Genesis 34-36: Summary

Jacob's sons Levi and Simeon pillaged the people of Shechem as revenge for the rape of their sister Dinah. Afterwards God commanded Jacob to build Him an altar at Bethel, and Jacob made preparations for this mission by making his household bury its foreign gods. At Bethel God promised to make Jacob's descendants into an organization of nations that would produce kings. Similarly, Esau's lineage also reportedly produced clans, chiefs and kings.

Genesis 34-36: Study Guide

Background

• Review of Genesis 31-33: When Jacob observed that his relationship with his uncle Laban had deteriorated, he gathered his family and fled back to Canaan. Laban managed to catch up to Jacob, but he was warned by God not to harm him, and so the two men agreed to a peace treaty. Along the way to Canaan, a man approached Jacob at night and wrestled him until daybreak, and afterwards blessed him and gave him a new name Israel. Upon entering Canaan Jacob was approached his brother Esau, and the two men reconciled. Jacob then built an altar to His God who had preserved him through his 20 years of sojourning.
• Setting for Genesis 34: Jacob and his household had bought a piece of land in the city of Shechem, which was in the land of Canaan (Genesis 33:18-19).

Genesis 37-39: Summary

Joseph, who was Jacob's favorite son, was sold into slavery in Egypt by his jealous brothers, who then covered up their actions by convincing their father that Joseph was eaten by a wild animal. Meanwhile, Judah's lineage seemed threatened as two of his sons died without producing any children, until his daughter-in-law Tamar deceptively bore a son through him by veiling herself as a prostitute. In the meantime, Joseph was thrown in prison in Egypt when the wife of Potiphar his master falsely accused Joseph of trying to rape her. Nevertheless, Joseph was promoted by his warden because God was with him and making him successful.

Genesis 37-39: Study Guide

Background

• Review of Genesis 34-36: Jacob's sons Levi and Simeon pillaged the people of Shechem as revenge for the rape of their sister Dinah. Afterwards God commanded Jacob to build Him an altar at Bethel, and Jacob made preparations for this mission by making his household bury its foreign gods. At Bethel God promised to make Jacob's descendants into an organization of nations that would produce kings. Similarly, Esau's lineage also reportedly produced clans, chiefs and kings.
• Setting for Genesis 37: Jacob was living in Canaan in the area where his father had sojourned (Genesis 37:1).

Genesis 40-42: Summary

After Joseph successfully interpreted a series of prophetic dreams, he was promoted out of prison into the second highest position over all of Egypt. Moreover, Egypt followed Joseph's recommendation and stored its surplus during seven years of abundant harvests, and once the seven years of prophesied famine arrived all other people were forced to go to Egypt to buy grain. Joseph's brothers also came to buy grain from Egypt. But they didn't recognize Joseph, and he acted slyly by questioning them, detaining their brother Simeon, and demanding that they bring their youngest brother Benjamin to Egypt in order to prove that they were who they claimed to be.

Genesis 40-42: Study Guide

Background

• Review of Genesis 37-39: Joseph, who was Jacob's favorite son, was sold into slavery in Egypt by his jealous brothers, who then covered up their actions by convincing their father that Joseph was eaten by a wild animal. Meanwhile, Judah's lineage seemed threatened as two of his sons died without producing any children, until his daughter-in-law Tamar deceptively bore a son through him by veiling herself as a prostitute. In the meantime, Joseph was thrown in prison in Egypt when the wife of Potiphar his master falsely accused Joseph of trying to rape her. Nevertheless, Joseph was promoted by his warden because God was with him and making him successful.
• Setting for Genesis 40: Joseph was inside a prison in Egypt.

Genesis 43-45: Summary

After several years of famine had forced Joseph's brothers to seek food from Egypt, he revealed to them that he was still alive and that he had become the second most powerful person in Egypt. With Pharaoh's blessing, Joseph told his brothers retrieve their father Jacob and their entire household, so that they could live in the best part of the land of Egypt.

Genesis 43-45: Study Guide

Background

• Review of Genesis 39-42: After Joseph successfully interpreted a series of prophetic dreams, he was promoted out of prison into the second highest position over all of Egypt. Moreover, Egypt followed Joseph's recommendation and stored its surplus during seven years of abundant harvests, and once the seven years of prophesied famine arrived all other people were forced to go to Egypt to buy grain. Joseph's brothers also came to buy grain from Egypt. But they didn't recognize Joseph, and he acted slyly by questioning them, detaining their brother Simeon, and demanding that they bring their youngest brother Benjamin to Egypt in order to prove that they were who they claimed to be. However, Jacob is unwilling to risk letting his son Benjamin go to Egypt.
• Setting for Genesis 43: Joseph's brothers are in Canaan with their father Jacob.

Genesis 46-48: Summary

Joseph reunites with his father Jacob, and Pharaoh allows Joseph's family to settle in Goshen the best land in Egypt. While the Israelites are supplied with food in Goshen during the famine, Joseph subjects all the Egyptians under Pharaoh in exchange for food. Afterwards Jacob blesses Joseph's sons Ephraim and Manasseh and counts them as his own sons.

Genesis 46-48: Study Guide

Background

• Review of Genesis 43-45: After several years of famine had forced Joseph's brothers to seek food from Egypt, he revealed to them that he was still alive and that he had become the second most powerful person in Egypt. With Pharaoh's blessing, Joseph told his brothers retrieve their father Jacob and their entire household, so that they could live in the best part of the land of Egypt.
• Setting for Genesis 46: Joseph's brothers are in Canaan, where they are informing their father Jacob what has transpired with Joseph in Egypt.

Genesis 49-50: Study Guide

Background

• Review of Genesis 46-48: Joseph reunites with his father Jacob, and Pharaoh allows Joseph's family to settle in Goshen the best land in Egypt. While the Israelites are supplied with food in Goshen during the famine, Joseph subjects all the Egyptians under Pharaoh in exchange for food. Afterwards Jacob blesses Joseph's sons Ephraim and Manasseh and counts them as his own sons.
• Setting for Genesis 49: Jacob calls for his sons in order to bless them.

Genesis A-C: A Template for Creating Study Guides

Background

• Review of Genesis [X]-[Z]: [INSERT TEXT]
• Setting for Genesis [A]: [INSERT TEXT]