Welcome to AtoZMom’s BSF Blog! BSF International, or Bible Study Fellowship (BSF)’s study of the Book of Genesis will take you from the Creation of the world through the patriarchs — Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob — to the death of Joseph, who saved his people from a famine. Read about God’s covenant promises to always be with His people and experience them for yourself in this best bible study online.
Well, we made it. I usually just do one post for Lesson 30 since they are all personal questions. Plus, since I just lost my cat, I’m having a really hard time doing anything right now.
Day 1:
For me, I was impacted by how God can do anything he wants, from choosing who he wants to his punishments and consequences of sin. Unsure of his will for me. I just keep plugging along, hoping it is God’s will.
Day 2:
I always have loved Joseph. He faced so many challenges and struggles in his life, yet God had a plan to save the world (and us) through him. It’s one of the most hopeful stories in the Bible. If you can believe that God has a plan for your life and everything works together for your good, then life will be infintely easier.
Day 3:
I hate these questions. I don’t know. I always hope I’m a better person, but it’s truly hard to see that in my life.
Day 4:
Same as Day 3. I’m truly uncertain.
Day 5:
Keep on shining God’s light as best as I can as a flawed human. That’s all I can do.
Joseph died at age 110 and lived to see the third generation of Ephraim’s children. Joseph told his brothers that God will come to take them to the Promise Land. He made them swear to carry his bones out of Egypt and take him with them. He was embalmed in Egypt.
BSF Study Questions Genesis: Lesson 29, Day 5: Genesis 50:22-26
16) God will come to take them to the Promise Land.
17) Joseph never doubted God and His promises. He knew the Israelites would be taken back to the Promised Land when the time was right.
18) Both died in faith surrounded by their family. It was a long journey, but God and His ways brought them both to Him. They were both honored and embalmed, and both will be buried in the Promise Land.
Conclusions BSF Study Questions Genesis: Lesson 29, Day 5: Genesis 50:22-26
Great ending to a life well lived.
End Notes BSF Study Questions Genesis: Lesson 29, Day 5: Genesis 50:22-26
Joseph was led and blessed by God his entire life. He was 56 when Jacob died, and none of the details of Joseph’s live is recorded in scripture. We can presume that Joseph continued to lead the people of Egypt and his family. He lived 93 of his 110 years in Egypt. He was foreigner most of his life, but he was faithful to God throughout, and was rewarded for it.
It is said that Joseph was never buried in Egypt. His bones/coffin stood as a testament to the Israelites of the future of the Promise Land. Joseph would be taken out of Egypt by Moses to the Promise Land for burial in 400 years time. (Exodus 13:19)
Some promises of God take a long time to fulfill. The book of Genesis concludes with Joseph’s death — a death that looks forward to the future.
Now with Jacob dead, the brothers feared retribution from Joseph over what they did. They lied (presumably again), saying that Jacob told them to tell Joseph to forgive them. Joseph wept at the message. The brothers threw themselves at Joseph’s feet, calling themselves his slaves. Joseph told them to not be afraid (much like God would). God intended their actions for good so that he can save many lives. Joseph told them he would provide for them and their families.
BSF Study Questions Genesis: Lesson 29, Day 4: Genesis 50:15-21
13) The brothers feared retribution from Joseph over what they did. They lied (again), saying that Jacob told them to tell Joseph to forgive them. Joseph wept at the message. The brothers threw themselves at Joseph’s feet, calling themselves his slaves.
14) “In all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Joseph forgives his brothers and promises to take care of them and their children.
15) There is good in every situation, and you have to have faith that God intends everything (even the bad) for good. With time, you can see it.
Conclusions BSF Study Questions Genesis: Lesson 29, Day 4: Genesis 50:15-21
The brothers lie again. Is there no end here? Joseph echoes his words from before that God intended their actions for good to save lives (Genesis 45:5).
End Notes BSF Study Questions Genesis: Lesson 29, Day 4: Genesis 50:15-21
Joseph’s tears are probably because the brothers are showing no faith in him and his forgiveness from years before.
Josepth rightly put retribution into God’s hands. God uses all things for our good.
Our lives are in God’s hands. God saved the lives of Jacob’s family to save all of us.
Joseph provided for his brothers out of love and compassion. He had the love of God in him, which he shared with his brothers.
Jacob gave each son the appropriate blessing. He requests to be buried in the same tomb as Abraham and Sarah, Isaac and Rebekah, and Leah. Then he died.
Joseph threw himself upon his father and wept. He was embalmed and mourned over for 70 days. Joseph asked Pharaoh for permission to bury his father in Canaan, which Pharaoh granted. So Joseph, all of Pharaoh’s officials, all the members of Joseph’s family, chariots, and horsemen journeyed to Canaan to bury Jacob. At Atad near the Jordan River, Joseph stopped and mourned 7 days for Jacob. Jacob was buried, and all returned to Egypt.
BSF Study Questions Genesis: Lesson 29, Day 3: Genesis 49:29-50:14
8 ) Because God had promised him the land.
9) He is faithful.
10) They abided by his wishes and got special permission to take his body back. They all went to Canaan (a long journey) to bury him, as did the dignitaries of Egypt.
11) Pharaoh gave Joseph permission to take his body back to be buried. The Egyptian officials accompanied Joseph and mourned. Chariots and horses were taken. The Canaanites knew it was a solemn cermony.
12a) If you believe in Jesus, you will have eternal life. If you do not believe, you will die in your sins. All those in Christ will live again. Man will die once and then face judgement and Christ will appear a second time and bring salvation to all.
b) I really don’t think about my death all that much.
Conclusions BSF Study Questions Genesis: Lesson 29, Day 3: Genesis 49:29-50:14
I love the ceremony for Jacob. It is fitting. Wish the Bible did say more about death.
End Notes BSF Study Questions Genesis: Lesson 29, Day 3: Genesis 49:29-50:14
Jacob knew he would see Isaac and Abraham in heaven. He also wanted his eternal resting place for his body on earth to be in the Promised Land, although he could have been buried with riches and in a pyramid for all we know.
Jacob is repeated his death wishes to the rest of the brothers; he already told Joseph (Genesis 47:29-31)
This ends the life of the last patriarch: Abraham, Isaac & Jacob. Those who believe in Christ defy death.
The mourning of Jacob in Egypt shows how great he was. 70 days was almost a royal mourning.
It’s interesting that Jospeh did not make his request directly to Pharaoh in the beginning even though he was 2nd in command. This shows the proof of the truth of the Bible.
This burial must have been grand, indeed, and the fact that Jacob was embalmed. Only the wealthy were embalmed in ancient Egypt. This is rare in Scripture to see this detail of a burial (outside of Jesus) recorded.
Remember that Abraham purchased this cave (Genesis 23:9), which was the only part of the Promised Land he actually owned (Genesis 23:17). Sarah (Genesis 23:19), Abraham (Genesis 25:9), Isaac, Rebekah, Leah, (Genesis 49:31) and now Jacob are buried here.
Jacob calls his sons together to bless them and tell them their future before he dies. He tells Reuben he will no longer excel because of his defilement of his father’s bed. Simeon and Levi will be scattered in Israel. They will no longer be leaders as punishment for the slaughter at Shechem.
Judah’s brothers will praise him and bow down to him. The scepter will not leave Judah’s hand until it comes to whom it belongs and obedience is his (reference to Jesus). His (Jesus) robes will be washed in blood, his eyes darker than wine, his teeth whiter than milk.
Zebulun will live by the seashore and become a haven for ships. Issachar will submit to forced labor. Dan will provide justice for his people. Gad will be attacked, but he will attack back. Asher will have rich food. Naphtali is free.
Joseph is a fruitful vine that overflows. Enemies attack, but Joseph remains steady because of God who blesses him. His blessings rest on him, the “prince among his brothers.”
Benjamin devours and plunders.
These were the 12 Tribes of Israel.
BSF Study Questions Genesis: Lesson 29, Day 2: Genesis 49:1-28
3) Benjamin’s is to me. He is like a ravenous wolf who devours his prey and divides his plunder. Since Benjamin is the youngest, I picture him as the most innocent, not as this is painted.
4a) Their descendents are punished because of them. Reuben he will no longer excel because of his defilement of his father’s bed. Simeon and Levi will be scattered in Israel. They will no longer be leaders as punishment for the slaughter at Shechem.
b) God holds people responsible for their actions, and sin can be passed down and perpetrated into next generations, which is why being a parent is so hard as we try not to pass our sins onto ur children.
5) Judah’s brothers will praise him and bow down to him. The scepter will not leave Judah’s hand until it comes to whom it belongs and obedience is his (reference to Jesus). His (Jesus) robes will be washed in blood, his eyes darker than wine, his teeth whiter than milk.
6) God can do whatever He wants. He is God. It is not on us to question Him, His authority, or what He does.
7) It would take many pages to type this one out. Suffice it to say that every choice brings you to where you are at today, and it is all in God’s plan to honor and bless you in that way. Nothing should be regretted You are here because God has let you be here.
Conclusions BSF Study Questions Genesis: Lesson 29, Day 2: Genesis 49:1-28
This lesson was much condensed from last time we did this study and was much improved. It’s interesting to me how sin is perpetuated and many people don’t have kids because of this fact. But there is nothing you can do about it. All you can do is your best.
End Notes BSF Study Questions Genesis: Lesson 29, Day 2: Genesis 49:1-28
You can safely say that many of these are not blessings but prophecies (unsure how telling your kid you won’t be a leader, you will be scattered, and you won’t excel is a blessing).
Fun Fact: This is the first prophecy spoken by a man (not God) in the Bible.
Note that Jacob refers to himself by both names (Jacob and Israel). He is recognizing both sides of himself (the good and the bad here).
Reuben’s sin: Genesis 35:22. No one of note came from Reuben’s line (Matthew 19:30). No king, prophet, or judge would come from Reuben. His tribe was the first to be conquered by the Assyrian and Babylonians, and he would settle east of the Jordan, which was not well fortified.
Simeon and Levi’s sin: (Genesis 34:25-29). Forgiven sins can still haunt us. Their sin is anger and retribution in anger. This is not a godly anger Ephesians 4:26), but an ungodly one. Ephesians 4:31)
Simeon’s tribe shrank when they wandered in the wilderness after the parting of the Red Sea. They went from the 3rd largest (Numbers 1:23), to the smallest (Numbers 26:14) in 40 years. They had to share their piece of the Promise Land with Judah (Joshua 19:1). They would be enveloped into Judah’s tribe.
Levi, however, gained blessing despite his sin and was chosen to be the line of the priesthood because of their faithfulness during the Golden Calf episode (Exodus 32:26-28). They gained God as their inheritance (Joshua 13:33). It pays to draw near to God when you’ve been reprimanded by Him. However, they were scattered as priests had to live all over Israel in order to preach to the people.
Because Judah inherited the ruling position, the kings of Israel (including Jesus, the ultimate King) would come from him. Revelation 5:5, Lions in scripture symbolize power, victory, and dominion. His tribe would prosper.
Shiloh is another name for Jesus, meaning “he whose right it is.” David partially fulfilled this prophecy, but it was Jesus a full 1600 years later that sealed the deal.
Zebulon settled next to the Mediterranean Sea and the Sea of Galilee — both places for ships. His tribe is noted in the Bible for being faithful to David (1 Chronicles 12:33). His name means “honored dwelling.”
Issachar was a large tribe, but they became slaves. Numbers 26
From the tribe of Dan came the judge, Samson (Judges 13:2). Dan menas “he judged.”
Some Bible scholars believe the Antichrist will come from the tribe of Dan (based on Daniel 11:37 and Jeremiah 8:16).
Dan is left out of the listing of tribes in Revelation 7:5-8 B nor in 1 Chronicles 2-9. but Dan is the first tribe listed in Ezekiel’s list (Ezekiel 48).
Jacob calls out for Jesus (the Hebrew word for salvation is “yeshuwah.”). Cool, isn’t it?
Gad helped David (1 Chronicles 12:14). They settled on the east side of the Jordan and had to fend off constant attacks.
Asher was known as a land of luxury Deuteronomy 33:24, near Phoenicia. Anna, a prophetess from Asher, saw Jesus (Luke 2:36-38)
Naphtali’s land bordered the Sea of Galilee, where Jesus spent much of his time (Matthew 4:12-16)
Joseph had already received his blessing. Perhaps this was a repeat for the benefit of the other brothers Genesis 48. God gave Joseph the strength of will for the bow. Joseph’s tribes of Mannsseh and Ephraim were some of the biggest. Joseph overcame much.
Jacob/Israel blesses Joseph. Joseph tried to move his father’s hands, being displeased that Jacob had switched the order. Jacob refused, saying Ephraim would be greater than Manasseh. Jacob told Joseph that God would be with him, take him back to his fathers, and he gives him the ridge of land he took from the Amorites.
BSF Study Questions Genesis: Lesson 28, Day 5: Genesis 48:15-22
13a) God is the God of Abraham and Isaac, has been his shepherd, and now may the boys be called by the names of Abraham and Isaac, too.
b) God has led him his entire life. To find his wife, Rachel, and now back to Joseph.
14) Jacob knows more than Joseph and he tells him so.
15) He used COVID-19 to move us so we can start a new life.
16) God would be with him, take him back to his fathers, and he gives him the ridge of land he took from the Amorites. Jacob believed God enough to switch the blessing and tell Joseph he would be taken back to Canaan too when he died.
Conclusions BSF Study Questions Genesis: Lesson 28, Day 5: Genesis 48:15-22
Cruised through this lesson till I got here. This one is most definitely difficult to interpret because it involves God’s ways and not ours.
End Notes BSF Study Questions Genesis: Lesson 28, Day 5: Genesis 48:15-22
By Jacob blessing Joseph’s sons, he is blessing Joseph as well. Ephraim would be the greater tribe and that name was even used occasionally to refer to all of the northern portion of Israel.Isaiah 7:8, 7:17, and 11:13).
Fun Fact: We see the first time God as a shepherd is used in the Bible.
We see here that firstborn is more meaning first in position rather than a direct connection. For I am a Father to Israel, and Ephraim is My firstborn (Jeremiah 31:9).
Jesus was firstborn, but he was not created. (Colossians 1:15),
We see the last of the three patriarchs dying.
Joseph is now one portion above his brothers since his two sons each got a portion. On maps of the 12 tribes of Jacob, you will see that Joseph’s name has been left out, replaced by his two sons.
This Amorite land is not recorded in Scripture as being taken. Joseph’s descendants will see this land.
Spurgeon called Joseph the best picture of Jesus in the Bible. Indeed, there are many similarities. The highlights are here:
Both were hated and rejected
Both were condemned
Both were sold
Both were falsely accused
Both were betrayed
Both were given a Gentile bride
Both began their life’s work at the age of 30
Both blessed the world
Both saved the world
The firstborn normally receives the priesthood, the kingship, and the double inheritance. Here, Jacob’s 11th son, Joseph, receives the double inheritance. His 4th son, Judah, receives the kingship via the Messiah, and Levi, his 3rd son, gets the priesthood.
Jacob led a blessed life, indeed. He embraces his stages in life and made the most of them.
Joseph took his two sons to see Jacob when it was reported that he was ill. Jacob repeated to Joseph the covenant promise God had made him. Jacob adopts Joseph’s two sons as his own, Ephraim and Manasseh. Jacob asks to bless them, but his eyesight is failing so Joseph places the older one, Manasseh, on right and the younger one, Ephraim, on his left. Jacob switches his hands to bless the younger one over the older one like Isaac and Jacob were chosen. Joseph’s family received a double share since he was adopting both boys.
BSF Study Questions Genesis: Lesson 28, Day 4: Genesis 48:1-14
10) Jacob adopts both of Joseph’s boys as his own so that they will receive a share in the Promised Land. He blesses them all.
11a) Isaac and Jacob were chosen over their brothers. Seth, Shem, and Joseph’s now double blessing over Reuben
b) God can do what He wants, and we can’t understand His reasons.
12) I am facing none now, or at least I don’t feel hopeless cause I think nothing is hopeless. But there have been many times there I faced hopelessness and God brought me through, like in our moves.
Conclusions BSF Study Questions Genesis: Lesson 28, Day 4: Genesis 48:1-14
I love how the patriarchs of the family are honored; their blessings are sought; it matters what they think, say, and do. Too many of us dismiss the elderly as not having much of value to say.
End Notes BSF Study Questions Genesis: Lesson 28, Day 4: Genesis 48:1-14
Luz is another name for Bethel (Genesis 28:19, 35:6), which is where Jacob saw God.
We read the exact words of the covenant passed down verbally from generation to generation. It is presumed that Jacob and most of God’s people couldn’t read nor was there much to read. Joseph most likely could since he was in the house of Pharaoh.
There is still 12 tribes of Israel, but there are 13 sons now with this adoption, as Joseph was now divided into two tribes. They are listed over 20 different ways in the Bible
The Number 12 in the Bible
12 is often associated with government or administration in God’s eyes.
There are
12 tribes;
12 apostles;
12 princes of Ishmael;
12 pillars on Moses’ altar;
12 stones on the high priest’s breastplate;
12 cakes of showbread;
12 silver platters; silver bowls; and gold pans for the service of the tabernacle;
12 spies to search out the land;
12 memorial stones;
12 governors under Solomon;
12 stones in Elijah’s altar;
12 in each group of musicians and singers for Israel’s worship;
12 hours in a day;
12 months in a year;
12 Ephesian men filled with the Holy Spirit;
12,000 from 12 tribes sealed and preserved through the tribulation;
12 gates of 12 pearls in heaven, and 12 angels at the gates;
12 foundations in the New Jerusalem, each with the names of the 12 apostles of the Lamb; it’s length, breadth, and height are all 12,000 furlongs;
the tree of life in heaven has 12 fruits.
Jacob still remembers his beloved Rachel.
Manasseh means forgetfulness and Ephraim means fruitfulness (Genesis 41:51-52).
Note how Joseph bows down to Jacob even though he only bows to Pharaoh.
We know that the right hand in the Bible is the favored hand. It is usually most people’s stronger hand and Jesus sat down at the right hand of God in heaven (Mark 14:62). We also see the right hand representing God’s strength and favor (Exodus 15:6),(Psalm 16:11)
