Text: Genesis 37-41

Supplemental Text: The Third Thousand Years chapters 5-6

BYU Lecture 13: Joseph spent his youth in Beersheba. He was a devoted son to Jacob and to God. When he witnessed evil doings by his brothers, Joseph faithfully reported it to his father. This created a trusted bond between father and son, but caused hatred between Joseph and his brothers. At the age of 17, Joseph receives revelations from the Lord through dreams, prophesying that Jacob and Joseph’s brothers will bow down to Joseph. This angers his brothers and they plot to kill him. They throw Joseph into a dry well and he is inadvertently captured and sold into slavery for 20 pieces of silver and taken to Egypt. Jacob is told that Joseph is dead and he mourns terribly. Adding to the tragedy, Jacob's father Isaac dies.

Joseph is sold to Potiphar, Egypt’s chief executioner, but after 11 years in faithful servitude he is imprisoned after being falsely accused by Potiphar’s wife. Joseph interprets the dreams of 2 fellow prisoners, a butcher and a baker. He later interprets the dream of Pharoah, who is so impressed with Joseph, he promotes him to be Prime Minister of all Egypt.

OT 9 Let God Prevail

This week, we have 2 lectures to keep pace for those following the Come Follow Me schedule.

Text: Genesis 24-33

Supplemental Text: The Third Thousand Years chapters 1-5

BYU Lecture 11: One of the purposes of a college education is to learn how to think and not to be deceived; what is true and what is false, and what is good and what is evil.

Who are God’s chosen people? Just one word describes them – Obedience! God is no respecter of persons and chooses those who are obedient, and they become “the seed of Abraham” and recipients of the Abrahamic Covenant. If you are born in the covenant you have a tremendous responsibility to be a soldier of God. The characteristics of obedient children of God are reviewed.

Abraham and Isaac are quickly reviewed, with the introduction of Esau and Jacob.

BYU Lecture 12: Rebekah leaves her family and home for Isaac, but is unable to bear him children. This becomes a great trial for her. She receives a priesthood blessing and a revelation. She then conceives and bares twins, Esau and Jacob. Abraham dies and is buried. Esau, the elder and farmer, marries a Canaanite against his father’s desire. He is careless with his rights and sells his birthright to Jacob, the shepherd. Isaac gives Jacob the covenant blessing. A priesthood blessing cannot be given by deception, as Isaac confirms the blessing he gave to Jacob and commands him not to marry a Canaanite woman as Esau did. He instructs Jacob to travel to Haran, Rebekah’s homeland, to find a Shemetic wife. On the way, Jacob has a visitation from the Lord who promises a continuation of the Abrahamic Covenant through Jacob’s posterity. Jacob arrives in Haran and meets Rachel. He promises to work for her father Laban 7 years for her hand in marriage. By deception, Laban weds Jacob to his oldest daughter Leah instead of Rachel. After a week, Jacob then marries Rachel and works another 7 years for Laban. Children are born to Jacob through Leah, Bilhah (Rachel’s handmaid), Zilpah (Leah’s handmaid), and finally Rachel conceives and has a son named Joseph.

Text: Genesis 18-23

Supplemental Text: The First 2,000 Years chapters 28-32

BYU Lecture 10: Amazingly, Noah witnessed 10 generation of his descendants before he died, Abraham being his 10th generation, at 2,000 BC. The life of Abraham is discussed, including his ordination of the priesthood in his youth by Melchizedek, who is also discussed. Abraham’s father tries to kill Abraham through idol worship and sacrifice. He is saved by an angel. A terrible famine inflicts the land and Abraham leaves and travels to Egypt, teaching them mathmatics, astronomy and Christianity.

Abraham returns to the land Canaan and settles there. Circumcision is introduced, signifying baptism. Sodom and Gomorrah is destroyed.

Sarah finally conceives and Isaac is born. Abraham’s greatest test to sacrifice his beloved son, Isaac.