God told Abraham that his offspring would be oppressed in a foreign land (Genesis 15). In Genesis 37 Jacob sends Joseph to meet his brothers. That encounter begins the process of Jacob’s family descending down to Egypt.
Shlomo Skinner
Genesis 32 – Jacob’s Thigh
Jacob is alone on the night before he is going to meet his brother. Suddenly, a man appears and wrestles with him. Ramban explains the deeper meaning behind this strange event.
Genesis 26:5 – Abraham Observed the Torah
God blesses Isaac and tells him to stay in the Land of Israel. He also reveals to Isaac that his father Abraham observed the Torah.
Genesis 25:7,8,17 – Death of the Righteous
The Torah records the death of Abraham and just 9 verses later the death of Ishmael. There are lessons we can learn from the wording of these verses.
Genesis 19:5 – Sodom’s Worst Sin
The people of Sodom were not pleased with Lot’s behavior.
Genesis 12:10-13 – Abraham Comes to Egypt
Abraham and Sarah are faced with a famine shortly after moving to the Land of Canaan. Ramban claims that Abraham commits two unintentional sins at this time.
Genesis 6:1-13 – Corruption and Violence
God tells Noah that He is going to destroy the world. But the sin that has lead to this decree seems too minor compared to other things going on at that time.
Genesis 1:26 – Let Us Make Man
God created the land animals on the sixth day of creation. Then He created man. But suddenly the verses start using plural nouns and pronouns in place of the expected singular.
Ecclesiastes 1:8 – Seeing and Hearing
The Book of Ecclesiastes begins with the proclamation that “all is futile.” Then, in Ecclesiastes 1:8, the author switches and proclaims that “all things are wearisome.”
Deuteronomy 27:15-26 – Blessing and Curse
Moses commands the Jewish people about a ceremony they must perform when they enter into the Land of Israel. Six tribes are to stand on Mount Gerizim and six tribes on Mount Ebal.