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Genesis Overall

The Steps of Abraham’s Faith

(Rom.4:12)

Observe that it does not say—‘who walk in the steps of our father Abraham’ for sometimes he took false and wrong steps but ’who walk in the steps of that Faith of our father Abraham’ see Heb. 13:7

1 Step number One—Leaving all for God Gen.12:5; Heb. 11:8

2 Step number two—Leaving all with God Gen. 13:9 14

3 Step number tree—Finding all in God Gen. 15:1

4 Step number four—Yielding all to God Gen. 22:16

GOD’S CHARGE TO ABRAM.

There are three reasons why the Lord charges Abram to walk before Him.

Ⅰ. Because of past failure. For thirteen years it seems that Abram had been walking before Sarah in listening to her and following her advice with reference to Hagar. When Ishmael was born Abram was eighty-six years old (Gen.16:16) and he was ninety-nine years old when the Lord appeared and gave him the charge to walk before Him. As A. Fuller says “ This admonition implies a serious reproof. It was like saying ‘Have no more recourse to unbelieving expedients; keep in the path off uprightness and leave Me to fulfil My promise in the time and manner that seem good to come!’” What a lesson is here afforded us never to use unlawful means under the pretence of being more useful or promoting the cause of God. Our part is to walk before. Him and be upright leaving Him to work out His own designs in His own way.

Ⅱ. The Lord charges Abram to walk before Him because He commands it. Where the word of a king is there is authority. I know a little boy who when he is told to do a certain thing says to his father “What for?” and the reply he receives is “ Because I tell you.” It is without questioning.

Ⅲ. The Lord bids Abram to walk before Him because of what He is. “ I am the Almighty God.” The meaning of the words “ El shaddai ” translated “ Almighty God ” is the Irresistible One who is able to make and destroy. It is the name that expresses God’s Almightiness by which He was specially made known to the patriarchs (Exodus 6:3). The title occurs six times in Genesis ( 17:1; 28:3; 35:11; 48:3; 49:25) and thirty-one times in the book of Job. Some have derived Shaddai from Shad a nipple because God feeds His children with sufficiency of all good things as the loving mother doth the child with the milk of her breasts. Hence we might speak of God in His all-sufficiency as “ The Many-Breasted God.” There is no lack with Him therefore we may well count upon supplies from Him. What does it mean to walk before God” (1) To live as in His sight and under His inspection. (2) To realize at all times His presence and His providence. (3) To feel the dignity of the godly life. We are not to walk behind Him as if ashamed but before Him as conscious of the dignity of our high calling. (4) To feel the constant energy of spiritual life. The light of God’s countenance is upon us and in that we have life. We cannot fail with the Almighty power behind us. (5) To feel the love of God towards us. Unless there was redeeming love on God’s part it would be impossible for us to walk before Him. In that alone our souls can live and move. (6) To apprehend God’s love by our faith. This is that power in the soul that lays hold of the Divine fullness. Hence “ the just shall live by faith.”

── F.E. Marsh《Five Hundred Bible Readings》

 
"THE CHARACTER OF JOSEPH"
 
 Genesis 37:1-50:26
 
INTRODUCTION
 
1. When we think of "the patriarchs"
the following likely come to
 mind...
 a. Abraham
man of faith
 b. Isaac
son of promise
 c. Jacob
father of the twelve tribes of Israel
 
2. Yet consider this about the patriarch Joseph...
 a. More space in Genesis is devoted to him than the others
 b. There is not a single word of reproof against Joseph
 
3. Indeed
"The Character Of Joseph" is worthy of careful study...
 a. His nobility of character
his purity of heart and life
 b. His magnanimity as ruler and brother
 -- Make him
more than any other of the Old Testament characters
an
  illustration of that type of man which Christ was to give to the
 world in perfection (ISBE)
 
[Let's review the life of Joseph
and be reminded of the wonderful
character displayed by this man of God. We begin with..]
 
I. JOSEPH AS A SON IN CANAAN
 
 A. HATED BY HIS BROTHERS...
 1. Telling on his brothers didn't help - Gen 37:2
 2. Favoritism by his father certainly hurt - Gen 37:3-4
 3. His dreams made it worse - Gen 37:5-11
 4. They eventually sold him as a slave - Gen 37:12-36
 a. Spared initially by Reuben who intended to free him - Gen
 37:21-22
 b. Spared death by Judah
who suggested slavery instead - Gen
 37:26-27
 
 B. FAITHFUL TO HIS FATHER...
 1. Some children rebel against their parents to win approval from
 their siblings
 2. Joseph remained faithful to his father
willing to obey his
 wishes - Gen 37:13
 
[One might think such ill treatment
followed by separation from country
and kin
would produce bitterness and hopeless in such a young man. Yet
"The Character Of Joseph" really shines as we consider...]
 
II. JOSEPH AS A SLAVE IN EGYPT
 
 A. OVERSEER IN POTIPHAR'S HOUSE...
 1. Blessed by God
Joseph found favor in Potiphar's eyes - Gen 39:
  1-6
 a. Though a young man
he proved industrious and trustworthy
 b. He made the best of the situation
and God blessed him and
 Potiphar
 2. Handsome in appearance
Joseph was tempted by Potiphar's wife 
 - Gen 39:6b-20
 a. She tried time and again to seduce him
 b. He resisted
out of faithfulness to Potiphar and God - Gen
 39:8-9
 c. Her advances spurned
she spitefully accuses him wrongfully
 1) Angering her husband
 2) Resulting in his imprisonment
 
 B. OVERSEER IN PHARAOH'S PRISON...
 1. Blessed by God
Joseph is favored by the keeper of the prison 
 - Gen 39:21-23
 a. Placed in charge of the other prisoners
with complete trust
  b. Prospered in his new role by God
who was with him
 2. Interpreter of dreams
Joseph is forgotten then remembered 
 - Gen 40:1-41:36
 a. He interprets the dreams of the butler and the baker
 1) Acknowledging God as the interpreter - Gen 40:8
 2) The dreams are fulfilled
yet Joseph was forgotten - Gen
 40:20-23
 b. He interprets the dreams of Pharaoh
 1) Again acknowledging God as providing the answer - Gen 41:
  16
25
32
 2) Offering advice in regards to the dreams' fulfillment 
 - Gen 41:33-36
 
[Falsely accused
then forgotten by man
many might wonder "Why bother
to be righteous?" But Joseph maintained his integrity and was not
forgotten by God. Just as he found favor in the eyes of Potiphar and
the keeper of the prison
so he enjoyed favor in the eyes of Pharaoh...]
 
III. JOSEPH AS A PRINCE IN EGYPT
 
 A. WISE IN HIS SERVICE TO PHARAOH...
 1. At the age of thirty
Joseph is exalted to rule over Egypt 
 - Gen 41:38-46
 2. His wisdom manifested in his administration
 a. Showing foresight during the years of plenty - Gen 41:47-49
 b. Showing shrewdness during the years of famine - Gen 41:
 53-57; 47:13-26
 3. Mindful of God's blessings - cf. Gen 41:50-52
 
 B. MERCIFUL IN HIS TREATMENT OF HIS BRETHREN...
 1. Finally reunited with his brothers and father - Gen 42:1-45:15
 2. Arranged for them to live in Goshen - Gen 46:16-20
28-34;
 47:1-12
 3. Reassured his brothers that he has forgiven them
 a. When he first revealed himself to them - Gen 45:4-8
 b. When their father Jacob died - Gen 50:15-21
 
 C. BELIEVING IN THE PROVIDENCE OF GOD...
 1. That God could make good things come out of evil intentions 
 - Gen 50:20
 2. That God would keep His promises made to His people - Gen 50:
 24-25
 
CONCLUSION
 
1. In the life and story of Joseph
we see the value of a character...
 a. Centered in faith and trust in God
 b. Devoted to serving God and man with honor and dependability
 c. Unwilling to be deterred by the hatred
betrayal
and
 forgetfulness of others
 d. Willing to forgive the wrongs committed by others
 e. Able to see the big picture
God's wonderful workings in the
 affairs of men
 
2. This noble character can be useful in all the seasons of life...
 a. As a youth
tempted and tried with no help from family or friend
 b. As a mature individual
charged with important responsibilities
 c. As an aged person
knowing that death is imminent
 
May "The Character of Joseph" serve to inspire us to develop our
character as well
that in some small way we too can be...
 
 "..an example to the believers in word
in conduct
in love
in
 spirit
in faith
in purity." (1 Ti 4:12)
 
Certainly this is the case with the patriarch Joseph!

－－《Executable Outlines》