Bethel Baptist Church                            --- This is the work of -------

WATCHMAN PRESS

1902 NW Columbia

Lawton OK 73507-5609

Phone 1-580-353-8014

Gen. 1:1-2:25 Memory Verse: Gen. 1:1

One of the most definite statements in the Bible is found in Genesis 1:1, "God created". To deny this is to, in effect, cast away all the Bible. It is to contradict the statements and revelations of every Old Testament writer, and to deny the veracity of all the New Testament writers who quoted from them.

The first category of this denial lies in the area of natural evolution. The claim is random mutation from basically nothing to everything. Such supposition is not only anti-scriptural it is utterly illogical and unscientific in that it supposes effect without cause or purpose, and claims something of which we have neither fossil record nor scientific observation.

The second area of denial is "theistic evolution." This is folly unparalleled in that it tries to affirm the above unscientific theory, and yet claim that God set it into order. The problem is that while trying to claim the existence of God, they deny His only verbal revelation, the Bible.

What does Scripture teach about the creation of heaven and earth? It teaches that God created (Gen. 1 :1). The activation of some kind of semi-purposeful mutation cannot possibly qualify. It teaches that Jesus Christ is the agent of creation (Jn. 1:1-3). It teaches that in six days God created not only heaven and earth, but every thing in them (Ex. 20:11). It teaches that these were six 24 hour days of light and darkness, evening and morning, day and night (Gen. 1:5). It teaches that God is the creator and sovereign ruler, not only of all material things, but also all spiritual existence, and that only by Him are they kept in existence (Col. 1:16-17). It teaches that this was done by the word of God (Heb. 11:3). Scripture teaches that He hath made the world by His power (Jer. 10:12). Even theistic evolutionists deny this in every logical sense.

Not only does Scripture state that God made all things after this fashion, it clearly teaches that through this creation, His eternal power and Godhead (though not His salvation) are revealed (Rom. 1:20). Man’s knowledge of God did not motivate him to glorify God, but it did render him inexcusable (Rom. 1:20-21). Man’s turning in rebellion from God and to the worship of idols (Rom. 1:20-28) is really no different from the actions of men who try to withhold glory from God by denying that He did create all these things. Both are rightly described as unthankful, unholy, and inexcusable.

QUESTION - LESSON 1

1. What does it really mean to create?

2. Who does the Bible say created?

3. What person or persons of the Godhead created?

4. When was this done?

5. What portion of earth’s matter was created at that time?

6. How long did God take to do all of the work of creation?

7. What materials did He make heaven and earth from?

8. How do we arrive at such as the above information?

9. Is scriptural statement of creation scarce?

10. Does the New Testament state creation?

11. What book of the Bible gives us the most detail about creation?

12. What is a frequent area of denial?

13. What religious philosophy agrees with this?

14. What evidence exist to support evolution?

15. What Bible statement supports theistic evolution?

16. Is creation related to the glory of Cod?

17. Does Scripture so state, or do we assume it?

18. Is the visible creation related to human responsibility,’?

19. Does creation reveal God’s holiness and love?

20. What attribute or attributes of Cod does creation reveal?

Gen. 1:1 - 2:25 Memory Verse: Gen. 1:12

The creation covered in this lesson basically will be divided into two sections because it was completed in two days. Let’s go by days.

On the first day, God spoke into existence heaven and earth. The statement is that the earth was void and without form, and that darkness was upon the face of the deep. This need not mean, as some think, that judgment had fallen, but only that the earth was as yet empty and unoccupied by any physical form, and that the light of the heavenly bodies had not been created. The light of verse four was not a mere result of the sun (for it did not yet shine), but a distinct creation of God. God is light and He can speak and command light to shine out of darkness as well as create lights to illuminate the darkness. We must also realize that we do not have a mere statement of light and darkness, but of night and day. I cannot help but to feel that we must regard this as the very creation of time: "The first day."

I cannot accept the "gap-judgment" theory held by many. First, because it is scarcely, if at all, suggested by Scripture, and secondly because it seems to have risen in an attempt to appease the evolutionists’ groundless claims of a very old earth, and I feel no such necessity. I simply believe that God created an adult creation, and that time was no more needed for an "adult diamond" than an adult Adam. Oil, coal and fossil deposits are accounted for by the flood.

On the second day God created the firmament. The earth was totally covered by water. It is referred to in Genesis 1:2 as the face of the deep. Scripture says that the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters prior to creating light, not upon the face of the earth. I think that we must look at the earth on the first day as being completely enveloped in water. This is not to imply imperfection, or extend necessary efforts of God in creating. It is simply an effort to view the revelation of the order in which He chose to carry out His planned creation. We thus have on the second day of the creation, a division of the waters. God lifted a portion of the earth’s water making of it a heavenly vapor-canopy, and thus limiting the waters upon the earth and placing an air space called a firmament or heaven between the water on the earth and the water above the earth.

God has now set the stage for land and sea arrangement and the occupation of His earth which we shall study next.
 
 

1. Name all you can that came into existence on the first day?

2. Dimensionally what does heaven and earth include? ....................

3. Had you looked at the earth then, what would you have seen?

4. Name two things that then covered the earth?

5. Can we expect that some difference is meant by the word heaven in verse 1 and in verse 8?

6. Could the separation of the waters be evaporation?

7. Where was God before He created heaven?

8. Was God greater or richer after creation?

9. Did God decide what to do in creation progressively?

10. Which portion of creation was most difficult?

11. Was the sun the original source of light?

12. What is the Gap theory?

13. Where, chronologically was it said to have been?

14. Is age necessary to account for the earth’s inner structure?

I5. What is a Logical explanation for coal and oil?

16. What is a logical explanation for the fossil record?

17. Is there a Bible statement of time between Gen. 1:1 and 1:2?

18. Is there Bible evidence of life on earth before Adam?

19. Is there evidence of 1,000 year days?

20. Is there evidence of 24 hour days?

Gen. 1:1-2:25 Memory Verse: Gen. 1:11

Thus far we have a division of waters above from the waters beneath called a firmament, or heaven, but the earth’s mass is covered by water, and is yet void of any plant life and without any form of creature upon it.

On the third day God created in two basic areas. The first was the gathering of the waters in such a way that the land appeared, rising up out of the water in islands, mountains, prairies, large land masses, and peninsulas. There is yet much speculation among men as to the order of this part of creation. We can know, however, that the only revelation of the order is the Bible, and that by diligent study of it, we can learn all that, but no more than, God purposes.

On the third day God also created plant life, one of the most fascinating wonders of the world. This ranges from magnificent, giant trees, and small trees loaded with succulent fruit, to microscopic plant life in the depths of the sea. There are plains of grass, and a grand variety of vegetables, and root foods. These are neither after-thoughts nor random acts, but they are for food for the creation that God will bring forth on the fifth day. There is tiny seed for the smallest bird, microscopic plants for sea life so small that we are only now learning of its existence, and there is sufficient food for the hugest of animals. Note also Genesis 2:5.

The fourth day God created the sun, moon and stars. This is an area in which the theistic evolutionist comes apart in his reasoning, as does the "thousand-year day" theorist.

The claim of these men that one plant evolved from another, whether during 1,000 or ten million years, and whether by God’s design or without the existence of God, cuts directly across the path of Scripture. They both must and do assume that the energy input for this evolution is the sun. God, however, by the order of plant life creation before sun, moon and stars, leaves them with no alternative but to believe in a direct, adult creation of these things, or to doubt and deny the Bible.

God also gives us detail within the creation that forces this conclusion upon us. We do not have first seed, then tree, fruit, and seed again, but first tree, then fruit, then seed. Not only so, God flatly denies the process of mutation in this by stating that the seed was "after his kind". If we accept an adult and perfect creation, we have peace. If not, we have multitudes of unanswerable questions before us.

1. What are three basic divisions of creation on the third and fourth days?

2. What is the first act of creation on the third day?

3. What is the second act of creation on the third day?

4. Could water have been slowly dried off by the sun?

5. Is it strange to find water evidence in high mountains?

6. Name two Bible explanations for it?

7. Could fish fossils be there as the result of original water coverage?

8. Does the Bible give us all the details of creation?

9. What are three divisions of the third day’s creation?

10. Can we reasonably expect evolution here?

11. Is there a possibility that God used evolution?

12. Name two scientific reasons for its impossibility?

13. Did God directly create fruit and seed?

14. Could evolving mutation account for varied plant life?

15. What were three divisions of creation on the fourth day?

16. Does our knowledge of heavenly bodies conflict with Scriptural account?

17. In what sense do sun and moon rule day and night?

18. What are three basic purposes of the heavenly bodies?

19. Do we read sun and moon signs for scientific data?

20. Do they cause or control seasons?
 
 

Gen. 1:1- 2:25 Memory Verse: Gen. 1:24

In this lesson we shall deal with the fifth day of creation and, in general, with the creation of the sixth day with the exclusion of detail concerning the creation of man. The creation of the fifth day involves the creation of sea-life and fowls. "And God said let the waters bring forth abundantly the moving creature that hath life, and fowl may fly above the earth". (That is italicized to indicate that it is not in the originals - Gen. 1:20)

There are some that see this as grounds to think that birds came from the sea according to Scripture, that they even evolved from fish. I think this assumption to be careless interpretation of verse 20 and, in reality, a totally groundless speculation. The way to decide on any questionable verse is to read the preceding or following verses. In this case verse 21 perfectly explains the order. God created great whales, and every living creature which the water brought forth after their kind. These words are constantly given in the account of creation to deny mutation, and assure, that God created.

The Word then says, "every winged fowl after their kind." Of both categories it is stated, God created, and of both categories it is stated, every creature, every fowl after his kind. We are constantly driven to deny any possibility of evolution or to deny the Bible. You can’t have both.

The creation of the sixth day basically can be divided thusly: animals, serpents, insects and man. The person who claims that verse 20 might state evolution of life from the sea must also claim that verse 24 states evolution of life from the land. So again the evolutionist’s chronologi-cal illogic has met its tail coming back around the tree. God created beast, cattle and creeping things after his kind.

The final creation of God for the sixth day was man. I must also say that it is the final physical creation of God. God is preparing, judging and regenerating today, but He is not creating (Gen. 1:31).

God’s final and unique creation is man. Man is unique for two reasons. First, he was created to have dominion (Gen. 1:26) over all the rest of creation, and secondly because God gave him responsibil-ity. God commissioned and commanded man unto purpose. It is note-worthy that God did not speak thusly to the animals. They would move, act and multiply by instinct only. Not so with man, he had a will, responsibility and purpose. It is in this sense that he is made in the image of God.

God is not physical, He is Spirit. God is, however, personal. He has purpose and will and dominion, and after this fashion was man created.
 
 

1. What are two types of life mentioned in verse 20?

2. Is verse 20 describing an act of creation?

3. Does verse 21 indicate one or two kinds of life?

4. Was God satisfied with the creation of verse 21?

5. Is verse 24, an act of creation, or a decree?

6. Name three kinds of life created in verse 25?

7. Why can’t we assume fowls were created through fish?

8. Did the sea bring forth the fowl?

9. Are Whales a result of direct creation?

10. Were whales and fish different?

11. What was man’s chief characteristic to be?

12. Does this mean that God has a body?

13. Does Scripture indicate that man could have evolved?

14. What did God give man dominion over?

15. What is meant by man having dominion?

16. How many men have had this dominion?

17. Was Adam to have purposes and plans?

18. Did God give Adam any commandments?

19. If so, name some of them.

20. Did God tell Adam what man was to eat?
 
 

Gen. 1:26 - 2:25 Memory Verse: Gen. 1:26

The origin of man has been a most prominent subject for discussion through many centuries. Scientific proof and historical record are both impossible unless we accept divine revelation. No other creature writes the history of man, and unless we accept the history God has given us in His word, we find all other historical record falls far short of recording origin. There are basically only two opinions as to this origin. One is that man originated through some process of evolution, and the other is that God created him just as Genesis chapters one and two claim.

The evolutionary scheme splits into two philosophies. First is random mutation. That is, that through change without cause or purpose, one form of life changed into another until man finally evolved. Such an idea is totally unscientific on at least three basic accounts. First, no reason, purpose or cause can be given for it. It is effect without cause and design without designer. Secondly, the time mathematically necessary for the random process theorized has not elapsed, even by the longest estimates of the earth’s age. Thirdly, we have no real evidence of either the past or present existence of any process of evolution that brings one form of life out of another. The other philosophy is divine creation through evolution which still necessitates mutation, and has all the problems of the first evolutionary philosophy.

On the other hand, our Bible gives us both a logical and a consistent statement to account for man’s origin and existence.

God purposed him, "Let us make man." God designed him, "In our own image." It is God’s purpose that put man here, keeps him here, and will terminate his residence in God’s own time.

It is to be understood that "in God’s image" does not mean physical for God is not physical, but is Spirit. It means simply God’s likeness in the sense of having initiative, purpose and dominion. It is not said that any other of God’s creatures had dominion over any other creature. Notice that man was given that dominion (Gen. 1:26), and the responsibility to reign (Gen. 1:28). Adam’s responsibility to subdue the earth was a commission to lead his domain in subjection to God. It is perfectly consistent that men who wish to subdue this creation to themselves, rather than subject it to God, would deny divine creation, and thus divine ownership.
 
 

1. What chapter in the Bible tells us the most about man’s creation?

2. In what likeness was man created?

3. Over what was man to have dominion?

4. What was man’s responsibility to the earth?

5. What does the word replenish mean?

6. What was man told to eat?

7. What were the animals to eat?

8. How much time did God tale to make all things?

9. What did God do on the seventh day?

10. Did this mean He was tired?

11. From what did God create man?

12. From what did God create woman?

13. What dwelling place did God assign to man?

14. Where did the garden of Eden get its water?

15. What was the difference then in the food of man and of animals?

16. What was man not to eat?

17. Who gave the animals their names?

18. On what day did he name them?

19. What was not good about man’s state of existence on the sixth day?

20. Did God make man and woman on the same day?
 
 

"And God saw everything that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day."

Let me first call attention to the interchangeable use of the words created and made in Genesis 1 and 2. Many make a great issue of the fact that create and made or created and made are different root words. They thus claim that the creation of the heavens and the earth (Gen. 1:1) and the making of the sun, moon and stars in Genesis 1:16 are two different kinds of acts. On this opinion they build all kinds of uncertain conclusions. If Genesis 1:1 and 1:16 indicate different kinds of acts, so do Genesis 1:26 and 1:27, and a host of other verses. These words, although different root words in both Hebrew and English, mean the same in both Hebrew and English, and must be considered interchangeable.

Now, let us notice the six days and the seventh. In Exodus 20:9-10, God said to Israel for them to do all their work in six days and to rest on the seventh. No one doubts in the least that this means 24 hour days, but many think the days of creation were a one thousand years long. They certainly do not get such an idea from the Scripture. 2 Peter 3:8 in no conceivable sense teaches such a thing. And anyone who thinks that Exodus 20:9-10 is speaking of one kind of a day, and that the very next verse, with no explanation, speaks of another kind of day, is accusing the Bible of deliberate obscurity if not folly. The term rightly dividing the word in 2 Timothy 2:15 means (by definition of the Greek word) "to cut a straight line, or to expound correctly," not to cut the Bible up in such fruity little pieces that it doesn’t mean anything.

Another area of understanding that these verses should afford, con-cerns the "gap theory." I refer here to the idea that the creation in Genesis 1:1 includes the original heavens, earth and the angelic beings. The "gap theory" holds that this is followed by an indeterminable "time gap" between verses one and two, and that verse two states judgment and a refilling of the earth. In my opinion, Scripture openly considered ab-solutely forbids such an idea.

Exodus 20:11 says, "In six days God made heavens and earth and sea and all that in them is." This verse puts the creation of heaven and earth within the six days. Genesis 1:31 and Genesis 2:1 will drive us to exactly the same conclusion. Note Genesis 2:1 says, "the heavens and the earth, and all the host of them."

The seventh day (rest) was a cessation of all work on God’s part proclaiming the perfection and completeness of what He had done in the six days.
 
 

1. How many days were spent in creation?

2. What did God do on The seventh day?

3. Did God command Adam to rest on the seventh day?

4. Did God command Noah to do so?

5. When and to whom did God male this commandment?

6. Does the Bible indicate that everything was created within the six days?

7. Does the Bible indicate that these days were more than 24 hours long?

8. Does the Bible indicate their length?

9. What Scripture is often used to claim 1,000 year days?

10. Can you explain why dais is erroneous?

11. Does The Bible say God created man?

12. Does the Bible say God made man?

13. Does the Bible say God created heaven and earth?

14. Does the Bible say God made heaven and earth?

15. Is this a contradiction and if not, why not?

16. Did God create the hosts of heaven within the six day period?

17. Does the Bible clearly place the creation of Genesis 1:1 within the six days?

18. Did God parallel Israel’s days of world and rest to His?

19. Does God resting mean He refreshed Himself from fatigue?

20. Was God pleased with His creation?
 
 

Genesis 3:1-24 Memory Verse: Genesis 3:19

God made Adam in His own spiritual image. By that it is meant that Adam was a creature with authority, ability and will. God gave him dominion over all the earth. God so ordered the earth that it yielded to Adam, and He so made the animal kingdom that they reverenced and obeyed him. Adam, however, was not sovereign in these things as is God. He rather had a position of responsibility to God.

It seems to me that the command in Genesis 1:28 to replenish (fill) the earth and subdue (subject) it was a command for Adam to subject his domain unto God. He was not to have dominion sovereignly as God, knowing (discerning for himself) good and evil, deciding for himself what he would and would not, should and should not do. He was rather to reign subjectively, under God, obeying the guidelines and restraints placed upon him by his sovereign creator. Man was given the ability to eat of all the trees of the garden, but the responsibility not to eat of one of them.

Satan, either as the serpent or through the serpent, deceived Eve. She ate and gave unto her husband, and he ate of the forbidden fruit. We can only speculate as to why Adam ate the fruit that his wife offered him (I will deal with this later.) or what would have happened to him or her had he refused her leading. We do know, however, what happened as the result of the fact that he ate.

He had exercised ability contrary to his responsibility. Adam had, in effect, declared war on the right of God to decide for him and demand of him. Therefore, as surely as the sovereign creator stands, the creature must and does fall. It is unlikely that any man has ever known just how far he really fell.

As the father of the human race, Adam took all his offspring down with him. In Adam we lived, in Adam we died (Rom. 5:15, I Cor. 15:22). Spiritual death took place in Adam immediately and all his off-spring are born spiritually dead. Not only so, but as judgment upon his sin, and to prevent perpetuity of this hideous state, God pronounced and enforced physical death on Adam and his offspring.

That is not all. Harmony was lost in all of Adam’s domain. It is in the framework of this fall that women disobey their husbands, children their parents, and that the animals fear, attack and prey upon each other and upon man. This is the cause of all sickness, deformity and imperfection in men, animals and plants. God saw His creation, and it was very good (Gen. 1:31). All in that creation today that is not very good is the result either directly or indirectly of Adam’s sin and fall.
 
 

1. In whose image was Adam made?

2. Does this mean that Adam looked like God!

3. What does it mean?

4. Did Adam have authority over creation?

5. Was there a limitation on his authority?

6. What was his positive responsibility?

7. Did he have authority and ability to carry this out?

8. Who motivated Adam to rebel?

9. Was Adam wiser than his wife?

10. What was Adam’s rebellion?

11. What penalty and result was he warned of?

12. Was it carried out immediately or later?

13. Did Adam’s fall affect Eve, and if so how?

14. Did Adam’s fall affect his children, and if so how?

15. Did Adam’s fall affect animals, and if so how?

16. Did Adam’s fall affect plants, and if so how?

17. Does man still have dominion over creation?

18. Does man have ability to carry out his responsibility today?

19. Does lack of ability change responsibility?

20. Does salvation restore us to Adam’s state?
 
 

Gen. 3:1424, Rom. 5:12-21 Memory Verse: Rom. 8:20

The curse of sin that lies upon man today is likely the most far-reaching influence that we have ever observed in action. This curse is imposed from two directions. There is what we might call simple re-sult. When man had sinned, God did not kill him, he died. On the other hand, through the centuries, the Scripture records that God has positively slain multitudes of people for sin.

Death is not the only penalty imposed. There was a curse upon animal life (Gen. 3:14). The serpent was cursed more greatly than all cattle and beasts, but, of course, they too must be cursed if he was cursed more than they.

Upon the woman there was the curse of sorrow or pain in child bearing (Gen. 3:16). There was also the curse of being ruled over by a fallen man. The man’s leadership and reign might be a blessing when he conducts himself well. But he rules over the woman, and her desire is subject unto him equally, when he is evil. The direction of such movements as "Women’s Lib" are all wrong, but even if they were right, they are doomed to failure. This curse was imposed by God and man (or woman) can never lift it.

There was also the curse upon the earth itself (Gen. 3:17-19). Man as he eats of the earth must struggle with it. He must eat of it in sorrow, (Gen. 3:17) and in the sweat of his face (Gen. 3:19). Whereas it seems that before the fall, man just dressed the garden and it yielded to him, (Gen. 2:8-15) but after the fall, it resisted him, bringing forth thorns and thistles (Gen. 3:18).

In addition to this there was the imposition of physical death upon Adam and all his offspring (Gen. 3:22-24). It seems that man, by eating of the tree of life (Gen. 2:9; Gen. 3:22) could have lived forever. Of course, God was, and is not willing for man to live forever in this horrible state of sin. He thus drove man out of the garden, forbidding him access to the tree of life, and He placed cherubim (angelic guards) at the entrance of the garden to keep man out.

Of all these terrible curses the worst of them all has not yet been mentioned. That is, of course, eternal separation from God and an aggravated condemnation in the pits of hell. This is not the first death, which Adam died in the garden and in which all of us exist. It is the second death which comes upon all whose names are not written in the book of life (Rev. 20:15). From this curse there is no relief. Oh, how far man fell!
 
 

1. Is part of the curse actively imposed by God?

2. Is part of it a simple result of sin?

3. Does this mean it was not purposed by God?

4. Does God ever kill people?

5. Does God have the right to take our lives?

6. Did God kill Adam (spiritually) (physically)?

7. Did God prevent Adam from continuing to live?

8. What two curses were put upon the woman?

9. Does this mean man has the right to lead the woman as he pleases?

10. Did God still love Adam and Eve?

11. Does the curse affect animal life?

12. If so, name some ways in which it does.

13. Which of all animals were most cursed?

14. What was some of this curse?

15. What, if any, affect did this have on plant life?

16. Did this affect the ground, if so how?

17. Did God want man to go on living?

18. Did God keep him from it?

19. What is the worst thing in the curse?

20. In what sense, if any, is this God’s will?
 
 

Gen. 3:1424, Heb. 10:1-10 Memory Verse: Gen. 3:21

In the creation and original charge of God to man, death is not seen. It is mentioned only as a conditional warning. "In the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die." It is with and by sin that death came into the world.

It is equally important to see that the first death, both of animals and men, was not "natural," but violent. Their blood was shed. Blood-shed is a dreaded fact of life everywhere. All non-preying animals become very excited and upset at the smell of blood, especially of their own kind. Men are naturally averse to the idea of the shedding of their blood, and the Bible is very vocal on the evil of shedding blood.

In spite of all this we learn that it was God who first shed blood. In Genesis 3:21 we read that He made coats of skins for Adam and Eve. It is obvious that God provided these skins by killing animals, and the pattern of Old Testament animal sacrifice would certainly sustain this conclusion. So the question that faces us is, "Why did God kill the animals? Why the shedding of blood?"

When Adam sinned, not only he, but his wife, all his offspring and the entire creation (the earth and all its inhabitants) were alienated from God. That this alienation and the rebellion of it affected animals as well as men can easily be seen by the fact that the animals which were to eat only herbs (Gen. 1:30) now ate each other. Adam was not at one with God. He was afraid. He sensed his nakedness and the impending wrath of God upon him (Gen. 3:7-8). Following this, in Genesis 3 we see the pronouncement of God’s judgment, and all the penalties of sin, but in the midst of this judgment we see an act of God (made coats of slain) to provide for a need of man (and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself). Now was all of this self-contained activity, or did it have a deeper meaning?

According to Hebrews 10 and many other Scriptures, this first shedding of blood had a deeper and more wonderful meaning. We see that blood sacrifices had a relationship to cleansing from sin (Heb. 10:1-2). We learn that the blood of bulls and goats cannot take away sins (Heb. 10:4). We then learn that the blood of Christ does take away sin (Heb. 10:10; 13:12). Now with these two opposing truths in mind, look back to Hebrews 10:1 and you will see the purpose of God in slaying the animals (shedding their blood) and of every Old Testament sacrifice. It was to testify (in picture) of Christ’s atoning sacrifice.

1. Was death part of the original creation?

2. Who was the instigator of death?

3. When did Adam feel separated from God?

4. Name two things Adam did about his fear.

5. Did this help Adam to not be afraid?

6. Was Adam really hidden from God?

7. Did Adam accept the blame for his sin?

8. What did God provide to hide Adam and Eve’s nakedness?

9. How must we assume that this was done?

10. Does the Bible describe any difference in the clothing God made for the man and the woman?

11. Was the value of the coats real or symbolic?

12. Did God have the right to kill the animals?

13. Name some ways of evil bloodshed.

14. Does only man shed blood? Explain.

15. Did the blood of the animals take away Adam’s sin?

16. Did the Old Testament sacrifices help to take away sin?

17. Were either of these sacrifices related to purging from sin?

18. What really takes away sin?

19. How is Jesus’ blood related to the Old Testament sacrifices?

20. How are the deaths in the garden and on the cross related to recon-ciliation?

Gen. 4:1-26 Memory Verse: Gen. 4:8

In Genesis chapter three, we see the sin and fall of mankind. In the very next chapter we see the first birth, and the product of fallen man and woman.

We see two men here and two approaches to God. Of course, there is Abel (the second birth) who brings an offering that confesses sin and seeks forgiveness through Christ (Heb. 11:4). We will, however, direct our attention in this lesson to the content of this chapter of Scripture. That is, of course, the action of Cain and his offspring

If modern psychologists would read this passage and believe it, they would laugh at themselves for their folly. I speak of their constant search for the underlying causes for man’s acts of perversion and violence. The order of Cain’s conduct is a perfect outline for fallen man’s history. First, he approached God as though he himself were God, moving contrary to the divine revelation that he must come as a sinner by blood sacrifice. Secondly, he was angry with God when he didn’t accept his offering. Thus Cain was assuming the place Satan promised Eve, "as gods, knowing good and evil." It is this anger and animosity toward God that makes man hate his brother, thus Cain killed his own brother. This advance or regression to the depths of sin and crime does not come through a long line of parental abuses and inherited mental illness; it flows out of a depraved human heart in a single generation. Inherited problems may intensify and complicate the problem, but the cause is clearly a result of a fallen and depraved human heart (Matt. 15:19).

Not only do we see depravity, we see in Cain impenitence. His first response to his crime was not repentance, but he lied to God (vs 9). He complained against God about his punishment (vss 13-14). Still we do not see him crying unto God for mercy and forgiveness, but he rather goes away from God’s presence and counsel (vs 16).

Finally, we see in Cain’s offspring the continuation of the selfish and ungodly pattern. There was polygyny (vs 19) and more killing (vs 23). We will notice that these men were not mentally impotent, they were builders (vs 17), cattlemen (vs 20), musicians (vs 21), craftsmen (vs 22). We will notice the parenthetical account of the replacement of the spiritual seed (Gen. 4:25-5:32). We then see the resumption and description of Cain’s offspring in Genesis 6:1-7. They are described thus: They married as they pleased (Gen. 6:2), the whole imagination of their heart was only evil continually (Gen. 6:5).
 
 

1. Who was the first man born?

2. Who was the second man born?

3. Could they have been twins?

4. Was Abel a sinner?

5. What made him different from Cain?

6. Did both of these brothers believe in God?

7. What were the offerings of each?

8. What Bible passage explains Abel’s offering?

9. Did God give Cain a second chance to offer properly?

10. Did Cain discuss this matter with his brother?

11. What terrible thing did Cain do?

12. Was Cain aware that this was sinful?

13. Did God reason with Cain about this?

14. Did Cain confess that he was wrong?

15. Did he confess that God was right in punishing him?

16. Was Cain’s life in danger?

17. Did extenuating circumstances motivate Cain’s act?

18. Who built the first city?

19. What was Cain’s first son’s name?

20. Did these men grow better as they grew wiser?

Gen. 4:1-24; 6:1-5 Memory Verse: Gen. 4:21

The teaching of "modern science", falsely so-called, would assure us that man struggled up from the posture, appearance, and mentality of beasts. We are told that there are all kinds of evidences that he progressed through many stages of grunting, raw meat eating, stone -axe carrying, cave dwelling critters.

Each time some over ambitious gold digger finds another pig’s tooth, toe bone, or Indian grave yard, we are promised that at last the "real evidence" that they always knew was there, has finally been found. To any objective student of science the Bible will make more sense and carry more continuity, historically and scientifically, than anything available to him.

I do not deny that men have lived in caves, used stone tools, eaten raw meat, drunk blood, acted like monkeys, and smelled like apes. All of these things are still done in various parts of the world. I do deny, however, that these styles of life have been stages of an upward struggle. They are all events in the history of a fallen creation.

The fact is that both the Bible and science indicate very sophisti-cated civilizations as old as man. Very little is said about this because man is still shading the evidence to try to disprove God, but ancient plumbing is about as plentiful as ancient stone axes. It just depends on where you want to dig, and what kind of dating you want to claim.

Adam was the first man on earth. He was created about six thousand years ago by a direct act of God. His first son built a city (Gen. 4:17). Within eight generations from Adam we find cattlemen, musicians and iron and brass workers. This would teach that man even then, domesticated animals, built tents, built buildings, made iron and brass, designed and made musical instruments, etc. The people of this civilization are described in Genesis 6:4 as "men of renown".

I am very sure that Adam was created with all the mental faculties we have today. This is not to say they had the inventions that men have now sought out. It is to say that their intelligence quotient was equal to and probably superior to ours today.

The point is that God created man at the height of intelligence and integrity, and man by transgression fell to the very lowest point of depravity. In the words of Solomon, "God hath made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions." (Ecc. 7:29b). Any progress man makes socially, morally or economically will be directly or indirectly related to the grace of God.
 
 

1. About how long ago was man created?

2. Who was Adam’s oldest son?

3. What caused Cain to kill his brother?

4. What affect did Abel’s murder have on where Cain lived?

5. Did Adam and Eve have other children when Abel was murdered?

6. Did they later have a child they considered special?

7. Was Cain a cave dweller?

8. Did Cain live the life of a hermit?

9. How many generations of Cain’s offspring are recorded?

10. How many generations, in Cain’s bloodline are recorded from the flood back through Adam?

11. How do you expect the ages of these men compared with those of the spiritual line?

12. Was Cain’s line mentally or physically inferior to Seth’s line?

13. Were there arts and crafts in that civilization?

14. Was that civilization very different from ours?

15. If so, name all the differences you can.

15. Who committed the first recorded polygyny?

17. Who committed the second recorded murder?

18. Was Cain hated by his offspring for killing Abel?

19. Was the second murder different from the first?

20. Is there evidence for, or against, these people being primitive and ignorant?
 
 

Gen. 4:25 - 6:8 Memory Verse: Gen. 4:25

In the previous lesson we saw very briefly the history of Cain’s off-spring. We saw there the detail of crafts, etc., involved in their earlier civilization. In the lineage that runs from Seth to Noah we will gather some details of Bible history which cannot be found anywhere else.

Notice first that Seth was born in place of Abel. When you read the lineage of Jesus Christ (through Mary from whom He received his humanity), you find Him traced by generation right back through David, Abraham, Noah and Seth, to Adam. There are some very interesting and important things to learn about the people from Seth to Noah. Including Adam and Noah this involves ten generations. Of these men Mahalaleel lived to be only 895 years old. Lamech, Noah’s father (not to be confused with the Lamech of Gen. 4:19), lived to be only 777. Enoch was translated at age 365, and the other 7 men lived to be over 900 years old. The entire time span from the creation of Adam to the flood was 1,656.

Let’s not make the mistake of imagining that Seth’s offspring was a godly line, and that they were not among those being described in Genesis 6:5. God preserved a seed through these ten generations, and that seed was preserved by grace. The rest of Seth’s offspring were described in Genesis 6:5, and were destroyed in the flood.

I think it is this family referred to in Genesis 6:2 as the sons of God. Many think this refers to fallen angels. I disagree for many reasons, not the least of which is the fact that the flood was to destroy "man" (Gen. 6:5-7), and that the destruction was upon "all in whom was the breath of life" (Gen. 6:17). Neither of these categories of judgment seems to pertain to, or be directed toward angels, fallen or otherwise.

What the Bible teaches us through this line of men is that when Adam fell, all his offspring fell with and in him. Had it not been for the preventing grace of God, they would have all gone the way of Cain. God, however, in His marvelous grace and determination to bring forth Christ in the fullness of time, preserved a spiritual seed. Even the spiritual seed were only evil continually in the thoughts and imaginations of their hearts (Gen. 6:5; 8:21).

The pronouncement of judgment in Genesis 6:7 was upon all men and this included Noah, his sons, their wives and also all animal life. The whole of our existence and salvation today is described in these words, "But Noah found grace."

1. Who is the third son of Adam, whose name Scripture records?

2. For what purpose does Eve say God gave him?

3. How many generations were there before the flood, including Adam?

4. What was the divine purpose of the spiritual line?

5. How many men lived to be over 900 years old?

6. Name the ones who died at a lesser age before the flood.

7. Who had the shortest recorded earthly life before the flood?

8. Could Abel possibly have lived longer than Enoch, before Cain killed him?

9. How many of Noah’s forefathers named here died in the flood.

10. Which of them was the last to die before the flood?

11. Who is the world’s oldest man on record?

12. Who was the second and third oldest?

13. How long before the flood did Methuselah die?

14. Were any of Noah’s forefathers prophets?

15. Were Noah’s forefathers very different from his sons?

16. What did Noah and Enoch have in common?

17. What revelation did God give Noah?

18. Did God choose Noah, or did Noah volunteer?

19. Why did God choose Noah?

20. Was Noah’s walk with God, cause or effect?
 
 

Gen. 6:1-13 Memory Verse: Gen. 6:13

We have seen in previous lessons, man’s creation, his fall and his fallen state. We saw economic progress, and yet we saw spiritual re-gression. Not only did we learn of the depravity of the human heart, we learned that there was an anti-God progression to the state where God proclaimed that "Every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually."

It is in view of this that we find God saying, "I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth." This is divine judgment. "God said." This is righteous judgment. "All flesh had corrupted his way." This was fair judgment. "Whom I have created." This was irresistible judgment. "I will destroy."

We will never see the beauty and greatness of grace until we see the justice of divine judgment. If our hearts go out in sympathy to that ungodly civilization, our minds are occupied with the question, "Why were only eight saved?" On the other hand, if we see those people as so utterly mean and contemptible that God was gloriously righteous in destroying them all, then we are occupied with praise when we say, "But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord."

Another great truth that we must see is that Noah’s whole relation-ship to God was a result of divine grace alone. His standing as "A just man," and his conduct, "Noah walked with God," are both products of divine grace, not the cause of that grace. Someone may say, "But the Bible refers to Noah as perfect." No, it does not! It refers to him as perfect in his generations. This refers to his genealogy, not his character (vs 9). The entirety of Genesis 5 and verses 9 and 10 of Genesis 6 are to relate to us the "generations of Noah." It is that in which Noah is said to be perfect, not his conduct or character.

Thus, we must see Noah as being a subject of divine, righteous judgment and wrath, just as the rest of his race. He deserved to be destroyed as much as they, but he found grace.

The judgment of eternal damnation is passed upon all of Adam’s race for all have sinned (Rom. 5:12). Every one of us who has been saved and all who shall be saved are exactly as Noah. We deserved damnation. The righteous judgment of God was passed upon us and nothing but the thin thread of life kept us out of hell. But God chose to show us grace and to reveal Himself unto us by His Word and Spirit. Paul thus speaks of us in Ephesians 2:3-5 as "The children of wrath, even as others. But God, who is rich in mercy, ... hath quickened us together with Christ,"

1. What was the marital problem of Gen.6:1-2?

2. When did this problem begin?

3. Was the Holy Spirit troubling man at this point?

4. Did God warn in word, before pronouncing judgment?

5. Is God obligated to give warning or opportunity for repentance?

6. Did God give mankind a time of grace?

7. If so, did He warn in word during this time?

8. Could God have been speaking to a man in Genesis 6:3?

9. Could He have been giving man a message of warning there?

10. If so, explain the man, the message, and the warning.

11. What New Testament Scripture (if any) so informs us?

12. Who were the objects of God’s destruction?

13. What was the means and method of destruction?

14. Is it right for us to feel sorry for those people?

15. Is there a sense in which any of this was unfair?

16. Was Noah a man of good character?

17. Was this the reason God preserved him?

18. Did Noah deserve to die with the rest?

19. Why was it fair for God to save him and not all?

20. How many people did God choose to save from the flood?

Gen. 6:8 - 7:16 Memory Verse: Gen. 6:18

To every student of science the flood is a fact easily proven. To all students of the Bible, the ark is not only a fact, but a marvelous curiosity. Let’s not assume that no other boats or ships existed in Noah’s day. We can be sure, however, that if they did, no one was afforded survival by them.

The ark was built by the precise instruction of God. It was built of gopher wood. This word means to house in. Thus, it is a wood used for building. It is thought by most to be cypress. The dimensions of the ark are given in cubits. That is a measurement from the finger tip to the elbow. The dimensions given for a cubit range from 18 to 21.6 inches. The length of my forearm and fingers is 20 inches. You would know many people who would range from one extreme to the other. Remember also that there were giants in those days. How tall was Noah? The ark may well have been much larger than we imagine, but using the eighteen inch figure, which I consider to be an absolute minimum, the dimensions of the ark would have been 450 feet long, 75 feet wide and 45 feet high. The window is described only as finished in a cubit above. I don’t think we can expect that this is a one cubit square hole in the roof of the ark, as this certainly would not be sufficient air or light necessary to life. I rather think we can expect a continuous, one-cubit-high window all the way around the ark.

By divine providence animals came unto Noah into the ark even as sinners are invited by the preacher and invisibly and effectually called by the Holy Spirit into Christ. It is, in my opinion, for this very reason that we know neither the exact dimensions of the ark nor the exact number of animals within it.

The number is explained thus, of the clean beasts ...by sevens, the male and his female, of fowls ...by sevens, and of unclean beasts ...by two, the male and his female. Now, how do you take male and female by sevens? The most logical and casual answer is seven males and seven females. With this thought I would urge you to consider this possibility in Genesis 7:9-16. "There went in two and two ...the male and the female." I rather think the meaning of this verse is, of each animal, two males and two females. Read it carefully and think on it.

In any event the building, filling, floating, survival and landing of the ark are all notable acts of God. Atheism today would love to deny it, but archaeological evidence forbids it.

1. Why was the ark to be built?

2. Who was to build it?

3. How did he know to build it, why and how?

4. How much time did he have for building?

5. Of what was he to build the ark?

6. How was he to waterproof it?

7. What were the dimensions of the ark?

8. How many stories did it have?

9. Did these stories have rooms?

10. How many rooms did the ark have?

11. How many doors did it have?

12. How high was the window?

13. How long before the flood did Noah start getting the animals into the ark?

14. How many clean beasts were taken in?

15. How many fowls were taken in?

16. How many unclean beasts were taken in?

17. How many people were taken in?

18. How long did it rain upon the earth?

19. How old was Noah when he went in?

20. How old were his sons?

Gen. 7:1-24 Memory Verse: Gen. 7:16

Geology proves that there has been a great flood upon the earth. Many atheistic scientists try to confuse the issue by claiming "many floods," "moving oceans," "ice ages," etc., nevertheless, the evidence of a great flood is undeniable. Even though they can dig up fossils and speculative data, only the Bible can tell us what happened and how it happened.

Don’t let dating claims, etc., throw you off in this area. Different soil chemical content, rainfall variation, and a dozen other things alter the deterioration and preservation of any buried item and these along with other complications makes dating impossible.

The flood took place 1,656 years after the creation of Adam. Looking back from now, it was about 4,220 years ago. It was unbelievable to the society of that day because they had never seen rain. Of course, rain was not the only water source. The Bible records that the fountains of the deep were broken up. The purpose and result of the flood was that all the animal life upon the earth perished. There is some variation of opinion as to what forms of life went into the ark. Does the term "creeping thing" mean reptiles or insects. It is my opinion that the answer lies in the words "all flesh wherein is the breath of life." The point is that all types of life that perished outside the ark as the result of the flood were preserved inside the ark as the result of grace.

It is not surprising that the people whose hearts were only evil remained outside the ark and perished in spite of Noah’s preaching (2 Peter 2:5). What is amazing is that Noah’s depraved heart and the hearts of his sons and their wives were turned to believe and labor for one hundred and twenty years building an ark. This is paralleled only by the fact that this huge number of animals was brought into the ark within a seven day period. This can only be explained by the fact that God can operate on the heart, mind, and will of men and animals as He chooses.

The waters began to fall the very day that the loading was completed, Noah entered the ark and God shut the door. The flood reached a depth of 15 cubits (22.5 to 27.5 feet) above the top of the highest mountain, and every breathing creature on earth died. It was 40 days before the rain stopped, one 150 days before the water receded enough for the ark to rest, and one year and ten days before Noah could come out of the ark.

1. How old was Noah when the flood came?

2. Why did God produce a flood?

3. How did God produce the flood?

4. What was the object of God’s wrath?

5. Were a few, most, or all people then sinners?

6. Were there any godly people alive then?

7. If there were or if there were not, why?

8. Were the people warned of the flood?

9. If so, by what means?

10. How do we know the answer to this?

11. How much time was required for loading the ark?

12. What categories of life were brought in?

13. How was Noah able to capture all these?

14. How old were Noah’s sons at this time?

15. On what year, month, and day of Noah’s life did the rain start?

16. How long did the rain fall?

17. How deep did the water get?

18. How long before it started to go down?

19. What was the result of this outside the ark?

20. How long was Noah in the ark?

Gen. 8:1 - 9:17 Memory Verse: Gen. 9:9

The covenant of Genesis 6:18 involves at least two things, (certainly more, but at least these two). First, the purpose of God to save a people for Himself out of the lot of condemned mankind. Secondly, it involves the Holy Seed, Christ, by which and in whom that people is to be saved. It was not just an agreement that would conditionally bring Noah through the flood, it was an "everlasting covenant" (Gen. 9:16). It had to do with "perpetual generations" (Gen. 9:12). It involved "every living creature" (Gen. 9:16) and it is, of course, consummated in the resurrected person of the Holy Seed, Jesus Christ (Heb. 13:20).

We now see the means of that purpose in Noah. God preserved, through grace, Noah’s perfection of lineage (Gen. 6:8-9), and God called him into the ark (Gen. 7:1). Thus we see that the very flood which destroys the world, bears up the ark, delivering Noah just as the righteousness of God that judges ungodly mankind, justifies through grace, those who are in Christ. The waters prevailed upon the earth, but the ark went upon the waters (Gen. 7: 18).

As chapter seven closes we see the history of the earth’s destruc-tion, but as we move to chapter eight we see the record of God’s grace. The ark floated upon a condemned earth for five months (150 days). There was death everywhere. There was life only in the ark and that life has no outside human hope. They are shut up by God and to God. We thus find those great words in Genesis 8:1, "And God remembered Noah." God removed the water from the earth, and one year and ten days after the rain started to fall, Noah and his family and all the animals came out of the ark.

In Genesis 8:20 we read of the first altar. The sacrifice made there was a figure of Jesus Christ dying on the cross. In verse 21 we see the marvelous proclamation of God. "I will not curse the ground for man’s sake, for the imagination of man’s heart is evil from his youth." Be aware of the fact that this grand promise is related to the offering of verse 20 and the sweet smell of verse 21. All of this looks in type to the work of the cross and the forgiveness of sin in the person of Christ.

This is God’s covenant mentioned in Genesis 6:18 and 9:11-13, and the everlasting covenant of Genesis 9:16 and Hebrews 13:20. Does this have a personal relationship to the individual believer? It most certainly does. This same covenant was carried through Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Compare Genesis 9:16, Genesis 17:13,19, Exodus 31:16, and then see the explanation of it in Galatians 3:16-17. Notice the words ‘confirmed before of God in Christ.’ Now read Ephesians 1:3-5.

1. How did Noah know when to get into the ark?

2. How much notice did he have before the flood?

3. Is there an indication that others were invited to repentance?

4. Is there any reason to believe they wanted in the ark?

5. How long did the ark float?

6. Where did the ark come to rest?

7. Are there archeological evidences of this?

8. When were mountain tops first seen?

9. How much longer did Noah wait before opening the window?

10. What was the first creature out of the ark?

11. What did this creature do?

12. Would this mean he had to fly continually?

13. What was the second creature?

14. How many times was the dove sent out?

15. Relate the result of each trip?

16. When was the face of the ground dry?

17. Why did Noah not come out of the ark then?

18. When did he come out of the ark?

19. What did Noah first do after coming out of the ark?

20. What sign and revelation did God give Noah at that time?
 
 

Gen. 9:1-29 Memory Verse: Gen. 8:21

As we have mentioned before, a classic mistake of many is to think of Noah and his offspring as a good line of people, marked by constant righteous behavior. Let it be known that Noah was "a just man." He "walked with God." God said of him, "Thee have I seen righteous before me." All these are true and they are results of grace, but be sure Noah was still Adam’s offspring and he and his were all sinners, both by nature and imputation. We could know this by observing his offspring today, but this is not necessary. The Bible states it in Genesis 8:21, "For the imagination of man’s heart is evil from his youth."

This truth is demonstrated by every generation and is recorded in such Scriptures as Genesis 9:22-29. Here we find Noah in a state of drunkenness and nakedness. He is thus furnishing the temptation for his youngest son, Ham, to sin and his depraved heart responds most willingly. This in turn brings judgment upon his offspring even to Canaan, the youngest. This may seem unfair, but if we are to rightly understand the Bible we must see mankind as a race and not each of them as all together separate individuals. Noah shared Adam’s sin both in the guilt and the judgment, and it is passed on through Shem, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Judah, and to all who are, or are to ever be born. But in Christ all the spiritual seed are made righteous. Consider Romans 5:19.

It is also to be noticed that as a result of sin’s affect on the physical body, and some feel because of changes in the earth after the flood, man’s life span begins to rapidly shorten. Noah lived to be 950 years old, but his son, Shem (the second of the three), lived to be only 600 years old. His son, Arphexad, lived only 438 years, his son, Salah, only 433, his son, Eber, 468 years and his son, Peleg, only 239 years. When we have moved ten generations to Abram, the age has shortened to 175 years. Isaac after him lived 180 years and Jacob 147.

Another fact that will help us to understand this history is that most of this took place during Noah’s lifetime. Abram was born about 58 years before Noah died, and departed from Haran only about 17 years after Noah’s death. There are ten generations from Adam to Noah and ten generations from Noah to Abraham. How rapidly the effect of sin spreads! But in all of this we see the hand of God very faithfully and determinately establishing His everlasting covenant by which He will bring forth the promised seed, Jesus Christ, by whom He will redeem men from their sins.

1. What change was made in man’s diet?

2. Which animals were they allowed to eat?

2. What part of the animal were they not to eat?

3. Why were they not to eat this part of the animal?

4. What was the penalty for an animal killing a man?

5. What was the penalty for man killing man?

6. Why was man protected above the animal?

7. What commission did God give mankind?

8. What promise did He make them concerning judgment?

9. What token did He give to comfort men in this?

10. What occupation did Noah tales after the flood?

11. What is a particular thing he grew?

12. What sin did Noah commit at this time?

13. What sin did his son commit?

14. Which son committed this sin?

15. What did the other sons do?

16. What is the birth order of these sons?

17. What did Noah do about Ham’s sin?

18. How old did Noah live to be?

19. About how long after the creation of Adam did Noah die?
 

Gen. 9:211- 10:32 Memory Verse: Gen. 9:19

This is, in my opinion, one of the most difficult subjects in the Bible to deal with for two reasons. First, the names of these people and the changing names of nations during a 4,000 year period makes identity a little difficult. Some of them such as the Canaanite nations are easy. Others are a little obscure. The second reason for difficulty is that racial prejudice on one hand, or fear of it on the other, can cause us to jump to unsound conclusions or to reject sound ones.

We must, however, realize that the marked, prevailing and perpetual racial difference has some reason. The evolutionist can assume that it "just happened," or that climate alone caused it. Of course, both common sense and investigation of the history of the matter, which we do have at hand, forbid this assumption. The Christian who holds to creation and to a 6,000 year existence of mankind upon the earth at this point, must have a Biblical answer, if any at all, and Genesis chapters nine and ten contain the Bible explanation.

According to Genesis 10:32 the whole earth was populated by the three sons of Noah. Japheth was the oldest (Gen. 10:21). Ham was the youngest (Gen. 9:24), this obviously leaves Shem to be the second. At least a comprehensive lineage of these three is given, and also the areas which they populated. By this we can draw what I think is a fair conclusion of the origin of today’s peoples.

By Japheth the "nations of the Gentiles" were populated (Gen. 10:5). It is commonly, and I think accurately, believed by Bible students that this accounts for the Caucasian people, or what is commonly called the white race.

Much more Scripture is given locating Ham’s offspring, and the geographical locations are more specific, thus identity is easier. The offspring of Cush populated Ethiopia. The Hebrew words for Cush and Ethiopia are exactly the same. Mizraim’s offspring populated upper and lower Egypt. Out of them came the Philistines or the ancient land of Palestine. No offspring is recorded for Phut, so we move to Canaan the youngest son. Canaan is the son upon whom the curse of God, pronounced by Noah, was specifically placed. I think it was upon all of Ham’s offspring (even unto Canaan). Of course they populated the land of the Canaanites, and like the Egyptians and Ethiopians, they were black people.

The sons of Shem are the Semitic or basically the oriental races. The word Shem and the word Sem are the same word. It is, of course out, of this group that Abram and subsequently the Israelitish people came.

1. Name the three sons of Noah.

2. Give the order of their birth.

3. What race of people came from Japheth?

4. What race came from Shem?

5. What race came from Ham?

6. How many sons did Ham have?

7. How many of them have a lineage recorded in Scripture?

8. Who was Ham’s oldest son?.

9. What land did he populate?

10. Who was Ham’s youngest son?

11. What land did he populate?

12. Who was his other son with Bible lineage?

13. What land did he populate?

14. Which of Noah’s sons was the spiritual seed?

15. Which of his sons carried on the line?

16. Which race had God’s particular blessing pronounced?

17. Which one seemed to have economic superiority pronounced?

18. Which of Noah’s son’s families populated Sodom and Gomorrah?

19. Which son of Cush became famous?

20. How many basic race divisions do we have?
 

Gen. 14:4 -12, Gen. 11:1- 9 Memory Verse: Gen. 11:7

As a child in school I was taught that the world’s great barrier to peace was language. It seemed to be the opinion of many people then, that fighting and wars flowed out of the misunderstanding of our fellow man. That same philosophy is prevalent today, and the idea is promoted that if only understanding can prevail, war will cease in the earth.

I was astonished, when I began to study my Bible, to find that something else entirely caused war. It is the depraved, greedy, lustful heart of man. (Jam. 4:1-3).

I was equally, if not more, astonished to find that God was the direct author of the language barrier (Gen. 11:7). Surely when we read this, we are forced to ask why.

First, it is because man (God’s creature, created for God’s purpose) has a purpose of his own, incited by Satan, and essentially contrary to the purpose of God for him. God had told Noah’s offspring to go forth from the ark and to multiply in the earth and fill it. (Gen. 8:16-17; 9:1). This would certainly necessitate a migration throughout the earth, but man’s purpose seemed to be to settle down and form a monolithic society (Gen. 11:1-4).

God points out in Genesis 11:6 that if man, who is created in the image of God, is not prevented by God’s restraining grace there is nothing that win restrain him in all his evil purpose. This purpose (imagination) is, of course, only evil continually as is stated in Genesis 6:5, Genesis 8:21, and Romans 1:21-28.

It is in this framework of his nature that man set out to build the city and tower of Babel. It is thought by some Bible students that this project was an attempt to approach the God of heaven through self-righteousness. It is said by others, and I think accurately, that it was a work of rebellion against God. It was thus built in competition with the God of heaven, and was a temple of idol worship, fornication and every sort of religious and sexual perversion.

In any event it is known that this city and this temple were among the great structural wonders of the world. The temple was absolutely masssive in size and splendorous in beauty. It later became the site of Babylon, and the headquarters of those who opposed the people of God. We find this word Babylon used in the book of Revelation symbolizing the opposition to God’s saints.

Men are still trying to build towers of Babel, but there will be no peace until the Prince of Peace reigns.

1. What was the great difference in the first few generations after the flood and now?

2. Who was the king of Babel?

3. Who was this man’s father, grandfather?

4. Name another infamous city his offspring built.

5. How was Nimrod described?

6. Was Nimrod known over a large area?

7. What was the first of his kingdom?

8. Where was this city located?

9. Would Nimrod have been much older, much younger, or about the same age as Abraham?

10. In which direction did men migrate from the ark?

11. Was their first civilization center flat or mountainous?

12. What were their building materials?

13. What was their stated reason for building a city?

14. What was the major structure of this city?

15. Did God approve of this great social plan?

16. Was the city of Babel finished?

17. What means of interference did God use against their plans?

18. Was Babel the original name planned for the city?

19. Was the site later used, and if so, for what?

20. Is this system seen in the New Testament?

Genesis 11:10-12:2, Joshua 24:2-3 Memory Verse: Gen. 12:4

In Genesis 11:10-26 we find the account of ten Semitic generations stretching from Shem to Abraham. Abraham was born 58 years before Noah died, 292 years after the flood. According to Joshua 24:2-3, Abraham’s father was an idolater, so we may see that it is from such a people that Abraham comes.

When we first read of Abraham leaving Ur of the Chaldees he was with his father, Terah, and his nephew, Lot, was with them. At this time his name was Abram not Abraham. God changed it later. There is no evidence that God called Terah, or that he had any part in going to Canaan’s land, nor was Abram first called to Haran. We find in Genesis 12:1 that God had called Abraham and that call included a command to saparate from his father’s house as much as to go into the land of Canaan. Whether Terah’s trip, part of the way, was Abram hanging on to his father or the father staying with the son, is hard to know.

We do know that God called Abram while he was yet in Ur of the Chaldees (Mesopotamia) before he came to Haran (Charan - Acts 7:2-3). He left Ur and moved to Haran, then sometime later left Haran and journeyed to Canaan. He was 75 years old when he left Haran. Abram was 58 when Noah died. It would not surprise me if it was at that time that God called him and that the interim 17 years were spent in partial disobedience.

When Abram left Haran he took his wife Sarai, who was his half-sister, and his nephew, Lot. It is thought by most Bible students that he was wrong in taking Lot with him since he was told to leave his kindred. Note Genesis 13:14-15.

When we see the background, lineage and early activities of this man we may wonder why God chose him for we certainly cannot conclude that it was due to his character and background. We find the reason for this choice by reading such passages as Genesis 15:18, Genesis 17:2-13 and Genesis 17:18-21. The purpose is God’s covenant with Abraham’s seed, and who is that seed? It is Christ (Gal. 3:16-18).

It seems that the covenant was, in reality, with Christ the seed, and that it was God’s purpose to establish it through Noah, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. When we think of these chosen men of God, let us never think of them as being chosen for their value or virtue. Let’s rather think of God’s marvelous grace and consider these men, like ourselves, to be the objects and the beneficiaries of that grace.

1. Which of Noah’s sons was Abram’s forefather?

2. Do we know anything about his father’s religion?

3. What was his father’s name?

4. How old was Terah when Abram was born?

5. How old did Terah live to be?

6. How long after the flood was Abram born?

7. How old was Abraham when Noah died?

8. How old was Abram when God called him?

9. How old was he when he left Haran?

10. What was Abram’s wife’s name?

11. Who else went with Abram to Canaan?

12. Name two New Testament preachers who speak of Abraham’s call.

13. What relationship did Sarai have to Abram before they married?

14. What do we know of Abram’s character before God called him?

15. What was God’s promise to Abram?

16. What man preceded Abram in this covenant?

17. Who was this covenant originally between?

18. Did God choose Abram because he was different?

19. Was Abraham a righteous man and why or why not?

20. What application of this is there to believers?

THE SEPARATION OF ABRAM FROM HIS KINDRED

Gen. 12:1 - 14:24 Memory Verse: Gen. 13:12

In Genesis 12:1 we learn that God had told Abram to leave his home-land, Ur of the Chaldees, as well as his family and his kindred. Abram’s trip from Ur to Haran was certainly not obedience to this command because he went in the company of his father, Terah, and his nephew, Lot. Moreover, when he left Haran and came through the land of Canaan to Egypt he was still in partial disobedience. We find him in Egypt risking the loss of his wife through whom the covenant seed, Isaac, is to come. We also notice that it is through the providence of God that Sarah is kept for Abraham, and they are driven out of Egypt (Gen. 12:10-20).

When Abram returned to Canaan in Genesis 13, he was still not living as God had told him for even though he had left the land of his kindred, he had brought some of them with him. Thus God providentially separated them by making their wealth too much for the land to bear. So Abram dwelt in the land of Canaan and Lot localized his dwelling place in the plains of Jordan, and finally in the city of Sodom.

It seems as we read Genesis 13:14-18 that when Lot is separated from him, Abram moved into a new level of relationship with God. There is something here, however, that we must notice for the sake of Scriptural accuracy, and continuity. Even though Lot was not to dwell with Abram, he was different from the rest of Abram’s kindred. We find Abram fighting for Lot when he was taken captive by a heathen king (Gen. 14:11-16). We should also understand that it was God who delivered Lot, not the power or fighting skill of Abram (Gen. 14:14, 20).

We must not think of Abram’s act here as mere attachment to kinfolk or God’s blessing of it as merely for Abram’s sake. I say this because in Genesis 18:23, when God was about to destroy Sodom, Abram interceded for Lot as for a righteous man, and God honored that inter-cession by preserving Lot and his two daughters. This opinion of Lot’s standing with God is confirmed in 2 Peter 2:6-8.

We should also be aware that through Lot’s sinful relationship with his daughters, two nations were born. They were the Moabites and the Ammonites (Gen. 19:36-38). They both became snares to Israel as we can see in such Scriptures as Numbers 25:1-5. Nevertheless, we see that God does not permit their destruction, though they are an idola-trous people. Notice Deuteronomy 2:9, 19.

The nation of Moab was also the home of Ruth, the great grand-mother of David, and she became a vital link in the covenant seed line to Christ. (Mat. 1:5, Ruth 4:10; 18-22)

1. What was Lot’s relationship to Abraham?

2. What was his father’s name?

3. Why did Abram take Lot with him?

4. Did Lot and Abram argue?

5. What was the source of their problem?

6. Who proposed the separation?

7. Who decided who would go where?

8. Where did Abram live after this?

9. Where did Lot live after this?

10. Why did Lot choose this location?

11. What did King Chedorlaomer do to Lot?

12. What did Abram do on his behalf?

13. What kind of people did Lot live among?

14. What did God purpose to do to Sodom?

15. What was Abram’s response to God’s revelation concerning the destruction of Sodom?

16. Did God honor Abram’s intercession?

17. How much of Lot’s family came out of Sodom?

18. Why did they not all escape?

19. What two peoples descended from Lot?

20. Did their existence have any affect on Israel?
 
 

Genesis 15:1 -17:24 Memory Verse: Genesis 17:18

Since we have all the Old and the New Testament revelation con-cerning Isaac and his seed after him, we may tend to chide Abram for his impatience and lack of faith concerning the birth of Isaac. Careful study, however, will show us why Abram is, in spite of his mistakes, called the father of the faithful.

Sometime before Abram was 75 years old, we do not know how long, God had called him out from among his kindred. He had spent some time in Haran, and he had no children. He left Haran, passed through Canaan, stayed for a time in Egypt, and then returned to Canaan. Not only does he still have no seed as God had promised him, but providence separated his nephew, Lot, from him. In Genesis 15:2-3 we see Abram wondering and asking God, if a servant born to his house shall be his heir. Don’t cry "weak faith" until you remember that Abram had now been in a strange land for 8 years and he had no son. It seems to be more than 25 years after God first called Abram that He definitely promised him a son, born of Sarai. (Note Gen. 17:1;15-16)

It is in this context, more than 10 years after Abram left Haran, that he heeded a suggestion from his barren wife. This suggestion was that since she was barren that Abram take Hagar, Sarai’s handmaid, and raise up the seed that God had promised. Such a practice was very common in that society. Certainly it was sin before God, but that society did not look at it as being so, and to Sarai it was not at all shameful compared to being barren. Polygyny was common and Hagar became Abram’s wife.

There is, however, a problem here. God had promised the seed (Jesus Christ) through Seth, Noah, Shem, Abram, etc., and Hagar is an Egyptian, the offspring of Ham through Mizraim, and not of Shem as is Sarai. Therefore, fruit of a union between Abram and Hagar could not possibly produce the promised seed spoken of throughout the Scripture. We do, however, find God promising to multiply Hagar’s seed (Gen. 16:10-11). This son was born unto Abram and Hagar when Abram was 86 years old, and he is the father of all of today’s Arabian people, a mixture of Ham and Shem. Note the nomadic and selfish nature of this people prophesied in Genesis 16:12.

In Genesis 17, Abram was 99 years old and Ishmael was 13. At that time God appeared unto Abram and revealed Himself to Abram in a new way, the Almighty God. Then came the shock of Abram’s life. Sarah will bear Abraham a son. His name will be Isaac, and the covenant people will come through him.

1. What caused Abram to be concerned about God’s promise?

2. How long had Abram been in Canaan when his first son was born?

3. What was Abram’s first son’s name?

4. What was his first son’s mother’s name?

5. What was Ishmael’s mother’s nationality?

6. What was her relationship to Sarai?

7. What relationship did she acquire with Abram?

8. Whose idea was this union?

9. Whose children did Sarai expect Hagar’s children to be?

10. What change took place in Hagar’s attitude toward Sarai?

11. How did Sarai and Abram respond to this?

12. What was Hagar’s reaction?

13. Why did Hagar return to Sarai?

14. Who named Ishmael?

15. Who told this one what to name him?

16. What kind of person was Ishmael to be?

17. How old was Abram when Ishmael was born?

18. For how long did Abram think Ishmael was the promised seed?

19. How old was Abram when he learned who the spiritual seed’s mother would be, and his name?

20. What ordinance was revealed at this time?
 
 

Gen. 18:1-15; 21:1-21; 22:1-19 Memory Verse: Gen. 21:3

As we progress in the events of Abraham’s life we see that he has been in the land of Canaan nearly 25 years. He is almost 100 years old, and his wife is about 90. He has taken an Egyptian servant to be a second wife, or a concubine, and she has born him a son (Ishmael) who is now 13 years old. God had, however, appeared unto Abram only months before and informed him that Ishmael was not the promised seed, that their names were to be changed, and that Sarah would bear him a son.

In chapter 18 God appeared to Abraham and at this time informed Sarah. Sarah laughed (Gen. 18:12) in doubt, just as Abraham had done in Genesis 17:17. Nevertheless, the plan and purpose here was God’s, not Abraham’s and Sarah’s. So, at the appointed time a son was born, and as God had said, he was named Isaac. When Isaac was weaned, Ishmael was seen mocking. This is very typical of the flesh lusting against the Spirit (Gal. 5:17). Sarah told Abraham to turn Hagar and Ishmael out. He hated to do so, but God told him that Sarah was right, so it was done. Don’t think now of a helpless woman and a baby being sent away. Hagar was now probably a wealthy woman and Ishmael would have been between 15 and 19 years old, depending upon the age of Isaac when he was weaned. Ishmael became a great nation, the Arabian peoples, and as we see today, has always mocked, competed with, and fought with the Israelitish people.

We can’t be absolutely sure of Isaac’s age at the time, but he was probably about 21 to 25 years of age when God challenged Abraham to sacrifice him for a burnt offering. We can be sure that Abraham was amazed because God had been so insistent on the birth of Isaac. Not only so, but all the promises that were made to Abraham and his seed were dependent upon Isaac. Abraham was nevertheless strong in faith and obedient unto God. After a three day journey to Mt. Moriah he offered Isaac unto the Lord. God, of course, stopped him before Isaac was slain, and Hebrews 11:17-19 tells us that in a figure Abraham, by faith, offered him up and received him from the dead.

It is believed that the mountain where Isaac was offered is the location of Jerusalem. I would not be surprised if it were, in fact, Mt. Calvary. In any event, we know it was a threefold symbolism of God giving His Son, the Son being obedient unto death, and a substitute being provided for the condemned. Genesis 22:14 is a prophecy, and is, in effect, this: Jehovah-Jireh (the Lord will provide). In the mountain of the Lord, that provision shall be seen. It speaks of Christ, our Savior.

1. Where did Abraham live when Sarah learned she was to have a son?

2. In what kind of home did they live?

3. Who appeared unto Abraham then, and how?

4. What did Abraham do for the visitors?

5. Who was the visitor who spoke to Sarah?

6. What was Sarah’s reaction to the good news?

7. Why did Sarah respond in this way?

8. How old was Sarah when Isaac was born?

9. How old was Abraham when Isaac was born?

10. What strange relationship did Sarah have to Abraham?

11. What problem did they have with Ishmael?

12. What solution did Sarah propose?

13. What was Abraham’s opinion?

14. What was the result, and why?

15. What strange thing did God tell Abraham to do?

16. Why was this so strange?

17. How old were Abraham and Isaac then?

18. Where was this event to take place?

19. What alteration did God make in the plans?

20. What was Abraham’s prophecy, and was he really a prophet?

Gen. 18:16 - 19:38 Memory Verse: Gen. 19:15

After God (in the persons of 3 men) visited Abraham and Sarah in the plains of Mamre (Gen. 18:1) He moved toward a task of preser-vation. God will destroy Sodom and the wicked cities of the plains, and Lot must be brought out from among them.

In Genesis 18:16-22 we see God revealing to Abraham his intention of destruction upon Sodom and Gomorrah. Abraham then assumed the position of intercessor on behalf of Lot and his family. Abraham started at 50 and decreased to 10 which was probably fewer than the number of Lot’s immediate family in Sodom. It is noteworthy that he did not intercede personally for Lot and the righteous within his household, but for the city. Nevertheless, it seems his intercession is effective (Gen. 19:29). See the difference in John 17:9.

According to Genesis 13:13 and many other Scriptures the Sodomites were exceedingly sinful before God. What was this great sin? Among other things, it was the sin of homosexuality. This can be seen by reading carefully Genesis 19:4-12. They set Lot at naught for calling them wicked (Gen. 19:9), just as men of perverted hearts and minds would try to justify this filthy, wicked sin today. God, however, describes the sinfulness of this sin in Romans 1:24-28. Just as God judged that sin in the past, so will He judge it in the future. The homosexual may try to justify himself, but he must repent or be damned.

Two of the men (angels) who had appeared unto Abraham went to Sodom and after some persuasion, entered Lot’s house. They not only proved well able to protect themselves from the perverts, but also Lot’s house. They then sent Lot out to gather his family and to deliver them from God’s wrath. But alas, Lot had lived too long among these people to persuade his family that they were evil. He seemed to them as one that mocked (Gen. 19:14).

The next morning the angels warned Lot to take his wife and the two daughters of the home and escape to the mountains. Lot lingered probably because of his children who would not go, so the angels took them and in God’s mercy forced them out of the city and urged them to escape for their lives. So after much entreaty Lot set out for the little city of Zoar. His wife looked back and was turned into a pillar of salt.

God rained fire upon the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah and utterly destroyed them. There are those today to whom anyone who speaks of God’s fiery judgment upon sin, seems like a mocker. Be assured, sinner friend, it is no joke. In 2 Peter 2:6,8 we find Peter making reference to the overthrow of these cities. He says it was an example to all who would live ungodly.

1. Where were Sodom and Gomorrah located?

2. Why was Lot living in Sodom?

3. How much family do you think he had there?

4. Was Lot a youth when he separated from Abram?

5. What was wrong with Sodom and Gomorrah?

6. Had God previously judged Sodom in any way?

7. How many people lived in Lot’s home?

8. Who were the visitors who came to Sodom?

9. Were they eager to enter Lot’s home?

10. What occurred as a result of them being there?

11. How did Lot propose to protect them?

12. How did they protect themselves and Lot?

13. Upon what mission did they send Lot that night?

14. What was the result of Lot’s mission?

15. Was Lot ready to leave the next morning?

16. How did the angels persuade him?

17. How many people escaped the fire of Sodom?

18. How many finally escaped, and to where?

19. What happened to the other one and why?

20. Into what city did Lot flee, and did he remain there?

Gen. 24:1-67 Memory Verse: Gen. 24:58

One of the most beautiful stories in all of Scripture is the securing of a bride for Isaac. Isaac is the son through whom God has promised to bring forth the Spiritual Seed which is Christ. At this point he is about 40 years old. His father Abraham is about 140 and his mother Sarah has been dead approximately 3 years.

Abraham called his chief servant (probably Eliezer of Damascus - Gen. 15:2-3), and made him take an oath to secure a bride for Isaac after a very particular fashion. By reading Genesis 22:20-24 we learn that this was not merely Abraham’s instruction that is given to his servant, but that God had actually revealed to him the identity of Rebekah, and it was God who conducted the matter all the way. Notice Genesis 24:14. The instructions are very specific. Isaac’s bride is to be a Shemite, not a native of the land of Canaan (a Hamite). Eliezer is sent back to Mesopotamia to get a bride for Isaac. Two things are insistently set forth by Abraham. Isaac is never to be taken to Mesopotamia, and he is absolutely not to marry a Canaanite.

With these instructions and with all the provisions he would need, Eliezer was sent forth. Eliezer was aware that God had chosen a bride for Isaac (Gen. 24:14), but he had no way of knowing who she was. He thus asked God for a very specific indication of her identity. This would be not only her willingness to give him water, but her voluntary offer to water his camels also. Eliezer had no more than finished this prayer when Rebekah appeared and responded after that very fashion. Rebekah was the granddaughter of Nahor, Abram’s brother. This would make her Abram’s grandniece and Isaac’s second cousin.

When Eliezer announced his mission to Bethuel, Rebekah’s father, and Laban, her brother, they consented to give Rebekah to Isaac believing that it was God’s ordained plan. Eliezer then gave Rebekah very precious and expensive gifts which symbolize the things we are given in Christ. He gave gifts also to her mother and to Laban, her brother, and asked permission to take her and return to Isaac. They were willing for her to go, but desired that she wait a while. When the decision was left to her, she consented to go with him, and they returned to Canaan’s land.

When they returned Isaac came out to meet them, and the God-ordained marriage was begun.

1. How old was Abraham when he sent for Rebekah?

2. How long had he now lived in Canaan?

3. How long did Sarah live?

4. How old was Isaac at this time?

5. Was his grandfather Terah still alive?

6. Who was the servant who was sent for Isaac’s bride?

7. Where was this servant from?

8. What were two things he was instructed not to do?

9. To what country was he sent?

10. To what city was he sent?

11. Did Abraham have a particular person in mind?

12. Did Eliezer know who this person was?

13. Did he know that God had a particular bride?

14. What manner of identification did he use?

15. What was the damsel’s name and appearance?

16. What was her father’s and brother’s name?

17. What kin was she to Abraham and Isaac?

18. Were her parents willing for her to go with Eliezer?

19. What condition did they try to impose on her going?

20. What gifts did Eliezer give her?

Gen. 25:1-27:46 Memory Verse: Gen. 25:33

When Isaac was 75 years old, Abraham died. Abraham had 6 other sons by a concubine named Keturah. The Scripture records that he gave them gifts and sent them away from Isaac, but all his wealth was reserved for Isaac.

When Abraham died Isaac and Ishmael buried him in the cave of Machpelah, where he had buried Sarah. Now God will proceed to bring forth His purposed seed through Isaac. We find, however, that the same problem of barrenness experienced by Sarah is shared by Rebekah, so Isaac prayed to God for a son and God answered by giving him twin boys.

There was a conflict between Esau and Jacob even before they were born, and it never has really changed. Esau was the first born and he was the favorite of Isaac. Jacob was the second. He was Rebekah’s favorite, and even in birth he desired to have Esau’s birthright. Perhaps personality caused Rebekah to favor Jacob over Esau, or perhaps it was because God had revealed to her that Esau would serve Jacob. Esau was a man of the field, a cunning hunter, and Jacob was a plain man and dwelt in tents.

One day Esau came from his hunting very hungry and found Jacob cooking lentil soup. He asked him for some and Jacob proposed the sale of Esau’s birthright in exchange for a bowl of soup. The subtlety of Jacob in making such a proposal is paralleled only by the shallow-ness of Esau in so despising his birthright as to sell it for a bowl of pottage.

When it came time for Isaac, in his old age, to pass the blessing of the birthright on to his son, he, as was customary with the Semitic people, purposed to give it to his oldest son, Esau. He sent him to the field to get venison, and promised in return to give him a blessing.

Rebekah devised a plan whereby Jacob substituted goat meat, claimed it was venison and that he was Esau, and thereby received the blessing that Isaac had intended for Esau. You may understand how this was Esau’s doing as well as Jacob’s and Rebekah’s, by comparing Genesis 27:34-36 to Hebrews 12:16-17.

Esau’s hatred for Jacob was so great over this that he purposed to kill him, but, of course, God had other plans for him. He went to Padan-aram in flight from his angry brother. It was 20 years later before he returned. His name had been changed to Israel, and he had 12 sons who were to become the fathers of 12 tribes.

1. How old was Abraham when he died?

2. Who buried him and where?

3. How old was Isaac when he married?

4. What was his wife’s name?

5. What problem did she have?

6. What did Isaac do about this?

7. How many sons did Isaac have in all?

8. Who was his oldest son?

9. What special privilege did older sons have?

10. Did Isaac love his sons equally?

11. Which son did Rebekah love most?

12. Which son did God love most?

13. How did Jacob acquire Esau’s birthright?

14. Who told him to lie for the blessing?

15. Explain what Isaac asked of Esau.

16. Explain how Jacob stole the blessing.

17. How did Isaac feel about Jacob’s trick?

18. How did Esau feel about it?

19. Where did Jacob go to escape Esau?

20. What did Jacob’s name later become?

Genesis 23:1- 29:35 Memory Verse: Genesis 32:28

Serious students also read Genesis 30-33.

Esau was so angry over the stolen blessings that he desired to kill his younger brother, Jacob. Isaac and Rebekah, therefore, sent him away into the country of Haran (Padan-aram), which is in Mesopotamia. He had a great experience with God during his journey. When he arrived there he met his cousin Rachel and immediately fell in love with her. She took him to her father’s house and Jacob agreed to dwell with Laban and to work 7 years for him in payment for Rachel to be his wife.

Laban was a subtle man like Jacob (the supplanter) and he constantly was trying to cheat him, even though it was obvious that God blessed Laban for Jacob’s sake. When Jacob had labored 7 years Laban withheld Rachel and gave Leah, her older sister, to Jacob for his wife. Jacob agreed to work 7 more years if he would give him Rachel, and thus he had 2 wives. Leah had a personal servant named Zilpah and Rachel had a personal servant named Bilhah, which Laban gave them as wedding presents. Both Zilpah and Bilhah became concubines to Jacob, and these 4 women together bore him 12 sons. Leah was the mother of Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun, 6 in all. Bilhah was the mother of Dan and Naphtali, Zilpah was the mother of Gad and Asher, and Rachel, who had been barren, finally bore Joseph.

After this, Jacob took his wives and his 11 sons and returned to the land of Canaan. There between Bethel and Bethlehem, on her death bed, Rachel bore Benjamin. Thus Jacob was the father of 12 sons.

Meanwhile during the return trip something happened. The night before Jacob crossed over the brook Jabbock, a man wrestled with him. Jacob’s resistance and self-will was so strong that they wrestled until the break of day. At this time the man (apparently the angel of the Lord) touched the hollow of his thigh leaving Jacob to limp, very likely all the rest of his life. It was in this dependent condition that Jacob held on to the angel, insisting on a blessing, and was subsequently named Israel (prince with God) instead of Jacob (supplanter). Thus we have the 12 sons of Israel.

In Jacob’s old age he passed a double portion of blessing to Joseph, through his 2 sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, whose names replaced that of Joseph and Dan in the 12 tribes, and thus we have the origin of the 12 tribes of Israel.

1. What caused Jacob to leave Canaan?

2. Unto what country did Jacob go?

3. Describe the great experience Jacob had during this trip?

4. Who was the first person Jacob met there?

5. What, if any, was her relationship to Jacob?

6. What was her father’s name?

7. Have we previously learned of this man in the Scriptures?

8. What agreement was made between Jacob and Laban?

9. In what way did Laban cheat?

10. Did Jacob learn not to deal with Laban?

11. Did Laban like having Jacob work for him?

12. How long did Jacob agree to serve in all?

13. Give the division of the agreements.

14. Did Jacob fulfill all his agreement?

15. How long did Jacob serve Laban?

16. How many wives did Jacob have?

17. How many sons did Jacob have?

18. Which wife bore Jacob the most sons?

19. Which wife and which son did Jacob love most?

20. What happened to Jacob’s name?

Genesis 37:1-36; 39:1-23; 46:1-34. Memory Verse: Genesis 50:20

Serious Bible students read Genesis 37-47.

In Genesis 15:13, God had told Abraham that his seed would be strangers in a land that was not theirs. It is completely certain from God’s description of this time and what is to transpire in it that He speaks of their bondage in Egypt. But at the time the house of Israel goes into Egypt they total 70 people (Gen. 46:26-27). How will such a number be thus maneuvered? Well, we see two forces in action bringing it about. First, there is human depravity working in the hearts of Joseph’s brothers. Secondly, there is the preventing providence of God working above both them and the Egyptians.

Jacob sent Joseph, a young prophet especially loved of his father Israel, out to check on his brothers where they tended the flocks. When they saw him coming their hatred was kindled within them and they conspired to kill him (Gen. 37:20). God, however, moved upon the heart of Reuben. This gave Joseph a temporary deliverance (Gen. 37:21-22). God then moved the evil heart of Judah, moving it from murder and allowing it to settle on greed. Judah thus appealed to the covetousness of his brothers, and they sold Joseph to a group of Ishmaelite traders (Gen. 37:25-28). Now all this was done out of the evil of their own hearts. God only confined that evil into certain guide-lines, so as to work His divine will (Gen. 45:7).

Joseph was brought to Egypt and purchased by Potiphar as a slave, but even there he could not rise to God’s ordained level for him, so again human depravity is forced into a mold of glorifying God. The combination of lust, pride and false accusation by Potiphar’s wife lands Joseph in prison (Gen. 39:7-20), but God was with Joseph (Gen. 39:21)! Thus Joseph prospered even while in prison (Gen. 39:21-23). It was there that Joseph prophetically interpreted dreams which subsequently brought him into the presence of Pharaoh.

After 2 years in prison the Pharaoh had a dream, which resulted in Joseph being released from prison. In interpreting the dream Joseph saved Egypt from the fury of a great famine, and thus became the governor over the whole economy of Egypt (Gen. 41 :25-57).

When the 7 years of famine arrived Jacob (Israel) sent his sons to Egypt for food. Joseph recognized them, but it was only on the second trip that he revealed himself. He then served as the means by which the whole house (family) of Israel was brought into Egypt. Because of the great benefit Egypt had received of Joseph, the House of Israel came to Egypt as honored guests and the land of Goshen was given to them.

1. How many sons did Israel have?

2. Which of them was his favorite?

3. What special thing did Israel give him?

4. What did Joseph do that provoked his brothers?

5. How many brothers were likely tending flocks?

6. Did Joseph feel bitterness toward them?

7. What conspiracy did they plan when they saw Joseph approaching?

8. Who delivered Joseph from it?

9. Who submitted the plan that was carried out?

10. Did Joseph plead with them not to do it?

11. Give two identities of those to whom Joseph was sold.

12. For how much was Joseph sold?

13. To whom did they sell Joseph?

14. What happened to destroy Jospeh’s first position in Egypt?

15. What was Jospeh’s second position?

16. What did Jospeh do there that finally terminated that position?

17. What was Pharaoh’s dream?

18. What was the interpretation?

19. How did this effect the rest of the house of Israel?

20. Explain God’s purpose and method of operation in this.

Genesis 49:27-56:26; Exodus 1:1-2:10 Memory Verse: Exodus 1:8

Serious Bible students read Genesis 48 through Exodus 1.

Up to now we have covered about 2,300 years of man’s 6,000 year history upon the earth. We have now learned of the choosing and the birth of a nation with which God will deal very particularly. In the previous lesson we learned of God’s providence in bringing that chosen people into the land of Egypt. In this lesson we will study the account of Israel’s stay in Egypt.

Joseph was 30 years old when he stood before Pharaoh (Gen. 41:46). It was approximately 9 years after that, that the house of Israel came into Egypt, and while Joseph lived they were honored guests (Gen. 47:5-6,11). It seems that all during Joseph’s life, which would have been about 71 years after Israel came into Egypt, they remained very honored people in the land. So the book of Genesis ends with Joseph in a coffin in Egypt.

In Exodus 1:8 we find a significant change taking place. God had told Jacob that while they were in Egypt, He would make a mighty people of them (Gen. 46:3). In Exodus 1:8-9 we find a new Pharaoh in Egypt who knew not Joseph. He testified of God’s fulfillment, "more and mightier than we." Thus this evil Pharaoh sought by affliction and rigorous bondage to diminish their strength, but the more he afflicted them, the more they grew. The Pharaoh then decreed that all the male babies should be destroyed at birth. What a satanic plot to break the bloodline from Abraham to Christ, but even the Egyptian midwives feared God more than the Pharaoh and saved the male babies. For many years Israel served under this tremendous affliction, but in spite of it all they continued to increase. In Exodus 2:22-23 we find Israel crying unto God by reason of this affliction, and the statement that God remembered His covenant with Abraham. Compare Genesis 15:7, Exodus 2:24 and Galatians 3:16-18.

It was in times like these that Amram and his wife Jochebed, both Levites, had a son. They somehow knew that he was a special child. They hid him from the Egyptians as long as possible, then put him in the river in an ark of bulrushes. In the providence of God, Pharoah’s daughter came to bathe and her maidens found him. Moreover God moved on her heart so that she had compassion, and instead of killing him, she adopted him, and he became her son. She named him Moses, which means "drawer out". She named him this because she drew him out of the river. God, however, had him named this because He would use him to draw his people, Israel, out of Egypt.

1. Who was the first man to be told of Israel’s time in Egypt?

2. How long from the promise to Abraham and the Mosaic law?

3. How many Israelites went into Egypt?

4. What was done when Jacob died?

5. What was done when Joseph died?

6. What command did Jospeh male concerning his bones

7. Where in Egypt did Israel dwell?

8. Was this rejected or poor land?

9. How long did Joseph reign in Egypt?

10. How long did Israel’s good treatment last?

11. What occasioned the Pharaoh’s fear?

12. What was Pharaoh’s first prescription to retard growth?

13. Did affliction cause Israel to decline?

14. What was Pharaoh’s ultimate decree against them?

15. Who did Pharaoh first delegate to this task?

16. Why was it not carried out?

17. To whom was this decree then extended?

18. What special child was then born and to whom?

19. What is the meaning of his name?

20. How was his name providential and prophetic?

Exodus 11:4 -13:16 Memory Verse: Exodus 12:13a

The ordinance of all ordinances in the Old Testament is the passover. It holds within its symbolism, not only the mystery of the Gospel, but many of the great Bible doctrines revealed in the New Testament.

At this point, the sojourning of Abraham and his seed, now referred to as the house of Israel, has been 430 years. The first 215 years of this covered the lives of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob as strangers in the land of Canaan. The last half was from the time Jacob brought his family into Egypt until the time Moses led them out.

You will remember that Pharaoh had hardened his heart in spite of great miracles and terrible plagues from God because he wanted to keep Israel in slavery. In Exodus 11:1 we read the announcement that God will send upon Egypt one more plague so terrible that Pharaoh would not only let Israel go, but would thrust them out of the land. This plague was the death of all the first-born of Egypt, both of man and beast. This judgment is symbolically representative of death because of sin, imposed not only upon the whole human race, but upon all of Adam’s dominion.

The deliverance ordained by God is called the passover, and it is symbolically representative of the only means of deliverance from that universal condemnation. Thus it is, of course, a symbol of the crucified Christ who is the only way of salvation, (Acts 4:12).

This ordinance was observed with two basic elements, the unleavened bread, and the passover lamb. The bread was a type of the sinless body of Christ (I Cor. 11:23-24). The lamb without spot or blemish was also a figure of the perfect Christ, and its blood typified Christ’s blood which was shed to deliver us from the bondage and penalty of sin (I Cor. 11:25; Luke 22:20).

Be sure these ordinances are not separate plans of God. The everlasting covenant of grace made with Adam (Gen. 3:15), established through Noah (Gen. 6:18), testified of by Abraham through the ordinance of circumcision (Gen. 17:10-13), confirmed in Israel by adding the passover to circumcision (Ex. 12:43-45), is pointing to and is fulfilled in the crucifixion of Jesus Christ (Gal. 3:16-18).

This great ordinance was to be carefully observed every year to keep pointing Israel to the cross of Christ. They were not saved by its observance. They were saved by Jesus’ blood. The passover simply pointed them forward to the cross as the Lord’s Table points us back to it.

1. How long were the Israelites sojourners in a strange land?

2. How much of this time was spent in Egypt?

3. How is the passover related to Israel’s deliverance from Egypt?

4. What was the affect in Egypt of the death plague?

5. Was this plague exclusively upon Egyptian people?

6. If not, upon whom or what else was it?

7. Could an ordinary Egyptian appropriate and eat of the passover?

8. If not, why not, and what would change it? -

9. What affect did this have on the Hebrew calendar?

10. When was the passover lamb taken out of the flock?

11. How long was it kept separate?

12. To what New Testament events does this correspond?

13. What was to be done with the lamb’s flesh?

14. What were the instructions for its preparation?

15. Were there specifications for the lamb’s quality?

16. What did this symbolize?

17. What was to be done with its blood?

18. What was the other element of the passover feast?

19. How often was it to be observed?

20. Explain the symbolism and its parallel in Christianity.

Exodus 2:11- 4:31 Memory Verse: Exodus 3:10

Serious students read Exodus 2-13.

Though Moses was legally Pharaoh’s grandson, he was provi-dentially raised by his own mother (Exodus 2:8-10), therefore, he had before him two ways of life. He was educated by Egyptians being invited into the "highest" culture of that day. On the other hand, he was nursed by his own mother and taught the things of God. Paul speaks of his choice in Hebrews 11:24-27. He chose to identify with the afflicted nation of Israel, and refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. In Exodus 2:11-15 we see the outward evidence of that decision. In defense of a fellow Israelite he killed an Egyptian and was subsequently forced to flee into Midian.

He was 40 years old at this time. It might seem that everything is out of control. Here is this "proper child" with such potential, and all this education and potential influence upon Egypt, out in the desert herding sheep. God, however, is sending him to school for 40 years, preparing him to return and to lead the people out God’s way.

There in the desert God spoke to Moses in a burning bush and told him to return and tell Pharaoh to let Israel go. Moses pled inability and God assured him that it would be by divine power that Israel would be delivered.

Thus, beginning in chapter 5 we see the beginning of a great dis-play of God’s power before Pharaoh. Instead of freeing the people, Pharaoh intensified the affliction. God turned the waters of Egypt to blood. He smote all the land with frogs. He turned the dust to lice. He caused great swarms of flies to fill the land. Pharaoh offered to let Moses and Aaron sacrifice unto God in Egypt, but this was not God’s plan. God brought disease upon the cattle and horses. He smote the Egyptians with boils. He smote them with hail that killed the beasts of the fields and the livestock as well as all the crops. He sent locusts (grasshoppers) that covered the land. God smote the land with darkness. All this came upon Egypt and not Goshen, yet instead of repenting, Pharaoh drove Moses from his presence.

Finally God sent death through Egypt killing all the first-born. God spared Israel by means of the blood of the Passover lamb (a figure of Jesus Christ). At this point Pharaoh drove Israel out of the land, and gave them the jewelry, etc., that they requested. God then hardened Pharaoh’s heart and he went after Israel overtaking them at the Red Sea. There God delivered Israel, slew Pharaoh’s army, and took glory to Himself.

1. When did Moses choose Israel’s affliction?

2. What caused Moses to make this choice?

3. What act forced Moses out of Egypt?

4. Was Moses acting selfishly or unselfishly?

5. Who exposed Moses’ secret?

6. Where did Moses go from Egypt?

7. How old was Moses at that time?

8. What was Moses’ occupation in the desert?

9. How long did Moses stay there?

10. For whom did Moses work while he was there?

11. What did God use to attract Moses’ attention?

12. Was Moses eager to do God’s bidding?

13. Who did Moses say would doubt his calling?

14. What inability did Moses plead?

15. What and who was the answer to this?

16. How many plagues did God bring on Egypt?

17. What was the first, the last and the worst?

18. Did Pharaoh change his mind?

19. Did Pharaoh change it back, and if so, what changed it?

20. Where did Pharaoh overtake Israel, and what was the result?

Exodus 13:17-14:31 Memory Verse: Exodus 14:29

At this point, two basic changes of approach to our series of lessons is necessary. Up until now Israel has only been the family of Jacob in slavery in the land of Egypt. They had gone in a mere 70 people. God had blessed them, however, and in spite of the cruel bondage, they crossed the Red Sea, a multitude of perhaps two million souls. So now we think not just of the family of Jacob, but of the nation of Israel. Another change of approach will be the manner of dating. As we came through the book of Genesis we basically figured our dates from creation forward. Now we will figure them from Christ back (that is B.C.). For instance, the flood was 1656 years after creation and about 2236 B.C. This places the creation about 3892 B.C. From Genesis 1:1 to Exodus 2:25, that is from the creation to Moses’ return to Egypt to lead the people out, there is a time span of 2448 years. That is the time span covered up until now in our series, and in the study of 52 chapters of Scripture. The remaining 38 chapters of Exodus cover only about one year and is thought to have taken place about 1444 B.C.

Lesson 30 revealed the great contest between Moses and Pharaoh, and the arm of God so overcoming Pharaoh that he thrust the people out. As we continue, we see an able-bodied army along with all the rest of Israel led through the wilderness of the Red Sea carrying with them the bones of Joseph as he had commanded.

They were going to a strange land by an unknown route. There were no scouts nor guides, but God led them. This was done by a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night.

When all this was established and God had positioned Israel where they could not plot an escape, He hardened Pharaoh’s heart and he pursued them. His intent was to recapture them and return them to slavery. Pharaoh pursued them with all the chariots of Egypt and all his armies, apparently mustered and led by 600 chosen chariots.

When Israel was aware of the approaching army, they forgot the hand of God in Egypt, were smitten with fear and voiced hatred and rebellion toward Moses. God kept Israel and Egypt separated through the night by the pillar of fire. The next morning when Pharaoh’s army tried to go across the Read Sea on dry land as Israel had done, God closed the waters upon them and destroyed them.

1. About when did Israel come out of Egypt?

2. Approximately how long had they been there?

3. Had Israel sought deliverance from Egypt?

4. Were they ready to go when God provided?

5. About what was the date of their exodus?

6. What finally prompted their departure?

7. What route of escape did they choose?

8. How did God explain the selection of this route?

9. Why did Pharaoh change his mind about freeing Israel?

10. What part of Pharaoh’s armies pursued them?

11. Did Pharaoh himself go with them?

12. How did God show Israel the way?

13. Were the people obedient in following Moses?

14. How did God stall Egypt’s attack?

15. What instruction did God give Moses at that time?

16. Under what condition did Israel cross the Red Sea?

17. What emboldened Pharaoh to follow?

18. What obstacle did the Egyptians meet before the sea returned upon them?

19. What was their response to this obstacle?

20. What did God use to part and return the sea?

Exodus 15:1-2; 15:22-18:27 Memory Verse: Exodus 16:2

In Exodus 15:1-2 we find the children of Israel singing praises unto God for the great deliverance from Egypt. It is only 3 days later that we find them murmuring against Moses. (Exo. 15:22-24) This seems to be the constant pattern for them and their offspring.

It is only a month and one-half later that they come to the wilderness of sin near Mt. Sinai, and there we find them saying, "We wish we had died in Egypt." (Exo. 16:1-3) It is at this point that God gives them manna from heaven and quail to eat, as much as they can eat, yet the murmurings never seem to cease. Consider the supernatural evidence that has to go with bread coming down from heaven and quail being brought in by the wind, yet they murmured. Consider that they knew of the supernatural work of God in moving Pharaoh’s heart to thrust them out of Egypt and in bringing them through the Red Sea, yet they blame Moses for leading them into the desert (Exo. 16:2-3). The miracle of the manna was a daily and weekly message from God. They received it only 6 days, and during the first 5 they could not store it, or it stank and bred worms. However, on the sixth day they gathered double for none fell on the Sabbath, and that extra portion which they gathered for the Sabbath did not stink or breed worms. Still they griped, and acted as if Moses had led them into the wilderness and God didn’t even know they were there. Note Exodus 16:6-8. As they move on they face the need for water, but do they go to God? No, again they murmur, and accuse Moses. At this point they are nearly ready to stone him. God then instructed Moses to smite the rock of Horeb with his rod. As he did so, water came out sufficient for all the children of Israel to drink.

Remember that during the confrontation with Pharaoh, Moses had sent his wife and sons back home to her father. It seems that either some time shortly before or while Israel was at Horeb, Jethro, the priest of Midian, Moses’ father-in-law, brought Moses’ wife, Zipporah, and his two sons, Gershom and Eliezer, back to him. He found Moses bearing an impossible burden and gave him wise counsel which became a practice throughout Moses’ life. Sub-rulers and judges were set over thousands, then hundreds, then fifties, then tens. This pleased God and was practiced in Israel.

1. What did Israel do when they saw Pharaoh destroyed?

2. What was the occasion of their first murmuring?

3. How long after their singing of praise was this?

4. Who did they blame for the hardship?

5. Who did Moses say they were murmuring against?

6. Name two things God gave them for food.

7. In what form did the manna come?

8. What was the time of day for each?

9. How much manna were they allowed to gather?

10. What happened if they gathered too much?

11. What do you think the application to this quantity adjustment is?

12. What was the exception to this rule?

13. What if extra manna was not gathered on the sixth day?

14. By what means were the quail brought in?

15. What was their first water problem?

16. What was the solution to it?

17. What was the second water problem?

18. What was the solution to it?

19. What were they about to do to Moses on this occasion?

20. Who was Moses’ father-in-law?

Exodus 19:1-20:26 Memory Verse: Exodus 19:8

Exodus chapters 19 through 31 encompass two great areas of instruction for Israel. They are the giving of the law and the instruction for the building of the tabernacle. It is very significant that they are given together for whereas the law reveals the deep-rooted sinfulness and depravity of man, the tabernacle reveals, in figure, the infinite grace of God in Christ Jesus. Every portion of the tabernacle will symbolize God’s dealing with sinful man through the crucified Christ.

Chapters 20 through 23 cover the giving of God’s Law through Moses. This is often referred to as the Mosaic Law or the Law of Moses, but be sure it was certainly and directly the Law of God. Moses was only the human vessel through whom it was revealed. Not one precept in the law originated with or was altered by Moses. It was the Law of God. The Law of God has two basic divisions, part of it is moral and part of it is ceremonial. The ceremonial portion looks forward to the cross and is essentially related to the Jewish economy. The moral section of it relates to the moral nature of God and thus never changes. It is to be clearly understood, however, that neither division either secures, supplements, or maintains our salvation. Romans 3:19-20 dearly states that no one is justified (saved) by the law, but that it was rather given to make us aware of sin. In our memory verse we found Israel saying, "All the Lord hath spoken we will do." This pledge shows their spiritual blindness. They should have rather been saying, "Woe is us, for we are undone before God."

The best known and most comprehensive section of the Law is found in Exodus 20:1-17. It is referred to as the Ten Commandments. This section is also divided into two sections, the first part dealing with man’s relationship to God and the second referring to his relationship to his fellow man. These Ten Commandments were written upon two tables of stone, but when Moses came down from the mountain and saw the people in idolatry, he threw them down and broke them. Notice Exodus 24:12; 31:18; 32:15-19. God later rewrote these same commandments on two other tables of stone (Exodus 34:1,4,28-29). If you read Deuteronomy 4:13; 5:22; 9:9-17; and 10:1-5 you will find the details of this rewriting and how the tables were subsequently put into the Ark of the Covenant.

1. Who gave the law to Israel?

2. What name is frequently given to the law?

3. Why is it called this?

4. Where was the law given?

5. In what form did God appear there?

6. Who heard God’s voice speaking the Ten Commandments?

7. What instruction besides the Law of God was given on Mt. Sinai?

8. How long was Moses on the mountain?

9. What are two basic divisions of the law?

10. What portion is best known?

11. Is this part of the law relevant to us?

12. Are we saved or kept by it?

13. What are the two divisions of the Ten Commandments?

14. How were these commandments recorded?

15. Who came into charge of the people while Moses was in the mountain?

16. In what state did Moses find the people when he returned?

17. What did he do with the tables?

18. What did he do with the calf?

19. Were the tables replaced or restored?

20. What finally happened to them?

Exodus 32:1-35, Numbers 21:1-9 Memory Verse: Exodus 32:9

You will remember how that in lesson 33 we learned of the sinful conduct of Israel in the desert. They were not 3 days from the Red Sea miracle until they were murmuring against Moses and against God. God gave them deliverance from Egypt, but they wanted to return because of bad water. God gave them manna and quail to eat, yet they constantly voiced dissatisfaction. Well, surely this is only the result of long years in Egyptian bondage where they had no opportunity or spiritual leadership. No doubt with a little guidance and experience these "fine, well-meaning" folk will follow God. Right? Wrong! It was not slavery that made them sin, it was sinful hearts. It was not deprivation that caused their rebellion, it was depravity.

In Exodus 19:8 we hear their self-righteous voices raised to boast, "All that the Lord hath spoken we will do." However, when Moses goes to the mountain to get the details of God’s instruction for them, they, in less than 40 days turn to idolatry. If you could have visited their camp you would have found them with other gods (Exo. 32:1), making graven images (Exo. 32:4) and bowing down to worship them (Exo. 32:6-8).

This escapade included nudism, fornication and adultery, idol worship, false witness and covetousness. I rather think that if we could closely study the whole golden calf event we would probably find that they violated every one of the Ten Commandments.

This sinful nature and God’s reaction is further revealed in Numbers 21:1-9 when the people rebelled in ingratitude against God and against Moses. In any event, we learn in both instances that the wages of sin is death.

In Exodus 32:11-13 we find Moses assuming the position of the mediator. In Exodus 32:32 we find that his love even typifies that of Christ in casting his lot with this sinful people, not in the sense of committing their acts, but in taking their judgment.

As we continue we see God’s strong reaction to sin. Not only does He reveal Himself as the righteous judge, but as the rightful owner of these people who may dispose of them as He sees fit. In verses 26-28 we see God executing the sentence of death upon 3,000 men. In Numbers 21 we see the (God-sent) serpents biting the people and much people died. What is this desert experience to us? 1 Corinthians 10:1-12 tells us that "it happened unto them for ensamples and was written for our admonition."

1. What is the location of this idolatry?

2. Where was Moses when it took place?

3. To whom did the people go for leadership?

4. What evil demand did they make of him?

5. What was Aaron’s relationship to Moses?

6. What instruction did he give them?

7. What object of worship was the result?

8. What part did Aaron play in it?

9. Did he restrain or encourage their idolatry?

10. What did he do more than making the calf?

11. What was Moses’ first revelation of this?

12. Was Moses angry with the people?

13. Did Moses voice anger to God?

14. What did Moses do with the calf?

15. In what state were the people?

16. What judgment did God propose?

17. What judgment did Moses enact?

18. How many people died?

19. Who judged their murmuring in Numbers 21?

20. How does God apply this to us in the New Testament?

Numbers 13:1-3; 13:17-14:45; Deuteronomy 1:1-3

Memory Verse: Numbers 13:30

Kadesh-barnea is a name with which we should be as familiar as we are with the Red Sea for just as Israel went forward at the Red Sea, they refused to go forward at Kadesh-barnea.

When they came to Kadesh-barnea in the wilderness of Paran, Moses sent men to spy out the land of Canaan. You should remember several things about this. First, this land had been promised to Abram’s seed hundreds of years before. Secondly, the entrance into this land was their whole and agreed purpose in leaving Egypt. Thirdly, they had witnessed many great miracles now at the hand of God which should have assured them that they were well able to possess the land.

In all, Moses sent 12 men to spy out the land, one from each of the 12 tribes of Israel. They came to the brook of Eschol and there they found and cut down a cluster of grapes large enough that it needed to be borne between two upon a staff. They returned to report that it was truly a land that flowed with milk and honey. 10 of the 12 spies, however, gave an evil report of the land, saying that the people of the land were giants and that the Israelites were as grasshoppers before them. We should remember that when we consider the I in the great I AM, and ignore the i in giants, that giants become gnats. Joshua (Oshea), of the tribe of Ephraim, and Caleb, of the tribe of Judah, did this and their counsel to Israel was that they go immediately and possess the land. Israel, however, in their normal pattern of unbelief, believed the sceptics instead of Caleb and Joshua, so they spent the night weeping and murmuring against Moses and Aaron. They wanted to stone them, appoint another leader and return to Egypt.

At this point the glory of God appeared unto Moses and proposed judgment of death, and again we see Moses assuming the position of mediator, and again we see that his intercession is on the basis of God’s purpose and glory, and not their righteousness or faith.

God’s judgment in the matter was that none of the adults except Joshua and Caleb, who brought back the good report and offered the counsel of faith, were to enter the land. The rest would die and their children would possess the land. For nearly 40 years Israel stumbled through the wilderness which could have been behind them in a few days, and because of unbelief they never entered the land into which they were invited.

1. In what wilderness is Kadesh-barnea located?

2. Why did Moses send spies into the land?

3. What was the condition of the land?

4. Name three fruits they brought back.

5. Describe the most spectacular of them.

6. What was the reason for their fear?

7. How did the spies describe themselves in comparison?

8. Who were the spies who favored entering the land?

9. How many of the spies disagreed with them?

10. What was Israel’s decision?

11. Were they sad or satisfied over it?

12. What did they suggest when Moses urged them to enter?

13. What kept them from carrying out this action?

14. What judgment did God propose to Moses?

15. What was Moses’ answer to God?

16. What was God’s final judgment on it?

17. Who was exempt from this judgment?

18. Did the Israelites change their minds about entering?

19. Was Moses pleased with them?

20. Did their unbelief defeat God’s plan?

Numbers 20:1-13; Deuteronomy 34:1-8; Acts 7:18-31

Memory verse: Numbers 23:12

When Moses was 40 years old he chose to identify himself with the suffering nation of Israel rather than to be identified with and to enjoy the sinful pleasures of Egypt. It seems he did this because he counted the reproach of Christ Jesus greater riches than the treasures of Egypt. Compare Exodus 2:10-15 and Hebrews 11:24-26. It seems that even at this time Moses knew something of God’s plan for him, as Israel’s deliverer (Acts 7:22-25).

When Moses was 80 years old, God appeared to him in a burning bush and renewed the call which Moses had apparently abandoned out of despair. He returned to Egypt and led Israel out, and after they drew back at Kadesh-barnea, he led them in the desert for nearly 40 years.

When God told Moses to speak to the rock and receive water, giving God the glory, Moses disobeyed. He smote the rock twice, and said, "Must we fetch you water out of this rock?" This was sinful, and was in figure a claim of insufficiency of the previous and singular smiting of the rock. It is, in figure, a claim that some action must be added to the crucifixion of Christ rather than just calling upon Him in faith. At this time God told Moses that he would not be allowed to lead the people into the promised land.

Please don’t think of this statement of God that Moses would not lead them into the land as mere punishment or a responding act of God. It was never the plan of God to use Moses to lead the people into Canaan, but only to lead them out of Egypt. Moses was the Law-giver, and the Law can never bring us to peace and rest with God. "Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin." (Rom. 3:20) The law of Moses speaketh thus, "... The man which doeth those things shall live by them." (Rom. 10:5) Thus Israel is led about in the desert under the law only seeing deliverance through a glass darkly as they behold Christ figuratively in the Tabernacle. They must await another to bring them into the promised rest.

So at the age of 120 years, Moses, a man in perfect health, is led to Mt. Pisgah where God lets him lay his burden down, and buries him in a secret place. Now a nation that never followed Moses, mourns him, and will for generations claim to be his disciples.

1. What does the name Moses mean?

2. Under what rare circumstance was Moses born?

3. Explain how Moses was preserved.

4. How long did Moses live as an Egyptian?

5. Why did Moses identify himself with Israel?

6. What supernatural element motivated this decision?

7. What violent act resulted from this?

8. Why, and to where did Moses flee?

9. How long did Moses live in this place?

10. What means did God use to bring Moses back?

11. How long did Moses lead Israel?

12. Did Moses have a good relationship with them?

13. In what way did Moses disobey God?

14. How does this symbolize unbelief?

15. Why could the rock be smitten once, but not again?

16. What did God say would happen because of this?

17. Where did Moses die?

18. What was the state of Moses’ health when he died?

19. Did Moses see the promise land?

20. Where was Moses buried?

Deuteronomy 34:9-12; Joshua 1, 24 Memory Verse: Joshua 24:31

Moses led Israel out of Egypt in about 1444 B.C. He died 40 years later in about 1404 B.C. He had completed the job God purposed for him and now God will raise up another man to lead Israel into the promised land.

God does not ordain a stranger to this work, but as is His normal practice He calls out a man who had been a faithful follower of Moses. His name was Joshua. He was no stranger to Israel’s rebellion for he had been a faithful assistant to Moses throughout his ministry. Moses had blessed Joshua before he died, perhaps knowing that God would use him thus. We see Joshua as a mighty man in war (Exo. 17:9). He is referred to as Moses’ minister in Exodus 24:13. We see him as a man of faith in Numbers 14:6-8, and we learn in Numbers 14:30 that Joshua and Caleb will be the only adults at Kadesh-barnea who will be permitted to enter the land of promise.

It is providence, and not mere coincidence, that places Joshua as the leader who brings Israel into the land. The Hebrew name Joshua is precisely the same as the Greek name Jesus. Notice Acts 7:45. Moses who represented the Law could lead out of Egypt for the Law can show man the sinfulness of his sin, and even make him hate himself for being a sinner, but it must leave him in the desert of defeat and helplessness. Only Jesus, the Son of God, can take us into the presence of the Father.

Joshua was about 46 years old at Kadesh-barnea. He was about 86 when he began to lead Israel and he led them for about 24 years. During his ministry they crossed Jordan. The Canaanites were driven out of the land by some great victories, and the land was divided to the people. All during his life he taught them the Law of God, given through Moses. He not only urged them to live by it, but he set an example before them. Perhaps the most famous words of Joshua, and those by which his life style is described, are found in Joshua 24:15. "... But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." We see in him, not only a compassionate leader and a great warrior, but a mighty preacher.

The good affect of his mighty leadership and influence is found in Joshua 24:31. "And Israel served the Lord all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders that outlived Joshua, and which had known all the works of the Lord, that he had done for Israel."

1. Who was Joshua’s father?

2. Was Joshua among the adult men who came out of Egypt?

3. What set Joshua apart from all but one of them?

4. What was the occasion of this privilege?

5. Who was the other man who enjoyed this privilege?

6. Of what tribe was Joshua?

7. What was Joshua’s relationship to Moses before this?

8. Was Joshua a warrior during Moses’ lifetime?

9. By which two Bible names is Joshua called?

10. What New Testament preacher calls him by a New Testament name?

11. About how old was Joshua when he spied out Canaan?

12. How old was Joshua when he died?

13. About how long did Joshua lead Israel?

14. In what parallel to the Red Sea experience did Joshua lead?

15. Was Joshua harsh and stern like Moses?

16. Did Joshua practice capital punishment?

17. What great spiritual challenge did Joshua lay before the people?

18. Does the Bible say Joshua wrote part of the book of the law?

19. Where did Israel bury Joshua?

20. What was Israel’s conduct after Joshua’s death?

Joshua 1:1-3:17 Memory Verse: Joshua 3:17

Serious students read also Joshua 4 and 5.

The Jordan River was the barrier between the desert land in which Israel had wandered for 40 years and the promised land. At this point, all of the adults who came through the Red Sea were dead. This included Moses and Aaron. The only exceptions were Joshua and Caleb. Immediately after the 30 days of mourning for Moses, God commanded Joshua to prepare Israel for the crossing of Jordan.

Joshua sent out two spies to spy out the area of Jericho. They entered the house of Rahab the harlot. Apparently God so led them because it was His purpose to save her and her family when He destroyed Jericho. This is a figure of God saving sinners out of a righteously condemned mankind, totally by grace. The scarlet cord by which she let the spies down the wall and which she later bound in her window is a symbol of the blood of Christ by which sinners are saved.

When these men, that Rahab had hidden and delivered, returned to Joshua, he moved the children of Israel in final preparation for the crossing of Jordan into the promised land of Canaan. The tribes of Reuben and Gad and half the tribe of Manasseh had agreed with Moses by their request to remain in a good land on the former side of Jordan. Joshua instructed the fighting men of this group that they would thus leave their wives and children on that side of Jordan, but that they were to pass over and fight for the rest of the children of Israel until they, too, had rest in the land. The stage is set and so to Jordan they go.

Now, if you have studied its geography, or read about Jordan, or if you have been there, you know that Jordan, at this point, is only a small stream and crossing it might normally pose no great problem. If, however, you study a little deeper you learn that they crossed it in the time of harvest when it was a swollen stream flowing constantly out of its banks (Joshua 3:15). Thus to move a couple of million people across this river, including women and little children along with all their livestock, will require a miracle like that of the parting of the Red Sea.

This is precisely what was done. God instructed Joshua, and subse-quently he instructed the priests, so that they took the Ark and stepped into the waters of this swollen river. As soon as they had done so, God simply built an intangible, invisible dam right there, and the waters above them mounted deeper rather than flowing, until all Israel had crossed over on perfectly dry land, as at the Red Sea.

1. Approximately how much time lapsed from Moses’ death to the crossing of Jordan?

2. How many spies were sent into the land?

3. To what city did they go?

4. Unto whose house did they go?

5. Where was this house located?

6. What threat befell the spies there?

7. How did Rahab hide the spies?

8. Why did she say she did it?

9. Was this a matter of faith or logic?

10. What favor was asked and granted for her help?

11. How did she help the spies to escape?

12. Where did they escape to, and how long did they stay?

13. How long after their return did Joshua wait to cross Jordan?

14. Who were the first to enter the river?

15. What were they to carry?

16. What time of the year was this?

17. What particular problem did this pose?

18. How did the water respond to the priest’s feet?

19. What did the waters do above Israel?

20. Did all of Israel cross Jordan?

Joshua 6, 7 and 8 Memory Verse: Joshua 6:16

How common is the knowledge that "Joshua fit the battle of Jericho and the walls came a tumblin’ down," but it really isn’t so. God fought the battle of Jericho. Every other battle that was won in the course of the conquest of Canaan was won by God. Israel didn’t conquer Canaan. God gave it to them and they only possessed it.

The first city to fall was Jericho and the whole process was totally unorthodox. No battering rams, catapults, or ladders were used. There was no "Trojan horse" strategy, or conspiracy from within. God simply had all the men of war to march around the city once a day for 6 days. Then on the seventh day they marched around it seven times at which time when the priests blew the ram’s horns all the people shouted. At that point the walls literally fell down into the ground so as to allow the soldiers to walk into the city without so much as climbing over a pile of rubble. Jericho was given to them and not one Israelite was slain.

God, however, gave them a restriction. He told them that all the spoil of Jericho was to be holy unto Him. They were to dedicate it to Him just like the tithe. In Joshua 7 we find the tragic account of disobedience and its terrible penalty. A man named Achan saw a goodly Babylonish garment, 200 shekels of silver, and a wedge of gold of 50 shekels weight. He lusted for it, took it, and hid it under his tent. Because of this, judgment was to fall on the whole nation of Israel.

You will notice by the study of Joshua 6:18-19 that the very thing which was consecrated (holy) to the Lord was accursed to the people. Therefore, as the result of Achan taking of it, when Israel went against the little city of Ai (Joshua 7), God was not with them as He was at Jericho, and they were painfully defeated and shamed, and about 36 of them died. Joshua went to God in prayer, but he learned there that prayer can’t be substituted for obedience.

By the instruction and guidance of God, Joshua drew out Achan and his family and they were stoned to death and burned. We thus learn the terrible consequences of disobedience, as opposed to the great blessing of God when we submit to Him and obey His will. In Joshua 8 after sin had been judged, we see Israel once again going forth victoriously into battle, and being given victory after victory.

As you read the rest of the book of Joshua you learn of the possession and division of the land of promise that flowed with milk and honey. Next we will see how this people walks before God.

1. What was the first city Israel conquered?

2. Who planned the strategy for its conquest?

3. How many times did they compass the city?

4. What noise was heard on the first six days?

5. How many of the people participated?

6. What was the noise of the seventh day?

7. What phenomenon took place at this point?

8. How many Israelites died in the battle?

9. How many of the people of Jericho died?

10. What restriction was placed upon Israel concerning the spoil?

11. What dietary revolution took place after they crossed Jordan?

12. What violation of the spoil restriction was there?

13. What was the means of the discovery of his guilt?

14. What was the penalty, and who did it include?

15. Does this seem harsh or unfair to you?

16. Did others beside Achan’s family die as a result of his sin?

17. Why do you think God forbade the private use of Jericho’s spoil?

18. Who decided the strategy of Ai’s attempted conquest?

19. Who planned the second conquest?

20. What basic change did God now authorize?

Judges 1:1 - 3:31 Memory Verse: Judges 21:25

God had by Moses, led Israel out of Egypt in about 1444 B.C. In about 1404 B.C. Moses died and Joshua began his ministry to Israel by leading them across Jordan. For about 24 years Joshua led them in conquest against the exceedingly evil inhabitants of the land. When Joshua died, in about 1382, there were yet a few of the inhabitants left. God had not driven them out under Joshua, because He intended to prove the children of Israel, and teach them to do battle against evil.

Scripture records that as soon as the elders who served with Joshua died, a new generation arose, and as the book of Judges begins, we see a constant violation. God’s instruction to Israel for the possession of the land was the utter destruction of its inhabitants. You will notice, however, a perpetual neglect of this instruction. It seems in every battle there was a remnant of the enemy left and this became the occasion for the habitual backsliding of Israel.

Throughout the book of Judges and continuing through most of Samuel’s life, we see Israel tried under this particular principle of government. God in the past had spoken to Moses and Joshua, and they so led the people. Now there was no particular leader, and each man did that which seemed right in his own eyes (Judges 21:25). This form, or absence of government, lasted for about 332 years. During this time the people would turn to idols and God would allow the Philistines or other enemies to oppress them. The people would cry unto God as they did in Egypt, and God would raise up a man to deliver and judge them. God thus gave them many great and miraculous victories such as under Gideon and Samson. However, as soon as each judge died, Israel returned to the idols of the land.

What can we learn from this pattern of behavior? We learn that Israel is a stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears. Their whole history is one of breaking God’s Law which they had so presumptuously promised to keep. Compare Exodus 19:8 to Acts 7:51-53. So we see a people that was absolutely never obedient to God’s Law. But we might as quickly err from truth by thinking that they were sinners above us and all other men. Notice Romans 3:9-10.

Why then did God allow these people to live in their perpetual backsliding even though His Law was given in such a glorious fashion? Romans 3:19-20 and Galatians 3:19-24 explain that it was all to bring us to Christ that we might be justified by faith.

1. About how long after the exodus did Joshua die?

2. About how long was this after the call of Abraham?

3. Was the land conquered and divided under Joshua?

4. Were the borders of their possessions clear when Joshua died?

5. Why did any of the inhabitants of the land then exist?

6. Were the people obedient to God in later conquests?

7. Who took leadership of Israel when Joshua died?

8. Did Israel immediately turn to idols?

9. Who were two common idols among them?

10. What provoked Israel to serve idols?

11. What did God do to Israel for their idolatry?

12. Did Israel follow the judges God raised up?

13. Did "Doing right in their own eyes" mean following God?

14. Did Israel grow better, worse, or stay the same?

15. Did a remnant of Israel obey God’s Law?

16. Did the Israelites basically have good intentions?

17. What New Testament preacher accuses Israel of constantly rebelling?

18. Did this mean God’s Law was doing less than He intended?

19. Were the Israelites more or less obedient than the Gentiles?

20. Explain God’s purpose in giving the law.

Judges 2:6-19, 1 Samuel 8:1-22 Memory Verse: 1 Samuel 8:22

The history of Israel that is covered in the book of Judges, the book of Ruth and the first 8 chapters of 1 Samuel, covers about 332 years. It started about 1382 B.C. and ended about 1050 B.C. In the previous lesson we saw the ungodly conduct of God’s backsliding people during this period of time. In this lesson we will try to briefly learn some-thing about the judges of this period and Israel’s conduct toward them, and toward God under them.

The first judge was Othniel, (Jdg. 3:9). He was Caleb’s nephew, and he judged Israel 40 years. He delivered them from the king of Mesopotamia.

The second judge was Ehud, the left-handed Benjamite. He slew Eglon the "super-fat" king of Moab (Jdg. 3:15-30).

The third judge was Shamgar who slew 600 Philistines with an ox goad (Jdg. 3:31).

The fourth judge was Deborah (Jdg. 4:1-5:31). During her time Israel had been sold by God into the hand of Jabin, king of Canaan. His captain was Sisera and Deborah’s was Barak. Deborah and Barak not only had victory by the hand of God, but Sisera was slain by a woman named Jael who drove a tent peg through his head while he slept.

The fifth judge was Gideon (Jdg. 6,7 and 8). He was the man who sought a sign from God by means of a fleece and who by God’s direction reduced his army from 32,000 to 300, and then defeated Midian. Of course, as we learn, God did it all.

Next was Abimelech, Gideon’s son (Jdg. 9). He killed all his brothers. He was a wicked man who would have been slain by a woman had he not invoked his own death. After him was Tola, who judged Israel 23 years. He was followed by Jair, who judged 22 years.

The ninth judge was Jephthah (Jdg. 11:1-40). He was the man who vowed a hasty vow unto God whereby he offered his daughter as a burnt offering. Here we see the idolatry of the land mingled with his service to God. How tragic!

After him was Ibzan (Jdg. 12:8), Elon (Jdg. 12:11) and Abdon (Jdg. 12:13). Following these men was Samson (Jdg. 13:24-16:30). He is well known for his strength. There is no doubt that the personal exploits of Samson surpass all the other judges, however, he never lived close to God. The Spirit of God was his power, but lust was his king. Because of this God delivered Israel by him, but he died a blind, imprisoned man.

Next was Eli whose wicked sons were destroyed and replaced by Samuel whose family was the last of the judges.

1. How long was the period between Joshua and Saul?

2. About when did this period end?

3. Who was the first judge of Israel?

4. What famous kinsman did he have?

5. What physical feature identified Ehud?

6. Who did Ehud kill on Israel’s behalf?

7. What were Shamgar’s weapon and exploit?

8. Who was the woman judge and her chief captain?

9. What other woman helped in this battle?-

10. Explain the rare thing this woman did.

11. Who oppressed Israel when Gideon was judge?

12. What did Gideon use to seek a sign from God?

13. Would this indicate a strength in Gideon’s faith?

14. With how many men did Gideon start?

15. How many finally went to battle with Gideon?

16. Explain the ways the others were excluded.

17. With the exploits of which judge would most people be familiar?

18. Who was the woman Satan used to destroy him?

19. Who was the last good judge of Israel?

20. Were any of the judges wicked in their rule?

1 Samuel 8:1 - 10:27 Memory Verse: 1 Samuel 8:19

Serious students read 1 Samuel 8-15.

As you begin to read the book of first Samuel, you are studying events that took place in about 1124 B.C., about 320 years after Israel left Egypt. The judge then was a priest named Eli. As far as we can tell Eli may have been a good man except for one thing. His sons, Hophni and Phinehas, made themselves vile and he restrained them not (1 Sam. 3:13). They were thus killed in battle against the Philistines. Eli, when he was told of their deaths, fell off his seat by the gate and broke his neck, and the wife of Phinehas died giving birth to Ichabod, who was so named because the Ark of God had been taken in battle, and the glory of Israel was departed.

It was about 1094 B.C. that Samuel began to judge Israel. Samuel was a good judge, but when he was old he made his sons, Joel and Abiah, judges over Israel. They did not conduct themselves in a godly fashion as did Samuel, but took bribes and perverted judgment. At this point the people requested of Samuel that he would give them a king like all the other nations had. He was grieved and felt rejected, but God instructed him to do as the people had requested. God told Samuel, "They have not rejected you, they have rejected me."

It was about 1050 B.C. that Samuel anointed Saul, the son of Kish, of the tribe of Benjamin to be king. God arranged it after this manner. Saul was hunting his father’s asses which had strayed away. In the process of the search he was providentially brought into contact with the prophet Samuel who anointed him. (I Sam. 9:1-10:1)

The Bible says that when Saul left Samuel God gave him another heart. Some take this to mean the new birth. This may be correct, but it need mean no more than conversion from a lowly person to the heart of a king. Saul knew from the time of his anointing that he was to be king, but he seemed at first to be very timid about the matter. Note 1 Samuel 10:16,21- 22.

Saul soon lost his spirit of humility. He became a strong leader for Israel and was victorious in battle, but he also became self-willed and stubborn. God sent him to destroy the Amalekites. His instruction from God through Samuel was to utterly destroy them, man, woman, child, and beast. Saul disobeyed and kept the king, Agag, and kept some sheep and cattle alive.

Samuel not only rebuked Saul for his sin, but he let him know that God had rejected him from being king over Israel. Read carefully 1 Samuel 15:22-28. After this David was anointed to be king, and Saul began to deteriorate into a defeated man.

1. What judge preceded Samuel?

2. What were Samuel’s parents’ names?

3. Why was Eli replaced by Samuel?

4. What were the names of Eli’s sons?

5. How did Eli die?

6. What was Eli’s grandson’s name?

7. Why was he so named?

8. What were Samuel’s sons’ names?

9. What kind of men were they?

10. What request was made of Samuel because of this?

11. How did Samuel feel about this request?

12. Who changed his mind, and by what statement?

13. Who was Saul’s father, and of what tribe was he?

14. How did God arrange the meeting between Samuel and Saul?

15. Was Saul a natural leader?

16. What was Saul’s physical personality?

17. Was Saul a strong leader?

18. Explain the details of Saul’s disobedience.

19. With which two sins did God charge him?

20. How did God punish Saul for this?

1 Samuel 16:1-17:58; 2 Samuel 12:-5

Memory Verse: 1 Samuel 17:45a

David, the son of Jessie, was the great king of Israel. So important was he in the plan of God that the throne of Israel is called the throne of David. Christ Jesus is even referred to as the son of David, referring to his lineage to the throne.

Precise dates and exact periods of time are difficult, but it seems that David was anointed by Samuel about 1018 B.C. approximately 16 years after Saul was sent to destroy the Amalekites. Don’t think of David as being a child at this time, or when he went against Goliath. He is referred to as a youth, and a stripling, but not a child, The description given of him in 1 Samuel 16:18, was given before he ever stood before Saul. You should also read carefully 1 Samuel 17:14-15. Isn’t it amazing how traditional story telling can misinform us?

Saul was at first David’s friend, but through jealousy became his enemy. Saul sought constantly to slay him, but David would not touch God’s anointed.

It was about 1011 B.C., approximately 7 years after his anointing that David became king over Judah. He did not reign at Jerusalem, but at Heborn. Ishbosheth, Saul’s son, was made king over Israel. It was 7½ years before David started to reign in Jerusalem over all the nation of Israel and over Judah.

David was about 23 years old when he killed Goliath. He was 30 years old when he began to reign over Judah in Heborn and 7½ years later he became the great king over all Israel. He lived to be 70 years old during which time he was a great king and a great prophet.

During his life he returned the Ark of God, which was lost to the Philistines in the days of Eli, back to Jerusalem. The nation of Israel grew to be a very great nation under him. He planned to build a temple, but God would not permit it because he was a man of war. It can rightly be said that Israel reached her economic apex under Solomon, but it is equally true that the foundation was laid under king David.

David walked uprightly before the Lord except in the matter of Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah (1 Kings 15:5). We may learn from this something of the great sin. The Lord said the great commandment was the first and thus the great sin is idolatry. Yes, it is even worse than adultery and murder.

1. Who was David’s father?

2. Of what tribe was David?

3. About when did David become king?

4. Who was king when David was born?

5. Was David a soldier when he first met Saul?

6. About how old was David when he killed Goliath?

7. How tall was Goliath?

8. How long did David reign over Israel?

9. How long did David live?

10. Who was the second king over Israel?

11. Was Israel united under Saul?

12. Was Israel united under David?

13. Was David a sinful person?

14. What were two great sins David committed?

15. Who was the woman David took from her husband?

16. Who told David about his sin?

17. Relate the parable he used to do so.

18. Of what great sin was David innocent?

19. Which book of the Bible did David write?

20. Name some of the results of David’s sin.

I Kings 4:20-6:38; 10:1-9 Memory Verse: I Kings 10:7a

The great King David died in about 971 B.C. He had walked before God in obedience except in the matter of Bathsheba. However, because of it, the sword was never to depart from his house. The time of Israel’s greatest peace, and the apex of their economic prosperity came under the reign of King Solomon, the son of David and Bathsheba. His reign began about 473 years after Israel left Egypt.

God’s testing of the nation of Israel under all these conditions was not to see how they would walk before him. God knew exactly what they would do. God’s purpose was to let men learn what man would do under all these varied conditions.

David had purposed to build the Temple. However, because he was a man of war God had not permitted him to do so, but had rather appointed Solomon to this task. This work was begun in 965 B.C. and completed in 958 B.C. So great and splendorous was this Temple, it is considered one of the wonders of the world. It was not very large in size, but the cost and the quality of it were unparalleled. When the later Temple was built in the days of Haggai, the elders wept and said it was nothing in comparison to the House of God that Solomon had built.

Israel constantly grew in prosperity under Solomon’s 40 year reign. They had peace all during his life. It was the time of their greatest industry. The Queen of Sheba, who was a very rich ruler, came to visit him in about 945 B.C. She had heard of the great wealth of Solomon and Israel and could not believe it. When she had talked with Solomon and seen the great wealth and luxury, she said, "The half had not been told." Read 1 Kings 10:7-9.

Solomon had a very great problem. He loved the God of his father, but he also loved many strange women (I Kings 11:1-8). He had 700 wives who were princesses of various heathen nations, and 300 concubines. God had told the Israelites not to inter-marry with these people, so naturally they became a snare to him. He turned aside after their false gods. The greatness of this sin displeased the Lord far more than the sin of David. Whereas David’s punishment was that the sword should never depart from his house, the punishment for Solomon’s sin would be the division, decline and fall of the nation of Israel.

Solomon wrote three great books of the Bible; Proverbs, Ecclesiastes and The Song of Solomon. Careful study of them will show us much about the emptiness of sin which Solomon learned by experience.

1. Who was Solomon’s father?

2. Who was Solomon’s mother?

3. About how long after the exodus did Solomon begin to reign?

4. Was Solomon a man of war?

5. Was Solomon a man of industry?

6. How long did Solomon reign in Israel?

7. Was Solomon a prophet of God?

8. What was Solomon’s great sin?

9. What led to this sin?

10. How many wives did Solomon have?

11. What dignitary visited Solomon?

12. Why did she visit Solomon?

13. What observation did she make?

14. What great structure did Solomon build?

15. How long did Solomon take to build it?

16. Who was Solomon’s chief builder?

17. Did Solomon get by with his sin?

18. Who told Solomon of his judgment?

19. What judgment was Solomon to suffer?

20. How long did this judgment last?

1 Kings 11:1-12:33 Memory Verse: 1 Kings 11:13

In the last lesson we learned of the unparalleled splendor and prosperity of the nation of Israel. We learned that God had raised up men like David and Solomon for Israel’s sake. Israel first became a nation when they departed out of Egypt in 1444 B.C. They wandered in the wilderness for 40 years in rebellion to the leadership of Moses. They spent 24 years following Joshua and lived under various judges for a total of 332 years. They were under the rule of King Saul for about 39 years. David and Solomon each ruled 40 years, and even at the death of Saul there was a temporary division of the nation. So in all they were about 452 years in reaching their apex, and the beginning of a rapid decline.

Shortly before Solomon’s death in about 931 B.C., God sent Ahijah to prophesy against the house of David because of Solomon’s idolatry (1 Kings 11:29-31). The prophecy was that the kingdom of Israel would be divided, and that 10 tribes would be ruled by one outside of the house of David. Only one tribe was to be left to the house of David. This of course only totals 11 tribes, whereas there were 12. The reason for this is that the tribe of Benjamin united with the house of Judah and they seemingly became one tribe.

Rehoboam, Solomon’s son, went to Shechem to be made king, but when Jeroboam, the son of Nebat, Solomon’s servant, heard it, he organized a conspiracy which caused Rehoboam to act unwisely. The people went to Rehoboam and asked if his taxation upon them would be lightened in comparison to that of Solomon. Rejecting the elder’s counsel and accepting that of the young men, he said that the weight of his rule would be so that his little finger would be thicker than his father’s waist. Thus Israel rebelled against him, stoned his tax collectors, and Jeroboam became king over them.

From this point forward Judah and Israel became two separate kingdoms. They are often referred to as the Northern Kingdom (Israel) and the Southern Kingdom (Judah).

Israel would soon go back into bondage and the Northern Kingdom would end. The house of Judah would follow them into captivity not many years later, but their nation, by God’s providence, would be returned to the land, and continue until the time of Jesus Christ, the Messiah.

Note that in Israel’s history God raised up one man after another, and promised blessing for obedience. It was never claimed. The promised blessing must come through Christ, not men.

1. What was Solomon’s sin?

2. Who told Solomon of the judgment to come?

3. Who told Jeroboam that he would rule?

4. What portion of Israel would Jeroboam rule?

5. How did the prophet illustrate the division left?

6. What portion was the house of David?

7. What addition was made to this portion?

8. Who was to rule Judah after Solomon?

9. Did Rehoboam do anything to lose the kingdom?

10. What issue caused Israel to rebel against Rehoboam?

11. Where was Jeroboam when Solomon died, and why?

12. Why was Rehoboam allowed to rule at all?

13. Was Rehoboam a good or wicked king?

14. Was Jeroboam a good or wicked king?

15. Did these two kingdoms war against each other?

16. Which kingdom went into bondage first?

17. When did the Northern Kingdom return out of bondage?

18. How long was the nation of Judah to continue?

19. What was God’s purpose in preserving them?

20. What do we learn by their constant wickedness?

1 Kings 12:25-14:31, 2 Kings 17:1-18 Memory Verse: 1 Kings 14:15

In the previous lesson we learned that when Solomon died in about 931 B.C., instead of all the kingdom going to his son Rehoboam, that it was divided, and Jeroboam became king over Israel. He was a wicked man. Even though he was industrious and mighty in war, his heart was not toward the God of Israel. As soon as he began to reign, we see him promoting idolatry. He told the people not to go up to Jerusalem to worship at the temple of God. He feared that if they did their hearts would return to the house of David. So he made golden calves, high places and groves for idol worship. He built an altar at Bethel and offered up incense there. This evil conduct was basically the behavior of Israel throughout the rest of their history.

Even in his time the prophecy of Israel’s fall and removal from the land came by the mouth of Ahijah (I Kings 14:14-16). The Nation of Israel, elsewhere referred to as the Northern Kingdom, continued only about 209 years after the death of Solomon, or 188 years after the death of Jeroboam. During this time 19 kings (including Jeroboam) reigned over the Nation of Israel. Some of them walked uprightly before God, but the Nation of Israel never in any real sense turned back to God, but they continually served other gods. Among their rulers were such evil monarchs as Ahab and his evil wife Jezebel. He is said to have been more wicked than all the other evil kings before him. It seems as if Jezebel assumed a position of a goddess of idolatry and there ate at her table 450 prophets of Baal and 400 prophets of the groves.

During these evil years God continually gave them faithful prophets to warn them of the penalty of their sin, and to prophesy their captivity. Among them were Elijah, the Tishbite, and Elisha. They were preceded by Ahijah and Jehu. It was evidently between 880 and 875 B.C. that Omri, the father of Ahab, built Samaria which remained the capitol of Israel until her fall.

It was about 860 B.C. that Elijah appeared on the scene to prophesy against Ahab and against the sinful Nation of Israel. By his word rain was withheld for 3½ years. At the end of that time he slew Jezebel’s 850 false prophets and called fire down from heaven in the sight of Israel (1 Kings 18:21-46), yet Israel did not return unto the Lord.

It was about 722 B.C. that the iniquity of Israel was full before God, only about 730 years after the exodus. God gave them into Assyrian captivity, and Samaria was repopulated with heathen. Read Luke 19:41-44.

1. Why was Jeroboam king over Israel?

2. Of what part of the previous nation did this Israel consist?

3. What was Jeroboam’s religious character?

4. What practice of Israel did Jeroboam stop?

5. What particular images did Jeroboam build?

6. Did God give miraculous signs to warn Jeroboam of his evil?

7. Was Jeroboam extraordinary or typical of kings to follow?

8. Who was God’s prophet in Jeroboam’s day?

9. What king of Israel was most wicked?

10. Who was this wicked king’s father?

11. Who built Samaria?

12. What was Ahab’s wife’s name?

13. What prophets did she sustain?

14. Who was God’s prophet in their time?

15. What warning of nature came by his prophecy?

16. What miraculous act did he perform on Mt. Carmel?

17. What did Elijah do with Jezebel’s prophets?

18. What prophet followed Elijah?

19. Were the words of Elijah and Elisha heeded by Israel?

20. What nation captured Israel?

2 Chronicles 26:1-23; 36:1-23; Isaiah 1:1-20; Jeremiah 52:1-14

Memory verse: Isaiah 6:11

Israel (the Northern Kingdom) went into captivity in about 722 B.C. about 730 years after they had come out of Egypt. About 209 years before this they had suffered division at which time Judah had been left to the lineage of David. During this 209 years God had, for David’s sake, given to Judah some good rulers and their idolatry had not been as gross as that of Israel. Thus the house of Judah is to continue in the land longer than Israel. Judah was taken captive in portions, but it was probably about 586 B.C., a little over 136 years after the captivity of Israel, that the last of the house of Judah went into captivity. These were taken by Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon.

Some of the last good kings of Judah were Uzziah, Jotham, Hezekiah and Josiah. Uzziah reigned well, but he presumptuously assumed the office of priest and was made a leper until his death. Hezekiah was probably the most famous of these kings. He reigned for about 29 years during which time much of Judah’s proper worship was restored and their economy flourished greatly. Josiah was the famous young king who began to reign at the age of 8. It should be noted at this point some of the kings reigned concurrently. By that I mean that the son began to reign while his father was still alive and in power. The realization of this fact will be necessary if you are to reconcile the king’s ages, dates and lengths of reign.

During this period of time there were also some very important and significant prophets on the scene. Isaiah’s prophecy began about 20 years before Israel’s captivity. If, however, you fail to see that his prophecies are essentially to the house of Judah, you will misunder-stand many of them. He prophesied during the reigns or Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah. (Isa. 1:1)

Jeremiah came on the scene about 115 years after Isaiah began to prophesy, and prophesied in tears against Judah and Jerusalem until they were finally carried away into Babylon (Jer. 1:2-3). It is the mis-conception of many today that those men who preach the Word of God are to be lovable and popular with all around them. It was not so with these men. There are, or course, always those who love God’s Word, but basically these great prophets were hated by men around them.

There is a basic difference between Israel and Judah in the captivity. Israel, in the sense of the Northern Kingdom, ceased. Judah, on the other hand, was to be, in part, returned to the land, and although they would live in subjection to other nations, there would be the con-tinuing lineage of the Royal Seed through whom Jesus Christ would come.

1. How many tribes went into captivity before Judah?

2. What other tribe was included with Judah?

3. Name four good kings of Judah after Israel fell.

4. Name two famous prophets after Israel’s fall.

5. To which nations did the following prophets prophesy: Elijah? Elisha? lsaiah? Jeremiah?

6. Who was king of Judah when Israel fell?

7. What judgment befell Uzziah and why?

8. Who was the famous young king of Judah?

9. What prophet foretold his birth and ministry?

10. About how long after Israel did Judah fall?

11. What nation carried Judah away captive?

12. Who was that nation’s king then?

13. Who was king of Judah at that time?

14. Which two prophets prophesied Judah’s restoration?

15. Who was Judah’s famous prophet when she was captured?

16. Why was Judah spared longer than Israel?

17. Did Judah have better kings than Israel?

18. Who was responsible for these kings?

19. Was all of Judah to return to the land?

20. What was God’s ultimate purpose in sparing Judah?

Daniel 1:1-2:49; 2 Chronicles 36:1-22 Memory Verse: Daniel 2:44

We closed lesson 48 with Judah going into captivity. Israel had preceded them by about 136 years. What is strange about all of this? Well, remember that God had made an ever-lasting covenant with Abraham and promised that his seed would be a great nation of eternal standing (Gal. 3:15-18). As we read this and hundreds of other such passages, we are compelled to see that God is not through with the seed of Abraham. Thus we move from the dismal sight of Judah’s fall in about 605 to about 586 B.C. to the scene of their captivity. Perhaps no Bible passage will give us such a concise and an accurate view of this as the book of Daniel.

It is to be noted that the "king’s seed" (the house of David - Dan. 1:3) is not to be lost in obscurity, but they are brought into Nebuchad-nezzar’s palace and cared for and taught. Even here we find a remnant which God has reserved unto Himself, who have not bowed their knee unto Baal. Compare 1 Kings 19:14-18; Daniel 1:8 and Romans 11:2-6. As God protected the "seed royal" in the days of Athaliah, daughter of Omri, the father of Ahab, (2 Chr. 22:10) so He was with them in the captivity of Babylon.

In studying Daniel we find that God touched the heart of Daniel (Dan. 1:8), Melzar (Dan. 1:9), and the king (Dan. 1:19). As we continue through the book of Daniel we see how Daniel and the 3 Hebrew children, are delivered from death (Dan. 2:13-18), the fiery furnace (Dan. 3:28), and the lion’s den (Dan. 6:22). Notice the pre-summary of this in Daniel 1:21. All of this was because in this nation there was, held in captivity, the royal seed through whom the Seed, Christ, was to come. Note Matthew 1:1-17.

As we see Babylon fall to the Medo-Persian Empire and their captives, the Hebrews, remain in office are we to suppose it is mere coincidence? Absolutely not! The dream of Nebuchadnezzar (and its interpretation) in Daniel 2 foretells the plan of God. Babylon (the head of gold) would fall to Medo-Persia (the breast and arms of silver) which would fall to the Grecian Empire (the belly and thighs of brass) which would fall to the Roman Empire (the legs of iron). Yet during all of this the people of Judah would stand for in them God had a purpose. That purpose was Jesus Christ of the tribe of Judah of the house of David, the seed of Abraham.

Not only must this Royal Seed survive, but in God’s time must produce a virgin born son, the Rock cut out without hands, which in due time shall destroy the whole system which the image represents, and that Seed shall fill the whole earth.

1. Who was king in Judah when Daniel was taken into Babylon?

2. Was all the nation of Judah then carried away? .

3. Who was the last king of Judah?

4. Was Daniel of royal lineage?

5. About when was Daniel carried away?

6. About when was the temple destroyed?

7. Was this the end of Judah?

8. How long was Judah in captivity?

9. When did Judah again become a free nation?

10. Did any of Judah know if they would come out of captivity?

11. If so, by what prophet or prophets?

12. Name four men God used in Babylon.

13. Who was then king of Babylon?

14. What kind of kingdom was Babylon?

15. How were Daniel and his three friends originally exalted in Babylon?

16. How was Daniel exalted above them?

17. Who is the chief object of the vision of the great image?

18. What kingdom overcame Babylon?

19. Why did Babylon fall?

20. Did Daniel live through the captivity?

Isaiah 6:9-13, Jeremiah 50:17-20, Ezra 1:1-11

Memory Verse: Isaiah 6:13

It is to be remembered as we behold Judah in Babylonian and Persian captivity that this is the seed of Abraham in some sense. This is the seed of David of whom the Messiah was promised. Are they to be utterly destroyed? Is their lineage and the identity thereof to be mingled with Gentiles and lost? No, the gifts and callings of God are without repentance. His plans are forever operating right on schedule. In the appointed time the Messiah will come and He will be born in the land exactly as God has purposed and revealed.

In about 605 B.C. Nebuchadnezzar came against Jerusalem and carried away some of the people including Daniel. From that point Jerusalem was always under some kind of Gentile authority. This marked the beginning of the 70 years of captivity. In about 586 B.C., by reason of the rebellion of King Zedekiah, Nebuchadnezzar returned and destroyed both the great Temple and also the city of Jerusalem.

Let us remember that the same omnipotent God who decreed the captivity of Judah had also decreed their return to the land. The prophecy of return was set forth at the same time the prophecy of capture was set forth. Compare Isaiah 6:11-12 to Isaiah 6:13. Note also in that passage that the Holy Seed was the substance and purpose of that restoration, but how shall such a task be accomplished? How shall a people who are wasted, subdued and enslaved rise again? Will God raise up another Moses as in the exodus from Egypt? Will He bring them out a great multitude and a mighty army? No, it is to be a remnant, "a tenth," and even that shall live in constant affliction "eaten as the teil tree".

Instead of raising up a mighty leader, God moves upon the hearts of various heathen kings to restore them even as He had moved upon those kings to keep them safe in captivity. Remember Daniel under Nebuchadnezzar and Darius, and Mordecai and Esther in the days of Ahasuerus. Consider carefully Proverbs 21:1.

So it was in about 538 B.C. Cyrus, king of Persia, made a decree that the House of God in Jerusalem should be rebuilt. Why did a proud and powerful Gentile king make such a decree? Scripture clearly declares, "The Lord stirred up the spirit of Cyrus." Why? That His words of prophecy, which were only the manifestation of His purpose, might be fulfilled. (2 Chr. 36:22; Ezra 1:1) Upon the writing of this decree in 538, high priests and elders of the people were also moved upon by God (Ezra 1:5) and preparations were begun.

1. What was Daniel’s nationality?

2. Was Daniel of the princes of Judah?

3. Who was king of Judah when Daniel was carried away?

4. How long was this captivity?

5. What holy day was kept in Jerusalem during its desolation?

6. What valuable items were taken from the temple?

7. Were these items ever returned?

8. Who was the last king of Judah?

9. Relate the details of his fall and capture.

10. About what year was Daniel carried away?

11. About what year was the temple destroyed?

12. About what year was the temple rebuilding started?

13. Into what nation was Judah taken captive?

14. Who was king of that nation when it fell?

15. From what nation did Judah return to rebuild the temple?

16. Who was king of that nation at that time?

17. What provoked him to authorize this?

18. What major prophet was ministering when Judah fell?

19. What prophet lived throughout the captivity?

20. Which scribe records the return to build the temple?

Ezra 3:1-4:24; 7:1-28 Memory Verse: Ezra 7:27

Serious students read the entire book of Ezra.

You will remember that in the process of Nebuchadnezzar’s con-quest of Judah, he had destroyed the Temple at Jerusalem, and carried away all the holy vessels and placed them in the treasure house of Babylon. Be sure, the Temple was much more than a mere building. It was the center of Israel’s worship and, in figure, the whole message of the Promised Seed, the Messiah. Remember that it had superseded the Tabernacle which Israel had carried throughout their wilderness trek, and contained the Ark of the Covenant with only the tables of stone as its contents. Notice 2 Chronicles 5:2-10. The Temple and apparently the Ark were destroyed in 586 B.C., but even before its destruction, its reconstruction had been prophesied.

In 538 B.C. God had moved on the heart of Cyrus, king of Persia, and a decree was written which re-established the priesthood and began a move to rebuild the Temple. In 536 B.C. the rebuilding of the Temple was actually begun with Zerubbabel as their leader and Jeshua as high priest. All the time of the desolation, which began in 605 B.C. when the vessels were taken from The temple, the Sabbaths had been kept for 70 years (2 Chr. 36:21). In 536 B.C. in Ezra 3:3-8 we find the account of the beginning of the Temple reconstruction. Isn’t it ironic that a people that was constantly given to idolatry while in the land, kept the Sabbaths while the land lay desolate and Judah dwelt in captivity.

It was not long before Cyrus was dead and the adversaries of Judah in the land wrote to King Artaxerxes and had the construction of the temple halted. No doubt they thought they had won a great victory, but God had a purpose and His purposes cannot be frustrated by His creatures. In about 520 B.C. God sent Haggai and Zachariah to prophesy against Judah for allowing their work to be stopped. Notice Haggai 1:1-15. At this time they wrote a letter to the king of Persia reminding him of the decree of Cyrus. Thus the work was not only resumed, but more money was furnished and other men were sent to help (Ezra 5:1-6:22). It was about 458 B.C. that Ezra, the scribe, went up to Jerusalem (Ezra 7: 1-6) and others with him. When Ezra came to Jerusalem he found intermarriage of the "Holy Seed" (Ezra 9:2). It had been less than 60 years since the first of Judah had returned to rebuild Jerusalem, with its Temple and walls, and already inter-marriage of the priests and thus Satan’s attempt against God’s cove-nant (Gal. 3:16-18) and the Holy Seed was very active. Ezra was to become God’s instrument for spiritual reformation.

1. How long did Judean captivity last?

2. Approximately when did this captivity begin?

3. What marked the end of the captivity?

4. About when (B.C.) was the temple reconstruction started?

5. About when had the temple been destroyed?

6. Who was the leader in the temple construction?

7. Who was high priest at that time?

8. What caused an intermission in the temple construction?

9. Name two prophets who opposed the halt in building.

10. What king originally commanded the temple to be built?

11. What king commanded work to be resumed?

12. About when was the temple finished?

13. Did Ezra go to Jerusalem before or after this temple was com-pleted?

14. What great disorder did Ezra find at that time?

15. What did Ezra cause to be done about it?

16. What was Ezra’s occupation?

17. Were any Israelites besides Judah and Benjamin returned to Jerusalem?

18. Who did Darius allow to return from captivity?

19. Were the walls rebuilt with the temple?

20. Why did the adversaries say the walls should not be there?

Nehemiah 1:1-2:20; 4:1-23; 13:1-31 Memory Verse: Nehemiah 4:6

Serious students read the entire book of Nehemiah.

It was in about 516 B.C. that Zerubbabel, the governor of Judah, and Jeshua, the son of Jozadak the high priest, and their followers finished the rebuilding of the Temple. Even before this the work had been hindered and interrupted by the people of the land, and only through a second decree which was issued by Darius II was the Temple completed. One of the claims of the heathen in the land was that if the walls of Jerusalem were built up, the people would rebel.

When Ezra, the scribe, came to Jerusalem in about 458 B.C. he found a multitude of disorders which could all be summarized as a mixing of Judah with the Gentile inhabitants of the land. He immediately set out to put these things in order.

It was about 12 years after this that Nehemiah, who was the king’s cupbearer in Shushan, learned that the walls of Jerusalem were broken down and that the heathen had free run of the holy city. God so burdened his heart about this that he fasted and prayed, and a few months later King Artaxerxes gave him a leave to go to Jerusalem to rebuild the walls. Not only so, but letters for his safe conduct and supplies of materials were provided by the king. At this time Nehemiah journeyed to Jerusalem and he and Ezra, the scribe, were fellow workers in purging out some of the pollution of Jerusalem.

When Nehemiah started to build up the walls of separation again, he met with great opposition from the people of the land. The leaders of this opposition were San-ballat, the Horonite, Tobiah, the Ammonite, and Gesher, the Arabian. They laughed at them, ridiculed their efforts and accused them of rebellion against the king (Neh. 2:19-20). They even hired adversaries against them so that half the laborers had to be armed for battle (Neh. 4:7-8,16).

As the walls were being built Nehemiah reformed other errors in Jerusalem such as Jews defrauding each other and taking them into bondage (Neh. 5:1-13). Thus Nehemiah built the walls and governed Judah for 12 years (Neh. 5:14; 13:6). After that he returned to Artaxerxes, the king, as was agreed in Nehemiah 2:6. It is not known how long the "certain days" of Nehemiah 13:6 were before he returned to Jerusalem, but when he did, he found the sins of the people continuing as always. Eliashib the priest had prepared a chamber for Tobiah, the Ammonite, and intermarriages were continuing. Read Nehemiah 13:1-31 carefully and compare it to the book of Malachi and you will see the state of Judah when Christ came 400 years later.

1. Where did Nehemiah serve the king?

2. What was Nehemiah’s job?

3. What king did Nehemiah serve?

4. What bad news did Nehemiah receive?

5. From whom did this news come?

6. What was Nehemiah’s response?

7. How did the king learn of this?

8. What request did Nehemiah make of the king?

9. How long was the leave the king gave Nehemiah?

10. Were arrangements made for supplies?

11. Why were walls needed at Jerusalem?

12. Name three resisters of this building.

13. Was the resistance physical or only psychological?

14. Did Nehemiah resist physically?

15. Did Nehemiah have an official capacity?

16. How long was Nehemiah first in Jerusalem?

17. Was Ezra there during this time?

18. Why did Nehemiah return to Shushan?

19. Name two disorders Nehemiah found upon returning to Jerusalem.

20. How did Nehemiah react to each of these disorders?

21. CONCLUSION TO OLD TESTAMENT EVENTS

Read the book of Malachi.

We have closed our chronological studies of the Old Testament with the book of Nehemiah and the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem. The events following Nehemiah 13:7 took place some time after 433 B.C. The only book of the Old Testament to follow Nehemiah, as far as chronology is concerned, is Malachi. You will easily notice that the problems spoken of by Nehemiah 13:10-31 are the same ones dealt with by Malachi.

Malachi was written about 30 years after the time dealt with in the closing of Nehemiah, probably around 397 B.C. From this time to the coming of the Messiah, God did not speak by any prophet. He did, however, supernaturally sustain the nation of Judah, and, in particular, the house of David through which Christ was to come. The Persian Empire fell to the Grecian Empire which in turn fell to the Roman Empire which was in power at the time of the birth of Jesus Christ. In all of this we see the all- powerful hand of God setting up kings and putting down kings. He sovereignly moves even in the hearts of the Caesars of Rome until in the fullness of time the promised seed shall be born in Bethlehem, exactly as God has purposed and promised.

Let us not think of these events as mere random happenings which God foresaw and foretold, but rather the revelation of God’s eternal plan. From the promise of God to Adam and Eve in Genesis 3:15, to the promise to Noah in Genesis 6:18, to the promise to Abram in Genesis 17:19 that passes on through the nation of Israel, it is all one promise. From the salvation of Noah from the flood, to the salvation of Sarah from a heathen king, to the salvation of Israel from Egypt, and the salvation of the Royal Seed from Athaliah, to the salvation of Jesus Christ from the hand of Herod the Great, it is all one providential arrangement. All this was to bring to fruition the Promised Seed, (Gal. 3:15-18) who came to die on the cross and rise again, that He might deliver up the kingdom to God. (I Cor. 15:19-24)

OLD TESTAMENT CHRONOLOGY

The following charts begin with the creation of the heavens and the earth and all things in them and move through the Old Testament. These are by no means exhaustive, but are rather constructed for the purpose of helping the layman Bible student, move through major Bible events with a chronological perspective.

A WORD ABOUT B.C. DATING

It is readily realized and confessed by both the competent historian and the honest Bible student that B.C. dating is no small task. This can be perceived by simply comparing the B.C. dating in one good reference Bible to that in another, and the more material we research the more apparent this difficulty becomes.

This statement of fact in no wise casts doubt on the accounts of time in the Bible. They are to be considered absolutely accurate. For instance, when the Bible says Adam lived one hundred thirty years and begat Seth, that is precisely what it means, and total accuracy can be claimed for such records.

The problem comes in dating back from present history through various societies with differing methods of dating. The most common practice was to record the reign of the kings. This was true of the Assyrian, Babylonian and Persian nations, as well as the Hebrew nations, of Israel and Judah. This is the reason that when tracing through the books of the Chronicles of the kings in the Bible you find the parallel records will not be equal in total years. The reason for thus is threefold. First, they used different systems of accounting reignal years. Thus if they did not use an ascension year system for the kin", that is the period from the beginning of his reign to the beginning of the physical year, he could start his second year of reign only a month or so after he began to reign. For instance, If the year started in April and he began to reign in March, in this system his second year began the first of April, only days after his reign began. In the ascension year system, the time preceding the first month of the physical year, was not counted as a year and his first year of reign began with the first month of the physical year. Secondly, Israel and Judah were, from Jeroboam through Hazeel, two different nations using different months to begin their year, and most of the time not using the same reignal year system. With these two variations combined, you can see how that one Icing on the throne for two months might be in his second reignal year, while the current king in the other nation, who had been on the throne for ten months, had not yet started his first reignal year. Thus though the time was the same, thechronological records would differ. Thirdly, to further complicate this, both Israel and Judah changed the system they used during the lives of their nations. In fact, one of them changed twice, or so it seems.

These complications and perhaps others explain the reason for the difference in B.C. dating opinions, and show us that dogmatism in this area displays ignorance of the facts. On the other hand, when we come forward from the creation of Adam in our dating method we have complete accuracy, since it is inspired Bible record. This, however, still leaves us hard put for B.C. dating of Old Testament events, since we have only an approximate link between the Old Testament chronologies and the B.C. dating, which in running backwards finds reliable secular history in dating only back to about the Assyrian era.

I do, however, feel that even though we must give or tale a few years in a B.C. dating system, that this chronology can be very helpful to you in getting en orderly perspective of the sequence of events in the Old Testament. It is in this hope, that I submit the following chart. I think I have used the most weighty and comprehensive dating information available and that the margin of error will be insignificant.

CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER OF BASIC OLD TESTAMENT EVENTS

Event Scripture Reference Date

Creation of all things Gen.1:31 -2:4, Ex. 20:11 3892 B.C.

Death of Adam Gen. 5:5 2962 B.C.

Birth of Noah Gen. 5:28-29 2836 B.C.

Flood Gen. 6 & 7 2236 B.C.

Left ark 1 year and 10 days after flood Gen. 7:11-13; 8:14-18 2235 B.C.

Birth of Abraham Gen. 11:10-26 1944 B.C.

Death of Noah Gen. 9:28, 29 1886 B.C.

Abraham departs out of Haman Gen. 12:14 1874 B.C.

The birth of Isaac Gen. 21 :5 1849 B.C.

The birth of Jacob Gen. 25:26 1739 B.C.

Jacob goes to Egypt Gen. 47:9 1659 B.C.

Note: The time span from the beginning of Abram’s sojourn (Gen. 12:1) to Jacob’s entrance into Egypt (Gen. 46:26-27) is 215 years. Israel’s time in Egyptian bondage is 215 years, making total of 430 years. Compare Exodus 12:40-41 to Galatians 3:16-17.

Israel’s exodus from Egypt Exo. 13:17-22 1444 B.C.

The death of Moses Deu. 34:1-12 1404 B.C.

Israel enters promised land with Joshua Jos. 3:1-17 1404 B.C.

The death of Joshua and the beginning

of the period of the judges Jos. 24:29 1382 B.C.

The first judge, Othneal Jdg. 3:9 1361 B.C.

The period of the judges reaches from Joshua’s death to Saul’s anointing and covers about 332 years.

Saul anointed first king of Israel l Sam.10:1 1050 B.C.

Saul’s rejection announced l Sam. 15:22-23 . 1034 B.C.

David anointed by Samuel l Sam.16:12-13 . 1018 B.C.

Saul is slain, David reigns over Judah ll Sam. 2:5-11 . 1011 B.C.

David begins to reign over all Israel ll Sam. 5:1-5 1004 B.C.

Solomon begins to reign I Kings 2:1-12 971 B.C.

Solomon died in 931 B.C. and the kingdom was split into Israel (the Northern Kingdom) and Judah (the Southern Kingdom). Following is a chronology of kings, prophets and major events pertaining to those respective kingdoms.

Note: The asterisk * signifies kings participating in concurrent reigns.

Scripture Reference Kings Date

Judah Israel

I Kings 11:43 Rehoboam 931 B.C.

I Kings 11 :28 Jeroboam 931 B.C.

I Kings 14:31 Abijam 913 B.C.

I Kings 15:8-24 Asa* 911 B.C.

I Kings 15:25 Nadab 910 B.C.

I Kings 15:16-22 Baasha 909 B.C.

I Kings 16:6 Elah 886 B.C.

I Kings 16:15 Zimri 885 B.C.

I Kings 16:15 Tibni* 885 B.C.

I Kings 16:16 Omri* 885 B.C.

I Kings 16:29 Ahab 884 B.C.

I Kings 15:24 Jehoshophat* 873 B.C.

II Kings 8:16 Jehoram* 853 B.C.

I Kings 22:51 Ahaziah 853 B.C.

II Kings 1:17 Jehoram 852 B.C.

II Kings 8:25 Ahaziah 841 B.C.

II Kings 1:1 Athaliah 841 B.C.

II Kings 10:36 Jehu 841 B.C.

II Kings 11:21 Jehoash 835 B.C.

II Kings 10:35 Jehoahaz 814 B.C.

II Kings 13:10 Jehoash* 798 B.C.

II Kings 14:1 Amaziah* 796 B.C.

II Kings 14:23 Uzziah* Jeroboam II* 793 B.C.

II Kings 15:5 Jotham* 750 B.C.

II Kings 15:8 Zechariah 753 B.C.

II Kings15:38 Ahaz* 735 B.C.

Date Prophets

931 B.C.

913 B.C.

911 B.C.

910 B.C.

909 B.C.

886 B.C.

885 B.C.

885 B.C.

885 B.C.

884 B.C. Elijah

873 B.C.

853 B.C.

853 B.C.

852 B.C. Elisha

841 B.C.

841 B.C.

841 B.C.

835 B.C.

814 B.C.

798 B.C.

796 B.C.

793 B.C. Amos

750 B.C.

753 B.C.

735 B.C. Isaiah

Major Events in Contemporary History

Shishak, King of Egypt, plunders the Temple (I Kings 14:25-26)

Jeroboam subverts the religion of Moses; estab-lishes shrines at Dan and Bethel (I Kings 12:26-29)

Aramean kingdom of Damacus (Syria) expands
 
 

Benhadad I of Damascus (Syria) makes league with Asa; Baasha resists (I Kings 15:16-22)
 
 
 
 
 
 

Benhadad I (Syria) conducts three unsuccessful campaigns against Ahab

Assyria rises under Ashurbanipal II (883-859 B.C.)

Shalmaneser III of Assyria records successive victories against Syria (854-849 B.C.)

Samaria is besieged by Benhadad I of Syria (II Kings 6:24-25)
 
 

Jehu submits to the invading Assyrian king, Shalmaneser III (841 B.C.)

Jehoash pays tribute to Hazael, king of Syria, with the treasures of the Temple (II Kings 12:17-18)

Jehoahaz is defeated by the Syrian king, Benhadad II (II Kings 13:3)

Jehoash has three successive victories over the Syrian army (II Kings 13:17)

The Assyrian Empire begins to decline

Jeroboam delivers the Northern Kingdom from the Syrian yoke (II Kings 13:4; 14:26-27)

Tiglath Pileser III of Assyria overruns Syria and Palestine (745-727 B.C.)

Ahaz purchases help from Tiglath Pileser III to free Judah from invading Syria; this act begins a period of tributes paid to Assyria

Scripture Reference Kings Date

Judah Israel

II Kings 15:13 Shallum 752 B.C.

II Kings 15:17 Menahem* 752 B.C.

II Kings 15:23 Pekaiah* 742 B.C.

II Kings 15:27 Pekah* 740 B.C.

II Kings 17:1 Hoshea 732 B. C.

II Kings 18:9 722 B.C.
 
 

II Kings 18:1 Hezekiah* 715 B.C.

II Kings 21:1 Manessah* 686 B.C.

II Kings 21:18 Amon 642 B.C.

II Kings 22:1 Josiah 640 B.C.
 
 

II Kings 23:31 Jehoahaz 609 B.C.

(Shallum)

II Kings 23:34 Jehoiakim 609 B.C.

(Eliakim)

II Kings 24:8 Jehoiachin 597 B.C.

(Coniah)

II Kings 24:18 Zedekiah 597 B.C.

(Mattaniah)

II Kings 25:1-21 586 B.C.
 
 

Daniel 5:31 539 B.C.

II Chronicles 36:22-23 538 B.C.

Ezra 1:2-3

Ezra 6:3 536 B.C.

Haggai 1:1-15 520 B.C.

516 B.C.

476 B.C.

Nehemiah 2:1-10 445 B.C.

Malachi 1:8 ? 400 B.C.

Date Prophets

752 B.C. Hosea

752 B.C. Micah

742 B.C.

732 B.C.

722 B.C.

THE END OF

715 B.C.

686 B.C.

642 B.C.

640 B.C. Nahum

Zepheniah

Jeremiah

609 B.C. Jeremiah

609 B.C. Jeremiah

597 B.C. Jeremiah

597 B.C. Jeremiah

Ezekiel

Daniel

586 B.C.

THE END OF

539 B.C.

538 B.C.
 
 

536 B.C.

520 B.C. Haggai

516 B.C. Zechariah

476 B.C.

445 B.C.

400 B.C. Malachi

Major Events in Contemporary History
 
 
 
 

Assyria captures Trans-Jordan and Galilee (742-740)

Damascus (Syria) falls to Shalmaneser V, the king of Assyria (732 B.C.)

Sargon II, the Assyrian king, captures Samaria

THE NORTHERN KINGDOM
 
 

Manessah is taken captive by Esarhaddon, king of Assyria, and later released (II Chr. 33:11)

Esarhaddon conquers Egypt; Assyrian influence increases (681-669 B.C.)
 
 
 
 

A period of Egyptian influence under Pharoah Necho (II Kings 23:33)

Judah a vassel state under Pharoah Necho (II Kings 23:35)

A period of Neo-Babylon influence; the battle of Carcemish (605 B.C.)
 
 
 
 

The capture of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar

THE SOUTHERN KINGDOM

Babylon falls under Darius, the Medo-Persian gen-eral; the collapse of the Babylonian Empire

The edict of Cyrus the Medo-Persian, regarding the restoration of the Jews

Return of the remnant & the rebuilding of the Temple

The rebuilding of the Temple resumed

The Temple is completed

The book of Esther

Nehemiah’s return to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem

Jerusalem under a Persian government

FOUR HUNDRED PLUS SILENT YEARS TO THE BIRTH OF CHRIST