The Purpose and Promises of God II
Genesis 37-50
God gave Abraham a promised son, Isaac, although he was very old and Sarah herself was unable to have children. Isaac then fathered Jacob and Esau. God furthered his purpose through Jacob as the chosen line of God's covenant people through whom Christ and salvation would come. Jacob went on to have twelve sons and now we pick back up the history of God's redemptive work in the world. There is plenty of turmoil that fits together into a beautifully designed picture we see in Genesis 50. Through the story line, we see a sovereign God who works in and through the worst of circumstances to bring about the best of his plan for us.
God's Purpose and Sovereign Goodness
Genesis 50:15-26
Abraham Cremeens
March 21, 2021
In this final scene of Genesis, the sovereign goodness of God shines through one more time. Joseph had learned to trust God through the pit, the prison, and the palace and now, at the end of his life, he pointed one more time to God’s goodness and faithfulness. Like Joseph, we must learn to trust God’s goodness for today and tomorrow.
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A Burial Plot and a Promise: Death and Grief of the Faithful
Genesis 49:29-50:14
Paul Briggs
March 14, 2021
From start to finish the Bible is a book of life which reveals the Author of life to the reader. Interestingly, however, in the course of the narrative of Joseph in the closing chapters of Genesis, the death of Joseph’s father, Jacob, serves as a consideration of how death and grief should be approached by those who, by faith, walk with their Creator. Though sorrowful, this consideration is not hopeless. No, just the opposite; it is full of hope and purpose. The attention given to humanity’s mortality is hopeful, not because of the goodness of the one experiencing death or the one grieving as a result of it, but because of the faithfulness and greatness of the Author of life.
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God's Purpose and Blessing
Genesis 48:1-49:28
Abraham Cremeens
March 7, 2021
As we near the end of Genesis, we glimpse a pivotal point in redemptive history. The blessing that began with Abraham continued on through Isaac and Jacob. Now, the adoption of Ephraim and Manasseh, and the blessing on Judah speak to continued grace for all generations of God’s people.
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God's Purpose and our Comfort
Genesis 47:13-31
Gami Ortiz
February 28, 2021
There are two scenes in this passage, which are in contrast to one another. In the first, the Egyptians are feeling the weight of the famine. In contrast, the Israelites are being fruitful and multiplying. Yet even in their prosperity, Jacob reminds them not to get comfortable. Egypt is not their home. We are sojourners on this earth. Rather than seeking comfort in this world, we take comfort in God’s promises and in Christ, who fulfills those promises.
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God's Purpose and our Journey
Genesis 46:1-47:12
Abraham Cremeens
February 21, 2021
We are sojourners, temporary residents in a foreign world. The covenant people of God have always had an eternal home to look forward to as we are in the world but not of the world. Sojourning in a strange world can be difficult and complicated but God offers everything needed for living as his representatives in this world. This offers a call not to cower in Canaan but to go boldly in God's presence, with his protection, and supplied by his provision.
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God's Purpose and our View
Genesis 44:1-45:28
Abraham Cremeens
February 14, 2021
Our passage today brings us to the point of resolution and celebration that has been twenty-two years in the making. It is time to get excited as God brings mysteries and miseries to their conclusion. It reveals yet again that God is always working good for his people in his perfect timing. He does the same for you.
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God's Purpose and our Faith
Genesis 42:1-43:34
Abraham Cremeens
February 7, 2021
This passage forms the beginning of a longer section through Genesis 45. God's purpose was to place Joseph in power to preserve his covenant people. In the first two chapters, though, God also shapes a journey in Jacob's heart as he moves him from fear to deeper faith. God uses famines in your life to work the same.
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God-Driven Forgetfulness
Genesis 41:37-57
Paul Briggs
January 24, 2021
The moment of Joseph’s big promotion has come. In the opportunity he was given to interpret Pharaoh’s dreams, Joseph delivered a proposal to Pharaoh. His proposal called for the appointment of a discerning and wise man to be set over the land of Egypt. Additionally, Joseph advised Pharaoh to appoint overseers over the land and carefully store up one-fifth of the produce of the land during the seven plentiful years.
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God's Purposes and Our Faithfulness
Genesis 40-41:36
Abraham Cremeens
January 17, 2021
In this section, Joseph navigated the messy middle. He knew the promise of blessing from Genesis 12, but that is hard to hold on to when you are in a prison. Yet he chose to be faithful to God one step at a time. Through a series of events, God eventually brought Joseph into the presence of Pharaoh for a specific purpose and Joseph proved faithful by God's grace.
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God's Goodness Through His Presence
Genesis 38-39
Gami Ortiz
January 10, 2021
We see God’s sovereignty in His ability to accomplish His will despite people’s actions. Neither Judah’s disobedience nor Joseph’s hardships can thwart God’s purposes. God uses these situations to bring about their good and His glory by continuing to fulfill His promises. And in the midst of them, He shows us His goodness through His presence in times of suffering.
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God's Purpose in Life's Turns
Genesis 37
Abraham Cremeens
January 3, 2021
In this chapter, we get to know Jacob, Joseph, and his brothers. It is another snapshot of God's purpose in carrying out his redemptive plan in teh world he made. While there is plenty of turmoil in this chapter, it points to a sovereign God who does the best of things inside the worst of things.
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