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.
0 Responses to “November 18, 2007”