In the Bible a real person named Joseph lived a life that at times did not make sense and often seemed unfair. However, because of his trials, he led an extraordinary life. Imagine when Joseph was reunited with his brothers in Genesis 45. The Bible says,
Joseph was no longer able to control himself in front of his servants, so he ordered them to leave the room. No one else was with him when Joseph told his brothers who he was. He cried with such loud sobs that the Egyptians heard it, and the news was taken to the palace. Joseph said to his brothers, “I am your brother Joseph, whom you sold into Egypt. Now do not be upset or blame yourselves because you sold me here. It was really God who sent me ahead of you to save people’s lives.”
Think about it. What do these words imply? Joseph told his brothers who he was…loud sobs…news was taken to the palace…sold into Egypt…do not blame yourselves…God…sent me ahead of you…to save people’s lives. Everyone loves Joseph ~ a story of sorrow with a happy ending!
Bible Reading
Old Testament Genesis 37 | 39-45 Summary of these verses > > > click here
WEEK 1 ~ Describe Joseph’s life in your own words. Why was he in Egypt? What words describe what he did in Egypt? Why did he appear before Pharoah? What did he tell Pharoah? Why did his brothers go to Egypt? Why did they not recognize him? What was Joseph’s understanding of his life?
Week 2 ~ Write your life sketch and think about the difficulties in your life. How has God guided you because of your difficulties?
ADVANCED DISCUSSION
From memory of the summary or from the Bible reference, answer these questions about the life of Joseph:
a. What did Joseph’s father ask him to do? Genesis 37:14
b. Because his older brothers were so jealous and hated him, what did they do to Joseph? Genesis 37:28
c. As a slave in Potiphar’s house, what were Joseph’s duties? What impressed Potiphar about Joseph? Genesis 39:2-4
d. Because of the lies of Potiphar’s wife against Joseph, what did Joseph’s master do? Genesis 39:20
e. When Joseph was a prisoner in Egypt, how did God bless him? Genesis 39:21-23
f. While in prison for two years, whom did Joseph meet? Genesis 40:2-4
g. When the cup bearer returned to serve Pharaoh, what did he remember about Joseph? Genesis 41:12
h. Because Joseph was able to interpret the dreams of Pharaoh regarding seven years of plenty and seven years of famine, what did Pharaoh do? Genesis 41:39-40
i. Who came to Egypt in search of grain for food during the famine? Genesis 41:57 – 42:1-2
j. Did the brothers recognize Joseph? Genesis 42:8
If you could go back, would you?
Sometimes we are so frustrated or disillusioned or hurt or grief-stricken or angry that we think that God obviously didn’t know what He was doing when He allowed certain things to happen in our life. What if you could change your past. Imagine that things could be different, but the rules are that whatever you change means everything would be different.
Think about it!
- Asked by his father, would Joseph still leave the tent to check on his brothers in the field if he had known he would be taken by them and sold into slavery? In Genesis 45:5 and Genesis 50:20, what was Joseph’s understanding of his circumstances?
- Ask yourself these questions: Where would I be if all my dreams had come true? What kind of person would I be if I had never experienced any difficulties? If I had not made certain decisions or met certain people or if I had not experienced certain disappointments, how would my life be different now?
- Are there any struggles or disappointments that you are currently experiencing that you would like to see how God will use them for your benefit and not for your harm?
- Take time to be thankful. What are you thankful for?
Word List
disillusioned – to be discouraged when you discover something is not what it appeared to be
grief-stricken – to be overcome with sorrow
Good verse to remember:
Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; his love endures forever.
I Chronicles 16:34, Psalm 106:1, 107:1, 118:1 and 136:1
