By Pastor Dr. Shana Wise
The Story of Joseph
Week 14 Read Genesis 37-38
· Chapter 37 Main Points
1) Joseph, Jacob’s son had two dreams.
2) Joseph’s brothers hated him.
3) Joseph’s brothers sold him into slavery.
· Other Facts: Joseph was a dreamer and his father, Jacob. Joseph was able to interpret dreams with God’s help (later in the story).
· Joseph was favored by his father Jacob, and this made his brothers jealous to the point of hate. We must rid our spirits of things that are not of God because our actions will eventually line up with our emotions.
· What lessons can we learn from Jacob’s, Joseph’s, and his brother’s character from this chapter? What are some things that could have been done differently in this story? What other lessons can we learn from this chapter?
· Chapter 38 Main Points
1) The story of Judah, his sons, and Tamar
2) Tamar gave birth to twins Perez and Zerah.
· Other facts: Jesus Christ came through the lineage of this tribe of Israel. Perez means breaking out and Zerah means scarlet or brightness.
· What lessons can we learn about Judah and his sons’ character? How did God use this story to get his glory? What other lessons can we learn from this story?
Week 15 Read Genesis 39-41
· Chapter 39 Main Points
1) Joseph was a slave in Egypt and his first owner was Potiphar.
2) Joseph was thrown into prison.
· Other facts: Joseph was thrown into prison because he refused to succumb to advances from Potiphar’s wife.
· Gen. 39:2 The Lord was with Joseph, and he was a successful man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian. Gen 39:21 But the Lord was with Joseph and showed him mercy, and He gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison.
· Righteousness and God’s favor are themes of this chapter. Joseph chose to do the right thing even though he was thrown in prison for doing so. God blessed Joseph, as a slave and prisoner. The others directly and indirectly connected to Joseph were blessed too because of God’s favor in his life.
· How does this story give us hope? What other lessons can we learn from this story?
· Chapter 40 Main Points
1) Joseph interprets two dreams in prison
· Joseph didn’t just interpret anyone’s dream, he did it for two of Pharaoh’s officials. This brief counter would be instrumental in Joseph’s future even though he remained in prison.
· We see the growth and maturity (from chapter 37) in Joseph concerning his gift to interpret dreams, he gave God credit first. What other lessons can we learn from this chapter?
· Chapter 41 Main Points
1) Joseph interprets Pharaoh’s dreams
2) Joseph is made ruler in Egypt by Pharaoh.
· Other facts: Pharaoh’s dreams represented the famine coming to the land of Egypt and it happened exactly how Joseph said it would through interpreting them. Joseph’s Egyptian name Zapheneth-paneah, given to him by Pharaoh means God speaks and lives. His son Manasseh means causing him to forget. Ephraim means fruitful.
· Genesis 41:16 So Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying, “It is not in me; God will give Pharaoh an answer of peace.” Once again, we see Joseph acknowledging his God that gives him the ability to interpret dreams. Do you acknowledge God with the gifts he has given you?
· Genesis 41:39-41 Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Inasmuch as God has shown you all this, there is no one as discerning and wise as you. 40 You shall be over my house, and all my people shall be ruled according to your word; only in regard to the throne will I be greater than you.” 41 And Pharaoh said to Joseph, “See, I have set you over all the land of Egypt.” This was a moment that God ordained for Joseph, and it changed his life. Joseph went from the prison to the palace suddenly! What has God done for you in the past to make a seemly bad situation better for you? What other lessons can we learn from this story?
Week 16 Read Genesis 42-45
· Chapter 42 Main Points
1) Joseph’s brothers travel to Egypt to buy food due to the famine in the land.
2) Joseph tests his brothers.
3) Joseph’s brothers return home.
· Genesis 42:6-9 Now Joseph was governor over the land; and it was he who sold to all the people of the land. And Joseph’s brothers came and bowed down before him with their faces to the earth. 7 Joseph saw his brothers and recognized them, but he acted as a stranger to them and spoke roughly to them. Then he said to them, “Where do you come from?” And they said, “From the land of Canaan to buy food.”So Joseph recognized his brothers, but they did not recognize him. 9 Then Joseph remembered the dreams which he had dreamed about them, and said to them, “You are spies! You have come to see the nakedness of the land!”
· The dream Joseph had in Genesis chapter 37 years later has now manifested right before his eyes. He or his family didn’t quite understand the meaning then, but now it was being revealed in real-time. What things has God brought to pass in your life?
· Can you imagine how Joseph felt at this moment? Probably a flood of emotions came to him all at once, however, his dream from years ago was coming to pass at that moment. God gave Joseph that dream, and God gave Joseph the ability to interpret dreams. As we read on in the story, the lesson we can learn is to be totally submitted and humble to God with our gifts. Like Joseph, we must let God mature us in our giftings.
· Chapter 43 Main Points
1) Joseph’s brothers went back to Egypt for more food. They took their brother Benjamin with them.
2) Joseph’s brothers attend a feast at his palace.
3) Joseph still hid his identity from them.
· Chapter 44 Main Points
1) Joseph’s silver cup was found in Benjamin’s bag (Joseph had his attendants put it there).
2) Judah pleads for his brothers and confesses to Joseph the terrible thing they did to their younger brother (Joseph) years ago.
· Why do you think Joseph responded to his brothers by testing them in chapters 42-44?
· What other lessons can we learn from chapters 43-44?
· Chapter 45 Main Points
1) Joseph reveals his identity to his brothers.
2) Pharaoh invites Jacobs’s family to come to live in Egypt.
3) Jacob received the news, from his sons, that Joseph is still alive.
· Gen 45:3-8 Then Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph; does my father still live?” But his brothers could not answer him, for they were dismayed in his presence. 4 And Joseph said to his brothers, “Please come near to me.” So they came near. Then he said: “I am Joseph your brother, whom you sold into Egypt. 5 But now, do not, therefore, be grieved or angry with yourselves because you sold me here; for God sent me before you to preserve life. 6 For these two years the famine has been in the land, and there are still five years in which there will be neither plowing nor harvesting. 7 And God sent me before you to preserve a posterity for you in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance. 8 So now it was not you who sent me here, but God; and He has made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house, and a ruler throughout all the land of Egypt.
· Have you ever thought about how God directed your path in life even though you had to endure some hard times?
· Joseph forgave his brothers for what they did to him. Have you forgiven those who let you down, or betrayed you?
· Can you imagine the feelings of Joseph and his brothers at that moment? Have you ever been flooded with emotions but were still able to honor God as Joseph did?
· Genesis 45:26-27 And they told him, saying, “Joseph is still alive, and he is governor over all the land of Egypt.” And Jacob’s heart stood still because he did not believe them. 27 But when they told him all the words which Joseph had said to them, and when he saw the carts which Joseph had sent to carry him, the spirit of Jacob their father revived.
· Have you ever experienced a personal revival in your spirit, or do you need one now? Let this story of redemption, forgiveness, and restoration encourage you.
Week 17 Read Genesis 46-50
· Chapter 46 Main Points
1) Jacob’s entire family moved to Egypt.
2) Jacob’s family settles in Goshen.
· Other facts: God spoke to Jacob in Gen. 46:1-3 and reaffirmed his covenant with him. Jacob’s family were shepherds.
· Genesis 46:29-30 So Joseph made ready his chariot and went up to Goshen to meet his father, Israel; and he presented himself to him, and fell on his neck and wept on his neck a good while.30 And Israel said to Joseph, “Now let me die since I have seen your face because you are still alive.”
· Have you ever cried tears of joy when God did something amazing in your life? Has God ever answered a prayer that took years to come to pass?
· Chapter 47 Main Points
1) Joseph presented some of his brothers and father to Pharaoh.
2) Jacob blessed Pharaoh.
3) Joseph oversees Egypt during the famine.
· Other facts: Jacob lived 17 years in Egypt. The family of Jacob prospered, and their population grew fast.
· We see Joseph leading the country during the famine and he was successful. Egypt became rich when the famine was in the land. What lesson can we learn from this story as far as preparing for the future with our finances? What other lessons can we learn from this story?
· Chapter 48 Main Points
1) Jacob blesses Joseph’s sons Manasseh and Ephraim.
· When Jacob blessed his grandsons, everything he said about them came true through the generation of their tribes. Joseph didn’t understand why Jacob did this, but God doesn’t always move as we think he should.
· What other lesson can we learn from this story?
· Chapter 49 Main Points
1) Jacob blesses his sons and makes a prediction about their futures.
2) Jacob died right after he addressed his sons.
· Other facts: The way Jacob’s sons lived their lives had a part in Jacob’s blessing and prophecy.
· Our actions today can affect our future. Read the chapter and write down what you see from Jacob (Israel) blessing each of his sons.
· Genesis chapter 49, And Jacob called his sons and said, “Gather together, that I may tell you what shall befall you in the last days: 2 “Gather together and hear, you sons of Jacob, And listen to Israel your father.
3 “Reuben, you are my firstborn, My might and the beginning of my strength, The excellency of dignity and the excellency of power. 4 Unstable as water, you shall not excel, Because you went up to your father’s bed; Then you defiled it— He went up to my couch.
5 “Simeon and Levi are brothers; Instruments of cruelty are in their dwelling place.6 Let not my soul enter their council; Let not my honor be united to their assembly;For in their anger they slew a man, And in their self-will they hamstrung an ox. 7 Cursed be their anger, for it is fierce; And their wrath, for it is cruel! I will divide them in Jacob And scatter them in Israel.
8 “Judah, you are he whom your brothers shall praise; Your hand shall be on the neck of your enemies; Your father’s children shall bow down before you. 9 Judah is a lion’s whelp; From the prey, my son, you have gone up. He bows down, he lies down as a lion; And as a lion, who shall rouse him? 10 The scepter shall not depart from Judah,Nor a lawgiver from between his feet, Until Shiloh comes; And to Him shall be the obedience of the people. 11 Binding his donkey to the vine, And his donkey’s colt to the choice vine, He washed his garments in wine, And his clothes in the blood of grapes. 12 His eyes are darker than wine, And his teeth whiter than milk.
13 “Zebulun shall dwell by the haven of the sea; He shall become a haven for ships, And his border shall adjoin Sidon.
14 “Issachar is a strong donkey, Lying down between two burdens; 15 He saw that rest was good, And that the land was pleasant; He bowed his shoulder to bear a burden, And became a band of slaves.
16 “Dan shall judge his people As one of the tribes of Israel. 17 Dan shall be a serpent by the way, A viper by the path, That bites the horse’s heels So that its rider shall fall backward. 18 I have waited for your salvation, O Lord!
19 “Gad, a troop shall tramp upon him, But he shall triumph at last.
20 “Bread from Asher shall be rich, And he shall yield royal dainties.
21 “Naphtali is a deer let loose; He uses beautiful words.
22 “Joseph is a fruitful bough, A fruitful bough by a well; His branches run over the wall. 23 The archers have bitterly grieved him, Shot at him and hated him. 24 But his bow remained in strength, And the arms of his hands were made strong By the hands of the Mighty God of Jacob (From there is the Shepherd, the Stone of Israel),25 By the God of your father who will help you, And by the Almighty who will bless youWith blessings of heaven above, Blessings of the deep that lies beneath, Blessings of the breasts and of the womb. 26 The blessings of your father Have excelled the blessings of my ancestors, Up to the utmost bound of the everlasting hills. They shall be on the head of Joseph, And on the crown of the head of him who was separate from his brothers.
27 “Benjamin is a ravenous wolf; In the morning he shall devour the prey, And at night he shall divide the spoil.”
28 All these are the twelve tribes of Israel, and this is what their father spoke to them. And he blessed them; he blessed each one according to his own blessing.
· Chapter 50 Main Points
1) Joseph and his brothers traveled to the land of Canaan and buried Jacob there.
2) Joseph’s brothers ask for forgiveness.
3) Joseph died.
· Other facts: Joseph made his sons promise that they would bring his body to the land of Canaan once God brought the children of Israel out of Egypt. It happened in Exodus 13:19.
· Genesis 50:19-21, Joseph said to them, “Do not be afraid, for am I in the place of God? 20 But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive. 21 Now therefore, do not be afraid; I will provide for you and your little ones.” And he comforted them and spoke kindly to them. What lesson can we learn from this scripture?
· What other lessons can we learn from this story?