Remembering Dreams

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Genesis 42:1-9 Resuming our study of the life of Joseph, we learn about the first encounter between Joseph and his ten estranged brothers. What is the contrast we see between the story of Joseph so far, and how we find the family of Jacob back in Canaan? What lesson has Jacob seemingly failed to learn? How is the journey of the brothers to Egypt a metaphor of Israel and the Messiah? How has Joseph changed since his brothers last saw him? How did he "disguise" himself? What was Joseph's motive in charging his brothers with spying? What is the significance of Joseph remembering his dreams? What does this tell us about his motives? (50 min.)

Remembering Forgetting

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Genesis 41:45-57 In this lesson we see the naturalization of Joseph as he is given an Egyptian name and an Egyptian wife. What is the significance of all the pairs of twos and repetitions in this narrative about Joseph? What are we to make of Joseph taking a woman as his wife who is the daughter of a pagan priest? What did Joseph mean by saying that he had "forgotten" all his father's household? What might this tell us about heaven? What is necessary to bear fruit in the land of our affliction? What was the great name that was spreading along the caravan routes to Egypt during this great world wide famine? (49 min.)

Planning For Famine

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Genesis 41:29-44 Joseph continues on with his interpretation of Pharaoh's dreams, explaining the meaning of the cows and heads of grain. He then moves directly into advising Pharaoh of a course of action to take. Was Joseph being presumptuous in offering such advice apparently unsolicited? How was Joseph so ready with with wise advice to give to Pharaoh? What kinds of things do we learn about Joseph in this passage? Was Joseph being self-serving in describing the kind of person Pharaoh should look for? What was the response of Pharaoh's servants to Joseph's appointment? Of what other two figures in scripture is Joseph an illustration? (58 min.)