Category: BSF Genesis 2020/2021

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.

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BSF Study Questions Genesis: Lesson 16, Day 4: Genesis 25:27-34

by atozmom, posted in BSF Genesis 2020/2021

Summary of Genesis 25:27-34:

Esau grew into a skilled hunter, while Jacob grew into a quiet man, prefering to stay around the tents. Isaac loved Esau; Rebekah loved Jacob. One day, Esau returned and wanted some stew that Jacob was serving. He called it red stew, which is why he was also called Edom, which means red. Jacob told him he would have to sell him his birthright for stew. Esau didn’t care and agreed. He ate and left, despising his birthright.

BSF Study Questions Genesis: Lesson 16, Day 4: Genesis 25:27-34

9) Esau grew into a skilled hunter, while Jacob grew into a quiet man, prefering to stay around the tents. They are both Isaac and Rebekah’s sons.

10a) Genesis 27:29 is Jacob receiving Isaac’s blessing, which in this case for birthright, is nations and people serving him and lord over your brothers. It also has those who curse you be cursed and those who bless you be blessed. Deuteronomy 21:15-17 explains that the right of the firstborn no matter the preference of feelings receives a double share of all he has, as the son is a sign of the father’s strength.  Great explanation of birthright HERE

We have inherited “birthright” status through Jesus Christ as the firstborn Son of God (Romans 8:29; Colossians 1:15; Revelation 1:5)

b) He sold the birthright because he was hungry and on impulse. He didn’t care; he only wanted food. He let temporary wants override eternal needs and desires. We can’t let things interfer that are temporary here on earth with eternity in heaven.

11) We see here God’s will be done as Jacob receives Isaac’s blessing despite being the second born. We see Esau make a dumb decision that affects the rest of his life. We must always be vigilant, prayerful, and seeking of God’s will before we make decisions.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions Genesis: Lesson 16, Day 4: Genesis 25:27-34

Like Moses being banned from the Promised Land over one decision, so, too, we see Esau sell his birthright. It seems harsh to us, but we ourselves should know that every decision we make has consequences, most, thankfully are not as severe if we choose poorly. Pray always first, and trust God for the rest.

End Note BSF Study Questions Genesis: Lesson 16, Day 4: Genesis 25:27-34

We should note that Esau acted impulsively, Jacob, too, was being a scoundrel, taking advantage of his brother and asking for the birthright when it was not his. Interestingly, Martin Luther himself pointed out that the birthright was already Jacob’s because of what God told Rebekah. Jacob had to have know this, as too did Esau. Essentially, this deal was invalid then.

Here, there was much more at stake because the birthright also came with God’s covenant to make that person into a great nation with land and bring forth the Messiah.

We see Jacob’s character as he attempted to take what God had already given him. We see his heart here. This is funny to me because God already said who was chosen. It would have been better if both brothers had just accepted that.

Neither men here were acting Godly at all.

Christians have a birthright to heaven and God via Jesus. Yet, look at how many thumb their nose at this. Ephesians 1:3-14

  • We are blessed to be in God’s family
  • We are forgiven for our sins.
  • We receive God’s grace and mercy.
  • We receive eternity in heaven with God.
  • We receive the Holy Spirit
  • We have life

The writer of Hebrews tells us more of Esau Hebrews 12:16 which shows God’s wisdom in choosing Jacob.

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BSF Study Questions Genesis: Lesson 16, Day 3: Genesis 25:19-26

by atozmom, posted in BSF Genesis 2020/2021

Summary of Genesis 25:19-26:

Isaac was forty when he married Rebekah.  Isaac prayed when he discovered Rebekah was barren and God granted her twins. The Lord told her she carried two nations, one will be stronger and the older will serve the younger. Esau was the first born (his name may mean hairy. He was also called Edom which means red for he was red-headed). The second born was Jacob who came out clasping Esau’s heel (his name means he grasps the heel or he deceives). Isaac was 60 years old at their birth.

BSF Study Questions Genesis: Lesson 16, Day 3: Genesis 25:19-26

6) Isaac prayed to the Lord on behalf of his wife. The Lord answered. Rebekah inquired of the Lord as well about why her pregnancy was so difficult. The Lord answered her. Both went to God for answers and did not make assumptions. Both continually seek God.

7) Personal Question. My answer: I believe I’m right where God puts me every time. I am waiting on Him to move, and I follow. This has been the story of my life since I was little. He doesn’t necessarily speak, but I take one day at a time to what He brings me.

8 ) “Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples from within you will be separated; one people will be stronger than the other, and the older will serve the younger.”

Conclusions BSF Study Questions Genesis: Lesson 16, Day 3: Genesis 25:19-26

It seems that Isaac and Rebekah have a very strong marriage (at least at this point) that points toward God. Great example of going to God with all of your questions. I love how Isaac prays for his wife. Great, indeed!

End Notes BSF Study Questions Genesis: Lesson 16, Day 3: Genesis 25:19-26

Note that nothing comes easy, even to the chosen ones. Isaac and Rebekah had to wait as well for children. This should be encouragement for all couples waiting on a baby. Note too they did not use a suroagate as Abraham did

Esau and Jacob will be Isaac and Rebekah’s only children. Two nations will come from them. Edom from Esau and Israel from Jacob.

Note how God can do anything He wants, including go against tradition and choose the second-born, Jacob, as His chosen one. Paul notes God’s sovereignty as well. Romans 9:10-13,

Note that God’s choices are not haphazard or random; everything God does is with purpose and has a plan. We just can’t see it. It is our job to trust, God’s to orchestrate.

The detail of Jacob being born holding on to Esau’s heel should not be lost on us. It actually was not a compliment back in ancient times and actually had a connotation of trickster, which as most of us know, Jacob is when he receives the blessing over Esau as we’ll see coming up. We must remember that no word in the Bible is wasted.

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BSF Study Questions Genesis: Lesson 16, Day 2: Genesis 25:1-18

by atozmom, posted in BSF Genesis 2020/2021

Summary of Genesis 25:1-18:

Abraham took another wife named Keturah and had more kids. He left everything he owned to Isaac but gave gifts to his other sons and sent them away to the land of the east. Abraham lived 175 years and was buried with Sarah in the cave he bought from the Hittites by Isaac and Ishmael. God blessed Isaac who settled near Beer Lahai Roi.

Ishmael had 12 sons who became 12 tribal rulers. He lived to be 137 years old. His descendants settled near Egypt from Havilah to Shur as you go towards Asshur. They lived in hostility towards their brothers.

BSF Study Questions Genesis: Lesson 16, Day 2: Genesis 25:1-18

3) Abraham sent all of his other sons away from Isaac, making it clear who would inherit his lands. He gave gifts to the rest of his sons.

4) God blessed his son Isaac. God told Abraham in Genesis 15:15 that he would go to his fathers in peace and be buried at a good old age. Genesis 21:11-13 says God will make Isaac into a nation. Genesis 24:7 says that a wife will be got for Isaac so that he can have sons and his descendents will inherit the land.

5) Personal Question. My answer: I learn that God keeps His promises no matter how much we sin or mess up. That God is faithful and repeats His promises to us. That God is good. And that despite our failures, His plans never alter.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions Genesis: Lesson 16, Day 2: Genesis 25:1-18

I was surprised to see Abraham marry again. I don’t remember this the last time I read Genesis. It seems like his other kids are told to go away, which is why I’m wondering why even marry again, knowing Isaac is the promised one beside for companionship. It just seems terrible to be Abraham’s other sons, second always to God’s promised one.

End Notes BSF Study Questions Genesis: Lesson 16, Day 2: Genesis 25:1-18

In total, Abraham had 8 sons, and it’s very easy to forget this since the six by his second wife, Keturah, are hardly mentioned. However, these sons would from tribes of their own, perhaps the most famous in the Bible being the Midianites from Midian.

Some scholars use this passage to say it was Sarah that was the one with fertility problems. I disagree. God can open and close wombs as He chooses. His plan was to test Abraham and Sarah’s faith so He closed Sarah’s womb, not anything else.

We see God’s work be passed on from generation to generation as we read about Abraham’s death.

Fun Fact: Abraham is mentioned 70 times by the writers of the New Testament, the most out of any other OT person except Moses.

Fun Fact: We see here for the first time “breathed his last” to refer to death and “gathered to his people” to mean joining loved ones in heaven

We see that Ishmael continued to receive God’s blessing as well. The Old Testament usually lists the non-messianic line first and then the messianic line last, which we see here in Ishmael’s listing.

Beer Lahai Roi in the Bible: Click HERE

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bsf lesson 15 summary isaac marries rebekah www.atozmomm.com

Friday Digest: BSF’s Study of Genesis Lesson 15

by atozmom, posted in BSF Genesis 2020/2021

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW IN GENESIS CHAPTER 24:

  • We should all serve God like the servant served Abraham
  • Seek God in all things in your life through prayer and guidance
  • All true Christians are led by the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:14).
  • Ask, seek, and you shall find with prayer and petition (Matthew 7:7)
  • Pray for God’s will in Jesus’ name. Then expect God to show up.
  • “I will go” should be your answer once you receive confirmation of God’s will

Take Away: When you have a servant’s heart and seek God’s will in your life, He will answer.

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BSF Study Questions Genesis: Lesson 15, Day 5: Genesis 24:52-67

by atozmom, posted in BSF Genesis 2020/2021

Summary Genesis 25:52-67:

The servant showered the entire family with precious and costly gifts for the dowry. The next morning Laban and Bethuel tried to delay the trip, but they left immediately on Rebekah’s acquiescence. The family blessed Rebekah and sent her on the long journey to Canaan.

Isaac had come from Beer Lahai Roi. He, whom we can assume had been praying for a wife as well, greets the return party, hears the tale of the servant, and marries Rebekah.

BSF Study Questions Genesis: Lesson 15, Day 5: Genesis 24:52-67

13) The servant wants to hurry back so that his task can be completed and so that God’s will to make Abraham’s descendants into a great nation can be fulfilled. Rebekah, who will most likely never see her family again, agrees to go right away, knowing this is God’s will, too.

14) Personal Question. My answer: Moving a lot has cost friendships and connections, as well as a lost church family. Truly, in the grand scope of things, God has it, and it all works out in the end.

15) Personal Question. My answer: Isaac obeyed God too in knowing this was the wife He chose for him. God’s timing is not our own, and if we are patient, God does bring great things.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions Genesis: Lesson 15, Day 5: Genesis 24:52-67

It’s surprising that they left the decision up to Rebekah whether to leave right away since she’s a woman who in ancient times had no say.

End Notes BSF Study Questions Genesis: Lesson 15, Day 5: Genesis 24:52-67

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After a long journey, most of us just want to get home as soon as possible. The servant knew that Abraham was old and perhaps in ill-health, so he was hoping to get back in time in order for Abraham to know he had succeeded. Rebekah showed remarkable faith and strength to leave the only things she ever knew and to probably never see her family again to follow God’s will.

Rebekah covers herself with a veil as was customary until she was married.

We have been nothing about Isaac since his near death experience at the top of Mount Moriah. (Genesis 22:19) Presumably, he was growing strong in the Lord.

Here, in Isaac and Rebekah, we can see this as a picture of Jesus as the bridgroom and us as the people.

  • God chose a wife for his Son (the people)
  • The son died and was resurrected for them
  • A servant, or God’s helper, was the mediator
  • The bride (us) were called and cared for until the wedding day
  • The bride (us) were loved by the bridegroom (Jesus)

map of beer lahai roi www.atozmomm.com

Note that this marriage was an arranged one that God arranged through prayer. Modern-day love is important, but it’s not the end-all, be-all.

Last go-around in BSF’s study of Genesis, we were asked how this passage relates to God, Jesus, and us. Here was my response:  A father desires a bride for his son.  Abraham for Isaac.  God for us.  A son was dead and then raised from the dead.  Isaac and Jesus.  The bride is chosen for marriage before they knew it (Ephesians 1:3-4).  Rebekah and us.  The bride is divinely chosen, called, and then lavished with gifts. (Revelation 19:7-8)  Rebekah and us.  She is entrusted to the care of the servant before she meets her bridegroom.  Rebekah and us.

Note how God had a plan for Rebekah from the beginning  (Ephesians 1:3-4) for His eternal purpose (Ephesians 3:10-11). She shared in the glory of the son because of her faith (John 17:22-23). She was loved. Just like the church.

Isaac and Jesus were both promised, born from a miracle, sacrificed, resurrected, and prepared a place for the bride for eternity.

Fun fact: Isaac was 40 when he married.

Love came last here, after marriage.

Good read on Bride of Christ HERE

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BSF Study Questions Genesis: Lesson 15, Day 4: Genesis 24:28-51

by atozmom, posted in BSF Genesis 2020/2021

Summary of Genesis 24:28-51:

Rebekah ran home and told all what had happened. Laban, Rebekah’s brother, ran out to the servant to bring him to their house. So the servant, his men, and his camels were brought to Rebekah’s house and provided for. Before he ate, the servant told them his story, how he came there seeking a wife for Abraham’s son, and how Rebekah had been the girl to answer his prayer to God.

Laban and Bethuel agreed that this was God’s will so they let Rebekah go.

BSF Study Questions Genesis: Lesson 15, Day 4: Genesis 24:28-51

9) Laban addresses the servant as one being blessed by the Lord upon seeing the gold offerings he gave to Rebekah (Verse 31). They believed the servant’s story and let Rebekah go as the Lord has directed.

10) The servant was to find a wife amongst Abraham’s father’s clan and one who was not a pagan. God grants the servant’s request for the sign exactly and grants him success.

11) He says that God is the one who will grant him success (verse 42). He praised God who led him on the right road to Rebekah (verse 48). He prayed ahead of time for the one instead of choosing himself, and he recounts the story with God first.

12) Isaiah 48:11 says God does not yield his glory to another. 1 Corinthians 1:27-31 says how no one can boast before God. God rewards those who humble themselves. God rewards the faithful like He did Abraham. He wants to guide us and lead us. All we have to do is ask.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions Genesis: Lesson 15, Day 4: Genesis 24:28-51

Just as key as the servant’s humble attitude is the belief of Laban and Bethuel in God to let Rebekah go. This would have completely changed history if they had refused.

End Notes BSF Study Questions Genesis: Lesson 15, Day 4: Genesis 24:28-51

Note that Laban was generous after he saw the gold Rebekah had received.

Fun Fact: the word master occurs 22 times in this chapter alone. Eliezer is determined to let it be known that he is working for his master who is the one God has blessed. He is filling in Abraham’s brother on how he’s doing after so many decades. He says that Isaac is the only heir, which is probably so that the family would know that Rebekah would be taken care of.

There seems no hesitancy on the part of Rebekah’s family. They knew this would be a good match for her and that this was indeed God’s will.

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BSF Study Questions Genesis: Lesson 15, Day 3: Genesis 24:15-27

by atozmom, posted in BSF Genesis 2020/2021

Summary of Genesis 24:15-27:

Rebekah was the daughter of Bethuel son of Milcah who was the wife of Abraham’s brother Nahor. She was beautiful and a virgin. She had gone down to fill her jar with water. Eliezar approached her and asked her for a drink. She gave him one and offered to water his camels, too. After the camels had drunk, Eliezar asked Rebekah if he could stay at her father’s house. He offered gold as payment. She said they have plenty of room. Eliezar praised God for His faithfulness to Abraham with this sign and for leading him to the house of his master’s relatives.

BSF Study Questions Genesis: Lesson 15, Day 3: Genesis 24:15-27

6) Rebekah offered him a drink and offered to water all of his camels when asked, which was the sign Eliezar asked for.

7) Personal Question. My answer: Our new house, new career, new direction in life, new connections

8 ) Personal Question. My answer: Immediate prayer and gratitude by the servant. A serving heart and open heart by Rebekah.

BSF Study Questions Genesis: Lesson 15, Day 3: Genesis 24:15-27

God answers reasonable prayers to show his guidance. The best part of this story is the heart of the servant. I would wager he was probably treated well by Abraham but servants in ancient times had extremely rough lives and had no social status nor class. They were nothing in the eyes of many. So the willingness of this servant to serve his master is a great picture of how we are to serve the Lord. Everything is credited to God. The servant is merely the instrument in God’s work. This is how we need to approach life.

BSF Study Questions Genesis: Lesson 15, Day 3: Genesis 24:15-27

God knows our needs before we do and sometimes answers before we even know it.  Isaiah 65:24

Rebekah was the granddaughter of Abraham’s brother, Nahor. When the Bible says she was beautiful, she most definitely was. Other women the Bible says are beautiful include:

The servant made sure Rebekah was a woman of her word and finished the job of watering his camels and did not give up half-way through. Then he knew God had answered his prayers. He offers gifts to Rebekah, thanked God for answering his prayers.

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Friday Digest: BSF’s Study of Genesis Lesson 14

by atozmom, posted in BSF Genesis 2020/2021

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW IN GENESIS CHAPTER 22-23:

  • God tests us for our own good
  • God does it all; we do nothing
  • God cares more about the heart than about outcomes
  • Jesus covers our sins so when God looks at you, He sees Jesus in you
  • God’s grace is there when we fail
  • Every test is an opportunity to grow with God
  • Everything (including your loved ones) are His; sometimes you just need to let go and give them back to Him

Take Away: When you hold nothing back from God, God holds nothing back from you. The world is your oyster; how will you open it?

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BSF Study Questions Genesis: Lesson 14, Day 5: Genesis 23

by atozmom, posted in BSF Genesis 2020/2021

Summary of Genesis 23:

Sarah lived to be 127 years old. She died in Hebron. Abraham offered to buy a burial plot from the Hittites, and they told him he could pick any plot to bury her in, free of charge. Unsatisfied, Abraham approached Ephron and offered to buy his cave. Ephron offered to give it to Abraham. Abraham refused and offered to pay for the land. Ephron reluctantly agrees, and the land is deeded to Abraham. Abraham then buries Sarah.

BSF Study Questions Genesis: Lesson 14, Day 5: Genesis 23

14) Personal Question. My answer: Inspirational. God is a personal God and wants a relationship with all of us.

15) They call Abraham “a mighty prince among us.” His reputation has spread, as well as his blessings from God.

16) Abraham purchases his first piece of the Promised Land, thereby owning it.

17) Personal Question. My answer: I’m unsure if they do nor do I know how. All I worry about is trying to do God’s will each and every day. The rest just falls into place.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions Genesis: Lesson 14, Day 5: Genesis 23

We see Sarah honored and buried here in a fitting manner. We also see her death. In today’s world where everyone is scared of dying so they put their life on hold and instead trust in masks and medical doctors, we see here that everyone lives, everyone dies, and the truth is death is better because you get to go home. The lies the devil has fed us has spread and put the fear of death in people when it should be the fear of God.

End Notes BSF Study Questions Genesis: Lesson 14, Day 5: Genesis 23

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Fun Fact:  Sarah is the only woman in the Bible whose age when she died is recorded. She led a good life and stands to be an example for us all.  (Isaiah 51:1-2 and 1 Peter 3:3-6). She is also mentioned more often than any other woman in the Bible as well.

Here we see one of the patriarchs of the Bible weep over the loss of his soul mate. Where we get tears as a sign of weakness is beyond me.

Abraham’s foreigner remark alludes to heaven as our real home.

Abraham wants this cave as the place to lay his wife. He built an altar to God here (Genesis 13:18) and believes it fitting for Sarah. It’s no different than us picking out a nice place to bury our loved ones.

The exchange between Ephron and Abraham is an example of how bargaining was done in that time and in that culture. Ephron had no intention of giving Abraham the land but that is how the bargaining started off. Kindness took precedent and is still predominant in the Middle East today when bargaining. This also testifies to the truth of the Bible.

As we continue our study of the book of Genesis, we’ll see this cave of Machpelah become the family burial plot of Abraham, with Abraham, Isaac, Rebekah, Leah, and Jacob buried here.

You can still see the Cave of Machpelah, which is considered the second holiest place for the Jewish people after the Temple Mount. It has a really cool history and would probably be a really cool place to visit one day.