Genesis 42, 43, 44 - “Overcoming Bitterness”
- Hebrews 12:14-15 are helpful verses for our understanding of Genesis 42-44. “Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.” In our study of Joseph’s story to this point, how do these verses apply to Joseph and how do they apply to Joseph’s brothers and father?
- Genesis 42 indicates that Jacob is unwilling to send Benjamin to Egypt for food with his brothers during the famine. What are the reasons for his unwillingness? What has Benjamin become to Jacob since the loss of Joseph 25 years earlier?
- Compare the similarities of story line between chapters 37 and 42. How does Joseph break the cycle of revenge and bitterness within the family structure?
- Joseph is in a powerful position and can point his family in a new relational direction. Is Joseph’s action harsh and vengeful or restorative and filled with mercy? What are the clues in these chapters that it is the latter rather than the former?
- Does God work in our lives as He did in Joseph’s family (See Hebrews 12:1-15)? How has God used discipline in your life to rehabilitate your attitudes and character?
- Joseph’s brothers change dramatically over these three chapters. How did Judah step up in faith in response Jacob’s inaction (chapter 43)? Why is Judah’s action so reflective of his growing grasp of God’s grace in his life? (hint: compare Genesis 37:26,27; 43:3-5, 8-10; 44:14-34)
- Why did Jacob have a hard time letting go of Benjamin? What had Benjamin become to Jacob? Why do we turn good things into ultimate things? What happens when we lose these good things in our lives? How does bitterness rear its ugly head when this happens?
- In Chapter 44 we discover that the brothers passed the test and began to see things through Jacob’s eyes rather than their self-centeredness. How does Judah’s offer of sacrificing his freedom and comfort for Benjamin’s life reflect the change of their hearts?
- Redemption requires substitution. How did Joseph sacrifice revenge for forgiveness? How did Jacob sacrifice his idolatry of Benjamin for unconditional obedience (43:14)?
- What are some ways that bitterness has crept into your life? How do these chapters illustrate the need for God’s grace to continue working in your life? In the life of Bethel Grove? In Ithaca?
- Memorize Hebrews 12:14,15 and pray it into each situation of our lives.
Ask the Lord to use this meditation of His Word to increase our love for Him and for each other as we seek to live daily by the grace of God.
Genesis 41:1-57 - “Giving Thanks To God In Big and Small Things”
- Henry Ward Beecher writes: “The unthankful heart…discovers no mercies; but let the thankful heart sweep through the day and, as the magnet finds the iron, so it will find, in every hour, some heavenly blessings!” Do you agree or disagree? Why or why not?
- How is Pharaoh’s heart revealed in Genesis 41:1-8? Why was he so disturbed by the dream? How does the dream expose Egypt’s false sense of security?
- Joseph is summoned from prison to the Pharaoh’s presence when the cup bearer remembers Joseph. How is Joseph’s trust in God revealed in verses14-32?
- From prison to palace, Joseph’s character was shining at every turn. How does a thankful heart impact others? How does an unthankful heart impact others?
- God is the hero of Genesis 41 (as He is in all of Scripture). How does Pharaoh respond to God and to Joseph as God’s representative? What helpful insights might this chapter offer government officials and public servants? What does it offer to non-governmental persons like you and me?
- How does this chapter highlight Joseph’s yielded heart to God? In the face of great privileges (important government position, marriage to woman of high cultural status and extreme personal power) how does Joseph keep his faith in tact?
- In the naming of his sons, Joseph gives a clue to the strength of his yielded heart (see verses 51-52). Why did he give his sons Hebrew names? Because of the daily threat of becoming enculturated into a pagan society, how did Joseph keep his perspective? How do the names Manasseh and Ephraim encourage him towards developing a thankful heart?
- How would you describe the state of your heart today? Thankful or unthankful? Submissive or combative towards God and His ways?
- On Thanksgiving Day, gather as a family and give thanks to God for things great and small. In fact, make it a practice throughout each day.
Ask the Lord to use this meditation of His Word to increase our love for Him and for each other as we seek to live daily by the grace of God.
Genesis 39:19-23; 40:1-23 - “Overcoming Discouragement”
- Discouragement happens. We live in a broken world full of broken relationships, broken promises, broken dreams, and broken expectations. What are some reasons that you get discouraged in life? How are you inclined to handle discouragement?
- Joseph had more than enough discouragement to last a life time. What are some of his reasons for discouragement (see Genesis 37, 39 and 40)?
- Joseph moved form a favored position in his father’s house to being unjustly incarcerated. How does Genesis 39, verses17-23, remind us of Joseph’s trust in God? Why should Joseph continue to trust in God?
- Joseph’s character was shaped through harsh adversity. In what way is Joseph’s character displayed in chapter 40? How is the Lord developing your character through adversity?
- How can our dreams and a desire for perfection in all things rob us of joy in difficult circumstances? Why does an “all or nothing” approach to life lead to discouragement and broken relationships?
- What are some of Joseph’s reactions to discouragement? How could he be concerned about others feelings (40:7) when he was unjustly imprisoned? How could he be so confident of God’s presence, when his daily life was in shambles?
- Have you ever thought that God is unjust? Have you ever questioned that obeying God really doesn’t pay? If so, what’s behind those questions in your heart? What needs to be confronted as we face the discouragement of our hearts? What do we find in Joseph’s life that might help us in our discouraging times?
- Discouragement includes a lack of courage as well as a response to personal disappointments. How can other Christ-followers encourage us in our times of discouragement?
- When in prison, God was “kind” to Joseph (39:21). How is God’s kindness expressed in times of discouragement? How have you found His kindness to be a great resource in your discouragement?
- Philip Yancey, in his book Disappointment With God, writes: Through all the trials, Joseph learned to trust, not that God would prevent hardship, but that he would redeem even the hardship.” How has the Lord redeemed your hardships? How must you trust God in what you are facing now?
Ask the Lord to use this meditation of His Word to increase our love for Him and for each other as we seek to live daily by the grace of God.
Genesis 39:1-23 - “Overcoming Temptation”
- This chapter begins with Joseph in Egypt, where he is a slave in Potiphar’s house. Read 39:1-6 to discover the setting of this chapter. What is a reoccurring theme of these verses? Why is the Lord’s presence an important part of these verses?
- How is God with Joseph in his “secular” work? How important is his work in the scheme of God’s big plan? How important is your work in the scheme of God’s big plan? Why is it important to understand that “secular” work is important to God? How do you view your daily work responsibilities?
- Joseph was successful in his work. How did Potiphar acknowledge Joseph’s faithfulness in caring for his household? What does Potiphar’s response tell us about Joseph’s character?
- How might Joseph’s success lead to temptation? How does success tempt you? How might personal success impact the way you live in a broken world?
- Joseph was a hunk and Potiphar’s wife noticed him. Read through verses 7-21 and identify the various ways that she tempted Joseph sexually. How was her temptation of Joseph progressive?
- Joseph understood the sacredness of sexuality. He knew that marriage covenants are not to be broken through infidelity. How does Joseph respond to her advances? Why must God’s people understand the sacredness of sexuality as we face sexual temptations in this sexually saturated culture?
- Joseph understood that sin is not only against another person, but ultimately it is an action against God. Why is that reality central to overcoming any temptation? How does that truth encourage growth in our relationship with the Lord? In our relationship with others?
- How are you a redemptive agent in our culture? Why does Joseph highlight the need for Christians to be agents in the workplace? How does Joseph story help us face sexual temptation in relationships?
- Jesus faced temptations that we faced (Hebrews 4:14-16). How do these verses emphasize the work of Christ on our behalf? How does He help His people face the temptations of our lives?
- Joseph knew that God was with him and he lived accordingly. How does his example speak to your heart and your actions this past week? Are there areas where you must seek forgiveness from God? If so, confess the sins and draw near to the Lord and trust Him for the grace and mercy to keep going.
Ask the Lord to use this meditation of His Word to increase our love for Him and for each other as we seek to live daily by the grace of God.
