13: Bondage, Passover, and Exodus

Reading Assignment for Sunday, April 13, 2014

Class Member Study Guide:  Lesson 13

12: Fruitful in the Land of My Affliction--Joseph's Story Continued

Reading Assignment for Sunday, March 30, 2014

Egyptian Harvesting Wheat as Depicted on Thebe's Tomb Wall

from Jehovah the World of the Old Testament. Holzapfel, et al. 

Class Member Study Guide:  Lesson 12

Genesis 40
Genesis 41
Genesis 42
Genesis 43
Genesis 44
Genesis 45 
Doctrine and Covenants 64:8-11
Doctrine and Covenants 122:5-9

Must Read Articles about Jacob's Son Joseph

This article is appeared in both the Ensign and Liahona.  It is written by one of my former BYU Humanities department colleagues when I taught humanities as an adjunct faculty member.   "Arthur Bassett could easily be characterized as a scholar’s scholar. He seems happiest with a musty old book in hand as he endlessly searches for new facts and new ways of looking at what we think we know."

Joseph, Example of Excellence
Arthur R. Bassett

Another moving conference talk about Joseph can be read or viewed here. The back story about two feuding neighbors before the story of Joseph is referenced is especially moving

Forgiveness Will Change Bitterness to Love 
David E. Sorensen

Joseph's Example

I have deeply touched by a group of young musicians. They live on the top of a landfill. Parents have created instruments from the recylcled trash they use to support themselves.  I was stunned to see them playing the most exquisite classical music from oil drums and forks.  It reminded me of one of the the lessons that we learn from Joseph's life, that not matter how hard things are to never give up.  You can listen to their story here. landFillharmonic.

Joseph turned every experience and all circumstances, no matter how trying, into something good.

“This ability to turn everything into something good appears to be a godly characteristic. Our Heavenly Father always seems able to do this. Everything, no matter how dire, becomes a victory to the Lord. Joseph, although a slave and wholly undeserving of this fate, nevertheless remained faithful to the Lord and continued to live the commandments and made something very good of his degrading circumstances. People like this cannot be defeated, because they will not give up.” (Hartman Rector, Jr., “Live above the Law to Be Free,” Ensign, Jan. 1973, p. 130.)

 

Joseph's Capture and Slave Journey to Egypt. Joseph's Brother Journey to Egypt

  Nile Delta. Landsat Satellite.

from Jehovah the World of the Old Testament. Holzapfel, et al.

Egypt was on of the superpowers of the Ancient World. The economic base was agriculture. The yearly flooding of the Nile brought water and rich black soil that produced grains--barley being the main crop--and wide range of vegetables and melons. Grapes were cultivated in oases, and papyrus was grown in the marshes. Livestock included cattle, sheep, goats, and pigs.  Fish and fowls were also part of the Egyptian diet.

11: How Can I do This Great Wickedness? Joseph's Story

Reading Assignment for Sunday, March 23, 2014

Class Member Study Guide: Lesson 11

10: Birthright Blessing. Marriage in the Covenant

Reading Assignment for Sunday, March 16, 2014

Class Member Study Guide:  Lesson 10
 

Typical Judean Well Where Water is Drawn with Buckets 

from Jehovah and the World of the Old Testament Holazpfel, Pike, Seely

Genesis 24 Abraham commands Issac not to marry a Canaanite and his servant is guided to choose Rebekah for a mate.

Genesis 25 Abraham is buried in the Tomb of the Patriarchs in Hebron. Genealogical transition. Rebekah conceives twins Jacob and Esau and learns their destiny. Esau sells his birthright for a mess of pottage.

Genesis 26  Isaac moves to Gerar in response to famine. Conflict with King Abimelech leads Isaac to move to the Valley of Gerar, redigging  sabatoged wells of his father Abraham throughout the area. He relocates to Beersheba. Esau marries outside the faith upsetting Isaac and Rebekah.

Genesis 27 Rebekah guides Jacob in seeking blessings causing Esau's hatred

Genesis 28 Jacob forbids Jacob's marriage to a Canaanite blessing him and sending him from Beersheba to Haran to find a believer among his father's people.

Genesis 29 Jacob meets Rachel at the well in Haran. He serves his uncle Laban for 7 years to marry Rachel.  Sister Leah is substituted as the first born. Jacob serves another 7 years for Rachel.

Genesis 30 Jacob has many children with Leah, Leah's and Rachels handmaids, and finally has a son Joseph with Rachel. Jacob works for Laban for wages of cattle and sheep.

  Southern Canaan from Bible Map 10 Isaac's World 

Abraham's Servant Seeks Isaac's Wife Rebekah and Jacob Returns to Seek a Devote Wife in Rachel

 Abraham's Family Relationships
from Jehovah and the World of the Old Testament Holazpfel, Pike, Seely

Isaac

Isaac was born near Beersheba after his parents moved from Gerar.  Little of the biblical account focuses on Isaac's personality.  We know Isaac as an obedient son.  We also know that he loved Rebekah who came from the family seat in Paddan-Aram (Haran) 

Abraham Emphasizes the Importance of Marriage in the Covenant

The birthright itself should have been a treasured thing. The highly desirable birthright blessing is the right to the presidency, or keys, of the priesthood.

In the patriarchal order this birthright was passed from father to son, who was often, but not always, the eldest son. Righteousness was a more important factor than being the firstborn.

President Howard W. Hunter said:

 “Let us plan for and teach and plead with our children to marry in the house of the Lord. Let us reaffirm more vigorously than we ever have in the past that it does matter where you marry and by what authority you are pronounced man and wife” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1994, 118; or Ensign, Nov. 1994, 88).

Esau Sells His Birthright

Esau's immediate needs took precedent over his future and the blessing available to him.