Introduction

The Covenant with Abraham to the Exodus of Moses (1921 BCE – 1500 BCE) covers a period of approximately 421 years in Jewish history and is marked by significant events and figures central to the formation of the Jewish people.

The Covenant with Abraham

The Covenant with Abraham is a biblical narrative in which God made a covenant, or promise, with the patriarch Abraham. The Lord promised to make Abraham the father of a great nation and to give his descendants the land of Canaan as an everlasting possession (Genesis 12-17). This covenant became the basis for the relationship between God and the Jewish people, as Abraham’s descendants were considered God’s chosen people.

The Sojourn in Egypt

After famine struck the land of Canaan, Abraham’s descendants, including his grandson Jacob and his family, moved to Egypt (Genesis 46-47). Over time, the descendants of Jacob, also known as Israelites, became enslaved by the Egyptians. The Israelites were oppressed for several centuries until God raised up Moses to deliver them from slavery and lead them back to the Promised Land.

Moses and the Exodus

Moses was born to Hebrew parents and raised as an Egyptian prince. However, after killing an Egyptian taskmaster who was mistreating a Hebrew slave, Moses fled to Midian, where he married and worked as a shepherd for 40 years (Exodus 2:11-15). God then appeared to Moses in the burning bush and called him to lead the Israelites out of Egypt (Exodus 3:1-10).

After God performed ten plagues on Egypt, Pharaoh finally agreed to let the Israelites go (Exodus 7-12). The Israelites then left Egypt and journeyed through the wilderness, where they received the Ten Commandments and other laws from God through Moses (Exodus 20).

Conclusion

The Covenant with Abraham to the Exodus of Moses is a critical period in Jewish history that lays the foundation for the relationship between God and the Jewish people. Through the Covenant with Abraham, God promised to make the descendants of Abraham a great nation and to give them the land of Canaan. Through the Exodus, God delivered the Israelites from slavery in Egypt and formed a covenant with them at Mount Sinai, through which he gave them his laws and established a relationship with them as his chosen people.

Lot is rescued, and Abraham visits Melchizedek Genesis. 14:16, 18; 16:3

The story of Lot’s rescue and Abraham’s visit to Melchizedek can be found in the Book of Genesis, specifically in chapters 14 and 16. The events in these chapters serve as important moments in the story of Abraham’s life and in the larger narrative of the Bible.

In Genesis 14:1-16, Lot, Abraham’s nephew, is taken captive by a group of invading kings. When Abraham hears of this, he musters a force of 318 men from his household and sets out to rescue Lot. In the ensuing battle, Abraham and his men are able to defeat the invading kings and rescue Lot. This event serves as an important moment in the story of Abraham’s life, as it demonstrates his loyalty to his family, his bravery in battle, and his willingness to act in defense of those he cares about.

After the rescue of Lot, Abraham is visited by Melchizedek, the king of Salem and a priest of God Most High (Genesis 14:18-20). Melchizedek brings out bread and wine and blesses Abraham, and Abraham, in turn, gives Melchizedek a tenth of everything. Melchizedek is an enigmatic figure in the Bible, he is not described as having any genealogy or descendants, and his name means “king of righteousness” and “king of peace”.

This event is significant for several reasons. First, it demonstrates the importance of hospitality and generosity in the ancient Near East, as Melchizedek provides food and drink for Abraham and his men, and Abraham, in turn, gives a portion of his spoils to Melchizedek. Second, Melchizedek’s blessing of Abraham is significant, as it serves as a reminder that God is the one who ultimately blesses Abraham and his descendants. Third, Melchizedek’s role as both a king and a priest is noteworthy, as it foreshadows the coming of Jesus Christ, who is both the King of kings and the High Priest (Hebrews 7:1-3).

In Genesis 16:3, Sarah, Abraham’s wife, gives him her maid Hagar as a surrogate after being unable to have children. This event is significant as it demonstrates the cultural and societal norms of the time, where it was common for a wife to give her husband a surrogate to bear children if she was unable to do so. It also foreshadows the conflict that will arise between Ishmael, Hagar’s son, and Isaac, Sarah’s son.

In summary, the story of Lot’s rescue and Abraham’s visit to Melchizedek in the Book of Genesis serves as important moments in the story of Abraham’s life and in the larger narrative of the Bible. The rescue of Lot demonstrates Abraham’s loyalty to his family and his bravery in battle. The visit of Melchizedek highlights the importance of hospitality and generosity in the ancient Near East, as well as foreshadowing the coming of Jesus Christ. And the surrogacy of Hagar highlights the societal norms of the time and foreshadows the conflict between Ishmael and Isaac.

Birth of Ishmael Genesis 16:15-16

Ishmael is first mentioned in Genesis 16:15-16. He was the son of Abraham and his maidservant Hagar, who was an Egyptian. According to the biblical account, Sarah, Abraham’s wife, was unable to have children, and so she gave Hagar to Abraham as a secondary wife to bear a child on her behalf. Ishmael was born as a result of this union. He is considered the father of the Ishmaelites and is regarded as a forefather of the Arab nations.

Covenant of Circumcision Genesis 17:1, 10, 24

The Covenant of Circumcision is first mentioned in Genesis 17:1, 10, 24. It was a covenant made between God and Abraham, in which God promised to make Abraham the father of a great nation and to bless all nations through him. In return, Abraham and his descendants were required to be circumcised as a sign of their commitment to the covenant. Circumcision was to be performed on all males in Abraham’s household, including slaves and was to be performed on all male infants on the eighth day after their birth. The Covenant of Circumcision was considered a permanent covenant and was later incorporated into Jewish law. The act of circumcision symbolized the removal of the foreskin and the cutting away of impurity and was seen as a physical representation of the need for spiritual purification.

Judgment of Sodom and Gomorrah Genesis 19:24

The Judgment of Sodom and Gomorrah is recorded in Genesis 19:24. Sodom and Gomorrah were two cities that were known for their wickedness and immorality. According to the biblical account, two angels were sent to the cities to rescue Lot, who was a righteous man, and his family. The inhabitants of the cities attempted to assault the angels sexually, and as a result, God judged the cities by raining down fire and brimstone from heaven, destroying them and all the people who lived there. The destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah serves as a warning of the consequences of sin and immorality

Birth of Isaac, the true heir; beginning of the ‘about 450 years’ Genesis 21:2, 5; Acts 13:17-20

The birth of Isaac, who was the true heir according to God’s promise, is recorded in Genesis 21:2, 5. After many years of waiting and infertility, Sarah gave birth to a son, Isaac, when she was 90 years old, and Abraham was 100 years old. This birth marked the beginning of the “about 450 years” mentioned in Acts 13:17-20. The birth of Isaac was a fulfillment of God’s promise to Abraham that he would have a son through whom all nations would be blessed. Isaac’s birth also marked a turning point in the history of God’s people, as it signaled the start of a new era in God’s plan for humanity.

Weaning of Isaac; Ishmael sent away; beginning of the 400-year affliction Genesis 21:8; 15:13; Acts 7:6

The weaning of Isaac and the sending away of Ishmael is recorded in Genesis 21:8. According to the account, Isaac was weaned when he was about three years old, and Ishmael was mocking him. Sarah, Isaac’s mother, was upset by this and asked Abraham to send away Hagar and Ishmael. Abraham was reluctant to do so, but God reassured him and told him to do as Sarah asked. Ishmael and Hagar were sent away, and the beginning of the 400-year affliction is referred to in Acts 7:6. The 400-year affliction refers to the period of time that the Israelites were oppressed in Egypt before they were delivered by Moses. This event marked a significant turning point in the history of God’s people, as it set the stage for the birth of Moses and the eventual deliverance of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt.

Death of Sarah Genesis 17:17; 23:1

The death of Sarah is recorded in Genesis 23:1. Sarah was the wife of Abraham and the mother of Isaac. She was 127 years old when she died, and Abraham mourned her loss deeply. Abraham purchased a cave in Machpelah to use as a burial place for Sarah, and she was buried there. Her death marked a significant turning point in the history of God’s people, as it marked the end of an era in the life of Abraham and the start of a new chapter in the story of God’s plan for humanity.

Marriage of Isaac and Rebekah Genesis 25:20

The marriage of Isaac and Rebekah is recorded in Genesis 25:20. Rebekah was the daughter of Bethuel, who was a relative of Abraham, and Isaac was the son of Abraham. The account states that Isaac married Rebekah, and she became his wife and the mother of his children. This marriage marked a significant turning point in the history of God’s people, as it signaled the continuation of God’s promise to Abraham that he would have descendants through whom all nations would be blessed. Rebekah and Isaac’s marriage also set the stage for the birth of Jacob and Esau, who were significant figures in the history of God’s people.

Death of Shem Genesis 11:11

The death of Shem, the son of Noah, is recorded in Genesis 11:11. According to the account, Shem lived for 600 years and had other sons and daughters. Shem was one of the three sons of Noah, and his descendants were among the first to repopulate the earth after the Flood. The death of Shem marked a significant turning point in the history of humanity, as it marked the end of an era in the life of one of the first generations of human beings after the Flood.

Birth of Esau and Jacob Genesis 25:26

The birth of Esau and Jacob is recorded in Genesis 25:26. Esau and Jacob were the twin sons of Isaac and Rebekah. According to the account, Rebekah was pregnant with the twins and felt them struggling within her. She went to God for guidance and received a prophecy that the older son, Esau, would serve the younger son, Jacob. This event marked a significant turning point in the history of God’s people, as it set the stage for the events that would unfold throughout the lives of Esau and Jacob and the generations that would come after them. Esau and Jacob went on to play significant roles in the history of God’s people, and their descendants became the nations of Edom and Israel.

Death of Abraham Genesis 25:7

The death of Abraham is recorded in Genesis 25:7. Abraham was a significant figure in the history of God’s people and is regarded as the father of the Jewish nation. According to the account, Abraham lived to the age of 175 years and died at a ripe old age, having lived a long and fulfilling life. He was buried in the cave of Machpelah, which he had purchased to use as a burial place for himself and his wife, Sarah. The death of Abraham marked a significant turning point in the history of God’s people, as it marked the end of an era in the life of a man who had played a crucial role in the early history of God’s people and the establishment of the nation of Israel.

Esau marries his first two wives Genesis 26:34

The marriage of Esau to his first two wives is recorded in Genesis 26:34. Esau was the son of Isaac and Rebekah and was one of the twin brothers of Jacob. According to the account, Esau married two women, Judith and Basemath, who were the daughters of Ishmael. This event marked a significant turning point in the history of God’s people, as it set the stage for the events that would unfold throughout the life of Esau and the generations that would come after him. Esau’s marriages to these women were a source of conflict with his parents, as they were not in accordance with God’s plan for his people. This event serves as a reminder of the importance of following God’s will in our lives, even in the most personal of decisions.

Death of Ishmael Genesis 25:17

The death of Ishmael is recorded in Genesis 25:17. Ishmael was the first-born son of Abraham and Hagar, born before the birth of Isaac, who was Abraham’s son with Sarah. According to the account, Ishmael lived to be 137 years old and died at a ripe old age. He was buried in the wilderness of Paran, in the area of his birthplace. The death of Ishmael marked a significant turning point in the history of God’s people, as it marked the end of an era in the life of a man who had played a significant role in the early history of God’s people and the establishment of the nation of Israel.

Jacob flees to Haran, his vision at Bethel Genesis. 28:2, 13, 19

The events of Jacob fleeing to Haran and his vision at Bethel are recorded in Genesis 28:2, 13, and 19. Jacob was the son of Isaac and Rebekah and was the twin brother of Esau. According to the account, Jacob fled to Haran after he was blessed by his father, Isaac, and received a warning from his mother, Rebekah to avoid the wrath of his brother Esau. During his journey, Jacob had a vision at Bethel in which God appeared to him in a dream and spoke to him. In this vision, God reaffirmed the covenant He had made with Abraham and Isaac and promised to bless Jacob and make him a great nation. Jacob made a vow to God, pledging to serve Him and to give Him a portion of all that He would receive in return for God’s blessings. This event marked a significant turning point in the life of Jacob, as it marked the beginning of his transformation from a deceiver to a servant of God.

Jacob marries Leah and Rachel Genesis 29:23-30

The event of Jacob marrying Leah and Rachel is recorded in Genesis 29:23-30. According to the account, Jacob was seeking a wife and arrived at the well near Haran, where he met Rachel, who was the daughter of his uncle Laban. He was immediately smitten with Rachel and agreed to work for her father for seven years in exchange for her hand in marriage. At the end of the seven years, however, Laban tricked Jacob by giving him Leah, Rachel’s older sister, as his wife instead. Jacob was forced to work another seven years to earn the right to marry Rachel, and he eventually became the father of twelve sons, who would become the twelve tribes of Israel. This event marked a significant turning point in the history of God’s people, as it established the line through which Jesus, the Messiah, would eventually come.

Birth of Joseph Genesis 30:23-24

The birth of Joseph is recorded in Genesis 30:23-24. Joseph was the 11th son of Jacob and Rachel, and he was considered to be Jacob’s favorite son. According to the account, Rachel was initially unable to have children, but with God’s intervention, she was able to give birth to Joseph. This event marked a significant turning point in the history of God’s people, as Joseph would play a key role in the preservation of God’s people in the coming years, especially during the time of famine in Egypt. Joseph’s story is a powerful testimony to the sovereignty of God and His faithfulness to His people, even in the midst of difficult circumstances.

Jacob returns to Canaan from Haran Genesis 31:18, 41

The event of Jacob returning to Canaan from Haran is recorded in Genesis 31:18 and 41. According to the account, Jacob had spent 20 years in Haran, working for his uncle Laban and marrying Leah and Rachel. However, after a series of conflicts with Laban, God spoke to Jacob in a dream and told him it was time to return to the land of Canaan, where his ancestors had lived. Jacob gathered his family and flocks and set out for Canaan, where he eventually settled and became a wealthy man. This event marked a significant turning point in the history of God’s people, as it marked the beginning of their return to the Promised Land, which God had promised to give to their ancestors.

Jacob wrestles an angel; is named Israel Genesis 32:24-28

The event of Jacob wrestling with the angel is recorded in Genesis 32:24-28. According to the account, Jacob was on his way back to Canaan after fleeing from his uncle Laban when he encountered the angel. The two wrestled throughout the night, and in the end, the angel blessed Jacob and renamed him Israel, meaning “one who strives with God.” This event marked a significant turning point in Jacob’s life, as he went from being a deceitful man who had taken advantage of his brother and his uncle to a man who had encountered God and been transformed by His grace. The name Israel became the name by which Jacob’s descendants were known, and it symbolizes the close relationship that God had with His people, who were called to live in obedience to Him and to be a blessing to the world.

Joseph sold as a slave by his brothers Gen. 37:2, 28

The event of Joseph being sold as a slave by his brothers is recorded in Genesis 37:2 and 28. According to the account, Joseph was the 11th son of Jacob, and he was his father’s favorite. This caused jealousy among his older brothers, who saw him as a threat to their own inheritance. When Joseph told his brothers about two dreams he had had in which he was ruling over them, their jealousy turned to hatred, and they plotted to kill him. However, they ultimately decided to sell him as a slave instead, and he was taken to Egypt, where he was sold to Potiphar, a high-ranking official. Despite the hardships he faced as a slave, Joseph was eventually promoted to a position of great responsibility in Pharaoh’s household, and he became a trusted advisor to the Pharaoh himself. This event marked a significant turning point in the history of God’s people, as Joseph was used by God to preserve the lives of many people during a time of famine and to bring his own family to Egypt, where they would eventually become a great nation.

Death of Isaac Genesis 35:28-29

The death of Isaac is recorded in Genesis 35:28-29. Isaac was the son of Abraham and Sarah and was born to them when they were both very old. Isaac was the promised son through whom God would fulfill his covenant with Abraham, and he was the father of Jacob and Esau. According to the account, Isaac lived for 180 years and then died. He was buried in the Cave of Machpelah, near Mamre in Hebron, alongside his wife Rebekah and his father, Abraham. The death of Isaac marked a significant event in the history of God’s people, as he was the last of the patriarchs who received God’s promise and lived to see it fulfilled. Through Isaac, God’s covenant was passed down to his son Jacob, who would become Israel, the father of the twelve tribes of Israel.

Joseph made prime minister of Egypt Genesis 41:40, 46

Joseph was made the prime minister of Egypt according to the account in Genesis 41:40-46. Joseph was a son of Jacob and was sold into slavery by his brothers. He was taken to Egypt and eventually rose to prominence in Pharaoh’s court through his interpretation of Pharaoh’s dreams. Pharaoh was so impressed with Joseph’s wisdom and insight that he appointed him as the second-in-command over all of Egypt, giving him authority over all of the land’s resources and making him responsible for managing the famine that was affecting the land. The appointment made Joseph the most powerful person in Egypt, next to Pharaoh, and set the stage for the eventual arrival of Jacob and his family in Egypt, where they would live for several generations and eventually become the nation of Israel

Jacob with his whole family enters Egypt Genesis 45:6; 46:26; 47:9

According to the account in the Book of Genesis, Jacob, and his whole family entered Egypt as a result of famine in the land of Canaan. Joseph, one of Jacob’s sons, was serving as the prime minister of Egypt at the time and invited his father and family to come and live in Egypt, where there was food to sustain them (Genesis 45:6). Joseph provided for his family in Egypt, giving them a land to live in and ensuring that they were taken care of (Genesis 47:9). The total number of people in Jacob’s family who entered Egypt was 70, including his sons, grandsons, and their wives (Genesis 46:26). This marked the beginning of the Israelites’ stay in Egypt, which lasted for several generations before they eventually left Egypt to return to the land of Canaan.

Death of Jacob Genesis 47:28

The death of Jacob is recorded in Genesis 47:28. According to the account, Jacob was old and near death when he called his son Joseph and asked him to bring his two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, to him. Jacob then blessed the two boys and gave them a portion of the inheritance that was due to their father Joseph. Before he died, Jacob told Joseph to bury him in the land of Canaan, in the cave of Machpelah where Abraham and Sarah were buried (Genesis 49:29-32). When Jacob died, he was embalmed and placed in a coffin in Egypt, where he was mourned by his sons and all of the Egyptians (Genesis 50:2-3). Later, after the Israelites had left Egypt, Joseph was also embalmed and placed in a coffin, and both Joseph and Jacob were eventually buried in the land of Canaan, as Jacob had requested.

Death of Joseph Genesis 50:26

The death of Joseph is recorded in Genesis 50:26. According to the account, Joseph lived to the age of 110 and saw the third generation of his descendants. Before he died, Joseph made the Israelites swear that when God would bring them out of Egypt, they would take his bones with them and bury them in the land of Canaan (Exodus 13:19). After Joseph died, he was embalmed and placed in a coffin in Egypt (Genesis 50:2-3). Later, when the Israelites left Egypt, they took Joseph’s bones with them and buried them in the land of Canaan, as he had requested (Exodus 13:19).

Job’s trial Job 1:8; 42:16

The trial of Job is recorded in the book of Job, from Job 1:8 to 42:16. The book of Job tells the story of a righteous man named Job who lived in the land of Uz. Satan challenged Job’s righteousness, claiming that Job only worshiped God because he was blessed with great wealth and prosperity. God allowed Satan to test Job by taking away his wealth, health, and children, but Job remained faithful to God and did not curse him.

After Job’s friends came to console him, they had long debates with him about the reasons for his suffering. Job maintained his innocence and his belief in God’s justice, but his friends accused him of secret sin. Eventually, God himself spoke to Job out of a whirlwind, rebuking Job’s friends and restoring his prosperity. In the end, Job acknowledged God’s wisdom and power and repented of his questioning. The book of Job teaches that God’s ways are higher than our ways and that we should trust in him, even when we do not understand his purposes.

Egypt attains prominence as first empire Exodus 1:8

In Exodus 1:8, the Bible mentions that Egypt attains prominence as the first empire. According to the verse, “Now there arose a new king over Egypt, who did not know Joseph.” This verse sets the stage for the events that follow, including the enslavement of the Israelites and the exodus from Egypt. The passage highlights the rise of a new leader in Egypt and its growing power and influence as a dominant empire.

Birth of Moses Exodus 2:2, 10

Exodus 2:2, 10 mentions the birth of Moses. According to the verses, “A man of the house of Levi went and took as his wife a Levite woman. And the woman conceived and bore a son, and when she saw that he was a fine child, she hid him three months.” Moses was born to a Levite woman, who hid him for three months after she saw that he was a fine child. These verses mark the birth of one of the most important figures in the Old Testament, who would later lead the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt and receive the Ten Commandments from God on Mount Sinai

Moses offers himself as a deliverer; flees to Midian Exodus. 2:11, 14-15;  Acts 7:23

  In Exodus 2:11-15, Moses is born, and as he grows, he sees the oppression of his people and offers himself as a deliverer. However, after killing an Egyptian, he flees to Midian where he marries and becomes a shepherd. In Acts 7:23, Moses spends 40 years in Midian before God calls him to lead the Israelites out of Egypt.

Moses at the burning bush Exodus 3:2

  Moses at the burning bush (Exodus 3:2): In this account, Moses is described as encountering God in the form of a burning bush while tending his father-in-law’s flocks in the wilderness. God calls to Moses from the bush, and when Moses approaches, he realizes that the bush is on fire but is not consumed. God then speaks to Moses from the burning bush and identifies himself as the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. God commissions Moses to go to Pharaoh and lead the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt, promising to be with Moses every step of the way.

SCROLL THROUGH THE DIFFERENT CATEGORIES BELOW

BIBLE TRANSLATION AND TEXTUAL CRITICISM

BIBLICAL STUDIES / BIBLE BACKGROUND / HISTORY OF THE BIBLE/ INTERPRETATION

EARLY CHRISTIANITY

CHRISTIAN APOLOGETIC EVANGELISM

TECHNOLOGY AND THE CHRISTIAN

CHRISTIAN THEOLOGY

CHRISTIAN DEVOTIONALS

CHRISTIAN FICTION