Lesson 45 of 53.Here, and for the rest of Genesis, we see Joseph’s life as a picture (or type) of Jesus Christ. For instance, Joseph was obedient to his father—Jesus was obedient to His Heavenly Father. Joseph was hated by his brothers—Christ was hated by His brethren, the nation of Israel. However, God was working His plan. Through a remarkable turn of events, Joseph, because he had been sold into slavery by his brothers, was able to save his family, Egypt, and the surrounding Gentile nations from starvation.

Transcript here: https://closerlook.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Genesis37_12-36and38_01-30.pdf

Lesson 44 of 53.Under God’s protection, Israel was able to flee death at the hands of his pagan neighbours, but he was not able to avoid the sorrow of death, coming as it did with the passing of his beloved wife, Rachel. The good news is that after Rachel’s death, Israel resumed the pilgrim lifestyle of his father and grandfather. From chapter 37, right down to the end of Genesis, Rachel’s firstborn, Joseph, will take centre stage.

Transcript here: https://closerlook.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Genesis35_16-29to37_01-11.pdf

Lesson 43 of 53.In this lesson, we see Jacob, or should I say Israel, forsaking the pilgrim lifestyle of his father and grandfather and taking up residence just outside of Canaan. And not only outside of the Promised Land but on the very outskirts of Shechem, a wicked Canaanite city. This was a serious matter, for had God not intervened, Israel’s foolish choice would have spelled disaster for the entire Jewish race.

Transcript here: https://closerlook.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Genesis34_01-31and35_01-15.pdf

Lesson 42 of 53.“Israel” . . . that was the new name that God gave Jacob, a name that literally meant . . . a prince who has power with God and with men. But having come so far on his pilgrim journey, Jacob settled down, at least for a little while, just outside of Canaan.

Transcript here: https://closerlook.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Genesis33_01-20and34_01.pdf

Lesson 41 of 53.This lesson is full of high adventure. Jacob is fleeing, and Laban is in hot pursuit. Had it not been for God’s intervention, he would have lost everything. And having escaped one enemy, he seemed to be fleeing into the arms of another one. However, on that very night of seeming destruction, not only did God change Jacob’s outlook on life, but He changed his name from Jacob to Israel.

Transcript here: https://closerlook.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Genesis31_22-55and32_01-32.pdf

Lesson 40 of 53.Now it was Jacob’s turn to call the shots, and with God’s help, he prevailed. Yes, he had gained great wealth at Laban’s expense and, in the process, gained a mortal enemy. Once again, and by God’s express instructions, it was time to flee, and this time it would be back to the Promised Land.

Transcript here: https://closerlook.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Genesis30_26-43and31_01-21.pdf

Lesson 39 of 53.In this lesson, the dealmaker is outsmarted, and the deceiver is deceived. Yes, Jacob has found his match in his Uncle Laban. And as a result, Jacob became Laban’s servant—and for his services—he inherited trouble and strife.

Transcript here: https://closerlook.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Genesis29_15-35and30_01-25.pdf

Lesson 38 of 53.In this lesson, Jacob leaves home in apparent honour and in the guise of an obedient son. In truth, he was fleeing the consequences of a sin he was unwilling to admit. In our upcoming lessons, we will see how Jacob (the schemer) was moulded into a useful servant of God.

Transcript here: https://closerlook.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Genesis28_10-22and29_01-14.pdf

Lesson 37 of 53.No, the end doesn’t justify the means, but despite that fact, everyone was doing things their way. Rebekah was right in wanting the Abrahamic blessing for Jacob, but she was wrong in deceiving her husband. In like manner, Jacob was right in wanting that blessing, but he was wrong in going along with his mother’s deception. But once deceived, old Isaac realized he had been fighting against God’s will and repented of his actions. Yes, that was the good news. And, of course, despite all that deception, God did it His way.

Transcript here: https://closerlook.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Genesis27_34-46and28_01-09.pdf

Lesson 36 of 53.

This is perhaps one of the saddest chapters in Genesis. Everyone is doing the wrong thing, especially Isaac. But despite the prevailing situation, God would have His way. Jacob, not Esau, would inherit the blessings of the Abrahamic covenant.

Transcript here: https://closerlook.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Genesis27_01-33.pdf