nor would any be deceived by her; and not only was this money given to buy veils for her, but for her female servants also that were married, that they might be knows to be another's property; though this latter phrase "unto", or "with all that are with thee" (i), may be understood, not of persons, but of things, even of all the girls which Abimelech had given her while in his house; these he did not, take back again, but continued them with her, either for the above use, or whatever she pleased; and the following phrase:

That they might be known to be another's property?  In our 'modern' world, with our enlightened and feministic society, the thought of being someone else's property boggles my mind.  Whether it is true or not (in the eyes of God) I have not fully wrestled myself to any particular conclusion.  Praying that Father will guide and direct me in this area and give me understanding and wisdom to see it how HE sees it.

Day 14

II The Age of The Patriarchs - 1967-1606 B.C. ~ cont.
B. Abram ~ cont.

4. God's covenant with Abram given in detail - Genesis 15:1-21

5. Relationship to Ishmael

a. Sarah gives Hagar to Abram - Genesis 16:1-14

b. Birth of Ishmael - Genesis 16:15-16

c. Death of Arphaxad (438 years) - Genesis 11:13

d. Covenant renewed, name changed to Abraham - Genesis 17:1-8

e. Circumcision a sign - Genesis 17:9-14

f. Name changed to Sarah; Isaac promised - Genesis 17:15-19

g. Ishmael's destiny foretold - Genesis 17:20-22

h. Circumcision inaugurated - Genesis 17:23-27

6. Destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah

a. Heavenly visitors - Genesis 18:1-22

And he (Abram) said, Lord God, whereby shall I know that I shall inherit it?  (Genesis 15:8)

Questioning God.  Gill's commentary:

And he said, Lord God, whereby shall I know that I shall inherit it? Not as questioning or doubting whether he should or not; but this he asked for the further confirmation of his faith in the promise, and for the sake of his posterity, that they might more easily and strongly believe that they should inherit the land given and promised to them; nor is it culpable to ask a sign of God with such a view; good men have done it, as Gideon, Jdg_6:36, and Hezekiah, 2Ki_20:8, without being blamed for it; yea, Ahaz is blamed for not asking one, Isa_7:10.

And I will give unto thee, and to thy seed after thee, the land wherein thou art a stranger, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession; and I will be their God.  (Genesis 17:8)

Is this physical, spiritual, both?  What does everlasting mean?

H5769 - From H5956; properly concealed, that is, the vanishing point; generally time out of mind (past or future), that is, (practically) eternity; frequentative adverbially (especially with prepositional prefix) always.

Henry's commentary:  "God had before promised this land to Abraham and his seed, Gen_15:18. But here, where it is promised for an everlasting possession, surely it must be looked upon as a type of heaven's happiness, that everlasting rest which remains for the people of God, Heb_4:9. This is that better country to which Abraham had an eye, and the grant of which was that which answered to the vast extent and compass of that promise, that God would be to them a God; so that, if God had not prepared and designed this, he would have been ashamed to be called their God, Heb_11:16. As the land of Canaan was secured to the seed of Abraham according to the flesh, so heaven is secured to all his spiritual seed, by a covenant, and for a possession, truly everlasting. The offer of this eternal life is made in the word, and confirmed by the sacraments, to all that are under the external administration of the covenant; and the earnest of it is given to all believers, Eph_1:14. Canaan is here said to be the land wherein Abraham was a stranger; and the heavenly Canaan is a land to which we are strangers, for it does not yet appear what we shall be."

Difference in the meaning of the names:

Abram - H87 - Contracted from H48; high father; Abram, the original name of Abraham.

• H48 - From H1 and H7311; father of height (that is, lofty); Abiram, the name of two Israelites.

Abraham - H85 - Contracted from H1 and an unused root (probably meaning to be populous); father of a multitude; Abraham, the later name of Abram.

I liked that father of height.  :-)  Height versus width?  When I think of a multitude I do not necessarily think of depth (height) rather of something spread abroad.  Interesting ponderables.

Sarai - H8297 - From H8269; dominative; Sarai, the wife of Abraham.

• H8269 - From H8323; a head person (of any rank or class).
• H8323 - A primitive root; to have (transitively exercise; reflexively get) dominion.

Sarah - H8283 - The same as H8282; Sarah, Abraham’s wife.

• H8282 - Feminine of H8269; a mistress, that is, female noble.

dominative ~ –adjective - dominating; controlling.

Hmm...was Sarai controlling?  With her insistence of Abram (at that time) taking Hagar and using her as a surrogate mom, it could be inferred that Sarai (at that time) was domineering.  Then elevated to a position of nobility.  I thought it interesting that both names come back to the same root word.