18 - The Ten Plagues

Exodus 6:28 – 11:10

This section might be labeled - God gives Moses and Aaron a plan, and they work the plan.  Or, God vs. Pharaoh's hard heart.  The goals are to convince the Egyptians that the God of the Israelites is truly Lord, and to liberate God's people.  Signs and wonders repeatedly show God's power, but Pharaoh returns to a hardened heart.  God has a role, but ultimately isn't Pharaoh responsible for his relationship with God and the Israelites?

17 - The Burning Bush

Exodus 3:1 – 4:17

Can you imagine what it would be like to hear a call from God?  How would you respond?

Moses has many objections to his call, but God promises to be with him (3:12).

Most of us are not called to lead a people across the Red Sea, but we are called to serve God.

What is your call?  Where have you encountered God?  How has it changed you?

16 - Birth of Moses

Exodus 1:1 – 2:25

 "The king of Egypt said to the Hebrew midwives, one of whom was named Shiphrah and the other Puah, ‘When you act as midwives to the Hebrew women, and see them on the birthstool, if it is a boy, kill him; but if it is a girl, she shall live.’ But the midwives feared God; they did not do as the king of Egypt commanded them, but they let the boys live. So the king of Egypt summoned the midwives and said to them, ‘Why have you done this, and allowed the boys to live?’ The midwives said to Pharaoh, ‘Because the Hebrew women are not like the Egyptian women; for they are vigorous and give birth before the midwife comes to them.’ So God dealt well with the midwives; and the people multiplied and became very strong."  Exodus 1:15-20.


In the patriarchal world of Hebrew scripture, women were frequently not named and do not play key roles. When they do act, they often act by deceit and guile.  


Here two low ranking midwives, "one of whom was named Shiphrah and the other Puah", defy the Pharaoh, and save the lives of young boys.  Other women - Moses' mother, his sister,  and Pharaoh's daughter are key to his survival.  It is women who take the first step in the liberation of the Israelites from Pharaoh's rule.  

Shiphrah and Puah save the Hebrew babies

Who are the women who have made a critical difference in your life, in the life of the nation, in the life of the church?

15 - Joseph Reveals His Identity

Genesis 45:1- 46:7

Finally, the climax:  " Then Joseph said to his brothers, ‘Come closer to me.’ And they came closer. He said, ‘I am your brother Joseph, whom you sold into Egypt.  And now do not be distressed, or angry with yourselves, because you sold me here; for God sent me before you to preserve life. For the famine has been in the land these two years; and there are five more years in which there will be neither ploughing nor harvest. God sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant on earth, and to keep alive for you many survivors. So it was not you who sent me here, but God; he has made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house and ruler over all the land of Egypt. Hurry and go up to my father and say to him, “Thus says your son Joseph, God has made me lord of all Egypt; come down to me, do not delay." 

Joseph reveals himself to his brothers

Have you experienced such a family reconciliation?

14 - The Brothers Return

Genesis 43:1-44:34

The family drama builds towards a climax, as the continuing famine forces the brothers to return to Egypt, this time with young Benjamin.  Joseph's joy at seeing his brother brings overwhelming emotion.  He asks after their father.  As he uses similar trickery as before, this time to keep Benjamin with him, Judah steps up to start telling the truth about the family, which in turn will start the process of reconciliaton.

Joseph's brothers return

Have you found that truth telling can lead to reconciliation?

13 - Ten Brothers Go to Egypt

Genesis 42:1-38

All of Josephs' brother except Benjamin go to Egypt to procure grain.  While there, some of Joseph's original  dream is fulfilled as the brothers bow down to him.  We see some "what goes around comes around" as a result of the brothers selling the brother into slavery.  The brothers begin to think their difficulties are a result of that action toward Joseph.  Joseph has his own desire, to see Benjamin again.  So he holds Simeon, and sends the rest back to return with Benjamin.

Blake - Joseph Orders Simeon Bound

Have you been tempted to pay back prior insults?

12 - Prison and a Promotion

Genesis 39:1-41:57

Four times in chapter 39 we are told that "the Lord was with Joseph."  There is no subtlety here.  The author wants us to know that God is in charge.  Joseph tells us that God, not magicians or other humans, interprets dreams.

Isabella Collette - Joseph Governor of Egypt

How do you know that your life is consistent with God's plans?

11 - Joseph sold into slavery

Genesis 37:1-36

Raphael - Joseph sold into slavery

The story of Joseph - a novella - takes up most of the rest of Genesis.  It starts with Jacob/Israel's favorite son making himself unpopular with his brothers.  He dreams (vv. 5-9) that he will exercise power over them.

The brothers know what to do with an uppity youngster - they sell him to passing traders, who in turn sell him to an Egyptian official.  Of course they cover up their crime with a tale for their father.

Can dreams be a way God communicates to us?  Have you had that experience?

10 - Jacob and Esau Reconcile

Genesis 43:1-44:34

Despite having received his father's blessing (by trickery), Jacob knows he must reconcile with his twin Esau.  He plans to do this with gifts from the great riches he has accumulated, and he sends them on to his brother.  But before he goes to meet Esau, he wrestles with "a man".  Jacob ultimately recognizes he has been wrestling with God, and names the place Peniel, "...for I have seen God face to face."

Then he went to meet Esau, who, amazingly, runs to meet him, embraces him, and kisses him. Jacob rejoices, "...for truly, to see your face is like seeing the face of God...."

Macha Chmakoff - Fight of Jacob and the angel

Do you have broken relationships that could be mended by seeing the face of God in the other?

9 - Jacob and Esau Compete

Genesis 27:1 – 28:22

At the end of the Eucharist, the celebrant pronounces God's blessing on the communicants.  It may be seasonally appropriate, but the blessing goes to all.

By contrast, in this story Jacob tricks his father into giving a very specific and personal blessing, which Isaac believes is being given to his older, and favorite, son.

Although Jacob obtained his blessing by trickery, it accords with God's plan, and Jacob encounters God in a dream, and dreams the same blessing his ancestor Abraham has received.

Govert Flink - Isaac Blessing Jacob

How do you understand the blessings you have received, directly or indirectly?

8 - Isaac's Birth and "Sacrifice"

Genesis 21:1-22:19

The story of Abraham and Isaac is one of the most difficult in all of scripture.  How could God give the son who was necessary to ensure the descendants as numerous as the stars, and then require that Abraham sacrifice that same son on an altar?

Who is this God be both the tester (22:1) and the provider (22:14)?

Rembrandt - The Sacrifice of Abraham

What is the nature of Abraham's faith?  He answers God and the angel, "Here I am."  He trusts completely in God.  Can I say I would do the same?

7 - God's Covenant with Abram

Genesis 15:1-21

Carolsfeld - God Shows Abram the Stars

God has previously promised Abram descendants, but there are none.  Abram challenges God:  "You have given me no offspring, and so a slave born in my house is to be my heir."  But God again commits:  "He brought him outside and said, “Look toward heaven and count the stars, if you are able to count them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your descendants be.” And he believed the Lord; and the Lord reckoned it to him as righteousness."


This is one of the most powerful statements of faith, ever.  Paul uses it in constructing "justification by faith" spelled out in Romans 4.


When has your faith survived when all the evidence is to the contrary?

6 - The Call of Abram

Genesis 12:1-20

God calls Abram to go where he is directed, to the land of Canaan, where God will give Abram land, descendants and blessings.  "So Abram went, as the Lord had told him...."

What does it mean to go where God directs us?  Have you ever felt you were hearing a call from God?  How did you respond?

Jozef Molnar - Abram's Journey

5 - Tower of Babel

Genesis 11:1 -9

Pieter Breugel the Elder - Tower of Babel

Why do human beings speak hundreds and thousands of languages.  Why are we separated by culture?  


What caused God to want to confuse human language?


Is there a relationship between this story and "The Fall?"  


What is the relationship with the reading we hear at Pentecost in Acts 2:1-21?

4 - God's Covenant with Noah

Marc Chagall - Noah and Rainbow

Genesis 8:1 – 9:17

God makes the first of many covenants with humankind.  God promises not to destroy the earth again,  despite God's knowledge of human sinfulness.

What does this story suggest about God's relationship with humankind?