1. Step By Step: Old Testament Lesson 5: God and The Patriarchs Rev. Christopher J. Respass Antioch Bible Institute Fall 2012

2. God and the Patriarchs: Isaac I.The Birth of Isaac A. The Promise of Isaac’s birth (Gen. 17:15- 21; Gen. 18:9-15). B. The Birth of Isaac (Gen 21:1-7) C. Blended Family Drama (Gen 21:8-14)

3. God and the Patriarchs: Isaac II.The Testing of Abraham: Offer Isaac (Gen. 22:1- 14) A. Isaac is the “sacrificial lamb.” 1. God made a promise to Abraham that his offspring will be numerous. 2. God indicated that neither Eliezer nor Ishmael would be the line through whom God maintain the covenant. 3. Isaac is the one… and God wants him sacrificed!

4. God and the Patriarchs: Isaac B. Abraham prepares for the sacrifice and travels 3 days to the place God shows him. 1. No hesitance in Abraham (v.3). 2. God dealt with Abraham in a familiar way (“walk and I’ll let you know when to stop”). Q: Does this sound familiar?

5. God and the Patriarchs: Isaac C. Abraham leaves his servants and climbs the mountain with Isaac. 1. Tells the servants “I and the boy will worship and come back to you” (v.5). Q: Did Abraham expect God to resurrect Isaac? (Note: we know it’s a test (v.1), he didn’t).

6. God and the Patriarchs: Isaac 2. Isaac is aware that the lamb is missing and Abraham says, the lord will provide. 3. Abraham said, “The Lord will Provide” D. Abraham raises the knife, but God steps in (v.9-12).

7. God and the Patriarchs: Isaac III.A Wife For Isaac: Rebekah (Gen. 24) 1. Beautiful Story 2. Read it.

8. God and the Patriarchs: Jacob IV.The Birthright and the Blessing A. The Birthright 1. Esau and Jacob are twins (Gen. 25:21- 24). 2. They were as different as night and day a) Esau: also known as “Edom” is the first-born. Red and hairy. A skillful hunter and a man of the field. Isaac loved him because he loved wild game.

9. God and the Patriarchs: Jacob b) Jacob: the second-born. Was born holding Esau’s heel. He was a quiet man, dwelling in tents. He was a trickster/cheat. Rebekah loved him. Q: Could it be that Rebekah was fond of him because they were both sneaky?

10. God and the Patriarchs: Jacob 3. Esau sells his birthright to Jacob. a) The birthright belonged to the oldest. b) Entitled him to a double-portion of the father’s possessions (Deut. 21:15-17). c) Esau sold his birthright to Jacob, for a bowl of lentil soup.

11. God and the Patriarchs: Jacob

14. Thus, Esau….. Despised his Birthright!

15. God and the Patriarchs: Jacob B. Discussion: The (Stolen) Blessing (Gen. 27) Q: Who is at fault: Rebekah or Jacob? Q: Was this Rebekah’s attempt to bring God’s word to pass? (see, Gen. 25:23; Remember Sarah?) Q: Was the broken heart of a son worth it? (v. 34-38). Q: Is Esau correct in saying that Jacob cheated him two times (see, v. 36)?