Choice 4: Exodus 14. Crossing the Red Sea

I wrote my choice on my blog at http://scottandkylieyeates.blogspot.com/.  I chose to do this assignment because I am interested in the miracles seen by the Israelites.  The best thing about this assignment is that I learned some cool things I didn’t know.  I wish I could learn more detail about it. 

Exodus 14:19-30

1 Corinthians 10:1-4

Explain in writing how the children of Israel were symbolically saved by water and fire.

As the Israelites were leaving Egypt Pharaoh’s heart was hardened again.  Pharaoh decided to go after the Israelites and kill them all.  God was with the Israelites to protect them.  There was a cloud that showed light to the Israelites but darkness to the Egyptians.  This cloud brought down fire that separated the Israelites from the Egyptians.  The Israelites were able to cross the Red Sea by the Lord departing them through Moses.    The Israelites traveled through the Red Sea with a wall of water on each side of them.  When the Egyptians came after them in the Sea the Lord made the water fall back into place.  Not one of the Egyptians survived.  The Israelites were saved through these miracles.  The water and fire represents the Israelites being baptized through water and receiving the holy ghost by fire.       

Choice 3: Genesis 29-30, 35, 37, 39-41. Joseph Endured His Trials

1. Read the chapter summaries for Genesis 29-30, 35. List the birth order of Jacob’s 12 sons.

Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Dan, Naphtali, Gad, Asher, Issachar, Zebulun, Joseph, Benjamin

2. Read Genesis 37:1-11 and the Institute Student Manual commentary for Genesis 37:3, “What Was the Coat of Many Colors?” (pg. 93). Write an explanation of possible reasons Joseph’s brothers were envious of him.

The coat of many colors was believed to be a coat with long sleeves reaching to the wrists and ankles.  Joseph’s brothers were envious of him because he was Jacob’s favorite son and they were envious of Joseph’s dreams.  Josephs dreams said that everyone would worship him. 

3. List the challenges in Genesis 37 that Joseph faced. How do you think Joseph felt about his challenges? How are Joseph’s challenges like the ones young people face today?

Joseph was hated by his brothers.  He was sold into slavery by his brothers.  I am sure Joseph was really challenged with these trials.  We definitely don’t get sold in today’s society but we do face hatred towards other people.  In some cases even our families.    

4. Read Genesis 39:2-3, 21, 23 and find a phrase that is similar in all four verses. Then answer the following questions:

·         What did Joseph do in Genesis 39 that allowed the phrase in verses 2-3 to still be true in verses 21, 23? When do you think Joseph made the commitment to be morally clean?

Joseph was faithful towards God and did not lie with Potiphar’s wife.  I think Joseph made the commitment to be morally clean when he was a young boy.  He knew that it was a sin. 

 

·         Give examples from Genesis 40-41 and the Institute Student Manual commentary for Genesis 39:21-23; 40:1-23 (pg. 95) that illustrate how the Lord remained with Joseph.

Joseph did not blame God for his trials.  He did not give up on God.  He offered interpretations of dreams and always gave God the credit.   

·         Write two or three paragraphs listing the lessons you learn from the life of Joseph. What can you learn from Joseph about turning bad experiences and circumstances into good ones?

What I learned from Joseph is to never give up and never blame God for trials.  Joseph was never at fault but he still was punished.  I learned that I always need to show that I obey the Lord so that people will know that the Lord is with me.  I think it is cool that Potiphar knew that the Lord was with him.  I know that when we follow the Lord we will always be blessed.   

I learned that I always need to keep a good attitude no matter how bad the situation is.  Having a bad attitude will just make the situation worst.  Having a good attitude can help you get through the trials.  Even though we struggle until we die if we follow the Lord we will be blessed.        

Choice 3: Genesis 14:18-20; JST, Genesis 14:25-40. Who was Melchizedek?

Melchizedek was a man of faith and was very righteous.  Melchizedek is often thought to be Shem, Noah’s son.  Melchizedek’s name is a title that means “king of righteousness”.  As a child he feared God.  He was ordained a high priest after the order of the covenant which God made with Enoch.  Melchizedek lived in Salem and established righteousness there.  His people were wicked but he was able to call them to repentance.  He was known as the King of heaven by his people or in other words the King of peace because he had established peace in the land of Salem.  There were many kings before and after Melchizedek but none was better than he.  There was no greater High Priest than he.  Melchizedek knew Abram.  Abraham received the Priesthood from Melchizedek, who received it from the lineage of his fathers.  Abram paid tithing to Melchizedek.  In turn Abram was blessed with riches, and honor, and lands. 

                The reason we call the first Priesthood the Melchizedek Priesthood is because Melchizedek was such a great high priest.  Out of respect and reverence to the name of Jesus Christ instead of being called the Holy Priesthood, the Priesthood was called after Melchizedek.  

Cain did not offer his sacrifice in faith.  He offered vegetables instead of the first born lamb.    

We should always look out for each other.

Cain offered fruit from the ground to offer to the Lord.  Cain killed his brother.  Cain had no faith.  Cain lied to the Lord.  Cain did not believe in the Lord.  Cain loved Satan more than God.  Cain was wroth with the Lord.  Cain glorified in his wickedness.  Cain followed Satan. 

We always have agency to choose what to do.  You cannot serve both God and Satan.  We have the freedom to choose eternal life or captivity and death.  We will be rewarded according to our works.    

Cain's punishment for disobeying God and killing his brother was he would not be able to grow anything from the ground, he should be a fugitive and vagabond, and he was marked.  The Lord said that whoever slayed Cain would have vengeance on him sevenfold. Cain felt that his punishment was greater than he could bear. Cain struggled to accept God's punishment because he knew that with the mark that was put on him anyone that would find him would kill him.

28 Weeks and 5 days!

Relaxing on a Sunday afternoon!

28 Weeks and 4 Days!!!