elpful spirit. (10) God
overrules evil for good, so that all things can bring good to them
that love God. (11) Loyalty to unfortunate kindred in the time of
success is a sure sign of nobility of character.

For Study and Discussion. (1) The several appearances of God to
Abraham: (a) The purpose of each; (b) its influence in the life of
Abraham. (2) The promises made to Abraham and renewed to Isaac and
Jacob noting the progressive nature of the revelation seen in these
promises. (3) Select four prominent persons besides Abraham, Isaac,
Jacob, and Joseph, sketched in the section, and study them. (4) The
other nations introduced in the narrative. (5) The moral condition of
the times. (6) The worship of God seen in the section. (7) The points
of weakness and strength in each of the patriarchs mentioned. (8) The
disappointments and family troubles of Jacob as seen in the light of
his early deceptions. (9) Other illustrations that a man will reap
whatever he sows. (10) The strong family ties, seen especially in the
matter of marriage. (11) The fundamental value of faith in life. (12)
God's judgment and blessings of heathen people on behalf of his own
chosen people. (13) The different immigrations of Abraham and others.
(14) The places of historical importance mentioned. (15) The promises
or types and symbols of Christ and the New Testament times.

Chapter V.

From Egypt to Sinai.

Ex. Chs. 1-19

Israel in Egypt. The length of time the Hebrews remained In Egypt is a
perplexing question. Exodus 6:16-20 makes Moses the fourth generation
from Levi (See Gen. 15:16; Num. 26:57-59). This would make it about
150 years. Gen. 15:13 predicts 400 years. Ex. 12:40 says they were
there 430 years and Paul (Gal. 3:17) says 430 years from Abraham to
Sinai. These apparently conflicting dates may be explained because of
different methods of counting generations, probably based on long
lives of men of that period or they may have had a different point to
mark the beginning and end of the sojourn. If the Pharaoh of Joseph
was one of the Hyksos or Shepherd kings, as has been the common view,
and if the Pharaoh "that knew not Joseph" was, as is the general
belief, Rameses II, the period of 430 years would about correspond to
the historical data.

Their oppression grew out of the fear of the king lest they should
assist some of the invaders that constantly harassed Egypt on the
North. They may have assisted the shepherd kings