Genesis 47:13-26 The focus of the narrator now returns to the subject of the famine that was overwhelming Egypt and Canaan. What are the reasons why this part of the story is recorded in Scripture? How does Joseph's plan for Egypt foreshadow the future political/social structure of Israel in Canaan? This passage tells how Joseph, who was himself once sold into slavery, now buys the Egyptian people into slavery to Pharaoh. How does our modern perception of slavery present difficulties when we encounter biblical accounts or references to slavery? What was slavery in the ancient Near East, and why is that important to know as we study the Bible? How was typical slavery in the ancient Near East different from slavery in the West in the last few centuries? How was the slavery of the Egyptians different from the slavery of the Israelites to the Egyptians in the book of Exodus? Why did God not explicitly condemn and prohibit slavery in the Old Testament? (67 min)

Keywords Joseph, Famine, Slavery

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.)

Keywords Joseph, Manasseh, Ephraim, Famine

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.)

Keywords Joseph, Pharaoh, Dreams, Famine