Preparing to Read Mark · Unit 04 of 16
From one family to twelve tribes and Egypt
Bible reading: Genesis 21, 25, 32, 35, 37, 45–50 (selected passages)
In the previous stage, we saw God call Abraham and promise him descendants, land, and blessing for all peoples through him. Genesis now focuses on Abraham’s family, explaining how this family gradually becomes the people of Israel.
1. Isaac: The Promised Son
Abraham and his wife Sarah remain childless into old age, but God has promised them descendants. At last, Sarah gives birth to Isaac.
“The LORD cared for Sarah just as he had said, and did for her what he had promised. Sarah conceived and bore Abraham a son in his old age, at the time God had appointed. Abraham named the son Sarah bore him Isaac.”
— Genesis 21:1–3
Isaac’s importance is not in the number of great deeds he performs, but in what he represents: God’s promise to Abraham has not been interrupted. Abraham’s family will continue through Isaac.
2. Jacob: From One Person’s Name to “Israel”
Isaac later has two sons, Esau and Jacob. Jacob becomes the one through whom this family of promise continues.
“The LORD said to her, ‘Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples will come from you. One will be stronger than the other, and the older will serve the younger.’”
— Genesis 25:23
Jacob’s life is far from perfect. He deceives his father and brother, and experiences flight, conflict, and many family problems. Yet God continues to work in his life.
“The man said, ‘Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with people, and have prevailed.’”
— Genesis 32:28
“Israel” is originally Jacob’s new name. Only later does it become the name of his descendants, an entire people, and even a nation.
3. Twelve Sons: The Origin of the Twelve Tribes
Jacob has twelve sons, whose descendants later form Israel’s twelve tribes. This is why the expression “the twelve tribes of Israel” appears so often as we continue reading the Bible.
“God also said to him, ‘I am God Almighty. Have children and increase in number. A people and many nations will come from you, and kings will descend from you. The land I gave to Abraham and Isaac I will give to you and your descendants.’”
— Genesis 35:11–12
For now, remember this simple family line:
- Abraham: God calls him and promises that his descendants will become a great people.
- Isaac: God’s promise continues through him.
- Jacob/Israel: “Israel” is originally Jacob’s new name.
- Jacob’s twelve sons: Their descendants form the twelve tribes of Israel.
4. Joseph: Why Does the Family Go to Egypt?
Among Jacob’s twelve sons, Joseph’s story is especially important. His experiences explain why Jacob’s family, originally living in Canaan, later moves to Egypt.
Joseph is dearly loved by his father, which makes his older brothers jealous. They eventually sell him, and he is taken to Egypt.
“Joseph’s brothers saw that their father loved Joseph more than he loved them. They hated him and could not speak peacefully to him.”
— Genesis 37:4
Joseph experiences many setbacks in Egypt, yet eventually becomes a trusted official of Pharaoh, responsible for managing food supplies. When famine later strikes Canaan, his brothers have no choice but to buy food in Egypt.
“Joseph said to his brothers, ‘Please come closer.’ They came to him, and he said, ‘I am your brother Joseph, whom you sold into Egypt. Now do not be distressed or angry with yourselves for selling me here. God sent me ahead of you to preserve life.’”
— Genesis 45:4–5
5. Even an Evil Act Does Not Interrupt God’s Plan
The brothers’ sale of Joseph is, of course, an evil act. The Bible does not call their behavior good. Yet the story ultimately shows that even when people do wrong, God can continue advancing his plan in the midst of the disorder.
“You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good: to preserve many lives and bring about what we see today.”
— Genesis 50:20
This does not mean “wrongdoing is acceptable as long as the outcome is good.” It means that human sin and failure cannot make God lose control of his plan.
6. Jacob’s Family Moves to Egypt
As the famine continues, Jacob takes his whole family to Egypt. God assures him that he need not be afraid to go there.
“God said, ‘I am God, the God of your father. Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, because there I will make you into a great people. I will go down to Egypt with you, and I will certainly bring you back up. Joseph will be with you when you die.’”
— Genesis 46:3–4
By the end of Genesis, then, Abraham’s descendants have gradually grown from a small household into a large extended family, now living in Egypt.
7. Becoming a People Also Brings a New Crisis
By the time of Exodus, Jacob’s descendants have become numerous. The Bible says:
“The Israelites had many children and multiplied. They became exceedingly numerous and strong, filling the land. A new king, who did not know Joseph, rose to rule Egypt.”
— Exodus 1:7–8
The new king of Egypt does not remember Joseph’s contribution to the country. Instead, he begins to see the large Israelite population as a threat.
The family God promised to make into a great people has indeed grown numerous. Yet they are also about to lose their freedom in Egypt.
8. Key Points from This Stage
- Abraham’s son Isaac carries forward the promise of descendants.
- Isaac’s son Jacob later receives the new name “Israel.”
- Jacob’s twelve sons become the source of Israel’s twelve tribes.
- Joseph is sold into Egypt by his brothers, but later becomes an important official there.
- Famine leads Jacob’s whole family to settle in Egypt.
- As the Israelite population grows greatly, a new Egyptian king begins to view them as a threat.
9. Where Does the Biblical Story Go Next?
At the end of Genesis, the Israelites are living in Egypt. At the beginning of Exodus, they have become a numerous people. But a new Pharaoh begins oppressing them and even makes them slaves.
At this point, the biblical story introduces its next major figure: Moses. Through him, God will bring the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt.
If God promised to make Abraham’s descendants a great people, why does this people end up enslaved in Egypt?