In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. But the earth was dark and disorganized. Then God created light. He separated light from darkness and the first day of creation ended. On the second day, God separated water from land. On the third day, He created every kind of plant. On the fourth day, He made the sun, moon and stars. On the fifth day, He created every living thing in the sea and every kind of bird. God started the sixth day creating all the land animals and ended the day by making man. He was very pleased with the results of his engineering. He said, "This is very good!" He blessed His creation, so it would flourish. The last day of the first week was a rest day.

God made man from the earth and breathed life into him with many of His characteristics. He made Adam first, then Eve. Adam was thrilled the first time he laid eyes on Eve! God put man in charge of the earth and gave him just one rule: Adam and Eve were not to eat any fruit from one particular tree in the middle of the Garden of Eden. God made man to enjoy a relationship with him. He liked spending time with Adam and Eve.

One day Eve was walking by the forbidden tree and she noticed a crafty serpent in its branches. The serpent said to Eve, "Does God say you can't eat the fruit from this tree?" Eve answered, "You're correct serpent; we're not supposed to touch it or we'll die." Then the serpent hissed, "That's not true. You won't die from eating this fruit. God doesn't want you to eat it, because He knows if you do you'll be as smart as He is. You'll know the difference between right and wrong." Eve noticed that the fruit did look very good, so she took a piece and ate some. Then she shared the rest with Adam. When they finished eating, they felt embarrassed about being naked so they made clothes out of fig leaves. When God came to visit that afternoon, Adam and Eve hid from Him. God knew immediately what they'd done. He was not pleased.

God cursed the serpent and told him a descendent of Eve would some day crush his head. He told Eve, "Your pain in childbirth will be increased, but you will always desire your husband and he will rule over you. Then he told Adam, "Because you didn't obey my command about eating from this tree, the ground has become cursed. You'll have to work for every fruit it provides you. You'll sweat to get the food you need. And you will die, be buried, and become earth again. I made you from the earth and you'll return to it."

Adam and Eve began having children. They had two boys. One was named Cain and the other Abel. Cain worked as a farmer and Abel was a rancher. They both wanted to give God an offering. So Cain brought some of his crop, and Abel brought his best animals. God approved of Abel's offering, but wasn't impressed with Cain's. This upset Cain. God said, "Cain, try to do a little better next time. Don't dwell on this situation or you may do something you regret." But Cain did something very regrettable. He killed his brother Abel. On His next visit God asked, "Cain, where's Abel?" Cain shot back, "Hey I'm not his baby-sitter." Then God said, "Cain, I've got a bad feeling about this; I know you've killed your brother. You're going to be punished. You will be banished from this region. You'll be hated by everybody, but I won't let anybody kill you."

Adam and Eve produced more offspring. Their children also had children. People were living a long time. Adam lived 930 years. One of Adam's grandsons named Methuselah, lived 969 years. Another of Adam's grandchildren, named Enoch, had an excellent relationship with God. When he'd lived about 365 years, God invited him to come straight to heaven and Enoch accepted. After ten or twelve generations, Noah was born.

Things were getting extremely bad on the earth. God looked at the Earth and said to Himself, "These folks don't think about

Genesis 1:1 - 6:5

anything but evil!" He started to feel as though He'd made a mistake creating the earth in the first place and He was extremely

upset about it. There was one man who respected God. His name was Noah. God told Noah and his three sons, Shem, Ham and Japheth, to build a large ship called an ark. The ark was 450 feet long, 75 feet wide and 45 feet high. It had three levels, with separate areas and rooms. It took 100 years for Noah and his sons to build the ark.

When the ark was finally finished, with provisions collected and put inside, a male and a female of every kind of animal in the world came to the ark. When they were inside, God closed the hatch Himself. Then the floodgates of heaven were opened and the fountains of the deep were released. These conditions did not let up for 40 days. The water covered even the highest mountain peaks by over 20 feet. The water remained that high for 150 more days. Then the water started slowly going down. Seven months and 17 days after the start of the flood, the ark finally hit dry ground. Noah, his family, and all the animals stayed in the ark for another few months. Finally God told Noah it was safe to come out of the ark. Then Noah built an altar to God. God said he'd never destroy the earth with a flood again. His promise was sealed with the first rainbow!

Noah planted a vineyard. One day he was drinking wine he had produced and became drunk, so he went into his tent for a nap. His youngest son Ham saw him lying naked on his bed and reported it to his brothers. His brothers carefully covered Noah with out viewing his nakedness or waking him up. When Noah awoke he realized his young son had disrespected him and his older sons had shown respect. So he pronounced blessing on his older sons and pronounced a curse on Ham.

Noah and his sons got busy having children. The earth started to get populated again. In those days everybody spoke the same language. The men on the earth began building a great city called Babel. In the center of the city they began a tower that would reach into the heavens. God knew with this much organization, men would soon get to the point where they could do anything...and it would probably be bad. So He mixed up their languages. The tower was abandoned and people separated into groups with the same language. The groups each went in different directions around the world.

About ten generations after the flood there was a man named Abram and his wife whose name was Sarai. She had never become pregnant but Abram loved her deeply. God talked to Abram and said, "Abram, leave your family and your neighborhood. Go to the place I show you. I will make your offspring a great nation. The whole world will benefit because of you and your family!"

So Abram left the area. He took Sarai, his brother, Lot, and all the people and livestock he had accumulated. They traveled to the northern part of what is now called Israel. Abram was 75 when the trip began. When he first arrived in Canaan, as Israel was called at the time, he stopped in a region that was called Moreh. God talked to him again and said, "This is the land I'm going to give to you and your descendants." So Abram built an altar to God there. At that time a significant drought developed in Canaan so Abram traveled south into Egypt where the Nile River provided water even during a drought.

Now Abram's wife Sarai was a very attractive lady. Abram was concerned that when the Egyptians saw her, they'd want to possess her and they would kill him because he was her husband. So Abram asked Sarai to tell the Egyptians that she was his sister so they would spare him and treat him well because of her. When they arrived in Egypt, Pharaoh's officials saw her. They told Pharaoh a lovely woman had come in from out of the area. So Sarai was taken to Pharaoh's house and Abram was rewarded for his beautiful "sister" with a gift of livestock and servants from Pharaoh.

Then everybody in Pharaoh's house became ill. Pharaoh realized the sickness was invading his house because Sarai was more than Abram's sister. He called Abram in and berated him, "What the heck are you trying to do here, telling me she's your sister? You take her back so all my people can get well!" Pharaoh then instructed his men to escort Abram and all his possessions out of Egypt. Abram's wealth had greatly increased in Egypt.

Genesis 6:6 - 12:20

Abram traveled back to Canaan. Abram and his brother Lot had so much livestock that some trouble started between their servants. Then Abram met with Lot and said, "Lot, we're relatives, but we're getting too crowded. You decide where you want to go, and I'll go the other way." The drought was over and they were living in the hill country. Lot did some scouting and the valley looked inviting so Lot said, "Abram, I'm heading down to the valley with my people, good luck to you, wherever you decide to go." Lot settled in an urban area called Sodom and Gomorrah.

Abram went back up to North Canaan and visited the altar he had built. Then God came to him again and said, "Abram, I am going to make your descendants as numerous as the dust of the earth. No one can say how much dust there is on the earth, nor will any one be able to say how many descendants you have. I want you to look around from east to west, north to south, this is all going to be your family's country."

Meanwhile Lot was falling into some bad luck down in Sodom and Gomorrah. A sinister tribe attacked the city. The king of Sodom and Gomorrah, along with Lot and his family, were taken captive. When Abram heard of it, he put together a group of his loyal servants and they rescued Lot, his family, and the king. The king offered Abram the loot the robbers had stolen, but Abram turned him down. He didn't want anyone believing he became wealthy as a mercenary. Abram met a priest named Melchizedek, who was from God, and he gave Melchizedek 10% of the loot. Abram also reimbursed himself for the expenses for the rescue.

When Abram returned home he had a vision from God. God said He was Abram's shield and that He was going to bless him abundantly! Abram asked, "How can I be a great nation when Sarai can't have children?" God took him outside and they looked up at the stars. God said, "There are too many stars to count, your descendants will also be too many to count." Abram believed God. As far as God was concerned, Abram could do no wrong, because he believed.

Then God told Abram how to conduct a ceremony to make their agreement binding. Abram set things up for the ceremony and then fell into a deep sleep. God talked to him in his sleep. God told him that his family would eventually be captives in a foreign country for 400 years, but God would deliver them from that bondage. He also told Abram that he would live a long and successful life. When Abram awoke, he finished the ceremony. God told Abram the borders of the country his people would inhabit. God also said He would help Abram's family defeat the nations living in the land.

After a few more years and no children, Sarai started to get a little nervous about her biological clock ticking away. She told Abram to have sexual relations with Hagar, her Egyptian maid. Abram did as Sarai instructed and Hagar became pregnant. When her condition was apparent, Hagar started getting uppity around Sarai, so Sarai complained to Abram. Abram told Sarai to do what she wanted with Hagar so Sarai threw Hagar out of the camp. Hagar ended up out in the desert alone, but she found a spring of water. An Angel from God came down and said, "Hagar...what's up?" Hagar answered, "I'm out here, because my mistress kicked me out of camp." The Angel said, "Go back to camp and be submissive to Sarai. You are going to have a boy and he will be quite a fellow. He and his people will be fighters. They'll live out to the east of his brother's people." She followed the angel's advice and went back to Sarai and gave birth to a son. Abram named him Ishmael. Abram was 86 years old when Ishmael was born.

Thirteen years later, Sarai still had not become pregnant! God came to Abram again. "Abram I am the God you've trusted all these years. I am going to do all the things I've told you. You are going to be a great Nation! Your name isn't Abram any more; it is Abraham. As a mark for the world to know you and your family are my people, from now on all the males in your family will be circumcised." (This is where the foreskin of the man's penis is cut off). God continued, "Sarai will now be called Sarah, because she is going to have a child." Abraham fell down laughing and said, "Come on God, how are a lady 90 years old and a man 100

Genesis 13:1 - 17:17

years old going to have a baby? Why don't you let Ishmael be my heir?" God replied, "Ishmael is going to be a great nation too, but My agreement with you is that Sarah will be the mother of the nation. She'll have a son in the next year." Soon after this exchange, Abraham circumcised himself and his household.

Later, Abraham was sitting at his tent door in the heat of the day when he saw three men standing nearby. Abraham ran to them and offered refreshment and comfort. When they accepted, he set his house buzzing to present a nice meal. After eating the men said, "Where is Sarah?" Abraham replied, "She's in the tent." Then the Lord said, "I'm coming back at this time next year. Sarah will have a baby by then." Sarah overheard this in the tent and she giggled to herself at how outlandish the whole thing sounded. Then God said to Abraham, "Why did your wife laugh? Does she think this is impossible for Me? When I'm back next year, we'll be looking at a cute little baby boy." Sarah denied that she giggled but God looked over and said, "You can't fool God, Sarah, I know what a giggle is!"

So the three men got up to leave and Abraham walked them out of camp. God thought to himself, "Hum, I'd guess I better let Abraham know what we're down here for, after all he is my main man right now." God said to Abraham, "Abraham, Sodom and Gomorrah are stinking up the valley with some horrible sin. I'm going down to check it out myself and deal with it." This was a bit disconcerting to Abraham because his nephew, Lot, lived in Sodom and Gomorrah. So Abraham probed God about his intentions. He tried to couch it delicately so he started off like this. "God, You and I know You are a righteous God. If there were, say, 50 good people down there, You couldn't destroy the city then, could You? God said, "No." Abraham went a little further, "God, You're the Lord and You can do whatever You want, but I've got to think that if there were 45 good people in the city, You'd have to spare it as well." God agreed again and said, "Yes, if there were 45 good people, I'd be hard pressed to kill them along with the wicked so I wouldn't destroy the city." Abraham kept gradually reducing the number of righteous folks required to spare the city. Abraham ultimately got God to commit that He wouldn't destroy the city if there were even 10 good people. Abraham figured with Lot and his family, there should at least be 10 good people. Then the Lord went towards Sodom and Gomorrah and Abraham went back to his tent.

The two Angels approached Sodom and Gomorrah in the early evening. Lot was at the gate of the city. Lot had to practically beg the Angels to stay at his house because they wanted to stay in the square. When they got to Lot's house, he made them dinner. Then all the men of the city came around Lot's house and made an indecent proposal to the Angels. They would not be satisfied till they got their hands on the Angels for sex. The men got angry with Lot when he would not comply. Lot even offered his virgin daughters as an alternative! When the evil men began to enter the house by force, the Angels pulled Lot inside and made the horny crowd outside blind so they couldn't even find the door.

The Angels told Lot to get his family out of the city because they were going to destroy it. Lot told his wife, his daughters and his daughters' boyfriends about what the Angels said. The boyfriends thought he was joking. The Angels wanted Lot and his family out Sodom and Gomorrah, so they escorted them to the edge of town. The boyfriends stayed behind. Lot got the Angels to agree not to destroy a small town nearby so he could go there. As they were fleeing, Lot's wife turned back and looked at the fire that was coming down on Sodom and Gomorrah. She turned into a pillar of salt.

Lot didn't feel comfortable in the little town. So he and his daughters went into the wilderness where they lived in a cave in the mountains. Lot's daughters became concerned that they wouldn't have children. So each of them, on separate nights, got their father blackout drunk and had sexual relations with him. They both became pregnant. Their sons ended up being fathers of two nations: Moab and Ammon.

Genesis 17:18 - 20:1

So Abimelech did as God said. He called Abraham in and yelled at him, "What the heck are you thinking man! Don't you know because of your lie, I could have had my whole nation destroyed by God! Why would you do such a thing?" Abraham answered, "I didn't know if you would have any respect for God, and she is my half sister. As you know, she is a fine looking woman, so we made this deal that if we got in a spot where I might get killed because of her, we'd say she's my sister." Then Abimelech gave Abraham many new sheep and goats. He added 1000 pieces of silver as a vindication for poor Sarah. Abraham prayed for Abimelech and he was blessed with many children.

Finally Sarah became pregnant! When she had the baby, Abraham named him Isaac. He circumcised Isaac when he was eight days old according to the agreement God had made with him. Abraham was 100 years old. Sarah was pleased and radiant about the whole thing. It was a load off her back to finally give Abraham a child!

There were bad feelings between Sarah and Hagar again. Sarah told Abraham she wanted Hagar and her son, Ishmael, sent away. This bothered Abraham because Ishmael was his son. God spoke to Abraham, "Don't be worried about your son Ishmael; I'm going to make him a great nation. Do what Sarah has asked you." So early the next morning, Abraham gave Hagar and her son water and bread. Then he sent them away. Soon the water ran out, so Hagar put Ishmael in the shade. She went away and cried out to God, "Don't let me see the boy die!" God spoke from heaven, "Hagar, I've heard your cries. Don't worry; I'm going to make him a great nation! Get up and take the boy by the hand." When Hagar got up she saw a spring of water. She and Ishmael drank and refilled their water skin. In time Ishmael became a skilled archer. When he was a man, Hagar got him a wife from Egypt.

Back in Abraham's camp, King Abimelech came in with his commanders. He wanted to make a treaty with Abraham because of Abraham's wealth and power. Abraham felt fine about the treaty, but there had been a problem between some of Abraham's men and Abimelech's, over who owned the water in a certain well. Abraham's water rights became part of the treaty.

After all this happened, God tested Abraham. God said, "Take your only son Isaac, whom you love, to the mountains of Moriah. I will show you where to sacrifice him as a burnt offering." The next day Abraham, Isaac, two of Abraham's hired hands, a donkey loaded with supplies, and wood for the burnt offering, started a journey to the mountains. After three days of travel, Abraham saw the place. He told the hired hands to stay with the donkey while he and Isaac went up to worship.

On the way up Isaac asked, "Dad, we've got the wood for a burnt offering, but we don't have an animal, what's up?" Abraham replied, "God will provide the offering, son." When they arrived at the spot, Abraham prepared the fire, tied Isaac up, put him on the wood and was raising the knife to kill his own son when the Angel of the Lord called from heaven, "Abraham! Abraham!" Abraham answered, "Yes, I'm right over here!" The Angel said, "There's no question about your loyalty to God since you were ready to sacrifice your own son, your only son, whom you love, because I said so!" Just then Abraham looked up and saw a ram with his horns caught in a bush, so the sacrifice was provided.

Genesis 20:2 - 22:13

Then the Angel of the Lord said, "Abraham, because you were ready to give your only son, I will indeed make your family a great nation. They will exceed the number of the stars in the sky and the sand on the beach. The whole world will be blessed by your family because you have obeyed my voice!"

Sarah died when she was 127 years old. When it came time to bury her, Abraham didn't own any land for her grave. So he said to the folks living around him, "Let me buy a piece of property to bury my wife." They all said, "Abraham, you've been around here so long and you're so rich, you're like a prince to us. Pick any field you want; it's yours, free of charge." So Abraham said, "I like a field Ephron owns. Let me buy it." Ephron was sitting right there and he said, "Abraham, the field is yours, please bury your wife there." Abraham replied, "No Ephron, I want to pay fair market value; have you had it appraised lately?" "Yes I

have," returned Ephron, "it's worth 400 shekels of silver, but what's that between you and me, just bury your wife." Finally Abraham got his way, Ephron took the 400 shekels and the property was deeded over to Abraham. Sarah was buried there.

Abraham kept getting older and richer. Abraham was concerned about a wife for Isaac. He didn't want him to marry one of the local girls. On the other hand, he didn't want him to go back to his family and never come back, but he did want him to marry one of the family girls. He called the general manager of his whole enterprise and had a meeting with him. He explained his concerns and asked the manager to go back to his family and find a suitable bride for Isaac. The manager was concerned that he might not be able to pull it off. Abraham assured him that God, who had kept all His promises, would be with him. The manager had always been with Abraham, so he knew how great God was. He felt that with God's help, he could do it, so he promised Abraham he would try.

He went to Abraham's family with 10 camels and many other fine gifts. When he got to the city of Nahor where Abraham's relatives lived, he stopped his camels near a well. He prayed to God and said, " God of my boss Abraham, please help me be successful today, and keep showing how faithful you are to my boss by helping me. I'm standing here by a well. Some of the young girls are coming out for water. I'm going to ask one for a drink. If she's the one for Isaac, let her say: "Sure, I'll give you a drink, plus I'll get some water for your camels too."

Before he was even finished praying a beautiful young girl, who was related to Abraham, named Rebekah, came by with her water pot. He asked her for a drink and she said: "Sure, I'll give you a drink, plus I'll get some water for your camels too." Needless to say the manager was astonished. He gave her a batch of jewelry that would make a lady on Rodeo Drive blush and he asked, "By the way, I'm hoping to stay in town tonight. Who's your Dad? Maybe I could stay with your family?" She answered, "Bethuel's my Dad, and sure you can stay with us!" The manager was amazed again because he recognized Bethuel as a family name of Abraham's and he knew Abraham wanted Isaac's bride to be from his family. The manager bowed low and exclaimed, "The God Abraham has blessed me because He has led me right here to his relatives!"

Then Rebekah ran home and told her older brother, Laban, about what had happened. He looked at the jewelry and ran outside to meet Uncle Abraham's general manager! He said, "Heck, don't stand out here, we've got the house all set up for you and a place for your camels!" So Laban took the camels and Rebekah took the manager inside and got him taken care of. Dinner was set. Before they started to eat, the manager said, "I just can't eat till I get my business finished and tell you why I've come: I am the General Manager of your Uncle Abraham's estate. It's a big job because your Uncle Abraham is very rich. He's got livestock, gold and all kinds of investments. I manage a great number of hired hands and servants. Abraham is going to give his entire estate to his son Isaac. He wants Isaac to marry a girl in the family. So he sent me on this seemingly impossible task of coming here, finding you all, getting the right girl, and bringing her home." Then he told them about his prayer, how Rebekah did just as he prayed, and how he then realized she was a relative of Abraham's! He continued, "So I'm starting to feel like being on a mission from God is a pretty great thing, but still I need to hear it from you. Will you make my trip successful by letting me take

Genesis 22:14 - 24:49

Rebekah back to marry Isaac? Bethuel and Laban looked at each other and said, "This sure seems like it's God's work to us. Why don't you stay with us for 10 days; then you can go." The manager (being a man of business) really wanted to get the deal done, so he said, "I'm too excited, I really want to get back." Then Bethuel and Laban asked Rebekah. She said she'd be happy to go right away!

When the manager, Rebekah, and their caravan got into the land, Isaac was out in the hills meditating. He saw Rebekah from way off and Rebekah saw him. There was an immediate chemistry between them. They got married right away. It helped Isaac get over the loss of his mother. Isaac was 40 years old when he married.

Abraham married again to a girl named Keturah. She had many children. Abraham gave plenty of wealth to his new family while he was alive. When he finally died, Isaac and Ishmael buried him in the same cave at the end of the field Abraham had bought to bury Sarah in. Isaac stayed in Israel and inherited all of Abraham's wealth. Abraham's second family with Keturah moved east.

Rebekah had some trouble getting pregnant for a while. Isaac prayed about it regularly and then Rebekah became pregnant with twins! She could tell it was twins because there seemed to be a constant struggle in her womb. She prayed about it. God told her, "You've got two nations in your womb. One will be stronger than the other. The older will serve the younger."

When she gave birth, the first child was a hairy, redheaded baby. The second child came literally on the heels of the first. He had a firm hold on the heel of the first as he came out! They named the first baby Esau, the second, Jacob. Isaac was 60 years old when the boys were born.

Esau was an outdoorsman. He was hairy, loved to hunt, and didn't hang around camp much. Jacob, on the other hand, was a smooth skinned, gentler person. He liked being in camp. Isaac preferred Esau because he enjoyed all the nice game he brought home. Rebekah was partial to Jabob.

One day Jabob was cooking some red stew when Esau came in from a long period in the field. Esau was starved so He asked Jacob for some of the stew. Jabob said, "No problem brother, but first sell your rights as the first born to me." Esau replied gruffly, "Heck Jabob, if I don't eat soon I'll die, so what good is being born first to me? You can have my birthright! Give me some food!" It was pretty clear; Esau didn't have much use for the birthright.

There was another drought in Israel at this time. Isaac and his clan started to head south to Egypt again but God told Isaac he'd take care of him in Cannan. They did get as far south as King Abimelech's land. Isaac used the same story Abraham had used, saying his wife was his sister, and Rebekah ended up in Abimilech's household! One day Isaac was visiting her. They were out in the courtyard, and Isaac was hugging and kissing Rebekah in a way he would never kiss and hug a sister. Abimelech saw them. He yelled out to them, "Sister! My foot! Why did you tell me she was your sister? If one of us had relations with her, we would have been guilty!" Isaac gave him the old song and dance about being afraid of getting killed because of his beautiful wife. Abimelech forgave him and granted him safe residence in his country.

So Isaac stayed and established a prosperous farm. In fact, it was so prosperous that it made Abimelech nervous. He told Isaac to leave because he was getting too rich. Isaac left and started re-digging wells his father had dug. (The Philistines had filled them all up). Every well was a good one. Every time he hit water, all the local people would claim the well was theirs. Isaac had to dig four wells before he got one for his family.

Genesis 24:50 - 26:22

God appeared to Isaac. He assured him that all the promises He made to his father Abraham would be kept with Isaac and his family. Later Abimelech came down with his commanders. He asked for a treaty with Isaac. He could see how God was blessing Isaac. Isaac didn't have a problem with this, so they made a treaty and had a big feast together. Isaac's servants dug another good well and developed a town around it called Beersheba. In the meantime, Esau married a couple of local girls, which caused much grief for Isaac and Rebekah.

By this time, Isaac was getting old. His eyesight was failing. He called Esau in and said, "Esau, I'm not long for this world, I want you to get me some nice wild meat and cook it just the way I like it. After I've eaten it, I'll give you my blessing." So Esau headed out. Rebekah heard what Isaac said to Esau, and called Jacob into her tent. She said, "Jacob, your father has sent Esau out to get him some good food so he can give Esau his blessing. I want you to have that blessing, so here's the plan. I'm going to make some stew just the way your father likes it. You put on some of Esau's clothes, take the food into your father and get the blessing." Jacob reasoned, "Hold on Mom; what if he realizes what I'm doing and I end up getting a curse instead of a blessing?" "Don't worry son, I've got it all figured out, just go get the clothes so we can pull this off before your brother comes back."

When Jacob got back with the clothes a fantastic stew was ready. Rebekah had some goatskins, which she put on Jacob's hands and neck. "This way when your father wants to touch you, he'll surely think your Esau." Jacob took the stew into his Dad's tent. "Here's the stew you asked for." Isaac answered, "Wow, that was fast!" Jacob had to think quickly. "Uh ya, well ah, God really blessed me out there!" "That's fine Son; why don't you come over here so I can feel you. You sound like Jacob." Jacob went over and Isaac reached out to touch his hand. "Well, you sure feel like Esau, Come here and give me a hug." Jacob did as he was told. When Isaac grabbed his neck and smelled Esau's clothes, he said, "Ahhh, the smell of my son Esau is like the smell of a field that God has blessed. May God bless you in all that you do. May nations and people serve you, and that would include your brother. Anyone who curses you is cursed and anyone who blesses you is blessed!"

Just after Jacob left the tent with the blessing, Esau came in with his stew. "Get up Dad, and have some of this tasty stew I've made for you, so you can bless me." Isaac started to shake. "Why that little schemer Jacob has already been here, and I've given my blessing to him!" Esau cried out, "Darn that little wimp! Don't you have any blessing for me Dad?" Isaac moaned back, "Oh Esau, I've already made him your master; everything he does will be blessed. What's left for you?" "Just give it your best shot Dad." Isaac blessed Esau like this: "Esau, you won't always have the best place to live, and you're going to have to fight to get everything you do get. But eventually you'll get free from the yoke of serving your brother."

After all this took place, Esau had a grudge against Jacob. He planned to kill him the day his father died. Rebekah heard about his plans and went in to see Isaac. "Isaac, Esau is going to kill Jacob as soon as you die. I couldn't handle losing both of you in one day. I want Jacob to go back to live with our relatives. He'll be away from Esau, and maybe he'll marry a family girl, unlike those two local girls Esau is tangled up with!" So Isaac called Jacob in, blessed him and sent him away. Esau heard about the whole thing. He knew his parents were upset about his local wives, so he married a daughter of Isaac's half brother Ishmael.

Jacob headed out of Israel. His first night on the road, he used a nice rock for a pillow. He had quite a dream that night. He saw a ladder going up to heaven. Angels were going up and down the ladder. God stood at the top and said to Jacob, "I'm the God of your Father and Grandfather. All the promises I made to them, I also will keep with you. You are the father of a great nation who will bless all the families on earth. I'll be with you every day and take care to see that you are blessed."

Jacob woke up the next morning in awe. He exclaimed, "Wow! This is some place. It's like a stairway to heaven!" He took the rock he slept on and used it to start a pillar of rocks to commemorate the place. Then he made a vow and said, "If God will be with me on this journey and I get home safe, then the Lord will be my God, this stone pillar will be a monument to him, and I'll

Genesis 26:23 28:22

give God 10% of everything I make!"

Jacob kept traveling and finally got to the area where his relatives lived. He saw a well with three flocks of sheep. He walked up to the shepherds there, "Hi guys; any of you know Laban? He's my Uncle." They replied, "Sure we know him, as a matter of fact his daughter Rachel is heading this way to water her sheep." (Rachel was a shepherdess) When Rachel got there, Jacob kissed her and told her who he was. She ran and told her father while Jacob stayed and watered the flock.

When Laban saw Jacob he was quite happy. He could see family features in him. After Jacob had been there a month, Laban said, "Jacob, just because you're family, doesn't mean you need to work for free. How much do you want me to pay you?" Now Jacob had deep feelings for Rachel. She had an older sister named Leah. Frankly, Leah was not very attractive, but Rachel was a knock out! Jacob told Laban he would work for him seven years if he could have Rachel as his wife. Laban said, "Shoot, better I give her to you than anybody else...you got a deal!" Jacob loved Rachel and the seven years went by in a flash.

At the wedding feast, Laban pulled a fast one on Jacob. He put Leah in the wedding tent instead of Rachel. Jabob didn't realize till the next morning that he'd been tricked. Laban explained that it was their custom for the older girl to get married first. Then they cut a new deal; Jacob would get Rachel in a week, but he'd have to work another seven years. Leah and Rachel were both given maids by Laban. Leah's maid's name was Zilpah. Rachel's maid's name was Bilhah.

A "baby derby" started very quickly between the wives and their maids. Leah immediately started having children. She had four boys: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah. She hoped that having all these children would make Jacob love her, but he still loved Rachel even though Rachel wasn't having any children. Rachel told Jacob to have relations with her maid so she could at least get on the "baby derby" scoreboard. Bilhah got pregnant and had a boy they named Dan. Bilhah got pregnant again, and this son they named Naphtali. Leah wasn't going to sit on her lead. She told Jacob to have relations with her maid, so Zilpah got pregnant, and this son was named Gad. Zilpah got pregnant again, so they named this boy Asher.

One day one of Leah's son's, Reuben, went out and got some fruit. When Rachel saw the fruit, she asked Leah if she could have it. Leah said, "First you take the love of my husband; now you want my son's fruit." Rachel snapped back, "OK fine, you can be with Jacob tonight, but give me the fruit." So Leah slept with Jacob and got pregnant that night. She named this boy Issachar. Leah got pregnant again, and they named this boy Zebulun. Poor Leah still didn't have Jacob's love; he still continued to love only Rachel. Later Leah had another child...finally a girl! Her name was Dinah. At last Rachel got pregnant and she named her child Joseph.

After Joseph was born, Jacob talked to Laban about returning to Israel. Laban knew he was being blessed because of Jacob. He started negotiations with Jacob to convince him to stay. They settled on a deal in which Jacob would take all the black and speckled cattle and Laban would keep all the regular cattle. As new stock was born, the speckled would go to Jacob and the regular ones to Laban. Soon Jacob put three days distance between his herd and Laban's animals. Jacob was still in charge of both herds. To increase his own wealth, Jacob used every cattle trick he knew. Most of the new cattle turned out speckled or black and they were good quality animals. Jacob was getting very rich, very fast. This caused friction between Jacob and Laban. Laban kept changing the rules on their agreement. Nevertheless, with God's help, Jacob kept getting richer and richer. God told Jacob it was time to return to Israel. He talked to his wives about it. They both said, "Jacob, our interest is with you and our family. Dad sold us to you for 14 years of your labor. Now he seems to be losing all that you've made him."

Genesis 29:1 - 31:16

When Laban caught up with Jacob, he did tone down his emotions. He scolded Jacob for leaving without telling him, he said he would liked to have had a party for him. Then he came to the issue of the stolen idols. Jacob, who did not know Rachel had stolen anything said, "Go ahead and search our whole camp, whoever has stolen those items will be executed!" So Laban searched every tent. Finally he got to Rachel's tent. She hid the statues under a camel saddle and sat on the saddle. Her father searched the tent and she said, "Sorry I can't get up Dad. I'm having my period, so I have to stay seated." So Laban never found the stolen statues.

It was still sticky between Laban and Jacob, but Laban didn't have power in the negotiation. They came to an agreement in which Jacob would be good to Laban's daughters and neither Jacob or Laban would come after the other to do harm. Then Laban went home.

Jabob now had to face a reunion with Esau, the brother he cheated and fled from. He was nervous about it. He sent runners to Esau with this message; "I'm coming to see you. In the 20 years I've been away I've done very well, I hope you're not mad anymore." It was signed: Your Servant, Jacob. The runners came back to Jacob and said, "We got the message to Esau, He's coming to meet you, and he's bringing 400 men with him!" Jacob split his group into two segments. He figured if Esau went after one, the other could escape. He prayed to God and said, "God, You told me to come over to the land of my relatives. You said You'd prosper me. I'm not worthy of Your blessing, yet I came with only my staff and now I have two large companies crossing the Jordan River back into the land! I need you to protect me from Esau. Remember, You promised to make me a great nation!"

He made camp and put together some gifts for Esau, hoping it might loosen him up a bit. He separated 200 female goats and 20 male goats, 200 ewes and 20 rams, 30 milking camels and their colts, 40 cows and 10 bulls, and finally 20 female and 10 male donkeys! He set them up in individual herds and sent them one by one towards Esau with a space between each herd. He instructed his hands driving the herds like this, "When you see Esau and he asks you, 'Whose animals are these and where are you going with them,' reply, 'They are your brother Jacob's. He has sent them ahead as a gift for you and he is coming behind us!'" So nine separate herds went off before Jacob. Then he sent all his wives, children and all the rest he had, across the stream. He camped alone that night. A man came and wrestled with Jacob all night long. After wrestling all night, there was no clear winner. The man said, "Let me go." But Jacob answered, "Not until you bless me." The man answered, "What's your name?" "It's Jacob." The man continued, "Now your name is Israel because you have wrestled with God and with man, and you have prevailed!" Jacob felt like the man was God. The "man" injured Jacob's hip with a touch at the end of the wrestling match.

Jacob crossed over the next morning. When he got to his camp he could see Esau and his 400 men raising dust on the horizon. He arranged his family with the maids and their sons in front, then Leah and her children, then finally Rachel and Joseph in the rear. Jacob went out in front of the whole procession. When he met Esau, he bowed down to the ground seven times. Esau ran up to him, and they hugged, kissed and cried together. Esau said, "Jacob, you have a big family!" After he met everyone Esau said, "Jacob, I appreciate all the cattle you sent ahead, but I have plenty, you don't need to give me anything." Jacob replied, "Esau, please keep them. I'm thankful you're not going to kill me." So Esau kept the gifts.

Genesis 31:17 - 33:11

Esau wanted Jacob to join with him and go back into the land. Jacob told him it wouldn't be practical because of all the young cattle he was driving and the children. So he sent Esau ahead. The next day Jacob and his group started heading a different direction, towards a place called Succoth. He built a house there. Nearby was a place called Shechem. Jacob bought some land there and built a nice altar to God, as he promised when he started the trip.

Before long, the son of a local king was attracted to Jacob and Leah's daughter, Dinah. The young man's name was Shechem. His dad's name was Hamor the Hivite. There was a "date rape" incident between Shechem and Dinah. Word of it got back to Jacob. Shechem loved Dinah and asked his dad to get her for his wife. Dinah's brothers also heard about the rape incident. They were very angry about it.

Hamor came to Jacob and his sons and said, "My son really loves your daughter and sister. If you will let them get married, then you can marry some of our girls, and we'll just be one big happy family. I will also pay you whatever you ask as a dowry for Dinah. Jacob's sons decided to avenge Dinah, so they said, "Sure, that sounds great but there is one problem. We could never let our sister marry anyone who is uncircumcised. So if we're going to be "one happy family" all your people are going to have to be circumcised."

Hamor went back to the city and explained the offer to his constituents. He said, "You know how rich these guys are.... heck, we'll double the amount of our wealth in one day!" So all the men of the city agreed, and they were all circumcised. Three days later these fellows weren't moving much because of the pain of their circumcisions. Then two of Jacob's sons, Simeon and Levi, went into the city with their swords, unannounced, and killed Hamor, Shechem and every male in the city. They took everything else: the animals, the jewels, all the women, and children. Jacob was upset at his sons. He said, "Great, now everybody around here is going to be after us!" Levi and Simeon answered, "Better that, than have our sister treated like a prostitute!"

God told Jacob it would be a good idea to leave the area. His sons and all the people living with them had acquired some bad habits, from local customs. Many had idols and wore rings in their ears. Jabob told them to get rid of all it. So with a more patriarchal and conservative appearance, they left the area. Because the people in the towns they passed were frightened, there were no attacks on Jacob and his family.

When they got to a place called Bethel Jacob set up an altar for God. God came to him and said, " Jacob, you have a new name, it's Israel. You are going to be a great nation. Many nations will come from you. All the land I promised to your fathers, I'm going to give to you and your descendants."

They headed towards Bethlehem. Rachel was pregnant again and went into labor on the way. She died giving birth to Israel's last son, Benjamin. Now Israel had 11 sons from four women. Leah's sons were Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah and Issachar. Rachel was the mother of Joseph and Benjamin. Dan and Naphtali were Bilhah's sons. Zilpah, Leah's maid, had Gad and Asher. Isaac died when he was 180 years old. Esau and Jacob were never close again. They lived in different regions. Esau became a great company and grew into the nation of Edom.

Everyone knew that Joseph was Israel's favorite son. He displayed his love by giving Joseph a resplendent, multi-colored tunic. Israel's other sons didn't get along with Joseph, because Joseph delivered a bad report about them to their father. Things got worse between the brothers and Joseph when Joseph started having dreams. In one dream, he and his brothers were making piles of wheat in the field and Joseph's pile was the biggest. The brother's piles bowed down to Joseph's pile! In another dream, 11 stars and the sun and moon where bowing down to Joseph. Joseph told his dad about this one, and even Israel was offended.

Genesis 33:12 - 37:10

"So you think even your mother and I are going to bow down to you?" But Israel did remember Joseph's dream.

One day Israel told Joseph to go to the fields and check on his brothers. They saw him coming from a distance and decided to kill him. Reuben the oldest said, "Let's just throw him in this deep pit, then we'll think of something." Reuben was planning to come back and save him later. The brothers roughed him up, tore off his fancy jacket and threw him in the pit with no food or water. Then they sat down to eat. A caravan of traders came by heading for Egypt. Judah suggested they sell Joseph to the caravan. Everyone agreed, because they wouldn't have to feel guilty about killing their own brother. The price for Joseph was 20 shekels of silver. To create their alibi, Joseph's fancy coat was covered with animal blood and torn to make it look as if a lion killed him. When poor Reuben returned, Joseph was sold and gone. Reuben had no choice but to go along with the plan. Jacob suffered bitterly when he heard the story of Joseph's "death" and nearly died from grief.

While Joseph was in Egypt, Judah, Jacob and Leah's fourth son, and his wife had three sons. The oldest one, named Er, grew up and took a wife named Tamar. He was a bad fellow and died young. The custom, designed to keep family lines intact, was for the younger brother to have relations with his older brother's widow. The second son, named Onan, had relations with Tamar but he ejaculated on the ground, so there was no pregnancy. God was upset about this practice, so Onan died young too. Judah told Tamar he'd send his youngest son, Shelah, to her as soon as he was mature. But Judah didn't send him because he was afraid Shelah would die too.

Later, Judah's wife passed away. Judah had to go through the town where Tamar lived on the way to shear some sheep. Tamar realized Judah wasn't going to send the youngest son to her. So she dressed like a prostitute along the way Judah would be traveling. When Judah saw her, he wanted to have sex with her. He wasn't carrying enough money so he left his identification seal with her to hold until he sent her a sheep for payment. Tamar became pregnant by Judah. When Judah sent the sheep to pay the "service", no one in the town knew of any prostitute. Judah figured he'd have to get a new identification seal and put he the matter behind him. About three months later word got to Judah that his former daughter-in-law, Tamar, had become a prostitute and had gotten pregnant. He said, "Bring her to me, we'll burn her at the stake." When they came to get her she said, "The man who made me pregnant is the man who owns this identification seal!" Needless to say Tamar was spared and when she gave birth she bore twins! It was a breach birth. First a hand came out and the midwife tied a thread to it. The hand went back in and the other twin was born first. They named him Perez. The child with the thread on his hand was named Zerah.

Meanwhile in Egypt, Joseph was sold by the caravan to an Egyptian official named Potiphar. God blessed everything Joseph touched. Pretty soon he was in charge of Potiphar's entire estate. Potiphar was doing so well by Joseph that he stopped worrying about anything that had to do with business. With Joseph in charge, all he concerned himself with were things like: what to have for supper!

Joseph was a very handsome man. Potiphar's wife had a crush on him and made propositions to Joseph. Joseph always turned her down. One day he was in the house while no one else was there and Potiphar's wife couldn't restrain herself any longer and she tried to rape Joseph! She ripped his shirt as Joseph escaped and left the house. She told her husband that Joseph had tried to rape her. Joseph was thrown into Pharaoh's jail.

In jail, Joseph gained alliance with the warden by helping him. Soon, once again, Joseph was running everything! But he was still a prisoner. Later, two of Pharaoh's helpers were thrown into jail. One was a baker, the other served drinks to Pharaoh and his family. After these two fellows had been in jail for a few weeks they both had dreams. When Joseph saw them the next day they were distraught. He said, "What's the problem guys?" They explained the vivid dreams and neither of them knew what

Genesis 37:11 - 40:8

his dream meant. Joseph said, "No problem gentlemen, my God can help me interpret them for you!" Here's the cocktail server's dream: He saw a vine in front of him with three branches on it. It had succulent grapes, so he squeezed the grapes into Pharaoh's cup and served it to him. Joseph interpreted the dream like this: "The three branches are three days. In three days you're going to be out of here and back at your old job! If you could speak well of me to Pharaoh, I'd sure appreciate it!"

When the baker saw how good the interpretation was for the server, he asked Joseph to interpret his dream; He had a basket on his head with three loaves of bread for Pharaoh. Birds were eating the bread out of the basket. Joseph's interpretation: "You've got three days before Pharaoh cuts your head off. He'll hang you from a tree and birds will come to eat your corpse." In three days it all happened just as Joseph predicted. The server went back to work and the baker was hung on a tree. The server didn't say anything to Pharaoh about Joseph, he forgot about him.

Two years later Pharaoh had a dream. In his dream he was standing by the Nile River. Seven healthy cows were coming out of the river. After them came seven skinny cows. The skinny cows ate the fat cows. He woke up, then fell back to sleep and had a second dream. In it he saw seven ears of grain come up on a single stalk. They were plump and good. Then seven ears of thin and scorched grain came up, they ate the plump ears. He woke up again and realized it was all a dream.

Pharaoh was worried about his dreams, so he sent for his wise men and magicians. They had no idea what the dreams were about. The cocktail server finally remembered Joseph and told Pharaoh about Joseph's proven ability to interpret dreams. Joseph was immediately sent for, cleaned up, and brought before Pharaoh. Pharaoh said, "I hear you can interpret dreams." Joseph answered, "I can't, but God certainly can!"

Pharaoh then told Joseph the dreams. Joseph answered, "Both the dreams are together because God is telling you what will certainly happen. There are to be seven good years for cattle and crops in Egypt. Then there will be seven bad years. You had two similar dreams because God is showing you how surely these things will come to pass. My advice is: put a wise person in charge of this situation. Take full advantage of the good years. Stockpile all you will need for the bad years. Then Egypt will come through beautifully!"

Pharaoh was very impressed and said, "Who could better supervise Egypt's food supply than you? God showed you the meaning of my dreams. Joseph, I'm putting you in charge. You are now second in command of Egypt. Nobody raises a foot around here unless you say so. Here's my special ring which I'm giving to you!" They took Joseph out and dressed him up like an important Egyptian, which he now certainly was, and paraded him around in a chariot. All the Egyptians bowed low to Joseph. (He was thirty years old.) Joseph took an Egyptian wife and moved into a wing of the palace. He traveled all over Egypt, managing the storage of food for the famine. The year before the famine came, Joseph had two sons by his Egyptian wife. He named his first Manasseh and the second Ephriam. There was so much extra food in Egypt it was impossible to inventory all of it!

After seven good years the famine came and people started to cry to Pharaoh for food. Pharaoh simply handed the matter over to Joseph. Because the famine was world wide, Joseph was selling the whole world bread. Which of course means, up in Cannan, Jacob and his sons were starting to feel the pinch. Jacob told his ten sons to go to Egypt and buy some grain. Joseph's full brother Benjamin stayed at home with Jacob.

When the brothers arrived in Egypt, Joseph knew they were there and who they were. They didn't recognize him, it had been over ten years and he looked like the most important Egyptian around because Joseph was the most important man in Egypt besides Pharaoh himself! When they approached him and bowed down, Joseph remembered his own dreams! He handled them roughly, speaking through an interpreter. "You guys look fishy to me. I believe you're spies. You've come to find our weak spots,

Genesis 40:9 - 42:9

so you can attack Egypt!" They humbly replied, "Oh no! We are honest men, all sons of one father. There were twelve of us, but one died. The youngest stayed at home with our father." Joseph had his interpreter answer, "Fine, you bring me the young one at home and I'll know you're not spies." He put them in prison for three days to think about it.

They were brought before Joseph again. Joseph announced, "Here's the deal: I'm keeping this one." He pointed to Simeon. "The rest of you take food and return to your father. If you come back without your youngest brother, you won't see my face. You will be immediately and permanently incarcerated!" The brothers didn't realize Joseph could understand what they said. Reuben said, "What did I tell you guys? The whole Joseph affair is blowing up in our face! We are guilty of his blood and now we're paying for it." At this Joseph quickly left and went back in his office to cry in private.

Joseph had his people load sacks for his brothers. He told the Egyptians to put the money his brothers paid for the grain right inside the opening of each sack and to provide ample provisions for their trip back to Israel. On their first stop out of Egypt, one of the brothers took his sack down and found the money. "Dog gone it," they all cried. "Now that ruler is going to think we stole the grain!"

When they got home, they told Jacob what transpired in Egypt. Jacob was not pleased. They decided to hold tight and hope the drought would end. The famine didn't get any better. When Jacob's grain ran out again, the conversation between him and his sons got testy. "Why the heck did you have to even mention Benjamin?" wailed Jacob. "His brother Joseph is dead and now you want to take Benjamin! If anything happened to Benjamin....that would be it....I'd die that same day!" Judah answered, "Dad, that guy in Egypt was sharp. He was asking us all kinds of questions about our family: How's your dad? Is he OK? Do you have any other brothers? I mean the guy got whatever information he wanted from us! Still, we need food! So send Benjamin with me. I will take responsibility. In the time we've been sitting here yakking about it, we could have been to Egypt and back already!"

Jacob was livid, "I have no choice. Take the boy, get the food and get back here. If we don't do it we're all going to die anyway. Let's be smart about it. Take the ruler a sampler of nice things from around here. Pack it with balm, honey, aromatic gum, myrrh, pistachio nuts and almonds. Take twice the money you need. Take the same amount that was left in the sacks and enough to buy the new load. May God protect you and give you success."

When Jacob's sons arrived in Egypt, the brothers were told to come to Joseph's house at noon. They were nervous because of the money left in the sacks on the last trip. They approached one of Joseph's servants. He said, "Don't worry about it, your God is with you." Then he brought in Simeon, the brother who had been left in Egypt. Now the brothers were seated in Joseph's dining room. They were arranged from the oldest to the youngest. They looked at each other in astonishment. Joseph did not eat with them. Food was delivered from his table. Benjamin's portion was the biggest.

After lunch Joseph ordered the Egyptians to prepare sacks for his brothers. This time he had his own silver cup put in the top of Benjamin's bag. The next morning the brothers headed off. They were followed. The Egyptians stopped them and demanded, "Why have you stolen our master's important cup? The brothers responded, "Hey, we didn't steal any cup, go ahead and search, if you find it, the one who has it will die." So the Egyptians searched each bag from the oldest to the youngest and found it in Benjamin's bag. They were escorted back to Egypt.

"What have you done to me?" said Joseph when they were brought before him. Judah came forward and pleaded. "Sir, we can't leave the boy here. He is the youngest of us and his father loves him so. He loves him even more because a wild animal killed his brother. If he loses this son he will die on the spot. Please take me instead of the boy!" Joseph couldn't fool them any

Genesis 42:10 - 44:34

longer. He sent all the Egyptians out of the room and cried, "It's me, Joseph! I am your brother; you sold me to the caravan. Your intentions were bad, but God actually had a very important plan for me. This is how God will see our family through this terrible drought. There are going to be five more years of drought. You all will need to come here to Egypt. We have plenty here. I'm in charge of everything. Our family can be reunited. Go back and get Dad and all you possess. Bring them to Egypt. I've got a nice place picked out for you on the delta. It's fertile there even during the drought and you won't be in the Egyptians' hair out there!"

The brothers were sent back to Jacob with a very nice caravan. It was designed to bring Joseph's father down to Egypt in comfort and style. When Jacob heard the whole story he could hardly believe it. Jacob had a night vision. God said, "Jacob, I am the God of your father, don't be afraid to go to Egypt, I will make you a great nation there and Joseph will shut your eyes."

When Jacob got to Goshen Joseph harnessed his chariot and went up to meet his father, he cried on his shoulder for a long time. Jacob's immediate family, his sons, their wives and grandchildren totaled 66 people when they got into Egypt. This didn't include servants and ranch hands and all the cattle. Egyptians were prejudiced against shepherds and folks who lived in tents like Joseph's family. Pharaoh met a few of Joseph's bothers and Jacob. Because of his love and trust in Joseph, Pharaoh agreed to have them live in the delta region called Goshen. He asked them to run his livestock as well. In turn, Jacob gave Pharaoh a blessing.

The famine continued. Joseph was busy selling grain to all the people in Egypt and all the surrounding areas. After the third year of the famine, the people's money was in Pharaoh's account. The next year the people needed food again. They had no money so they brought in all their livestock. It was added to Pharaoh's riches. The next year the people had nothing left to give but their land, so all the land in Egypt and the surrounding areas became the property of Pharaoh. From that time on a fifth of the crops went to Pharaoh because he owned the land. Pharaoh's wealth and power increased exponentially under Joseph's management! Pharaoh became the most powerful man on earth because of Joseph.

Jacob lived 17 years in Egypt. When it was time for him to die, Joseph came to him with his sons. Jacob made Joseph promise that he would take his body out of Egypt and bury it in the family plot, in Canaan. Jacob blessed all of his sons. Joseph's son's, Manasseh and Ephraim, were included. Jacob's longest blessing was to Judah. He said the king of all Israel would come from Judah's family.

When Jacob died, his sons and Joseph took a nice trip to the family plot in Canaan. Pharaoh instituted official mourning in Egypt for Jacob. After Jacob was buried, his sons thought Joseph would finally get his revenge, and they talked to him about it. Joseph assured them they were forgiven. "God is bigger than your bad intentions. Everything has turned out just as God intended."

Genesis 45:1 - 50:26

Jacob's family flourished on the Nile river delta. After a few hundred years Joseph's accomplishments had been long forgotten and the increasing Hebrew population presented a threat to Pharaoh. He was afraid they would rebel, so he put them to work, slave labor. The Hebrews were forced to run a brick-making operation. The hard work didn't slow the Hebrew population explosion, so Pharaoh made them work harder. The harder the Hebrews worked, the more babies they had. So Pharaoh told the Hebrew midwives to kill all male babies as they were being born, but the midwives feared God more than Pharaoh. They told him that Hebrew women gave birth so quickly, it was impossible to arrive in time. Finally Pharaoh ordered all male Hebrew babies killed!

Exodus 1:1 - 1:22

During this time a married couple from the family of Levi had a baby boy. The mother couldn't stand to see him killed so she hid him for three months and nursed him. When hiding him was impossible, she made a little boat out of reeds and tar. She set the child in it and released it into the river. One of the child's sisters watched from a distance to see what would happen. At that moment the Pharaoh's daughter was coming down to the river to bathe. She found the baby and loved it. The baby's sister approached and said, "I know a Hebrew woman who can nurse that baby!" Pharaoh's daughter answered, "Good, you take the child to her. I'll pay her to nurse the baby. When he's old enough he'll come live with me and be my son." Pharaoh's daughter named the baby Moses.

When Moses became a young man the suffering of his own people distressed him. One day he was walking near the brick factory when he saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew. He killed the Egyptian and buried him in the sand. The next day he saw two Hebrews fighting and said, "Why are you brothers fighting?" They answered, "Who made you boss? Are you going to kill us the way you killed the Egyptian yesterday?" At this Moses knew he had been found out. He fled Pharaoh and Egypt and went far away to a place called Midian.

The priest of Midian had seven daughters. One day they were out watering their sheep when some thugs tried to run them off. Moses protected them and helped water their sheep. When the daughters told their father he invited Moses to dinner. Moses married one of the daughters named Zipporah. In time, Moses and Zipporah had a son. Moses lived 40 years in Midian. In Egypt things were getting worse for the Hebrews.

One day Moses was pasturing the flock when he saw an incredible sight. A bush was on fire, but it didn't burn up. God spoke to Moses from the burning bush. "Moses, I am the God of your ancestors, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. I've seen how the Egyptians are treating My people. I want you to go back to Egypt and lead My people to the land I promised Abraham, Isaac and Jacob." Moses objected, "I don't think I'm qualified!" God answered, "Don't worry Moses, I'll be with you! Moses replied, "When I go down to Egypt, who do I say has sent me?" "I AM WHO I AM; say "I AM" sent you. That's my name forever. When you

get to Egypt, meet with the Elders of Israel and tell them that God is ready to deliver them. Then go to Pharaoh and say: Our God wants us to go out in the wilderness for three days to offer sacrifices and worship. Pharaoh will not let you go. The miracles I perform in Egypt will force him to let you go. By the time I get done with Pharaoh he will send you away with riches and be happy to see you go!"

Then Moses asked God what he should do if the Hebrews didn't believe he had been sent from God. God said, "Throw your walking stick on the ground." When Moses did, the stick turned into a snake. Moses was afraid of it. God said, "Grab it by the tail." When Moses did, it turned back into a stick. God then told Moses to put his hand in his pocket and pull it out. When he did, his hand came out leprous and white as snow. When he put it back in and pulled it out, it was healthy and normal as before. God added, "If they don't believe you after this, take some water from the Nile River and pour it on the ground. It will become blood."

Moses protested again, "God, I am just not the right guy for this job. I'm not a smooth talker. I don't think well on my feet." God answered, "Goodness gracious Moses, who made your mouth in the first place? I'll give you the words you need!" Then Moses said, "You've got to find someone else to do the talking." This annoyed God and He said, "Fine Moses, I'll send your brother Aaron with you. You tell him what to say and he'll say it."

So Moses headed to Egypt. He had some marriage problems on the way. His wife left him and went back to Midian. When Moses and Aaron got to Egypt, they appeared before the Elders of Israel. Aaron showed the signs and delivered the message. The people believed they would be saved from slavery and they worshipped God.

Exodus 2:1 - 4:31

Then Moses and Aaron appeared before Pharaoh. They asked for the three-day leave. Pharaoh said, "God who? I don't know this God you speak of. No way; you and your people aren't going anywhere." Then Pharaoh addressed his own officials and said, "These darn Hebrews must have a lot of time on their hands if they're listening to this religious nut. We normally provide straw for the brick-making operation. Now they'll have to find their own straw, but their daily quota will stay the same. That should get their minds off this Moses kook and his God."

When the Hebrews got the bad news they realized it was because of Moses's audience with Pharaoh; they were pretty upset with Moses and Moses was pretty upset with God. "What have you done to me God? Now your people's condition is worse!" God answered, "I told you he was going to say no. Now you will see the things I'll do to get you all out of Egypt. Go tell the people this: The God of their father Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob has heard their prayers and is going to use His strength and power to deliver them back to the land I promised their fathers." Moses told the Hebrews what God said. They were so down hearted and tired from the extra work they didn't even care.

Moses and Aaron went back to Pharaoh. Again, they said God wanted the Hebrews to take the three-day retreat. Pharaoh said, "Why should I even listen to this God you speak about, show me something to make me believe." Moses instructed Aaron to throw the stick on the ground. It turned into a snake. Pharaoh's magicians were also able to create snakes from sticks, but Moses's snake ate their snakes. Still Pharaoh held his ground and would not let the people go.

God told Moses to meet Pharaoh the next morning on his daily trip to the river. Aaron said to Pharaoh, "You aren't listening to the Lord! Now you will learn who the Lord is. The waters of the Nile will be turned to blood, the fish will die and you won't be able to drink the water from the Nile." Then Aaron took Moses's staff and touched the Nile. It turned into blood. Pharaoh's magicians were also able to turn water into blood. Pharaoh remained stubborn and would not let the people go.

Seven days later God gave new instructions to Moses. He and Aaron appeared before Pharaoh again, "This is what God says to you Pharaoh. Let my people go or I will smite all Egypt with frogs. There will be frogs everywhere, in your house, in your bed and on your cooking utensils." Aaron took Moses's staff and touched the Nile. Up came the frogs. They covered all Egypt. Pharaoh's magicians were also able to create frogs but they sure couldn't do anything about getting rid of them. Pharaoh called Moses and Aaron, "Tell your God to get rid of the frogs and I'll let the people go." So Moses asked God to clear them out. The next day dead frogs were piled all over Egypt! There was significant odor in Egypt for many days. Since there was some relief, Pharaoh decided to go back on his word. He wouldn't let the people go, just as God had said.

Then God told Moses to have Aaron strike the ground with the staff. When he did, gnats came up from the ground and covered everything in Egypt. Pharaoh's magicians were stumped this time. The next day, God had Moses meet Pharaoh on his way to the river, "Pharaoh, you're stubborn. God is going to add all kinds of insects to the gnats already plaguing Egypt, but there won't be any insects in Goshen where the Hebrews live. You will see how God views his people differently from Egyptians." When the insects came, Pharaoh called for Moses, "OK fine; you all can sacrifice to God right there in Goshen." Moses insisted they be allowed to leave. Pharaoh agreed. Moses warned him not to go back on his word again. But, as soon as the insects were gone, Pharaoh went back on his promise. He would not let the people go!

Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh again. "God says if you don't let the people go all your livestock will be destroyed. The Hebrews' livestock will be spared. This will happen tomorrow morning." The next morning all the Egyptian livestock was dead, not a single Hebrew animal was even sick. Pharaoh still wouldn't let the people go, so God told Moses to go before Pharaoh with some soot from a kiln and to blow it in the air in front of Pharaoh. The soot would become a fine dust all over Egypt that would cause boils and open sores on all living things in Egypt. The Pharaoh and all the Egyptians including Pharaoh's magicians had

Exodus 5:1 - 9:11

sores and boils. Pharaoh's heart stayed hard. He did not let the people go!

God told Moses to say this to Pharaoh: "Let My people go! You keep saying no, so there is more punishment in store for you. You don't seem to realize that if I wanted, I could destroy you and your nation quickly and completely. The only reason I'm not doing that, is to show you My power and to let the whole world know who I am. Tomorrow, Egypt is going to see the biggest hailstorm ever. My advice would be to bring your things and yourselves in from outside. Those who don't will be destroyed". Some of the Egyptians were beginning to fear the Lord, and they did prepare for the storm. God told Moses to point his staff at the sky, when he did, the hail started. There was thunder, lightning, hail and even fire coming out of the sky! It was the worst storm any one in Egypt had ever seen. Pharaoh summoned Moses. "I have had enough of God's hail. Ask Him to stop it and I'll let you go!" Moses answered, "I know you don't fear God yet, but I will ask Him to stop the hail." When God stopped the hail, Pharaoh hardened his heart again! He did not let the people go.

God said to Moses, "Go back to Pharaoh, I have hardened his heart again because I want you, your sons and your grandsons to know how I made a mockery of the Egyptians and how I worked all My signs to free you. You will know I am the Lord." So Moses and Aaron went back into Pharaoh and said, "This is what the God of the Hebrews says to you, 'How long are you going to be stubborn? Let My people go. If you refuse, tomorrow I will bring locusts to Egypt. More than you've ever seen. They will eat everything that's left in Egypt.'" Moses and Aaron left Pharaoh but were called back because Pharaoh's advisers said to him, "How much longer are we going to have to deal with these two? Egypt is already destroyed!" Pharaoh tried to negotiate with Moses, "Who is going on this retreat?" Moses answered, "Men, women, children, livestock...the works." Pharaoh replied, "Oh I'm sure...you guys would never come back. Just take the men and go worship." Moses rejected the deal and was driven from Pharaoh's offices. God told him to lift his staff. The locusts ravaged Egypt, but Goshen didn't see a single locust. Moses was quickly summoned back to Pharaoh' office. "Moses, I have sinned against your God. Please ask Him to stop these killing locusts." When the locusts were gone, God hardened Pharaoh's heart again, and he did not let the people go.

God told Moses to lift his staff. A darkness came over Egypt. It was a darkness that could be felt. It was dark for three days. The Egyptians were paralyzed because of the darkness. There was light in the homes of the Hebrews. Pharaoh summoned Moses again. "You can go with everything but the livestock." Moses answered, "We won't know exactly what to sacrifice until we're away. We have to take all the livestock." Pharaoh was livid. "Get out of here. I won't have you here again. If I ever see you again I will have you killed!" Moses replied, "You're right Pharaoh, we will never see each other again."

Then God said to Moses, "I've got one more plague for Egypt, then Pharaoh will let you go. About midnight I am going out into Egypt, all the first born in the land of Egypt will die: from the palace, to the slave quarters, to the barns. There will be a cry in Egypt like never before and never again. Israel will be spared, so that you will understand how I love you above the Egyptians."

"From now on this month is the first month of the year for Israel. On the 10th of the month I want every house in Israel to take a prime male lamb, or goat, without any blemishes, into their homes for a few days. On the 14th of the month you will slaughter the animal. Take a hyssop branch and dip it in the blood. Put the blood on the top and two sides of the doorway. The Lord will see the blood and will pass over your house when the destroyer goes through Egypt. Then roast the animal with fire, don't boil it. Don't break any of the animal's bones. Eat the meat with no-yeast bread, garlic and bitter herbs. Eat the meal standing up, with traveling clothes on. Then eat only no-yeast bread for the next seven days. This is something you'll do every year from now on. When your children ask you why you're doing it, you will be able to explain how I delivered you from your Egyptian slavery! It will be called the Feast of Unleavened Bread. You'll start it with a service on the first of the month and again on the seventh. On the 14th you'll have the Passover meal and then you'll stay away from yeast for seven more days. This feast is for Israel. Your

Exodus 9:12 - 12:20

circumcised slave and circumcised visitors can eat the meal too, no one else. You will also dedicate your first born to Me, your sons and your livestock. When your sons ask you about this you will tell them about your deliverance from slavery that I accomplished at the expense of the Egyptians."

That night the Hebrews ate the first Passover meal and the Angel of Death passed through Egypt. All the first-born were killed. Pharaoh sent word to Moses and Aaron to take the people and go. The Egyptians everywhere gave the Hebrews whatever they asked for. The Hebrews left Egypt packed with silver and gold from the Egyptians. There were about 600,000 Hebrew men who left Egypt, not including the women and children. God lead the way. He appeared before the people as a pillar of cloud by day and pillar of fire by night. The Hebrews followed the pillar. He took them on a wilderness route towards the Red Sea. They stayed away from populated areas.

The Hebrews hadn't been gone two days before God hardened Pharaoh's heart again. Pharaoh and his advisors felt the loss of more than a million slaves. Pharaoh headed after Israel with 600 select chariots and with all the other chariots of Egypt along with thousands of soldiers. They found the Hebrews camped in front of the Red Sea. The Hebrews complained to Moses. "So you decided there weren't enough graves in Egypt! You've brought us out here to be killed by the Egyptians!" Moses told the people to hang on and watch God work. The pillar of cloud, which was just turning into fire because it getting to be evening, went from in front of Israel to the back. It was between the Hebrews and the Egyptians. There were no confrontations that night. Early the next morning God commanded Moses to raise his staff and create a dry lane through the Red Sea for the Hebrews to go through. The waters parted and the Hebrews walked through on dry ground. The Egyptians followed them. As soon as the last Hebrew was out of the sea, the waters closed in on the Egyptians! When the Hebrews saw all these great works, they finally started to trust Moses and believe in God. They were all excited and relieved. They sang songs and celebrated.

Soon after the celebration, the Hebrews complained again saying, "Moses has brought us out here to die of thirst!" They found some undrinkable water. God showed Moses a tree to throw in the water to purify it and the people drank. God directed them into a wilderness call Sin, down on the Sinai Peninsula. They'd been gone a few weeks by now. The Hebrews complained to Moses about food, "It would have been better if we stayed in Egypt as slaves. In Egypt we ate till we were full every night! Have you brought us out here to starve to death?" God said to Moses, "Every night I will rain bread down from heaven for the Hebrews. They are to go out in the morning and collect a day's ration. On the morning before our end of the week rest day, they should gather enough for two days. This way I can see how obedient they are. Each evening I'll fill the camp with quail and they'll have meat to eat as well."

The next morning the Hebrews were amazed at how the fields were filled with what they called "manna" (which translates: what is it?). It appeared each morning like dew. It evaporated after they did their gathering. It was flaky and tasted like a wafer with honey. If they tried to keep it over night (many did at first) it would be spoiled the next day, except for their rest day, then it would last two days. They called their rest day "The Sabbath." God wanted the Hebrews to take one day a week to relax and worship Him. They took a jar of the manna and kept it so they would remember how God fed them each day in the wilderness. God gave them manna and quail six days a week for the entire 40 years they wandered in the wilderness.

It wasn't long before the Hebrews started complaining about water again. Moses went to God and said, "These people do nothing but complain!" God instructed Moses to take the Elders to an area called Horeb. Moses used his staff to strike a rock and water flowed out for the people to drink.

About this time a king named Amalek came out to fight against Israel. Moses commanded Joshua to put together an army. Moses stood on the hillside above the battle with his staff. When Moses had his staff up Israel prevailed. If he dropped his

Exodus 12:21 - 17:11

hands, Amalek got the upper hand. They gave Moses a rock to sit on. Aaron and an assistant, named Hur, helped him keep his arms and his staff up. The Hebrews beat the army of Amalek that day.

When Jethro, the priest of Midan and Moses's father-in-law, heard about Israel's deliverance, he came out to see Moses in the wilderness. Moses's wife, Zipporah, and Moses's two sons came with him. They had a nice time talking in Moses's tent. Jethro said, "After all I've heard and seen, I now believe the Lord is greater than all the gods!" He offered sacrifices to the Lord. The next day Jethro watched Moses work. All day long the people came to Moses with their problems, big and small. Moses handled problems from sun up to sun down. That night Jethro took Moses aside and said, "Moses, you're on an unhealthy pace. Please listen to some advice. Pick out men who are wise and hate dishonest dealings. Teach them the law. Put them in charge of judging groups of a thousand, or one hundred, or ten. Let them handle the everyday duties. They will share your burden. When they have a complex problem, they can bring it to you. You and the people will be better off. Moses did everything Jethro advised him. Jethro went back to Midan

Three months to the day, after they left Egypt, the Hebrews camped at the foot of Mt. Sinai. Moses went up on the mountain. God talked to him, "Talk to the people of Israel and tell them I am ready to enter into a national contract with them. They've seen who I AM and what I can do. If they will follow My instructions I will be their God and make them a nation of kings and priests." When Moses talked to the elders of Israel, they agreed and said, "Whatever God says, we will do!" Moses went back up on the mountain. God said, "Moses, I will come to you in a thick cloud so the people will see that you are the leader I've chosen. Go back down and tell them to take three days to get cleaned up. I want clean clothes and clean minds. The people should not come close to the mountain and certainly not touch it or they will die."

After three days Moses took the Hebrews closer to the mountain. There was smoke and fire all over the mountain. There was thunder and lightning. The mountain shook and trembled with violent earthquakes. Moses called out to God and He answered Moses with awesome thunder. God warned Moses not to let anyone get too close. God instructed Moses to come up the mountain with Aaron. God gave Moses "The Ten Commandments": "I am the Lord and your God. I brought you out of Egyptian slavery. You cannot have any other God but Me. I don't want you to make and worship idols that represent things I've created. I am a jealous God. You will worship only Me. Folks who hate Me will be judged. Those who love Me will receive My love in return. Don't use My name lightly or in jest. Anyone who uses My name in vain will surely be punished! Have a Sabbath day every week. I made the world and all that is in it in six days and then rested the seventh. I blessed that day so don't forget it. Be obedient to your father and mother, it is the key to a long successful life. You are not to commit murder. You are not to have sex outside of marriage. Don't steal. Don't lie about your neighbor. Don't feel like you have to have everything your neighbor has. "

Down in the valley all the people were trembling because of the smoke, fire, lightning and noise. They told Moses, "You can say anything you want to us from God but don't let Him talk directly to us. It would probably kill us." Moses answered, "Try not to be too scared. God's playing up the light show a bit because He wants you to see how powerful He is, so you won't sin."

Exodus 17:12 - 20:20

The conquest of Cannan was a major part of the contract between God and Israel. God identified the borders of the land. It was very important that Israel destroy all of the idols the current inhabitants of the land worshipped. The law that God gave was state of the art for its time. Our laws today have their roots in the law God gave Moses.

The law not only gave specific rules it also gave general principles. The Law came in these categories:

Civil and criminal law: laws concerning how to treat neighbors and visitors.

Ceremonial Law: laws about how the priests would conduct the ceremonies that would allow the people to commune with God.

Personal Law: covered how to handle certain diseases, personal hygiene, good foods, vows, and even some guidelines on how to dress.

The Tabernacle: this was a very special tent were all the religious ceremonies were conducted.

Special Holidays (Feasts) God wanted his people to get away from the day-to-day cycle a few times a year.

The basis for the criminal and civil elements of the law are contained in the last six Commandments: Honor your Father and Mother, this is a key to long and successful life. Do not murder. Do not commit adultery. Do not steal. Don't lie about your neighbor. Don't wish you had everything your neighbor has."

There were many civil laws about how to respect and obey parents. The law prescribed punishments for those who didn't. Related to these laws were laws about marriage, divorce, adultery and other moral issues. Some marriages were deemed unacceptable; brothers and sisters were not to marry. A son was not to marry his dead father's wife. Sexual practices ranging from sex with animals, homosexuality and prostitution were forbidden.

The law had provisions for the elderly. They were to be respected and revered. There was consideration for the poor, handicapped, widows and orphans. Farmers were instructed not to harvest the corners of their fields so the poor could glean the leftovers. The law had special regulations for land management. Fields were to be left unused every seven years so the soil could rebuild itself. Every 50 years was a jubilee year for the land, it would not be planted. Eating fruit while passing through a neighbor's field was permissible. Carrying fruit out of a field was stealing.

There were laws about slavery and long contract labor. If a Hebrew fell on hard times he could sell himself to cover debts. He would be freed after six years unless he wanted to seal a lifetime contract with his boss. This could be desirable because his needs would always be met. He would punch a hole in his ear in front of witnesses and that made him a lifetime servant to his employer. Slavery of foreigners was permitted but regulated. Slaves were to be cared for and shown mercy. If a slave lost a tooth or an eye on the job he was to be freed as compensation. The law was designed so owners would want their slaves to stay safe! Having one hurt in an accident was meant to be a financial blow.

Criminal law followed the general principle of an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth. Arson, slander and fraud are covered in these sections. If someone murdered accidentally or in a fight, he could flee to a "city of refuge", until he got a fair trial. If judged innocent he'd have to stay in the city of refuge until the High Priest died. A person convicted of murder was put to death very quickly compared to today's standards.

The law also covered business practices. Interest rates on loans and fair weights and measures were regulated. Gift giving and excessive entertaining was warned against. Laws about inheritance of property were included. The law meant to protect family

property. Property could be sold, but it was always returned to the original owners during the year of Jubilee, which happened every 50 years. If someone bought property, the price was based on how many years until Jubilee. If there were only five years before Jubilee, land prices would be way down because any transaction would only last five years. This allowed family property to stay with the family as an everlasting inheritance.

There were laws designed to protect the longevity of families. If a man died with no sons, the widow was to marry one of his brothers so his family line could continue. The law also provided for the humane treatment of animals. Witches, false prophets and heretics were severely dealt with. The law also had rules for kings. They were not to become rich at the expense of the people. Visitors were to be dealt with kindly. God wanted his people to remember that they were not dealt with kindly by the Egyptians.

There were many laws covering hygiene and health-related matters. Women having their period had certain rules. There were a number of regulations regarding leprosy and quarantines. Certain foods were prohibited.

Some Hebrews felt compelled to make vows and there was a body of law concerning these. The Nazarite vow was a vow of separation. The person who made this vow would not cut his hair, nor drink any alcohol. A Hebrew could make the vow for as long as he wanted. If he broke his vow he'd have to start again from the very beginning. There were other vows in which objects or land could be dedicated to God for certain periods. All of these vows were voluntary and made only as a sign of devotion and love for God.

God gave Moses very specific instructions for building the Tabernacle. Each of the materials was specifically identified. It was made with Acacia wood, gold, silver, animal skins and fine cloth. The Tabernacle was 45 feet long, 15 feet wide and 15 feet high. It had two rooms; one was 30 feet long, 15 feet wide and 15 feet high. This area was called the Holy Place. The other room was in the rear of the tent. It measured 15 feet long, 15 feet wide and 15 feet high; it was called the Holy of Holies. Surrounding the Tabernacle was a seven and a half foot fence that created an area around the Tabernacle called the court. It was 150 feet long and 75 feet wide. There was one veiled entrance to the court. Any Hebrew who had prepared himself with the proper rituals could go in the court. Only the priests could go into the Holy place to perform ritual duties. Only the High Priest could go into the Holy of Holies, just once each year on the Day of Atonement. The Holy of Holies was separated from the Holy place by a linen curtain. It was woven of four colors of fine twined linen, blue, purple, scarlet and white, with angels embroidered in it. The tabernacle had important pieces of furniture in it. The ark, a chest-like box, 45 inches long, 27 inches wide and 27 inches tall, was located in the Holy of Holies. It was made of Acacia wood and overlaid with gold. On the top of the ark was a slab of gold called the Mercy Seat. Two angels faced each other on opposite sides of the Mercy Seat. Their wings touched over the ark. God's glory dwelled in the area between the seat and the wings. A jar of manna and the two stones with the Ten Commandments on them were kept in the ark. When it was time to move the ark, the Levites put poles in gold rings attached to the ark and carried it on their shoulders.

The "table of show bread" was located in the Holy Place. It was 36 inches long, 18 inches wide and 27 inches tall. It was covered with gold and had rings so the Levites could carry it. Each day, 12 loaves of bread were placed on the table with a number of other golden utensils. There was also a gold lamp stand. It had seven oil lamps, one in the center and three on each side. Also in the Holy Place was the altar of incense, which was gold. The sacrificial altar was located in the court. It was 7 1/2 feet long, 7 1/2 feet wide and 4 1/2 feet tall, overlaid with bronze; a bullhorn came up from each corner. The altar had rings for the Levites to pole and carry. There was a golden washing bowl near the altar, which the priest used to ceremonially cleanse themselves before a sacrifice.

Priests were the only ones actually allowed in the Tabernacle. Aaron was the first priest. His sons and their descendants were the only priests for quite awhile. The priest's job was to be a representative between God and His people. Ceremonies conducted in the Tabernacle were designed to allow a Hebrew with faith to approach and commune with a very loving, yet fearful God. The Priest did his job in a specific uniform. The main part of the outfit was called an ephod. It was an apron that hung over the priest's shoulders. On the shoulder pieces there were two precious stones, one on each shoulder. Engraved in the stones were the names of the tribes of Israel, 6 on each side. On the front of the ephod was a breastplate that was nine inches square. The breastplate had 12 precious stones. Each stone had the name of a tribe engraved on it. The breastplate also had two other stones of judgment called the Urim and Thummin. These stones were used occasionally as sacred dice to determine God's will in certain matters.

The nuts and bolts of the priest's job were to preside over ceremonies conducted at the tabernacle. The bulk of these were offerings and sacrifices of various kinds. A Hebrew could express his religious devotion and gain forgiveness of his sins by offering something of real value to him. For this reason there were a number of rules about what could be sacrificed. A sacrificial animal could only be a domesticated variety. Trapping a deer and bringing it in to sacrifice didn't cut it. An animal had to be at least 8 days old and no older than three years, when it was in the prime of usefulness and value to its owner. Bringing an animal that was just taking space in the barn wasn't considered a sacrifice. Vegetable offerings were roasted corn, flour or no-yeast bread. Yeast was thought of as a sign for sin in any ritual.

Vegetable offerings were pretty simple. The Hebrew would bring them in and the priest would take them up to the altar to be burned. Drink offerings, always wine, would simply be poured out on the altar. Animal sacrifices followed this general pattern: The offerer would bring the animal to the altar and would place his hands on the animal's head. This would transfer himself to the animal in a symbolic way. In a private ceremony the offerer would then slaughter the animal. The priest handled that chore in the public ceremony. The blood of the animal would be sprinkled in certain areas around and on the altar. Then certain parts of the animal would be burned. Sometimes, the offerer, the priest, and the poor would eat parts of the sacrifice. There were different names for the offerings. There was a "burnt offering" made everyday by the priests for all the people. This was a male lamb without any defects. They would offer more than one on special days. This sacrifice stood for Israel's devotion to God. There was a "Peace or Thank offering." This was an offering that signified everything was OK between the offerer and God. Everybody ate afterward, which made the people feel like they were sitting at the same table with God. A "Trespass offering" could be made when a particular sin had been committed. The offerer couldn't eat any of this one.

Then there were "Sin offerings". The most important Sin Offering was made on the Day of Atonement, which fell in the midst of the autumn feasts. Early in the day the High Priest would get cleaned up and put on a special white outfit. He would sacrifice a young bull for himself. He would then carry coals from the burnt part of the offering through the veil, which separated the Holy Place from the Holy of Holies. Then he came back out and he'd carry in some of the blood from the sacrifice. He'd sprinkle that in front of the Mercy Seat. Then he'd come back out to the court where the altar was and sacrifice the first of two goats. He would carry the blood from the first goat back into the Holy of Holies and sprinkle it on the Mercy Seat. This blood would atone for the people's sins the same way the bull's had for the High Priest. Finally some of the blood from the first goat would be put on the head of the other goat (the scapegoat). The Scapegoat would then be sent off into the wilderness bearing on its head the collective sin of all Israel. This signified that sin had been removed for another year. Then the High Priest would clean up and put his regular uniform back on.

Religious days and feasts were very important for Israel. Every week they had the Sabbath. Once a month they had a special day for the New Moon. The Feast of Unleavened Bread started with the Passover meal, the Feast of Trumpets announced the start of the autumn festival season, and the Feast of Tabernacles came right after the Day of Atonement. The people would camp

out for a week during this feast to remember their time in the wilderness. The Feast of In-gathering came right after the Tabernacles Feast. The Feast of Weeks happened during the summer time and celebrated the harvesting of early crops.

Moses went back down the mountain to conduct a ceremony with the elders and the people. They erected twelve pillars, one for each tribe of Israel. Moses read all the law he had received so far and the people agreed to follow the law. Then they offered sacrifices.

God wrote the law on two tablets of stone for Moses to take to the people. During the long period that Moses was on the mountain the people were beginning to think he was never going to come back. So they went to Aaron and said, "We don't know what's happened to Moses. Make us a god who can go before us." Aaron instructed the people to bring him their gold earrings. Aaron crafted a golden calf from the rings. Then he put it on an Altar and said, "This is your god, who brought you out of slavery in Egypt!" All the people celebrated and worshipped the golden calf. The next day they offered sacrifices to the golden calf and had a wild party.

Up on the mountain, God said to Moses, "You're not going to believe this Moses, the people have already forgotten you and Me. They have made an idol. They are worshipping it and offering sacrifices to it. They are actually saying it brought them out of Egypt! I think I've had about enough. I'm going to destroy those obstinate people!" Moses interceded and said, "Hold on God. What will the Egyptians think? They'll say that you brought this people out here into the wilderness just to kill them. You also need to remember your promises to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob! You said, 'I will give their descendants the land and make them as numerous as the stars of heaven.'" God cooled down and decided not to destroy the people.

Moses went back down with Joshua. He carried the stone tablets that God himself had engraved with the law. When he saw the wicked party that was going on he was very angry. He threw the two tablets on the ground and they broke in pieces. Moses commanded that the golden calf be burned in a fire, ground into dust and thrown into a lake. Moses made the people drink the water. He said to Aaron, "What have you been doing down here! You have allowed a terrible sin to come on the people!" Aaron began making excuses, "They didn't think you were coming back so they asked me to make them a god. They brought me

their gold. All I did was throw it in the fire and out popped this calf!" Moses called out and said, "Anyone who is for God come to me." All the sons of Levi came to him. He told them to take their swords and go through the camp cutting and slaying. Three thousand of the people were killed.

The next day Moses said to the people, "You have committed a terrible sin. I'm going to try to work this out with God." So Moses went back to the Lord and said. "God, if you will just forgive these people, You can take my name out of the record You have written." God said, "The ones who have sinned against Me will be blotted out of the book. I am not going to dwell with these people any longer. They are an obstinate people." When the Hebrews heard this, they were very sad. They took off all their jewelry and kept it off for the rest of the time they were in the wilderness.

Moses had a special tent where he met with God. He called it the "Tent of Meeting." When he'd enter the tent, the pillar of cloud would come down at the door. The people knew that Moses was talking to God. They would worship at the entrance to the tent. God talked to Moses just as a man would speak to his friend. Joshua stayed in the tent constantly while Moses was in camp.

Moses said to God, "Lord, there's no reason for Israel to continue if You're not with us. The fact that Your presence is with us is what sets us apart from any other nation! Please teach me Your ways and I'll pass them on to the people." God answered, "All right Moses, I will stay and go with you. Because of you Moses, I will keep my presence with the people." Then Moses said, "Lord, I want to see Your glory." God replied. "I will make My goodness pass before you, but you can't see My face. If any man

Exodus 24 Exodus 32:1 - 33:20

saw My face he would surely die. Make two more stone tablets and meet Me in the morning."

Moses did as he was instructed. When he got to the mountain, God passed close in front of him and proclaimed His goodness, "I am the Lord, the Lord God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in loving kindness and truth. I keep My loving kindness for thousands. I forgive transgression and sin, yet I do not let the guilty go unpunished!" Moses immediately bowed down low and worshipped. He said, "Lord, if I have found favor with You, please go along with us and be in our midst. I know this is an obstinate people but we need You to forgive us and take us as Your own people." God answered, "Yes I am going to stay with you. We are going t