Spring 2005  Jan 25 and 27

‘LIVING THE GOOD LIFE’ – the life of Joseph  GENESIS 37- 50

(1) GOODNESS RESENTED- It’s hard to be good: 37.1-36

JOSEPH, (Abraham’s great grandson) AN ISSUE TO SETTLE:

Was Joseph one of the Bible’s most special people (the view of the ages) or ‘a spoilt brat’ (our generation’s, hero-hating-and-debunking view)? It is important to make up your own mind about this, for it affects a great deal.  Bear in mind that true character is most clearly revealed by a person’s actions and attitudes over a life-time.  Looking at Joseph’s whole life like that, what is revealed? And what is revealed about his brothers’ characters in just this one chapter 37? To me, the issue couldn’t be clearer: Joseph is a very special, amazing man.  We study his life to learn more about good living and God’s providence.

I. HUMAN PROBLEMS: 37-36

TROUBLED BEGINNINGS DESCRIBED: Although Joseph was part of ‘the family of faith’ (Abraham’s covenant family), Joseph’s youth saw many difficulties and heartaches.  Jacob’s household was not an harmonious place!  Many frailties and failings are evident in it.

TROUBLES:  THE UNHAPPY HOME: 1-10

• What serious problems can you identify in the life of Jacob’s family? From what did they spring?
• What part was played in them by The report Joseph brought? (2)
• The coat Joseph was given? (3)
• The dreams Joseph had? (5,9)
• Who in the family bears responsibility? Jacob? How?
• Joseph? Is ‘whistle blowing’ (2) ‘despicable sneaking’ or brave ‘shouldering responsibility’?
• Was it wrong to share his dreams? (what if he hadn’t?)
• The brothers?
• To what extent were the problems in the family: Inherited problems, reaping the seeds sown in previous years?  (See Jacob’s own childhood and marriages)
• Of their own making?
• Does past history excuse our behaviour or absolve us of personal responsibility?

TRAUMA: THE AWFUL OUTCOME: 12-36

• Think and talk about the brothers’ actions Their behaviour to Joseph
• Their attitude to their father. How do you explain such extreme actions?
• Is there any excuse for it?
• Can family ill-feeling go so deep?
• What does it reveal about  the potential evils of envy and jealousy? (See Mark 15.9-11)
• How does jealously affect us?
• Talk about the affect of all this on the heart and mind of a 17 year old!

II.  DIVINE PURPOSES: 37.5-10

HAPPY ENDINGS INTIMATED: The only bright spot in a ‘dark’ chapter is Joseph’s God-given dreams, revealing something of the divine purposes and providence of God for this family in spite of all the sin and failure. Joseph will be elevated – and so be ‘saviour’ of his family.

GOD’S GOOD PURPOSES (and PROVIDENCE)

• What do you make of the dreams Joseph had? How were they fulfilled?
• Does it make a difference to know that they originated with God not in Joseph’s heart and mind?
• How did his family interpret them?
• What was God’s purpose (in the light of all that was to happen) in giving the dreams? His purpose for Joseph (Gen 42.6,9)
• His purpose for the family (Gen 45.4-8, 50.19-21)

GOD’S GREAT GRACE:

What consolation can we draw from the fact that God still cares for and leads and keeps his covenant promise to Abraham’s family in spite of all their weakness and failure?