For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.
BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 29, Day 5: Romans 15:4
13a) I think I have a good understanding of how God’s people simply got caught up in sin and all they needed to do was to cry out to Him. This is a good lesson for us. God is always waiting for us to return to Him.
b) Many. I learned how sin is omnipresent, lurking, and how easy it is to fall into sin. We need to turn to God in these moments.
14a) I loved Lamentations and how Jeremiah poured out his heart and his lack of understanding to God. So must we.
b) God is in control, and He uses countries to enact His will on earth.
c) Lamentations 3:22: Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.
15) There is always hope in the Lord if we simply turn to Him.
Conclusions BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 29, Day 5: Romans 15:4
Good wrap up of our Bible study!
End Notes BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 29, Day 5: Romans 15:4
This verse summarizes what ultimately the Israelites found in exile: hope. We can find encouragement and endurance in their struggles as we wrestle with our own personal trials and tribulations.
God loves His people so much that He will do whatever it takes for them.
God wants to fill us with hope, especially when we face challenges. We choose Him. God is our refuge.
Keep learning about God for every snippet you glean will one day bloom. It all matters.
What will you accomplish now with your new knowledge?
God offers his people comfort after their sin has been paid for. Prepare for the Lord. The Word of God endures forever. The Lord comes with power. He tends his flock. He gathers the lambs and carries them close to his heart. He gently leads them. The nations are nothing before the Lord. God is above everything. He created the stars one by one and knows their names.
The Lord is the everlasting God,the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary,and his understanding no one can fathom. 29 He gives strength to the wearyand increases the power of the weak.
Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles;they will run and not grow weary,they will walk and not be faint.
BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 20, Day 2: Isaiah 40
3a) “A state of physical ease and freedom from pain or constraint.” That the Israelites exile to Babylon won’t be forever, as the people have paid for their sins.
b) Because God comforts us in all of our troubles. We then can comfort others. Our comfort comes from Christ, too. We are comforted in our sufferings as Christ was comforted during his sufferings. Jesus will save us from our sins, which is comfort in itself.
c) I need God’s comfort in where we are supposed to settle down and God’s comfort for my kids to find their path, too.
4)
40:1-11: God is comfort. He is Almighty. He endures forever. He is all-powerful. He is caring.
40:12-26: God is Creator. God is omniscient. Everything is nothing when compared to God. He is incomparable.
40:27-31: God is everlasting. He never grows tired or weary. He gives us strength.
5) I find God’s strength in His Word, in knowing He is in control, and in knowing He is in charge of this world and everyone on it. I find his strength when I pray, believe, and have faith in what He will do for me.
Conclusions BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 20, Day 2: Isaiah 40
Such a beautiful (and well-known) chapter of Isaiah. I never grow tired of reading it.
End Notes BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 20, Day 2: Isaiah 40
Isaiah now offers words of comfort and hope to the Israelites (the people of Judah). Their sin has been paid for.
A voice in the wilderness prepares the way for the Lord.
Man is frail, but God’s message stands forever.
See God who will return and be a loving shepherd to His people. He is Lord over all of creation and is the God of wisdom.
God’s greatness surpasses all nations and cannot be compared to others, including idols.
God’s greatness is all around us in all of Creation.
Have faith and believe in God’s power and wisdom over all.
God gives strength to the weak. We rely on His strength as He renews us. He gives us strength to keep moving forward.
If we are worn out, God will give us the strength we need to keep going.
Theme: We see God through Isaiah first warn of judgment then promise deliverance.
The 11 disciples go to Galilee to the mountain Jesus told them to go. There, they met Jesus and worshipped him, but some doubted. He told them to go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit and teaching them to obey everything he has commanded them. He will be with them always to the end of time.
BSF Study Questions Matthew Lesson 29, Day 5: Matthew 28:16-20
12a) His claim: All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to him.
b) His command: Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit and teaching them to obey everything he has commanded them.
c) His promise: He will be with them always to the end of time.
13a) Authority here means power granted by one in authority, so God. It’s the power or right to give orders, make decisions, and enforce obedience. Because if we are followers of Jesus, we follow his commands. He will give us everything we need to follow him.
b) Baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit and teaching them to obey everything he has commanded them
c) He will give me the strength to go forth and make disciples even when it’s hard or I’m discouraged.
d) Unsure. Right now, just struggling to make it through each day.
Conclusions BSF Study Questions Matthew Lesson 29, Day 5: Matthew 28:16-20
I love the comfort the last verse in Matthew brings: I am with you always to the very end of the age.
Great read!
End Notes BSF Study Questions Matthew Lesson 29, Day 5: Matthew 28:16-20
This was not their first meeting with Jesus, but it’s all Matthew records. Some disciples doubted perhaps due to the fact that this was too good to be true, and they may have felt guilty still over having abandoned Jesus at the cross. Yet, they obeyed. They did not fully understand what was happening or probably even what Jesus’s resurrection fully meant. However, obedience does not require understanding; it simply requires faith.
Jesus has authority so the disciples must obey.
His authority sends us to make disciples (scholars or learners). Note that disciples are made, not born.
The Great Commission
Christians are to:
Go to others who need to know God’s word
Make disciples by sharing Christ with others
Baptize them in the name of the Father by the finished work of the Son and through the power of the Holy Spirit
Here, Jesus includes the Gentiles with “all nations.” Before, it was mostly Jews (Matthew 15:24).
They were to be baptized, not circumcized, which was the sign that the Jews used that they followed God.
We see the Holy Trinity here (the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit).
Teach them all things, not leaving anything out.
His constant presence would strengthen them and guide them in their mission.
“Always” here means every second of every day, complete.
The women went to report to the disciples. Some of the guards went to report to the chief priests what had happened. The chief priests, wanting to hide this news, bribed the soldiers to lie and say that during the night, the disciples came and took the body. They offered to protect the soldiers from consequences of falling asleep.
BSF Study Questions Matthew Lesson 29, Day 3: Matthew 28:11-15
6) The guards: They were greedy and took money from the chief priests to lie about Jesus’s resurrection.
The Jewish leaders: They wanted to hide the news of Jesus’s resurrection so they bribed the guards to lie.
The Jewish people: The story of the lies was widely told amongst the Jewish people even to today.
7) They will go to any measures to hide the truth. You always have to seek God first and not believe what you are told.
8 ) Unsure. I’ve probably tried to be in charge more often than not rather than let God take control. The result is never good. You have to let God decide and lead, and you follow.
Conclusions BSF Study Questions Matthew Lesson 29, Day 3: Matthew 28:11-15
One cannot underestimate the power of the enemy. We must always be vigilant to lies.
Great read!
End Notes BSF Study Questions Matthew Lesson 29, Day 3: Matthew 28:11-15
If the guards were asleep, how would they know it was the disciples who stole the body? Obviously, the chief priests aren’t as smart as they think they are. It would have been a loud noise to roll away the stone. There’s no way all those guards would have slept through that.
All of the lies about the denial of Jesus’s resurrection is just that — lies.
All of the forces of evil tried to cover up Jesus’s resurrection. No one can defeat God and His plan.
On Sunday after Jesus’s death, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to Jesus’s tomb. There was an earthquake, and an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and rolled away the stone. He looked like lightning and wore white clothes. The guards were afraid, shook, and became like dead men.
The angel addressed the women, telling them that Jesus has risen like he said he would. He is not there. He tells them to come inside and see the empty tomb then to go and tell the disciples that Jesus has risen and is going to Galilee.
The women did as they were told, afraid but full of joy. Jesus met them on their way to the disciples. They clasped his feet and worshipped him. They he told them to go to his brothers and go to Galilee where they will see him.
BSF Study Questions Matthew Lesson 29, Day 2: Matthew 28:1-10
3a)
On Sunday after Jesus’s death, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to Jesus’s tomb. There was an earthquake and an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and rolled away the stone. He looked like lightning and wore white clothes. The guards were afraid, shook, and became like dead men.
The angel addressed the women, telling them that Jesus has risen like he said he would. He is not there. He tells them to come inside and see the empty tomb then to go and tell the disciples that Jesus has risen and is going to Galilee.
Mark 16:1-8 adds that the women went to the tomb to properly prepare the body for burial since Jesus died during the Sabbath and no one could handle dead bodies then. The stone was rolled away when they arrived. Inside was a young man dressed in a white robe. He told them Jesus has risen and to go and alert the others.
Luke 24:1-8 adds that the women found two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning in the tomb.
b) The tomb is empty. The women witnessed it. They saw him, touched his feet, and worshipped him. They also were the ones who saw Jesus being placed there.
4a) The angel addressed the women, telling them that Jesus has risen like he said he would. He is not there. He tells them to come inside and see the empty tomb then to go and tell the disciples that Jesus has risen and is going to Galilee.
b) The women did as they were told, afraid but full of joy
c) Jesus met them on their way to the disciples. They clasped his feet and worshipped him. They he told them to go to his brothers and go to Galilee where they will see him.
5) Anytime I’ve felt alone it’s good to know that Jesus is there.
Conclusions BSF Study Questions Matthew Lesson 29, Day 2: Matthew 28:1-10
I had not remembered this exact scene! It was great to read again!
Great read!
End Notes BSF Study Questions Matthew Lesson 29, Day 2: Matthew 28:1-10
The women were headed to properly prepare Jesus’s body for burial since Jewish law forbade people from touching dead bodies.
Matthew is the only Gospel to record the earthquake. Bible scholars think the angel prompted the earthquake as he rolled the stone.
Jesus was the first one to be resurrected. Elijah 1 Kings 17:17-24) and Lazarus (John 11:38-44) were brought back from the dead in their old bodies. Resurrection entails getting a new body.
Jesus is risen. He reigns in heaven. There is no tomb of Jesus to go and visit here on earth.
The women should not have been surprised as Jesus said this is what would happen.
Note that Jesus had passed through the stone barrier John 20:19. The stone was only rolled away so others could see and testify to Jesus’s resurrection.
These women saw Jesus’s body go into the tomb and now they say it missing.
Jesus’s resurrection proves God accepted Jesus as a substitute for us.
Note that women were chosen to be the first to tell of Jesus’s resurrection. The responded properly with worship to Jesus’s appearance, recognizing him for who he was.
“Do not be afraid” is often repeated in Scripture as this is a normal human response to things we do not understand. Jesus repeated the command by the angel as oftentimes we forget in moments of unexpectedness and shock what we were told.
King James has “rejoice” as “all hail,” which was a normal Greek greeting.
Fun Fact: this is the first time Jesus calls his disciples “brothers.”
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 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.
Summary of passage: Israel requested to be buried in the Promised Land. When Jacob was old, Joseph and his two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim, went to visit him. Jacob repeated God’s promise to him and he reckons Joseph’s two sons as his to share in this blessing and inheritance. Jacob blesses the two boys, giving the firstborn blessings to the younger.
Joseph was displeased that Jacob blessed the younger son over the older son but Jacob insisted, saying he will be greater than his brother. Thus Ephraim was put ahead of Manasseh.
Jacob says God will take him soon back to the Promised Land and he gives Joseph the land he took from the Amorites.
Questions:
10a) Joseph obtained the rights of the firstborn when Reuben defiled his father’s marriage bed. Then Jacob substitutes Joseph for his two sons, thus giving Joseph double the inheritance.
b) Isaac over Ishmael, Jacob over Esau, Joseph over Reuben
11) Personal Question. My answer: To be honest, none stand out.
12) God
13) Personal Question. My answer: Verse 19 where Jacob clearly says the younger will be greater than the older. Talk about setting up sibling rivalry.
14) He asks to be buried in the Promised Land (47:30). He repeats God’s covenant (48:4). He says Joseph’s two sons will inherit the territory from God (48:6). He tells Joseph that God will take him back to the Promised Land ( 48:21) and gives him some land he conquered there (48:22).
Conclusions: Didn’t get much out of this besides the fact Jacob finally believed God, which we found out a while back. Great example of how life isn’t fair and just because you are born first doesn’t mean you are automatically granted privileges. You have to earn it and all the aforementioned first-borns forfeited theirs.
Thus, we can think of the firstborn more as the first position and not necessarily birth order as we’ve seen throughout Genesis.
With this adoption, there are actually 13 tribes/sons of Israel as Joseph’s inheritance is now divided into two.
I wish the Bible said why Jacob gave Joseph’s two sons the inheritance when he did this for no other. I’m assuming because Joseph is his favorite and as the favorite you are accorded special privileges. Not saying this is right but this is the way of the world.
We know that the right hand is the favored position as exhibited the best by Jesus sitting at the right hand of God.
The story of Joseph is a great parallel to Jesus’s and I wish BSF would have spent more time drawing that comparison out in the questions.
End Notes: Luz is another name for Bethel.
Fun Search: Do research on the number 12 in the Bible. 12 is special to God as seen with 12 sons and 12 disciples, etc.
Fun Fact: This is the first mention in the Bible of God as a shepherd to His people (Genesis 48:15).
Summary of passage: All the food (except that stored by Joseph) was eaten in Egypt and Canaan during the famine. Joseph brought all the money in payment for the grain to Pharaoh and when all of the people’s money was gone the people came to Joseph, begging for food.
So Joseph began exchanging food for the people’s livestock. When the people’s livestock was gone, they had nothing left to sell except their land and their bodies. So all the land became Pharaoh’s and the people were reduced to servitude. All except the priests who were protected and fed by Pharaoh.
Joseph instructed the people to begin planting again but to give one-fifth of their crop to Pharaoh. This became law for all land except the priests’ land.
The Israelites settled in Goshen, acquired property, and were fruitful. Israel requested to be buried in the Promised Land.
Questions:
8a) That the Promised Land was in fact his–enough so to spent eternity there. That he believed in God’s covenant with him and his people.
b) Personal Question. My answer: The Bible says our home is in heaven. Our inheritance is in heaven. We are children of God. We exist for heavenly rewards, not earthly rewards.
This life is temporary. We are to do God’s work here and work for Him. Our time here is short and we are to live each day to the fullest for we do not know when God will call us home. We should look forward to that day when we get to spend eternity with God. We should not be afraid. If our work is done, we shall depart to a better place.
9a) First, the people were to use money to buy grain. Second, they were to use livestock once their money ran out. Finally, they were to sell their land and bodies as payment.
b) Personal Question. My answer: So the people didn’t get used to handouts from the government. The people still had to earn their food and work for it. This gives people a sense of pride and keeps the country prosperous.
c) No.
d) Personal Question. My answer: Discipline of kids and money.
Conclusions: I found this interesting cause I never really knew how the Israelites ended up in bondage in Egypt. This is one reason at least. Fascinating.
Summary of passage: Jacob left Beersheba for Egypt, taking with him all his sons, their wives and children, his daughters and their families and all his possessions including his livestock. They numbered 66 persons who went with Jacob that were direct descendants. Counting Joseph and his two sons and Jacob the total came to 70 in Egypt.
Joseph met his family at Goshen to escort them to Egypt and he threw his arms around his father and wept. Joseph said he will go to Pharaoh and ask for them to settle in Goshen as shepherds for all shepherds are detestable to Egyptians. Pharaoh gave them the best land in Goshen and told Joseph to choose some to tend his flocks as well.
Jacob blessed Pharaoh and settled in Goshen in the best part of the land and had plenty to eat.
Questions:
5a) 66 that journeyed with Jacob, 70 including Joseph and his 2 kids and Jacob himself.
b) Personal Question. My answer: To preserve the record to Jesus. These sons are also going to be the 12 Nations of Israel, God’s chosen people, so it’s important to know who’s who.
c) Personal Question. My answer: Our names are written in heaven and those who accept Jesus as their Savior are written in the book of life and go to heaven. Anyone else goes to the lake of fire. It lets me know that I am saved, I am known, I am remembered, I am important, I am loved.
6a) Personal Question. My answer: So as not to intermix with the locals. To stay as a separate people and propagate the land as God commanded. To grow together and not separate. And to obey God who told Jacob to go to Egypt where He would make them into a great nation.
b) It kept the Israelites separate from the Egyptians, away from their influence and corruptible practices and kept God’s people from intermingling. It was apparently a good land to graze animals on.
7) Even though Pharaoh did not believe in the One, True God, he recognized God’s power and abilities and God’s will for Joseph. He recognized competency and put Joseph in charge despite who he was and his background. He was gracious to Joseph and Jacob, allowing them to come to Egypt and have the best land and whatever else they need.
He made every effort to assimilate Joseph and make him comfortable by giving him a prominent Egyptian wife. He trusted Joseph implicitly with his empire. He gave Joseph carts for Jacob to travel to Egypt.
Ultimately, Pharaoh was saving his people and was using whomever could do that for him. He cared for the people by preparing for the famine instead of letting the poor die out. He was preparing for the future, not the present. He delegated where he needed to delegate and trusted those under him to do the job. He rewarded those who served him well (such as Joseph). Overall, Pharaoh saved his kingdom along with God’s people.
Conclusions: Let’s not forget that Joseph is the whole reason Jacob and his family were saved. “Joseph settled his father”. “Joseph provided food”. Pharaoh accepted Jacob and the family only because of Joseph. If they had just been regular Hebrews looking for relief from the famine, they would have been turned away. But because of Joseph (and God) they were saved–as was God’s will.
The Egyptians considered sheep unclean; hence, everyone who worked with sheep were unclean.
Goshen was what is basically the Sinai Peninsula today. Today it is a desert land but in ancient times it was renown for it’s grazing of animals. Succinct history on Goshen HERE.
