If you were to ask me which of my children or grand-children is my favorite, I would never be able to pinpoint one. Bryan and I have the most interesting conversations; Stephen is so witty and makes me laugh; and my beautiful Natalie always makes me so proud. How could I ever choose?

I can imagine that if I were to show favoritism with one of my children when they were growing up, it would have resulted in some hard feelings, insecurity, and incredibly ugly jealousy. Most parents know better and would avoid causing such hostility among their children.

That is NOT the case in Joseph’s story, however! His father, Jacob, made it obvious that Rachel was his favorite wife, and that he loved Joseph far more than any of his other eleven sons. This blatant favoritism resulted in some heavily dysfunctional family problems.

Jacob stirred the waters of jealousy further when he presented to Joseph a “coat of many colors” but left out the others. This act made the hatred of Joseph’s brothers burn even more intensely than before.

Joseph didn’t help matters any when he bragged about the dreams God gave him of lording it over his brothers, or when he would nark to his father about what his brothers were doing. Regardless of how Joseph had rubbed it in, however, it does not excuse the behavior of his brothers.

Eyeing their brother in a far-away field, Joseph’s brothers plotted to murder him and be rid of their rival once and for all. While contemplating the details, they had tossed him into an empty cistern to rot. However, thinking they were showing mercy by sparing his life, they chose to sell their brother into slavery instead. Consequently, they had also caused inconsolable grief for their father.

Throughout the narrative, we read of Joseph’s suffering in slavery and imprisonment, yet at the same time, we also see that God has his hand on Joseph at every turn and makes him successful in everything he does. Joseph rises from the dungeon to prime-minister of Egypt, and he saves thousands during a world-wide famine.

Eventually, Joseph’s brothers make their way to Egypt and find themselves bowing before their brother, just as Joseph’s dreams had prophesied. They did not recognize him at first, but what a touching scene as we see Joseph choosing to forgive them for their heinous crime against him; put his brothers to the test to ensure a healthy reconciliation; and then move his entire family to Egypt so he can provide form them during the famine.

Joseph profoundly declares that what they had intended for evil, God had caused for their good. God was the ultimate orchestrator in their scheme, and it was because God had a much greater plan than they could see. God used this situation to save many lives, and this was also the beginning of the story of the Exodus where God would deliver the people of Israel and establish a mighty nation that would glorify his name and be a blessing to every other nation on earth. Yet, this was also part of the even bigger story of redemption that God was orchestrating to save us all from sin – the precursor to the coming of the Promised One, the Messiah, Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

Week 9 Discussion Questions

Here is a preview of what we will be talking about in our small groups for WEEK 9.

ICE BREAKER:  Dreams play a significant part in Joseph’s story. Have you ever had a powerful, memorable, or unusual dream? Share.

 QUESTION 1: What were the reasons for Joseph’s brothers’ hatred and jealousy toward him? Have you, or someone you know, ever struggled with that “green-eyed monster” of jealousy? How did you, or the other person, get over it?

 QUESTION 2: Joseph’s story in Genesis 37 begins with Joseph having two dreams that he tells his family about. Why do you think God gave Joseph those dreams, and what purposes did they serve in his life?

QUESTION 3: We like to believe that if we belong to God and we are living lives that are pleasing to God, then his presence in our lives will protect us from significant suffering. We have to wonder if Joseph thought to himself, “I believed in that dream you gave me; I ran from temptation. Is this how you reward those who serve you, Lord?” What aspects of Joseph’s experience, as well as that of other people in the Bible, help us to see that obeying God does not necessarily protect us from suffering?

And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren. Romans 8:28-29 NASB

 QUESTION 4: Have you ever been able to look back on a season of suffering and see something good God has done in and through you? What are some reasons God may allow us to experience suffering that are for our good?

 QUESTION 5: As Joseph comes to forgive and is reconciled to his brothers, what are some lessons we can learn about forgiving and reconciling with others in our own lives?

QUESTION 6: What impacted you most from our study of Joseph this week?

Week 10 Assignments

LEVEL 1:

1. Study Week 10 –The Sons of Jacob, Genesis 29-30, 34-35, 38-39, 48-49;
2. Personal Bible Study, pp. 259-262
3. Teaching Chapter: They Say You Can’t Choose Your Family, 263-278
4. Participate in a small group. (Discussing Week 9)

LEVEL 2:

1. Look for daily activities in the Heart to Heart Facebook group.
2. Read notes by David Jeremiah about lessons from the life of Joseph, Seeing Through the Pain

LEVEL 3:

1. Scripture memory of the week: You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. Genesis 50:20 NIV
2.  (Optional): Watch Video, Week 10

 LEVEL 4:

1. Read Genesis, chapters 26-50
2. Daily journaling or blogging about how God speaks to you through His Word

I hope to see you in a small group this week!