Biblical and
Oriental Serlei

THE BOOK
OF GENESIS

MERCER

YALE UNIVERSITY
LIBRARY

THE LIBRARY OF THE
DIVINITY SCHOOL

Biblical ana Oriental Series
SAMUEL A. B. MERCER, General Editor

THE BOOK OF GENESIS

Biblical ana Oriental Series
SAMUEL A. B. MERCER, General Editor
The object of this Series on the Bible and
Oriental Civilization is to make the results of
expert investigation accessible to laymen. Some
times these results will be presented in the form
of daily readings, and sometimes in that of con
tinuous discussion. Specialists in every case will
be employed, who will endeavor to present their
subjects in the most effective and profitable way.
The Book of Genesis for Bible Classes and
Private Study
By Samuel A. B. Mercer (non> ready).
The Growth of Religious and Moral Ideas
in Egypt
By Samuel A. B. Mercer (noB> ready).
The Book of Isaiah for Bible Classes and
Private Study
By D. Roy Matthews (in preparation).
Religious and Moral Ideas In Babylonia and
Assyria
By Samuel A. B. Mercer (in the press).

Morehouse Publishing Company

THE BOOK OF GENESIS
For Bible Classes and Private Study

By
SAMUEL A. B. MERCER, Ph.D., D.D.
Professor of Hebrew and Old Testament in the Western Theological
Seminary, Chicago; Rector of the Society of Oriental
Research, and Editor of its Journal; Editor
of the Anglican Theological Review

MOREHOUSE PUBLISHING CO.
MILWAUKEE, WIS.
A R. MOWBRAY & CO.
LONDON

M£T34b

COPYBIQHT BY
MOREHOUSE PUBLISHING CO.
1919

TO
G. M. M.
AUGUST FIFTEENTH

PREFACE TO THE BIBUCAL SERIES
The purpose of these books on the Bible is to give
to the laity, men as well as women, an opportunity
to introduce into their daily lives a systematic study
of Holy Scripture. Nor will the books be found less
useful to those of the clergy who feel the need of direc
tion in their reading. Each volume constitutes a unit,
and is planned as a guide to eight months' work of an
hour or more a day. Specialists in each department
have been secured, who will guarantee scholarly and
sound interpretation. They will also endeavour to
present their subjects in the most effective and profit
able way which is consonant with the best methods
of leading the student to diligent work, careful think
ing, and thoughtful expression.

vn

CONTENTS

Directions to Students  xi — xiii

Introduction 

1 — 18
The Beginnings of the Race
19— 74
Patriarchal History
75—151
The Patriarch Abraham
77—117
The Patriarch Isaac
117—128
The Patriarch Jacob
129—151
The Story of Joseph
155—183
Review Studies ....
185—193
IX
DIRECTIONS TO STUDENTS
Books Required for All Biblical Courses
The Holy Bible, American Revised Version. A
copy of the King James ("Authorized") Version
should also be at hand for comparison.
The Apocrypha, Revised Version.
A Bible Atlas. The maps in any good Teacher's
Bible will generally be sufficient.
A Dictionary of the Bible, Edited by James Hast
ings. One Volume Edition. New York: Charles
Scribner's Sons, 1909.
A large note book, substantially bound.
For This Course
The Book of Genesis (The Cambridge Bible for
Schools and Colleges) . By Herbert E. Ryle. Cam
bridge: University Press (Putnam's Sons, New York
City), 1914.
The Bible of To-Day. By A. Blakiston. Cam
bridge: University Press (Putnam's Sons, New York
City), 1914.
The Christian View of the Old Testament. By
P. C. Eiselen. New York: Eaton and Mains, 1912.
xi

xii The Book of Genesis
Method of Work
The Directions given in the Studies should be
followed exactly, sentence by sentence, and, in partic
ular, every Biblical reference should be looked up and
verified. The important part of the course is the
written work in the note book; ten minutes spent in
writing is usually more profitable than an hour spent
in reading.
When the review of a Study is directed, a review of
the corresponding part of the note book is always to
be included.
The direction "Illustrate" occurs with considerable
frequency; this always calls for written work, some
times rather at length. Subj'ects taken from modern
life usually form the best illustrations. "Explain"
is to be treated similarly. "Note" or "Observe" may
be given briefer comment, but something should
always be written. Division of Time
The course presupposes an hour's study each day,
but it has naturally been impossible to make all the
Studies the same length. When extra time is given
to some, others may be shortened, provided the
average of one hour is maintained. Sometimes it
has become necessary to combine two or more
studies for a subject that does not admit of an easy
division; in this case the total of two or three
hours may be arranged according to the student's
convenience.

Directions to Students xiii
If the Studies are found too long, the illustrations,
etc., may be condensed. But directions to read
passages should never be neglected.
Further Study
The course on Genesis is so arranged that students
who desire to devote an average of two hours each
day should work through the section marked "II" in
each Study, after having completed section "I".
Those who desire to devote still more time each day
to study should work through section "III", after hav
ing completed sections "I" and "II". The sections
should always be followed in the order I, II, III.

I
INTRODUCTION

REVELATION AND INSPIRATION IN THE
OLD TESTAMENT

Read: BlaMston, The Bible of To-Day, Chap. I,
§§ 1-11.
In the beginning God revealed himself in his uni
verse which he brought into existence. According as
the universe developed in manifold ways, so God's
revelation of himself developed. Now, at an early
stage in man's development, his mind gradually began
to discover and to become aware of God; and accord
ing as the mind of man grew, so his understanding
of God increased. God's revelation of himself and
man's discovery of God were, thus, progressive and
gradual. It is a known fact that some races developed more
quickly than others. Various circumstances make
this inevitable. In like manner, it is probable that
some parts of God's universe are better fitted as a
medium of divine revelation than others. At any
rate, it is conceded by all competent students of the
3

4 The Book of Genesis
subject that the people of Palestine developed a
more perfect conception of God's character, at an
earlier period, than any other race, in any other part
of the universe, of which we have any knowledge.
Now, many ancient peoples have left permanent rec
ords of their ideas of God, and notable among them
are the Israelites. Those records which give a pecu
liarly spiritual, truly religious, and a satisfactorily
moral ideal of the character of God, and of his rela
tions with men, we call inspired. The test of inspired
writings is the religious response to them in the
heart of man. In reading the written records of
Israel, the student has always and everywhere been
arrested by their great spiritual, religious, and moral
power. Hence, the Church's teaching that the Old
Testament is a part of the Word of God — it is relig
iously inspired.
What does science teach about the manner in which
God is manifested? What does the Old Testament
teach about the way in which man understands God ?
What is the historical method of studying the Old
Testament? In what spirit should one approach the
Old Testament, and why ? What do you understand
by Inspiration? When and by whom was God per
fectly revealed? II
Read: The Dictionary, "Revelation", "Inspira
tion". Write a short paper on Inspiration in general
and Biblical Inspiration.

Introduction 5
III
Read: Eiselen, The Christian View of the Old
Testament, Chap. I. Read Articles VI-VII and rele
vant portions of the Ordinal in the Book of Common
Prayer, and write a short paper on the Bible in the
Church. 2
THE TEXT OF THE OLD TESTAMENT

Read: Blakiston, The Bible of To-Day, Chap. II
§§ 1-9-
The Old Testament was written by hand on parch
ment. All the manuscripts — and there were many
more than there are separate books — were indepen
dent, forming a considerable library. According as
a manuscript became worn it was copied, and the
original was discarded. Every time a new copy was
made, fresh errors were added to those already exist
ing in the former manuscript. Before the text of the
Old Testament was printed, in 1488 A. D., many
mistakes had arisen; although the vast majority arose
before the seventh century of our era, when the
Hebrew text was considered sacred and when Jewish
scholars took every possible precaution against the
multiplication of errors.
Beginning with the third century B. C, many

6 The Book °f Genesis
translations of the Hebrew text were made and these
likewise were handed on in manuscript form for
many generations.
Now, since neither the originals of the Hebrew nor
of the translated texts of the Old Testament are
extant — the oldest of the former being not earlier
than the tenth century A. D., and of the latter not
earlier than the fourth century A. D. — the problem,
with which textual or lower criticism has to do, is to
discover, in any disputed passage, what the original
text was.
What is Textual Criticism, and what is its func
tion? Describe the Hebrews and the Jews and their
language. Discuss the antiquity of Hebrew. What
is the standard text of the Old Testament? How
did errors creep into the text ? Describe early Hebrew
manuscripts. II
Read: The Dictionary, "Text, Versions, and Lan
guages of the Old Testament", §§ 1-15, and 40. Say
which English version of the Old Testament you con
sider the most valuable, and give full reasons.
Ill
Read: The Dictionary, "Text, Versions, and Lan
guages of the old Testament". Describe the Septua
gint and the Vulgate.

Introduction 7
3
LITERATURE OF THE OLD TESTAMENT

Read: BlaMston, The Bible of To-Day, Chap. II,
§§ 10-15, 17, 19-29.
The Old Testament is not only a collection of
books by different authors, but most of the books are
also made up of various independent parts. This
fact is shown by the differences in language, ideas, and
style within the same book. Earnest students of the
contents of the Old Testament have shown that the
first six books were compiled from at least four main
documents, each of which was in itself a compilation
from the various sources. The four documents are
known as the Jehovist, the Elohist, the Deuterono
mist, and the Priestly document, and represent the
ninth, eighth, seventh, and fifth centuries before
Christ, respectively. The Historical books, such as
Judges, Samuel, Kings, and Chronicles, are also com
pilations; and so are some of the prophets, such as
Isaiah and Zechariah; and also some of the poetical
books, such as Psalms, Job, and Proverbs.
The earliest form of literary material in Israel, as
among other races, was oral — ballads, narratives,
and laws — handed on from mouth to mouth until
the art of writing arose. Then these documents were
committed to writing, and circulated, being changed
and added to from age to age. The first great collec-

8 The Book °f Genesis
tion of such written material was made in the ninth
century before Christ. Other collections were made
from time to time, which were brought together into
three great groups : the Law or Pentateuch, the Proph
ets, and the Writings or Hagiographa. These three
great groups were finally united into what we call
the Old Testament.
What is Literary Criticism? What is meant by
compilation and analysis of documents? Name and
characterize the chief documents in the Old Testa
ment. Discuss the question of the authorship of Old
Testament books. Through what different stages did
the literature of the Old Testament pass before it was
finally collected ? What three kinds of literary mate
rial are to be found in the Old Testament ?
II
Read: The Dictionary, "Criticism". How can the
Old Testament be reverently and critically studied?
Ill
Read : Eiselen, The Christian View of the Old Tes
tament, Chap. 3. Write a short paper on the different
kinds of criticism.

Introduction

THE CANON OF THE OLD TESTAMENT

Read: BlaMston, The Bible of To-day, Chap. II,
§§ 16, 18, 30-34, 36.
The word "Canon" was not known in any Old Tes
tament period. But the idea was present. A book
which is canonical in the Church is one which the
Church receives as authoritative. In that sense books
were used by the Jews in Old Testament times. The
first book or document to be received as authoritative
among the Jews was that discovered in the time of
Josiah (II Kings 22), in 621 before Christ. After
the destruction of Jerusalem in 586 before Christ, the
Jews were exiled to Babylonia, where they came into
contact with a literary people. This spurred them on
to collect their own literary remains. On their re
turn to Palestine about fifty years afterward, they
did their utmost to consolidate their nation, which,
because of its character as a colony of Persia, tended
to neglect the civil and to emphasize the ecclesiastical
aspects of public life. A real theocracy was the re
sult, and its fount of authority was a book, or collec
tion of books, which was compiled during the exile,
which we call the Pentateuch, and which the Jews
called the Torah or Law.
Long before and after the period of the exile, the
prophets were active, and their addresses and sermons

1 0 The Book of Genesis
were committed to writing from time to time. When
spoken prophecy ceasedj the memory of the greatness
of the prophets made their writings more and more
the subject of veneration, until about the middle of
the second century before Christ they were stereotyped
as a class and were received as authoritative. The
attempt on the part of Antiochus Epiphanes, about
165 B. C, to destroy Judaism may have been the
occasion, under Judas the Maccabee, of the promulga
tion of the authority of the prophetical books.
The third part of the Old Testament, the Writings,
or Hagiographa, was received as authoritative, at the
latest, by 90 after Christ, at the great Jewish Council
of Jamnia. Thenceforth the Old Testament was di
vided into the Law, the Prophets, and the Writings ;
was ascribed supreme authority among the Jews ; and
was considered Canonical in the Church.
What was the first portion of the Old Testament
whose authority was recognized? What are the con
tents of the Torah? What is the Samaritan Penta
teuch? Describe it. What books did the Jews in
clude in the "Prophets" ? Name the Hagiographa or
Writings. II
Read: The Dictionary, "Canon of the Old Testa
ment". What were the circumstances of the ad
mission of books to the Canon ?
HI
Read : II Kings 22. Compare in a general way the
reforms in II Kings 23 with the laws in Deut. 5-12.

Introduction 1 1
5
OLD TESTAMENT AND ARCHAEOLOGY

Read : Eiselen, The Christian View of the Old Testa
ment, Chap. 4.
Archaeology is a new science. But it has already
made remarkable strides, more especially in Bible
lands. The Old Testament, vast though it be, does
not give a complete picture of the ancient Hebrew
people. There are many gaps, and many references
are difficult of interpretation. Archaeology has al
ready been very helpful in filling many of these gaps,
and in solving some problems. But sometimes too
much is expected of archaeology. Archaeology has
its use, but often it is abused.
The chief use of archaeology is to illustrate. This
is exemplified in the way in which the Babylonian
account of the Flood, for example, illustrates the
account in Genesis. Archaeology sometimes confirms
Biblical accounts, as the Assyrian historical inscrip
tions confirm the assault on Jerusalem by Sennach
erib; it sometimes explains Old Testament difficul
ties, as in the case of the identification of the four
rivers of Paradise ; and it even contributes brand new
material, as in the case of the date lists for the con
struction of a chronological background for the Old
Testament. The abuse of archaeology is to confound

12 The Book °f Genesis
illustration, confirmation, or explanation with con
tribution. When did the science of archaeology arise? Give
a brief history of Babylonian, Assyrian, and Egyptian
archaeology. What are the main results of Pales
tinian archaeology? II
Read : BlaMston, The Bible of To-day, Chap. 4.
Ill
Name and discuss the contribution which archae
ology has made to the understanding of the religion
of the Old Testament.

6
OLD TESTAMENT AND MODERN SCIENCE

Read : Eiselen, The Christian View of the Old Testa
ment, Chap. 2.
Time was when the Bible was set upon a false
pedestal — a pedestal of earth. The pedestal has been
destroyed, but the vessel remains just as perfect as
ever. It was once thought that the Bible could be
used as a modern text-book on all subjects. It is now
known that it is a text-book on only one subject—
the greatest of all subjects — religion. As a religious

Introduction 1 3
book it is God's Word. It used to be fashionable for
students of the Old Testament to dispute with scien
tists about the comparative validity of science in the
Old Testament and modern science. Both classes of
disputants were ih error. What science there is in
the Old Testament was that of Jewish writers who
lived over two thousand years ago. But such as it
was, it was at the most only incidental. The writers
of the accounts of creation, for example, were pri
marily concerned to teach that the one and only God,
Jehovah, created all things and sustains all things.
The Bible is inspired and valuable not as a book of
modern science, but as a religious book, containing a
religious message for all time. Between the intelli
gent student of the Old Testament and the intelligent
scientist there is absolutely no conflict in the matter
of Jewish science.
What is it about the Old Testament which science
really opposes? Name and discuss various attempts
to harmonize the teaching of Genesis about creation
with science. How must science as found in the Old
Testament be compared with modern science ?
II
Read: Eiselen, The Christian View of the Old
Testament, Chap. 6. Ill
Write an essay on the Permanent Value of the Old
Testament.

14 The Book of Genesis
7
REVIEW
Review the whole of the previous six Studies. State
as many reasons as you can for studying the Old
Testament. 8
THE PENTATEUCH

Read : The Dictionary, "Hexateuch", §§ I and III.
Prom the earliest Christian times the first five
books of the Old Testament have been called the
Pentateuch. When the sixth book is included — the
book of Joshua — the six books are named the Hexa
teuch. The Jews called the first five books the Torah
or Law. They are : Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Num
bers, and Deuteronomy.
Critical analysis of these books shows that they
were compiled from at least four great collections of
sources, known as J, or the Jehovist; E, or the
Elohist; D, or the Deuteronomist; and P, or the
Priestly Code. The final editing of the whole work,
which we call the Pentateuch, took place about 450
B. C.
There is much material in these books which is
very ancient; — poetry, prose, and laws — dating long

Introduction 1 5
before the time of Moses. There are legal precepts
wMch may with much probability be ascribed to
Moses, but the bulk of the Pentateuch is later than
Moses. It was ascribed to Moses, because he was
Israel's great law-giver par excellence, the Pentateuch
being Israel's Law-book just as all the Psalms were
ascribed to David, although the headings of the
Psalms themselves teach us that many of them were
written after David's time. The authorship of the
Pentateuch is ascribed to Moses much in the same
way, speaking reverently, that we ascribe the con
tents of that famous series of guide-books to Baedeker.
In studying any book of the Pentateuch, it must
clearly be kept in mind, therefore, that, as a rule, we
are not reading contemporaneous material, but ma
terial which had been edited many hundreds of years
after the events described.
Name and describe the sources of the Pentateuch.
When were they separately compiled, and when were
they gathered into one collection? Discuss the
Mosaic authorship of the Pentateuch.
II
Read: The Dictionary, "Hexateuch, II". "Criti
cism of the Hexateuch". Write a short history of
Pentateuchal Criticism. Ill
Write a short paper on the value of Criticism to a
devout study of the Pentateuch.

1 6 The Book of Genesis
9
THE BOOK OF GENESIS

Read: Ryle, The Book of Genesis, "Introduction",
§§ 1, 2, 6, 7, 8.
In Genesis, one of the most valuable books of the
Old Testament, we have an earnest attempt on the
part of Judaism of the time of Ezra and Nehemiah to
preserve what had been handed down in written form
about the history of the race from the very beginning
to the time of Abraham, and about the lives of the
patriarchs from the time Abraham left Babylonia till
the death of Joseph in Egypt.
There is one remarkable thread running through
out the whole book — a thread which gives meaning
and purpose to Genesis. It is the religious motive.
The purpose of all the stories and narratives in the
book of Genesis, from the earliest to the latest, and
the purpose of the final editor of the whole collection,
was to show the uniqueness of Jehovali's creation of
the whole world, and how he sustained and guided
Israel in all her ways. These remarkable stories are
unparalleled in the history of human literature for
the way in which they have permeated and moulded
the character of the race. They contain a marvellous
revelation of God's character, and as such are the
Father's Word to his children.
What are the different words by which Genesis has

Introduction 1 7
been known? Give the contents of Genesis. What
is the religious teaching of Genesis ?
II
Read: Ryle, The Book of Genesis, "Introduction",
§§ 3-5. Discuss the literary materials in Genesis.
Ill
Read: Ryle, The Book of Genesis, "Introduction",
§ 9. What is the historical value of the material in
Genesis? Discuss the meaning of Jehovah.

II
THE BEGINNINGS OF THE RACE

10
GOD

Read : Gen. 1 : 1 ; St. John 1:1; Ryle, Genesis 1 : 1.*
The idea of God to be found in the first chapter of
Genesis represents Hebrew thought of the sixth
century B. C. All ancient races believed in the ex
istence of many gods. So did the early Hebrews.
They believed that the Egyptians, the Babylonians,
the Moabites, the Philistines, and other peoples had
their own gods. The idea of the existence of only
one God in the universe developed very slowly. But
as early as the eighth century B. C. this idea was be
coming common in Israel, and by the time that the
Book of Genesis assumed its final form the idea had
become firmly established. This idea of God is called
* This and succeeding similar references always indicate
Ryle's comments, e. ff., Genesis 1 : 1 indicates that the stu
dent should read in Ryle, Genesis, page 1, beginning at "1.
In the beginning" and ending on page 3 at "supports it in
the second century A. D." In other words, Ryle's com
ments on the portion of the Book of Genesis, always given
at the beginning of each "Study", must be carefully read
by the student. 21

22 The Book of Genesis
monotheism. The first idea, then, which presents
itself in the Book of Genesis is the sublime fact that
the whole universe is the handiwork of the one and
only God.
The universe was the creative act of God. This is
what the Jew taught, and this we believe. But let it
be noticed that the Jew did not say anything about
the beginning of God. As a matter of fact, he be
lieved that there was no time when God was not.
That is, he never questioned the eternity of God, and
therefore never questioned God's existence. There is
no atheism in the Old Testament; there is no scep
ticism. Whatever else was doubted, the idea of the
non-existence of God never occurred to a Hebrew
mind. Faith in God's creative power and existence
is the keynote of the Old Testament.
What are the two religious ideas in Gen. 1:1? De
fine and illustrate the use of the word "create" in
Gen. 1:1. What was the Jewish idea of the uni
verse? What was the Israelitish conception of God?
II
Read : The Dictionary, "God". Make a brief out
line of the development of the idea of God in Israel.
Ill
Read: The Dictionary, "Trinity".

The Beginnings of the Race 23
11
SPIRIT OF GOD

Read: Gen. 1:2; Ryle, 1:2.
Mankind has learned only gradually to know the
true character of God. The Jews of the sixth century
B. C. had not arrived at a conception of a trinity of
persons in the Godhead. The term "spirit of God", in
this passage, meant to the Hebrews the invisible
creative power of God. It did not mean to them what
it means to us. Our Lord revealed the true character
of God, and told us of his Holy Spirit. The Church
teaches the divinity and personality of the Holy
Spirit, and has defined his attributes. St. John
teaches that God created the universe by means of
this Word, the second person of the Trinity, and since
there are three persons in the Godhead, and all three
may be conceived of as acting together, it is possible
for us to see in this verse the Hebrew expression of
that idea which later attached itself to the Christian
conception of the Holy Spirit.
What is the meaning of "earth" in Gen. 1:2?
What is alone the essential agreement between Gen
esis and science as to Creation? What is meant by
"the deep"? II
Read: The Dictionary, "Holy Spirit", §§1-2;
"Spirit".

24 The Book of Genesis
III
Read : The Dictionary, "Holy Spirit". Outline the
Church's doctrine of the Holy Spirit.
12
AND GOD SAID

Read : Gen. 1:3; Ryle, 1:3; The Dictionary, "Light".
The creation of all things by a divine word is an
idea, so far as is at present known, peculiar, in early
times, to Hebrew thought. But the tendency to per
sonify the "word" of the gods, chiefly as a destructive
power, can be traced back in Semitic thought to about
3000 B. C. The ancient Babylonians, to whom the
Hebrews were related, offered prayers and sung hymns
in honor of the "Word", which they personified.
In the Old Testament the "word" of God is never
personified, but it is spoken of as the creative power
of God, by which his operations were made manifest.
It is always a beneficent agency.
The Babylonian idea of personification and the
Hebrew conception of the beneficent creative power
of the "word" blended into the later Hebrew-Greek
idea of the Logos, and, "when the fulness of time was
come", the manifestation of God in human form
proved to be the goal to which the Semitic idea of
the "word" was moving throughout the centuries.

The Beginnings of the Race 25
What is the relation between the "word" of Genesis
and the <fWord" of St. John? What was the Hebrew
conception of "light"? II
Read : The Dictionary, "Logos".
Ill
Write a brief paper on the relation between the
"Holy Spirit" and the "Word".

13
DAY AND NIGHT

Read : Gen. 1:4-5; Ryle, 1 : 4-5.
The first act of creation after the organization of
the universe was thought to have been light. There
need be no misgivings about unsuccessful attempts to
reconcile Biblical science with modern science. In
this Genesis account we have an expression of the
best Hebrew information of the sixth century B. C.
It was then believed that light, the emblem of God, in
whom "is no darkness at all", and of Jesus Christ,
"the true light that lighteth every man that cometh
into the world", had an existence independent of the

26 The Book of Genesis
heavenly bodies, and that all phenomena had their
origin directly in God.
Similarly, darkness was not merely the absence of
light, but was a separate and distinct phenomenon
created by God. God called the darkness "night" and
the light he called "day".
The Hebrew idea of "day" was very simple and ob
jective. It was a period of twenty-four hours, be
ginning at eventide. The Hebrew believed that the
world was created in six actual days, and on the
seventh God rested. The Sabbath was thus always an
actual memorial of God's rest from his labor, and not
merely a symbol of a period of indefinite time. The
Jew's faith in God's power was limitless, but his
scientific knowledge was that of his own time.
Describe the Hebrew "day". What did the He
brews believe to have been the source of light ? What
is the purpose of the sentence: "And God saw
 that it was good" ?
II
Read : The Dictionary, "Time".
Ill
Write a short paper on the Hebrew division of time.

The Beginnings of the Race 27
14
FIRMAMENT AND HEAVEN

Read : Gen. 1:6-8; Ryle, 1:6-8; Job 36 : 27-29 ; 37 :
16 ; 38 : 28-29 ; Ps. 147 : 16-18.
After light and darkness were created, the Hebrews
believed that the great watery mass, upon which the
Spirit of God moved, was divided into two great
oceans or seas. That which separated them was called
the raqia or firmament. It is the "great blue" which
we see when we look up. Not being acquainted with
later science, the Hebrews of the sixth century B. C.
believed that the firmament was a solid, stationary
mass, through which there were apertures, which
allowed the rains from the waters above the firmament
to descend upon the earth. The giving and with
holding of the rain were completely in the power of
God. His providence was a really present one. His
mercies were forever new. Nothing happened and he
did not know and do it.
Describe the Hebrew idea of the raqia. What does
Job say about the relation between God and physical
phenomena? Illustrate from Job 36-39.
II
Read : The Dictionary, "Creation", "Heaven".

28 The Book of Genesis
III
Describe the Hebrew conception of the universe and
draw a diagram representing it.
15
THE EARTH

Read : Gen. 1 : 9-10 ; Ryle, 1 : 9-10 ; Pss. 24 : 2 ; 104 :
3-9; Gen. 7:11; Job 38:4-11.
The Hebrews thought that after the waters were
divided into two parts, being separated into upper and
lower waters by the firmament, God assembled out of
the lower watery mass that out of which he made dry
land. The residue he called "seas", and he called the
dry land "earth". They thought that the earth re
posed upon the seas, which extended beyond the earth
on all sides and was only restrained from commingling
with the waters above by the firmament.
Just as the waters above the firmament were the
source of all rain, mist, dew, and clouds; so those
below the firmament were the source of all wells,
streams, rivers, and lakes upon the earth. But here
again wells, streams, rivers, and lakes would remain
dry were it not for God's all-knowing providence.
Describe the Hebrew idea of the "earth". How
does it differ from what geology teaches ?

The Beginnings of the Race 29
II
Read: The Dictionary, "World", "Earth", "Water".
Ill
Write a short paper on the world as the Hebrews
knew it, and God's relation to it.
16
VEGETABLE LIFE

Read : Gen. 1 : 11-13 ; Ryle, 1 : 11-13 ; St. Mark 4 : 28 ;
St. James 3 : 11-12.
Spontaneous generation or abiogenesis is not yet, at
any rate, demonstrable by modern science. Just as
God supplied the missing link between nothing and
matter, and between chaos and order, so now we see
his omnipotent creative energy bridging the chasm
between matter and life of the lowest order. In this
conception we have not proceeded further than where
the Jews of the sixth century B. C. were. The power
of reproduction in all life was placed there by
Jehovah, from whom all things come.
Describe the botany of the first chapter of Genesis.
Compare it with modern botany.

30 The Book of Genesis
II
Read: The Dictionary, "Life", "Grass", "Tree",
"Israel, II, 1 (5)". Ill
Write a short paper on Trees in the Old Testament.
17
THE HEAVENLY BODIES

Read : Gen. 1 : 14-19 ; Ryle, 1 : 14-19 ; Job 28 : 31-33 ;
Pss. 8:3-4; 19:1-6; 104:19-24; St. Matt. 5:
45 ; Acts 14 : 17 ; Romans 1 : 19-20 ; 1 : 21-23.
The sacred writer continues in his simple way to
tell the order in which, as he thought, God's work of
creation was performed. The making of the heavenly
bodies followed that of vegetable life but preceded
that of animal life. The Hebrews looked upon the
heavenly bodies as semi-personal beings to whom
"dominion" was given. The appropriate order, there
fore, was after vegetation. They did not worship the
sun, moon, and stars, as the Babylonians did. But
back of the account is the universal Semitic custom
of such worship, and the instructive thing about these
passages is the way in which Israel and early Chris-

The Beginnings of the Race 31
tianity were shaMng off the idolatrous shacMes of
the past.
The Hebrew universe was geocentric, with the
heavenly bodies hanging from the firmament like
bulbs from the ceiling of a magnificent room. Later
scientific knowledge has changed all this. But we
still insist that the whole universe is homoeentric, and
that the noblest act in the great drama of creation
was the maMng of man. Hence the unique relation
ship between God and man.
Why did God call into existence the heavenly
bodies? Explain the order of creation, as given in
Genesis. II
Read : The Dictionary, "Sun", "Moon", "Stars".
Ill
Read: The Dictionary, "Idolatry". Write a short
paper on the causes of Hebrew idolatry.

18
ANIMAL LIFE
I
Read: Gen. 1: 20-26; Ryle, 1: 20-26; Ps. 104: 25-30.
After the creation of the heavenly bodies came that
of fish, birds, and beasts. The order given indicates

32 The Book of Genesis
the Hebrew conception of priority among animals.
The modern idea of evolution is entirely absent from
these narratives. Nor ought we to expect it to be
otherwise. It is surely legitimate to believe that the
race increases in wisdom and in the understanding of
God's ways and works. There is, however, a type of
evolutionary theory wMch those who believe in a per
sonal God cannot accept. It is that type which speaks
of "spontaneous generation" and "resident forces".
We believe in the scientific theory of evolution; we
follow science wherever she unerringly leads; but we
have faith to believe that if the "riddle" of life is ever
solved, it will be found in the knowledge of God.
The world is eloquent with evidence of evolution, but
every atom and fibre of it beats with a meaning and
purpose which are God's. And so, God the source
of all blesses all. That is the inspiration of Genesis.
How did the Hebrews classify land animals?
What evidence of the evolutionary theory is to be
found in verse twenty-four? II
What psalm is a hymn of creation? What chapter
of Job should be studied in connection with Genesis
1? What organs of movement are adapted to the
several elements : sea, air, land ?
Ill
Make a written comparison between the accounts
of creation in Genesis 1 and in the Psalms and in
Job.

The Beginnings of the Race 33
19
CREATION OF MAN

Read: Gen. 1:26; Ryle, 1:26, and Special Notes A
and B, pp. 23-24.
The last and crowning work of creation was the
maMng of man. Every main element in the universe
was the result of a creative act of God. This was
the Hebrew's science and faith. The greatness and
wisdom of God are not in the least questioned if we
see in the world in which we live a gradual develop
ment from lower to higher forms of life. For the
beginning of the development is in God ; and in him
and through him do all things live and grow. There
need be no more difference between man and animals
than between a lower state of being and a higher. If
it ever did happen, or if it ever should, that an animal
developed into a man, the developed form, man, would
be man, and as such he would be an example of the
crowning work of God's activity. However it came
about, the Book of Genesis teaches us that man is the
center of God's universe, and we believe it and accept
its responsibility.
What are the different interpretations of the plural
in the phrase, "let us make"? What are the objec
tions to them ? Which is preferable ?
II
Read : The Dictionary, "Man".

Yale Divinity Library

34 The Book of Genesis
III
Write a short paper on the Christian conception of
man. 20
THE IMAGE AND LIKENESS OF GOD

Read : Gen. 1 : 26-27 ; Ryle, 1 : 26-27 ; Colossians 3 :.
10 ; Ecclesiastes 7:29; Ephesians 4 : 24 ; Romans
2:15; The Dictionary, "Woman".
The words which the sacred writer used to describe
man's similarity to God are translated "image" and
"likeness". The former has reference to the more
physical and the latter to the more spiritual aspect
of man's nature. Physically, man is a counterpart
of what the Hebrew pictured God to be. We think
of God in terms of our knowledge — our own ex
perience. God is thought of, then, as a man, only
larger and more powerful than any human being.
But he is also a spirit, the source of all spiritual ex
istence (Ecclesiastes 12:7). The spirituality of
man's nature, therefore, is the likeness of God. This
likeness involves and implies intuitive knowledge and
reason, uprightness and holiness, conscience, free
moral agency, worship of and communion with God,
immortality, capacity for labor apart from the
necessary struggle for existence, and the power of
rational speech.

The Beginnings of the Race 35
What is meant by "image" and "likeness"? In
what does the likeness of God consist ? According to
Genesis 1, what is the origin of the human woman ?
II
Read: The Dictionary, "Psychology", "Image".
Ill
Write a brief paper on Biblical psychology.
21
MAN'S COMMISSION

Read : Gen. 1 : 28-31 ; Ryle, 1 : 28-31 ; Ps. 8 : 5-9 ; He
brews 2:5-11; Acts 17:26.
The Hebrews firmly believed in the unity of the
human race. The earth's population came from one
human pair. One "male and female made he them".
They were given the order to "be fruitful and multi
ply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it". They
were to range over all zones and to inhabit all zones.
The sea was to be their home as well as the land.
On the contrary, the habitat of each beast, bird, or
fish was of narrow limit. To subdue the earth was a
vast commission which has ever since been calling out
all of man's reserve powers. But he was endowed

36 The Book of Genesis
with wisdom, power, and the spirit of invention and
exploration. They are to have dominion over all
things. The question whether it can be held in the light of
modern knowledge, that all mankind descended from
a single pair, or arose independently at different
points on the earth's surface, does not affect the ques
tion of the essential unity of mankind. The real
unity of the human race consists not in unity of
physical origin, but in unity of mental equipment
and spiritual capacity. We are all the children of
God by adoption and grace, though the offspring of
human parentage.
What was the writer's conception of the nature of
man's food previous to the Flood ? Interpret "meat"
in verse thirty. Review Studies 8-21.
II
Read: Ryle, pp. 447-451. Ill
Write a detailed comparison between the Old Testa
ment and the Babylonian accounts of Creation.

The Beginnings of the Race 37
22
THE SABBATH

Read: Gen. 2 : l-4a; Ryle, 2 : l-4a; St. Mark 2 : 27-28.
Although the name Sabbath is not used in this
account of God's rest day, it is assumed with good
reason on the basis of the Hebrew word for "rest",
shabath, that in saying that God "rested on the seventh
day", he had in mind the Sabbath. By the time of
the sixth century B. C. every seventh day, or the
Sabbath, was treated as a holy day — a day of rest,
not in the sense of idleness, but in the sense of cessa
tion from ordinary employment.
The early Church commemorated the resurrection
of Christ by transferring from the seventh day of the
week to the first all characteristics of the Jewish
Sabbath. Thus, on Sunday we do not only remind
ourselves of the divine origin of all things, and of the
necessity of a periodic renewal of physical and mental
energy, but also of the glorious resurrection of Christ
from the dead and of the need of our continuous
spiritual renewal to be made worthy of his great name.
What is the meaning of "host" in Gen. 2:1?
Write a short account of the Hebrew Sabbath and the
Christian Sunday. II
Read: Ryle, "Note on the Sabbath", p. 40f. Com-

38 The Book of Genesis
pare the Hebrew and the Babylonian idea of the
Sabbath. Ill
Read: The Dictionary. "Sabbath". Discuss the
religious significance of the Sabbath.

23
SECOND ACCOUNT OF MAN'S CREATION

Read : Gen. 2 : 4b-7 ; Ryle, 2 : 4b-7.
Palestine for many years was divided into two
kingdoms, the North and the South. In both, in
habited by Hebrews, stories about the creation of men
arose. These stories were finally compiled, written
down, and handed on in manuscript form from gen
eration to generation. The compiler of the stories
that had been preserved in the North used the word
"Elohim" for the divine being, but the compiler in
the South used the word "Jehovah". We, therefore,
speak of the compiler of the South as J.
In the second chapter of Genesis we have a second
account of man's creation. The style is different
from that in the first chapter; the order of creative
acts is different, for the creation of man comes first
instead of last as in the first chapter; and the word
used for the divine being is Jehovah, with Elohim,

The Beginnings of the Race 39
God. In this second chapter of Genesis we have,
then, the account of creation which was known in the
southern kingdom. It is the oldest of all the accounts
of creation, and was compiled about 800 B. C. The
account of creation known to the northern kingdom
has not been preserved. The account in the first
chapter of Genesis is the story as understood by
priestly writers of the sixth century B. C.
It will be noticed that the account of the creation
of man in this chapter is simpler and more naive.
Discuss the use of the words "Jehovah" and "God".
Explain the Hebrew use of the word "man". Give
the psychology of Gen. 2. II
Read : The Dictionary, "Genesis", 2.
Ill
Write a short paper on the Literary Sources of the
Book of Genesis.

24
THE GARDEN OF EDEN

Read: Gen. 2: 8-17; Ryle, 2: 8-17.
The Hebrews as well as other early races had a tra
dition about a garden which was the home of the

40 The Book °f Genesis
ancestors of the race. The Hebrew story locates the
garden in southern Babylonia. For this reason it
would seem plausible that the Hebrew story was
Babylonian in origin. Or that both the Hebrew and
the Babylonian had a common origin.
There are two difficulties in connection with the
details of the garden. The first has to do with the
number of trees. The idea of sacred trees is common
to all primitive peoples. But the sacred tree is al
most universally the "tree of life". The detail pe
culiar to the Hebrew story is the "tree of the knowl
edge of good and evil". This was probably the one
tree of the original Hebrew story. The other tree
was put in the story at a later date to harmonize the
Hebrew with the Babylonian story.
The second difficulty has to do with the identifica
tion of the rivers. About two of them there is no
question. Archaeological investigations have shown
that when the story of the garden arose, the Persian
Gulf extended much farther north than at present.
Much land has been made since by the debris carried
down by the Tigris and Euphrates. The two rivers
Pishon and Gihon were smaller streams in southern
Babylonia which have disappeared with the filling in
of the northern end of the Gulf. There is archaeo
logical and textual evidence for this statement.
Just as man looks forward to a golden era, so he
has been accustomed to look to the past for a similar
time. Man was created in the image and likeness of
God, and as such was sinless. For a sinless man, the
human mind has always tried to construct an ideal

The Beginnings of the Race 4 1
abode. Hence, the story of the garden in the Baby
lonian plain.
What is the meaning of Eden? How many trees
were originally reserved? What is the meaning of
"knowledge of good and evil" ? Name the four rivers,
and discuss their identification. II
Read : Ryle, "Note on the Rivers of Paradise", pp.
47-48; The Dictionary, "Paradise", "Eden, Garden
of", "River". Ill
Write a short thesis on the Garden of Eden.

25
WOMAN AND MARRIAGE

Read: Gen. 2: 18-25; Ryle, 2: 18-25.
In the first chapter of Genesis mankind, male and
female, is created. In the second chapter, first man
is created; and last of all, woman is formed from
man. The account, though perhaps taken originally
as an accurate statement of fact, may be considered
a poetic symbolism of the relation between man and
woman. A marriage of some kind can be traced back to the
earliest periods of human life. Anthropologically, the

42 The Book of Genesis
earliest marriage was what is called a "beena" mar
riage. The man left his family and joined the family
of his bride. That is, the earliest family was ma
triarchal. That was natural, because in a period
when the husband and father had no sense of
moral responsibility, the children were obliged to
cling to the mother for necessary sustenance. The
marriage described in this chapter of Genesis is not
the "beena" marriage. It is the regular patriarchal
marriage of a morally developed people. The man
leaves his father and mother not to join himself to the
father and mother of his bride, but to form a new
family. The story brings out very beautifully the close and
ideal relationship that should exist between a man and
his wife.
Discuss the phrase "helpmeet". Show how vv. 21-
22 may be considered poetic symbolism, and what is
the signification? What was the Hebrew idea of
marriage ? What is the difference in mode of animal
creation between Genesis 1 and 2 ?
II
Read: The Dictionary, "Woman", "Marriage",
§§ 1-8. Ill
Read: The Dictionary, "Family". Write a short
paper on marriage among the early Hebrews.

The Beginnings of the Race 43
26 and 27
REVIEW
Read: Ryle, "Note on the Cosmogonies of Genesis",
pp. 42-44; "The Six Days", pp. 44-45 ; "The Cos
mogonies and Science and Religion", pp. 45-46.
Review Studies 8-25 inclusive, and be prepared for
an examination on them. 28
THE TEMPTATION

Read : Gen. 3:1-5; Ryle, 3 : 1-5.
Much time must have passed between the events
described in chapters two and three. The story of the
temptation is introduced very abruptly. It seems,
however, that the writer means to describe what he
considers to be the cause of the first sin. He assumes
that there are animals which are gifted with keen
reasoning and the power of speech. One species of
these is the serpent, which "was more subtle than any
beast of the field". To him was ascribed the desire
to question the woman's faith in God. The serpent
begins by asking a question about a matter of which
he himself evidently had knowledge. The woman
answers in a manner which showed her complete faith

44 The Book of Genesis
in God. Then the serpent directly contradicts God —
"Ye shall not surely die." His purpose is to break
the woman's faith in God, and then to lead her into
disobedience. He finally imputes a questionable
motive to God. God, he says, had forbidden mankmd
to eat of the tree because he feared that they would
become as wise as he himself.
The first temptation, then, came from the lower
order of created beings — from an animal. Mankind,
it seems, was created sinless. The origin of evil is
not in man. Whether God created evil or not, the
writer does not say. He, however, ascribes the power
of tempting to the serpent, who attacked the faith
and obedience of the woman.
If the original story knew only of a tree of the
knowledge of good and evil, it would seem certain
that the Hebrew writer believed that man was created
immortal. The "tree of life" was added, without
altering the original story, by a writer who believed
that man was created subject to death.
What is the link which connects chapters two and
three of Genesis? Describe the serpent and his
method of temptation. Write a note on, "ye shall be
as God". II
Read: The Dictionary, "Temptation", "Death",
"Satan". Ill
Write a paper on the Old Testament idea of death.

The Beginnings of the Race 45
29
THE FALL

Read : Gen. 3:6-8; Ryle, 3:6-8; St. James 1 : 14-15 ;
The Dictionary, "Fall".
If our hearts condemn us, how much more will God,
who is greater than our hearts, condemn us? The
first sin described in Genesis is distrust of God and
consequent disobedience. The writer describes con
sciousness as an opening of the eyes. It is his way
of explaining how it came about that man could dis
tinguish between right and wrong. The power, he
thought, came not as a result of human experience,
gradually developed; but as a mysterious power by
which Adam and Eve were endowed as a result of
eating the fruit of the forbidden tree. The fruit had
the power of imparting to man an ability to dis
tinguish between right and wrong. It gave man a
conscience. The conscience of Adam and Eve condemned
them, and, as soon as they heard God coming to them,
they became afraid and hid themselves. They knew
that if their own conscience condemned them, God
would surely condemn them also.
How did the woman know that the tree was good
for food? Comment upon the phrase, "the eyes of
them both were opened". What word should replace
"voice"?

46 The Book of Genesis
II
Read: Ryle, "Note on the Fall", pp. 60-67.
Ill
Write a paper on the significance of the Fall. Is
temptation necessary for man's moral development?
30
SIN

Read : The Dictionary, "Sin, I. The Old Testament".
Sin implies a law or standard of righteousness, and
the law implies a lawgiver. The lawgiver is God.
There are false ideas about sin. It is sometimes
considered weakness, inherent in the body, voluntary
transgression of a known law, and a necessary dis
cipline. Rather, sin is a lack of conformity to the
moral law of God, either in act, disposition, or state.
The essence of sin is selfishness ; that is, putting self
in place of God. It is not merely negative; it is a
positive choice of self instead of God. It has four
principal characteristics or manifestations : (1) Self-
sufficiency instead of faith; (2) Self-will instead of
submission; (3) Self-seeking instead of benevolence ;
(4) Self -righteousness instead of humility and
reverence.

The Beginnings of the Race 47
What is the result and penalty of sin? What is
the means of salvation ?

II
What is meant by total depravity (Ephesians 2:3)?
What part does Grace play in salvation (I Kings 8:
46 ; Romans 3 : 10, 12, 23 ; Galatians 3 : 22 ; St. James
3:2; I St. John 1:8)? When a trained dog fails
to obey his master, does he sin ? Is man alone capable
of sinning ? Ill
Write a paper on the idea of sin in the Old Testa
ment.

31
THE TRIAL

Read : Gen. 3 : 9-13 ; Ryle, 3 : 9-13.
At last Jehovah's voice was heard calling to Adam,
"Where art thou?" Hiding could not deliver the
man and his wife. "No man," as Jeremiah loved to
say, "can hide from God." Adam tries to avoid
Jehovah's question. He says he was naked, and so
was afraid. At that Jehovah interrogates, "Who told
thee that thou wast naked?" And without awaiting
a reply, asks the convicting question, "Hast thou eaten

48 The Book °f Genesis
of the tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou
shouldest not eat?" True to human nature, Adam
tries to avoid the issue, and Jehovah leaves the rest to
Adam's own conscience. He then turns to the
woman, who likewise passes on the blame. God does
not ask the serpent any questions. He pronounces
judgment. What are the findings of the trial? Collect four
passages from as many books of the Old Testament
which show the Hebrew belief in God's omniscience.
II
Make a written comparison between the way in
which Jehovah questions Adam and Job.
Ill
Write a paper on Adam's opportunity of confession
and contrition. If the man and woman had frankly
confessed their sin, what, by implication, would have
been the effect: first, upon themselves, and second,
upon the attitude and action of God?

32
THE SENTENCE I
Read : Gen. 3 : 14-19 ; Ryle, 3 : 14-19 ; The Dictionary,
"Messiah, I, §§ 1-5".
The sentence on the serpent is pronounced first.

The Beginnings of the Race 49
"Cursed shalt thou be more than all the beasts of the
field." The serpent is cursed because, being intelli
gent, he was consequently responsible. But the
woman's sentence is more severe, because of her
assumed higher intelligence. So was Adam's. But
in both cases, is not the wrestling, the curse, counter
balanced by the blessing which comes to those who
bravely wrestle?
Verse fifteen, which should be committed to
memory, is one of the most important in the Old
Testament. It has been called the Protevangelium.
And while there is no direct prediction of an ultimate
victory, there is, nevertheless, the assertion of a closely
contested struggle between tempter and tempted.
Further Hebrew religious thought developed the idea
of a future golden age, when the Messianic King
would rule over a kingdom freed from all evil and its
consequences. And Christianity proclaims the person
and power by which good will ultimately be victorious
over evil.
Write a note on the personal pronoun "it" in the
sentence, "it shall bruise". What is the value of
suffering? II
Read : The Dictionary, "Messiah, II-V".
Ill
Write a paper on the Protevangelium and the
Messiah.

50 The Book of Genesis
33
ADAM AND EVE

Read: Gen. 3 : 20-21 ; Ryle, 3 : 20-21 ; The Dictionary,
"Adam", "Eve".
Before this, Adam's wife was called woman. Now
she is given a name which signifies "life", because she
was believed to have been the mother of the whole
human race.
The unit of ancient life was the family, and here,
in the Book of Genesis, we have sin beginning only
after the establishment of a family. Sin then has a
social aspect as well as being a contravention of the
will of God. Not only did the woman first sin, but
she also tempted Adam, who fell into sin. Are we
not responsible for our influence upon the different
members of our family and of our neighbors ? Note
that in the story, the temptation did not come to man
through his appetite or his curiosity or his esthetic
sense, but through his wife whom God had given to
him. Was the man's act in any way excusable?
Are men and women excused when they sin through
the influence of those whom they love and admire?
What natural impulses impelled the woman to disobey
the divine command? Were these impulses of them
selves wrong ? In what form did temptation come to
the man ?

The Beginnings of the Race 5 1
II
Is an act that is wrong for one man necessarily a
sin if committed by another? Is the final test of sin
a man's consciousness of guilt ? May Eve be regarded
as the prototype of the modern scientist? Are there
ways in which the scientist may sin in making his
investigations? Illustrate. How about vivisection?
Ill
Does sin bring moral enlightenment ? Distinguish
between our Lord's attitude toward sin and toward
the sinner. What should be our attitude toward the
sinner? Does temptation to sin, as in the case of
Adam, often come in the guise of virtue? What is
the value of confession ?

34
THE EXPULSION FROM THE GARDEN
I
Read: Gen. 3 : 22-24; Ryle, 3 : 22-24.
The garden of Eden was believed to have been so
fertile as not to require the labor of human attention.
And so, in order to carry out his sentence upon Adam,
God expelled him from the garden, where he would
be obliged to earn his living by laboring to make the
ground productive. Jehovah was careful not to allow

52 The Book of Genesis
Adam and his wife to return to the garden, so he
placed a guard at the gate. The imagery used by the
writer is Babylonian and Assyrian. The Cherubim
were figures of large composite monsters which stood
at the entrance of temples and palaces. The "flame
of a sword" has reference to the Assyrian flying disc
with swords, which stood as an emblem over the door
way of important buildings.
To whom does Jehovah address the words of verse
twenty-two ? What was considered the earliest human
industry? What bearing has Adam's possession of
free-will upon Jehovah's guarding the entrance to the
garden? II
Read: The Dictionary, "Cherubim". Study Mil
ton's interpretation of Genesis 3 in Paradise Lost.
Ill
Write a brief paper on the nature and meaning of
cherubim in the Old Testament.

35
CHILDREN I
Read: Gen. 4:1-2; Ryle, 4:1-2; The Dictionary,
"Child, Children".
We now begin the fourth chapter of Genesis. We

The Beginnings of the Race 53
have an account in this chapter of a number of "first"
things: the first birth, the first man born of Adam
and Eve, and the first act of worship. The normal
family consists of father, mother, and child. What
ever may be the technical exegesis of the phrase, "I
have gotten a man with the help of the Lord", it cer
tainly may be taken as indicative of the way in which
we relate all our institutions to God. The one in
telligence outside ourselves, with whom we relate our
selves, is God. The love of parent for child is sym
bolical of the love of God for his human children.
What are the different ways in which the phrase,
"I have gotten a man with the help of the Lord", has
been interpreted ? What spiritual signification has it ?
II
Read: The Dictionary, "Children (Sons) of God".
Ill
Write a paper on the filial relationship between
Jehovah and Israel, and between God and mankind.

36
SACRIFICE

Read: Gen. 4:3-7; Ryle, 4:3-7; The Dictionary,
"Sacrifice and Offering", §§ 3, 6.
Mediation has ever been considered the normal way

54 The Book °f Genesis
by which man approaches his God. Many may in
deed approach God directly, but mediation is the
natural and Mstoric way. The great Mediator be
tween God and man is Christ. In early times the
mediator was the head of the family, the king, or the
ruler, the priest, and the prophet. The official me
diator was the priest. Mediation consists not only
in intercession, but in sacrifice as well. In fact, a
man — a priest— never appeared before his God empty-
handed. To ask God to partake in a common meal
or to receive an offering was always considered the
legitimate way of establishing relationship with him.
The office of the priest as mediator in the Old Testa
ment is always recognized. The great High Priest is
Christ our Lord, who provided a means of mediation
in his Church, when he instituted the Christian
priesthood with its great commemorative sacrifice.
How many kinds of sacrifice are referred to in Gen.
4 ? Interpret verse seven. Is sin personified in verse
seven ? Explain. II
Read: The Dictionary, "Sacrifice and Offering".
Ill
Write a short paper on the relation between the
Eucharist and some of the Old Testament sacrifices.

The Beginnings of the Race 55
37
CAIN'S MURDER OF ABEL

Read : Gen. 4 : 8-13 ; Ryle, 4 : 8-13 ; The Dictionary,
"Crimes and Punishments, § 7", "Blood".
In this section the sacred writer depicts the first
murder. Cain had made an offering to God which
was less acceptable than that of his brother Abel.
On becoming aware of this, he is made very angry
and kills his brother. He is prompted by jealousy.
Jehovah appears and questions Cain, even as he did
in the ease of Eve's sin. Cain, already practised in
sin, adds yet another, that of falsehood. To Jehovah's
question, "Where is Abel thy brother ?" he replies, "I
know not" ; and also adds to his sin of falsehood that
of defiance, "Am I my brother's keeper?" Jehovah
then points out the necessity of punishment, which
always follows sin ; and pronounces a curse upon him.
Explain the abruptness of the sentence, "And Cain
told Abel his brother." What Semitic idea is con
tained in the phrase, "the voice of thy brother's
blood"? What two points are to be noticed in the
sentence upon Cain ? II
Read : The Dictionary, "Ethics".
Ill
Write a paper on Old Testament Ethics.

56 The Book of Genesis
38
THE IDEA OF GOD

Read: Gen. 4: 14-16; Ryle, 4: 14-16.
The story we are now studying was compiled as
early as 800 B. C. and contains material much older
than that period. We shall expect, then, to find com
paratively early ideas whenever theological subjects
are treated. The theological phrase which arrests
our attention here is, "from thy face shall I be hid".
That is, when this story grew up, the Hebrews be
lieved that Jehovah was the greatest of all gods, but
that there were other gods. They believed that
Palestine was Jehovah's country, but beyond Palestine
were the domains of other deities. Cain complains
that in being driven from his home he would be
driven out from Jehovah's presence, and he fears the
consequences of meeting strange peoples and strange
gods. What, on the contrary, was the idea of God in the
time of Amos? Illustrate. Does man's conception
of God's character depend upon his own experience
and knowledge ? II
Read: The Dictionary, "Cain", "Abel". What is
the significance of the phrase, "vengeance shall be
taken on him sevenfold"? What is the meaning of
the sign in verse fifteen ?

The Beginnings of the Race 57
III
Write a short paper on the Growth of the Idea of
God in the Old Testament. 39
SOCIAL MEANING OF THE STORY OF CAIN
I
Read: Gen. 4: 1-16; St. John 8: 3-11.
In Old Testament times a man's prosperity or mis
fortune was regarded as the evidence of divine ap
proval or disapproval. Jehovah disapproved of Cain.
Was Cain a criminal before he slew his brother?
Legally? Morally? Was Cain's motive in the wor
ship of God truly religious or merely mercenary?
The motive rather than the form is the prime essen
tial in religious worship. Was the slaying of Abel the
result of jealousy or a sudden fit of anger or of a
gradual deterioration of character?
The criminal usually repudiates his social obliga
tions. The thief often excuses himself by asserting
that society owes him a living. Is this position right ?
Cain's punishment was banishment. What was the
fate that he especially feared? Is punishment or re
form or both the best punishment ?
The mark placed upon Cain was most probably a
tribal one, which was a protection. God thus aimed

58 The Book of Genesis
at Cain's reform, his divine love and care following
him wherever he went. II
What was the effect of Cain's anger upon his own
life ? In what way do anger and hatred hamper one's
greatest usefulness ? Is capital punishment at times
necessary ? Ill
Outline the most effective argument which can be
used to restore honour and manhood to a criminal.
Is the chief object of punishment to avenge the
wrong, to punish the criminal, to deter others from
committing similar crimes, or to reclaim the wrong
doer?

40
THE DESCENDANTS OF CAIN
I
Read: Gen. 4: 17-24; Ryle, 4: 17-24.
There has been preserved in this genealogy an at
tempt to trace the growth of early civilization. To
Cain, whom we met as an exile in the last lesson, is
ascribed the honour of having been the first builder ;
Jabal was the ancestor of nomadic peoples; and
Tubal-Cain was the founder of metal industries. In

The Beginnings of the Race 59
the case of Lamech we have an example of the very
early custom of polygamy, and of war.
Describe the Song of the Sword. What does it
teach? What was the attitude toward polygamy in
Israel? Compare, in this respect, the time of Abra
ham and that of the eighth century B. C.
II
Read: The Dictionary, "War". What was the
nature of war in the Old Testament ? What was its
religious status? Ill
Read: The Dictionary, "Music and Musical In
struments". What was the use made of music in the
Temple and in the Synagogue ?

41
THE DESCENDANTS OF SETH
I
Read: Gen. 4: 25-26; 5; Ryle, 4: 25-26; 5.
In verses twenty-five and twenty-six of the fourth
chapter we have a fragmentary genealogy of Seth
from the source J. In chapter five, P has preserved
a complete genealogy.
According to the phrase, "then began men to call

60 The Book of Genesis
upon the name of Jehovah", God was addressed as
Jehovah as early as the time of Enoch ; but according
to E and P, Exodus 3: 14; 6:2, God was not called
Jehovah until that name was revealed to Moses.
Since, however, it is probable that a form of the name
Jehovah was known in Babylonia long before the
time of Moses, the source J may be right in assigning
the name to a very remote period.
What have you learned to be the significance of
the name Jehovah ? What is the meaning of "Enoch
walked with God" ? What do you suppose to be the
meaning of the long lives ascribed to the patriarchs
before the Flood? II
Read: The Dictionary, "Enoch". Why were so
many late Jewish books ascribed to Enoch?
Ill
Read : Ryle, "Note on the Antediluvian Patriarchs",
pp. 88-92. Write a note on early Hebrew chronology.

42
REVIEW
Review Studies 26-41 inclusive, and be prepared
for an examination on them.

The Beginnings of the Race 61
43
MULTIPLICATION OF SIN

Read : Gen. 6:1-7; Ryle, 6 : 1-7.
The account of the marriage between the daughters
of men and the sons of God is a remnant of that
mythical material which was common to the early
stages of all peoples. The Babylonians and Egyptians
believed that their kings were the offspring of the
gods and mankind. How have commentators tried
to explain this passage? What are the objections?
What is the interpretation of verse three ? Is not the
story of the offspring of the sons of God and the
daughters of men an attempt to explain the origin of
so much sinfulness ? Although the Hebrews believed
that Jehovah created all things, they hesitated to
ascribe to him the origin of sin. Israel's high moral
idea comes out very clearly in this story. What was
the writer's attitude toward sin and its multiplica
tion? Write what you think of the meaning of the
phrase, "And it repented the Lord . . . and it grieved
him at the heart." II
Read: The Dictionary, "Nephilim", "Giant".
Ill
Write a paper on the meaning and religious value
of mythical material.

62 The Book °f Genesis
44
NOAH

Read : Gen. 6 : 8-12 ; Ryle, 6 : 8-12 ; The Dictionary,
"Noah". Noah "found grace in the eyes of the Lord" because
he was "a righteous man and perfect". The word
translated "perfect" means flawless and indicates
Noah as a man who had succeeded in observing and
following God's will. While others of his time went
on increasing in sinfulness, Noah was mindful of his
duty to God, and was, therefore, worthy of God's
companionship. What are the Old Testament ideas of righteousness
and perfection? What does verse twelve say of the
way in which sin developed? II
Read: The Dictionary, "Predestination". Com
pare it with the idea of free will.
Ill
Write a paper on the Old Testament and the
modern conception of predestination and free will.

The Beginnings of the Race 63
45, 46, and 47
THE FLOOD

Read : Gen. 6 : 13—8 : 20 ; Ryle, 6 : 13—8 : 20 ; Ryle,
Appendix C, pp. 453-458; Ryle, "Note on the
Flood Narrative," pp. 115-120.
II
Read : The Dictionary, "Deluge". Write a paper on
the universality of the Flood. Ill
Separate the two accounts of the Flood in Genesis,
and make a tabular comparison of each with the Baby
lonian account.

48
AIM OF THE BIBLICAL WRITERS IN
RECOUNTING THE FLOOD STORY

What place has this story among Biblical narra
tives? Did the sacred writers use these stories in
order to emphasize monotheism? Compare the God
of the Biblical account with the gods of the Baby
lonian account. Did Christ use illustrations drawn

64 The Book of Genesis
from earlier history or from nature to make clear
his teaching? Is it not evidence of superior teaching
skill to use that which is familiar and of interest to
those taught in order to inculcate the deeper moral
and religious truths of life ?
II
Had most primitive peoples a tradition regarding
the Flood? How do you explain the striking points
of similarity between the Flood stories of peoples far
removed from each other? Illustrate.
Ill
Is there geological evidence that the earth, during
human history, has been completely inundated?
What do you mean by a calamity? Is it a mere
accident, or an essential factor in the realization of the
divine purpose in human history?

49

SURVIVAL OF THE FITTEST IN THE
NATURAL WORLD

The leading scientists of the world, since the pub
lication of the views of Darwin and Wallace in 1858,
have laid great emphasis upon the doctrine of the
survival of the fittest as the true explanation of prog-

77ie Beginnings of the Race 65
ress in the natural world. This principle has been
traced out in practically all the important fields of
both plant and animal life. Upon the same principle
depends the doctrine of evolution, which has been
applied in the fields of biology, astronomy, psychol
ogy, history, and social science. The "fittest" in
this principle means the being best adapted to the
conditions under which it is living. How does the
story of the Flood illustrate this principle in the
moral and religious world? Discuss the point fully.
II
Are appalling calamities, like floods and earth
quakes, the result of the working out of natural laws ?
Are they unmitigated evils ? Illustrate.
Ill
To what extent is modern progress in sanitation
due to natural calamities ? What calamities ? Illus
trate how that a great calamity can arouse a city
or nation to the realization of great possibilities.

50
SURVIVAL OF THE FITTEST IN SOCIAL
AND RELIGIOUS LIFE
I
From a social point of view, is not the survival of
the fittest the survival of the morally best? Is not

66 The Book of Genesis
the religion which survives the religion of the highest
type? Even in business, it has been said that the
survival of the fittest means the survival of the most
honest business men. Think over the names of the
great men of the United States, and note their char
acters. Pick out the leading statesmen of the last
half century in England, France, and Italy. What
principles have they stood for ? If a mooted question
touching morals can be put simply and honestly be
fore the people, will they see and choose the right?
II
How do changes in the environment of men affect
the moral quality of their acts? How do circum
stances affect the kind of act that will be successful ?
Illustrate. Ill
Show from the Old Testament that the Hebrews
believed that in the long run honour, virtue, and
righteousness pay not only the individual but also
the nation.

51
NOAH'S BURNT OFFERING
Read : Gen. 8 : 20-22 ; Ryle, 8 : 20-22.
Immediately after the exodus from the ark, Noah
built an altar and offered a sacrifice to God. What

The Beginnings of the Race 67
was the material of the sacrifice ? What was the idea
back of the Hebrew sacrificial system? Describe the
burnt-offering. God was very much pleased with
Noah's act. What promise did God make ?
II
Make a collection of all divine maledictions in
Genesis and discuss them. Ill
Collect those passages in Genesis where it is said or
inferred that God repented of an act. Explain this
Old Testament idea.

52
BLESSING UPON NOAH

Read: Gen. 9:1-7; Ryle, 9:1-7; Lev. 17:10-14;
Deut. 12 : 16, 23.
According to the Priestly source there was no sac
rifice; but as soon as Noah and his family had left
the ark, God blessed them and enlarged their prerog
atives. What is the meaning of "the fear of you and
the dread of you" ? What two prohibitions does God
impose upon Noah and his family? What is the
meaning of them? What is manslaughter? What
is the "life" of man ? What was the custom of blood-
revenge ?

68 The Book of Genesis
II
What are the seven commandments of Noah?
Learn them, and write a short paper on them.
Ill
Make a collection of all divine blessings in Genesis
and discuss them.

53

REVIEW
Review Studies 43-52 and be prepared for an exam
ination on them.

54
THE COVENANT AND ITS SIGN
I
Read : Gen. 9 : 8-17 ; Ryle, 9 : 8-17.
God's covenant was established not only with man
kind but also with the animal world. The relation
between God and man is regulated by covenant. God
is the creator and preserver, and man owes his alle
giance and obedience to God. How many covenants
between God and man are mentioned in the Penta
teuch? Name and describe them. What were the

77te Beginnings of the Race 69
terms of the covenant with Noah? What was the
sign of the covenant? How do you interpret verse
thirteen ? II
Read: The Dictionary, "Sacraments", "Sign",
"Rainbow". Ill
Write a paper on the relationship between a Cove
nant and a Sacrament.

55
THE RACES I
Read : Gen. 9 : 18-19 ; Ryle, 9 : 18-19 ; The Dictionary,
"Shem", "Ham", "Japheth".
Name and describe the three races known to the
early Hebrews. II
Read: The Dictionary, "Revelation", and make a
synopsis of it. Ill
Discuss universality and limitation in the idea of
divine revelation.

70 The Book of Genesis
56
NOAH, THE VINE-DRESSER
Read: Gen. 9 : 20-27; Ryle, 9 : 20-27; The Dictionary,
"Canaanites"; Ryle, "Special Note", pp. 130-131.
How would you interpret verse twenty-four? Why
is Canaan cursed? What are the contents of the
blessing on Shem and Japheth ? What was Canaan's
sin? II
Read: The Dictionary, "Wine and Strong Drink".
What was the Old Testament attitude toward drunk
enness ? Ill
Write a paper on wine, its use and abuse, from a
moral and religious point of view.
57
THE ANCIENT WORLD
I
Read: Gen. 10; Ryle, 10.
What was the extent of civilization as known to the
Israelites ?

The Beginnings of the Race 7 1
II
Compare the genealogy of Gen. 10 with the list in
I Chron. 1. Note the names of the most important
ancient peoples. Ill
Draw a large diagram of the races and peoples
known to the Israelites.

58
THE TOWER OF BABEL

Read: Gen. 11:1-9; Ryle, 11:1-9.
This passage offers a primitive and naive explana
tion of the varieties of language. What great achieve
ment did the original race plan on the plain of
Shinar? To what did God object? How was their
ambition frustrated and with what result? While
all languages have much in common and human hab
its of speech are curiously alike, yet modern research
recognizes five or six great families of speech rather
than one. Nevertheless, such stories as this show
how deeply the Hebrew writer believed in the sover
eignty of God, his power and purpose, his watchful
attitude toward the world he has made, and his grace
and goodness.

72 The Book of Genesis
II
Read: The Dictionary, "Tongues, Confusion of".
What are the legendary contents of the Story of the
Tower of Babel ? What religious truth does the story
teach ? Ill
Write a short paper on the meaning and value of
the story of the Tower of Babel.

59
GENEALOGY OF THE PATRIARCHS FROM
SHEM TO ABRAM
I
Read: Gen. 11: 10-32; Ryle, 11: 10-32.
In what respects does this table resemble that in
chapter five? Who were Abram's nearer relatives?
What reasons have been assigned for the migrations
of Terah and Abram ? II
Read: Ryle, "Note on the Genealogy of Shem", p.
154; The Dictionary, "Ur of the Chaldees", "Haran",
"Terah". Ill
Write a full account of Abram previous to his
departure from Haran.

The Beginings of the Race 73
60 and 61
REVIEW
Review all up to and including Study 59, especially
Studies 54-59, and write answers to the following
questions: Formulate the idea of God which these
early stories convey to your mind. What place in the
universe do they assign to mankind? What do they
regard as man's greatest need ? What do they declare
to be his best achievement? According to them, what
is God's plan for the world? Assuming that the
theory of divinely-guided evolution is the true expla
nation of human social development, is there anything
in these chapters which contradicts it?

Ill
PATRIARCHAL HISTORY

THE PATRIARCH ABRAHAM
62
ABRAHAM

Read: The Dictionary, "Abraham". Write a brief
outline of the life of Abraham. II
Make a chart of the movements of Abraham from
the time he left Haran until his death.
Ill
Draw a map and enter the names of the places
visited by Abraham.

77

78 The Book of Genesis
63
PROPHETIC STORIES ABOUT ABRAHAM
AND THEIR MEANING

Read : All passages marked J in Gen. 12 — 25 : 18.
Use Ryle.
Just as Tatian in his Diatessaron used passages
from each of the four Gospels to make one contin
uous narrative of the life and teaching of our Lord,
so the compiler of the Book of Genesis used various
sources in his account of the lives of the patriarchs.
In the case of Abraham, there are, for example, two
accounts of his deceptions regarding Sarah, one in
12:9—13:1, and the other in 20:1-17; there are
two accounts of the covenant with Abimelech, 21 : 22-
31 and 21: 25-34; and there are two accounts of the
expulsion of Hagar, 16 : 1-16 and 21 : 1-20. Do these
variant versions indicate that they were drawn from
different groups of narratives?
The story of Abraham's call and settlement in
Canaan illustrates the following truths: (1) God
guides those who will be guided; (2) He reveals
himself to those who seek a revelation; (3) His reve
lations come along the path of duty and are confined
to no place or land; (4) For those who will be led by
him God has in store a noble destiny; (5) Blessed
are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the chil-

Patriarchal History) 79
dren of God; (6) Blessed are the meek; for they
shall inherit the earth. II
Was Abraham right or wrong in yielding to Sarah's
wish in respect to Hagar ? Was Sarah right or wrong
in her attitude toward Hagar ? Was Hagar's attitude
toward Sarah natural? Was it right? What must
be taken into consideration when studying the morals
of ancient peoples ? Ill
How is Abraham's faith illustrated in the prophetic
stories ? His unselfishness and generosity ? • His
courtly hospitality? Was his politeness to strangers
simply due to his training and the traditions of the
desert, or was it the expression of his natural
impulses? Was Abraham's devoted interest in the
future of his descendants a noble quality ? How are
his devotion and obedience to God illustrated? Is
the character of Abraham the product of a primitive
state of society, or of a high civilization?

64
PROMISE AND MIGRATION
Read : Gen. 12 : 1-9 ; Ryle, 12 : 1-9 ; Hebrews 11 : 8-10.
Chapters 12 — 50 of Genesis describe a period of
hundreds of years in length, during which the tribes

80 77ie Book of Genesis
and peoples who in due time coalesced into the
Hebrew nation were undergoing varied experiences.
They give us a series of more or less idealized por
traits, embodying the characteristic traits of the
Hebrew people and upholding their best ideals. They
embody the real experiences of real men, interpreted
by men of a warm religious spirit.
What made Abraham leave his own country ? What
three promises were made to him? Who went with
him ? How did he express his gratitude to God at his
journey's end ? II
Besides the above assignments, read Josh. 24 : 2-3 ;
Deut. 26:5; Gen. 27:43; 24:3, 4, 10. What do
they tell about Abraham's early home? Was it
Haran or Ur ? Comment upon, "And the Canaanite
was then in the land." Ill
Read : The Dictionary, "Palestine".

65
REASONS FOR MIGRATION

In the early history of most countries there comes
a pressure of population which results in migration.

Patriarchal History 8 1
Tribes migrate from season to season, and eventually
some members of the tribe are likely to go forth to
seek new homes. In the pastoral stage, as the wealth
of flocks and herds increases, more pasturage is
needed and migrations result. In the age of com
merce, colonies are established. Emigration is thus
a normal growth at any stage of civilization. What
does the statement about Abraham's wealth in cattle,
silver, and gold, show regarding the country from
which he came and the probable cause of God's direc
tion for his removal ? In the light of later history and
of the hardships and risks which immigrants are
called upon to endure, what was the profound re
ligious significance to his race and to the world of the
migration represented by Abraham?
II
How did God speak to Abraham? Is it possible
and probable that God spoke to men in that early
day as he speaks to them now, through their expe
riences and inner consciousness? In what sense was
Abraham a pioneer ? Was it for Abraham's material
interest to migrate to Palestine ?
Ill
Are God's purposes often contrary to man's desires ?
Ever to man's best interests? Is your own conscien
tious conception of your duty to be considered as
God's command to you ? Does he give any other com
mands? What qualities must every true pioneer

82 The Book °f Genesis
possess? Compare the motives that inspired the
migrations of the Hebrews and the Pilgrim Fathers.

66
EARLY JOURNEY IN PALESTINE

Read: Gen. 12:6-9; The Dictionary, "Shechem",
"Bethel", "Negeb".
The first resting place of Abraham in Canaan was
Shechem. There Jehovah appeared unto him and
promised him the land of Canaan — a promise which
was for ever afterward remembered by the Jews. It
was because of this and the promise to Moses that
Palestine was called the promised land. Thence Abra
ham proceeded to a spot between Bethel and Ai,
where he built an altar and sacrificed to God under
the name of Jehovah. His next journey took him to
the Negeb, the southernmost region of Canaan. Write
a full description of Ai with an account of the later
experiences of the Israelites there.
II
Read : The Dictionary, "Geology of Palestine", and
write a short paper on the subject.
Ill
Discuss the bearings which geography and geology

Partriarchal History 83
have upon civilization. Illustrate with reference to
Palestine.

67
ABRAHAM IN EGYPT

Read : Gen. 12 : 10—13 : 2 ; Ryle, 12 : 10—13 : 2.
The story of Abraham's deceit in Egypt does not
do credit to the patriarch. Besides remembering that
our story arose hundreds of years before the dawn of
Christianity and before moral distinctions had made
much progress, the motive of the sacred writer in
recording the event was probably to illustrate God's
protection over Abraham in a foreign country. "God's
goodness, not Abram's merit, averts the peril." What
does the story teach about the power of Jehovah
beyond the land of Canaan ? How would the Hebrew
justify God's punishment of the pharaoh? Where
did Abraham settle on his immediate return from
Egypt? II
Read: The Dictionary, "Sarah", "Pharaoh".
Write a short paper on the relationship between the
pharaoh and Abraham. Ill
Read: The Dictionary, "Egypt", §§ 1 and 2".

84 The Book of Genesis
68
REVIEW
Review Studies 62-67, and be prepared for an
examination on them. 69
SEPARATION OF ABRAHAM AND LOT

Read : Gen. 13 : 3-13 ; Ryle, 13 : 3-13 ; The Dictionary,
"Perizzites".
On his return from Egypt, Abraham settled
between Bethel and Ai as he did before, where he
again sacrificed to God and called upon him by the
name Jehovah. Why did the servants of Abraham
and Lot, his nephew, who had hitherto followed him
wherever he went, quarrel? How did Abraham end
the difficulty? On what basis did Lot make his
choice ? II
Read: The Dictionary, "Lot", "Jordan". Write a
note on the phrase, "all the Plain of the Jordan".
Ill
Draw a map of the Jordan region and insert the
most important names.

Patriarchal History 85
70
ABRAHAM'S MAGNANIMITY AND ITS
REWARD

Read: Gen. 13: 14-18; Ryle, 13: 14-18.
Verse ten of this chapter eloquently shows the
nature of Abraham's character. He was disinter
ested, magnanimous, and friendly. Rather than exer
cise his unquestioned right to take what he pleased
and let Lot have what remained, he permitted his
kinsman to choose. Lot acted like a selfish, avaricious,
short-sighted man. Although he, like Abraham, had
fled away from false worship, he was willing for the
sake of material gain to settle down again in the
very midst of a people far worse than the Babylonians.
Abraham contented himself with the less fertile pas
tures of the mountainous region of Southern Pales
tine. He may have stood on one of the mountain
tops north of Jerusalem, when the promise came to
him that some time his descendants should control
all the country as far as the eye could see. The very
fact that he stayed up there in the free, bracing air
of the hills, avoiding the debasing influence of the
plain, was one indication of his ultimate supremacy.
He was farsighted and clear-headed. What different
impulses did Lot and Abraham follow? To what
was Abraham devoted? Through whom does God
achieve his purposes?

86 The Book of Genesis
II
What two great promises did God make to Abra
ham? Where did Abraham then make his home?
Show the shortsightedness of Lot. Define and illus
trate magnanimity. Ill
Read: The Dictionary, "Mamre", "Hebron". Enu
merate the altars which Abraham has so far built,
reading The Dictionary, "Altar".
71
CHAPTER XIV

Read: Gen. 14.
In this chapter Abraham is pictured as a valiant
warrior who espoused the cause of the weak and won
a great victory over the unified armies of the Eastern
Kings. He restored the captured spoil to the city
that had been robbed and gave a liberal portion to
the priest-king, Melchizedek. In chapter seventeen
he is portrayed as a devoted servant of the law. In
later Jewish traditions he is pictured sometimes as
an invincible warrior, sometimes as an ardent foe
of idolatry, or else he is thought of as having been
borne to heaven on a fiery chariot, where he receives

Patriarchal History 87
to his bosom the faithful of the race. Each succes
sive generation of Jewish writers made Abraham the
embodiment of their highest ideals. How is the
chapter linked with the preceding one? Briefly
characterize this chapter. II
Read: Ryle, "Special Note on Chapter XIV", pp.
179-181. Write a short paper on the probable origin
and date of the story. Ill
Read: The Dictionary, "Assyria and Babylonia, II
Babylonia".

72
CAMPAIGN OF THE KING OF ELAM
I
Read: Gen. 14: 1-12; Ryle, 14: 1-12.
Make a chart of the site of the campaign, and
describe it in detail, using the above assignments only.
II
Read: The Dictionary, "Amraphel", "Shinar",
"Arioch", "Ellasar", "Chedorlaomer", "Elam",
"Amalek", "Amorites", "Tidal", "Siddim".

88 The Book of Genesis
III
Write a paper on the nationalities involved in this
campaign.

73
ABRAHAM'S VICTORY

Read: Gen. 14: 13-16; Ryle, 14: 13-16; The Diction
ary, "Eshcol", "Amer", "Hobah", "Damascus".
Describe Abraham's victory and where it took place.
What bearing upon the date of this chapter has the
reference to Dan in verse fourteen? Comment upon
"three hundred and eighteen" in the same verse.
II
Read : The Dictionary, "Eber", "Israel, I. History,
§§ 1-14." Ill
Read: The Dictionary, "Israel, I. History,
§§15-30".

Patriarchal History 89
74
MELCHIZEDEK. KING OF SALEM

Read: Gen. 14 : 18-20 ; Ryle, 14: 18-20; The Diction
ary, "Jebus", "Salem".
On his return from victory, Abraham was met by
the patesi, or priest-prince, of Salem. With what city
is Salem identified? What are the proofs of identi
fication? Melchizedek the king brought forth bread
and wine to nourish the returning soldiers. But he
does more than that. Being priest of God Most High,
whom Abraham recognizes as his own God, he gave
Abraham his priestly blessing. Who was the God
Most High? In response to the blessing, Abraham
gave Melchizedeek a tenth part of all the spoil.
II
Read : The Dictionary, "Jerusalem". Draw a plan
of the early city. Ill
Write a brief account of the city of Jerusalem from
the earliest times to 1919 A. D.

90 The Book of Genesis
75
THE ORDER OF MELCHIZEDEK

Read : Gen. 14 : 18-20 ; Ps. 110 : 4 ; Hebrews 5 : 1-7.
Give in detail the argument used by the author of
the Epistle to the Hebrews to show that our Lord's
priesthood was higher than that of the Aaronic priest
hood. The author of the Epistle to the Hebrews
emphasizes the uniqueness of Melchizedek when com
paring him with Christ. Did not the uniqueness of
the priesthood of Melchizedek consist also in his royal
character? He was King as well as priest. Our
Lord is both Priest and King. II
Read : The Dictionary, "Melchizedek" ; Ryle, "Spe
cial Note on Melchizedek" pp. 182-184.
Ill
Write a paper "The Priestly Order of Melchizedek".
76
THE OATH OF ABRAHAM
I
Read: Gen. 14: 21-24; Ryle, 14: 21-24; The Diction
ary, "Aner", "Mamre".
Abraham shows his disinterestedness in the spoils

Patriarchal History 91
of battle by refusing to be paid for his services by the
king of Sodom. Abraham had taken issue with the
Eastern kings for the sole purpose of defence, and
especially to defend his relative, Lot. He asks only
for a portion for those who had allied themselves with
him, and food for his warriors. He had sworn to his
God that his purpose in the conflict was unselfish.
Who were Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre? What was
Abraham's object in taking an oath at this time?
What is an oath ? II
Read: The Dictionary, "Oaths". Discuss the na
ture and meaning of an oath. Ill
Write a paper on the ritual of the oath as found
in the Old Testament.

77
REVIEW
Review Studies 69-76, and be prepared for an exam
ination on them.

92 The Book of Genesis
78
THE PROMISE OF AN HEIR

Read : Gen. 15 : 1-5 ; Ryle, 15 : 1-5 ; The Dictionary,
"Inheritance", "Eliezer".
Notice what Ryle says about the composition of
this chapter. Biblical authors have much to say
about visions. It is, however, clear from such pass
ages as verse five of this chapter, Num. 24 : 3-4, and
Job 4 : 13, that many visions were synonymous with
dreams. In this dream Abraham hears God speaking.
Do we not have similar experiences? Such ex
periences were particularly vivid to primitive people
who did not know as much about natural laws as we
do. Abraham was surrounded by strangers and
foreigners and needed God's encouragement. And
what assurance was his ! Jehovah spoke. "I am thy
shield, and thy exceeding great reward." Abraham's
fear was due to his solitude. Nor did he even have
an heir. But Jehovah was equal to the occasion, and
promised the patriarch an innumerable posterity.
What were the laws of inheritance in Israel ?
II
Read: The Dictionary, "Vision", "Dreams". Dis
cuss their place in the religious life of the Hebrews.

Patriarchal History 93
III
Write a paper on the Old Testament idea of divine
communication with man. 79
FAITH AND RIGHTEOUSNESS

Read : Gen. 15 : 6 ; Ryle, 15:6; Romans 4 : 1-25 ;
Galatians 3:6; St. James 2:23; Ps. 106:31;
Hebrews 11 : 8, 17.
What did Abraham believe God would do for him ?
What examples are used in the eleventh chapter of
the Epistle to the Hebrews to illustrate Abraham's
faith ? What is St. Paul's definition of faith ? What
is St. Paul's idea of "Justification by Faith" ? What
is the power of faith in the life of a Christian?
II
Read: The Dictionary, "Faith", "Justification",
"Righteousness". Ill
Write a paper on the idea of "Justification by
Faith" as applied to the life of a modern Christian.

94 The Book of Genesis
80
THE RATIFICATION OF THE PROMISE

Read: Gen. 15: 7-19; Ryle, 15: 7-19.
Here Jehovah tells Abraham that his purpose in
bringing him from Babylonia was that the patriarch
might inherit the land of Canaan. But Abraham,
having been educated in the legal atmosphere of Baby
lonia, wants to know how God is going to assure him
of his intention, and asks, "0 Lord God, whereby shall
I know that I shall inherit it ?" Then follows a most
interesting covenant ceremony ; the ritual is paralleled
in similar Babylonian treaties. What animals were
sacrificed ? What was the sign of Jehovah's presence ?
Define the "deep sleep" which fell upon Abraham.
To which Hebrew captivity does the sacred writer
refer in this chapter? How many years were the
Children of Israel in Egypt ?
II
Read: The Dictionary, "Covenant". Describe the
ritual of a covenant. Ill
Read: Ryle, Appendix E, "Israelites in Egypt",
pp. 463-466. Write a short note on the number of
years spent by the Israelites in Egypt.

Patriarchal History 95
81
THE FUTURE LIFE

Read : Gen. 15 : 15 ; 25 : 7-8 ; Job 5 : 26 ; Prov. 10 : 27 ;
11 : 11 ; The Dictionary, "Sheol".
What is the meaning of the phrase, "go to thy
fathers"? What are the Hebrew patriarchs repre
sented as thinking of the future?
II
Read : The Dictionary, "Eschatology".
Ill
Write a paper on the destiny of the righteous
and wicked as seen in the Old Testament. Use the
references in the article on "Eschatology" in The
Dictionary. 82
THE TEN PEOPLES OF CANAAN

Read: Gen. 15: 19-21; Ryle, 15: 19-21; Ex. 3: 8, 17;
13:5; 23:23; 24:11; Deut. 7:1; 20:17; The

96 The Book of Genesis
Dictionary, "Kenites", "Kenizzites", "Kadmon-
ites", "Rephaim", "Girgashites", "Rechab".
What was the fame of the Kenites? How were
they related to the Rechabites? II
Read: The Dictionary, "Hittites". What part do
they play in the Book of Genesis?
Ill
Write a paper on the fascination of archaeology,
illustrating by reference to the Hittites.

83
REVIEW
Review Studies 78-82, and be prepared for an ex
amination on them.

84
HAGAR AND HER FLIGHT
I
Read : Gen. 16 : 1-6 ; Ryle, 16 : 1-6 ; The Dictionary,
"Hagar".
The story of Hagar not only illustrates the Hebrew

Patriarchal History 97
attitude toward related races, whom they considered
inferior, they themselves being Jehovah's chosen
people, but it likewise gives us an idea of family con
ditions in early Israel. According to the ideas and
customs of that early period, it was permissible to
own slaves. A female slave could be made a con
cubine. Was it wrong from the Hebrew point of view
to have slaves? What are the determinants of the
morals of any given period in history? What was
the rule about the ownership of children by a slave-
wife? Was Sarah's complaint justifiable? How is
Abraham's conduct to be judged? Depict Hagaris
character. II
Read : The Dictionary, "Slave", "Concubine".
Ill
Write a paper on Concubinage among the Hebrews,
making as much use as possible of the Code of Ham
murabi on the subject.

85
HAGAR AND THE ANGEL

Read: Gen. 16 : 7-14; Ryle, 16 : 7-14; The Dictionary,
"Shur", "Kadesh".
The angel who appeared to Hagar was none other

98 The Book of Genesis
than Jehovah himself. The early Israelites thought
very simply and naively about God. He was an
enlarged human being with the same parts and pas
sions as ourselves. But later more spiritual and ab
stract ideas about God became common. God is a
spirit and cannot be seen. He manifests himself
through different agencies. It became common to
speak of "the angel of Jehovah" in expressing ideas
about God's activities in the world. So, here, "the
angel of the Lord" appeared to Hagar, and advised
her to return and to submit herself, as she was in
duty bound, to her mistress. Why is it natural for
man to ascribe his own moral conceptions to God?
Then, the well-known Hebrew opinion of the Ishmael-
ites is expressed in verse twelve. Ishmael, the wild
untamable people, are a foe to all with whom they
come in contact. Interpret the phrase, "the Jehovah
that spake unto her". What does she call the God
who spake with her? Was Hagar surprised to meet
God in the wilderness ? Why ? Was Hagar surprised
to see God ? Why ? Where was Beer-lahai-roi ?
II
Read: The Dictionary, "Angel", "Angel of the
Lord".
HI
Write a paper on the manifestation of God, espe
cially through Angels.

Patriarchal History 99
86
ISHMAEL

Read: Gen. 16:15-16; Ryle, 16:15-16; The Dic
tionary, "Ishmael".
Who were the Ishmaelites and how were they re
lated to the Midianites and Israelites ?
II
Write a paper on the author's purpose in using the
story of Ishmael in the Book of Genesis.
Ill
Describe the family, social, and religious ideas in
volved in the story of Ishmael.

87
GOD ALMIGHTY

Read: Gen. 17: 1; Ryle, 17: 1; The Dictionary, "Al
mighty".
This chapter is from the source P which, with E,

1 00 The Book of Genesis
believed that God did not reveal himself under the
name Jehovah till the time of the Exodus. P, thus,
uses the name Elohim or El Shaddai in speaking of
God before the Exodus. Why then is Jehovah
(LORD in the English version always translates the
word in Hebrew which we render Jehovah) used in
the first verse of this chapter? What is the deriva
tion of the word Shaddai? Ryle has not mentioned
perhaps the most interesting interpretation of this
word, namely, the derivation of the word from the
Assyrian shadu, meaning high, mountain. Jehovah
was known as a mountain-deity, a characteristic
which might have been Ms long before the time of
the Exodus. Which source claims that God was
known by the name Jehovah before the Exodus?
What does "walk before me" mean ?
II
Read : The Dictionary, "Perfection". Look up the
Old Testament passages and write a short paper on
Perfection in the Old Testament. Ill
Enumerate with a brief description the titles of
God in Genesis.

Patriarchal History 101
88
THE COVENANT ACCORDING TO P

Read : Gen. 17 : 2-8 ; Ryle, 17 : 2-8 ; The Dictionary,
"Stranger".
Does the author of this source show any knowledge
of a previous covenant between God and Abraham?
What is the Old Testament attitude of humility and
reverence? What is the meaning of the change of
the name Abram to Abraham? How is the mon
archy of Israel referred to God's promise to Abraham ?
What does the word "everlasting" in verse seven con
note as to the character of the covenant? What is a
Ger? II
Read: The Dictionary, "Humility". Compare
Old Testament and Christian humility.
Ill
Read: The Dictionary, "King". Describe the
office and function of a king in the Old Testament.

1 02 The Book of Genesis
89
THE TOKEN OF THE COVENANT
I
Read: Gen. 17:9-14; Ryle, 17:9-14.
Make a detailed comparison between this covenant
and the others you have met with so far in Genesis.
II
Read : The Dictionary, "Circumcision". Was or is
the rite practised in the Christian Church? Give
details. Ill
Write a paper on the equivalent or equivalents of
Circumcision in the Christian Church. Was Circum
cision a sacrament? If not, why?
90
THE PROMISE TO SARAH
I
Read: Gen. 17: 15-27; Ryle, 17: 15-27.
Jehovah now blesses Sarah and makes her partaker
of the promise which he had made to Abraham. He

Patriarchal History 1 03
promises an heir to the aged patriarch and his wife,
but Abraham is incredulous. Whose birth is now
announced? What is the meaning of "Isaac",
"Ishmael", "Sarah"? Who are the "twelve princes"
referred to in verse twenty ? From what source does
the chapter come ? What is the conception of God ex
pressed in verse twenty-two? Discuss the age of
circumcision. II
Write a paper on the covenant relationship be
tween God and Israel. Ill
Discuss the sense in which the Church has inherited
Israel's covenant relationship with God.
91
REVIEW
Review Studies 84-90, and be prepared for an ex
amination on them.

92
VISIT OF THE THREE ANGELS
I
Read: Gen. 18: 1-15; Ryle, 18: 1-15.
The simple, vivid, and graceful narrative, begin-

1 04 The Book of Genesis
ning at tMs point, helps one to understand why
Abraham became known as the "Father of the Faith
ful". He was a natural leader, one who took re
sponsibility for men and was worthy of God's con
fidence. Just as he pleaded on behalf of Lot, he
would have interested himself to-day in the sad con
dition of all toilers. Such men as Abraham are
relatively few in number, but they are the salt of the
earth. How did Abraham receive the three strangers
who appeared at his tent door? How are the angels
described? Interpret the phrase, "My Lord". What
joyful message from Jehovah did they bring? Who
were the visitants of Abraham and Sarah? What
reveals the divine nature of one of Abraham's guests ?
II
Write a full description of Oriental courtesy.
Ill
Discuss in detail the situation revealed in verses
12-15. 93
SODOM AND GOMORRAH
I
Read: Gen. 18: 16-22; Ryle, 18: 16-22.
The destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah will per
haps always remain more or less of a mystery. These

Patriarchal History 105
two cities were located in the low-lying country at
the southern end of the Dead Sea, which was full of
bituminous material like the oil fields of America.
Some great explosive conflagration must have taken
place, which the early Israelites interpreted as a judg
ment for degeneracy. Note as you read these sections
the emphasis placed upon God's forgiveness. What
was God's purpose in knowing and seeking Abraham ?
Interpret "the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah". Note
verse twenty-two in connection with the problem of
the identification of Abraham's visitors.
II
Read : The Dictionary, "Dead Sea", "Plain, Cities
of the". Draw a map of the region of the Dead Sea.
Ill
Write a paper on the Visitors of Abraham.
94
ABRAHAM'S PLEA

Read: Gen. 18:22-33; Ryle, 18:22-33; The Dic
tionary, "Judgment".
The story of Abraham's plea for the two wicked
cities sketches most graphically the worthiness of the

1 06 The Book °f Genesis
great patriarch, and exhibits the mercy and justice
of God. What is the Oriental posture of prayer and
intercession? What is the Western posture? Com
pare verses 22ff. with Jeremiah 5:1. What is the
idea of forgiveness in verse twenty-four? Comment
upon the phrase, "the Judge of all the earth". De
scribe righteousness. Whither did Abraham "return"
(verse 33) ? II
Read : The Dictionary, "Mercy", "Justice".
Ill
Discuss the two aspects of the character of God and
man, mercy and justice.

95
INTERCESSION AND FORGIVENESS

Read: Ex. 32:9-14; Nu. 14:15-20; Amos 7:4-6;
Num. 14:19.
Who and what were the agents of intercession in
the Old Testament? II
Read : The Dictionary, "Prayer", "Forgiveness".
Ill
Discuss the idea of prayer in the Old Testament

Patriarchal History 1 07
96-101
THE RIGHTEOUS AND WICKED

Read carefully the whole book of Job, keeping in
mind the problem of the suffering of the righteous.
Read also The Dictionary, "Job". Spend five hours
on the work, allowing time to answer the following
questions: Read the prologue of the book of Job
again. What is its object? How does it introduce
the debate? How does chapter three lead to the de
bate which follows? Write a summary of each cycle
of the debate. What is the final outcome as to the
problem of Job's sufferings? Make a summary of
the speeches of Elihu and Jehovah, and of the epi
logue. What is the course of thought in the book?
What does the writer intend to show?
II
What is the argument and its result in the first
cycle ? What is the state of progress of the argument
at the end of the second cycle? Make an outline of
chapter 28. Compare the idea of wisdom in Proverbs
8. Ill
Read again chapters 38-41. Write an outline of
each of the two speeches of Jehovah, and make a
summary of their argument. How do they apply to

1 08 The Book of Genesis
Job's problem? What are the finest passages in the
book, and why ? Does the book present a satisfactory
solution of the problem of suffering? If not, what
is its religious value?

102
REVIEW
Review Studies 92-101, and be prepared for an
examination on them. 103
LOT AND THE ANGELS

Read: Gen. 19: 1-13; Ryle, 19: 1-13.
In this story we have an account of the visit of the
angels to Lot at Sodom. Lot entertains them hospi
tably, but the neighbors of Lot show themselves to
be gross and shameful beyond imagination. In at
tempting to preserve the sanctity of the ancient
custom of hospitality, Lot allows himself to fall into
an inexcusable temptation to sin. Note Ryle's re
mark on verse eight. What shows the great abhor
rence of the angels for the sins of the people of
Sodom? Did Lot sin? Is temptation to sin sinful?
Why are only two angels mentioned in this story?

Patriarchal History 1 09
II
Read : The Dictionary, "Hospitality". What is the
moral teaching of the story ?
Ill
Write a short paper to show how the morals of the
people must be commended or condemned in the light
of their own civilization.

104
LOT'S ESCAPE TO ZOAR

Read: Gen. 19: 14-23; Ryle, 19: 14-23.
Who went forth with Lot? What is the probable
meaning of "sons in law"? Illustrate.- Lot's lin
gering shows that he does not realize the depth of the
sinfulness of the people of his city; nor does he
realize the certainty with which ruin follows sin.
How is the mercy of God shown in this passage?
Interpret the phrase, "look not behind thee". What
mountains are referred to in verse seventeen? What
is the meaning of "soul" in verse twenty ? Interpret
verse twenty-one. II
Write an estimate of Lot's character.

1 1 0 The Book of Genesis
III
What virtues and vices, from our point of view, are
illustrated in the characters of Abraham and Lot?
Describe them.

105
THE DESTRUCTION OF SODOM AND
GOMORRAH

Read: Gen. 19:24-29; Ryle, 19:24-29; II St. Peter
2:6-9; St. Jude 7.
In the story of Sodom's destruction, Lot appears
as the central figure. His choice of the fertile plain
of the Jordan had brought him into close contact
with its inhabitants, the Canaanites. Abandoning
his nomadic life, he had become a citizen of the cor
rupt city of Sodom. When at last Jehovah had
determined to destroy the city, Abraham interceded
for it. Its wickedness proved too great for pardon.
Lot, who hospitably received the divine messengers,
was finally persuaded to flee from the city, and thus
escaped the destruction that fell upon it. What was
the possible origin of the story ? What are the great
religious teachings of the story ? Illustrate.

Patriarchal History 1 1 1
II
Were great calamities in the past usually the result
of wickedness? Are they to-day? Do people so in
terpret the destruction of San Francisco and Messina ?
Ill
The great epidemic of cholera in Hamburg in 1892
was due to an impure water supply. At that time the
cholera germ had not been clearly identified. Was
sanitary neglect then as much of a sin as it would be
now? May we properly say that the pestilence was
a calamity visited on that city as a punishment for
its sin of neglect? 106
THE ORIGIN OF MOAB AND AMMON

Read: Gen. 19:30-38; Ryle, 19:30-38. Read care
fully what Ryle suggests as to the interpretation
of this passage.
In connection with such stories, in the Bible and in
other ancient literature, and in order to make a just
estimate of them, we are obliged to transport our
selves mentally to the times when they arose. The
moral distinctions of different ages are various, and
have developed gradually from lower to higher

1 1 2 The Book °f Genesis
levels. The laws, customs, and ideas of Lot's day
were very different from what they are in the full
light of Christian development. Due allowance must,
therefore, be made in all such ancient stories. What
are the three possible interpretations suggested by
Ryle? Does the end ever justify a sinful means?
Illustrate fully. II
Read: The Dictionary, "Moab", "Ammon".
Ill
What were the political and religious character
istics of these two peoples ?

107 I
Read: Gen. 20; 12: 10-20; 26: 6-11; Ryle, 20.
Study these three sections carefully with a view to
the moral teacMng. Can you detect any advance in
moral thought in the story in chapter 20 ?
II
Study the literary style of these three stories.
Write a paper on literary characteristics in them.
Ill
Write a paper on the religious ideas contained in
these three sections.

Patriarchal History 1 1 3
108
ABRAHAM'S JOURNEY SOUTHWARD
I
Read: The Dictionary. "Negeb", "Gerar", "Wilder
ness".
Enumerate the stopping-places of Abraham since
he left Babylonia. Briefly characterize each.
II
Draw a map of southern Palestine and insert all
names of that district which you have so far met.
Ill
Write a paper on the physical characteristics of
southern Palestine. 109
ABIMELECH I
Read : The Dictionary, "Abimelech", "Philistines".
Study the story of Abimelech and write a paper on
his character.

1 1 4 The Book of Genesis
II
Compare the moral point of view of Abraham as
told in this story and that of Abimelech. What was
the author's idea of God? Ill
Who was Abimelech? Who were the Philistines?
Write a short account of the land of Philistia.

110
REVIEW
Review Studies 103-109, and be prepared for an
examination on them. 111—113
A PROPHET I
Read: The Dictionary, "Prophecy, Prophets",
"Prophetess". II
Write a larger paper on the development of
prophecy.

Patriarchal History 1 1 5
III
Write a larger paper on Messianic prophecy.
114
THE FEAR OF GOD

Read : Gen. 20 : 11 ; The Dictionary, "Fear".
What is the Fear of God? Illustrate. Why did
Abraham think that the Fear of God was not in
Gerar ? II
What was the attitude of Hebrews toward
strangers ? Was Jehovah the god of the Philistines ?
Who was the Philistine god? Ill
What are polytheism, henotheism, and monotheism ?
Discuss them with illustrations from the book of
Genesis.
115—116
THE FOREIGNER I
Read: The Book of Jonah; The Dictionary, "Jonah",
"Parable".
What is the lesson of the Book of Jonah? Com-

1 1 6 The Book of Genesis
pare this book with some of our Lord's parables. Is
the Book of Jonah a parable ?
II
Write a brief summary of the Book of Jonah, trying
to do it in such a way as to bring out the author's
purpose. Does the writer intend to make Jonah
ludicrous? If so, why? Does the use of the super
natural detract from the power of the story of Jonah,
or enhance it? Ill
Were the Hebrews a missionary people ? Illustrate.
What are Christian Missions? What is the prime
object in missionary work? Illustrate fully.

117
MENTAL RESERVATION I
Read: Gen. 20:12-13.
What was the law in Israel as to marriages with a
half-sister? What was the nature of Abraham's ex
cuse? What is mental reservation? Is it ever
justifiable? Illustrate. II
Why did Abimelech so generously reward Abra
ham ? Was Abimelech to blame ? What is the mean-

Patriarchal History 1 1 7
ing of, "it is for thee a covering of the eyes" ? Inter
pret, "in respect of all thou art righted".
Ill
When was this story written? What may have
been its real original form?

118
REVIEW
Review Studies 111-117, and be prepared for an
examination on them.

THE PATRIARCH ISAAC
119
THE BIRTH OF ISAAC

Read: Gen. 21 : 1-7; Ryle, 21 : 1-7.
How did God fulfill the long delayed promise?
What was the meaning of the name given to the
child ? The name, which Sarah gave to her son, was,
like almost all Old Testament names; one which has
a special meaning. Its meaning happily expressed

1 1 8 The Book of Genesis
her joy over the long desired son. Write a short
commentary on verse six. II
Read : The Dictionary, "Isaac". Write a sketch of
the life of Isaac. Ill
Study some other names already met with in
Genesis.

120
THE EXPULSION OF HAGAR
AND ISHMAEL I
Read: Gen. 21:8-21; Ryle, 21:8-21; Gal. 4:27-28.
Compare this story with that found in chapter 16.
Which is the more ethical? What light does your
study throw upon the development of moral ideas ?
II
Read verses nine, fifteen, and seventeen, and write
a short commentary on them. Ill
Read: The Dictionary, "Beersheba", and write a
short description of the place, and of the surrounding
country.

Patriarchal History 119
121
COVENANT BETWEEN ABRAHAM AND
ABIMELECH

Read: Gen. 21:22-34; Ryle, 21:22-34.
Who suggested the covenant? Who was with the
two men? Interpret verse twenty-five. What was
the material used in the ritual of the covenant?
What is the meaning of Beersheba? When did the
Philistines probably come to Palestine? Read: The
Dictionary, "Tamarisk". II
Read : The Dictionary, "Army", "Host of Heaven".
Ill
Write a short article on Old Testament warfare,
emphasizing the religious aspect of it.
122—125
PROPOSED SACRIFICE OF ISAAC

Read : Gen. 22 : 1-19 ; Ryle, 22 : 1-19 ; The Dictionary,
"Moriah", "Jehovah-jireh"; Ryle, "Special Note
on the Sacrifice of Isaac", pp. 240-245.
What surprising command did God give to Abra-

1 20 The Book of Genesis
ham regarding his son ? What was God's purpose in
this? How did Abraham obey the command? In
what two ways did God indicate his approval ? What
did Abraham sacrifice in the place of his son ? What
is the meaning of the passage, "God did prove Abra
ham" ? What is "the land of Moriah" ? Define and
describe a burnt offering. Write a commentary on
verses nine, twelve, and thirteen. What is the mean
ing of the name "Jehovah-jireh"? Write a note on
the phrase, "it shall be provided". Why does God
swear by himself ? Write a note on, "saith the Lord",
in verse sixteen. What is the content of the blessing
in verse seventeen ? II
Why did the prophets preserve the story of the
sacrifice of Isaac ? Read : Micah 6 : 6-8, and compare
it with this story. Which is the most important
teaching of the story: the importance of unquestion
ing faith and obedience, or the uselessness of human
sacrifice? Does God ever command people to do
what they sincerely think to be wrong ? In the great
trial of his faith, how was Abraham a type of God
the Father? Ill
Make a study of human sacrifice and write a paper
on its fate in the Old Testament.

Patriarchal History 121
126
GENEALOGY OF NAHOR

Read: Gen. 22: 20-24; Ryle, 22: 20-24; The Diction
ary, "Milcah".
Discuss the question of the home of Nahor and his
sons. Who were Nahor's wives ? What do the names
of the sons represent? Why is this narrative here
preserved ? II
Draw a map of Syria. Locate as many of the
names in this chapter as you can.
Ill
What bearing has this section upon the question of
the historicity of the patriarchs ? Illustrate.

127
REVIEW
Review Studies 119-126, and be prepared for an
examination on them.

1 22 The Book of Genesis
128—129
THE CAVE OF MACHPELAH

Read: Gen. 23; Ryle, 23.
Read this chapter and note the legal and statistical
minuteness of its style. What light does this throw
upon legal and business procedure in the East? Ex
plain Kiriath-arba. Who are the children of Heth?
Write a note on the phrase, "a mighty prince". Write
a commentary on verse sixteen. Who besides Sarah
were buried in the cave of Machpelah?
II
Read: The Dictionary, "Ephron", "Zohar", "Mach
pelah". Write a detailed account of the cave of
Machpelah. Ill
Read again : The Dictionary, "Hittites". Write a
paper on the "Hittites in the Old Testament".

130—132
THE STORY OF REBEKAH
I
Read: Gen. 24; Ryle, 24.
Put the substance of this beautiful story in your

Patriarchal History 123
own words. What do you think we have here, clan or
personal experience? Who was Abraham's servant?
What ceremony is described in verse two? What is
the idea of the character of Jehovah in this chapter ?
What country is referred to in verse four? Write a
commentary on verse seven. What is referred to in
verse twenty-seven? How was Rebekah related to
Abraham? What was the betrothal gift? What is
the religious teaching of the story?
II
Read: The Dictionary, "Rebekah", "Laban".
"Bethuel". Why should Abraham have been so
anxious to have his son married to one of his own
kindred? What is your opinion of Rebekah as she
is described in this chapter? What is the custom of
Oriental marriages illustrated by this chapter, and
what New Testament story does it illustrate ? What
elements of Oriental marriage customs do we perpet
uate in our marriages, and with what modifications?
What part did Rebekah play, and what Oriental
custom does she comply with upon her first sight of
Isaac? Ill
Read the story of Rebekah again. Describe its
style. Read: The Dictionary, "Aram, Arameans".
Draw a map of Mesopotamia and insert the most im
portant names you have thus far met with in Genesis.

1 24 The Book of Genesis
133
ABRAHAM'S DESCENDANTS BY KETURAH

Read: Gen. 25:1-6; Ryle, 25:1-6.
In order to complete the account of the descendants
of Abraham, we have here a narrative of his children
by Keturah. These seem to be the eponyms of those
clans and tribes that lived in the North Arabian
desert. Note that the source is J. The people are
desert tribes. The divine name preserved by J is
Jehovah. These desert peoples bordered Judah on
the south. Is there a connection here between the
use of Jehovah as the name for God in the Southern
Kingdom and the name Jehovah as that of a desert
people? Would not the name El Shaddai ("God
Almighty"), God of the mountain, be appropriate for
those descendants of Abraham who remained in the
mountainous districts of Canaan, who finally passed
into Egypt, and who at the Exodus had forgotten
that their god had been known under the name Jeho
vah? They call him Elohim, God; but the father-in-
law of Moses, a Midianite, calls him Jehovah. The
two names refer to the same god. Hence, Moses
recognizes Jethro's god. II
Read: The Dictionary, "Keturah", "Medan",
"Midian", "Sheba", "Dedan".

Patriarchal History 1 25
III
Draw a map of the country east and south of the
Jordan. Fill in the names of tribes and nations.

134
THE DEATH OF ABRAHAM AND THE
DESCENDANTS OF ISHMAEL

Read: Gen. 25: 7-18; Ryle, 25: 7-18.
How old was Abraham when he died, and what is
the meaning of "full of years" ? What is the mean
ing of the phrase, "he was gathered to his people"?
What is the meaning of the sentence, 'lie abode
in the presence of all Ms brethren"? Name the
descendants of Ishmael. II
Read: The Dictionary, "Nebaioth", "Kedar", "Ad-
beel", "Mibsam", "Mishma", "Dumah", "Massa",
"Hadad", "Tema", "Jetur", "Naphish", "Kademah".
Ill
Insert these names in your map.

1 26 The Book of Genesis
135—136
ABRAHAM, THE NATIONAL HERO

Abraham was unquestionably a great man of un
bounded loyalty and noble character. He stood some
very severe tests. His nobility, magnanimity, cour
age, usefulness, and splendid faith made him a man
who was truly human, but who upheld and exhibited
the best traditions of friendship with God. His
character reflects in many ways the age in which he
lived; which, generally speaking, was an ideal for all
time. He demonstrated the power of a life in fellow
ship with God. Analyse the character of Abraham
and state the constituent elements of his greatness.
Re-read his life with this in view.
II
Why do men as a rule idealize the dead ? Does the
primitive tendency to ancestor worship in part ex
plain this? Is the tendency to idealize men of the
past beneficial in its effect upon the race? What
would be the effect if all the iniquity of the past were
remembered? Is Shakespeare right when he says,
"The evil that men do lives after them; the good is
oft interred with their bones" ? Cite some illustra
tions from Greek, Roman, English, and American
history of idealized national heroes. Why are they
often thought of as descendants of the gods?

Patriarchal History 127
III
Do the portraits of national heroes exert good in
fluence upon peoples? Compare the great heroes of
Greek mythology with those of Genesis. Are the
differences due to the peculiar genius of each race, or
in part to the influence exerted by the ideals thus
concretely presented upon each succeeding genera
tion ? Is it probable that in the character of Abraham
the traditional father of the Hebrew race was ideal
ized? Is it possible that teachers of Israel fostered
this tendency that they might in this concrete and
effective way impress their great teachings upon their
race? If so, does it decrease or enhance the value
and authority of these stories?
137—139
PERMANENT VALUE OF THE ABRAHAM
NARRATIVES
Answer and discuss all the following questions and points
very fully. I
Whether Abraham was an historical character or
not may never be susceptible of absolute proof. The
permanent and universal value of the stories about
him, however, lies in the great moral principles which
they vividly and effectively illustrate. The portrait
of Abraham was an inspiring example to hold up
before a race. The characteristics of Abraham can

1 28 The Book of Genesis
be traced in the ideals and character of the Israelites.
They were undoubtedly an important force in develop
ing the nation. Abraham was, therefore, preemi
nently a spiritual pioneer. How far do these stories,
and especially the accounts of the covenant between
Jehovah and Abraham, embody the national and
spiritual aspirations of the race? Are the Abraham
stories of practical inspiration to the present time?
Illustrate. Discuss Abraham as a Man of Faith.
Give full references. II
What qualities in the character of Abraham are
essential to the general man of any age ? Illustrate.
How far would the Abraham of these stories succeed,
were he living in America to-day ? Discuss Abraham
as a Pioneer. Give full references.
Ill
Would Abraham be appreciated by a majority of
our citizens? Are spiritual pioneers of the type of
Abraham absolutely needed in every nation and gen
eration if the human race is to progress ? Illustrate.
Write an estimate of the life and character of Abra
ham. Give full references.

140
REVIEW
Review Studies- 128-139, and be prepared for an
examination on them. ¦

Patriarchal History 129
THE PATRIARCH JACOB
141
JACOB I
Read: Gen. 25 : 19-34; Ryle, 25 : 19-34; The Diction
ary, "Jacob".
The narratives about Jacob are compelling in the
interest they excite and remarkable as sketches of
character. The real Jacob stands out clearly. He
exhibits the strength and the weakness of his race.
The details are such as to compel the student to trace
the origin of the tribes of Israel to this one man,
Jacob. Yet there are indications in the Bible to the
effect that the Hebrews were a mixed race, and it has
been conjectured that foreign elements are repre
sented by the children of Jacob by his concubines.
Where was the story of Jacob's courtship told? Dis
cuss the name Paddan-aram. What are the indica
tions in verse twenty-three that we are reading tribal
history ? II
How did Jacob secure the rights of a first-born son ?
Describe the "birthright". Write a note on the
phrase, "so Esau despised Ms birthright".
Ill
Read: Ryle, "Special Note on 25:26", pp. 272/.
Outline the life of Jacob as given in the Dictionary.

1 30 The Book of Genesis
142
ESAU

Read: The Dictionary, "Esau", "Edom".
The contrast between Esau and Jacob embodied
that which existed for a long time between the Edom-
ites and the Israelites, their respective descendants.
It was the difference between a settled, agricultural
people, and a roving, nomadic people. The former
developed carefulness and prudence; the latter lived
from day to day. Make a further study of the con
trasts between Esau and Jacob. Illustrate fully.
II
WMch on the whole is the more attractive, Esau or
Jacob ? What noble virtues did Esau possess ? What
was his great fault? Why is it that men of the type
of Esau often become criminals ?
in
Give the character of Esau as interpreted in the
New Testament. Discuss it.

Patriarchal History 1 3 1
143—144
ISAAC IN PHILISTIA

Read: Gen. 26; Ryle, 26.
The whole story in this chapter and its details are
so similar to that about Abraham's experiences in
Philistia that it has been thought that this is not an
independent narrative. If that be not so, how do you
explain the presence of the name Abimelech? De
scribe Isaac's prosperity in Philistia. Give the names
of Isaac's wells, with their meanings. What pious
act did Isaac do at Beersheba? Who was present
with Abimelech when the treaty was made with Isaac ?
How many wives had Esau? Name them. Com
ment upon verse thirty-five ?
II
Why has Isaac been called a patriarch without a
history? What were the three revelations to Abra
ham concerning the child of promise? In what re
spects of life and character did Isaac differ from his
father, Abraham, and his son, Jacob? Describe the
land where Isaac lived. What was the great problem
of his life? What were Isaac's trials and sorrows?
Ill
Make a detailed comparison between the events of
Isaac's life and those that were similar in that of his
father. What are your conclusions?

1 32 The Book of Genesis
145—147
THE BLESSING OF ISAAC AND JACOB'S
DECEIT

Read : Gen. 27 : 1-45 ; Ryle, 27 : 1-45 ; The Dictionary,
"Haran".
Re-read tMs beautifully written narrative which so
well exhibits the cleverness and far-sightedness of
Jacob, and his readiness to gratify his ambition even
in a dishonourable way. Note that the Oriental
thought a great deal more of the power of a blessing
than do Western peoples. Rebekah wanted to be sure
that Jacob did not lose anything, and the steps she
took to deceive her husband were wholly discreditable
from our point of view. However, neither Jacob nor
his mother attempted to justify themselves. But the
sin did not remain unpunished, for a train of bitter
consequences ensued. Jacob was punished by exile
from home, and Rebekah never again saw the face of
her beloved son for whom she had sacrificed so much.
What did the dying Isaac wish to do for his eldest
son? How did Rebekah enable Jacob to benefit by
this desire? What shows that Jacob was fully re
sponsible for the deceit? What promises did the
blessing convey? What were the consequences for
Esau? What serious consequences resulted for
Jacob ? Comment on verses seven, eight, twenty, and
twenty-eight.

Patriarchal History 1 33
II
What was the nature of Jacob's ambition? An
swer carefully. How did it differ from that of Abra
ham? What methods did he use to achieve his
ambition? Were these methods justifiable? May
Jacob's action be excused because he was acting under
the direction of his mother? Discuss fully the ex
pression, "The end justifies the means". Comment
on verses twenty-nine and thirty.
Ill
Does a man with a selfish ambition injure others?
Does he injure himself? Illustrate. Was Jacob a
stronger and more promising character than Esau?
Why ? Would it be preferable to have a son of strong
character with vicious tendencies, or a weakling with
harmless and virtuous inclinations? Discuss and
illustrate fully. Read verses thirty-four to thirty-
eight again. Comment on their style and contents.
Interpret the phrase, "of the fatness of the earth", in
verse tMrty-nine. Write notes on verses forty, forty-
one, and forty-five. Describe the custom of blood-
revenge.
148
REVIEW
Review Studies 141-147, and be prepared for an
examination on them.

1 34 The Book of Genesis
149—150
JACOB'S TRIP TO PADDAN-ARAM
I
Read : Gen. 27 : 46—28 : 9 ; Ryle, 27 : 46—28 : 9 ; the
Book of Ruth; The Dictionary, "Ruth".
Notice that this story comes from the source P.
In later Judaism, there were those who believed that
Jews should not marry with non-Jews. On the other
hand, there were many who believed that such a
procedure was perfectly legitimate. The writer of
this story evidently had a horror of mixed marriages.
Rebekah bids Jacob go to Paddan-aram to her own
family, to seek a wife. He was advised to marry his
cousin. Esau seeing this determines to be partic
ularly pleasing to his father and marries a paternal
cousin, Mahalath, the daughter of Ishmael, Abra
ham's son. The beautiful story of Ruth was written
not far from the time when P was compiled, and by a
Jew who believed in intermarriage with foreigners.
II
Put the story of Ruth in your own words. De
scribe the purpose of the book. Put Ruth 1 : 16-17 in
verse form. What was the attitude of Ezra and
Nehemiah toward mixed marriages?
Ill
Write a full paper on the religious value to the
Hebrew, and the present religious value, of the Book
of Ruth.

Patriarchal History 1 35
151
JACOB'S DREAM
I
Read: Gen. 28: 10-17; Ryle, 28: 10-17.
The story of Jacob's vision is one of the most im
pressive and suggestive in any religious literature.
It is full of religious meaning. Jacob had left his
home at Beersheba, and was now far away from the
country of his god. He believed this to be so, for
each country had its own god. But Jacob's dream
assured him that his god was ever with him, would
protect and guide him in all his ways. What did
Jacob dream on the first night of his journey ? What
comforting promises were made to him? In what
does the promise consist? In what did his blessing
consist? Interpret the phrase, "how dreadful", in
verse seventeen. What important discovery about
God did Jacob make? II
What New Testament passage explains Jacob's
ladder, and who preached a great sermon on it ? What
great hymn was suggested by this story ? What name
did Jacob give to the place of his vision? What is
the religious significance of that name ?
Ill
Write a paper on Jacob's dream, interpreting it in
the terms of conversion.

1 36 The Book of Genesis
152—154
THE SANCTUARY

Read : Gen. 28 : 18-19 ; Ryle, 28 : 18-19 ; The Diction
ary, "Luz", "Bethel", "Temple".
The Hebrew idea of the origin of one of their
most sacred sanctuaries is preserved in this narra
tive. Its existence began as a memorial of Jacob's
religious experience. But according to Gen. 12 : 8
the place had already sacred associations. We see
here also the first reference in Genesis to a "house of
God", an institution which played a very important
part in the development of Judaism. Make a full
outline of the history of the temple. Describe the
service of the Temple. II
Read: The Dictionary, "Pillar", "High Place".
Trace the growth of the early Hebrew sanctuary.
Ill
Read: The Dictionary, "Synagogue". Write a
paper to Bhow its relation to the Temple. Describe
the service of the Synagogue.

Patriarchal History 1 37
155
JACOB'S VOW
I
Read: Gen. 28:20-22; Ryle, 28:20-22.
What do you think of the bargain which Jacob sug
gested with God? Is it characteristic of Jacob?
Write notes on verses twenty-one and twenty-two.
II
Read: The Dictionary, "Vows". Discuss the rela
tion between a covenant and a vow.
Ill
Write a paper on the Vow in the Old Testament.
156
REVIEW
Review Studies 149-155, and be prepared for an
examination on them. 157-158
JACOB IN HARAN
I
Read : Gen. 29 : 1-30 ; Ryle, 29 : 1-30 ; The Dictionary,
"Rachel", "Leah".
In this story of Jacob's new adventure, note the

138 The Book °f Genesis
role played by the well. Whom did Jacob meet at the
well ? Interpret the relationsMp referred to in verse
twelve. What agreement did Laban make with Jacob
in reference to Rachel? How long did Jacob serve
for Rachel? Describe an Oriental marriage feast.
What was Laban's reason for demanding that Jacob
marry Leah first? What is the Hebrew law about
marriage with two sisters simultaneously?
II
Read: The Dictionary, "Zilpah", "Bilhah". Make
a detailed comparison between Rachel and Leah,
Jacob and Laban. Ill
Describe the meeting of Jacob and Rachel. Was
Laban's explanation to Jacob plausible, and what
good point in Jacob's character comes out here?
State some of the evils of polygamy? What relation
does the form of marriage bear to the development
of society ? Illustrate.

159—162
JACOB'S CHILDREN I
Read: Gen. 29:31—30:24; Ryle, 29:31—30:24;
The Dictionary, "Reuben", "Simeon", "Levi",

Patriarchal History 1 39
"Judah", "Dan", "Naphtali", "Gad", "Asher",
"Issaehar", "Zebulun", "Dinah".
Learn the names of the children of Jacob. Which
were born in Haran, and wMch in Canaan? Who
were the children of Leah, Rachel, Zilpah, and Bil
hah? Interpret verse two. What is the meaning of
the phrase, £fbear upon my knees" ? Interpret verse
fourteen. What was the name of Jacob's daughter ?
II
Write a short biography of each of Jacob's first
eleven children, with full interpretation and mean
ing of their names. Ill
Read: The Dictionary^ "Tribes of Israel". Write
a paper on the personal and tribal interpretation of
the children of Israel.

163
JACOB'S WAGES

Read: Gen. 30:25-43; Ryle, 30:25-43.
Describe in full how Jacob outwitted Laban. What
is the meaning of "righteousness" in verse thirty-
three? What is the scientific explanation of Jacob's

1 40 The Book °f Genesis
artifice? Note the grim humour running through
these stories. II
Jacob's transgression led him into great difficulties
of physical and mental experience. Are there any
other ways in which men of this type can be led to
appreciate that their ambitions are wrong? Was
Laban any more unjust or tricky in his dealings with
Jacob than Jacob had been with Esau, or than Jacob
was with Laban ? Ill
Why should divine favour and care shield a selfish
deceiver from the consequences of his misdeeds ? Do
we find such instances to-day? How do you explain
them? What promising elements did God find in
Jacob's character? What practical lesson did Jacob
learn in Haran ? Was Jacob a conscious hypocrite ?
Study and analyze Sunday and week-day religious
conduct.

164
THE FLIGHT OF JACOB
Read: Gen. 31 : 1-21 ; Ryle, 31 : 1-21 ; The Dictionary,
"Images".
Read verses twenty-five to thirty-one of the last
chapter again and note the differences. Notice the
difference between verses three and ten as to the way

Patriarchal History 141
in wMch Jacob communed with God. What is the
title of God in verse thirteen? Explain it. What
were the teraphim ? II
How did Jacob justify his sudden departure ? Why
did Rachel steal the teraphim? Read: The Diction
ary, page 412 (9), and page 569 (e). How were
these images used in divination ?
Ill
Read: The Dictionary, "Euphrates", "Gilead".
Map out Jacob's journey since he left Canaan.

165
THE PURSUIT AND COVENANT

Read : Gen. 31 : 22-55 ; Ryle, 31 : 22-55 ; The Diction
ary, "Jegar-sahadutha", "Galeed".
When and where did Laban overtake Jacob ? What
was Jehovah's purpose in his warning to Laban?
What is the character of Laban's reproach? What
was Jacob's reply to Laban's questions? Comment
on verse thirty-six. Analyze Jacob's protest. De
scribe the ritual of the covenant between Laban and
Jacob.

1 42 The Book of Genesis
II
How did Jacob get the start of Laban? What
kept Laban from killing Jacob? Cite the passage
that shows the hardness of Jacob's life in Haran?
What were the terms of the covenant ?
Ill
Discuss the phrase, "the Fear of Isaac". What
deities were invoked in the treaty? Read: The
Dictionary, "Mizpah". What is its use in this

166
REVIEW
Review Studies 157-165, and be prepared for an
examination on them.

167
THE APPROACH OF ESAU AND
JACOB'S PRESENT

Read: Gen. 32:1-21; Ryle, 32:1-21; Ps. 34:7; II
Kings 6:17.
What assurance of safety did God give Jacob in

Patriarchal History 1 43
view of his apprehended trouble in meeting Esau?
What name did Jacob give to the place, and why?
Cite a passage in the Psalms on this subject, and an
incident in the life of Elisha. What plan did Jacob
adopt for meeting his brother? What report did the
messengers make to Jacob? What was Jacob's re
quest, and how did he cooperate in bringing it
about? What present did he send Esau, and what
was the plan of presentation? II
Outline Jacob's prayer. What evidence is there of
an altered disposition on the part of Jacob? What
are the elements of power in his prayer ? Read : The
Dictionary, "Mahanaim", "Seir".
Ill
Write a paper on the idea and purpose of prayer.

168
JACOB'S WRESTLING I
Read: Gen. 32: 22-32; Ryle, 32: 22-32.
Read this passage again and outline it. Write a
note on the phrase, "there wrestled a man". Com
ment on verse twenty-eight. What was the Hebrew
belief about seeing God? Write a note on verse

1 44 The Book of Genesis
thirty-two. Upon what points does the religious
significance of the story turn ? What is the religious
teaching of the story? What new name was given
to Jacob, and why? What matchless hymn was
suggested by this event in Jacob's life ?
II
Analyze Jacob's power with God and his power
with men. Cite several instances in Scripture of the
change of name and the justification for such change.
Read: The Dictionary, "Jabbok", "Penuel".
Ill
Read: The Dictionary, "Conscience". What part
did Jacob's conscience play in this story ?

169
THE MEETING OF JACOB AND ESAU

Read : Gen. 33 : 1-20 ; Ryle, 33 : 1-20 ; The Dictionary,
"Succoth".
Write an outline of this event. Explain the various
points of Oriental ritual in this story. Comment on
the phrase, "as one seeth the face of God". What
was the idea of the gift ? Where is Succoth ?

Patriarchal History 1 45
II
How did Jacob shield Rachel from danger in this
plan of meeting Esau? What was the effect upon
Esau of Jacob's attitude? How did Jacob evade
Esau's proposal to accompany him on the journey?
Read: The Dictionary, "Hamor". Interpret the
name El-elohe-Israel. Ill
Read : The Dictionary, "Peace", and write a paper
on family and national peace. 170
THE STORY OF DINAH

Read: Gen. 34; Ryle, 34.
Enumerate the difficulties presented by this chap
ter, and discuss them. What did Jacob demand as
the price of marriage relationship between his people
and the Shechemites? Cite the dying testimony of
Jacob relative to this incident. II
How does the Biblical writer appear to justify
Jacob's deed of treachery ? What condition must be
considered in studying such a story as this? Would
we justify Jacob's act ? Why ?

1 46 The Book of Genesis
III
Compare the characters of Jacob and Isaac. What
part of Jacob's character was inherited from his
father? What part may be attributed to divine
discipline ? 171
JACOB AT BETHEL
I
Read: Gen. 35:1-15; Ryle, 35:1-15.
Jacob now goes and makes his home at Bethel,
where he erected an altar and sacrificed to God. He
commands his household to put away all strange gods.
Who were these gods? What was the "great terror"
which seized the people ? What was another name of
Bethel? What is the meaning of El-beth-el? Der
scribe the ceremony at the setting up of the "pillar
of stone". Who was Deborah? II
Compare Gen. 35 : 9-15 with 28 : 10-22. Make a
detailed statement. Explain the names "Israel" and
"Bethel". Ill
Making use of the article, "Sacrifice and Offering",
in the Dictionary, write a paper on the significance
of the drink offering mentioned in verse fourteen.
What is the significance of the use of oil ?

Patriarchal History 147
172
BENJAMIN

Read: Gen. 35 : 16-29 ; Ryle, 35 : 16-29 ; The Diction
ary, "Benjamin", "Eder".
Where did Rachel die and where was Benjamin
born? What is the meaning of Ben-oni? What is
the meamng of Benjamin ? Where is Eder and with
what has it been identified? Where did Jacob go
from Ephrath? What important event happened
there ? II
Read : The Dictionary, "Bethlehem". Write a short
history of the city. Ill
Write a paper on the fortunes of the tribe of
Benjamin.

173
REVIEW
Review Studies 167-172, and be prepared for an
examination on them.

1 48 The Book of Genesis
174-178
JACOB THE AMBITIOUS
Answer and discuss the following questions and points
very fully.

All history witnesses to the power of accomplish
ment in the combination of ambition and perseverance.
Such examples as Cyrus, Caesar, and Napoleon illus
trate this. But a nobler power of accomplishment
results from consecrated ambition and perseverance.
Compare Livingston. What was the nature of Jacob's
ambition? Would you call Jacob a truly religious
man, according to his light and training, or were Ms
religious professions only hypocritical ? May he have
been sincere, but have had a wrong conception of
religion? What is hypocrisy? Did Jacob's faith in
Jehovah, in the end, prove the strongest force in Ms
life? Is there any trace, in his later years, of the
selfish ambition which earlier dominated him ? What
are Ms chief interests in the later part of his life?
Did he become the strong and noble character that
he might have been had he from the first been guided
by a worthy ambition? Were the misfortunes that
came to him in old age due largely to his own faults
reappearing in the characters of Ms sons? Are a
man's motives or his acts the determinants of Ms
character? Describe and illustrate the danger of a
low ambition. Compare ambition and inertia. What

Patriarchal History 1 49
is the value of ambition ? How far was Jacob's ambi
tion inspired by his mother? Give instances from
history where the mother has been the source of noble
ambition. What part does a teacher play in the in
spiration of noble ambition? Illustrate. What r61e
may the true pastor play? Illustrate. Of what
value is biographical reading? Mention some that
you consider helpful. Illustrate all this by the life
of our Lord. II
Does a man without ambition develop or achieve
anything really great ? What percentage of the people
you know really think out and plan their life ? What
proportion drift or are led? Is mental and moral
inertia the cMef support of the corrupt political boss ?
What proportion of voters of whom you know actually
study and appreciate the issues in each election?
What proportion of the members of your church are
really intelligent worshippers? What are the chief
ambitions that stir men to action? Mention some
great characters and say what their ambitions were.
Was there a common element running through their
ambitions? Are ambitions to service limited to
geniuses ? Hlustrate. Ill
Make a serious study of the psychological connec
tion between Ambition, Habits, Character, and Public
Life.

1 50 77ie Book of Genesis
179
CHIEFS OF EDOM
I
Read : Gen. 36 : 1-30 ; Ryle, 36 : 1-30.
Divide these verses into sections. Compare the
list of Esau's wives in this chapter with that in 26 : 34
and 28 : 9. How do you explain the difference ? Why
did Esau move from Canaan to Seir ? Write a note
on verse fifteen. Comment on verse twenty-four.
II
Write notes on the following names : Eliphaz, Reuel,
Korah, Seir, Teman, Kenaz. Ill
Read: The Dictionary, "Horites". Explain fully
who they were. 180-181
KINGS OF EDOM
I
Read: Gen. 36:31-43; Ryle 36:31-43; Book of
Obadiah; The Dictionary, "Obadiah, Book of".
Name the kings of Edom. Read again the Diction-

Patriarchal History 1 5 1
ary,"Edom", and put in the form of a short Mstory
all you know about Edom. What bearing has verse
thirty-one upon the history of Israel and its chro
nology? II
Write, full notes on the following names: Bela,
Beor, Bozrah, Hadad, Hadar. Ill
Read Obadiah and Nahum again and compare their
spirit and religious teaching.

182
REVIEW
Review Studies 174-181, and be prepared for an
examination on them.

THE STORY OF JOSEPH

183
JOSEPH

Read: Gen. 37: 1-4; Ryle 37: 1-4; The Dictionary,
"Joseph". TMs section of the Book of Genesis contains a
story unsurpassed in any literature for vividness,
pathos, delineation of character, and dramatic force.
The story aims at showing how God's ruling provi
dence guided Joseph from first to last. Comment on
verses two and three. II
Make a detailed outline of the life of Joseph.
Ill
Collect all Old Testament material about Joseph
outside the Book of Genesis.

155

1 56 The Book °f Genesis
184
JOSEPH'S DREAMS
I
Read : Gen. 37 : 5-11 ; Ryle, 37 : 5-11.
Make an outline of Joseph's dreams. How were
they interpreted by his brothers ? Were his brethren
justified in their hatred of him ? Comment on verses
ten and eleven. II
Read : The Dictionary, "Envy". Discuss this vice
and illustrate it from the Old Testament.
Ill
Discuss the place of dreams in Oriental religious
thought, and in universal experience.
185-186
JOSEPH IS SOLD
I
Read : Gen. 37 : 12-35 ; Ryle, 37 : 12-35.
Joseph must have proved himself very trying to his
brothers. He was youthful, boastful, thoughtless, and

The Story of Joseph 157
egotistical. His experience undoubtedly did him
good, and developed that nobleness and greatness
of character which we associate with him. What
were the causes or occasions of the hatred of Ms
brothers? What mistake did Joseph make? What
was the importance of his dreams of greatness?
Illustrate. What is the difference between dreams of
trae greatness and building aireastles? Illustrate.
What is the nature of ungratified envy and hate?
Cite passages from Gray's "Elegy" to illustrate.
What was the culmination of the hatred of Joseph's
brethren? What is the New Testament parallel?
What was Reuben's attitude? How did Judah's
differ ? Who took Joseph out of the pit and sold him ?
Compare the dejection of Jacob with that of Elijah,
and show wherein both were mistaken.

II
Read: The Dictionary, "Dothan". Describe the
region of Shechem. Comment upon verse twenty-two.
Describe the trade route from Gilead to Egypt. Com
ment on verse thirty-five. Note the composite char
acter of the stories in verses eighteen to thirty-six.
Discuss the phenomena and arrange the material.
Explain the confusion of names of the Midianites
and the Ishmaelites. Ill
Read: The Dictionary, "Mourning Customs".
Write a paper on the psychological aspect of mourn
ing customs.

1 58 The Book of Genesis
187
JOSEPH IN EGYPT
I
Read: Gen. 37:36; Ryle, 37:36; The Dictionary,
"Potiphar", "Pharaoh".
Write a commentary on this verse.
II
Read: Ryle, "The Tell-el-Amarna Letters", pp.
458-460; "The Habiri", pp. 460-462; "The Apuriu",
pp.462-463; "The Hyksos", pp. 467-468.
Ill
Write a paper on the Habiri and the Hyksos.
188
JUDAH AND TAMAR
I
Read : Gen. 38 ; Ryle, 38 ; The Dictionary, "Tamar".
Write a paper on the tribal meaning of this chapter.
What was Jacob's beginning in the downward course
of sin?

The Story of Joseph 1 59
II
Read : The Dictionary, "Marriage, § 4". Discuss
the "levirate" law.

Ill
In view of the possible tribal interpretations of this
chapter, illustrate it by reference to the terms used
by Hosea and Isaiah in describing Israel's unfaith
fulness to Jehovah.

189
REVIEW
Review Studies 183-188, and be prepared for an
examination on them.

190
JOSEPH'S PROSPERITY, TEMPTATION,
AND IMPRISONMENT I
Read: Gen. 39; Ryle, 39.
Here the story of Joseph is resumed from 37: 35.
By whom was Joseph first purchased ? To what office

1 60 The Book of Genesis
of trust did he rise ? What is the motif of this story ?
Comment on verse twenty. II
When Joseph was committed to prison how did he
fare ? Explain the use of Elohim as the name of God
in verse nine. Ill
Read: The Dictionary, "Egypt, §2, Egypt in the
Bible". Write a short paper on this subject.

191-193
JOSEPH AS INTERPRETER OF DREAMS

Read: Gen. 40; Ryle, 40; Book of Daniel 1-4; The
Dictionary, "Daniel, Book of", "Cup-bearer".
Give in your own words the dreams of the butler and
the baker and Joseph's interpretation. What was thp
Egyptian estimate of dream-interpretatdons ? WhM
was Joseph's ? Comment on the pMase, "lift up thine
head". Comment on the phrase, "the land of the
Hebrews". Write a note on verses nineteen and
twenty. State in your own words the dreams which
DaMel interpreted. What was their teaching?

The Story of Joseph 161
II
Write a paper on the characters of Joseph and
Daniel as dream-interpreters. Compare and contrast
their characters. Ill
Read verse thirty-three of this chapter and St. Luke
17:11-19. Write a paper on gratitnide.
194-196
THE PHARAOH'S DREAM

Read : Gen. 41 : 1-36 ; Ryle, 41 : 1-36 ; The Diction
ary, "Magic, Divination, and Sorcery".
Put in your own words the two dreams of the
pharaoh. What is Joseph's interpretation ? Why are
there two dreams? What policy did Joseph suggest
to the pharaoh ? Define and give examples of Magic,
Divination, and Sorcery. II
Write a paper on Joseph's idea of God, based upon
this and previous parts of the E Source.
Ill
Write a paper on Magic and Religion.

1 62 The Book of Genesis
197
REVIEW
Review Studies 190-196, and be prepared for an
examination on them. 198-199
JOSEPH AS GRAND VIZIER

Read: Gen. 41:37-46; Ryle, 41:37-46; The Dic
tionary, "Egypt, § 3, Religion".
Such sudden appointment to almost unlimited
authority is possible only in an autocratically gov
erned state. It is impossible to say with certainty
under which of the pharaohs of Egypt Joseph became
Grand Vizier. The most likely period was the later
part of the Eighteenth Dynasty, or the Tell-el-
Amarna period. How did the pharaoh signalize
Joseph's appointment as Grand Vizier ? Comment on
verse forty-three. What was the Egyptian idea of
god? II
Read: The Dictionary, "Asenath", "Potiphera",
"On". Write a paper on verse forty-six, and the
chronology of Genesis.

The Story of Joseph 1 63
III
Write a paper on Egyptian religious ideas.
200
YEARS OF PLENTY AND YEARS OF
FAMINE I
Read : Gen. 41 : 47-49, 53-57 ; Ryle, 41 : 47-49, 53-57.
Would modem students of economics approve of the
way in which Joseph aggrandized his royal master?
What was the Hebrew writer's point of view ? Do not
the ethics of such a precedure vary with the era and
circumstances ? II
Put in your own words the story of the way in
which Joseph provided for the needs of the people
and increased the power of the king. What was the
condition of Egypt as a result of Joseph's foresight?
Ill
Read : Ryle, "Illustrations of Narratives in Gene
sis from Egyptian Antiquities", "The Egyptian
Grand Vizier", pp. 468-471.

1 64 The Book of Genesis
201
JOSEPH'S SONS
I
Read: Gen. 41:51-52; Ryle, 41:51-52; The Dic
tionary, "Manasseh", "Ephraim". II
Write a biography of Manasseh and Ephraim.
Ill
Discuss Manasseh and Ephraim as tribes and draw
a map of Palestine, locating them.
202
JOSEPH'S BRETHREN IN EGYPT
I
Read : Gen. 42 : 1-26 ; Ryle, 42 : 1-26.
This is one of the most interesting and dramatic
stories in the Bible. There is a famine in the land
of Canaan, and Jacob sends his sons to Egypt to buy
corn. He does not permit Benjamin to go, lest
"mischief befall him". Now Joseph is governor
in Egypt. And when Ms brethren come, and appeal

The Story of Joseph 1 65
to Mm for permission to buy corn, Joseph recognizes
them, but they do not know him. He accordingly
accuses them of espionage, but they protest their
innocence. How is the question to be settled ? Com
ment on verses seven, fifteen, and eighteen.
II
Study the workings of the consciences of the breth
ren of Joseph. What direction do you find here for
a study of conviction? What was the second step of
Joseph in convicting them of sin?
Ill
Write a paper on verse twenty-three.

203
THE RETURN TO CANAAN

Read: Gen. 42: 27-38; Ryle, 42: 27-38.
Compare the report that Joseph's brethren made to
their father with their conversation with Joseph.
Comment on verse twenty-eight. Who is the leader
in this narrative ? II
What was Jacob's reply to the report of his sons?
What lessons may one leam from it? Illustrate.

1 66 The Book of Genesis
What was Reuben's proposition? What was Jacob's
reply? Who finally prevailed with Jacob, and how?
Ill
Write a paper on the moral of this first part of the
story.

204
REVIEW
Review Studies 198-20.3, and be prepared for an
examination on them.

205
THE SECOND VISIT TO EGYPT
I
Read: Gen. 43; Ryle, 43.
Read verses four and eight. What was the motive
for going to Egypt a second time ? What do you think
of the courage and loyalty of these men? Comment
on verses sixteen, twenty-three, twenty-nine, tMrty,
and thirty-two. II
What evidence is there of the workings of con
viction on the return of the brothers to Egypt ? How

The Story of Joseph 1 67
does the verse from Hamlet, "The lady protests too
much, I think", illustrate this point? Describe the
meeting of Joseph and his brother Benjamin. Why
did Joseph not eat with them?

Ill
Read: The Dictionary, "Gift". Discuss verse
eleven.

206
THE DIVINING CUP

Read : Gen. 44 : 1-17 ; Ryle, 44 : 1-17.
Describe the art of the story as illustrated in verse
four. What penalty do the brothers propose for the
culprit? How does Joseph mitigate it? Comment
on verse twelve. Who is conscience-stricken, and
why? II
Describe the way in which Joseph tests the loyalty
of the brethren to Benjamin. What evidence of
conviction is found here? What is the advantage
of this principle to criminal lawyers? Illustrate.

1 68 The Book of Genesis

III

Write a paper on the method of learning God's will
in the Book of Genesis.

207
JUDAH'S INTERCESSION I
Read: Gen. 44: 18-34; Ryle, 44: 18-34.
Make a full outline of Judah's speech, and indicate
new elements in it. Describe the quality of the speech.
Comment on verse twenty. What offer does Judah
make? II
What is your estimate of Judah's speech ? Compare
this speech with that of Jeanie Dean in Scott's Heart
of Midlothian. In what does the power of Judah's
speech consist? Ill
Mention and describe at least four passages of great
pathos in the Old Testament,

The Story of Joseph 1 69
208-210
JOSEPH REVEALS HIMSELF

Read: Gen. 45: 1-28; Ryle 45: 1-28; The Diction
ary, "Providence".
What invitation did Joseph send back to Canaan?
How was it confirmed by the pharaoh? Comment
on verse twenty-four. How, do you think, did his
sons explain to Jacob Joseph's return to life? Who
sent Joseph into Egypt, and what part of the divine
government is most strikingly illustrated in the his
tory of Joseph? Illustrate. What is divine provi
dence? Discuss fully and illustrate.
II
Read: The Dictionary, "Predestination". Write
a paper on Predestination and Free Will in the Old
Testament. Ill
Read: The Dictionary, "Goshen". Draw a map
of Egypt, and, having read the first chapters of
Exodus, insert all names which concern the history of
Hebrews in Egypt.

1 70 The Book of Genesis
211-212
JACOB'S DESCENT INTO EGYPT

Read : Gen. 46 ; Ryle, 46.
The list of this chapter with its total of seventy
people seems very small. But it evidently takes
account of heads of families only and overlooks the
women and dependents. With what buoyant hopes
did Jacob and his family start for Egypt? Whence
did they start? What did Jacob do prior to his leav
ing Ms home? Describe his vision. Who was to
accompany Jacob and his family? Comment on the
phrase, "every shepherd is an abomination unto the
Egyptians". Show the interplay of human passion,
the natural causes, and name the actors who played
any part in this story. How do you explain the
two totals of sixty-six and seventy in this chapter?
How do you explain the numbers in 46 : 26-27, 15, 18,
22, 25, and Acts 7:14? II
What are the scriptural expressions of Jacob's
sorrow? How did the news that Joseph was alive
affect Jacob? How was he assured in this matter?
Describe the meeting of Joseph and Jacob. Illustrate
it from the Gospels. What part of the country did
Joseph secure for his brothers, and what were its

The Story of Joseph 1 7 1
advantages? Account for the favour shown Jacob
in Egypt. Ill
Classify the names of "the children of Israel".
Write a short note on each name.

213-214
JACOB AND JOSEPH IN EGYPT
I
Read: Gen. 47; Ryle 47.
Note how verses five and six interrupt the sequence
of the narrative. What is the meaning of the phrase,
"Jacob blessed Pharaoh"? Comment on verses
seventeen, twenty-two, twenty-four, and twenty-six.
Discuss verse thirty-one. How were the Hebrews
received by the pharaoh? What evidence of the
sincerity of Ms words is to be found? What New
Testament evidences are there that Jacob correctly
represented his life as a pilgrimage? In what
famous allegory is this idea immortalized? Compare
the beginning and end of Jacob's life with those of
Solomon's life. II
How old was Jacob when he stood before the
pharaoh? How does his age compare with that of

1 72 The Book of Genesis
other patriarchs ? What is the evidence that Ms days
were full of evil ? Give a detailed account of Jacob's
troubles. What characteristics of old age were ex
emplified in Jacob? What was the dying request?
Read : The Dictionary, "Rameses", and write a note
on it. Ill
What ancient Jews became powerful in the affairs
of foreign governments ? Give modern illustrations.
Describe Joseph's administration. What are agrarian
laws? Illustrate. How does Joseph's administration
in Egypt compare with other similar administrations ?
215
REVIEW
Review studies 205-214, and be prepared for an
examination on them. 216-219
JACOB BLESSES EPHRAIM AND
MANASSEH I
Read: Gen. 48; Ryle, 48; The Dictionary, "Re
deemer, "Redemption", "Atonement", "Propitia
tion", "Reconciliation", "Salvation".
Describe in detail the manner in which Jacob

The Story of Joseph 1 73
thwarted the purpose of Joseph to give Manasseh the
greater blessing. What did Jacob mean by saying that
the two sons of Joseph should be called by his name?
What is meant by Jacob in the expression, "I have
given to thee one portion above thy brethren" ? Ex
plain in this connection Hebrews 11 : 21. Write a
note on the idea of Redemption in the Old Testament.
II
Write a commentary on verse seven. Interpret
verses eight and twelve. What was considered to be
the nature and power of Jacob's blessing? Analyze
Jacob's invocation. Write a commentary on verse
twenty-two. Write a paper on the idea of Salvation
in the Old Testament. Ill
Write a thesis on the idea of Atonement in the
Old Testament.

220-222
THE BLESSING OF JACOB
I
Read : Gen. 49 : 1-27 ; Ryle, 49 : 1-27.
There is reason to suppose that the ancient tradition
regarding the patriarch's blessing was put into its

1 74 The Book of Genesis
present poetical form as early, at any rate, as the
time of David. In the poem we have a striking series
of characterizations of the different tribes. They had
varied fortunes. Some prospered, some had serious
reverses, some became preeminent, and some barely
existed. What was the element of weakness in Reu
ben's character ? How is it illustrated in II St. Peter
2 : 17 and St. Jude 12-13 ? How does the Blessing
of Moses brighten the fate of Reuben's posterity?
Why did Jacob take Simeon and Levi together?
What was the penalty for their sins and when was it
fulfilled? How does Moses brighten the prospects
of Levi? How were the several elements of the
birthright forfeited by Reuben distributed among his
brethren ? How did Levi's descendants regain a great
distinction? Where did Jacob's Blessing locate
Zebulun? To what is Issachar likened? What does
the Blessing of Moses say about Zebulun and
Issachar ? How does Jacob characterize Dan ? What
is the meaning? How was this justified in later his
tory ? What use was made of "Dan" by, and in con
nection with, the Mormons ? What does the Blessing
of Moses say about Gad? What special gift should
characterize the sons of Naphtali? On which son
came the richest blessing? Write a note on the spirit
of Jacob. II
Put in your own words Jacob's characterization of
each tribe, commenting fully upon their virtues and
vices. Write a full commentary on verse ten. In
what sense is the verse Messianic ?

The Story of Joseph 1 75
HI
Make a full detailed comparison and contrast be
tween Gen. 49 and Deut. 33. Put your work in
tabular form with comments as footnotes.

223
THE DEATH OF JACOB

Read: Gen. 49:28-33; Ryle, 49:28-33.
Read the Blessing of Jacob again and the Blessing
of Moses in Deut. 33 and say in what sense these
twelve names are men and in what sense they are
tribes. II
Write a paper on the turning points in the life of
Jacob.
HI
Describe the life of Jacob as an old man, emphasiz
ing his religious traits. 224
REVIEW
Review Studies 216-223, and be prepared for an
examination on them.

1 76 The Book of Genesis
225
DEATH OF JOSEPH

Read: Gen. 50; Ryle, 50.
In this last chapter of the Book of Genesis the
mourning for Jacob and his burial in the land of
Canaan is described. This is followed by an inter
view between Joseph and his brothers in which their
fear, that Joseph may avenge their wrong to him
now that Jacob is dead, is allayed. Finally, the death
of Joseph is recorded. Describe the funeral of Jacob.
Read: The Dictionary, "Machir".
II
Describe in full the last days of Joseph. What
prophecy did Joseph make at his death? What
promise did Joseph demand before his death ?
Ill
Write a paper on the state of the brethren's mind
as revealed by verses fifteen to twenty-one.
226
IMPERFECTIONS OF JOSEPH'S BOYHOOD

What are the handicaps of extreme poverty and
those of excessive wealth? Which are probably the

The Story of Joseph 1 77
greater? Where would you place Joseph? What
reveals Joseph's own estimate of himself ? How did
Jacob favor Joseph? What probably suggested this
estimate? What was necessary to transform these
ambitions ?

II
Was Joseph to blame for his brothers' hatred
toward him ? Were they justified in what they did ?
What result had this on Joseph's temperament?
How may one meet misfortune ?
Ill
Is the chief difference between successful and
unsuccessful men the ability to see and seize oppor
tunities? Illustrate fully.

227
JOSEPH'S OPPORTUNITY

Egypt was the ancient land of opportunity, and
Joseph made the most of his circumstances. Was the
prosperity which attended Joseph in Egypt a mi
raculous gift or the natural consequences of his
courageous, helpful spirit and his skill in making the
best of every situation? Does man usually seek the

I 78 The Book of Genesis
place or does the place seek the man? Was it
Joseph's skill in interpreting the dreams or his wise
counsel in suggesting methods of providing for the
people during famine that gave him his position of
high trust and authority? The policy which made
the pharaoh practical owner of all the land was not
first instituted by Joseph but was already in force in
Egypt. In the thought of the prophetic narrative, was
Joseph's fiscal system regarded as evidence of his
loyalty to his master rather than disloyalty to the
interests of the people? Was the system suited to
that stage and kind of civilization? Is this a valid
argument in favor of public ownership of all land?
Give reasons for or against. II
What effect has the bearing of another's burdens on
the successful forgetting of our own burdens? Illus
trate. What relation has the observance of small
things to the accomplishment of great things?
Illustrate. Ill
Would Joseph's policy in dealing with the people of
Egypt meet with public approval to-day? Could
Joseph have succeeded as well in a republic? Does
Joseph's land policy justify the single tax? Illus
trate.

The Story of Joseph 1 79
228
THE ESSENTIALS OF SUCCESS
I
The qualities essential to success are willingness to
serve, readiness to be directed, and knowledge and
trained ability. What other qualities would you say
are essential to the highest success? Are the right
moral standards essential? How do a man's habits
affect his efficiency ? Illustrate. II
What is the relation between genius and success?
Is genius "the capacity for unlimited work"? How
would you define and illustrate genius ?
Ill
Would you say that the ultimate standard of all
real success is service? To what extent does one's
faith in God and in his fellow men determine his
ability to win success ? H'ow far are they essential to
the winning of the highest type of success ?
229
STANDARDS OF SUCCESS
I
The standard of success in America to-day is the
multi-millionaire. The standard of success in ancient

1 80 The Book of Genesis
Greece was exemplified in Leonidas and his valiant
followers at Thermopylae. Was it the character of
Jacob or of Joseph that was the standard of success
in ancient Israel? What characters in all history
seem to you the best examples of real success ? Illus
trate fully and compare each one with the characters
of Jacob and Joseph.

II
How can the majority of people of to-day be led to
accept the higher ideals of success? Compare and
contrast the achievements of Joseph, Lincoln, and
Cecil Rhodes. Ill
Discuss fully some contemporary parallels to
Joseph.

230
METHODS OF SUCCESS

The ideal method of success is to be truthful to
oneself as well as to one's fellow man. The forfeiture
of truth results in great remorse even where wealth
has been attained. Can a man succeed in business
life, in professional life, and in political life, and

The Story of Joseph 181
remain true to the principles of Christ? Illustrate
fully. What is real success? II
If the ultimate ideal in real success is service, is
there any other way in which men may obtain
success than by remaining true to Christ's principles ?
Is it true of every department of effort? Does this
principle make it possible for every man, of whatever
ability or opportiuiity, to attain real success?
Ill
Can a man who earns his own living succeed to-day
in politics and at the same time maintain his self-
respect as an independent thinker?

231
THE TEMPTATIONS OF SUCCESS

Some men are spoiled by success. They are at first
excused, by their admirers, from the ordinary moral
obligations, and then disgrace follows. Was Joseph
spoiled by his great and sudden success? Where did
the test come? Why did Joseph Mde his cup in
Benjamin's sack? Did the brothers stand the test?
What place does loyalty to humbler friends and kins-

1 82 The Book of Genesis
men take in the making of great and noble characters ?
Illustrate. II
Why is loyalty to friends and kinsmen a primary
obligation? What character does it show? Give
illustrations. What is a snob? Illustrate and
analyze the characteristics. Ill
How would you estimate Joseph's character in the
light of to-day? Of the characters, Abraham, Jacob,
and Joseph, which do you prefer, which is the
strongest, wMch is the most religious?

232
JOSEPH THE SUCCESSFUL
Answer and discuss all the following questions and points
very fully.

What caused the Hebrews to migrate to Egypt?
To what extent do economic conditions govern our
lives ? Why did the brethren of Joseph dislike Mm ?
Are such motives prevalent to-day? Consider
whether business ability and integrity of character
are certain to win wealth and honor? Write a short
life of Joseph.

The Story of Joseph 1 83
II
What was the governing religious principle of
Joseph's life? Consider whether Joseph's philosophy
of evil is satisfactory for our modern needs. If God
is the absolute ruler of the world, how may we explain
the presence of evil? Illustrate. Ill
Why are those men and women who believe in the
progress of God's Kingdom likely to become the best
citizens? What is a social dreamer? What social
reforms in your community are awaiting action?

REVIEW STUDIES

233
REVELATION AND INSPIRATION
I, II, and III
Write a paper (I), thesis (II), or essay (III) on
Revelation and Inspiration in reference to the Hebrew
people and the Old Testament. 234
TEXT, CANON, AND LITERATURE OF THE
OLD TESTAMENT

Describe the origin and development of Old Testa
ment literature. II
Discuss the growth of the idea of a canon and the
way in which the Old Testament canon grew.
187

1 88 The Book of Genesis
III
Describe with some detail the nature of the text of
the Old Testament. 235
ARCHAEOLOGY, CRITICISM, AND
SCIENCE

What is the use and abuse of archaeology in the
study of the Old Testament? Illustrate fully.
II
Describe the work and process of Pentateuchal
criticism. Ill
What is the relationship between modern science
and the Old Testament? Illustrate.

236
THE BOOK OF GENESIS
I
Put in your own words the contents of the Book of
Genesis.

Reviett> Studies 1 89
II
What are some of the great religious lessons taught
in the Book of Genesis ? Ill
Compare some of the social problems in the Book
of Genesis with similar problems of to-day.

237
GOD AND HIS KINGDOM
I
Read : The Dictionary, "Kingdom of God".
What do we understand by the term "Kingdom of
God"? What conceptions of man's moral and in
tellectual nature make possible the existence and the
development of this Kingdom ?
II
Why may we limit a study of the Kingdom of God
in pre-Christian times to Hebrew history ? How has
the Kingdom of God developed? What was the
development of Israel's conception of her Messiah ?
Ill
How can Israel's consciousness of her peculiar
relation to Jehovah be explained? How is the per-

190 The Book of Genesis
sistence of this belief through every national calamity
to be explained? To what extent does the idea of
covenant relationship govern religious life ? What do
you consider essential to the development of the
Kingdom of God?

238
MAN AS GOD'S IMAGE

Would religion be possible apart from man's con
sciousness of freedom of action? Why did the
Hebrew think himself fitted for fellowship with God ?
What is meant by personality? What distinctions
are to be made between the personal life of man and
the personal life of God? What likenesses of tem
perament, occupation, intellectual life, and moral
nature are needed to make close fellowship between
human beings? Illustrate. II
What similarities of disposition and will in God and
man are necessary to make true religion possible?
Illustrate. If God enters into fellowship with every
human being, what practical consequence follows in
man's relationship with his fellow men ?

Review Studies 191
III
Is it justifiable for the white race to refuse to
brother the other races? In what sense do we bear
the image and likeness of God? Illustrate.
239
MAN'S SIN AND HIS NEED

Where do people usually locate the golden age, in
the past or in the future ? Illustrate. Are physical
ills said to be the penalty of man's disobedience of
God? How far is this true ? What elements of per
manent value are there in the account of the origin of
pain and death? What does it teach concerning the
origin of sin? What is the opinion of the narrator
concerning the relation of knowledge to sin ?
II
What is the idea of God in the account of the Fall ?
Upon whom does the writer fix the responsibility for
the disobedience? Under what circumstances is it a
moral act to obey a command not understood?
Illustrate. Should God morally justify to us his
moral requirements ?

1 92 The Book of Genesis
III
Make a list of sins which do not involve others in
their consequences. What is the origin of our prompt
ings toward sin? Why is God morally justified in
requiring us to do his will ?

240
THE PATRIARCHS

Why may progress in religion be traced by in
dividual and social renunciations? What was the
moral effect upon the Hebrews in Canaan of Abra
ham's unhesitating obedience to Jehovah? Of Ms
generous dealing with Lot? Of his realization of
religion as a life of prayer, communion with Jehovah,
and loyalty to his will, rather than a life of merely
sacrificial feasts? Of Jacob's false and true ambi
tion? Of Joseph's strength of character and frugal
and forgiving disposition? II
To what extent was Israel's religious life shaped by
the characters of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob; and Joseph?
Illustrate fully.

Review Studies 193
III
To what extent is life, both individual and social,
governed by ideals? Why are ideals necessary to
progress ? Compare the meaning of faith to Abraham
with the essentials of Christian faith.