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Israel's family moves into Egypt

(Genesis 46:1-34)

Dr. Curt Scarborough

 

I.  Concentration:  on Israel's (Jacob's) new vision from God

            1.  Israel came south to Beersheba (where Abraham had worshipped God,

                 Genesis 21:31-34), and he there offered sacrifices to the Lord, v. 1.

            2.  God spoke to Israel in a night vision, as the Lord had done many years

                 before, v. 2; Genesis 28:12-15.

            3.  God commanded Israel to take his family into Egypt, where He promised

                 they would grow into a great nation, v. 3.

            4.  God assured Israel that he would see Joseph, and that his favorite son

                 would "put his hand on your eyes" . . . that Joseph would close Israel's   

                 eyes when he dies, v. 4.

II.  Meditation:  on Israel's family members who went into Egypt

            1.  The sons of Leah:  Reubin, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Zebulun, and

                 a daughter, Dinah – 31 sons and grandsons plus a daughter (two sons

                 already had died before this journey into Egypt), vv. 8-15.

            2.  The sons of Zilpah (Leah's maid):  Gad & Asher – 16 sons and grandsons,

                 vv. 16-18.

            3.  The sons of Rachel:  Joseph & Benjamin – 14 sons and grandsons, but

                 Joseph and his two sons already were living in Egypt, vv. 19-22.

            4.  The sons of Bilhah (Rachel's maid) – Dan & Naphtali – 7 sons and grandsons,

                 vv. 23-25.

III.  Revelation:  on the Israelites occupying the land of Goshen

            1.  Sixty-six sons and grandsons accompanied Israel into Egypt (not counting their

                 wives), v. 26, and these 66 plus Israel, himself, and Joseph and his two sons

                 brought the total to 70 persons, v. 27.

            2.  "Goshen" meaning 'inundated land" was the fertile area of the Nile Delta suitable

                 for both farming and grazing animals; Pharaoh gave this "best of the land" to

                 Joseph's family, vv. 6, 11.

            3.  In a joyful meeting, Israel and Joseph were re-united, vv. 29-30.

            4.  The Pharaoh "Rameses" (v. 31), along with the advice of Joseph for his family to

                 state their occupation as "cattlemen" rather than as "shepherds," helps to

                 establish the date of this event.

            The despised Hyksos (foreign, non-Egyptian rulers, sometimes translated "Shepherd

            Kings") ruled for a period of years over a large portion of the nation.

IV.  Applications:  as a Christian, I need to . . .

            1.  Return to the spiritual landmarks and altars established by my forefathers in the faith.

            2.  Seek a new spiritual encounter and a fresh vision from the Lord.

            3.  Obey God's directions, and influence my family to do likewise.

            4.  According to God's will, depend upon Him to prolong my life and to bring me to His       

                 heavenly kingdom through a peaceful death in the presence of my loved ones.

 

 

 

 

Come aside . . . and rest awhile

(Mark 6:1-56)

Dr. Curt Scarborough

 

I.  Concentration:  on the contents of this chapter

            1.  Jesus was rejected by the citizens of His hometown, Nazareth, vv. 1-6.

            2.  Jesus instructed and sent out the Twelve Disciples; they preached repentance,

                 cast out demons, and healed the sick, vv. 7-13.

            3.  John the Baptist was beheaded by King Herod, vv. 14-29.

            4.  Jesus miraculously fed the five thousand, vv. 30-44.

            5.  Jesus walked on the Sea of Galilee, vv. 45-52.

            6.  Jesus healed multitudes of people everywhere He went, vv. 53-56.

II.  Meditation:  on verse 31

            "Come aside . . .

                        by yourselves . . .

                                    to a deserted place . . .

                                                and rest awhile" Mark 6:31

III.  Revelation:  on why Christians should "retreat"

            1.  To follow Jesus' example, Mark 6:46; Luke 5:16.

            2.  To give God a chance to work, Proverbs 8:17; Hebrews 11:6.

            3.  To expose our spiritual need, Jeremiah 29:13; Acts 3:19.

            4.  To return to our first love, Song of Solomon 3:2; Revelation 2:4.

            5.  To spend time with Jesus, Proverbs 8:17; John 21:15-17.

            6.  To drink deeply of the Fountain of Life, Psalm 63:1; John 7:37.

            7.  To refresh our physical bodies, Isaiah 40:31; Mark 6:31.

            8.  To renew our minds, Romans 12:1-2; Colossians 3:1-2.

            9.  To learn to hear His voice, John 10:27; Galatians 5:25.

          10.  To become a better leader, Daniel 9:3-4; Galatians 1:17; 2:1.

          11.  To become a better minister, Philippians 2:17; II Timothy 4:6.

          12.  To personally experience God, Psalm 27:8; Isaiah 55:6-13.

IV.  Applications:  as a Christian, I need to . . .

            1.  Allow time for the healing of life's cuts and bruises.

            2.  Be strengthened by the presence of the Lord.

            3.  Drink of the Holy Spirit's refreshing river of living water.

            4.  Be still and listen for God's voice.

            5.  Worship and re-dedicate myself for ministry.

            6.  Bury my dead past; leave it and march on with God.

            7.  Engage the enemy in spiritual warfare.

 

"Do what you can, with what you have, where you are."

--Theodore Roosevelt

 

           

 

 

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