Genesis 50:20-26 and review In this concluding study of the book of Genesis we considered Joseph's final words, including his confidence of what God was doing when his own brothers were planning evil against him. How does this passage help us understand the problem of evil? How should we view evil and respond to it? We also took a brisk walk through the entire book of Genesis, recalling some of the important things we have learned. Finally we ended by considering the faith of Joseph and the other saints of Genesis as they all died "without receiving the promises,” but by faith" welcomed them from afar." (60 min)

Keywords Joseph, Seed, Toledot, Creation, Genesis

Genesis 50:15-18 After Jacob's death, the brothers of Joseph fear that he harbors a grudge which he will now feel free to express. Why, after all that has happened and Joseph's care for the family for seventeen years, do the brothers have such fears? What had they left undone when they were first reconciled to Joseph that left room for such suspicions? Were the brothers telling the truth about what they said Jacob had said to them. What lessons are we to learn about experiencing God's forgiveness from this narrative? How were the brothers trying to leverage forgiveness from Joseph? What was wrong with this? Why did Joseph weep when he received the message from his brothers? What did Joseph mean by saying he was not in God's place? What is forgiveness? What is the relationship between forgiveness and retribution? (62 min)

Keywords Jacob, Joseph, Forgiveness, Sin

Genesis 50:1-14 In this study the narrator of Genesis tells us the striking story of the mourning and burial of Jacob. In all of Scripture there is no other account of someone's burial that goes into such detail. What important points is the Lord wanting to impress upon us with this account? What does God want to leave in our minds concerning the man Jacob? What is the importance of this story at the end of the patriarchal era? Why does a person of faith, like Joseph, grieve so much over the death of his beloved father? How is Joseph's arrival back in Mamre similar to his departure from Canaan as a slave many years before? What are we to learn from the fact that the family returned to Egypt following the burial of their father in their land of promise? (48 min)

Keywords Jacob, Death, Egypt, Joseph

Genesis 48:5-22 We continue the account of Jacob's adoption and blessing of Joseph's two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim. What is this about the young men being at the knees of Jacob? Why did Joseph bow down before his father, who had earlier bowed to him? How is this a metaphor of our own adoption by God? Why did Joseph arrange his sons the way he did? Once again we find the rule of primogeniture set aside in the story of the patriarchs. What can we learn from this repeated disregard of this cultural norm? In what three ways does Jacob identify the God whom he invokes in his blessing? How are these significant? How has Jacob changed as he grew older? What brought about these changes in his life? How is the end of Jacob's life instructive to us? (67 min.)

Keywords Jacob, Joseph, Blessing, Adoption, Ephraim, Manasseh

Genesis 48:1-4 In this week's lesson we consider the second of the three key things which Jacob did at the end of his life. The first was to arrange for his burial in Canaan. The second is to adopt and bless the two sons of Joseph, Manasseh and Ephraim. It is important not to view this passage as the ramblings of an aged and ailing man. What is the significance of Jacob collecting his strength to sit up on the bed? Why does the narrator refer to him as Israel at that moment? How has Jacob changed from his early life? Why does Jacob recall for Joseph his own experience at Luz in Canaan (Bethel)? What are the key aspects of God's appearance to him at Luz which Jacob mentions here? What three subtle differences in how Jacob retells the story of Bethel reflect his current frame of mind here at the end of his life? (53 min)

Keywords Jacob, Joseph, Bethel, Ephraim, Manasseh

Genesis 47:27-31 In this passage a dramatic contrast is shown between the condition of the Egyptians and that of the family of Israel. Why did God bless Israel in contrast to the Egyptians? Why does God bless us? We also encounter in this section the first of three experiences in Jacob's life as he nears death. Each of these incidents reveal a man who has moved from fatalism to faith. What is the significance of Jacobs age? What are the two aspects to Jacob's request of Joseph? What is the meaning of the gesture of Joseph placing his hand under Jacob's thigh? Why was it important to Jacob that he be buried in the cave of Machpelah with his ancestors? How does this story about Jacob serve as an instruction to us? (56 min)

Keywords Jacob, Joseph, Faith, Death

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 46:29-34 In this passage today, Jacob and Joseph are finally reunited after twenty-two years. We now see in Jacob something we've not seen in his entire life: contentment. What do we learn about Joseph as he weeps on his father's neck? Two men could hardly be more different in how they have lived their lives. Yet this father and son have something remarkable in common. What is that, and how does it make this reunion like a theophany? Why does Joseph insist on Pharaoh knowing that his family are shepherds and keepers of livestock knowing the Egyptians hold such people in contempt? Why does God allow the family of Israel to experience such contempt, and eventually slavery? What can we learn from this about suffering in our own lives? (43 min.)

Keywords Joseph, Jacob, Egypt

Genesis 46:19-28 There is a purpose in the genealogies in Scripture. In this lesson we continue to consider the genealogy describing who went down to Egypt with Jacob. What is the purpose of this genealogy, and what are we to learn from it? What is the significance of the men in this list. Why is the narrator so focused on achieving the number of seventy? How does this group of people compare to those that come out of Egypt four hundred years later? What kind of a day do we live in, and why are our faithfulnesses important? What is so encouraging about Judah leading the family to Goshen? (47 min)

Keywords Jacob, Joseph, Genealogies

Genesis 45:16-28 In this week's passage Joseph's brothers are sent back to Canaan to tell their father Jacob the news about Joseph and to bring their families back to Egypt. This story provides us with striking parallels to the Gospel itself. Why is Pharaoh so pleased to hear of Joseph's brothers? What is Pharaoh's invitation to them? What is significant about the wagons of Egypt? How is Joseph's presentation of the garments typical of Christ? What words of admonition does Joseph give his brothers? Why is Jacob's reaction to the news about Joseph what it is? What does it take to revive Jacob and convince him that his son Joseph is still alive and is ruler over all Egypt? (52 min.)

Keywords Joseph, Jacob

Genesis 45:1-15 (pt 2) This lesson continues last week's lesson about Joseph's making known his identity to his brothers. What was Joseph's perspective on the things which had happened in his life? How did the "man" at Shechem figure into God's working in Joseph's life? What makes this particular passage so powerful to us? How is Joseph's forgiveness of his brothers so different from the forgiveness we often see in our experience? How can we learn to show the same kind of forgiveness? Do we even want to? What must have been the most wonderful thing in Joseph's message to his father? How did the brothers' submission turn out to be different from what they had expected, dreaded, and resisted? (61 min.)

Keywords Joseph, Jacob, Forgiveness

Genesis 45:1-18 (pt 1) In the first of two studies on this passage, we consider the remarkable event when Joseph made himself known to his brothers. Joseph has apparently been surprised by Judah's astonishing plea, and a swell of emotions overwhelms him. His announcement of who he actually is, however, is not welcome news to his brothers. Or is it? How do his brothers respond, and why? Why does Joseph ask what he already knows? What two things does Joseph specifically mention that have heretofore not been openly spoken of. Why must he speak these things? How does Joseph's view of reality make forgiveness possible? How might this encounter be similar to when we will first see Christ? What is the significance of the mention of a remnant? How is the deliverance God accomplishes great? Where are you in your personal "story of Joseph?" (53 min)

Keywords Joseph, Judah, Reconciliation

Genesis 44:18-34 Today's lesson includes the longest speech in Genesis: Judah's passionate and eloquent plea to Joseph on his father's behalf. How are Judah's words directed by the Holy Spirit to Joseph's heart? What experiences has Judah encountered in his life that have prepared him for this important moment? Why does Judah refer to Benjamin as a "little child" and as a "lad?" What is the entirety of Judah's speech to Joseph directed at accomplishing? What remarkable character qualities do we see in this man who once sold a brother into slavery? What does this passage teach us about intercession? How is Judah a type of the true Son of Judah? (50 min.)

Keywords Judah, Joseph, Benjamin, Jacob

Genesis 44:1-17 We have now reached the watershed event in the story of Joseph. In this passage we learn of Joseph's plan to reveal the true attitude of his brothers. Do they speak merely words of repentance, or are they really changed? What is the significance of the three things Joseph instructs his house steward to speak to his brothers? What is all this talk about Joseph's "divining cup?" How does the response of the brothers reveal how effective Joseph has been in his plan? What do we learn about the brothers when they load their donkeys and return to the city? How does Joseph's plan recreate the situation his brothers confronted at Dotham twenty two years earlier? Why does he do this? What is the significance of Judah's offer that they all be Joseph's slaves? How does Joseph protect Benjamin? (58 min.)

Keywords Joseph, Judah, Divination, Cup

Genesis 43:26-34 As Joseph arrives home for the noon feast planned for his brothers, they bring to him the present they have prepared. What is it about this present? Why is it mentioned repeatedly, only to fade into obscurity in the narrative? What is the significance of the brothers bowing before Joseph? How is it that something that was once so abhorrent to them they now do with such apparent ease? The brothers report that their father is well. Is he, really? Once Joseph overcomes his overwhelming emotions, the feasting begins. Why did Joseph seat the men according to their birth order? What must have been going through Joseph's mind as he feasted and drank with his brothers? (55 min.)

Keywords Joseph, Benjamin

Genesis 43:16-25 Joseph, seeing his brothers have returned with Benjamin, now puts into action his carefully measured plan. How does the house steward play into this, and what does he think of it? A dominant motif of the narrative is what Joseph knows and what his brothers don't know. What lesson can we learn from this? When the brothers are brought to Joseph's house, they are filled with dread. What is it they fear, and why are the apparently thinking so much about their donkeys? What is the unexpected word his brothers hear when finally at the threshold of their long festering dread? How is this a picture to us of our God? (48 min)

Keywords Joseph, Fear, Peace, Shalom

Genesis 42:29-38 Joseph's brothers return home with the dreaded task of reporting to their father, Jacob, the ugly turn of events in Egypt. How will they attempt to soften the blow to the aged and frail man? Jacob's response to the news, and to the discovery that someone in Egypt is out to get them, triggers a despairing reaction from Jacob. Why does he blame his sons? What is our reaction when tragic events and bad news would overwhelm us? What is the answer to despair? Why does Reuben react as he does with his proposal? How do we respond when we get desperate? What is the answer to desperation? (53 min)

Keywords Jacob, Joseph, Benjamin, Reuben

Genesis 42:21-28 This passage is one of the most poignant passages in all of Scripture. It relates to us how Joseph's brothers come to the realization that they are now encountering the consequences of their long ago sin. Meanwhile, Joseph overhears their discussion. What, particularly, do his brothers’ consciences seem to trouble them with? This is an important point to the narrator, and has important implications to our own lives. Joseph responds to what he hears by weeping. Why does Joseph weep? Why, after hearing his brother's confession, does Joseph continue with his disguise and his plan? Why are his brothers so filled with fear upon discovering the money in one of their sacks? How has their sin distorted the brothers' perception of God's processes in their lives? (53 min.)

Keywords Joseph, Brothers, Regret, Repentance, Listening

Genesis 42:10-20 Having been accused of spying by Joseph in the passage we looked at last Sunday, his brothers rise to their own defense. Their defense consists of three assertions. Why do they expect these claims will sway the great Zaphenaph Peneah (Joseph)? Are the brothers truly honest men as they claim? How does their claim to integrity reflect our human natures? How does Joseph appear to his brothers? What plan does Joseph make to test his brothers? How and why does he alter his plan? What scenario is Joseph creating for his brothers, and what can we learn about our own testings from this? (62 min.)

Keywords Joseph, Benjamin, Dreams, Testing

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.)

Keywords Joseph, Dreams, Benjamin, Brothers

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

Genesis 41:14-28 Joseph begins this day like any other day in prison, with no reason to believe it will be any different. Before the day is out he is standing in Pharaoh's court. What can we learn from the suddenness with which Joseph's circumstances changed? Joseph's reply to Pharaoh regarding his ability to interpret dreams reflects two important things about spiritual people exercising their spiritual gifts. What are they? How is Pharaoh's telling of his dreams different from how the narrator told them earlier in the chapter? What does this tell us about Pharaoh's frame of mind? What two factors does Joseph point out are the basis of his interpretation of Pharaoh's dreams? What is to be learned from the fact that God has spoken to Pharaoh? (61 min.)

Keywords Joseph, Dreams, Pharaoh

Genesis 41:1-14 After two years of having been forgotten by the chief cupbearer, at the age of 30 Joseph's situation suddenly takes a radical turn for the better. Over the past thirteen years, what things has Joseph been learning that will serve him well in his future? What is the most important quality has God been building into Joseph's life during these difficult years? What obvious symbolism do we note in Pharaoh's dream? Who were these "magicians" upon whom Pharaoh called for an interpretation? What was their training and skill? Why is their inability to interpret Pharaoh's dream significant? How was Joseph's ability to distinguish between the dreams of the two officials important? (59 min.)

Keywords Joseph, Pharaoh, Dreams, Interpretation

Genesis 40:16-23 We continue our study of Joseph and the dreams of the two Egyptian officials. What do we discover about the baker as he waits to tell his dream? What was wrong with the baker's understanding about messages and messengers? How was his dream similar to his companion’s? How was it different? What is remarkable about Joseph in his giving of this interpretation? How does this narrative serve as a metaphor of the righteous and the wicked in judgment? (60 min.)

Keywords Joseph, Dreams, Baker, Cupbearer

Genesis 40:1-15 Joseph, now in prison, encounters two high government officials who are thrown into prison with him. Why dose the narrative of this event stress that they were in prison "with" Joseph? How does Joseph conduct himself in this encounter with these two men? How do we treat the people with whom we have apparently chance encounters? How do the dreams of these two men compare and contrast with the other dreams in the Joseph narrative? Though Joseph is faithful to God in all his misfortune and suffering, yet we see he really does suffer and really does seek release. What is the place of lament in the experience of the child of God? What did Joseph want in his pleas to the cupbearer? What if God had granted him his request at this time? Why does God wait to answer our pleas in our laments? (66 min.)

Keywords Joseph, Dreams, Cupbearer, Lament

Genesis 39:11-23 The account of Joseph's temptation at the hand of Potiphar's wife continues. This is a life altering day in Joseph's life. How was he prepared for this day? To what extent did his master’s wife go to destroy Joseph? Why does the passage emphasize her "words?" How can we destroy people with our words? Joseph finds himself once again in a pit. Why does the narrator emphasize that Joseph was in the jail? What was special about the kindnesses Joseph received from the Lord while in prison? Who was the "second Joseph?" (58 min.)

Keywords Joseph, Potiphar, Prison

Genesis 39:1-10 In this lesson we resume our study of the story of Joseph. Yet this is not so much the story of Joseph as it is the story of the covenant God of Abraham keeping His promises. What is the narrator of these events careful to remind us about as we read of Joseph's "success" in Egypt? What did the presence of God with Joseph look like? What might it look like in our lives? What was Joseph's "success?" What was the effect of Joseph's success on his master? What reasons did Joseph give for refusing the advances of Potiphar's wife? How did Joseph manage to resist her continual temptings? What would Joseph's failure have meant for Potiphar's household? How do Joseph and Judah compare? (66 min.)

Keywords Joseph, Egypt, Potiphar, Success

Genesis 38:1-19 This is another one of those very difficult passages in Genesis. Why does the author interrupt the story of Joseph to tell us about this seemingly unrelated incident with Judah? How does this passage reveal to us Judah's character. Why is that important? What was this whole thing about Onan fulfilling the "duty of a brother-in-law" by taking Tamar as a wife? What really was Onan's sin? What is this whole thing about levirate marriage all about? What did God think about it? What was Judah doing wrong with Tamar? How does this story fill us in on Israel's experience in Egypt? (53 min.)

Keywords Judah, Joseph, Tamar, Levirate Marriage

Genesis 37:12-36 The tragic story of the betrayal of Joseph by his own brothers. Two striking things about Joseph: his spirit of obedience and the distress of his soul. Why did Reuben act so heroically here? Consider all the overwhelming evil that occurs in this passage. If you could have prevented it all, would you have? Why didn't God? With all the evil that Joseph encounters, did God really love Joseph? If God is all powerful and all good, how could he allow such evil? Does such a God really exist? What awesome truth about God can we discover from all the evil in this world? (60 min.)

Keywords Joseph, Jacob, Judah, Evil

Genesis 37:5-11 Joseph is a dreamer. He has two dreams which appear to be of great significance. How did Joseph view those dreams? What are two reasons why Joseph was given those dreams? What did the Psalmist mean when he said God's word was "testing" Joseph? Why might this have been Joseph's greatest test? Why did Joseph tell his dreams to his brothers? What was it like growing up in a home where none of your ten older brothers could speak to you on "friendly terms?” How might this have influenced Joseph's actions? (50 min.)

Keywords Joseph, Dreams

Genesis 37:1-11 At the end of Esau's brief toledot we find a marked contrast between him and Jacob. Why do the unbelievers prosper while the person who lives by faith seems often to do so in vain? As we begin the toledot of Jacob and the story of Joseph, we find that God communicates differently than he did with the patriarchs. What is that difference? Why did Joseph benefit from the elevation he encountered at the hand of his father? How was Jacob’s favoritism harmful to the son he loved? What was the significance of the "varicolored" tunic he was given? (44 min.)

Keywords Jacob, Joseph, Dreams