Chapter 1: The Six Days of Creation 

Imagine a room that is completely dark, totally empty, and covered in water. That is what the earth looked like at the very beginning. But God was there, and He had a magnificent plan.

God didn't use hammers, nails, or paintbrushes to build the world. He just used His voice!

• Day 1: God said, "Let there be light!" And boom—light appeared. He called the light "day" and the darkness "night."

• Day 2: God spoke and created the wide blue sky, separating the waters above from the waters below.

• Day 3: God gathered the waters together to make oceans and seas, and dry land appeared. Then, He commanded the earth to grow green grass, giant trees, and delicious fruit.

• Day 4: God placed the bright sun in the sky for the daytime, and the glowing moon and billions of sparkly stars for the night.

• Day 5: God filled the oceans with splashing fish, giant whales, and sea creatures. He also filled the skies with chirping birds of every color.

• Day 6: God made all the land animals—from tiny hopping bunnies to massive roaring lions. But He wasn't done yet. God did something extra special. He made the very first human being, a man named Adam, and made him to look like God!

• Day 7: God looked at everything He made and saw that it was excellent. So on the seventh day, He rested and made it a special day.

Chapter 2: The Garden of Eden 

On the seventh day, God finished His work, so He rested and made this day holy. 

Chapter 2 zooms in to show exactly how God made the first two people. He shaped the first man, Adam, out of the dust of the ground and breathed life into him. God placed Adam in a perfect, lush paradise called the Garden of Eden. A massive river flowed into the garden and divided into four main rivers: the Pishon, Gihon, Tigris and Euphrates. 

In the middle of this garden stood two very special trees: the Tree of Life and the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. God gave Adam a single, clear rule: "You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die." 

God saw it wasn't good for Adam to be alone, so He brought all the animals to Adam to be named. Because none of the animals was a perfect partner, God put Adam into a deep sleep, took one of his ribs, and beautifully crafted the first woman, Eve. 

Chapter 3: The First Mistake 

One day, a Serpent (who was the craftiest animal in the garden) came to Eve and lied to her. He told her that if she ate the fruit from the forbidden tree, she wouldn't die, but would instead become just like God! Eve looked at the fruit, saw that it was beautiful and looked delicious, so she took a bite. She then handed some to Adam, and he ate it too. 

Instantly, their hearts changed. They realized they were naked and felt ashamed and scared for the first time, so they sewed fig leaves together to cover themselves. When they heard God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, they hid in the bushes. 

When God asked them what they had done, Adam blamed Eve, and Eve blamed the serpent. Because they disobeyed, sin entered the world, and things changed: 

• the serpent was cursed to crawl on his belly and eat dust 

• the woman was told that childbearing would bring pain 

• the man was told that the ground was now cursed with thorns and thistles, meaning he would have to work hard and sweat to grow food. 

God had to send Adam and Eve out of the beautiful Garden of Eden. But even though they made a terrible mistake, God still loved them—He kindly made clothes out of animal skins to protect them. 

Chapter 4: Cain and Abel

Outside of the garden, Adam and Eve started a family. Their first two sons were named Cain and Abel. The brothers grew up to have two very different jobs: Cain was a farmer who worked the soil, and Abel was a shepherd who took care of sheep. 

When it came time to give a gift to God, Abel brought the very best fat portions from the firstborn of his flock. God was very pleased with Abel's heart and his offering. Cain brought some ordinary fruits and crops, but his heart wasn't in it, so God did not accept it. 

Cain became incredibly angry and jealous. God lovingly warned Cain, saying, "Sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it." Sadly, Cain didn't listen. He invited Abel out into a field and killed him. 

God punished Cain by making him a restless wanderer who could no longer farm successfully. Cain moved to the Land of Nod, which was east of Eden. God placed a special mark on Cain so that no one would hurt him while he traveled. Later on, Adam and Eve had another son named Seth to carry on their family's faithful line. 

Chapter 5: The Family Tree 

Chapter 5 is like a giant family scoreboard that lists ten generations from Adam all the way down to Noah. Because of sin, people now grew old and died, but two incredible men stand out in this chapter: 

1. Enoch: He didn't die! The Bible says Enoch walked faithfully with God for 300 years. One day, he simply vanished because God took him straight to heaven. 

2. Methuselah: He was Enoch's son, and he lived to be 949 years old! That makes him the oldest person mentioned in the entire Bible. 

At the very end of the chapter, we meet Noah. When Noah turned 500 years old, he became the father of three famous sons: Shem, Ham and Japheth. 

Chapter 6 - The World Grew Sad and God finds Noah 

As generations passed, the earth became filled with people. Sadly, instead of loving each other, people chose to be mean, violent, and completely disobedient to God. The Bible says that every single thought in human hearts was bad all the time. This made God’s heart filled with deep pain and sadness. 

But there was one bright light in the darkness: a man named Noah. Noah was a righteous man who walked faithfully with God. Because God is holy, He decided to wash away the wickedness of the earth with a flood, but He chose to protect Noah and his family. 

God gave Noah very specific blueprints to build a gigantic boat called an Ark. The Ark was to be built out of gopher wood (or cypress wood) and coated inside and out with pitch (a thick, waterproof tar) to keep it from leaking. 

Chapter 7 - Into the Ark and the Big Rain 

God commanded Noah to gather his family—his wife, his three sons (Shem, Ham, and Japheth), and their wives—into the Ark. He also told Noah to bring pairs of every single kind of animal, bird, and creeping thing so they could start over after the flood. 

Once everyone was safely inside, God shut the door behind them. Then, the greatest storm in history began! 

• The rain didn't just fall from the sky: the deep fountains of the earth burt open too!

• The rain poured down non-stop for 40 days and 40 nights. 

• The water rose so high that it completely covered even the tallest mountains. 

• Floating safely above the storm, the Ark kept Noah, his family, and the animals alive while the water flooded the earth for 150 days. 

Chapter 8 - The Water Dries up and The Dove 

Finally, God sent a great wind to blow over the earth, and the waters began to go down. The Ark safely floated until it came to rest on the mountains of Ararat. 

Noah waited patiently for the ground to dry. To check if it was safe, he sent out a black bird called a Raven, which just flew back and forth. Then, he sent out a Dove. The first time, the dove returned because there was nowhere to land. The second time, the dove flew back holding a fresh olive leaf in its beak! Noah knew that plants were growing again. The third time he sent the dove, it didn't come back at all. 

God told Noah it was finally time to step out onto dry land. The very first thing Noah did was build an altar to worship and thank God for keeping them safe. 

Genesis 9 - God's Covenant with Noah 

After the great flood was over, Noah, his family, and all the animals came out of the ark. The earth was fresh and new again, and God spoke to Noah and his sons.

God blessed Noah and his sons and said, “Be fruitful, increase in number, and fill the earth.” This meant God wanted Noah’s family to have children, grow into many people, and spread across the earth.

God also told Noah that the animals, birds, creatures that move along the ground, and fish in the sea would fear people. God gave the animals into the hands of humans. Before this, God had given people green plants for food, but now God told Noah that every living creature could also be food for them.

But God gave Noah an important rule. He said, “You must not eat meat that still has its lifeblood in it.” God wanted them to understand that life belongs to Him.

God also taught Noah that human life is very precious. He said that if a person takes another person’s life, there must be an accounting for it. God said this because human beings are made in the image of God. That means every person is special and valuable to God.

Then God told Noah again, “Be fruitful and increase in number. Multiply on the earth and increase upon it.”

After this, God made a covenant with Noah, Noah’s sons, their descendants, and every living creature that came out of the ark. A covenant is a special promise. God promised, “Never again will all life be destroyed by the waters of a flood. Never again will there be a flood to destroy the earth.”

Then God gave a sign for His covenant. He said, “I have set my rainbow in the clouds.” The rainbow would be the sign of God’s promise between Him and the earth. Whenever clouds came over the earth and a rainbow appeared, it would remind everyone of God’s covenant. God said He would remember His everlasting covenant with Noah, his family, and all living creatures.

So the rainbow became a beautiful sign of God’s promise that He would never again destroy all life with a flood.

Noah had three sons who came out of the ark with him. Their names were Shem, Ham, and Japheth. Ham was the father of Canaan. From these three sons came the people who spread out over the whole earth.

Later, Noah became a man who worked the soil. He planted a vineyard. A vineyard is a place where grapes grow. One day, Noah drank some wine from the vineyard and became drunk. He lay uncovered inside his tent.

Ham, the father of Canaan, saw his father uncovered and went outside to tell his two brothers. But Shem and Japheth showed respect for their father. They took a garment, placed it across their shoulders, and walked backward into the tent. Their faces were turned away so they would not look at their father. Then they covered Noah.

When Noah woke up and found out what his youngest son had done, he spoke words about his family. Noah said, “Cursed be Canaan! The lowest of slaves will he be to his brothers.”

Then Noah blessed Shem. He said, “Praise be to the Lord, the God of Shem! May Canaan be the slave of Shem.”

Noah also spoke about Japheth. He said, “May God extend Japheth’s territory. May Japheth live in the tents of Shem, and may Canaan be the slave of Japheth.”

After the flood, Noah lived 350 more years. Altogether, Noah lived 950 years. Then Noah died.

Important Things to Remember for the Quiz

God blessed Noah and his sons.

God told them to be fruitful, increase in number, and fill the earth.

God allowed people to eat living creatures for food, just as He had given them green plants.

God told them not to eat meat with its lifeblood still in it.

God said human life is precious because mankind is made in the image of God.

God made a covenant with Noah, his descendants, and every living creature.

God promised never again to destroy all life with a flood.

The sign of God’s covenant was the rainbow in the clouds.

Noah’s three sons were Shem, Ham, and Japheth.

Ham was the father of Canaan.

From Noah’s three sons came the people who spread over the whole earth.

Noah planted a vineyard.

Noah became drunk and lay uncovered in his tent.

Ham saw Noah uncovered and told his brothers.

Shem and Japheth respectfully covered Noah while walking backward.

Noah cursed Canaan.

Noah blessed Shem and spoke of Japheth’s territory being extended.

Noah lived 350 years after the flood.

Noah lived a total of 950 years.

Genesis 10 - The Table of Nations 

After the flood, Noah’s three sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth, began to have children. Their families grew bigger and bigger. As time passed, their descendants became clans, tribes, peoples, and nations. Genesis chapter 10 tells us where many of these nations came from.

This chapter is often called “The Table of Nations” because it shows the family lines of Noah’s sons after the flood. It helps us understand how the people of the earth spread out into different lands, languages, clans, and nations.

First, the Bible tells us about the family of Japheth.

Japheth had seven sons. Their names were Gomer, Magog, Madai, Javan, Tubal, Meshek, and Tiras.

Gomer also had sons. Their names were Ashkenaz, Riphath, and Togarmah.

Javan also had sons. Their names were Elishah, Tarshish, the Kittites, and the Rodanites.

From the family of Japheth came the maritime peoples. These were people who spread out into their own territories, clans, nations, and languages. This shows that as families grew, they moved to different places and became separate groups of people.

Next, the Bible tells us about the family of Ham.

Ham had four sons. Their names were Cush, Egypt, Put, and Canaan.

Cush had sons named Seba, Havilah, Sabtah, Raamah, and Sabteka. Raamah also had two sons named Sheba and Dedan.

Cush was also the father of Nimrod. Nimrod became a mighty warrior on the earth. He was also known as a mighty hunter before the Lord. Because of this, people would say, “Like Nimrod, a mighty hunter before the Lord.”

Nimrod became a ruler with a kingdom. The first centers of his kingdom were Babylon, Uruk, Akkad, and Kalneh. These places were in the land of Shinar.

Later, Nimrod went to Assyria and built great cities. These cities were Nineveh, Rehoboth Ir, Calah, and Resen. Resen was located between Nineveh and Calah, and it was known as a great city.

Another son of Ham was Egypt. From Egypt came several groups of people. These were the Ludites, Anamites, Lehabites, Naphtuhites, Pathrusites, Kasluhites, and Caphtorites. The Bible says that the Philistines came from the Kasluhites.

Ham’s son Canaan also had many descendants. Canaan’s firstborn son was Sidon. From Canaan also came the Hittites, Jebusites, Amorites, Girgashites, Hivites, Arkites, Sinites, Arvadites, Zemarites, and Hamathites.

Later, the Canaanite clans spread out. Their borders reached from Sidon toward Gerar, as far as Gaza, and then toward Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah, and Zeboyim, as far as Lasha.

These were the sons of Ham, according to their clans, languages, territories, and nations.

Finally, the Bible tells us about the family of Shem.

Shem was the ancestor of all the sons of Eber. Shem had sons named Elam, Ashur, Arphaxad, Lud, and Aram.

Aram had sons named Uz, Hul, Gether, and Meshek.

Arphaxad became the father of Shelah, and Shelah became the father of Eber.

Eber had two sons. One was named Peleg, because in his time the earth was divided. His brother was named Joktan.

Joktan had many sons. Their names were Almodad, Sheleph, Hazarmaveth, Jerah, Hadoram, Uzal, Diklah, Obal, Abimael, Sheba, Ophir, Havilah, and Jobab.

The region where Joktan’s family lived stretched from Mesha toward Sephar, in the eastern hill country.

These were the sons of Shem, according to their clans, languages, territories, and nations.

Genesis 10 ends by reminding us that these were the clans of Noah’s sons. From Shem, Ham, and Japheth came many families and nations. After the flood, these people spread out over the earth.

Important Things to Remember for the Quiz

Genesis 10 is known as The Table of Nations.

It tells the account of Shem, Ham, and Japheth, the three sons of Noah.

Noah’s sons had sons after the flood.

From Noah’s sons came many clans, languages, territories, and nations.

The three sons of Noah were Shem, Ham, and Japheth.

The Family of Japheth

Japheth had seven sons:

Gomer, Magog, Madai, Javan, Tubal, Meshek, and Tiras.

The sons of Gomer were:

Ashkenaz, Riphath, and Togarmah.

The sons of Javan were:

Elishah, Tarshish, the Kittites, and the Rodanites.

From Japheth’s family came the maritime peoples.

They spread out into territories by their clans, nations, and languages.

The Family of Ham

Ham had four sons:

Cush, Egypt, Put, and Canaan.

The sons of Cush were:

Seba, Havilah, Sabtah, Raamah, and Sabteka.

The sons of Raamah were:

Sheba and Dedan.

Cush was the father of Nimrod.

Nimrod became a mighty warrior on the earth.

Nimrod was known as a mighty hunter before the Lord.

The first centers of Nimrod’s kingdom were:

Babylon, Uruk, Akkad, and Kalneh.

These were in the land of Shinar.

Nimrod also went to Assyria and built:

Nineveh, Rehoboth Ir, Calah, and Resen.

Resen was between Nineveh and Calah.

Egypt’s descendants included:

Ludites, Anamites, Lehabites, Naphtuhites, Pathrusites, Kasluhites, and Caphtorites.

The Philistines came from the Kasluhites.

Canaan’s firstborn was Sidon.

Canaan’s descendants included:

Hittites, Jebusites, Amorites, Girgashites, Hivites, Arkites, Sinites, Arvadites, Zemarites, and Hamathites.

The Canaanite clans later scattered.

The border of Canaan reached from Sidon toward Gerar, as far as Gaza, and then toward Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah, Zeboyim, as far as Lasha.

The Family of Shem

Shem was the ancestor of all the sons of Eber.

The sons of Shem were:

Elam, Ashur, Arphaxad, Lud, and Aram.

The sons of Aram were:

Uz, Hul, Gether, and Meshek.

Arphaxad was the father of Shelah.

Shelah was the father of Eber.

Eber had two sons:

Peleg and Joktan.

Peleg was given his name because in his time the earth was divided.

Joktan’s sons were:

Almodad, Sheleph, Hazarmaveth, Jerah, Hadoram, Uzal, Diklah, Obal, Abimael, Sheba, Ophir, Havilah, and Jobab.

The region where Joktan’s family lived stretched from Mesha toward Sephar, in the eastern hill country.

Genesis 10 teaches that from Noah’s three sons, the nations spread out over the earth after the flood.

Genesis 11 - The Tower of Babel 

After the flood, the people of the earth began to grow in number. At this time, everyone in the whole world spoke one language and had the same common speech. This means all the people could understand each other easily.

As the people moved eastward, they found a plain in the land of Shinar. A plain is a flat area of land. The people decided to settle there.

Then they said to one another, “Come, let’s make bricks and bake them thoroughly.” Instead of using stone to build, they used brick. Instead of using regular mortar, they used tar to hold the bricks together.

The people had a big plan. They said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city, with a tower that reaches to the heavens.” They wanted to make a great name for themselves. They also said they did not want to be scattered over the face of the whole earth.

But this was not what God wanted. God had told people to fill the earth, but they wanted to stay together in one place and make themselves famous.

The Lord came down to see the city and the tower the people were building. God saw that the people were working together with one language, but their hearts were full of pride. They were trying to build something great for themselves instead of obeying God.

The Lord said, “If they continue like this, speaking the same language, nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them.” So God decided to confuse their language so they would not understand each other.

Suddenly, the people could no longer understand what others were saying. One person would speak, but another person would not know what they meant. Because they could not understand each other, they stopped building the city.

Then the Lord scattered the people from that place over all the earth. The city was called Babel because there the Lord confused the language of the whole world. From Babel, God scattered the people over the face of the whole earth.

This story teaches us that God wants people to obey Him, not live in pride. The people wanted to make a name for themselves, but God showed that His plan is greater than human pride.

From Shem to Abram

After the story of Babel, the Bible gives the family line of Shem. Shem was one of Noah’s sons. This family line is important because it leads to Abram, who would later be called Abraham.

Two years after the flood, Shem was 100 years old. At that time, he became the father of Arphaxad. After Arphaxad was born, Shem lived 500 more years and had other sons and daughters.

When Arphaxad was 35 years old, he became the father of Shelah. After Shelah was born, Arphaxad lived 403 more years and had other sons and daughters.

When Shelah was 30 years old, he became the father of Eber. After Eber was born, Shelah lived 403 more years and had other sons and daughters.

When Eber was 34 years old, he became the father of Peleg. After Peleg was born, Eber lived 430 more years and had other sons and daughters.

When Peleg was 30 years old, he became the father of Reu. After Reu was born, Peleg lived 209 more years and had other sons and daughters.

When Reu was 32 years old, he became the father of Serug. After Serug was born, Reu lived 207 more years and had other sons and daughters.

When Serug was 30 years old, he became the father of Nahor. After Nahor was born, Serug lived 200 more years and had other sons and daughters.

When Nahor was 29 years old, he became the father of Terah. After Terah was born, Nahor lived 119 more years and had other sons and daughters.

When Terah was 70 years old, he became the father of Abram, Nahor, and Haran.

This family line shows how the descendants of Shem continued until Abram was born.

Abram’s Family

The Bible then tells us about Terah’s family.

Terah was the father of Abram, Nahor, and Haran. Haran became the father of Lot. This means Lot was Abram’s nephew.

Sadly, Haran died while his father Terah was still alive. Haran died in Ur of the Chaldeans, which was the land where he was born.

Abram and Nahor both got married. Abram’s wife was named Sarai. Nahor’s wife was named Milkah. Milkah was the daughter of Haran. Haran was also the father of Iskah.

The Bible tells us that Sarai was childless because she was not able to have children.

Later, Terah took his son Abram, his grandson Lot, and his daughter-in-law Sarai, Abram’s wife, and they left Ur of the Chaldeans. They were going toward the land of Canaan.

But when they came to Harran, they settled there. Terah lived 205 years, and he died in Harran.

Important Things to Remember for the Quiz

Genesis 11 begins with the story of The Tower of Babel.

At first, the whole world had one language and one common speech.

The people moved eastward and found a plain in Shinar.

They settled in Shinar.

The people made bricks and baked them thoroughly.

They used brick instead of stone.

They used tar for mortar.

The people wanted to build a city and a tower that reached to the heavens.

They wanted to make a name for themselves.

They did not want to be scattered over the whole earth.

The Lord came down to see the city and tower.

God confused their language so they would not understand each other.

The people stopped building the city.

The Lord scattered them over all the earth.

The city was called Babel because there the Lord confused the language of the whole world.

From Babel, the Lord scattered the people over the face of the whole earth.

Family Line from Shem to Abram

• Shem was 100 years old when he became the father of Arphaxad.

• Arphaxad was born two years after the flood.

• After Arphaxad was born, Shem lived 500 years and had other sons and daughters.

• Arphaxad was 35 years old when he became the father of Shelah.

• After Shelah was born, Arphaxad lived 403 years and had other sons and daughters.

• Shelah was 30 years old when he became the father of Eber.

• After Eber was born, Shelah lived 403 years and had other sons and daughters.

• Eber was 34 years old when he became the father of Peleg.

• After Peleg was born, Eber lived 430 years and had other sons and daughters.

• Peleg was 30 years old when he became the father of Reu.

• After Reu was born, Peleg lived 209 years and had other sons and daughters.

• Reu was 32 years old when he became the father of Serug.

• After Serug was born, Reu lived 207 years and had other sons and daughters.

• Serug was 30 years old when he became the father of Nahor.

• After Nahor was born, Serug lived 200 years and had other sons and daughters.

• Nahor was 29 years old when he became the father of Terah.

• After Terah was born, Nahor lived 119 years and had other sons and daughters.

• Terah was 70 years old when he became the father of Abram, Nahor, and Haran.

Abram’s Family

• Terah was the father of Abram, Nahor, and Haran.

• Haran was the father of Lot.

• Lot was Abram’s nephew.

• Haran died in Ur of the Chaldeans while his father Terah was still alive.

• Abram’s wife was named Sarai.

• Nahor’s wife was named Milkah.

• Milkah was the daughter of Haran.

• Haran was the father of Milkah and Iskah.

• Sarai was childless because she was not able to have children.

• Terah took Abram, Lot, and Sarai and left Ur of the Chaldeans.

• They were going to Canaan.

• When they came to Harran, they settled there.

• Terah lived 205 years.

• Terah died in Harran.

The people at Babel wanted to make themselves great, but God wanted them to obey Him. God confused their language and scattered them over the earth. Genesis 11 also shows the family line from Shem to Abram, preparing us for the story of Abraham and God’s special promise to him.

Genesis 12 - The Call of Abram 

One day, the Lord spoke to a man named Abram. God gave Abram a very important command. The Lord said, “Go from your country, your people, and your father’s household to the land I will show you.”

God was asking Abram to leave behind the place he knew, his relatives, and his father’s household. Abram did not know exactly where he was going, but God promised to show him the way.

Then God gave Abram a wonderful promise. God said, “I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you.” This meant that Abram’s family would grow into a great people.

God also said, “I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing.” Abram would not only receive blessings from God, but he would also become a blessing to others.

God continued, “I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse.” This showed that God would protect Abram and care for him.

Then God gave a very special promise: “All peoples on earth will be blessed through you.” This meant that God had a big plan for Abram’s family. Through Abram’s family line, blessing would come to the whole world.

Abram obeyed God. He went just as the Lord had told him. Abram was 75 years old when he left Harran.

Abram did not go alone. His wife Sarai went with him, and his nephew Lot also went with him. Abram also took all the possessions they had gathered and the people they had acquired in Harran. Together they set out for the land of Canaan, and they arrived there.

Abram traveled through the land until he came to the site of the great tree of Moreh at Shechem. At that time, the Canaanites were living in the land.

Then the Lord appeared to Abram and said, “To your offspring I will give this land.” God promised that Abram’s descendants would one day receive the land of Canaan.

After God appeared to him, Abram built an altar there to the Lord. An altar was a special place where people worshiped God.

From Shechem, Abram went toward the hills east of Bethel. He pitched his tent there, with Bethel on the west and Ai on the east. There he built another altar to the Lord and called on the name of the Lord.

After that, Abram continued traveling toward the Negev.

Abram in Egypt

Later, there was a famine in the land. A famine means there was not enough food. The famine was very serious, so Abram went down to Egypt to live there for a while.

As Abram was about to enter Egypt, he became afraid. He said to Sarai, “I know what a beautiful woman you are. When the Egyptians see you, they will say, ‘This is his wife.’ Then they will kill me but let you live.”

Abram told Sarai to say that she was his sister. He thought that if the Egyptians believed Sarai was his sister, they would treat him well and spare his life.

When Abram arrived in Egypt, the Egyptians saw that Sarai was very beautiful. Pharaoh’s officials also saw her and praised her to Pharaoh. Because of this, Sarai was taken into Pharaoh’s palace.

Pharaoh treated Abram well because of Sarai. Abram received many animals and servants. He gained sheep, cattle, male and female donkeys, male and female servants, and camels.

But God knew the truth. Sarai was Abram’s wife. Because Pharaoh had taken Sarai, the Lord sent serious diseases on Pharaoh and his household.

Pharaoh then called Abram and said, “What have you done to me? Why didn’t you tell me she was your wife? Why did you say, ‘She is my sister,’ so that I took her to be my wife?”

Then Pharaoh told Abram, “Here is your wife. Take her and go!”

Pharaoh gave orders to his men, and they sent Abram away with his wife and everything he had.

Important Things to Remember for the Quiz

• Genesis 12 begins with The Call of Abram.

• The Lord told Abram to leave:

• His country,
  His people,
  And his father’s household.

• God told Abram to go to the land He would show him.

• God promised Abram, “I will make you into a great nation.”

• God promised to bless Abram.

• God promised to make Abram’s name great.

• God said Abram would be a blessing.

• God said He would bless those who blessed Abram.

• God said He would curse whoever cursed Abram.

• God said all peoples on earth would be blessed through Abram.

• Abram obeyed God and went as the Lord told him.

• Lot went with Abram.

• Abram was 75 years old when he left Harran.

• Abram took his wife Sarai with him.

• Abram took his nephew Lot with him.

• Abram took all his possessions and the people they had acquired in Harran.

• Abram set out for the land of Canaan.

• Abram arrived in Canaan.

• Abram traveled as far as the great tree of Moreh at Shechem.

• The Canaanites were in the land at that time.

• The Lord appeared to Abram and said, “To your offspring I will give this land.”

• Abram built an altar to the Lord at Shechem.

• Abram later pitched his tent near Bethel and Ai.

• Bethel was on the west.

• Ai was on the east.

• Abram built another altar to the Lord there.

• Abram called on the name of the Lord.

• Abram continued toward the Negev.

Abram in Egypt Quiz Facts

• There was a famine in the land.

• Abram went down to Egypt because the famine was severe.

• Abram told Sarai to say she was his sister.

• Abram was afraid the Egyptians would kill him because Sarai was beautiful.

• The Egyptians saw that Sarai was very beautiful.

• Pharaoh’s officials praised Sarai to Pharaoh.

• Sarai was taken into Pharaoh’s palace.

• Pharaoh treated Abram well because of Sarai.

• Abram received sheep, cattle, male and female donkeys, male and female servants, and camels.

• The Lord sent serious diseases on Pharaoh and his household because of Sarai.

• Pharaoh asked Abram why he did not say Sarai was his wife.

• Pharaoh told Abram to take Sarai and go.

• Pharaoh’s men sent Abram away with his wife and everything he had.

Genesis 12 teaches us that Abram obeyed God by leaving his home and going to the land God would show him. God promised to bless Abram and make him into a great nation. But the story also shows that Abram became afraid in Egypt and did not tell the full truth about Sarai. Even then, God protected Sarai and continued His plan for Abram’s life.

Genesis 13 - Abram and Lot Separate 

After Abram left Egypt, he went back up to the Negev. He did not go alone. His wife Sarai was with him, and his nephew Lot also went with him. Abram also took everything he owned.

By this time, Abram had become very wealthy. He had many animals, silver, and gold. The Bible says Abram was rich in livestock, silver, and gold.

Abram traveled from place to place. From the Negev, he went back toward Bethel. He came to the place between Bethel and Ai, where his tent had been before. This was also the place where Abram had first built an altar to the Lord.

When Abram returned to that altar, he called on the name of the Lord. This showed that Abram still worshiped God and depended on Him.

Lot was also traveling with Abram. Lot had flocks, herds, and tents too. Both Abram and Lot had many possessions. But because they had so many animals and people with them, the land could not support them while they stayed together.

Soon, there was a problem. Abram’s herders and Lot’s herders began to quarrel. They argued because there was not enough land and space for all the animals. At that time, the Canaanites and Perizzites were also living in the land.

Abram did not want fighting between him and Lot. So Abram spoke kindly to Lot. He said, “Let’s not have any quarreling between you and me, or between your herders and mine, because we are close relatives.”

Then Abram gave Lot a choice. Abram said, “Is not the whole land before you? Let’s part company. If you go to the left, I will go to the right. If you go to the right, I will go to the left.”

Abram was older, but he allowed Lot to choose first. Abram wanted peace more than he wanted the best land for himself.

Lot looked around and saw the whole plain of the Jordan. It was well watered and beautiful. It looked like the garden of the Lord and like the land of Egypt. This was before the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah.

So Lot chose the whole plain of the Jordan for himself. He set out toward the east. Then Abram and Lot parted company.

Abram lived in the land of Canaan. Lot lived among the cities of the plain and pitched his tents near Sodom.

But there was something important about Sodom. The people of Sodom were wicked and were sinning greatly against the Lord.

After Lot separated from Abram, the Lord spoke to Abram. God told Abram to look around from where he was. God said, “Look to the north and south, to the east and west.”

Then God gave Abram another promise. God said, “All the land that you see I will give to you and your offspring forever.”

God also promised Abram that his offspring would be like the dust of the earth. That meant Abram’s descendants would be so many that they could not be counted, just like no one can count all the dust on the earth.

Then God told Abram, “Go, walk through the length and breadth of the land, for I am giving it to you.”

After this, Abram moved to live near the great trees of Mamre at Hebron. There he pitched his tents. Once again, Abram built an altar to the Lord.

Important Things to Remember for the Quiz

Genesis 13 tells the story of Abram and Lot separating.

Abram went up from Egypt to the Negev.

Abram went with his wife, everything he had, and Lot.

Abram had become very wealthy.

Abram was wealthy in livestock, silver, and gold.

Abram traveled from the Negev to Bethel.

Abram came to the place between Bethel and Ai.

This was where Abram’s tent had been earlier.

This was also where Abram had first built an altar.

At that place, Abram called on the name of the Lord.

Lot also had flocks, herds, and tents.

The land could not support Abram and Lot while they stayed together.

Their possessions were so great that they could not stay together.

Quarreling arose between Abram’s herders and Lot’s herders.

The Canaanites and Perizzites were living in the land at that time.

Abram told Lot there should not be quarreling between them because they were close relatives.

Abram gave Lot the first choice of land.

Abram said, “If you go to the left, I’ll go to the right; if you go to the right, I’ll go to the left.”

Lot looked and saw the whole plain of the Jordan.

The plain of the Jordan was well watered.

It looked like the garden of the Lord and like the land of Egypt.

Lot chose the whole plain of the Jordan.

Lot set out toward the east.

Abram and Lot parted company.

Abram lived in the land of Canaan.

Lot lived among the cities of the plain.

Lot pitched his tents near Sodom.

The people of Sodom were wicked and were sinning greatly against the Lord.

After Lot parted from Abram, the Lord spoke to Abram.

God told Abram to look north, south, east, and west.

God promised Abram that all the land he saw would be given to him and his offspring forever.

God said Abram’s offspring would be like the dust of the earth.

God told Abram to walk through the length and breadth of the land because He was giving it to him.

Abram went to live near the great trees of Mamre at Hebron.

At Hebron, Abram pitched his tents.

At Hebron, Abram built an altar to the Lord.

Genesis 13 teaches us that Abram chose peace instead of fighting. Even though Abram allowed Lot to choose first, God still blessed Abram. Lot chose what looked good to his eyes, but Abram trusted God. This chapter reminds us that it is better to choose peace and trust God than to fight over things.

Genesis 14 - Abram Rescues Lot 

In Genesis 14, there was a war between kings. At that time, there were four kings who joined together. Their names were Amraphel king of Shinar, Arioch king of Ellasar, Kedorlaomer king of Elam, and Tidal king of Goyim.

These four kings went to war against five other kings. The five kings were Bera king of Sodom, Birsha king of Gomorrah, Shinab king of Admah, Shemeber king of Zeboyim, and the king of Bela, which is also called Zoar.

These five kings joined together in the Valley of Siddim, which is also called the Dead Sea Valley.

For twelve years, these kings had been under the rule of Kedorlaomer. But in the thirteenth year, they rebelled against him. Then, in the fourteenth year, Kedorlaomer and the kings who were with him came to fight.

Kedorlaomer and his allies defeated many groups of people. They defeated the Rephaites in Ashteroth Karnaim, the Zuzites in Ham, the Emites in Shaveh Kiriathaim, and the Horites in the hill country of Seir. They also conquered the territory of the Amalekites and the Amorites who were living in Hazezon Tamar.

Then the kings of Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah, Zeboyim, and Bela went out to fight against the four kings. It was four kings against five kings.

The battle happened in the Valley of Siddim. This valley was full of tar pits. When the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah ran away, some of their men fell into the tar pits, and the rest fled to the hills.

The four kings took all the goods and food from Sodom and Gomorrah. They also captured Lot, Abram’s nephew, because Lot was living in Sodom. They took Lot and his possessions away.

One man escaped and went to tell Abram the Hebrew what had happened. At that time, Abram was living near the great trees of Mamre the Amorite. Mamre had two brothers named Eshkol and Aner. These men were allies of Abram.

When Abram heard that his relative Lot had been captured, he acted quickly. Abram called out 318 trained men who had been born in his household. Then Abram went after the enemy kings as far as Dan.

During the night, Abram divided his men and attacked. God helped Abram, and Abram defeated the enemy. Abram chased them as far as Hobah, north of Damascus.

Abram recovered everything that had been taken. He brought back all the goods, his nephew Lot, Lot’s possessions, the women, and the other people. Abram was brave and rescued his family.

After Abram returned from defeating Kedorlaomer and the kings with him, the king of Sodom came out to meet him in the Valley of Shaveh, also called the King’s Valley.

Then another king came to meet Abram. His name was Melchizedek. Melchizedek was the king of Salem. He brought out bread and wine. Melchizedek was also a priest of God Most High.

Melchizedek blessed Abram and said, “Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth. And praise be to God Most High, who delivered your enemies into your hand.”

Melchizedek reminded Abram that God was the One who gave him victory.

Then Abram gave Melchizedek a tenth of everything. This means Abram gave him one part out of every ten parts.

After this, the king of Sodom spoke to Abram. He said, “Give me the people and keep the goods for yourself.”

But Abram refused. Abram said he had made an oath to the Lord, God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth. Abram said he would not take anything belonging to the king of Sodom, not even a thread or the strap of a sandal.

Abram did not want the king of Sodom to say, “I made Abram rich.” Abram wanted everyone to know that his blessing came from God, not from the king of Sodom.

Abram only accepted what his men had eaten and the share that belonged to the men who went with him: Aner, Eshkol, and Mamre. He said they should receive their share.

Important Things to Remember for the Quiz

• Genesis 14 tells the story of Abram rescuing Lot.

• There was a war between four kings and five kings.

• The four kings were:

• Amraphel king of Shinar
  Arioch king of Ellasar
  Kedorlaomer king of Elam
  Tidal king of Goyim

• The five kings were:

• Bera king of Sodom
  Birsha king of Gomorrah
  Shinab king of Admah
  Shemeber king of Zeboyim
  The king of Bela, that is, Zoar

• The five kings joined forces in the Valley of Siddim.

• The Valley of Siddim is also called the Dead Sea Valley.

• For twelve years, the five kings had been subject to Kedorlaomer.

• In the thirteenth year, they rebelled.

• In the fourteenth year, Kedorlaomer and his allies went to war.

• Kedorlaomer and his allies defeated:

• The Rephaites in Ashteroth Karnaim
  The Zuzites in Ham
  The Emites in Shaveh Kiriathaim
  The Horites in the hill country of Seir
  The Amalekites
  The Amorites in Hazezon Tamar

• The battle was four kings against five.

• The Valley of Siddim was full of tar pits.

• When the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled, some men fell into the tar pits.

• The four kings took all the goods and food of Sodom and Gomorrah.

• They also captured Lot, Abram’s nephew.

• Lot was living in Sodom.

• A man escaped and reported the news to Abram the Hebrew.

• Abram was living near the great trees of Mamre the Amorite.

• Mamre was the brother of Eshkol and Aner.

• Mamre, Eshkol, and Aner were allied with Abram.

• Abram called out 318 trained men born in his household.

• Abram pursued the enemy as far as Dan.

• At night, Abram divided his men and attacked.

• Abram chased the enemy as far as Hobah, north of Damascus.

• Abram recovered all the goods.

• Abram brought back Lot, Lot’s possessions, the women, and the other people.

• After Abram returned, the king of Sodom met him in the Valley of Shaveh.

• The Valley of Shaveh is also called the King’s Valley.

• Melchizedek came to meet Abram.

• Melchizedek was the king of Salem.

• Melchizedek brought out bread and wine.

• Melchizedek was a priest of God Most High.

• Melchizedek blessed Abram.

• Melchizedek praised God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth.

• Melchizedek said God had delivered Abram’s enemies into his hand.

• Abram gave Melchizedek a tenth of everything.

• The king of Sodom told Abram to give him the people and keep the goods.

• Abram refused to take the goods from the king of Sodom.

• Abram said he would not take even a thread or the strap of a sandal.

• Abram did not want the king of Sodom to say, “I made Abram rich.”

• Abram only accepted what his men had eaten.

• Abram said Aner, Eshkol, and Mamre should receive their share.

Genesis 14 teaches us that Abram was brave, loyal, and trusted God. When Lot was captured, Abram went to rescue him. After God gave Abram victory, Abram honored God and refused to take riches from the king of Sodom. Abram wanted everyone to know that his blessings came from the Lord, God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth.

Genesis 15 - God's Covenant with Abram 

After Abram rescued Lot and returned from battle, the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision. God spoke to Abram and said, “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward.”

This meant that God would protect Abram like a shield. God also wanted Abram to know that the greatest blessing was not land, animals, silver, or gold. God Himself was Abram’s very great reward.

But Abram had a question. Abram said, “Sovereign Lord, what can you give me since I remain childless?” Abram did not have a son, and he was worried about who would inherit everything he owned.

Abram said that Eliezer of Damascus, a servant in his household, would become his heir. Abram also said, “You have given me no children, so a servant in my household will be my heir.”

Then the word of the Lord came to Abram again. God told him, “This man will not be your heir. A son who is your own flesh and blood will be your heir.”

God was promising Abram that he would have his own son.

Then God took Abram outside and told him to look up at the sky. God said, “Look up at the sky and count the stars, if you can count them.” Then God said, “So shall your offspring be.”

Abram looked at the stars in the sky. There were too many to count. God was showing Abram that his descendants would become very many, just like the stars.

Abram believed the Lord. Because Abram believed God, the Lord credited it to him as righteousness. This means Abram trusted God, and God counted his faith as right before Him.

Then God reminded Abram who He was. God said, “I am the Lord, who brought you out of Ur of the Chaldeans to give you this land to take possession of it.”

But Abram asked another question. He said, “Sovereign Lord, how can I know that I will gain possession of it?”

So the Lord told Abram to bring Him several animals. God said to bring a heifer, a goat, and a ram, each three years old, along with a dove and a young pigeon.

Abram brought the animals to God. He cut the heifer, goat, and ram in two and arranged the halves opposite each other. But Abram did not cut the birds in half.

Then birds of prey came down on the animal pieces, but Abram drove them away.

As the sun was setting, Abram fell into a deep sleep. A thick and dreadful darkness came over him.

Then the Lord spoke to Abram and told him what would happen in the future. God said that Abram’s descendants would be strangers in a country that was not their own. They would be enslaved and mistreated there for 400 years.

But God also promised that He would punish the nation that made them slaves. Afterward, Abram’s descendants would come out with great possessions.

God also told Abram that he himself would go to his ancestors in peace and be buried at a good old age.

God said that in the fourth generation, Abram’s descendants would come back to the land. God explained that the sin of the Amorites had not yet reached its full measure.

When the sun had set and darkness had fallen, Abram saw something amazing. A smoking firepot with a blazing torch appeared and passed between the pieces of the animals.

On that day, the Lord made a covenant with Abram. A covenant is a serious promise. God promised Abram that his descendants would receive the land.

God said, “To your descendants I give this land, from the Wadi of Egypt to the great river, the Euphrates.”

Then God named the peoples living in the land. These included the Kenites, Kenizzites, Kadmonites, Hittites, Perizzites, Rephaites, Amorites, Canaanites, Girgashites, and Jebusites.

Genesis 15 shows that God promised Abram a son, many descendants, and land for his descendants. Abram believed God, and God made a covenant with him.

Important Things to Remember for the Quiz

• Genesis 15 tells the story of God’s covenant with Abram.

• The word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision.

• God told Abram, “Do not be afraid.”

• God said, “I am your shield, your very great reward.”

• Abram was worried because he had no child.

• Abram said that Eliezer of Damascus would inherit his estate.

• Abram said that a servant in his household would be his heir.

• God told Abram that Eliezer would not be his heir.

• God promised that a son from Abram’s own flesh and blood would be his heir.

• God took Abram outside and told him to look at the sky.

• God told Abram to count the stars, if he could count them.

• God said Abram’s offspring would be like the stars.

• Abram believed the Lord.

• God credited Abram’s faith to him as righteousness.

• God reminded Abram that He brought him out of Ur of the Chaldeans.

• God said He brought Abram out to give him the land to possess.

• Abram asked God how he could know that he would gain possession of the land.

• God told Abram to bring:

• A heifer three years old,
  A goat three years old,
  A ram three years old,
  A dove,
  And a young pigeon.

• Abram cut the heifer, goat, and ram in two.

• Abram arranged the halves opposite each other.

• Abram did not cut the birds in half.

• Birds of prey came down on the carcasses.

• Abram drove the birds of prey away.

• As the sun was setting, Abram fell into a deep sleep.

• A thick and dreadful darkness came over Abram.

• God told Abram that his descendants would be strangers in a country not their own.

• God said Abram’s descendants would be enslaved and mistreated for 400 years.

• God said He would punish the nation they served as slaves.

• God said Abram’s descendants would come out with great possessions.

• God told Abram he would go to his ancestors in peace.

• God said Abram would be buried at a good old age.

• God said Abram’s descendants would come back in the fourth generation.

• God said the sin of the Amorites had not yet reached its full measure.

• After the sun had set, a smoking firepot and a blazing torch passed between the pieces.

• On that day, the Lord made a covenant with Abram.

• God promised Abram’s descendants the land from the Wadi of Egypt to the great river, the Euphrates.

The peoples listed in the land were:

Kenites
Kenizzites
Kadmonites
Hittites
Perizzites
Rephaites
Amorites
Canaanites
Girgashites
Jebusites

Genesis 15 teaches us that God keeps His promises. Abram did not yet have a child, but God promised him a son and many descendants. Abram believed God, and God counted his faith as righteousness. Even when Abram did not understand everything, God showed that His plan was sure and His covenant would stand.

Genesis 16 - Hagar and Ishmael 

Abram and Sarai had been waiting for God’s promise, but Sarai still had no children. Sarai was Abram’s wife, and she had an Egyptian slave named Hagar.

Sarai said to Abram, “The Lord has kept me from having children. Go, sleep with my slave. Perhaps I can build a family through her.”

Abram agreed to what Sarai said. At this time, Abram had already been living in Canaan for ten years. So Sarai gave her Egyptian slave Hagar to Abram to be his wife.

Hagar became pregnant. But when Hagar knew she was going to have a baby, she began to look down on Sarai. This caused trouble in the family.

Sarai became upset and spoke to Abram. She said, “You are responsible for the wrong I am suffering. I put my slave in your arms, and now that she knows she is pregnant, she despises me.

Genesis 17- The Covenant of Circumcision 

When Abram was 99 years old, the Lord appeared to him. God said, “I am God Almighty. Walk before me faithfully and be blameless.”

God was reminding Abram that He is powerful and faithful. God wanted Abram to live in obedience and trust Him completely.

Then God said, “I will make my covenant between me and you, and I will greatly increase your numbers.”

When Abram heard God speak, he fell facedown. This showed respect, worship, and humility before God.

God said to Abram, “This is my covenant with you: You will be the father of many nations.”

Then God changed Abram’s name. God said, “No longer will you be called Abram; your name will be Abraham, for I have made you a father of many nations.”

God promised Abraham that he would be very fruitful. Nations would come from him, and kings would come from his family line.

God also said that His covenant with Abraham and his descendants would be an everlasting covenant. God promised to be Abraham’s God and the God of his descendants after him.

Then God promised Abraham the land of Canaan. God said that the whole land of Canaan, where Abraham was living as a foreigner, would be given to him and his descendants as an everlasting possession. God said, “I will be their God.”

After this, God told Abraham that he and his descendants must keep the covenant. The sign of the covenant would be circumcision. Every male among Abraham’s people was to be circumcised as a special sign that they belonged to God’s covenant.

God said that every male child who was eight days old must be circumcised. This included those born in Abraham’s household and those bought with money from a foreigner. Everyone in Abraham’s household was to share in the sign of the covenant.

Then God spoke about Sarai. God said, “As for Sarai your wife, you are no longer to call her Sarai. Her name will be Sarah.”

God promised to bless Sarah. He said that Sarah would have a son. God also said Sarah would become the mother of nations, and kings of peoples would come from her.

When Abraham heard this, he fell facedown and laughed. He thought to himself, “Will a son be born to a man who is 100 years old? Will Sarah have a child at the age of 90?”

Abraham then said to God, “If only Ishmael might live under your blessing!”

But God answered, “Yes, but your wife Sarah will bear you a son, and you will call him Isaac.”

God promised that He would establish His everlasting covenant with Isaac and with Isaac’s descendants after him.

God also told Abraham that He had heard his prayer about Ishmael. God promised to bless Ishmael too. Ishmael would be fruitful, his numbers would greatly increase, and he would become the father of twelve rulers. God said He would make Ishmael into a great nation.

But God made it clear that His covenant promise would continue through Isaac, the son Sarah would have. God said Sarah would bear Isaac by that time the next year.

When God finished speaking with Abraham, God went up from him.

On that very same day, Abraham obeyed God. He took his son Ishmael and every male in his household, including those born in his house and those bought with money, and they were circumcised as God had commanded.

Abraham was 99 years old when he was circumcised. His son Ishmael was 13 years old. Abraham and Ishmael were both circumcised on that very same day.

Every male in Abraham’s household was circumcised with him. Abraham obeyed God immediately and kept the covenant.

Important Things to Remember for the Quiz

• Genesis 17 tells about God’s covenant with Abraham and the sign of circumcision.

• Abram was 99 years old when the Lord appeared to him.

• God said, “I am God Almighty.”

• God told Abram to walk before Him faithfully and be blameless.

• God promised to make His covenant with Abram.

• God promised to greatly increase Abram’s numbers.

• Abram fell facedown before God.

• God said Abram would be the father of many nations.

• God changed Abram’s name to Abraham.

• Abram means “exalted father.”

• Abraham means “father of many.”

• God said He had made Abraham a father of many nations.

• God promised Abraham would be very fruitful.

• God said nations would come from Abraham.

• God said kings would come from Abraham.

• God promised an everlasting covenant between Himself, Abraham, and Abraham’s descendants.

• God promised to be Abraham’s God and the God of his descendants.

• God promised the whole land of Canaan to Abraham and his descendants.

• God said Canaan would be an everlasting possession.

• God said the sign of the covenant would be circumcision.

• Every male among Abraham’s people was to be circumcised.

• Every male child who was eight days old was to be circumcised.

• This included males born in Abraham’s household and those bought with money from a foreigner.

• Any uncircumcised male would be cut off from his people because he had broken the covenant.

• God changed Sarai’s name to Sarah.

• God promised to bless Sarah.

• God promised that Sarah would have a son.

• God said Sarah would be the mother of nations.

• God said kings of peoples would come from Sarah.

• Abraham fell facedown and laughed.

• Abraham wondered if a son could be born to a man who was 100 years old.

• Abraham also wondered if Sarah could have a child at 90 years old.

• Abraham asked God that Ishmael might live under His blessing.

• God said Sarah would bear Abraham a son.

• God said the son’s name would be Isaac.

• God promised to establish His covenant with Isaac.

• God said His covenant with Isaac would be an everlasting covenant for Isaac’s descendants.

• God also promised to bless Ishmael.

• Ishmael would be fruitful.

• Ishmael’s numbers would greatly increase.

• Ishmael would be the father of twelve rulers.

• God would make Ishmael into a great nation.

• God said His covenant would be established with Isaac, not Ishmael.

• Sarah would have Isaac by that time the next year.

• After God finished speaking, God went up from Abraham.

• On that very day, Abraham obeyed God.

• Abraham circumcised Ishmael and every male in his household.

• Abraham was 99 years old when he was circumcised.

• Ishmael was 13 years old when he was circumcised.

• Abraham and Ishmael were circumcised on the same day.

• Every male in Abraham’s household was circumcised with him.

Genesis 17 teaches us that God keeps His promises, even when they seem impossible. Abram became Abraham, and Sarai became Sarah, because God had a special plan for their family. Abraham obeyed God immediately, and God promised that Isaac would be the child of the covenant. This chapter reminds us to trust God, obey Him, and believe that His promises are always true.

Genesis 18 - The Three Visitors 

One day, the Lord appeared to Abraham near the great trees of Mamre. Abraham was sitting at the entrance of his tent during the heat of the day.

When Abraham looked up, he saw three men standing nearby. As soon as he saw them, he hurried from the entrance of his tent to meet them. Abraham bowed low to the ground to show respect.

Abraham said, “If I have found favor in your eyes, my lord, please do not pass your servant by.” He offered them water so they could wash their feet and rest under the tree. He also offered to bring them food so they could be refreshed before continuing their journey.

The visitors agreed and said, “Very well, do as you say.”

Abraham hurried into the tent and spoke to Sarah. He told her to quickly prepare bread using three seahs of the finest flour. Then Abraham ran to the herd and chose a good, tender calf. He gave it to a servant, who hurried to prepare it.

After the meal was ready, Abraham brought curds, milk, and the calf that had been prepared. He set the food before the visitors, and while they ate, Abraham stood near them under a tree.

Then the visitors asked Abraham, “Where is your wife Sarah?”

Abraham answered, “There, in the tent.”

Then one of the visitors said, “I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah your wife will have a son.”

Sarah was listening at the entrance of the tent behind him. Abraham and Sarah were already very old, and Sarah was past the age of having children. When Sarah heard this promise, she laughed to herself. She wondered how she could have a child when she and Abraham were so old.

Then the Lord said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh and say, ‘Will I really have a child, now that I am old?’”

Then the Lord asked a very important question: “Is anything too hard for the Lord?”

God said again that He would return at the appointed time next year, and Sarah would have a son.

Sarah became afraid, so she said, “I did not laugh.”

But the Lord said, “Yes, you did laugh.”

This part of the story teaches us that nothing is too hard for God. Even though Abraham and Sarah were old, God was still able to keep His promise.

Abraham Pleads for Sodom

After the visitors finished eating, they got up to leave. They looked down toward Sodom, and Abraham walked along with them to send them on their way.

Then the Lord said, “Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do?” God knew that Abraham would become a great and powerful nation. God had promised that all nations on earth would be blessed through Abraham.

God had chosen Abraham so that he would teach his children and his household to keep the way of the Lord by doing what is right and just.

Then the Lord spoke about Sodom and Gomorrah. He said that the outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah was very great, and their sin was very serious. The Lord said He would go down and see if what they had done was as bad as the outcry that had reached Him.

The men turned away and went toward Sodom, but Abraham remained standing before the Lord.

Then Abraham came near to the Lord and asked, “Will you sweep away the righteous with the wicked?”

Abraham asked God if He would spare the city if there were 50 righteous people in it. Abraham said, “Will not the Judge of all the earth do right?”

The Lord answered, “If I find 50 righteous people in the city of Sodom, I will spare the whole place for their sake.”

Then Abraham asked again. He said, “What if there are only 45 righteous people?” The Lord said that He would not destroy the city if He found 45.

Abraham asked again, “What if only 40 are found there?” The Lord said He would not destroy it for the sake of 40.

Then Abraham asked, “What if only 30 can be found there?” The Lord said He would not destroy it if He found 30.

Abraham continued, “What if only 20 can be found there?” The Lord said He would not destroy it for the sake of 20.

Finally, Abraham asked one more time, “What if only 10 can be found there?” The Lord answered, “For the sake of 10, I will not destroy it.”

When the Lord finished speaking with Abraham, He left. Then Abraham returned home.

Important Things to Remember for the Quiz

• Genesis 18 begins with The Three Visitors.

• The Lord appeared to Abraham near the great trees of Mamre.

• Abraham was sitting at the entrance of his tent in the heat of the day.

• Abraham saw three men standing nearby.

• Abraham hurried to meet them and bowed low to the ground.

• Abraham offered them water to wash their feet.

• Abraham offered them rest under a tree.

• Abraham offered them food so they could be refreshed.

• Abraham told Sarah to prepare bread using three seahs of the finest flour.

• Abraham chose a choice, tender calf from the herd.

• A servant prepared the calf.

• Abraham served the visitors curds, milk, and the prepared calf.

• Abraham stood near them under a tree while they ate.

• The visitors asked, “Where is your wife Sarah?”

• Abraham said Sarah was in the tent.

• One of them said that about that time next year, Sarah would have a son.

• Sarah was listening at the entrance of the tent.

• Abraham and Sarah were already very old.

• Sarah was past the age of childbearing.

• Sarah laughed to herself when she heard she would have a son.

• The Lord asked Abraham why Sarah laughed.

• The Lord asked, “Is anything too hard for the Lord?”

• The Lord said He would return at the appointed time next year.

• The Lord said Sarah would have a son.

• Sarah was afraid and said, “I did not laugh.”

• The Lord said, “Yes, you did laugh.”

Abraham Pleads for Sodom Quiz Facts

• The men got up to leave and looked down toward Sodom.

• Abraham walked along with them to see them on their way.

• The Lord said Abraham would become a great and powerful nation.

• God said all nations on earth would be blessed through Abraham.

• God had chosen Abraham to direct his children and household to keep the way of the Lord.

• Abraham was to teach his household to do what is right and just.

• The Lord said the outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah was very great.

• The Lord said their sin was very grievous.

• The Lord said He would go down and see if their sin was as bad as the outcry that had reached Him.

• The men turned away and went toward Sodom.

• Abraham remained standing before the Lord.

• Abraham asked if God would sweep away the righteous with the wicked.

• Abraham asked if God would spare the city if there were 50 righteous people.

• Abraham called God the Judge of all the earth.

• The Lord said He would spare Sodom if He found 50 righteous people there.

• Abraham then asked about 45 righteous people.

• The Lord said He would not destroy it if He found 45.

• Abraham then asked about 40 righteous people.

• The Lord said He would not destroy it for the sake of 40.

• Abraham then asked about 30 righteous people.

• The Lord said He would not destroy it if He found 30.

• Abraham then asked about 20 righteous people.

• The Lord said He would not destroy it for the sake of 20.

• Abraham finally asked about 10 righteous people.

• The Lord said He would not destroy it for the sake of 10.

• After the Lord finished speaking with Abraham, He left.

• Abraham returned home.

Genesis 18 teaches us that nothing is too hard for the Lord. God promised that Sarah would have a son, even though she and Abraham were old. This chapter also teaches us that Abraham cared about others and prayed for mercy. Abraham spoke to God about Sodom because he knew that God is just, righteous, and merciful.

Genesis 19 - Sodom and Gomorrah Destroyed 

One evening, two angels arrived at the city of Sodom. Lot was sitting in the gateway of the city. When Lot saw them, he got up to meet them and bowed down with his face to the ground.

Lot said, “My lords, please come to my house. You can wash your feet, spend the night, and then go on your way early in the morning.”

At first, the angels said they would spend the night in the square. But Lot strongly insisted that they come with him. So the two angels went with Lot and entered his house. Lot prepared a meal for them and baked bread without yeast, and they ate.

Before they went to bed, the men of Sodom surrounded Lot’s house. The Bible says men from every part of the city, both young and old, came to the house. They wanted to do something very wicked to the visitors.

Lot went outside and shut the door behind him. He begged the men not to do such a wicked thing. But the men became angry with Lot. They said Lot had come to live among them as a foreigner, and now he was acting like a judge. They pushed closer and tried to break down the door.

Then the two angels reached out, pulled Lot back into the house, and shut the door. They struck the men outside the door with blindness so that they could not find the door.

The angels then told Lot that the city was going to be destroyed. They asked him if he had anyone else in the city, such as sons-in-law, sons, daughters, or anyone else who belonged to him. They told Lot to get them out of the city because the Lord had sent them to destroy Sodom.

Lot went out and spoke to his sons-in-law, who were pledged to marry his daughters. He told them, “Hurry and get out of this place, because the Lord is about to destroy the city!” But Lot’s sons-in-law thought he was joking.

When morning was coming, the angels urged Lot to hurry. They told him to take his wife and his two daughters who were with him, so they would not be destroyed when the city was punished.

But Lot hesitated. Even though danger was coming, he delayed. So the angels took Lot by the hand, along with his wife and his two daughters, and led them safely out of the city. The Bible says this happened because the Lord was merciful to them.

When they were outside the city, one of the angels said, “Flee for your lives! Do not look back, and do not stop anywhere in the plain! Flee to the mountains, or you will be swept away!”

But Lot was afraid to go to the mountains. He asked if he could escape to a small nearby town instead. Lot said the town was very small and near enough for him to run to.

The angel granted Lot’s request and said he would not destroy that small town. The angel told Lot to flee there quickly. That town was called Zoar.

By the time Lot reached Zoar, the sun had risen over the land. Then the Lord rained down burning sulfur on Sodom and Gomorrah from the heavens. God overthrew those cities and the entire plain. He destroyed the people living in the cities and also the vegetation in the land.

But Lot’s wife looked back, even though they had been told not to look back. Because she looked back, she became a pillar of salt.

Early the next morning, Abraham got up and went back to the place where he had stood before the Lord. He looked down toward Sodom and Gomorrah and the land of the plain. He saw thick smoke rising from the land, like smoke from a furnace.

When God destroyed the cities of the plain, He remembered Abraham. Because of this, God brought Lot safely out of the disaster that destroyed the cities where Lot had lived.

Lot and His Daughters

After this, Lot and his two daughters left Zoar. Lot was afraid to stay there, so they went to live in the mountains. Lot and his two daughters lived in a cave.

Lot’s daughters became afraid that their family line would end. They made a sinful and wrong plan. They gave their father wine so he would not understand what was happening, and each daughter became pregnant by him.

The older daughter had a son and named him Moab. Moab became the father of the Moabites.

The younger daughter also had a son and named him Ben-Ammi. Ben-Ammi became the father of the Ammonites.

This part of the story is sad because Lot’s daughters acted out of fear instead of trusting God. But it also explains where the Moabites and Ammonites came from.

Important Things to Remember for the Quiz

• Genesis 19 tells about the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah.

• Two angels arrived at Sodom in the evening.

• Lot was sitting in the gateway of the city.

• Lot bowed down with his face to the ground when he saw them.

• Lot invited the angels to his house.

• Lot offered them water to wash their feet.

• Lot offered them a place to spend the night.

• Lot prepared a meal for them.

• Lot baked bread without yeast.

• The men of Sodom surrounded Lot’s house.

• The men of Sodom wanted to do something wicked to the visitors.

• Lot went outside and shut the door behind him.

• The men became angry with Lot and tried to break down the door.

• The angels pulled Lot back inside the house.

• The angels struck the men outside with blindness.

• The men could not find the door.

• The angels warned Lot that Sodom would be destroyed.

• The Lord had sent the angels to destroy the city because the outcry against its people was very great.

• Lot warned his sons-in-law to leave the city.

• Lot’s sons-in-law thought he was joking.

• At dawn, the angels urged Lot to hurry.

• The angels told Lot to take his wife and two daughters.

• Lot hesitated.

• The angels grasped the hands of Lot, his wife, and his two daughters.

• The angels led them safely out of the city.

• The Lord was merciful to Lot and his family.

• The angels told them to flee for their lives.

• They were told not to look back.

• They were told not to stop anywhere in the plain.

• They were told to flee to the mountains.

• Lot asked to escape to a small nearby town.

• The small town was called Zoar.

• Lot reached Zoar when the sun had risen.

• The Lord rained down burning sulfur on Sodom and Gomorrah.

• The Lord destroyed Sodom, Gomorrah, the entire plain, the people in the cities, and the vegetation.

• Lot’s wife looked back.

• Lot’s wife became a pillar of salt.

• Abraham looked down toward Sodom and Gomorrah the next morning.

• Abraham saw dense smoke rising like smoke from a furnace.

• God remembered Abraham.

• God brought Lot out of the catastrophe.

• Lot had lived in one of the cities that was destroyed.

Lot and His Daughters Quiz Facts

• Lot and his two daughters left Zoar.

• Lot was afraid to stay in Zoar.

• Lot and his two daughters settled in the mountains.

• They lived in a cave.

• Lot’s daughters made a sinful plan because they feared their family line would end.

• Both of Lot’s daughters became pregnant by their father.

• The older daughter had a son named Moab.

• Moab became the father of the Moabites.

• The younger daughter had a son named Ben-Ammi.

• Ben-Ammi became the father of the Ammonites.

Genesis 19 teaches us that sin is serious, but God is also merciful. Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed because of their great wickedness, but God rescued Lot and his family. This chapter also teaches us to obey God’s warnings quickly. Lot’s wife looked back and became a pillar of salt. We should trust God, obey Him, and not hold on to sinful places or wrong desires.

Genesis 20 - Abraham and Abimelek 

After the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, Abraham moved on from where he was staying. He went into the region of the Negev and lived between Kadesh and Shur. For a while, Abraham stayed in a place called Gerar.

While Abraham was in Gerar, he said something about his wife Sarah. Abraham said, “She is my sister.” Because of this, Abimelek, the king of Gerar, sent for Sarah and took her.

But God knew the truth. Sarah was Abraham’s wife.

One night, God came to Abimelek in a dream. God said to him, “You are as good as dead because of the woman you have taken; she is a married woman.”

Abimelek had not touched Sarah, so he spoke to God and said, “Lord, will you destroy an innocent nation?” Abimelek explained that Abraham had said, “She is my sister,” and Sarah had also said, “He is my brother.” Abimelek said he had done this with a clear conscience and clean hands.

Then God spoke to Abimelek in the dream. God said that He knew Abimelek had done this with a clear conscience. God also said that He had kept Abimelek from sinning against Him. That is why God did not allow Abimelek to touch Sarah.

God then gave Abimelek a command. He told him to return Sarah to Abraham. God also told Abimelek that Abraham was a prophet and that Abraham would pray for him so he would live.

But God warned Abimelek that if he did not return Sarah, he and everyone who belonged to him would die.

Early the next morning, Abimelek called all his officials together. He told them everything that had happened, and they became very afraid.

Then Abimelek called Abraham and asked him, “What have you done to us? How have I wronged you that you have brought such great guilt on me and my kingdom?” Abimelek told Abraham that he had done something that should never have been done.

Abimelek then asked Abraham why he had done this.

Abraham explained that he thought there was surely no fear of God in Gerar. He was afraid that the people would kill him because of Sarah, his wife.

Abraham also explained that Sarah really was his sister in a family sense. She was the daughter of his father, but not the daughter of his mother, and she became his wife.

Abraham said that when God had him wander from his father’s household, he had asked Sarah to show her love to him by saying, “He is my brother,” wherever they went.

After this, Abimelek returned Sarah to Abraham. Abimelek also gave Abraham sheep, cattle, and male and female slaves.

Then Abimelek told Abraham, “My land is before you; live wherever you like.”

Abimelek also spoke to Sarah. He said he was giving Abraham a thousand shekels of silver. This was to show that Sarah was innocent and to cover the offense before everyone with her. Sarah was completely vindicated, meaning her name was cleared.

Then Abraham prayed to God. God healed Abimelek, his wife, and his female slaves so they could have children again.

The Lord had kept all the women in Abimelek’s household from having children because of Abraham’s wife Sarah. But after Abraham prayed, God healed them.

Important Things to Remember for the Quiz

• Genesis 20 tells the story of Abraham and Abimelek.

• Abraham moved into the region of the Negev.

• Abraham lived between Kadesh and Shur.

• For a while, Abraham stayed in Gerar.

• Abimelek was the king of Gerar.

• Abraham said Sarah was his sister.

• Abimelek sent for Sarah and took her.

• God came to Abimelek in a dream one night.

• God told Abimelek that Sarah was a married woman.

• God said Abimelek was as good as dead because he had taken another man’s wife.

• Abimelek had not gone near Sarah.

• Abimelek said he had acted with a clear conscience and clean hands.

• Abimelek said Abraham told him, “She is my sister.”

• Abimelek said Sarah also said, “He is my brother.”

• God told Abimelek that He knew he had done this with a clear conscience.

• God said He had kept Abimelek from sinning against Him.

• God did not let Abimelek touch Sarah.

• God told Abimelek to return Sarah to Abraham.

• God said Abraham was a prophet.

• God said Abraham would pray for Abimelek, and Abimelek would live.

• God warned Abimelek that if he did not return Sarah, he and all who belonged to him would die.

• Early the next morning, Abimelek called all his officials.

• Abimelek told his officials what happened, and they were very afraid.

• Abimelek asked Abraham, “What have you done to us?”

• Abimelek asked Abraham why he had done this.

• Abraham said he thought there was no fear of God in that place.

• Abraham was afraid they would kill him because of Sarah.

• Abraham said Sarah really was his sister, the daughter of his father but not the daughter of his mother.

• Sarah was also Abraham’s wife.

• Abraham had asked Sarah to say, “He is my brother,” wherever they went.

• Abimelek gave Abraham sheep, cattle, and male and female slaves.

• Abimelek returned Sarah to Abraham.

• Abimelek told Abraham, “My land is before you; live wherever you like.”

• Abimelek gave Abraham a thousand shekels of silver.

• The silver was to cover the offense against Sarah.

• Sarah was completely vindicated.

• Abraham prayed to God.

• God healed Abimelek, his wife, and his female slaves.

• God allowed the women in Abimelek’s household to have children again.

• The Lord had kept all the women in Abimelek’s household from conceiving because of Sarah.

Genesis 20 teaches us that God protects His promises and His people. Even though Abraham acted out of fear and did not tell the full truth, God protected Sarah. God also warned Abimelek in a dream and kept him from sinning. This chapter reminds us that fear can lead us to make wrong choices, but God is faithful, merciful, and in control.

Genesis 21 - The Birth of Isaac 

The Lord was gracious to Sarah, just as He had promised. God did exactly what He said He would do for her. Sarah became pregnant and gave birth to a son for Abraham in his old age.

This happened at the very time God had promised.

Abraham named the baby Isaac. When Isaac was eight days old, Abraham circumcised him, just as God had commanded.

Abraham was 100 years old when Isaac was born.

Sarah was filled with joy. She said, “God has brought me laughter, and everyone who hears about this will laugh with me.” Sarah knew that Isaac’s birth was a miracle from God. She also said, “Who would have said to Abraham that Sarah would nurse children? Yet I have borne him a son in his old age.”

Isaac’s birth showed that God keeps His promises, even when people think something is impossible.

Hagar and Ishmael Sent Away

Isaac grew, and when he was weaned, Abraham held a great feast for him. This was a special celebration.

But Sarah saw that Ishmael, the son Hagar the Egyptian had borne to Abraham, was mocking. Sarah became upset and told Abraham to send Hagar and her son away. She said that Hagar’s son would not share in the inheritance with Isaac.

This made Abraham very upset because Ishmael was also his son.

But God spoke to Abraham and told him not to be so distressed about the boy and Hagar. God told Abraham to listen to Sarah, because it was through Isaac that Abraham’s offspring would be counted.

God also promised Abraham that He would make Ishmael into a nation too, because Ishmael was Abraham’s son.

Early the next morning, Abraham gave Hagar some food and a skin of water. He placed them on her shoulders and sent her away with the boy. Hagar and Ishmael wandered in the Desert of Beersheba.

After a while, the water was gone. Hagar placed Ishmael under one of the bushes. Then she went and sat a distance away, about a bowshot, because she did not want to watch the boy die. Hagar began to cry.

But God heard the boy crying.

The angel of God called to Hagar from heaven and said, “What is the matter, Hagar? Do not be afraid. God has heard the boy crying as he lies there.”

Then the angel told Hagar to lift the boy up and take him by the hand. God promised again that He would make Ishmael into a great nation.

Then God opened Hagar’s eyes, and she saw a well of water. She went to the well, filled the skin with water, and gave Ishmael a drink.

God was with Ishmael as he grew up. Ishmael lived in the desert and became an archer. While he was living in the Desert of Paran, his mother got a wife for him from Egypt.

The Treaty at Beersheba

At that time, Abimelek and Phicol, the commander of his forces, came to Abraham. They said, “God is with you in everything you do.”

Abimelek asked Abraham to swear before God that he would not deal falsely with him, his children, or his descendants. He asked Abraham to show kindness to him and to the country where Abraham was living as a foreigner, just as Abimelek had shown kindness to Abraham.

Abraham agreed and said, “I swear it.”

Then Abraham complained to Abimelek about a well of water that Abimelek’s servants had seized. Abimelek said he did not know who had done it and that Abraham had not told him before.

So Abraham brought sheep and cattle and gave them to Abimelek. The two men made a treaty.

Abraham also set apart seven ewe lambs from the flock. Abimelek asked Abraham what the seven ewe lambs meant.

Abraham explained, “Accept these seven lambs from my hand as a witness that I dug this well.”

Because of this, the place was called Beersheba, because the two men swore an oath there.

After the treaty was made at Beersheba, Abimelek and Phicol returned to the land of the Philistines.

Then Abraham planted a tamarisk tree in Beersheba. There he called on the name of the Lord, the Eternal God.

Abraham stayed in the land of the Philistines for a long time.

Important Things to Remember for the Quiz

• Genesis 21 begins with the birth of Isaac.

• The Lord was gracious to Sarah as He had said.

• The Lord did for Sarah what He had promised.

• Sarah became pregnant and bore a son to Abraham in his old age.

• Isaac was born at the very time God had promised.

• Abraham named the son Isaac.

• Isaac was circumcised when he was eight days old.

• Abraham circumcised Isaac as God commanded.

• Abraham was 100 years old when Isaac was born.

• Sarah said, “God has brought me laughter.”

• Sarah said everyone who heard about Isaac would laugh with her.

• Sarah said she had borne Abraham a son in his old age.

Hagar and Ishmael Quiz Facts

• Isaac grew and was weaned.

• Abraham held a great feast on the day Isaac was weaned.

• Sarah saw Ishmael mocking.

• Ishmael was the son Hagar the Egyptian had borne to Abraham.

• Sarah told Abraham to send Hagar and her son away.

• Sarah said Hagar’s son would not share in the inheritance with Isaac.

• The matter distressed Abraham greatly because Ishmael was his son.

• God told Abraham not to be distressed about the boy and Hagar.

• God told Abraham to listen to Sarah.

• God said Abraham’s offspring would be counted through Isaac.

• God promised to make Ishmael into a nation also because he was Abraham’s offspring.

• Early the next morning, Abraham gave Hagar food and a skin of water.

• Hagar and Ishmael wandered in the Desert of Beersheba.

• When the water was gone, Hagar put Ishmael under a bush.

• Hagar sat about a bowshot away.

• Hagar began to sob.

• God heard the boy crying.

• The angel of God called to Hagar from heaven.

• The angel told Hagar, “Do not be afraid.”

• God opened Hagar’s eyes, and she saw a well of water.

• Hagar filled the skin with water and gave Ishmael a drink.

• God was with Ishmael as he grew up.

• Ishmael lived in the desert and became an archer.

• Ishmael lived in the Desert of Paran.

• Hagar got a wife for Ishmael from Egypt.

The Treaty at Beersheba Quiz Facts

• Abimelek came to Abraham with Phicol, the commander of his forces.

• Abimelek said, “God is with you in everything you do.”

• Abimelek asked Abraham to swear that he would not deal falsely with him, his children, or his descendants.

• Abraham said, “I swear it.”

• Abraham complained to Abimelek about a well of water that Abimelek’s servants had seized.

• Abimelek said he did not know who had done it.

• Abraham gave sheep and cattle to Abimelek.

• Abraham and Abimelek made a treaty.

• Abraham set apart seven ewe lambs.

• The seven ewe lambs were a witness that Abraham had dug the well.

• The place was called Beersheba because the two men swore an oath there.

• After the treaty, Abimelek and Phicol returned to the land of the Philistines.

• Abraham planted a tamarisk tree in Beersheba.

• At Beersheba, Abraham called on the name of the Lord, the Eternal God.

• Abraham stayed in the land of the Philistines for a long time.

Genesis 21 teaches us that God always keeps His promises. Isaac was born exactly when God said he would be born. This chapter also teaches us that God sees and hears people in trouble, just as He heard Ishmael crying in the desert. God provided water for Hagar and Ishmael, and He was with Ishmael as he grew. Genesis 21 reminds us that God is faithful, caring, and true to His word.

Genesis 22 - Abraham Tested 

Some time later, God tested Abraham. God called to him and said, “Abraham!”

Abraham answered, “Here I am.”

Then God gave Abraham a very hard command. God said, “Take your son, your only son, whom you love—Isaac—and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on a mountain I will show you.”

Isaac was the son God had promised to Abraham and Sarah. Abraham loved Isaac very much. But Abraham trusted God and obeyed Him.

Early the next morning, Abraham got up and prepared for the journey. He loaded his donkey. He took two of his servants with him, and he also took his son Isaac. Abraham cut enough wood for the burnt offering, and then they set out for the place God had told him about.

On the third day, Abraham looked up and saw the place in the distance. Abraham said to his servants, “Stay here with the donkey while I and the boy go over there. We will worship, and then we will come back to you.”

Abraham took the wood for the burnt offering and placed it on Isaac. Abraham carried the fire and the knife. Then Abraham and Isaac walked on together.

As they were walking, Isaac spoke to his father and said, “Father?”

Abraham answered, “Yes, my son?”

Isaac said, “The fire and wood are here, but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?”

Abraham answered, “God Himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.”

Then the two of them continued walking together.

When they reached the place God had told him about, Abraham built an altar. He arranged the wood on it. Then Abraham bound his son Isaac and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood.

Abraham reached out his hand and took the knife. But before he could harm Isaac, the angel of the Lord called out from heaven, “Abraham! Abraham!”

Abraham answered, “Here I am.”

The angel said, “Do not lay a hand on the boy. Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son.”

Abraham looked up and saw a ram caught by its horns in a thicket. Abraham took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering instead of his son Isaac.

Abraham called that place The Lord Will Provide. And to this day it is said, “On the mountain of the Lord it will be provided.”

Then the angel of the Lord called to Abraham from heaven a second time. The Lord said that because Abraham had obeyed and had not withheld his son, God would surely bless him.

God promised Abraham that his descendants would be as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore. God also said Abraham’s descendants would take possession of the cities of their enemies.

God promised again that through Abraham’s offspring, all nations on earth would be blessed, because Abraham had obeyed God.

After this, Abraham returned to his servants. They set off together for Beersheba, and Abraham stayed in Beersheba.

Nahor’s Sons

Some time later, Abraham was told news about his brother Nahor and Nahor’s wife Milkah.

Milkah had become a mother and had sons for Nahor. Their sons were Uz, the firstborn, Buz, Kemuel, Kesed, Hazo, Pildash, Jidlaph, and Bethuel.

Kemuel was the father of Aram.

Bethuel became the father of Rebekah.

Milkah bore these eight sons to Abraham’s brother Nahor.

Nahor also had a concubine named Reumah. Reumah also had sons. Their names were Tebah, Gaham, Tahash, and Maakah.

This family line is important because Rebekah will later become an important person in the story of Isaac.

Important Things to Remember for the Quiz

• Genesis 22 begins with God testing Abraham.

• God called Abraham, and Abraham answered, “Here I am.”

• God told Abraham to take his son Isaac.

• God described Isaac as Abraham’s son, his only son, whom he loved.

• God told Abraham to go to the region of Moriah.

• God told Abraham to sacrifice Isaac as a burnt offering on a mountain He would show him.

• Abraham obeyed God.

• Early the next morning, Abraham loaded his donkey.

• Abraham took two servants and his son Isaac.

• Abraham cut enough wood for the burnt offering.

• Abraham set out for the place God had told him about.

• On the third day, Abraham saw the place in the distance.

• Abraham told his servants to stay with the donkey.

• Abraham said, “We will worship and then we will come back to you.”

• Abraham placed the wood for the burnt offering on Isaac.

• Abraham carried the fire and the knife.

• Isaac asked, “Where is the lamb for the burnt offering?”

• Abraham answered, “God Himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.”

• Abraham built an altar at the place God showed him.

• Abraham arranged the wood on the altar.

• Abraham bound Isaac and laid him on the altar.

• The angel of the Lord called from heaven, “Abraham! Abraham!”

• Abraham answered, “Here I am.”

• The angel told Abraham not to lay a hand on the boy.

• The angel said Abraham had shown that he feared God.

• Abraham had not withheld his son, his only son, from God.

• Abraham saw a ram caught by its horns in a thicket.

• Abraham sacrificed the ram instead of Isaac.

• Abraham called the place The Lord Will Provide.

• The saying became, “On the mountain of the Lord it will be provided.”

• The angel of the Lord called to Abraham from heaven a second time.

• God said He would surely bless Abraham.

• God said Abraham’s descendants would be as numerous as the stars in the sky.

• God said Abraham’s descendants would be as numerous as the sand on the seashore.

• God said Abraham’s descendants would take possession of the cities of their enemies.

• God said all nations on earth would be blessed through Abraham’s offspring.

• God gave this promise because Abraham obeyed Him.

• Abraham returned to his servants.

• Abraham and his servants went together to Beersheba.

• Abraham stayed in Beersheba.

Nahor’s Sons Quiz Facts

• Nahor was Abraham’s brother.

• Milkah was Nahor’s wife.

• Milkah had sons for Nahor.

• The sons of Nahor and Milkah were:

• Uz
  Buz
  Kemuel
  Kesed
  Hazo
  Pildash
  Jidlaph
  Bethuel

• Uz was the firstborn.

• Kemuel was the father of Aram.

• Bethuel became the father of Rebekah.

• Milkah bore eight sons to Nahor.

• Nahor also had a concubine named Reumah.

• The sons of Reumah were:

• Tebah
  Gaham
  Tahash
  Maakah

Genesis 22 teaches us about faith, obedience, and trusting God. Abraham was willing to obey God even when the command was very difficult. But God stopped Abraham and provided a ram instead of Isaac. This chapter reminds us that God sees our faith, God keeps His promises, and God provides what is needed. Abraham called the place The Lord Will Provide because God made a way.

Genesis 23 - The Death of Sarah 

Sarah lived to be 127 years old. She died at Kiriath Arba, which is also called Hebron, in the land of Canaan.

When Sarah died, Abraham was very sad. He went to mourn for Sarah and to weep over her. Sarah had been Abraham’s wife for many years, and she was the mother of Isaac, the son God had promised.

After Abraham mourned for Sarah, he rose from beside her and went to speak to the Hittites, the people living in that land.

Abraham said to them, “I am a foreigner and stranger among you. Sell me some property for a burial site here so I can bury my dead.”

Abraham wanted to buy land so he could bury Sarah properly.

The Hittites answered Abraham respectfully. They said, “Sir, listen to us. You are a mighty prince among us. Bury your dead in the choicest of our tombs. None of us will refuse you his tomb.”

The Hittites respected Abraham and were willing to let him bury Sarah in one of their best tombs.

Then Abraham stood up and bowed before the people of the land. He asked them to speak to Ephron son of Zohar for him. Abraham wanted to buy the cave of Machpelah, which belonged to Ephron and was at the end of his field.

Abraham said he wanted to pay the full price for the cave, so it could become a burial site for his family.

Ephron the Hittite was sitting among his people at the gate of the city. He answered Abraham in front of all the Hittites. Ephron said, “No, my lord. I give you the field, and I give you the cave that is in it. I give it to you in the presence of my people. Bury your dead.”

But Abraham did not want to take the land for free. He bowed down again before the people and said to Ephron, “Listen to me. I will pay the price of the field. Accept it from me so I can bury my dead there.”

Ephron answered Abraham and said the land was worth 400 shekels of silver. He spoke as if the price was nothing between them, but Abraham agreed to pay it.

Abraham weighed out 400 shekels of silver for Ephron. He paid the price in the hearing of the Hittites, according to the weight used by the merchants.

So Ephron’s field in Machpelah near Mamre became Abraham’s property. This included the field, the cave in it, and all the trees within the borders of the field.

The land was officially deeded to Abraham in the presence of all the Hittites who had come to the gate of the city.

After this, Abraham buried his wife Sarah in the cave in the field of Machpelah near Mamre, which is at Hebron, in the land of Canaan.

So the field and the cave were deeded to Abraham by the Hittites as a burial site.

This was the first piece of land Abraham owned in Canaan, the land God had promised to give to his descendants.

Important Things to Remember for the Quiz

• Genesis 23 tells about the death of Sarah.

• Sarah lived to be 127 years old.

• Sarah died at Kiriath Arba.

• Kiriath Arba is also called Hebron.

• Sarah died in the land of Canaan.

• Abraham went to mourn for Sarah and to weep over her.

• Abraham spoke to the Hittites.

• Abraham said he was a foreigner and stranger among them.

• Abraham asked to buy property for a burial site.

• The Hittites called Abraham a mighty prince among them.

• The Hittites said Abraham could bury his dead in the choicest of their tombs.

• Abraham bowed down before the people of the land.

• Abraham asked them to speak to Ephron son of Zohar.

• Abraham wanted to buy the cave of Machpelah.

• The cave of Machpelah belonged to Ephron.

• The cave was at the end of Ephron’s field.

• Abraham wanted to pay the full price for the burial site.

• Ephron the Hittite was sitting among his people.

• Ephron spoke at the gate of the city.

• Ephron offered to give Abraham the field and the cave.

• Abraham did not want to take the land for free.

• Abraham said he would pay the price of the field.

• Ephron said the land was worth 400 shekels of silver.

• Abraham agreed to Ephron’s terms.

• Abraham weighed out 400 shekels of silver for Ephron.

• The price was named in the hearing of the Hittites.

• Ephron’s field in Machpelah near Mamre was deeded to Abraham.

• The field, the cave, and all the trees within the borders became Abraham’s property.

• The property was deeded to Abraham in the presence of the Hittites at the gate of the city.

• Abraham buried Sarah in the cave in the field of Machpelah.

• Machpelah was near Mamre, which is at Hebron.

• Hebron is in the land of Canaan.

• The field and cave were deeded to Abraham by the Hittites as a burial site.

Genesis 23 teaches us about love, respect, and faith. Abraham loved Sarah and mourned for her when she died. He also acted honorably by paying the full price for the burial place instead of taking it for free. This chapter also reminds us that God’s promises were still moving forward, because Abraham owned a piece of land in Canaan, the land God had promised to his descendants.

Genesis 24 - Isaac and Rebekah 

Abraham was now very old, and the Lord had blessed him in every way. Abraham wanted to make sure that his son Isaac married the right woman.

So Abraham called the senior servant in his household. This servant was in charge of everything Abraham had. Abraham told him to make a serious promise before the Lord, the God of heaven and the God of earth.

Abraham told his servant not to get a wife for Isaac from the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom Abraham was living. Instead, Abraham told him to go to Abraham’s country and to Abraham’s own relatives to find a wife for Isaac.

The servant asked Abraham, “What if the woman is not willing to come back with me? Should I take Isaac back to the country you came from?”

Abraham said, “Make sure you do not take my son back there.” Abraham trusted that the Lord, who had brought him out of his father’s household and promised the land to his offspring, would send His angel before the servant. Abraham believed God would help the servant find a wife for Isaac.

Abraham said that if the woman was not willing to come back, then the servant would be released from the oath. But Abraham made it clear: Isaac must not be taken back there.

So the servant made the promise to Abraham.

Then the servant began his journey. He took ten camels loaded with all kinds of good things from Abraham. He traveled to Aram Naharaim and went to the town of Nahor.

When the servant arrived, he had the camels kneel down near the well outside the town. It was evening, the time when women came out to draw water.

The servant prayed to God. He said, “Lord, God of my master Abraham, make me successful today, and show kindness to my master Abraham.”

Then he asked God for a sign. He said that if he asked a young woman for water and she answered, “Drink, and I’ll water your camels too,” then let her be the one God had chosen for Isaac.

Before the servant even finished praying, Rebekah came out with her jar on her shoulder. Rebekah was the daughter of Bethuel, who was the son of Milkah and Nahor, Abraham’s brother.

Rebekah was very beautiful. She went down to the spring, filled her jar, and came back up.

The servant hurried to meet her and said, “Please give me a little water from your jar.”

Rebekah answered kindly, “Drink, my lord.” She quickly lowered her jar and gave him a drink.

After he drank, Rebekah said, “I’ll draw water for your camels too, until they have had enough to drink.”

So Rebekah quickly emptied her jar into the trough and ran back to the well to draw more water. She drew enough water for all ten camels. The servant watched her quietly to see whether the Lord had made his journey successful.

When the camels had finished drinking, the servant gave Rebekah a gold nose ring and two gold bracelets. Then he asked her whose daughter she was and whether there was room in her father’s house for them to spend the night.

Rebekah told him that she was the daughter of Bethuel, the son Milkah bore to Nahor. She also said that they had plenty of straw and fodder, and room for them to spend the night.

When the servant heard this, he bowed down and worshiped the Lord. He praised God because the Lord had not abandoned His kindness and faithfulness to Abraham. The servant knew that God had led him to the house of Abraham’s relatives.

Rebekah ran and told her mother’s household what had happened.

Rebekah had a brother named Laban. When Laban saw the nose ring and the bracelets on Rebekah’s arms, and heard what had happened, he hurried out to the servant at the spring.

Laban said, “Come, you who are blessed by the Lord. Why are you standing out here? I have prepared the house and a place for the camels.”

So the servant went to the house. The camels were unloaded, and straw and fodder were brought for them. Water was also brought for the servant and the men with him to wash their feet.

Food was set before the servant, but he said, “I will not eat until I have told you what I have to say.”

Then the servant explained everything. He said, “I am Abraham’s servant.” He told them how the Lord had blessed Abraham and made him wealthy. Abraham had sheep, cattle, silver, gold, servants, camels, and donkeys.

He also told them that Sarah had given Abraham a son in her old age, and Abraham had given everything he owned to Isaac.

The servant explained that Abraham had made him swear not to get a wife for Isaac from the daughters of the Canaanites, but to go to Abraham’s own family and find a wife there.

Then the servant told them about his prayer at the spring. He explained how he had asked God for a sign, and how Rebekah came before he had even finished praying. She gave him water and also watered his camels, just as he had prayed.

The servant said that he had bowed down and worshiped the Lord because God had led him on the right road to find a wife for Isaac.

Then the servant asked Rebekah’s family if they would show kindness and faithfulness to Abraham by allowing Rebekah to go back with him.

Laban and Bethuel answered, “This is from the Lord. We can say nothing to you one way or the other. Here is Rebekah; take her and go, and let her become the wife of your master’s son, as the Lord has directed.”

When Abraham’s servant heard this, he bowed down to the ground before the Lord.

Then the servant brought out gifts. He gave Rebekah gold and silver jewelry and clothing. He also gave costly gifts to her brother and her mother.

After that, the servant and the men with him ate, drank, and spent the night there.

The next morning, the servant wanted to return to Abraham. But Rebekah’s brother and mother asked for Rebekah to stay with them about ten more days.

The servant said, “Do not delay me, now that the Lord has granted success to my journey. Send me on my way so I may go to my master.”

So they called Rebekah and asked her, “Will you go with this man?”

Rebekah said, “I will go.”

So they sent Rebekah on her way with her nurse, Abraham’s servant, and his men. They blessed Rebekah and said, “Our sister, may you increase to thousands upon thousands; may your offspring possess the cities of their enemies.”

Then Rebekah and her attendants got ready, mounted the camels, and went back with Abraham’s servant.

Meanwhile, Isaac had come from Beer Lahai Roi and was living in the Negev. One evening, Isaac went out into the field to meditate. When he looked up, he saw camels coming.

Rebekah also looked up and saw Isaac. She got down from her camel and asked the servant, “Who is that man in the field coming to meet us?”

The servant answered, “He is my master.”

So Rebekah took her veil and covered herself.

Then the servant told Isaac everything he had done. Isaac brought Rebekah into the tent of his mother Sarah, and he married her. Rebekah became Isaac’s wife, and Isaac loved her.

Isaac was comforted after his mother’s death.

Important Things to Remember for the Quiz

• Genesis 24 tells the story of Isaac and Rebekah.

• Abraham was very old.

• The Lord had blessed Abraham in every way.

• Abraham called the senior servant in his household.

• The servant was in charge of all Abraham had.

• Abraham told the servant to swear by the Lord, the God of heaven and the God of earth.

• Abraham told the servant not to get a wife for Isaac from the daughters of the Canaanites.

• Abraham told the servant to go to Abraham’s country and relatives to get a wife for Isaac.

• The servant asked what to do if the woman was unwilling to come back.

• Abraham told him not to take Isaac back to that country.

• Abraham said the Lord would send His angel before the servant.

• Abraham said if the woman refused to come, the servant would be released from the oath.

• The servant made the oath to Abraham.

• The servant took ten camels loaded with good things from Abraham.

• The servant went to Aram Naharaim.

• The servant went to the town of Nahor.

• The servant stopped near a well outside the town.

• It was evening, the time when women went out to draw water.

• The servant prayed to the Lord, the God of his master Abraham.

• The servant asked God to make his journey successful.

• The servant asked for a sign.

• The sign was that the chosen woman would give him water and also offer to water his camels.

• Before the servant finished praying, Rebekah came out.

• Rebekah had a jar on her shoulder.

• Rebekah was the daughter of Bethuel.

• Bethuel was the son of Milkah and Nahor.

• Nahor was Abraham’s brother.

• Rebekah was very beautiful.

• Rebekah went to the spring and filled her jar.

• The servant asked Rebekah for a little water.

• Rebekah gave the servant water to drink.

• Rebekah also offered to water his camels.

• Rebekah drew enough water for all the camels.

• The servant watched quietly to see if the Lord had made his journey successful.

• The servant gave Rebekah a gold nose ring and two gold bracelets.

• The nose ring weighed a beka.

• The two bracelets weighed ten shekels.

• The servant asked whose daughter Rebekah was.

• The servant asked if there was room for them to spend the night.

• Rebekah said she was the daughter of Bethuel.

• Rebekah said there was straw, fodder, and room for them to stay.

• The servant bowed down and worshiped the Lord.

• The servant praised God for His kindness and faithfulness to Abraham.

• Rebekah ran and told her mother’s household what had happened.

• Rebekah had a brother named Laban.

• Laban came out to meet the servant at the spring.

• Laban invited the servant into the house.

• The camels were unloaded.

• Straw and fodder were brought for the camels.

• Water was brought for the servant and his men to wash their feet.

• The servant refused to eat until he told his message.

• The servant said, “I am Abraham’s servant.”

• The servant told Rebekah’s family that the Lord had blessed Abraham abundantly.

• Abraham had sheep, cattle, silver, gold, male and female servants, camels, and donkeys.

• Sarah had given Abraham a son in her old age.

• Abraham had given everything he owned to Isaac.

• The servant explained Abraham’s command not to get a wife for Isaac from the Canaanites.

• The servant explained his prayer at the spring.

• The servant explained how Rebekah gave him water and watered the camels.

• The servant said God had led him on the right road.

• Laban and Bethuel said, “This is from the Lord.”

• Laban and Bethuel allowed Rebekah to become Isaac’s wife.

• The servant bowed down to the Lord when he heard their answer.

• The servant gave Rebekah gold and silver jewelry and clothing.

• The servant also gave costly gifts to Rebekah’s brother and mother.

• The next morning, the servant asked to return to his master.

• Rebekah’s brother and mother wanted her to stay about ten days.

• The servant asked them not to delay him because the Lord had granted success.

• They asked Rebekah, “Will you go with this man?”

• Rebekah answered, “I will go.”

• Rebekah went with Abraham’s servant.

• Rebekah’s nurse went with her.

• Rebekah’s family blessed her.

• They said, “May you increase to thousands upon thousands.”

• They also said, “May your offspring possess the cities of their enemies.”

• Rebekah and her attendants mounted the camels and left.

• Isaac had come from Beer Lahai Roi.

• Isaac was living in the Negev.

• Isaac went out to the field one evening to meditate.

• Isaac saw camels approaching.

• Rebekah saw Isaac and got down from her camel.

• Rebekah asked who the man was in the field.

• The servant said, “He is my master.”

• Rebekah took her veil and covered herself.

• The servant told Isaac all he had done.

• Isaac brought Rebekah into the tent of his mother Sarah.

• Isaac married Rebekah.

• Rebekah became Isaac’s wife.

• Isaac loved Rebekah.

• Isaac was comforted after his mother’s death.

Genesis 24 teaches us that God guides those who pray and trust Him. Abraham trusted God to provide the right wife for Isaac. The servant prayed for direction, and God answered before he even finished praying. Rebekah showed kindness by giving water to the servant and his camels. This chapter reminds us that God is faithful, God leads His people, and kindness is an important part of serving Him.

Genesis 25 - The Death of Abraham 

After Sarah died, Abraham took another wife. Her name was Keturah.

Keturah had sons for Abraham. Their names were Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Midian, Ishbak, and Shuah.

Jokshan became the father of Sheba and Dedan. The descendants of Dedan were the Ashurites, Letushites, and Leummites.

Midian also had sons. Their names were Ephah, Epher, Hanok, Abida, and Eldaah. All these people were descendants of Keturah.

Even though Abraham had other children, he left everything he owned to Isaac. Isaac was the son God had promised to Abraham and Sarah.

While Abraham was still living, he gave gifts to the sons of his concubines. Then he sent them away from Isaac to the land of the east.

Abraham lived to be 175 years old. Then Abraham breathed his last and died at a good old age. The Bible says he was an old man and full of years, and he was gathered to his people.

Abraham’s sons Isaac and Ishmael buried him together. They buried Abraham in the cave of Machpelah near Mamre, in the field of Ephron son of Zohar the Hittite. This was the same field Abraham had bought from the Hittites as a burial place.

Abraham was buried there with his wife Sarah.

After Abraham died, God blessed his son Isaac. Isaac lived near Beer Lahai Roi.

Ishmael’s Sons

Genesis 25 also tells us about the family line of Ishmael, Abraham’s son. Ishmael was the son whom Hagar the Egyptian, Sarah’s slave, had borne to Abraham.

Ishmael had twelve sons. Their names were listed in the order of their birth.

The firstborn son of Ishmael was Nebaioth. His other sons were Kedar, Adbeel, Mibsam, Mishma, Dumah, Massa, Hadad, Tema, Jetur, Naphish, and Kedemah.

These twelve sons became twelve tribal rulers according to their settlements and camps. This fulfilled what God had promised Abraham, that Ishmael would become a great nation.

Ishmael lived to be 137 years old. Then he died and was gathered to his people.

Ishmael’s descendants settled in the area from Havilah to Shur, near the eastern border of Egypt, as you go toward Ashur. They lived in hostility toward all the tribes related to them.

Jacob and Esau

• Genesis 25 then begins the story of Isaac’s family.

• Abraham was the father of Isaac. Isaac was 40 years old when he married Rebekah.

• Rebekah was the daughter of Bethuel the Aramean from Paddan Aram. She was also the sister of Laban the Aramean.

• For a while, Rebekah could not have children. So Isaac prayed to the Lord for his wife. The Lord answered Isaac’s prayer, and Rebekah became pregnant.

• But while the babies were still inside her, they struggled and moved against each other. Rebekah wondered, “Why is this happening to me?” So she went to ask the Lord.

• The Lord told Rebekah that there were two nations in her womb. Two peoples would come from her, and they would be separated. One people would be stronger than the other, and the older would serve the younger.

• When the time came for Rebekah to give birth, she had twin boys.

• The first baby came out red, and his whole body was like a hairy garment. They named him Esau.

• After that, his brother came out. His hand was grasping Esau’s heel, so he was named Jacob.

• Isaac was 60 years old when Rebekah gave birth to Jacob and Esau.

• As the boys grew up, they became very different from each other. Esau became a skillful hunter and a man of the open country. Jacob was quiet and was content to stay at home among the tents.

• Isaac loved Esau because Isaac enjoyed eating wild game. But Rebekah loved Jacob.

• One day, Jacob was cooking some stew. Esau came in from the open country very hungry. He said to Jacob, “Quick, let me have some of that red stew! I’m famished!”

• Because of this, Esau was also called Edom.

• Jacob said, “First sell me your birthright.”

• A birthright was a special blessing and privilege that usually belonged to the firstborn son.

• Esau said, “Look, I am about to die. What good is the birthright to me?”

• Jacob told Esau to swear to him first. So Esau swore an oath and sold his birthright to Jacob.

• Then Jacob gave Esau some bread and some lentil stew. Esau ate, drank, got up, and left.

• The Bible says that Esau despised his birthright. This means he did not treat it as something valuable.

Important Things to Remember for the Quiz

• Genesis 25 tells about the death of Abraham, Ishmael’s sons, and Jacob and Esau.

• Abraham took another wife named Keturah.

• Keturah bore Abraham six sons:

• Zimran
  Jokshan
  Medan
  Midian
  Ishbak
  Shuah

• Jokshan was the father of Sheba and Dedan.

• The descendants of Dedan were:

• Ashurites
  Letushites
  Leummites

• The sons of Midian were:

• Ephah
  Epher
  Hanok
  Abida
  Eldaah

• Abraham left everything he owned to Isaac.

• Abraham gave gifts to the sons of his concubines.

• Abraham sent the sons of his concubines away from Isaac to the land of the east.

• Abraham lived 175 years.

• Abraham died at a good old age.

• Abraham was buried by Isaac and Ishmael.

• Abraham was buried in the cave of Machpelah near Mamre.

• The cave was in the field of Ephron son of Zohar the Hittite.

• Abraham had bought the field from the Hittites.

• Abraham was buried with his wife Sarah.

• After Abraham’s death, God blessed Isaac.

• Isaac lived near Beer Lahai Roi.

Ishmael’s Sons Quiz Facts

• Ishmael was Abraham’s son.

• Ishmael’s mother was Hagar the Egyptian.

• Hagar was Sarah’s slave.

• The sons of Ishmael were listed in birth order.

• Ishmael’s firstborn was Nebaioth.

• Ishmael’s twelve sons were:

• Nebaioth
  Kedar
  Adbeel
  Mibsam
  Mishma
  Dumah
  Massa
  Hadad
  Tema
  Jetur
  Naphish
  Kedemah

• Ishmael’s sons became twelve tribal rulers.

• Ishmael lived 137 years.

• Ishmael died and was gathered to his people.

• Ishmael’s descendants settled from Havilah to Shur.

• This area was near the eastern border of Egypt as you go toward Ashur.

• They lived in hostility toward the tribes related to them.

Jacob and Esau Quiz Facts

• Genesis 25 also gives the family line of Isaac.

• Abraham became the father of Isaac.

• Isaac was 40 years old when he married Rebekah.

• Rebekah was the daughter of Bethuel the Aramean.

• Rebekah was from Paddan Aram.

• Rebekah was the sister of Laban the Aramean.

• Isaac prayed to the Lord because Rebekah was childless.

• The Lord answered Isaac’s prayer.

• Rebekah became pregnant.

• The babies struggled inside Rebekah.

• Rebekah went to inquire of the Lord.

• The Lord told Rebekah that two nations were in her womb.

• The Lord said two peoples from within her would be separated.

• The Lord said one people would be stronger than the other.

• The Lord said the older would serve the younger.

• Rebekah gave birth to twin boys.

• The firstborn was Esau.

• Esau was red, and his body was like a hairy garment.

• The second son was Jacob.

• Jacob came out grasping Esau’s heel.

• Isaac was 60 years old when Rebekah gave birth to them.

• Esau became a skillful hunter.

• Esau was a man of the open country.

• Jacob was content to stay at home among the tents.

• Isaac loved Esau because he had a taste for wild game.

• Rebekah loved Jacob.

• One day, Jacob was cooking stew.

• Esau came in from the open country very hungry.

• Esau asked Jacob for some of the red stew.

• Esau was also called Edom.

• Jacob told Esau to sell him his birthright first.

• Esau agreed and swore an oath.

• Esau sold his birthright to Jacob.

• Jacob gave Esau bread and lentil stew.

• Esau ate, drank, got up, and left.

• Esau despised his birthright.

Genesis 25 teaches us that God’s promises continued after Abraham through Isaac. Abraham died at a good old age, but God kept blessing Isaac. The chapter also teaches us to value what God gives us. Esau gave away his birthright just because he was hungry. We should not trade important blessings for temporary things.

Genesis 26 - Isaac and Abimelek 

There was another famine in the land. This famine happened after the famine that had taken place during Abraham’s time. Because of the famine, Isaac went to Gerar, where Abimelek, king of the Philistines, lived.

The Lord appeared to Isaac and told him, “Do not go down to Egypt.” God told Isaac to stay in the land where He would tell him to live. God promised Isaac, “I will be with you and will bless you.”

God also reminded Isaac of the promise He had made to Abraham. God said He would give Isaac and his descendants the land. God promised to make Isaac’s descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky. God also said that through Isaac’s offspring, all nations on earth would be blessed.

God said He would do this because Abraham had obeyed Him and kept His commands, decrees, and instructions.

So Isaac obeyed God and stayed in Gerar.

While Isaac was there, the men of the place asked him about his wife, Rebekah. Isaac was afraid and said, “She is my sister.” He said this because Rebekah was beautiful, and he thought the men of Gerar might kill him if they knew she was his wife.

After Isaac had been there a long time, Abimelek, king of the Philistines, looked down from a window and saw Isaac showing affection to Rebekah. Abimelek realized that Rebekah was really Isaac’s wife.

Abimelek called Isaac and said, “She is really your wife! Why did you say, ‘She is my sister’?”

Isaac answered, “Because I thought I might lose my life because of her.”

Abimelek was upset and said, “What is this you have done to us? One of the men might have taken your wife, and you would have brought guilt on us.”

Then Abimelek gave an order to all the people. He said that anyone who harmed Isaac or Rebekah would surely be put to death.

After this, Isaac planted crops in that land. That same year, he harvested a hundredfold, because the Lord blessed him. Isaac became rich, and his wealth continued to grow until he became very wealthy.

Isaac had many flocks, herds, and servants. Because of this, the Philistines became jealous of him. They stopped up the wells that Abraham’s servants had dug during Abraham’s lifetime. They filled the wells with earth.

Then Abimelek said to Isaac, “Move away from us. You have become too powerful for us.”

So Isaac moved away and settled in the Valley of Gerar.

There Isaac reopened the wells that had been dug in the time of his father Abraham. The Philistines had stopped them up after Abraham died. Isaac gave the wells the same names that Abraham had given them.

Isaac’s servants dug in the valley and found a well of fresh water. But the herders of Gerar argued with Isaac’s herders and said, “The water is ours!” So Isaac named that well Esek, because they disputed with him.

Then Isaac’s servants dug another well, but the people quarreled over that one too. So Isaac named it Sitnah.

Isaac moved on from there and dug another well. This time, no one quarreled over it. Isaac named it Rehoboth, saying, “Now the Lord has given us room, and we will flourish in the land.”

After that, Isaac went up to Beersheba.

That night, the Lord appeared to Isaac again and said, “I am the God of your father Abraham. Do not be afraid, for I am with you. I will bless you and increase the number of your descendants for the sake of my servant Abraham.”

Isaac built an altar there and called on the name of the Lord. He also pitched his tent there, and his servants dug a well.

Later, Abimelek came from Gerar to see Isaac. He came with Ahuzzath, his personal adviser, and Phicol, the commander of his forces.

Isaac asked them, “Why have you come to me, since you were hostile to me and sent me away?”

They answered, “We saw clearly that the Lord was with you.” They wanted to make a sworn agreement, or treaty, with Isaac. They asked Isaac not to harm them, just as they had not harmed him. They also said, “You are blessed by the Lord.”

Isaac made a feast for them, and they ate and drank. Early the next morning, they swore an oath to each other. Then Isaac sent them away, and they left peacefully.

That same day, Isaac’s servants came and told him about the well they had dug. They said, “We’ve found water!”

Isaac called the well Shibah. Because of this, the name of the town has been Beersheba to this day.

Esau’s Wives

At the end of Genesis 26, the Bible tells us about Esau’s marriages.

When Esau was 40 years old, he married Judith, the daughter of Beeri the Hittite. He also married Basemath, the daughter of Elon the Hittite.

These marriages brought grief to Isaac and Rebekah. This means Esau’s choices made his parents very sad.

Important Things to Remember for the Quiz

• Genesis 26 begins with a famine in the land.

• This famine was besides the earlier famine in Abraham’s time.

• Isaac went to Abimelek, king of the Philistines, in Gerar.

• The Lord appeared to Isaac.

• God told Isaac not to go down to Egypt.

• God told Isaac to live in the land He would show him.

• God promised Isaac, “I will be with you and will bless you.”

• God promised to give Isaac and his descendants the lands.

• God said He would confirm the oath He swore to Abraham.

• God promised Isaac’s descendants would be as numerous as the stars in the sky.

• God said all nations on earth would be blessed through Isaac’s offspring.

• God said this was because Abraham obeyed Him and kept His commands, decrees, and instructions.

• Isaac stayed in Gerar.

• When the men asked about Rebekah, Isaac said, “She is my sister.”

• Isaac was afraid to say Rebekah was his wife.

• Isaac thought the men might kill him because Rebekah was beautiful.

• Abimelek saw Isaac showing affection to Rebekah.

• Abimelek realized Rebekah was Isaac’s wife.

• Abimelek asked Isaac why he had said Rebekah was his sister.

• Isaac said he was afraid he might lose his life because of her.

• Abimelek warned the people not to harm Isaac or Rebekah.

• Abimelek said anyone who harmed Isaac or Rebekah would surely be put to death.

• Isaac planted crops in the land.

• That same year, Isaac reaped a hundredfold.

• The Lord blessed Isaac.

• Isaac became rich and very wealthy.

• Isaac had many flocks, herds, and servants.

• The Philistines envied Isaac.

• The Philistines stopped up the wells Abraham’s servants had dug.

• The Philistines filled the wells with earth.

• Abimelek told Isaac to move away because he had become too powerful.

• Isaac moved to the Valley of Gerar.

• Isaac reopened the wells dug in Abraham’s time.

• Isaac gave the wells the same names Abraham had given them.

• Isaac’s servants found a well of fresh water.

• The herders of Gerar quarreled over the first well.

• Isaac named the first well Esek, because they disputed with him.

• They quarreled over the second well also.

• Isaac named the second well Sitnah.

• Isaac dug another well, and no one quarreled over it.

• Isaac named the third well Rehoboth.

• Isaac said, “Now the Lord has given us room and we will flourish in the land.”

• Isaac went up to Beersheba.

• The Lord appeared to Isaac at Beersheba.

• God said, “I am the God of your father Abraham.”

• God told Isaac, “Do not be afraid, for I am with you.”

• God promised to bless Isaac and increase his descendants.

• God said He would do this for the sake of Abraham.

• Isaac built an altar at Beersheba.

• Isaac called on the name of the Lord.

• Isaac pitched his tent there.

• Isaac’s servants dug a well there.

• Abimelek came from Gerar to Isaac.

• Abimelek came with Ahuzzath, his personal adviser.

• Abimelek also came with Phicol, the commander of his forces.

• Abimelek said they clearly saw that the Lord was with Isaac.

• Abimelek wanted to make a treaty with Isaac.

• Isaac made a feast for them.

• They ate and drank.

• Early the next morning, they swore an oath to each other.

• Isaac sent them away peacefully.

• Isaac’s servants found water that same day.

• Isaac named the well Shibah.

• The town was called Beersheba.

Esau’s Wives Quiz Facts

Esau was 40 years old when he married.

Esau married Judith, daughter of Beeri the Hittite.

Esau also married Basemath, daughter of Elon the Hittite.

Esau’s wives were a source of grief to Isaac and Rebekah.

Genesis 26 teaches us that God’s promises continued through Isaac. God told Isaac not to go to Egypt, and Isaac stayed where God told him to stay. Even during a famine, God blessed Isaac and made him successful. This chapter also teaches us that fear can lead people to make wrong choices, just as Isaac did when he said Rebekah was his sister. But God was still faithful, protected Isaac and Rebekah, and showed others that He was with Isaac.

Genesis 27 - Jacob Takes Esau's Blessing 

When Isaac became old, his eyes became very weak, and he could no longer see. One day, Isaac called for Esau, his older son.

Esau answered, “Here I am.”

Isaac told Esau that he was now an old man and did not know the day of his death. Isaac wanted to bless Esau before he died. So he told Esau to take his hunting equipment, his quiver and bow, and go out to the open country to hunt some wild game.

Isaac told Esau to prepare the tasty food he liked and bring it to him to eat. After eating, Isaac planned to give Esau his blessing.

But Rebekah was listening while Isaac spoke to Esau. When Esau left to hunt, Rebekah went to her younger son, Jacob, and told him what she had heard.

Rebekah told Jacob that Isaac was going to bless Esau. Then she made a plan. She told Jacob to go to the flock and bring her two choice young goats. She said she would prepare tasty food for Isaac, just the way he liked it. Then Jacob would take the food to Isaac so that Isaac would bless him instead of Esau.

Jacob was worried. He told his mother that Esau was a hairy man, but he had smooth skin. Jacob said, “What if my father touches me? I would appear to be tricking him and would bring down a curse on myself rather than a blessing.”

But Rebekah told Jacob not to worry. She said, “My son, let the curse fall on me. Just do what I say.”

So Jacob obeyed his mother. He went and got the goats, and Rebekah prepared the tasty food Isaac liked.

Then Rebekah took the best clothes of Esau and put them on Jacob. She also covered Jacob’s hands and the smooth part of his neck with goatskins so he would feel hairy like Esau. Then she gave Jacob the tasty food and bread she had made.

Jacob went to his father and said, “My father.”

Isaac answered, “Yes, my son. Who is it?”

Jacob lied and said, “I am Esau your firstborn. I have done as you told me. Please sit up and eat some of my game, so that you may give me your blessing.”

Isaac was surprised and asked, “How did you find it so quickly, my son?”

Jacob answered, “The Lord your God gave me success.”

Then Isaac told Jacob to come near so he could touch him and find out whether he was really Esau or not. Jacob went close to Isaac. Isaac touched him and said, “The voice is the voice of Jacob, but the hands are the hands of Esau.”

Because Jacob’s hands felt hairy like Esau’s hands, Isaac did not recognize him.

Isaac asked again, “Are you really my son Esau?”

Jacob answered, “I am.”

Then Isaac told him to bring the food. Jacob brought the food to Isaac, and Isaac ate. Jacob also brought him wine, and Isaac drank.

Then Isaac told Jacob to come near and kiss him. When Jacob came near, Isaac smelled Esau’s clothes that Jacob was wearing. Then Isaac blessed him.

Isaac blessed Jacob with heaven’s dew and earth’s richness. He blessed him with plenty of grain and new wine. He said that nations would serve him and peoples would bow down to him. He said Jacob would be lord over his brothers, and the sons of his mother would bow down to him. Isaac also said, “May those who curse you be cursed, and those who bless you be blessed.”

After Isaac finished blessing Jacob, Jacob had barely left his father’s presence when Esau came in from hunting.

Esau prepared tasty food and brought it to his father. He said, “My father, please sit up and eat some of my game, so that you may give me your blessing.”

Isaac asked, “Who are you?”

Esau answered, “I am your son, your firstborn, Esau.”

When Isaac heard this, he trembled greatly. He realized that someone else had already brought him food, and he had already given the blessing. Isaac said, “I blessed him, and indeed he will be blessed!”

When Esau heard his father’s words, he cried loudly and bitterly. He begged, “Bless me—me too, my father!”

Isaac told Esau, “Your brother came deceitfully and took your blessing.”

Esau was very upset. He said that Jacob had taken advantage of him two times. First, Jacob had taken his birthright, and now he had taken his blessing. Esau asked if Isaac had any blessing left for him.

Isaac explained that he had already made Jacob lord over him and had given him grain and new wine.

Esau cried and asked again, “Do you have only one blessing, my father? Bless me too!”

Then Isaac gave Esau a different blessing. Isaac said that Esau’s dwelling would be away from the earth’s richness and away from the dew of heaven. He said Esau would live by the sword and serve his brother. But Isaac also said that when Esau grew restless, he would throw Jacob’s yoke from off his neck.

After this, Esau became very angry with Jacob. Esau held a grudge against him because Jacob had received the blessing. Esau said to himself that after Isaac died, he would kill Jacob.

When Rebekah heard what Esau planned to do, she sent for Jacob. She told him that Esau was planning to kill him. Rebekah told Jacob to flee at once to her brother Laban in Harran.

She told Jacob to stay with Laban for a while until Esau’s anger went away. Rebekah said that when Esau was no longer angry, she would send word for Jacob to come back.

Then Rebekah spoke to Isaac. She said she was upset because of the Hittite women. She did not want Jacob to marry one of the Hittite women from the land.

Important Things to Remember for the Quiz

• Genesis 27 tells the story of Jacob taking Esau’s blessing.

• Isaac was old.

• Isaac’s eyes were weak, and he could no longer see.

• Isaac called for Esau, his older son.

• Esau answered, “Here I am.”

• Isaac told Esau to take his quiver and bow.

• Isaac told Esau to go to the open country and hunt wild game.

• Isaac wanted Esau to prepare tasty food for him.

• Isaac planned to bless Esau before he died.

• Rebekah was listening while Isaac spoke to Esau.

• Rebekah told Jacob what Isaac had said.

• Rebekah told Jacob to bring her two choice young goats.

• Rebekah planned to prepare tasty food for Isaac.

• Jacob was worried because Esau was hairy and he had smooth skin.

• Jacob feared Isaac would touch him and realize he was tricking him.

• Rebekah said, “Let the curse fall on me.”

• Jacob brought the goats to Rebekah.

• Rebekah prepared tasty food just the way Isaac liked it.

• Rebekah put Esau’s best clothes on Jacob.

• Rebekah covered Jacob’s hands and neck with goatskins.

• Jacob took the food and bread to Isaac.

• Jacob lied and said, “I am Esau your firstborn.”

• Isaac asked how he found the food so quickly.

• Jacob said, “The Lord your God gave me success.”

• Isaac said, “The voice is the voice of Jacob, but the hands are the hands of Esau.”

• Isaac did not recognize Jacob because his hands were hairy like Esau’s.

• Isaac asked, “Are you really my son Esau?”

• Jacob answered, “I am.”

• Isaac ate the food and drank the wine.

• Isaac smelled Esau’s clothes on Jacob.

• Isaac blessed Jacob.

• Isaac blessed Jacob with heaven’s dew and earth’s richness.

• Isaac blessed Jacob with an abundance of grain and new wine.

• Isaac said nations would serve Jacob.

• Isaac said peoples would bow down to Jacob.

• Isaac said Jacob would be lord over his brothers.

• Isaac said the sons of Jacob’s mother would bow down to him.

• Isaac said, “May those who curse you be cursed and those who bless you be blessed.”

• After Jacob left, Esau came in from hunting.

• Esau prepared tasty food and brought it to Isaac.

• Isaac asked Esau, “Who are you?”

• Esau said, “I am your son, your firstborn, Esau.”

• Isaac trembled violently.

• Isaac said he had already blessed Jacob, and Jacob would be blessed.

• Esau cried loudly and bitterly.

• Esau begged Isaac to bless him also.

• Isaac said Jacob came deceitfully and took Esau’s blessing.

• Esau said Jacob had taken advantage of him twice.

• Esau said Jacob had taken his birthright and now his blessing.

• Isaac said he had made Jacob lord over Esau.

• Isaac said Jacob’s relatives would be his servants.

• Isaac said Jacob had been sustained with grain and new wine.

• Esau asked if Isaac had only one blessing.

• Esau wept aloud.

• Isaac told Esau that he would live by the sword.

• Isaac said Esau would serve his brother.

• Isaac said Esau would one day throw Jacob’s yoke from off his neck.

• Esau held a grudge against Jacob.

• Esau planned to kill Jacob after Isaac died.

• Rebekah heard about Esau’s plan.

• Rebekah told Jacob to flee to her brother Laban.

• Laban lived in Harran.

• Rebekah told Jacob to stay with Laban until Esau’s anger went away.

• Rebekah did not want to lose both sons in one day.

• Rebekah told Isaac she was upset because of the Hittite women.

• Rebekah did not want Jacob to marry a Hittite woman.

Genesis 27 teaches us that lies and deception bring pain to families. Jacob received the blessing, but he got it through trickery. Esau became angry, Isaac was deeply troubled, and Jacob had to run away from home. This chapter reminds us that God’s plan will stand, but we should not use dishonesty to try to make things happen. It is always better to trust God and do what is right.

Genesis 28 - Jacob's Dream at Bethel 

After Jacob received Isaac’s blessing, Isaac called for Jacob again and blessed him. Then Isaac gave Jacob an important command.

Isaac told Jacob, “Do not marry a Canaanite woman.” Isaac wanted Jacob to marry someone from their own family line, not from the people of Canaan.

So Isaac told Jacob to go at once to Paddan Aram, to the house of Bethuel, who was Rebekah’s father. Jacob was to take a wife from among the daughters of Laban, Rebekah’s brother.

Then Isaac blessed Jacob and said, “May God Almighty bless you and make you fruitful and increase your numbers until you become a community of peoples.”

Isaac also prayed that Jacob and his descendants would receive the blessing given to Abraham. This meant that Jacob would continue in the promise God had given to Abraham. Isaac prayed that Jacob’s descendants would take possession of the land God had promised to Abraham.

Then Isaac sent Jacob on his way. Jacob went to Paddan Aram, to Laban, the son of Bethuel the Aramean. Laban was Rebekah’s brother, and Rebekah was the mother of Jacob and Esau.

When Esau learned what had happened, he realized that Isaac had blessed Jacob and sent him to Paddan Aram to get a wife. Esau also learned that Isaac had commanded Jacob not to marry a Canaanite woman.

Esau saw that Jacob had obeyed his father and mother by going to Paddan Aram. Then Esau realized that Canaanite women were displeasing to his father Isaac.

So Esau went to the family of Ishmael and married Mahalath. Mahalath was the daughter of Ishmael, son of Abraham, and she was the sister of Nebaioth. Esau married her in addition to the wives he already had.

Jacob’s Dream at Bethel

Jacob left Beersheba and set out for Harran. As he traveled, he came to a certain place and stopped there for the night because the sun had set.

Jacob took one of the stones there, placed it under his head, and lay down to sleep.

That night, Jacob had a dream. In the dream, he saw a stairway resting on the earth, with its top reaching to heaven. The angels of God were going up and down on it.

Above the stairway stood the Lord. God spoke to Jacob and said, “I am the Lord, the God of your father Abraham and the God of Isaac.”

God promised Jacob that He would give him and his descendants the land on which he was lying. God also promised that Jacob’s descendants would be like the dust of the earth. They would spread out to the west, east, north, and south.

God also repeated the promise that all peoples on earth would be blessed through Jacob and his offspring.

Then God gave Jacob a special promise. God said, “I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go. I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.”

When Jacob woke up, he realized that God had been with him in that place. He said, “Surely the Lord is in this place, and I was not aware of it.”

Jacob was afraid and amazed. He said, “How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God; this is the gate of heaven.”

Early the next morning, Jacob took the stone he had used under his head and set it up as a pillar. Then he poured oil on top of it. He called that place Bethel, even though the city used to be called Luz.

Then Jacob made a vow to God. He said that if God would be with him, watch over him on his journey, give him food to eat and clothes to wear, and bring him safely back to his father’s household, then the Lord would be his God.

Jacob also said that the stone he had set up as a pillar would be God’s house. He promised that of all God gave him, he would give God a tenth.

Important Things to Remember for the Quiz

• Genesis 28 tells about Jacob being sent to Paddan Aram and Jacob’s dream at Bethel.

• Isaac called Jacob and blessed him.

• Isaac commanded Jacob not to marry a Canaanite woman.

• Isaac told Jacob to go to Paddan Aram.

• Jacob was to go to the house of Bethuel, Rebekah’s father.

• Jacob was to take a wife from among the daughters of Laban.

• Laban was Rebekah’s brother.

• Isaac prayed that God Almighty would bless Jacob.

• Isaac prayed that Jacob would be fruitful and increase in number.

• Isaac prayed that Jacob would become a community of peoples.

• Isaac prayed that Jacob and his descendants would receive the blessing given to Abraham.

• Isaac prayed that Jacob’s descendants would take possession of the land God gave to Abraham.

• Isaac sent Jacob away to Paddan Aram.

• Jacob went to Laban, son of Bethuel the Aramean.

• Rebekah was the mother of Jacob and Esau.

• Esau learned that Isaac had blessed Jacob.

• Esau learned that Jacob had been sent to Paddan Aram to get a wife.

• Esau learned that Isaac commanded Jacob not to marry a Canaanite woman.

• Esau realized that Canaanite women were displeasing to Isaac.

• Esau went to Ishmael and married Mahalath.

• Mahalath was the daughter of Ishmael, son of Abraham.

• Mahalath was the sister of Nebaioth.

• Esau married Mahalath in addition to the wives he already had.

Jacob’s Dream Quiz Facts

• Jacob left Beersheba and set out for Harran.

• Jacob stopped for the night because the sun had set.

• Jacob took a stone and placed it under his head.

• Jacob lay down to sleep.

• Jacob dreamed of a stairway resting on the earth.

• The top of the stairway reached to heaven.

• The angels of God were ascending and descending on the stairway.

• The Lord stood above it.

• God said, “I am the Lord, the God of your father Abraham and the God of Isaac.”

• God promised to give Jacob and his descendants the land on which he was lying.

• God said Jacob’s descendants would be like the dust of the earth.

• God said Jacob’s descendants would spread out to the west, east, north, and south.

• God said all peoples on earth would be blessed through Jacob and his offspring.

• God promised, “I am with you.”

• God promised to watch over Jacob wherever he went.

• God promised to bring Jacob back to the land.

• God promised not to leave Jacob until He had done what He promised.

• When Jacob woke up, he said, “Surely the Lord is in this place.”

• Jacob said, “How awesome is this place!”

• Jacob called the place the house of God.

• Jacob called it the gate of heaven.

• Early the next morning, Jacob set up the stone as a pillar.

• Jacob poured oil on top of the stone.

• Jacob called the place Bethel.

• The city used to be called Luz.

• Jacob made a vow to God.

• Jacob asked God to be with him and watch over him on his journey.

• Jacob asked God to give him food to eat and clothes to wear.

• Jacob asked God to bring him safely back to his father’s household.

• Jacob said the Lord would be his God.

• Jacob said the stone pillar would be God’s house.

• Jacob promised to give God a tenth of all God gave him. 

Genesis 28 teaches us that God can meet us even when we are far from home. Jacob was leaving his family because of trouble with Esau, but God still appeared to him and gave him a promise. God reminded Jacob that He would be with him, watch over him, and bring him back. This chapter reminds us that God keeps His promises and is always present with His people.

Genesis 29 - Jacob Arrives in Paddan Aram 

Jacob continued on his journey and came to the land of the eastern peoples. There he saw a well in the open country. Near the well were three flocks of sheep lying down because the shepherds watered their sheep from that well.

There was a large stone over the mouth of the well. When all the flocks were gathered, the shepherds would roll the stone away, water the sheep, and then put the stone back over the well.

Jacob asked the shepherds, “My brothers, where are you from?”

They answered, “We’re from Harran.”

Then Jacob asked, “Do you know Laban, Nahor’s grandson?”

They answered, “Yes, we know him.”

Jacob asked, “Is he well?”

They replied, “Yes, he is, and here comes his daughter Rachel with the sheep.”

Rachel was Laban’s daughter, and she was a shepherd. She came with her father’s sheep.

Jacob noticed that the sun was still high. He told the shepherds that it was not yet time for the flocks to be gathered. He told them to water the sheep and take them back to pasture.

But the shepherds said they could not do that until all the flocks were gathered and the large stone was rolled away from the mouth of the well.

While Jacob was still speaking with them, Rachel arrived with her father’s sheep. When Jacob saw Rachel, the daughter of his uncle Laban, he went to the well and rolled the stone away. Then he watered his uncle Laban’s sheep.

After this, Jacob kissed Rachel and began to weep aloud. He told Rachel that he was a relative of her father and that he was Rebekah’s son. Rachel ran and told her father.

When Laban heard the news about Jacob, his sister’s son, he hurried to meet him. Laban embraced Jacob, kissed him, and brought him to his home. There Jacob told Laban everything that had happened.

Then Laban said to Jacob, “You are my own flesh and blood.”

Jacob stayed with Laban for one whole month.

Jacob Marries Leah and Rachel

After Jacob had stayed with Laban for a month, Laban said, “Just because you are my relative, should you work for me for nothing? Tell me what your wages should be.”

Laban had two daughters. The older daughter was named Leah, and the younger daughter was named Rachel.

Leah had weak eyes, but Rachel had a lovely figure and was beautiful.

Jacob loved Rachel. So he said to Laban, “I will work for you seven years in return for your younger daughter Rachel.”

Laban agreed and said, “It is better that I give her to you than to some other man. Stay here with me.”

So Jacob worked seven years for Rachel. But because Jacob loved Rachel so much, the seven years seemed like only a few days to him.

When the seven years were finished, Jacob asked Laban to give him Rachel as his wife.

So Laban brought together all the people of the place and gave a feast. But when evening came, Laban deceived Jacob. Instead of giving Rachel to Jacob, Laban gave him his older daughter, Leah.

Laban also gave his servant Zilpah to Leah as her attendant.

When morning came, Jacob realized that it was Leah. Jacob was upset and said to Laban, “What is this you have done to me? I served you for Rachel, didn’t I? Why have you deceived me?”

Laban answered that it was not their custom to give the younger daughter in marriage before the older daughter.

Then Laban told Jacob to finish Leah’s bridal week. After that, Laban would give Rachel to Jacob also, but Jacob would have to work another seven years.

Jacob agreed. He finished the week with Leah, and then Laban gave him Rachel to be his wife.

Laban also gave his servant Bilhah to Rachel as her attendant.

Jacob loved Rachel more than Leah, and he worked for Laban another seven years.

Jacob’s Children

When the Lord saw that Leah was not loved, He helped her have children. But Rachel remained childless at that time.

Leah became pregnant and gave birth to a son. She named him Reuben because she said, “The Lord has seen my misery. Surely my husband will love me now.”

Then Leah became pregnant again and had another son. She said, “Because the Lord heard that I am not loved, He gave me this one too.” So she named him Simeon.

Again Leah became pregnant and gave birth to another son. She said, “Now at last my husband will become attached to me, because I have borne him three sons.” So he was named Levi.

Leah became pregnant again and gave birth to a fourth son. This time she said, “This time I will praise the Lord.” So she named him Judah.

After Judah was born, Leah stopped having children for a time.

Important Things to Remember for the Quiz

• Genesis 29 tells about Jacob arriving in Paddan Aram, Jacob marrying Leah and Rachel, and the birth of Leah’s first four sons.

• Jacob continued his journey and came to the land of the eastern peoples.

• Jacob saw a well in the open country.

• There were three flocks of sheep lying near the well.

• The flocks were watered from that well.

• A large stone covered the mouth of the well.

• The shepherds would roll away the stone when all the flocks were gathered.

• Jacob asked the shepherds where they were from.

• The shepherds said they were from Harran.

• Jacob asked if they knew Laban, Nahor’s grandson.

• The shepherds said they knew Laban.

• Jacob asked if Laban was well.

• The shepherds said Laban was well.

• The shepherds said Laban’s daughter Rachel was coming with the sheep.

• Rachel was a shepherd.

• Rachel came with her father’s sheep.

• Jacob rolled the stone away from the mouth of the well.

• Jacob watered Laban’s sheep.

• Jacob kissed Rachel and wept aloud.

• Jacob told Rachel he was a relative of her father.

• Jacob told Rachel he was Rebekah’s son.

• Rachel ran and told her father.

• Laban hurried to meet Jacob.

• Laban embraced Jacob and kissed him.

• Laban brought Jacob to his home.

• Laban said, “You are my own flesh and blood.”

• Jacob stayed with Laban for one whole month.

Leah and Rachel Quiz Facts

• Laban had two daughters.

• The older daughter was Leah.

• The younger daughter was Rachel.

• Leah had weak eyes.

• Rachel had a lovely figure and was beautiful.

• Jacob loved Rachel.

• Jacob offered to work seven years for Rachel.

• Jacob served seven years to get Rachel.

• The seven years seemed like only a few days because Jacob loved Rachel.

• Laban gave a feast.

• At evening, Laban gave Leah to Jacob instead of Rachel.

• Laban deceived Jacob.

• Laban gave his servant Zilpah to Leah as her attendant.

• In the morning, Jacob realized it was Leah.

• Jacob asked Laban why he had deceived him.

• Laban said it was not their custom to give the younger daughter before the older daughter.

• Laban told Jacob to finish Leah’s bridal week.

• Laban then gave Rachel to Jacob also.

• Jacob had to work another seven years for Rachel.

• Laban gave his servant Bilhah to Rachel as her attendant.

• Jacob loved Rachel more than Leah.

• Jacob worked for Laban another seven years.

Jacob’s Children Quiz Facts

• The Lord saw that Leah was not loved.

• The Lord enabled Leah to have children.

• Rachel remained childless at that time.

• Leah’s first son was Reuben.

• Leah named him Reuben because the Lord had seen her misery.

• Leah hoped her husband would love her.

• Leah’s second son was Simeon.

• Leah named him Simeon because the Lord heard she was not loved.

• Leah’s third son was Levi.

• Leah said that now her husband would become attached to her because she had borne him three sons.

• Leah’s fourth son was Judah.

• Leah named him Judah because she said, “This time I will praise the Lord.”

• After Judah was born, Leah stopped having children for a time.

Genesis 29 teaches us that dishonesty brings pain. Jacob had deceived his father before, and now Laban deceived Jacob. This chapter also shows that God saw Leah’s hurt and cared for her. Even when Leah felt unloved, the Lord saw her, heard her, and blessed her with children. Genesis 29 reminds us that God sees people who feel forgotten and cares for those who are hurting.

Genesis 30 - Jacob's Children and Jacob's Flocks Increase 

Rachel saw that she was not having children for Jacob, and she became jealous of her sister Leah. Rachel was very upset and said to Jacob, “Give me children, or I’ll die!”

Jacob became angry and said, “Am I in the place of God, who has kept you from having children?” Jacob knew that only God could open the womb and give children.

Then Rachel gave her servant Bilhah to Jacob as a wife so that Bilhah could have children for her. Bilhah became pregnant and gave birth to a son.

Rachel said, “God has vindicated me. He has listened to my plea and given me a son.” So she named him Dan.

Bilhah became pregnant again and had a second son for Jacob. Rachel said, “I have had a great struggle with my sister, and I have won.” So she named him Naphtali.

When Leah saw that she had stopped having children, she gave her servant Zilpah to Jacob as a wife. Zilpah had a son for Jacob.

Leah said, “What good fortune!” So she named him Gad.

Then Zilpah had a second son for Jacob. Leah said, “How happy I am! The women will call me happy.” So she named him Asher.

During the wheat harvest, Leah’s son Reuben went out into the fields and found some mandrake plants. He brought them to his mother Leah. Rachel asked Leah to give her some of Reuben’s mandrakes.

Leah was upset and said, “Wasn’t it enough that you took away my husband? Will you take my son’s mandrakes too?”

Rachel made an agreement with Leah. She said Leah could spend time with Jacob that night in exchange for the mandrakes.

That evening, when Jacob came in from the fields, Leah went out to meet him. Later, God listened to Leah, and she became pregnant again. She gave birth to a fifth son for Jacob.

Leah said, “God has rewarded me.” So she named him Issachar.

Leah became pregnant again and had a sixth son. She said, “God has presented me with a precious gift. This time my husband will treat me with honor, because I have borne him six sons.” So she named him Zebulun.

Sometime later, Leah also gave birth to a daughter and named her Dinah.

Then God remembered Rachel. He listened to her and enabled her to have a child. Rachel became pregnant and gave birth to a son. She said, “God has taken away my disgrace.”

Rachel named him Joseph and said, “May the Lord add to me another son.”

Jacob’s Flocks Increase

After Rachel gave birth to Joseph, Jacob spoke to Laban. Jacob wanted to return to his own homeland. He said, “Send me on my way so I can go back to my own homeland.”

Jacob asked Laban to give him his wives and children, because he had served Laban for them. Jacob reminded Laban that he knew how much work Jacob had done for him.

But Laban did not want Jacob to leave. Laban said that he had learned that the Lord had blessed him because of Jacob. Then Laban told Jacob to name his wages, and he would pay them.

Jacob explained that Laban had very little before he came, but since Jacob had worked for him, Laban’s flocks had increased greatly. The Lord had blessed Laban wherever Jacob had been.

Then Jacob said, “But now, when may I do something for my own household?” Jacob wanted to provide for his own family too.

Laban asked Jacob, “What shall I give you?”

Jacob answered that Laban did not need to give him anything right away. Instead, Jacob asked for a special agreement. He said he would keep tending Laban’s flocks, but his wages would be the animals that were different in color.

Jacob asked to remove every speckled or spotted sheep, every dark-colored lamb, and every spotted or speckled goat. These would be his wages.

Jacob said that his honesty would speak for him later. If any goat in his possession was not speckled or spotted, or any lamb was not dark-colored, then it would be considered stolen.

Laban agreed and said, “Let it be as you have said.”

But that same day, Laban removed the streaked and spotted male goats, the speckled and spotted female goats, and all the dark-colored lambs. He placed them in the care of his sons. Then Laban put a three-day journey between himself and Jacob.

Jacob continued to care for the rest of Laban’s flocks.

Jacob then took fresh-cut branches from poplar, almond, and plane trees. He peeled the bark and made white stripes on the branches. He placed the peeled branches in the watering troughs where the flocks came to drink.

When the animals came to drink and had young, many of the young animals were streaked, speckled, or spotted.

Jacob also separated the young animals for himself. He made sure the stronger animals became his, while the weaker animals went to Laban.

In this way, Jacob became very prosperous. He came to own large flocks, male and female servants, camels, and donkeys.

Important Things to Remember for the Quiz

• Genesis 30 tells about more of Jacob’s children and Jacob’s flocks increasing.

• Rachel became jealous because she was not having children.

• Rachel said to Jacob, “Give me children, or I’ll die!”

• Jacob became angry with Rachel.

• Jacob said, “Am I in the place of God?”

• Rachel gave her servant Bilhah to Jacob as a wife.

• Bilhah gave birth to a son.

• Rachel named him Dan.

• Rachel said God had listened to her plea.

• Bilhah gave birth to a second son.

• Rachel named him Naphtali.

• Rachel said she had a great struggle with her sister and had won.

• Leah saw that she had stopped having children.

• Leah gave her servant Zilpah to Jacob as a wife.

• Zilpah gave birth to a son.

• Leah named him Gad.

• Zilpah gave birth to a second son.

• Leah named him Asher.

• Leah said, “How happy I am!”

• During wheat harvest, Reuben found mandrake plants.

• Reuben brought the mandrakes to Leah.

• Rachel asked Leah for some of the mandrakes.

• Rachel agreed that Leah could be with Jacob that night in exchange for the mandrakes.

• God listened to Leah.

• Leah gave birth to a fifth son.

• Leah named him Issachar.

• Leah gave birth to a sixth son.

• Leah named him Zebulun.

• Leah later gave birth to a daughter.

• Leah’s daughter was named Dinah.

• God remembered Rachel.

• God listened to Rachel and enabled her to have a child.

• Rachel gave birth to a son.

• Rachel named him Joseph.

• Rachel said, “God has taken away my disgrace.”

• Rachel also said, “May the Lord add to me another son.”

Children Born in Genesis 30

The children named in Genesis 30 are:

Dan — born to Bilhah
Naphtali — born to Bilhah
Gad — born to Zilpah
Asher — born to Zilpah
Issachar — born to Leah
Zebulun — born to Leah
Dinah — born to Leah
Joseph — born to Rachel

Jacob’s Flocks Quiz Facts

• After Joseph was born, Jacob asked Laban to send him back to his own homeland.

• Jacob asked for his wives and children, for whom he had served Laban.

• Laban wanted Jacob to stay.

• Laban said he had learned that the Lord blessed him because of Jacob.

• Laban told Jacob to name his wages.

• Jacob said Laban had little before he came, but his livestock had increased greatly.

• Jacob said the Lord had blessed Laban wherever he had been.

• Jacob asked when he could provide for his own household.

• Jacob asked for the speckled, spotted, and dark-colored animals as his wages.

• Jacob’s wages were to be:

• Every speckled or spotted sheep
  Every dark-colored lamb
  Every spotted or speckled goat

• Jacob said his honesty would testify for him in the future.

• Laban agreed to Jacob’s plan.

• That same day, Laban removed the streaked and spotted goats and the dark-colored lambs.

• Laban placed those animals in the care of his sons.

• Laban put a three-day journey between himself and Jacob.

• Jacob cared for the rest of Laban’s flocks.

• Jacob used branches from poplar, almond, and plane trees.

• Jacob peeled the branches to make white stripes on them.

• Jacob placed the peeled branches in the watering troughs.

• The flocks had young that were streaked, speckled, or spotted.

• Jacob separated the young animals for himself.

• The weaker animals went to Laban.

• The stronger animals went to Jacob.

• Jacob became exceedingly prosperous.

• Jacob owned large flocks, male and female servants, camels, and donkeys.

Genesis 30 shows us that jealousy and competition can cause trouble in families. Rachel and Leah struggled with each other, but God still saw them and worked through their family. This chapter also shows that God blessed Jacob and helped him prosper even while he worked for Laban. Genesis 30 reminds us that God hears, God remembers, and God can bless His people even in difficult family situations.

Genesis 31 - Jacob Flees from Laban 

Jacob had been living and working for Laban for many years. During that time, God had blessed Jacob greatly. Jacob had many flocks, servants, camels, and donkeys.

But one day, Jacob heard that Laban’s sons were complaining. They said, “Jacob has taken everything our father owned and has gained all this wealth from what belonged to our father.”

Jacob also noticed that Laban’s attitude toward him had changed. Laban was not treating him the way he used to.

Then the Lord spoke to Jacob and said, “Go back to the land of your fathers and to your relatives, and I will be with you.”

So Jacob called Rachel and Leah to come out to the fields where his flocks were. He told them that their father’s attitude toward him had changed. But Jacob also said that the God of his father had been with him.

Jacob reminded Rachel and Leah that he had worked for Laban with all his strength. But Laban had cheated him by changing his wages ten times. Even so, God did not allow Laban to harm Jacob.

Jacob explained that whenever Laban changed the agreement about the animals, God still blessed Jacob. If Laban said the speckled animals would be Jacob’s wages, the flocks gave birth to speckled young. If Laban said the streaked animals would be Jacob’s wages, the flocks gave birth to streaked young.

Jacob said that God had taken away Laban’s livestock and given them to him.

Jacob also told Rachel and Leah about a dream he had. In the dream, he saw that the male goats mating with the flock were streaked, speckled, or spotted. The angel of God called to him and said, “Jacob.”

Jacob answered, “Here I am.”

The angel told Jacob that God had seen everything Laban was doing to him. Then God said, “I am the God of Bethel, where you anointed a pillar and made a vow to me. Now leave this land at once and go back to your native land.”

Rachel and Leah agreed with Jacob. They said that their father no longer treated them like daughters. They said he had sold them and used up what had been paid for them. They believed that all the wealth God took away from their father now belonged to them and their children. So they told Jacob, “Do whatever God has told you.”

Then Jacob put his children and wives on camels. He drove all his livestock ahead of him and took all the goods he had gained in Paddan Aram. He set out to go to his father Isaac in the land of Canaan.

At that time, Laban had gone to shear his sheep. While he was away, Rachel stole her father’s household gods.

Jacob did not tell Laban he was leaving. He fled with everything he had. He crossed the Euphrates River and headed for the hill country of Gilead.

Laban Pursues Jacob

On the third day, Laban was told that Jacob had fled. Laban took his relatives with him and chased after Jacob for seven days. He caught up with Jacob in the hill country of Gilead.

But that night, God came to Laban the Aramean in a dream. God warned him, “Be careful not to say anything to Jacob, either good or bad.”

When Laban caught up with Jacob, Jacob had pitched his tent in the hill country of Gilead. Laban and his relatives camped there too.

Laban asked Jacob, “What have you done? You deceived me and carried off my daughters like captives in war.” Laban asked why Jacob had run away secretly instead of telling him. He said he would have sent Jacob away with joy, singing, timbrels, and harps. He also said Jacob had not allowed him to kiss his daughters and grandchildren goodbye.

Laban told Jacob that he had the power to harm him, but God had warned him in a dream not to say anything to Jacob, either good or bad.

Then Laban asked, “Why did you steal my gods?”

Jacob answered that he was afraid. He thought Laban might take his daughters away by force. Jacob also said that if anyone had stolen Laban’s gods, that person should not live. But Jacob did not know that Rachel had stolen them.

So Laban searched for his household gods. He went into Jacob’s tent, Leah’s tent, and the tent of the two female servants, but he found nothing.

Then Laban entered Rachel’s tent. Rachel had hidden the household gods inside her camel’s saddle and was sitting on them. Laban searched through everything in the tent, but he could not find them.

Rachel told her father that she could not stand up because she was not feeling well. So Laban searched but did not find the household gods.

Then Jacob became angry with Laban. Jacob asked, “What is my crime? How have I wronged you that you hunt me down?”

Jacob reminded Laban that he had worked faithfully for him for twenty years. During that time, Jacob cared for Laban’s flocks. He did not eat the rams from Laban’s flocks. If animals were torn by wild beasts, Jacob bore the loss himself. If anything was stolen by day or night, Laban demanded payment from Jacob.

Jacob said that the heat consumed him in the daytime, the cold troubled him at night, and sleep fled from his eyes.

Jacob explained that he had worked fourteen years for Laban’s two daughters and six years for Laban’s flocks. He also said that Laban had changed his wages ten times.

Jacob said that if the God of Abraham and the Fear of Isaac had not been with him, Laban would have sent him away empty-handed. But God had seen Jacob’s hardship and work, and God had rebuked Laban.

Jacob and Laban Make a Covenant

Laban answered Jacob and said that the women were his daughters, the children were his children, and the flocks were his flocks. But Laban knew he could not stop what God was doing.

So Laban said, “Come now, let’s make a covenant, you and I, and let it serve as a witness between us.”

Jacob took a stone and set it up as a pillar. Then he told his relatives to gather stones. They gathered stones and made a heap. Then they ate there beside the heap.

Laban called the place Jegar Sahadutha, and Jacob called it Galeed.

Laban said, “This heap is a witness between you and me today.” That is why it was called Galeed.

The place was also called Mizpah, because Laban said, “May the Lord keep watch between you and me when we are away from each other.”

Laban warned Jacob not to mistreat his daughters or take other wives besides them. He reminded Jacob that even when no one else was watching, God would be a witness between them.

Laban also said that the heap and the pillar were witnesses. Laban promised that he would not go past the heap to Jacob’s side to harm him, and Jacob would not go past the heap and pillar to Laban’s side to harm him.

Laban said, “May the God of Abraham and the God of Nahor, the God of their father, judge between us.”

Then Jacob took an oath in the name of the Fear of his father Isaac. Jacob offered a sacrifice there in the hill country and invited his relatives to a meal. After they ate, they spent the night there.

Early the next morning, Laban kissed his grandchildren and his daughters and blessed them. Then he left and returned home.

Important Things to Remember for the Quiz

• Genesis 31 tells about Jacob fleeing from Laban.

• Jacob heard Laban’s sons complaining about him.

• Laban’s sons said Jacob had taken everything their father owned.

• Jacob noticed that Laban’s attitude toward him had changed.

• The Lord told Jacob to go back to the land of his fathers and relatives.

• God promised Jacob, “I will be with you.”

• Jacob called Rachel and Leah to the fields.

• Jacob told Rachel and Leah that their father’s attitude had changed.

• Jacob said the God of his father had been with him.

• Jacob said he had worked for Laban with all his strength.

• Jacob said Laban cheated him by changing his wages ten times.

• God did not allow Laban to harm Jacob.

• God blessed Jacob’s flocks even when Laban changed his wages.

• Jacob said God had taken Laban’s livestock and given them to him.

• Jacob told Rachel and Leah about a dream.

• In the dream, the male goats were streaked, speckled, or spotted.

• The angel of God called Jacob in the dream.

• Jacob answered, “Here I am.”

• God said He had seen all that Laban was doing to Jacob.

• God said, “I am the God of Bethel.”

• Bethel was where Jacob had anointed a pillar and made a vow to God.

• God told Jacob to leave the land and go back to his native land.

• Rachel and Leah agreed with Jacob.

• Rachel and Leah said Laban treated them like foreigners.

• They said Laban had sold them and used up what was paid for them.

• Rachel and Leah told Jacob to do whatever God had told him.

• Jacob put his children and wives on camels.

• Jacob took all his livestock and goods from Paddan Aram.

• Jacob set out to go to his father Isaac in the land of Canaan.

• Laban had gone to shear his sheep.

• Rachel stole her father’s household gods.

• Jacob deceived Laban by not telling him he was running away.

• Jacob crossed the Euphrates River.

• Jacob headed for the hill country of Gilead.