The patriarchs were not perfect. Clearly Israel was given much better laws as they inherited the land of promise. Yet, we live in an imperfect world too. Is our hope here or in a better world coming? Let’s look at Genesis 47.
What did Joseph tell Pharaoh? What was their request?
So Joseph went and informed Pharaoh: “My father and my brothers, with their sheep and cattle and all that they own, have come from the land of Canaan and are now in the land of Goshen.” He took five of his brothers and presented them before Pharaoh. Then Pharaoh asked his brothers, “What is your occupation?” And they said to Pharaoh, “Your servants, both we and our fathers, are shepherds.” Then they said to Pharaoh, “We have come to live in the land for a while because there is no grazing land for your servants’ sheep, since the famine in the land of Canaan has been severe. So now, please let your servants settle in the land of Goshen.” (Genesis 47:1-4 HCSB)
How were relations between Pharaoh and the patriarch Israel?
Then Pharaoh replied to Joseph, “Now that your father and your brothers have come to you, Egypt is at your disposal, so settle your father and brothers in the best part of the land! Let them live in the Goshen territory. If you learn that any of them are especially skilled, put them in charge of my livestock.” Later, Joseph brought his father Jacob to Pharaoh and introduced him. Jacob blessed Pharaoh. “How old are you?” Pharaoh asked Jacob. “I’m 130 years old,” Jacob replied. “My years have turned out to be few and unpleasant, but I haven’t yet reached the age my ancestors did during their travels on earth.” Then Jacob blessed Pharaoh and then left the throne room. (Genesis 47:5-10 ISV)
Did Joseph take care of his family’s needs?
And Joseph placed his father and his brethren, and gave them a possession in the land of Egypt, in the best of the land, in the land of Rameses, as Pharaoh had commanded. And Joseph nourished his father, and his brethren, and all his father's household, with bread, according to their families. (Genesis 47:11-12 KJV)
Why did the people begin to liquidate their assets?
Now there was no food in all the land, because the famine was very severe, so that the land of Egypt and the land of Canaan languished because of the famine. And Joseph collected all the money that was found in the land of Egypt and in the land of Canaan in payment for the grain which they bought, and Joseph brought the money into Pharaoh’s house. When the money was all spent in the land of Egypt and in the land of Canaan, all the Egyptians came to Joseph saying, “Give us food, for why should we die in your presence? For our money is gone.” Then Joseph said, “Give up your livestock, and I will give you food for your livestock, since your money is gone.” So they brought their livestock to Joseph, and Joseph gave them food in exchange for the horses and the flocks and the herds and the donkeys; and he fed them with food in exchange for all their livestock that year. (Genesis 47:13-17 NASB)
How did the people become slaves of the state?
When that year was over, they came to him the following year and said, “We cannot hide from our lord the fact that since our money is gone and our livestock belongs to you, there is nothing left for our lord except our bodies and our land. Why should we perish before your eyes—we and our land as well? Buy us and our land in exchange for food, and we with our land will be in bondage to Pharaoh. Give us seed so that we may live and not die, and that the land may not become desolate.” So Joseph bought all the land in Egypt for Pharaoh. The Egyptians, one and all, sold their fields, because the famine was too severe for them. The land became Pharaoh’s, and Joseph reduced the people to servitude, from one end of Egypt to the other. However, he did not buy the land of the priests, because they received a regular allotment from Pharaoh and had food enough from the allotment Pharaoh gave them. That is why they did not sell their land. (Genesis 47:18-22 NIV)
How did it happen that the Egyptians had to pay a 20% tax?
Then Joseph said to the people, “Indeed I have bought you and your land this day for Pharaoh. Look, here is seed for you, and you shall sow the land. And it shall come to pass in the harvest that you shall give one-fifth to Pharaoh. Four-fifths shall be your own, as seed for the field and for your food, for those of your households and as food for your little ones.” So they said, “You have saved our lives; let us find favor in the sight of my lord, and we will be Pharaoh’s servants.” And Joseph made it a law over the land of Egypt to this day, that Pharaoh should have one-fifth, except for the land of the priests only, which did not become Pharaoh’s. (Genesis 47:23-26 NKJV)
How did it come to pass that the descendants of Israel were treated much better and could own private land? What promise did Jacob ask of Joseph?
Meanwhile, the people of Israel settled in the region of Goshen in Egypt. There they acquired property, and they were fruitful, and their population grew rapidly. Jacob lived for seventeen years after his arrival in Egypt, so he lived 147 years in all. As the time of his death drew near, Jacob called for his son Joseph and said to him, “Please do me this favor. Put your hand under my thigh and swear that you will treat me with unfailing love by honoring this last request: Do not bury me in Egypt. When I die, please take my body out of Egypt and bury me with my ancestors.” So Joseph promised, “I will do as you ask.” “Swear that you will do it,” Jacob insisted. So Joseph gave his oath, and Jacob bowed humbly at the head of his bed. (Genesis 47:27-31 NLT)
The patriarchs were not perfect. Clearly Israel was given much better laws as they inherited the land of promise. Yet, we live in an imperfect world too. Is our hope here or in a better world coming? You decide!
Israel Enters Egypt (Genesis 46)
Do God’s plans for us sometimes mean moving to new places? Do we have faith that God will provide? What did God say to Israel about moving to Egypt? Let’s look at Genesis 46.
And Israel took his journey with all that he had, and came to Beersheba, and offered sacrifices unto the God of his father Isaac. And God spake unto Israel in the visions of the night, and said, Jacob, Jacob. And he said, Here am I. And he said, I am God, the God of thy father: fear not to go down into Egypt; for I will there make of thee a great nation: I will go down with thee into Egypt; and I will also surely bring thee up again: and Joseph shall put his hand upon thine eyes [meaning when you die]. (Genesis 46:1-4 KJV)
Did the whole clan move to Egypt? Did they also take all their possessions?
Then Jacob left Beersheba, and the sons of Israel carried their father Jacob and their little ones and their wives in the wagons which Pharaoh had sent to carry him. They also took their livestock and their possessions, which they had acquired in the land of Canaan, and came to Egypt, Jacob and all his descendants with him: his sons and his grandsons with him, his daughters and his granddaughters, and all his descendants he brought with him to Egypt. (Genesis 46:5-7 NASB)
Who were the descendants of Jacob and Leah? Who were the sons of Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun.
These are the names of the sons of Israel (Jacob and his descendants) who went to Egypt: Reuben the firstborn of Jacob. The sons of Reuben: Hanok, Pallu, Hezron and Karmi. The sons of Simeon: Jemuel, Jamin, Ohad, Jakin, Zohar and Shaul the son of a Canaanite woman. The sons of Levi: Gershon, Kohath and Merari. The sons of Judah: Er, Onan, Shelah, Perez and Zerah (but Er and Onan had died in the land of Canaan). The sons of Perez: Hezron and Hamul. The sons of Issachar: Tola, Puah, Jashub and Shimron. The sons of Zebulun: Sered, Elon and Jahleel. These were the sons Leah bore to Jacob in Paddan Aram, besides his daughter Dinah. These sons and daughters of his were thirty-three in all. (Genesis 46:8-15 NIV)
Who were the sons born to Jacob and Zilpah? Who were the sons of Gad and Asher?
The sons of Gad were Ziphion, Haggi, Shuni, Ezbon, Eri, Arodi, and Areli. The sons of Asher were Jimnah, Ishuah, Isui, Beriah, and Serah, their sister. And the sons of Beriah were Heber and Malchiel. These were the sons of Zilpah, whom Laban gave to Leah his daughter; and these she bore to Jacob: sixteen persons. (Genesis 46:16-18 NKJV)
Who were the sons born to Jacob and Rachel? Who were the sons of Joseph and Benjamin?
The sons of Jacob’s wife Rachel were Joseph and Benjamin. Joseph’s sons, born in the land of Egypt, were Manasseh and Ephraim. Their mother was Asenath, daughter of Potiphera, the priest of On. Benjamin’s sons were Bela, Beker, Ashbel, Gera, Naaman, Ehi, Rosh, Muppim, Huppim, and Ard. These were the sons of Rachel and Jacob. The number of Jacob’s descendants through Rachel was fourteen. (Genesis 46:19-22 NLT)
Who were the sons born to Jacob and Bilhah? Who were the sons of Dan and Naphtali?
The son of Dan: Hushim. The sons of Naphtali: Jahzeel, Guni, Jezer, and Shillem. These are the sons of Bilhah, whom Laban gave to Rachel, his daughter, and these she bore to Jacob: all the souls were seven. (Genesis 46:23-25 WEB)
How many men were in the clan all together? How many already resided in Egypt?
All of the persons going to Egypt with Jacob—his own children, excluding Jacob’s sons’ wives—totaled 66 persons. Joseph’s sons born to him in Egypt were 2 persons. Thus, all of the persons in Jacob’s household going to Egypt totaled 70. (Genesis 46:26-27 CEB)
What did Jacob say when he saw his long lost son? Was it akin to a dying wish?
Jacob had sent his son Judah ahead of him to ask Joseph to meet them in Goshen. So Joseph got in his chariot and went to meet his father. When they met, Joseph hugged his father around the neck and cried for a long time. Jacob said to Joseph, “Now that I have seen you and know you are still alive, I am ready to die.” (Genesis 46:28-30 CEV)
How did Joseph advise his family? What did they have to be careful not to say?
Joseph said to his brothers and to his father's household, “I will go up and tell Pharaoh and will say to him, ‘My brothers and my father's household, who were in the land of Canaan, have come to me. And the men are shepherds, for they have been keepers of livestock, and they have brought their flocks and their herds and all that they have.’ When Pharaoh calls you and says, ‘What is your occupation?’ you shall say, ‘Your servants have been keepers of livestock from our youth even until now, both we and our fathers,’ in order that you may dwell in the land of Goshen, for every shepherd is an abomination to the Egyptians.” (Genesis 46:31-34 ESV)
Do God’s plans for us sometimes mean moving to new places? Do we have faith that God will provide? You decide!
And Israel took his journey with all that he had, and came to Beersheba, and offered sacrifices unto the God of his father Isaac. And God spake unto Israel in the visions of the night, and said, Jacob, Jacob. And he said, Here am I. And he said, I am God, the God of thy father: fear not to go down into Egypt; for I will there make of thee a great nation: I will go down with thee into Egypt; and I will also surely bring thee up again: and Joseph shall put his hand upon thine eyes [meaning when you die]. (Genesis 46:1-4 KJV)
Did the whole clan move to Egypt? Did they also take all their possessions?
Then Jacob left Beersheba, and the sons of Israel carried their father Jacob and their little ones and their wives in the wagons which Pharaoh had sent to carry him. They also took their livestock and their possessions, which they had acquired in the land of Canaan, and came to Egypt, Jacob and all his descendants with him: his sons and his grandsons with him, his daughters and his granddaughters, and all his descendants he brought with him to Egypt. (Genesis 46:5-7 NASB)
Who were the descendants of Jacob and Leah? Who were the sons of Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun.
These are the names of the sons of Israel (Jacob and his descendants) who went to Egypt: Reuben the firstborn of Jacob. The sons of Reuben: Hanok, Pallu, Hezron and Karmi. The sons of Simeon: Jemuel, Jamin, Ohad, Jakin, Zohar and Shaul the son of a Canaanite woman. The sons of Levi: Gershon, Kohath and Merari. The sons of Judah: Er, Onan, Shelah, Perez and Zerah (but Er and Onan had died in the land of Canaan). The sons of Perez: Hezron and Hamul. The sons of Issachar: Tola, Puah, Jashub and Shimron. The sons of Zebulun: Sered, Elon and Jahleel. These were the sons Leah bore to Jacob in Paddan Aram, besides his daughter Dinah. These sons and daughters of his were thirty-three in all. (Genesis 46:8-15 NIV)
Who were the sons born to Jacob and Zilpah? Who were the sons of Gad and Asher?
The sons of Gad were Ziphion, Haggi, Shuni, Ezbon, Eri, Arodi, and Areli. The sons of Asher were Jimnah, Ishuah, Isui, Beriah, and Serah, their sister. And the sons of Beriah were Heber and Malchiel. These were the sons of Zilpah, whom Laban gave to Leah his daughter; and these she bore to Jacob: sixteen persons. (Genesis 46:16-18 NKJV)
Who were the sons born to Jacob and Rachel? Who were the sons of Joseph and Benjamin?
The sons of Jacob’s wife Rachel were Joseph and Benjamin. Joseph’s sons, born in the land of Egypt, were Manasseh and Ephraim. Their mother was Asenath, daughter of Potiphera, the priest of On. Benjamin’s sons were Bela, Beker, Ashbel, Gera, Naaman, Ehi, Rosh, Muppim, Huppim, and Ard. These were the sons of Rachel and Jacob. The number of Jacob’s descendants through Rachel was fourteen. (Genesis 46:19-22 NLT)
Who were the sons born to Jacob and Bilhah? Who were the sons of Dan and Naphtali?
The son of Dan: Hushim. The sons of Naphtali: Jahzeel, Guni, Jezer, and Shillem. These are the sons of Bilhah, whom Laban gave to Rachel, his daughter, and these she bore to Jacob: all the souls were seven. (Genesis 46:23-25 WEB)
How many men were in the clan all together? How many already resided in Egypt?
All of the persons going to Egypt with Jacob—his own children, excluding Jacob’s sons’ wives—totaled 66 persons. Joseph’s sons born to him in Egypt were 2 persons. Thus, all of the persons in Jacob’s household going to Egypt totaled 70. (Genesis 46:26-27 CEB)
What did Jacob say when he saw his long lost son? Was it akin to a dying wish?
Jacob had sent his son Judah ahead of him to ask Joseph to meet them in Goshen. So Joseph got in his chariot and went to meet his father. When they met, Joseph hugged his father around the neck and cried for a long time. Jacob said to Joseph, “Now that I have seen you and know you are still alive, I am ready to die.” (Genesis 46:28-30 CEV)
How did Joseph advise his family? What did they have to be careful not to say?
Joseph said to his brothers and to his father's household, “I will go up and tell Pharaoh and will say to him, ‘My brothers and my father's household, who were in the land of Canaan, have come to me. And the men are shepherds, for they have been keepers of livestock, and they have brought their flocks and their herds and all that they have.’ When Pharaoh calls you and says, ‘What is your occupation?’ you shall say, ‘Your servants have been keepers of livestock from our youth even until now, both we and our fathers,’ in order that you may dwell in the land of Goshen, for every shepherd is an abomination to the Egyptians.” (Genesis 46:31-34 ESV)
Do God’s plans for us sometimes mean moving to new places? Do we have faith that God will provide? You decide!
Joseph's Reveal (Genesis 45)
After suffering family abuse, false imprisonment, 13 years’ separation, and thoughts of vengeful deception, did Joseph finally come to a place of forgiveness and reconciliation? Have we? Do we trust God to reward patient faithfulness after abuse and betrayal? Let's look at Genesis 45.
Did Joseph finally tell his brothers the big secret? Was he overcome with emotion?
Then Joseph couldn’t control himself before all those who stood before him, and he called out, “Cause everyone to go out from me!” No one else stood with him, while Joseph made himself known to his brothers. He wept aloud. The Egyptians heard, and the house of Pharaoh heard. Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph! Does my father still live?” His brothers couldn’t answer him; for they were terrified at his presence. Joseph said to his brothers, “Come near to me, please.” They came near. He said, “I am Joseph, your brother, whom you sold into Egypt. (Genesis 45:1-4 WEB)
Was Joseph merciful? Did he see the bigger picture of God’s hand working through human failures?
Now, don’t be upset and don’t be angry with yourselves that you sold me here. Actually, God sent me before you to save lives. We’ve already had two years of famine in the land, and there are five years left without planting or harvesting. God sent me before you to make sure you’d survive and to rescue your lives in this amazing way. You didn’t send me here; it was God who made me a father to Pharaoh, master of his entire household, and ruler of the whole land of Egypt. (Genesis 45:5-8 CEB)
What was Joseph’s message for his father? Was it going to be a huge surprise?
Now hurry back and tell my father that his son Joseph says, “God has made me ruler of Egypt. Come here as quickly as you can. You will live near me in the region of Goshen with your children and grandchildren, as well as with your sheep, goats, cattle, and everything else you own. I will take care of you there during the next five years of famine. But if you don't come, you and your family and your animals will starve to death.” All of you, including my brother Benjamin, can tell by what I have said that I really am Joseph. Tell my father about my great power here in Egypt and about everything you have seen. Hurry and bring him here. (Genesis 45:9-13 CEV)
After giving these instructions, what did Joseph do? Was Pharaoh pleased? Did Pharaoh promise them land?
Then he fell upon his brother Benjamin's neck and wept, and Benjamin wept upon his neck. And he kissed all his brothers and wept upon them. After that his brothers talked with him. When the report was heard in Pharaoh's house, “Joseph's brothers have come,” it pleased Pharaoh and his servants. And Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Say to your brothers, ‘Do this: load your beasts and go back to the land of Canaan, and take your father and your households, and come to me, and I will give you the best of the land of Egypt, and you shall eat the fat of the land.’ And you, Joseph, are commanded to say, ‘Do this: take wagons from the land of Egypt for your little ones and for your wives, and bring your father, and come. Have no concern for your goods, for the best of all the land of Egypt is yours.’” (Genesis 45:14-20 ESV)
How did Joseph help his brothers prepare for the journey to bring their father to Egypt?
The sons of Israel did this. Joseph gave them wagons as Pharaoh had commanded, and he gave them provisions for the journey. He gave each of the brothers changes of clothes, but he gave Benjamin 300 pieces of silver and five changes of clothes. He sent his father the following: 10 donkeys carrying the best products of Egypt and 10 female donkeys carrying grain, food, and provisions for his father on the journey. So Joseph sent his brothers on their way, and as they were leaving, he said to them, “Don’t argue on the way.” (Genesis 45:21-24 HCSB)
Was Israel overjoyed at the news? Was he anxious to see Joseph?
So Joseph’s brothers left Egypt and returned to the land of Canaan and to their father Jacob, where they informed their father, “Joseph is still alive! As a matter of fact, he’s ruling the entire land of Egypt.” But Jacob didn’t believe them, because he had become cynical. However, as soon as his sons had told him everything Joseph had said, and after he saw the wagons that Joseph had sent along to carry him, their father Jacob’s spirit was encouraged. “It’s enough,” Israel replied. “My son Joseph is still alive. I’m going to go see him before I die!” (Genesis 45:25-28 ISV)
After suffering family abuse, false imprisonment, 13 years’ separation, and thoughts of vengeful deception, did Joseph finally come to a place of forgiveness and reconciliation? Have we? Do we trust God to reward patient faithfulness after abuse and betrayal? You decide!
Did Joseph finally tell his brothers the big secret? Was he overcome with emotion?
Then Joseph couldn’t control himself before all those who stood before him, and he called out, “Cause everyone to go out from me!” No one else stood with him, while Joseph made himself known to his brothers. He wept aloud. The Egyptians heard, and the house of Pharaoh heard. Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph! Does my father still live?” His brothers couldn’t answer him; for they were terrified at his presence. Joseph said to his brothers, “Come near to me, please.” They came near. He said, “I am Joseph, your brother, whom you sold into Egypt. (Genesis 45:1-4 WEB)
Was Joseph merciful? Did he see the bigger picture of God’s hand working through human failures?
Now, don’t be upset and don’t be angry with yourselves that you sold me here. Actually, God sent me before you to save lives. We’ve already had two years of famine in the land, and there are five years left without planting or harvesting. God sent me before you to make sure you’d survive and to rescue your lives in this amazing way. You didn’t send me here; it was God who made me a father to Pharaoh, master of his entire household, and ruler of the whole land of Egypt. (Genesis 45:5-8 CEB)
What was Joseph’s message for his father? Was it going to be a huge surprise?
Now hurry back and tell my father that his son Joseph says, “God has made me ruler of Egypt. Come here as quickly as you can. You will live near me in the region of Goshen with your children and grandchildren, as well as with your sheep, goats, cattle, and everything else you own. I will take care of you there during the next five years of famine. But if you don't come, you and your family and your animals will starve to death.” All of you, including my brother Benjamin, can tell by what I have said that I really am Joseph. Tell my father about my great power here in Egypt and about everything you have seen. Hurry and bring him here. (Genesis 45:9-13 CEV)
After giving these instructions, what did Joseph do? Was Pharaoh pleased? Did Pharaoh promise them land?
Then he fell upon his brother Benjamin's neck and wept, and Benjamin wept upon his neck. And he kissed all his brothers and wept upon them. After that his brothers talked with him. When the report was heard in Pharaoh's house, “Joseph's brothers have come,” it pleased Pharaoh and his servants. And Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Say to your brothers, ‘Do this: load your beasts and go back to the land of Canaan, and take your father and your households, and come to me, and I will give you the best of the land of Egypt, and you shall eat the fat of the land.’ And you, Joseph, are commanded to say, ‘Do this: take wagons from the land of Egypt for your little ones and for your wives, and bring your father, and come. Have no concern for your goods, for the best of all the land of Egypt is yours.’” (Genesis 45:14-20 ESV)
How did Joseph help his brothers prepare for the journey to bring their father to Egypt?
The sons of Israel did this. Joseph gave them wagons as Pharaoh had commanded, and he gave them provisions for the journey. He gave each of the brothers changes of clothes, but he gave Benjamin 300 pieces of silver and five changes of clothes. He sent his father the following: 10 donkeys carrying the best products of Egypt and 10 female donkeys carrying grain, food, and provisions for his father on the journey. So Joseph sent his brothers on their way, and as they were leaving, he said to them, “Don’t argue on the way.” (Genesis 45:21-24 HCSB)
Was Israel overjoyed at the news? Was he anxious to see Joseph?
So Joseph’s brothers left Egypt and returned to the land of Canaan and to their father Jacob, where they informed their father, “Joseph is still alive! As a matter of fact, he’s ruling the entire land of Egypt.” But Jacob didn’t believe them, because he had become cynical. However, as soon as his sons had told him everything Joseph had said, and after he saw the wagons that Joseph had sent along to carry him, their father Jacob’s spirit was encouraged. “It’s enough,” Israel replied. “My son Joseph is still alive. I’m going to go see him before I die!” (Genesis 45:25-28 ISV)
After suffering family abuse, false imprisonment, 13 years’ separation, and thoughts of vengeful deception, did Joseph finally come to a place of forgiveness and reconciliation? Have we? Do we trust God to reward patient faithfulness after abuse and betrayal? You decide!
What is Sacred (Mark 10)
What things are sacred to us? Is marriage sacred? Are children sacred? Is material wealth a sacred idol or just a tool by which we serve others? Are titles and positions sacred idols to us, or do we serve quietly without tooting our horns? Do we treat the needy as sacred to God? Let’s examine these things in Mark 10.
This time in Judea did Pharisees there also try to test Jesus? What was His answer?
Then He arose from there and came to the region of Judea by the other side of the Jordan. And multitudes gathered to Him again, and as He was accustomed, He taught them again. The Pharisees came and asked Him, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?” testing Him. And He answered and said to them, “What did Moses command you?” (Mark 10:1-3 NKJV)
What overriding principle did Jesus teach? As Father, Son and Holy Spirit are one, are husband and wife also one flesh?
They said, “Moses allowed a certificate of divorce to be written, and to divorce her.” But Jesus said to them, “For your hardness of heart, he wrote you this commandment. But from the beginning of the creation, God made them male and female. For this cause a man will leave his father and mother, and will join to his wife, and the two will become one flesh, so that they are no longer two, but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let no man separate.” (Mark 10:4-9 WEB Genesis 1:27; 2:24)
What did Jesus teach about remarriage after such a divorce? Do most Christians ignore this?
Inside the house, the disciples asked him again about this. He said to them, “Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her; and if a wife divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery.” (Mark 10:10-12 CEB)
What did Jesus teach about the place of children? Was Jesus angry about preventing little children coming to Him? Did He bless them?
Some people brought their children to Jesus so he could bless them by placing his hands on them. But his disciples told the people to stop bothering him. When Jesus saw this, he became angry and said, “Let the children come to me! Don't try to stop them. People who are like these little children belong to the kingdom of God. I promise you that you cannot get into God's kingdom, unless you accept it the way a child does.” Then Jesus took the children in his arms and blessed them by placing his hands on them. (Mark 10:13-16 CEV)
What did Jesus say about the commandments? Did He even mention the Sabbath?
And as he was setting out on his journey, a man ran up and knelt before him and asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone. You know the commandments: ‘Do not murder, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honor your father and mother.’” (Mark 10:17-19 ESV)
What command did Jesus give beyond these? How did the man respond? Was this a call that other of Jesus’ disciples had answered?
He said to Him, “Teacher, I have kept all these from my youth.” Then, looking at him, Jesus loved him and said to him, “You lack one thing: Go, sell all you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow Me.” But he was stunned at this demand, and he went away grieving, because he had many possessions. (Mark 10:20-22 HCSB)
Do rich people have a huge potential problem? Do we trust in our wealth, whether large or small?
Then Jesus looked around and told his disciples, “How hard it will be for those who are wealthy to enter the kingdom of God!” The disciples were startled by these words, but Jesus told them again, “Children, how hard it is for those who trust in their wealth to get into the kingdom of God! It’s easier for a camel to squeeze through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to get into the kingdom of God.” (Mark 10:23-25 ISV)
Is it still possible for a rich person to be saved? What did Jesus say?
And they were astonished out of measure, saying among themselves, Who then can be saved? And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible. (Mark 10:26-27 KJV)
Had the disciples left everything to follow Jesus? How did Jesus answer them? How does this apply? Do any of us really “own” our properties or do we merely rent them from God for a short lifetime? Do we put them to God’s purposes and share them, showing Christian hospitality to God’s faithful servants?
Peter began to say to Him, “Behold, we have left everything and followed You.” Jesus said, “Truly I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or farms, for My sake and for the gospel’s sake, except one who will receive one hundred times as much now in the present age—houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and farms, along with persecutions—and in the age to come, eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last, first.” (Mark 10:28-31 LSB)
What shocking prediction did Jesus then tell them? Was it about His suffering?
Now they were on the road going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was walking on ahead of them; and they were amazed, and those who followed were fearful. And again He took the twelve aside and began to tell them what was going to happen to Him, saying, “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be handed over to the chief priests and the scribes; and they will condemn Him to death and will hand Him over to the Gentiles. And they will mock Him and spit on Him, and flog Him and kill Him; and three days later He will rise from the dead.” (Mark 10:32-34 NASB)
Did James and John reveal their ambitions? Do we still find that attitude in churches?
Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to him. “Teacher,” they said, “we want you to do for us whatever we ask.” “What do you want me to do for you?” he asked. They replied, “Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory.” “You don’t know what you are asking,” Jesus said. “Can you drink the cup I drink or be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with?” (Mark 10:35-38 NIV)
How did Jesus respond to their overconfidence? Are we overconfident?
They said to Him, “We are able.” So Jesus said to them, “You will indeed drink the cup that I drink, and with the baptism I am baptized with you will be baptized; but to sit on My right hand and on My left is not Mine to give, but it is for those for whom it is prepared.” (Mark 10:39-40 NKJV)
What attitude exhibits true leadership? Is it service behind the scenes?
When the ten other disciples heard what James and John had asked, they were indignant. So Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers in this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them. But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must be the slave of everyone else. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:41-45 NLT)
How did the disciples treat a street beggar? How did Jesus treat him? How do we treat beggars on the street?
They came to Jericho. As he went out from Jericho, with his disciples and a great multitude, the son of Timaeus, Bartimaeus, a blind beggar, was sitting by the road. When he heard that it was Jesus the Nazarene, he began to cry out, and say, “Jesus, you son of David, have mercy on me!” Many rebuked him, that he should be quiet, but he cried out much more, “You son of David, have mercy on me!” Jesus stood still, and said, “Call him.” They called the blind man, saying to him, “Cheer up! Get up. He is calling you!” He, casting away his cloak, sprang up, and came to Jesus. (Mark 10:46-50 WEB)
What did Jesus do for him? Whose faith healed him?
Jesus asked him, “What do you want me to do for you?” The blind man said, “Teacher, I want to see.” Jesus said, “Go, your faith has healed you.” At once he was able to see, and he began to follow Jesus on the way. (Mark 10:51-52 CEB)
What things are sacred to us? Is marriage sacred? Are children sacred? Is material wealth a sacred idol or just a tool by which we serve others? Are titles and positions sacred idols to us, or do we serve quietly without tooting our horns? Do we treat the needy as sacred to God? You decide!
This time in Judea did Pharisees there also try to test Jesus? What was His answer?
Then He arose from there and came to the region of Judea by the other side of the Jordan. And multitudes gathered to Him again, and as He was accustomed, He taught them again. The Pharisees came and asked Him, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?” testing Him. And He answered and said to them, “What did Moses command you?” (Mark 10:1-3 NKJV)
What overriding principle did Jesus teach? As Father, Son and Holy Spirit are one, are husband and wife also one flesh?
They said, “Moses allowed a certificate of divorce to be written, and to divorce her.” But Jesus said to them, “For your hardness of heart, he wrote you this commandment. But from the beginning of the creation, God made them male and female. For this cause a man will leave his father and mother, and will join to his wife, and the two will become one flesh, so that they are no longer two, but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let no man separate.” (Mark 10:4-9 WEB Genesis 1:27; 2:24)
What did Jesus teach about remarriage after such a divorce? Do most Christians ignore this?
Inside the house, the disciples asked him again about this. He said to them, “Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her; and if a wife divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery.” (Mark 10:10-12 CEB)
What did Jesus teach about the place of children? Was Jesus angry about preventing little children coming to Him? Did He bless them?
Some people brought their children to Jesus so he could bless them by placing his hands on them. But his disciples told the people to stop bothering him. When Jesus saw this, he became angry and said, “Let the children come to me! Don't try to stop them. People who are like these little children belong to the kingdom of God. I promise you that you cannot get into God's kingdom, unless you accept it the way a child does.” Then Jesus took the children in his arms and blessed them by placing his hands on them. (Mark 10:13-16 CEV)
What did Jesus say about the commandments? Did He even mention the Sabbath?
And as he was setting out on his journey, a man ran up and knelt before him and asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone. You know the commandments: ‘Do not murder, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honor your father and mother.’” (Mark 10:17-19 ESV)
What command did Jesus give beyond these? How did the man respond? Was this a call that other of Jesus’ disciples had answered?
He said to Him, “Teacher, I have kept all these from my youth.” Then, looking at him, Jesus loved him and said to him, “You lack one thing: Go, sell all you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow Me.” But he was stunned at this demand, and he went away grieving, because he had many possessions. (Mark 10:20-22 HCSB)
Do rich people have a huge potential problem? Do we trust in our wealth, whether large or small?
Then Jesus looked around and told his disciples, “How hard it will be for those who are wealthy to enter the kingdom of God!” The disciples were startled by these words, but Jesus told them again, “Children, how hard it is for those who trust in their wealth to get into the kingdom of God! It’s easier for a camel to squeeze through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to get into the kingdom of God.” (Mark 10:23-25 ISV)
Is it still possible for a rich person to be saved? What did Jesus say?
And they were astonished out of measure, saying among themselves, Who then can be saved? And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible. (Mark 10:26-27 KJV)
Had the disciples left everything to follow Jesus? How did Jesus answer them? How does this apply? Do any of us really “own” our properties or do we merely rent them from God for a short lifetime? Do we put them to God’s purposes and share them, showing Christian hospitality to God’s faithful servants?
Peter began to say to Him, “Behold, we have left everything and followed You.” Jesus said, “Truly I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or farms, for My sake and for the gospel’s sake, except one who will receive one hundred times as much now in the present age—houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and farms, along with persecutions—and in the age to come, eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last, first.” (Mark 10:28-31 LSB)
What shocking prediction did Jesus then tell them? Was it about His suffering?
Now they were on the road going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was walking on ahead of them; and they were amazed, and those who followed were fearful. And again He took the twelve aside and began to tell them what was going to happen to Him, saying, “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be handed over to the chief priests and the scribes; and they will condemn Him to death and will hand Him over to the Gentiles. And they will mock Him and spit on Him, and flog Him and kill Him; and three days later He will rise from the dead.” (Mark 10:32-34 NASB)
Did James and John reveal their ambitions? Do we still find that attitude in churches?
Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to him. “Teacher,” they said, “we want you to do for us whatever we ask.” “What do you want me to do for you?” he asked. They replied, “Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory.” “You don’t know what you are asking,” Jesus said. “Can you drink the cup I drink or be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with?” (Mark 10:35-38 NIV)
How did Jesus respond to their overconfidence? Are we overconfident?
They said to Him, “We are able.” So Jesus said to them, “You will indeed drink the cup that I drink, and with the baptism I am baptized with you will be baptized; but to sit on My right hand and on My left is not Mine to give, but it is for those for whom it is prepared.” (Mark 10:39-40 NKJV)
What attitude exhibits true leadership? Is it service behind the scenes?
When the ten other disciples heard what James and John had asked, they were indignant. So Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers in this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them. But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must be the slave of everyone else. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:41-45 NLT)
How did the disciples treat a street beggar? How did Jesus treat him? How do we treat beggars on the street?
They came to Jericho. As he went out from Jericho, with his disciples and a great multitude, the son of Timaeus, Bartimaeus, a blind beggar, was sitting by the road. When he heard that it was Jesus the Nazarene, he began to cry out, and say, “Jesus, you son of David, have mercy on me!” Many rebuked him, that he should be quiet, but he cried out much more, “You son of David, have mercy on me!” Jesus stood still, and said, “Call him.” They called the blind man, saying to him, “Cheer up! Get up. He is calling you!” He, casting away his cloak, sprang up, and came to Jesus. (Mark 10:46-50 WEB)
What did Jesus do for him? Whose faith healed him?
Jesus asked him, “What do you want me to do for you?” The blind man said, “Teacher, I want to see.” Jesus said, “Go, your faith has healed you.” At once he was able to see, and he began to follow Jesus on the way. (Mark 10:51-52 CEB)
What things are sacred to us? Is marriage sacred? Are children sacred? Is material wealth a sacred idol or just a tool by which we serve others? Are titles and positions sacred idols to us, or do we serve quietly without tooting our horns? Do we treat the needy as sacred to God? You decide!
Joseph's Deception (Genesis 44)
The Bible contains truthful DEscriptions of events, but not every DEscription is also a PREscription or recommendation for us. Does the Bible hide the sins of believers or frankly tell both the good and bad? Is Christian history also filled with both good and bad? Is God merciful? Let’s look at Genesis 44.
Did Joseph set a dishonest trap to deceive his brothers and falsely accuse them?
Later, Joseph commanded his palace manager, “Fill the men’s sacks to full capacity with food and replace each man’s money at the top of the sack. Then place my cup—the silver one—in the top of the sack belonging to the youngest one, along with the money he brought to buy grain.” So the manager did precisely what Joseph told him to do. Early the next morning, the men were sent on their way, along with their donkeys. They had not traveled far from the city when Joseph ordered his palace manager, “Get up, follow those men, and when you’ve caught up with them, ask them, ‘Why did you repay evil for good? Don’t you have the cup that my master uses to drink from and also uses to practice divination? You’re wrong to have done this.’” So he went after them and made that accusation. (Genesis 44:1-6 ISV)
In whose luggage was the trap set? What did the brothers do when this was found?
And they said unto him, Wherefore saith my lord these words? God forbid that thy servants should do according to this thing: Behold, the money, which we found in our sacks' mouths, we brought again unto thee out of the land of Canaan: how then should we steal out of thy lord's house silver or gold? With whomsoever of thy servants it be found, both let him die, and we also will be my lord's bondmen. And he said, Now also let it be according unto your words: he with whom it is found shall be my servant; and ye shall be blameless. Then they speedily took down every man his sack to the ground, and opened every man his sack. And he searched, and began at the eldest, and left at the youngest: and the cup was found in Benjamin's sack. Then they rent their clothes, and laded every man his ass, and returned to the city. (Genesis 44:7-13 KJV)
What did Joseph say to his brothers? What was he trying to accomplish?
When Judah and his brothers came to Joseph’s house, he was still there, and they fell down to the ground before him. Joseph said to them, “What is this thing that you have done? Do you not know that a man who is like me can indeed practice divination?” So Judah said, “What can we say to my lord? What words can we speak? And how can we justify ourselves? God has found out the guilt of your servants; behold, we are my lord’s slaves, both we and the one in whose possession the cup has been found.” But he said, “Far be it from me to do this. The man in whose possession the cup has been found, he shall be my slave; but as for you, go up in peace to your father.” (Genesis 44:14-17 NASB)
How did Judah begin his plea? Did he leave out their guilt in kidnapping and selling their brother?
Then Judah went up to him and said: “Pardon your servant, my lord, let me speak a word to my lord. Do not be angry with your servant, though you are equal to Pharaoh himself. My lord asked his servants, ‘Do you have a father or a brother?’ And we answered, ‘We have an aged father, and there is a young son born to him in his old age. His brother is dead, and he is the only one of his mother’s sons left, and his father loves him.’ “Then you said to your servants, ‘Bring him down to me so I can see him for myself.’ And we said to my lord, ‘The boy cannot leave his father; if he leaves him, his father will die.’ But you told your servants, ‘Unless your youngest brother comes down with you, you will not see my face again.’ (Genesis 44:18-23 NIV)
Did Judah speak of their father’s grief? What did he say of their missing brother, Joseph?
“So it was, when we went up to your servant my father, that we told him the words of my lord. And our father said, ‘Go back and buy us a little food.’ But we said, ‘We cannot go down; if our youngest brother is with us, then we will go down; for we may not see the man’s face unless our youngest brother is with us.’ Then your servant my father said to us, ‘You know that my wife bore me two sons; and the one went out from me, and I said, “Surely he is torn to pieces”; and I have not seen him since. But if you take this one also from me, and calamity befalls him, you shall bring down my gray hair with sorrow to the grave.’ (Genesis 44:24-29 NKJV)
What was Judah’s final plea? Did he offer to take Benjamin’s place?
“And now, my lord, I cannot go back to my father without the boy. Our father’s life is bound up in the boy’s life. If he sees that the boy is not with us, our father will die. We, your servants, will indeed be responsible for sending that grieving, white-haired man to his grave. My lord, I guaranteed to my father that I would take care of the boy. I told him, ‘If I don’t bring him back to you, I will bear the blame forever.’ “So please, my lord, let me stay here as a slave instead of the boy, and let the boy return with his brothers. For how can I return to my father if the boy is not with me? I couldn’t bear to see the anguish this would cause my father!” (Genesis 44:30-34 NLT)
Did Joseph set a dishonest trap to deceive his brothers and falsely accuse them?
Later, Joseph commanded his palace manager, “Fill the men’s sacks to full capacity with food and replace each man’s money at the top of the sack. Then place my cup—the silver one—in the top of the sack belonging to the youngest one, along with the money he brought to buy grain.” So the manager did precisely what Joseph told him to do. Early the next morning, the men were sent on their way, along with their donkeys. They had not traveled far from the city when Joseph ordered his palace manager, “Get up, follow those men, and when you’ve caught up with them, ask them, ‘Why did you repay evil for good? Don’t you have the cup that my master uses to drink from and also uses to practice divination? You’re wrong to have done this.’” So he went after them and made that accusation. (Genesis 44:1-6 ISV)
In whose luggage was the trap set? What did the brothers do when this was found?
And they said unto him, Wherefore saith my lord these words? God forbid that thy servants should do according to this thing: Behold, the money, which we found in our sacks' mouths, we brought again unto thee out of the land of Canaan: how then should we steal out of thy lord's house silver or gold? With whomsoever of thy servants it be found, both let him die, and we also will be my lord's bondmen. And he said, Now also let it be according unto your words: he with whom it is found shall be my servant; and ye shall be blameless. Then they speedily took down every man his sack to the ground, and opened every man his sack. And he searched, and began at the eldest, and left at the youngest: and the cup was found in Benjamin's sack. Then they rent their clothes, and laded every man his ass, and returned to the city. (Genesis 44:7-13 KJV)
What did Joseph say to his brothers? What was he trying to accomplish?
When Judah and his brothers came to Joseph’s house, he was still there, and they fell down to the ground before him. Joseph said to them, “What is this thing that you have done? Do you not know that a man who is like me can indeed practice divination?” So Judah said, “What can we say to my lord? What words can we speak? And how can we justify ourselves? God has found out the guilt of your servants; behold, we are my lord’s slaves, both we and the one in whose possession the cup has been found.” But he said, “Far be it from me to do this. The man in whose possession the cup has been found, he shall be my slave; but as for you, go up in peace to your father.” (Genesis 44:14-17 NASB)
How did Judah begin his plea? Did he leave out their guilt in kidnapping and selling their brother?
Then Judah went up to him and said: “Pardon your servant, my lord, let me speak a word to my lord. Do not be angry with your servant, though you are equal to Pharaoh himself. My lord asked his servants, ‘Do you have a father or a brother?’ And we answered, ‘We have an aged father, and there is a young son born to him in his old age. His brother is dead, and he is the only one of his mother’s sons left, and his father loves him.’ “Then you said to your servants, ‘Bring him down to me so I can see him for myself.’ And we said to my lord, ‘The boy cannot leave his father; if he leaves him, his father will die.’ But you told your servants, ‘Unless your youngest brother comes down with you, you will not see my face again.’ (Genesis 44:18-23 NIV)
Did Judah speak of their father’s grief? What did he say of their missing brother, Joseph?
“So it was, when we went up to your servant my father, that we told him the words of my lord. And our father said, ‘Go back and buy us a little food.’ But we said, ‘We cannot go down; if our youngest brother is with us, then we will go down; for we may not see the man’s face unless our youngest brother is with us.’ Then your servant my father said to us, ‘You know that my wife bore me two sons; and the one went out from me, and I said, “Surely he is torn to pieces”; and I have not seen him since. But if you take this one also from me, and calamity befalls him, you shall bring down my gray hair with sorrow to the grave.’ (Genesis 44:24-29 NKJV)
What was Judah’s final plea? Did he offer to take Benjamin’s place?
“And now, my lord, I cannot go back to my father without the boy. Our father’s life is bound up in the boy’s life. If he sees that the boy is not with us, our father will die. We, your servants, will indeed be responsible for sending that grieving, white-haired man to his grave. My lord, I guaranteed to my father that I would take care of the boy. I told him, ‘If I don’t bring him back to you, I will bear the blame forever.’ “So please, my lord, let me stay here as a slave instead of the boy, and let the boy return with his brothers. For how can I return to my father if the boy is not with me? I couldn’t bear to see the anguish this would cause my father!” (Genesis 44:30-34 NLT)
The Bible contains truthful DEscriptions of events, but not every DEscription is also a PREscription or recommendation for us? Does the Bible hide the sins of believers or frankly tell both the good and bad? Is Christian history also filled with both good and bad? Is God merciful? You decide!
The Brothers Return (Genesis 43)
Does the reality of life often turn youthful bragging and lack of wisdom into humility? Does God sometimes bring wonderful surprise blessings after many years of trial and testing? Let’s look at Genesis 43.
Why did Joseph’s brothers eventually need to return to Egypt?
Now the famine was severe in the land. And it came to pass, when they had eaten up the grain which they had brought from Egypt, that their father said to them, “Go back, buy us a little food.” But Judah spoke to him, saying, “The man solemnly warned us, saying, ‘You shall not see my face unless your brother is with you.’ If you send our brother with us, we will go down and buy you food. But if you will not send him, we will not go down; for the man said to us, ‘You shall not see my face unless your brother is with you.’ ” And Israel said, “Why did you deal so wrongfully with me as to tell the man whether you had still another brother?” But they said, “The man asked us pointedly about ourselves and our family, saying, ‘Is your father still alive? Have you another brother?’ And we told him according to these words. Could we possibly have known that he would say, ‘Bring your brother down’?” (Genesis 43:1-7 NKJV)
Why was Judah somewhat perturbed with his father?
Judah said to his father, “Send the boy with me, and we will be on our way. Otherwise we will all die of starvation—and not only we, but you and our little ones. I personally guarantee his safety. You may hold me responsible if I don’t bring him back to you. Then let me bear the blame forever. If we hadn’t wasted all this time, we could have gone and returned twice by now.” (Genesis 43:8-10 NLT)
Did their father Israel finally relent? What extra effort did he require?
Their father, Israel, said to them, “If it must be so, then do this: Take from the choice fruits of the land in your bags, and carry down a present for the man, a little balm, a little honey, spices and myrrh, nuts, and almonds; and take double money in your hand, and take back the money that was returned in the mouth of your sacks. Perhaps it was an oversight. Take your brother also, get up, and return to the man. May God Almighty give you mercy before the man, that he may release to you your other brother and Benjamin. If I am bereaved of my children, I am bereaved.” (Genesis 43:11-14 WEB)
How did Joseph receive them? Did he plan a grand luncheon?
So the men took this gift. They took twice as much silver with them, together with Benjamin. They left, traveled down to Egypt, and received an audience with Joseph. When Joseph saw Benjamin with them, he said to the manager of his household, “Bring the men to the house and slaughter an animal and prepare it because the men will have dinner with me at noon.” The man did as Joseph told him and brought the men to Joseph’s house. (Genesis 43:15-17 CEB)
Were they worried? What did they tell a servant? What did the servant say?
But on the way they got worried and started thinking, “We are being taken there because of the money that was put back in our sacks last time. He will arrest us, make us his slaves, and take our donkeys.” So when they arrived at Joseph's house, they said to the servant in charge, “Sir, we came to Egypt once before to buy grain. But when we stopped for the night, we each found in our grain sacks the exact amount we had paid. We have brought that money back, together with enough money to buy more grain. We don't know who put the money in our sacks.” “It's all right,” the servant replied. “Don't worry. The God you and your father worship must have put the money there, because I received your payment in full.” Then he brought Simeon out to them. The servant took them into Joseph's house and gave them water to wash their feet. He also tended their donkeys. The brothers got their gifts ready to give to Joseph at noon, since they had heard they were going to eat there. (Genesis 43:18-25 CEV)
Did Joseph greet them? Did he have a few questions?
When Joseph came home, they brought into the house to him the present that they had with them and bowed down to him to the ground. And he inquired about their welfare and said, “Is your father well, the old man of whom you spoke? Is he still alive?” They said, “Your servant our father is well; he is still alive.” And they bowed their heads and prostrated themselves. And he lifted up his eyes and saw his brother Benjamin, his mother's son, and said, “Is this your youngest brother, of whom you spoke to me? God be gracious to you, my son!” (Genesis 43:26-29 ESV)
Was Joseph almost overcome with emotion? Did segregation and bigotry exist even in those days?
Joseph hurried out because he was overcome with emotion for his brother, and he was about to weep. He went into an inner room to weep. Then he washed his face and came out. Regaining his composure, he said, “Serve the meal.” They served him by himself, his brothers by themselves, and the Egyptians who were eating with him by themselves, because Egyptians could not eat with Hebrews, since that is abhorrent to them. They were seated before him in order by age, from the firstborn to the youngest. The men looked at each other in astonishment. Portions were served to them from Joseph’s table, and Benjamin’s portion was five times larger than any of theirs. They drank, and they got intoxicated with Joseph. (Genesis 43:30-34 HCSB)
Does the reality of life often turn youthful bragging and lack of wisdom into humility? Does God sometimes bring wonderful surprise blessings after many years of trial and testing? You decide!
Why did Joseph’s brothers eventually need to return to Egypt?
Now the famine was severe in the land. And it came to pass, when they had eaten up the grain which they had brought from Egypt, that their father said to them, “Go back, buy us a little food.” But Judah spoke to him, saying, “The man solemnly warned us, saying, ‘You shall not see my face unless your brother is with you.’ If you send our brother with us, we will go down and buy you food. But if you will not send him, we will not go down; for the man said to us, ‘You shall not see my face unless your brother is with you.’ ” And Israel said, “Why did you deal so wrongfully with me as to tell the man whether you had still another brother?” But they said, “The man asked us pointedly about ourselves and our family, saying, ‘Is your father still alive? Have you another brother?’ And we told him according to these words. Could we possibly have known that he would say, ‘Bring your brother down’?” (Genesis 43:1-7 NKJV)
Why was Judah somewhat perturbed with his father?
Judah said to his father, “Send the boy with me, and we will be on our way. Otherwise we will all die of starvation—and not only we, but you and our little ones. I personally guarantee his safety. You may hold me responsible if I don’t bring him back to you. Then let me bear the blame forever. If we hadn’t wasted all this time, we could have gone and returned twice by now.” (Genesis 43:8-10 NLT)
Did their father Israel finally relent? What extra effort did he require?
Their father, Israel, said to them, “If it must be so, then do this: Take from the choice fruits of the land in your bags, and carry down a present for the man, a little balm, a little honey, spices and myrrh, nuts, and almonds; and take double money in your hand, and take back the money that was returned in the mouth of your sacks. Perhaps it was an oversight. Take your brother also, get up, and return to the man. May God Almighty give you mercy before the man, that he may release to you your other brother and Benjamin. If I am bereaved of my children, I am bereaved.” (Genesis 43:11-14 WEB)
How did Joseph receive them? Did he plan a grand luncheon?
So the men took this gift. They took twice as much silver with them, together with Benjamin. They left, traveled down to Egypt, and received an audience with Joseph. When Joseph saw Benjamin with them, he said to the manager of his household, “Bring the men to the house and slaughter an animal and prepare it because the men will have dinner with me at noon.” The man did as Joseph told him and brought the men to Joseph’s house. (Genesis 43:15-17 CEB)
Were they worried? What did they tell a servant? What did the servant say?
But on the way they got worried and started thinking, “We are being taken there because of the money that was put back in our sacks last time. He will arrest us, make us his slaves, and take our donkeys.” So when they arrived at Joseph's house, they said to the servant in charge, “Sir, we came to Egypt once before to buy grain. But when we stopped for the night, we each found in our grain sacks the exact amount we had paid. We have brought that money back, together with enough money to buy more grain. We don't know who put the money in our sacks.” “It's all right,” the servant replied. “Don't worry. The God you and your father worship must have put the money there, because I received your payment in full.” Then he brought Simeon out to them. The servant took them into Joseph's house and gave them water to wash their feet. He also tended their donkeys. The brothers got their gifts ready to give to Joseph at noon, since they had heard they were going to eat there. (Genesis 43:18-25 CEV)
Did Joseph greet them? Did he have a few questions?
When Joseph came home, they brought into the house to him the present that they had with them and bowed down to him to the ground. And he inquired about their welfare and said, “Is your father well, the old man of whom you spoke? Is he still alive?” They said, “Your servant our father is well; he is still alive.” And they bowed their heads and prostrated themselves. And he lifted up his eyes and saw his brother Benjamin, his mother's son, and said, “Is this your youngest brother, of whom you spoke to me? God be gracious to you, my son!” (Genesis 43:26-29 ESV)
Was Joseph almost overcome with emotion? Did segregation and bigotry exist even in those days?
Joseph hurried out because he was overcome with emotion for his brother, and he was about to weep. He went into an inner room to weep. Then he washed his face and came out. Regaining his composure, he said, “Serve the meal.” They served him by himself, his brothers by themselves, and the Egyptians who were eating with him by themselves, because Egyptians could not eat with Hebrews, since that is abhorrent to them. They were seated before him in order by age, from the firstborn to the youngest. The men looked at each other in astonishment. Portions were served to them from Joseph’s table, and Benjamin’s portion was five times larger than any of theirs. They drank, and they got intoxicated with Joseph. (Genesis 43:30-34 HCSB)
Does the reality of life often turn youthful bragging and lack of wisdom into humility? Does God sometimes bring wonderful surprise blessings after many years of trial and testing? You decide!
Difficult Reunion (Genesis 42)
Can past abuse make a family reunion difficult? God does not require that we trust those who once hurt us, but can we forgive? Let’s look at Genesis 42.
What were Joseph’s brothers forced to do because of the famine?
When Jacob learned that there was grain in Egypt, he said to his sons, “Why are you staring blankly at each other? I’ve just heard that there’s grain in Egypt. Go down there and buy some for us so that we can survive and not starve to death.” So Joseph’s ten brothers went down to buy grain in Egypt. However, Jacob didn’t send Joseph’s brother Benjamin along with his brothers because he thought something bad might happen to him. Israel’s sons came to buy grain with others who also came since the famine had spread to the land of Canaan. (Genesis 42:1-5 CEB)
Was Joseph kind to them at first or perhaps still hurting because of their bad treatment of him in the past?
Since Joseph was governor of Egypt and in charge of selling grain, his brothers came to him and bowed with their faces to the ground. They did not recognize Joseph, but at once he knew who they were, though he pretended not to know. Instead, he spoke harshly and asked, “Where do you come from?” “From the land of Canaan,” they answered. “We've come here to buy grain.” Joseph remembered what he had dreamed about them and said, “You're spies! You've come here to find out where our country is weak.” “No sir,” they replied. “We're your servants, and we have only come to buy grain. We're honest men, and we come from the same family—we're not spies.” “That isn't so!” Joseph insisted. “You've come here to find out where our country is weak.” But they explained, “Sir, we come from a family of twelve brothers. The youngest is still with our father in Canaan, and one of our brothers is dead.” (Genesis 42:6-13 CEV)
What was Joseph trying to accomplish? Did he want to see his little brother again?
But Joseph said to them, “It is as I said to you. You are spies. By this you shall be tested: by the life of Pharaoh, you shall not go from this place unless your youngest brother comes here. Send one of you, and let him bring your brother, while you remain confined, that your words may be tested, whether there is truth in you. Or else, by the life of Pharaoh, surely you are spies.” And he put them all together in custody for three days. (Genesis 42:14-17 ESV)
How did Joseph challenge his older brothers? Did their consciences bother them?
On the third day Joseph said to them, “I fear God—do this and you will live. If you are honest, let one of you be confined to the guardhouse, while the rest of you go and take grain to relieve the hunger of your households. Bring your youngest brother to me so that your words can be confirmed; then you won’t die.” And they consented to this. Then they said to each other, “Obviously, we are being punished for what we did to our brother. We saw his deep distress when he pleaded with us, but we would not listen. That is why this trouble has come to us.” But Reuben replied: “Didn’t I tell you not to harm the boy? But you wouldn’t listen. Now we must account for his blood!” (Genesis 42:18-22 HCSB)
What did Joseph do to Simeon? What did he do with their money?
Meanwhile, they had no idea that Joseph could understand them, since he was talking to them through an interpreter. He turned away from them and began to weep. When he returned, he spoke with them, but then he took Simeon away from them and had him placed under arrest right in front of them. After this, Joseph gave orders to fill up their sacks with grain, to return each man’s money to his own sack, and to supply each of them with provisions for their return journey. All of this was done for them. (Genesis 42:23-25 ISV)
What did the brothers do when they discovered their money?
And they laded their asses with the corn, and departed thence. And as one of them opened his sack to give his ass provender in the inn, he espied his money; for, behold, it was in his sack's mouth. And he said unto his brethren, My money is restored; and, lo, it is even in my sack: and their heart failed them, and they were afraid, saying one to another, What is this that God hath done unto us? (Genesis 42:26-28 KJV)
What did they report to their father? Did they report the request that their youngest brother be sent?
When they came to their father Jacob in the land of Canaan, they told him everything that had happened to them, saying, “The man, the lord of the land, spoke harshly with us, and took us for spies of the country. But we said to him, ‘We are honest men; we are not spies. We are twelve brothers, sons of our father; one is no longer alive, and the youngest is with our father today in the land of Canaan.’ But the man, the lord of the land, said to us, ‘By this I will know that you are honest men: leave one of your brothers with me and take grain for the famine of your households, and go. But bring your youngest brother to me so that I may know that you are not spies, but honest men. I will give your brother to you, and you may trade in the land.’” (Genesis 42:29-34 NASB)
How did Jacob respond? Was this potentially a great sorrow for him?
As they were emptying their sacks, there in each man’s sack was his pouch of silver! When they and their father saw the money pouches, they were frightened. Their father Jacob said to them, “You have deprived me of my children. Joseph is no more and Simeon is no more, and now you want to take Benjamin. Everything is against me!” Then Reuben said to his father, “You may put both of my sons to death if I do not bring him back to you. Entrust him to my care, and I will bring him back.” But Jacob said, “My son will not go down there with you; his brother is dead and he is the only one left. If harm comes to him on the journey you are taking, you will bring my gray head down to the grave in sorrow.” (Genesis 42:35-38 NIV)
Can past abuse make a family reunion difficult? God does not require that we trust those who once hurt us, but can we forgive? You decide!
What were Joseph’s brothers forced to do because of the famine?
When Jacob learned that there was grain in Egypt, he said to his sons, “Why are you staring blankly at each other? I’ve just heard that there’s grain in Egypt. Go down there and buy some for us so that we can survive and not starve to death.” So Joseph’s ten brothers went down to buy grain in Egypt. However, Jacob didn’t send Joseph’s brother Benjamin along with his brothers because he thought something bad might happen to him. Israel’s sons came to buy grain with others who also came since the famine had spread to the land of Canaan. (Genesis 42:1-5 CEB)
Was Joseph kind to them at first or perhaps still hurting because of their bad treatment of him in the past?
Since Joseph was governor of Egypt and in charge of selling grain, his brothers came to him and bowed with their faces to the ground. They did not recognize Joseph, but at once he knew who they were, though he pretended not to know. Instead, he spoke harshly and asked, “Where do you come from?” “From the land of Canaan,” they answered. “We've come here to buy grain.” Joseph remembered what he had dreamed about them and said, “You're spies! You've come here to find out where our country is weak.” “No sir,” they replied. “We're your servants, and we have only come to buy grain. We're honest men, and we come from the same family—we're not spies.” “That isn't so!” Joseph insisted. “You've come here to find out where our country is weak.” But they explained, “Sir, we come from a family of twelve brothers. The youngest is still with our father in Canaan, and one of our brothers is dead.” (Genesis 42:6-13 CEV)
What was Joseph trying to accomplish? Did he want to see his little brother again?
But Joseph said to them, “It is as I said to you. You are spies. By this you shall be tested: by the life of Pharaoh, you shall not go from this place unless your youngest brother comes here. Send one of you, and let him bring your brother, while you remain confined, that your words may be tested, whether there is truth in you. Or else, by the life of Pharaoh, surely you are spies.” And he put them all together in custody for three days. (Genesis 42:14-17 ESV)
How did Joseph challenge his older brothers? Did their consciences bother them?
On the third day Joseph said to them, “I fear God—do this and you will live. If you are honest, let one of you be confined to the guardhouse, while the rest of you go and take grain to relieve the hunger of your households. Bring your youngest brother to me so that your words can be confirmed; then you won’t die.” And they consented to this. Then they said to each other, “Obviously, we are being punished for what we did to our brother. We saw his deep distress when he pleaded with us, but we would not listen. That is why this trouble has come to us.” But Reuben replied: “Didn’t I tell you not to harm the boy? But you wouldn’t listen. Now we must account for his blood!” (Genesis 42:18-22 HCSB)
What did Joseph do to Simeon? What did he do with their money?
Meanwhile, they had no idea that Joseph could understand them, since he was talking to them through an interpreter. He turned away from them and began to weep. When he returned, he spoke with them, but then he took Simeon away from them and had him placed under arrest right in front of them. After this, Joseph gave orders to fill up their sacks with grain, to return each man’s money to his own sack, and to supply each of them with provisions for their return journey. All of this was done for them. (Genesis 42:23-25 ISV)
What did the brothers do when they discovered their money?
And they laded their asses with the corn, and departed thence. And as one of them opened his sack to give his ass provender in the inn, he espied his money; for, behold, it was in his sack's mouth. And he said unto his brethren, My money is restored; and, lo, it is even in my sack: and their heart failed them, and they were afraid, saying one to another, What is this that God hath done unto us? (Genesis 42:26-28 KJV)
What did they report to their father? Did they report the request that their youngest brother be sent?
When they came to their father Jacob in the land of Canaan, they told him everything that had happened to them, saying, “The man, the lord of the land, spoke harshly with us, and took us for spies of the country. But we said to him, ‘We are honest men; we are not spies. We are twelve brothers, sons of our father; one is no longer alive, and the youngest is with our father today in the land of Canaan.’ But the man, the lord of the land, said to us, ‘By this I will know that you are honest men: leave one of your brothers with me and take grain for the famine of your households, and go. But bring your youngest brother to me so that I may know that you are not spies, but honest men. I will give your brother to you, and you may trade in the land.’” (Genesis 42:29-34 NASB)
How did Jacob respond? Was this potentially a great sorrow for him?
As they were emptying their sacks, there in each man’s sack was his pouch of silver! When they and their father saw the money pouches, they were frightened. Their father Jacob said to them, “You have deprived me of my children. Joseph is no more and Simeon is no more, and now you want to take Benjamin. Everything is against me!” Then Reuben said to his father, “You may put both of my sons to death if I do not bring him back to you. Entrust him to my care, and I will bring him back.” But Jacob said, “My son will not go down there with you; his brother is dead and he is the only one left. If harm comes to him on the journey you are taking, you will bring my gray head down to the grave in sorrow.” (Genesis 42:35-38 NIV)
Can past abuse make a family reunion difficult? God does not require that we trust those who once hurt us, but can we forgive? You decide!
Pharaoh's Dreams (Genesis 41)
How suddenly can God’s blessings come? How patient must we be for God to work out difficult circumstances in our lives? Let’s look at Genesis 41.
What was Pharaoh’s first dream? How long did Joseph have to wait on God?
Then it came to pass, at the end of two full years, that Pharaoh had a dream; and behold, he stood by the river. Suddenly there came up out of the river seven cows, fine looking and fat; and they fed in the meadow. Then behold, seven other cows came up after them out of the river, ugly and gaunt, and stood by the other cows on the bank of the river. And the ugly and gaunt cows ate up the seven fine looking and fat cows. So Pharaoh awoke. (Genesis 41:1-4 NKJV)
What was Pharaoh’s second dream? Was it in some ways similar to the first?
But he fell asleep again and had a second dream. This time he saw seven heads of grain, plump and beautiful, growing on a single stalk. Then seven more heads of grain appeared, but these were shriveled and withered by the east wind. And these thin heads swallowed up the seven plump, well-formed heads! Then Pharaoh woke up again and realized it was a dream. (Genesis 41:5-7 NLT)
Could they find someone to interpret the dreams? Who interprets dreams?
In the morning, his spirit was troubled, and he sent and called for all of Egypt’s magicians and wise men. Pharaoh told them his dreams, but there was no one who could interpret them to Pharaoh. (Genesis 41:8 WEB)
Did the chief cupbearer finally remember Joseph? Did he inform the king?
Then the chief wine steward [cup bearer] spoke to Pharaoh: “Today I’ve just remembered my mistake. Pharaoh was angry with his servants and put me and the chief baker under arrest with the commander of the royal guard. We both dreamed one night, he and I, and each of our dreams had its own interpretation. A young Hebrew man, a servant of the commander of the royal guard, was with us. We described our dreams to him, and he interpreted our dreams for us, giving us an interpretation for each dream. His interpretations came true exactly: Pharaoh restored me to my position but hanged him.” (Genesis 41:9-13 CEB)
To whom did Joseph give credit? To whom do we give credit?
The king sent for Joseph, who was quickly brought out of jail. He shaved, changed his clothes, and went to the king. The king said to him, “I had a dream, yet no one can explain what it means. I am told that you can interpret dreams.” “Your Majesty,” Joseph answered, “I can't do it myself, but God can give a good meaning to your dreams.” (Genesis 41:14-16 CEV)
How did Pharaoh recount his dreams to Joseph? Were they somewhat similar?
Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Behold, in my dream I was standing on the banks of the Nile. Seven cows, plump and attractive, came up out of the Nile and fed in the reed grass. Seven other cows came up after them, poor and very ugly and thin, such as I had never seen in all the land of Egypt. And the thin, ugly cows ate up the first seven plump cows, but when they had eaten them no one would have known that they had eaten them, for they were still as ugly as at the beginning. Then I awoke. I also saw in my dream seven ears growing on one stalk, full and good. Seven ears, withered, thin, and blighted by the east wind, sprouted after them, and the thin ears swallowed up the seven good ears. And I told it to the magicians, but there was no one who could explain it to me.” (Genesis 41:17-24 ESV)
What did Joseph begin to say? To whom did he give credit?
Then Joseph said to Pharaoh, “Pharaoh’s dreams mean the same thing. God has revealed to Pharaoh what He is about to do. The seven good cows are seven years, and the seven ripe heads are seven years. The dreams mean the same thing. The seven thin, ugly cows that came up after them are seven years, and the seven worthless, scorched heads of grain are seven years of famine. (Genesis 41:25-27 HCSB)
Who did Joseph again credit for the interpretation? Did he point to God?
So the message that I have for Pharaoh is that God is telling Pharaoh what he is getting ready to do. Be advised that seven years of phenomenal abundance are coming throughout all the land of Egypt, but after them seven years of famine are ahead, during which all of the abundance will be forgotten throughout the land of Egypt. The famine will ravage the land so severely that there will be no surplus in the land due to the coming famine, because it will be very severe. (Genesis 41:28-31 ISV)
What did Joseph advise Pharaoh? Was it extraordinary wisdom?
And for that the dream was doubled unto Pharaoh twice; it is because the thing is established by God, and God will shortly bring it to pass. Now therefore let Pharaoh look out a man discreet and wise, and set him over the land of Egypt. Let Pharaoh do this, and let him appoint officers over the land, and take up the fifth part of the land of Egypt in the seven plenteous years. And let them gather all the food of those good years that come, and lay up corn under the hand of Pharaoh, and let them keep food in the cities. And that food shall be for store to the land against the seven years of famine, which shall be in the land of Egypt; that the land perish not through the famine. (Genesis 41:32-36 KJV)
Who did Pharaoh appoint? Was Joseph’s long time of trouble coming to a sudden end?
Now the proposal seemed good to Pharaoh and to all his servants. Then Pharaoh said to his servants, “Can we find a man like this, in whom there is a divine spirit?” So Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since God has informed you of all this, there is no one as discerning and wise as you are. You shall be in charge of my house, and all my people shall be obedient to you; only regarding the throne will I be greater than you.” (Genesis 41:37-40 NASB)
What did Pharaoh say to Joseph? Did Joseph go from the worst to the best of circumstances all in one day?
So Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I hereby put you in charge of the whole land of Egypt.” Then Pharaoh took his signet ring from his finger and put it on Joseph’s finger. He dressed him in robes of fine linen and put a gold chain around his neck. He had him ride in a chariot as his second-in-command, and people shouted before him, “Make way!” Thus he put him in charge of the whole land of Egypt. Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I am Pharaoh, but without your word no one will lift hand or foot in all Egypt.” Pharaoh gave Joseph the name Zaphenath-Paneah and gave him Asenath daughter of Potiphera, priest of On, to be his wife. And Joseph went throughout the land of Egypt. (Genesis 41:41-45 NIV)
How old was Joseph? 30 years old is a common age of reaching office throughout the Bible. It is the same age that Jesus was when He began His ministry. What did Joseph do?
Joseph was thirty years old when he stood before Pharaoh king of Egypt. And Joseph went out from the presence of Pharaoh, and went throughout all the land of Egypt. Now in the seven plentiful years the ground brought forth abundantly. So he gathered up all the food of the seven years which were in the land of Egypt, and laid up the food in the cities; he laid up in every city the food of the fields which surrounded them. Joseph gathered very much grain, as the sand of the sea, until he stopped counting, for it was immeasurable. (Genesis 41:46-49 NKJV)
Did Joseph also have children? What were their names?
During this time, before the first of the famine years, two sons were born to Joseph and his wife, Asenath, the daughter of Potiphera, the priest of On. Joseph named his older son Manasseh [causing to forget], for he said, “God has made me forget all my troubles and everyone in my father’s family.” Joseph named his second son Ephraim [fruitful], for he said, “God has made me fruitful in this land of my grief.” (Genesis 41:50-52 NLT)
What did Joseph do during the seven years of famine? Did this also increase the king’s ownership of property?
The seven years of plenty, that were in the land of Egypt, came to an end. The seven years of famine began to come, just as Joseph had said. There was famine in all lands, but in all the land of Egypt there was bread. When all the land of Egypt was famished, the people cried to Pharaoh for bread, and Pharaoh said to all the Egyptians, “Go to Joseph. What he says to you, do.” The famine was over all the surface of the earth. Joseph opened all the store houses, and sold to the Egyptians. The famine was severe in the land of Egypt. All countries came into Egypt, to Joseph, to buy grain, because the famine was severe in all the earth. (Genesis 41:53-57 WEB)
How suddenly can God’s blessings come? How patient must we be for God to work out difficult circumstances in our lives? You decide!
What was Pharaoh’s first dream? How long did Joseph have to wait on God?
Then it came to pass, at the end of two full years, that Pharaoh had a dream; and behold, he stood by the river. Suddenly there came up out of the river seven cows, fine looking and fat; and they fed in the meadow. Then behold, seven other cows came up after them out of the river, ugly and gaunt, and stood by the other cows on the bank of the river. And the ugly and gaunt cows ate up the seven fine looking and fat cows. So Pharaoh awoke. (Genesis 41:1-4 NKJV)
What was Pharaoh’s second dream? Was it in some ways similar to the first?
But he fell asleep again and had a second dream. This time he saw seven heads of grain, plump and beautiful, growing on a single stalk. Then seven more heads of grain appeared, but these were shriveled and withered by the east wind. And these thin heads swallowed up the seven plump, well-formed heads! Then Pharaoh woke up again and realized it was a dream. (Genesis 41:5-7 NLT)
Could they find someone to interpret the dreams? Who interprets dreams?
In the morning, his spirit was troubled, and he sent and called for all of Egypt’s magicians and wise men. Pharaoh told them his dreams, but there was no one who could interpret them to Pharaoh. (Genesis 41:8 WEB)
Did the chief cupbearer finally remember Joseph? Did he inform the king?
Then the chief wine steward [cup bearer] spoke to Pharaoh: “Today I’ve just remembered my mistake. Pharaoh was angry with his servants and put me and the chief baker under arrest with the commander of the royal guard. We both dreamed one night, he and I, and each of our dreams had its own interpretation. A young Hebrew man, a servant of the commander of the royal guard, was with us. We described our dreams to him, and he interpreted our dreams for us, giving us an interpretation for each dream. His interpretations came true exactly: Pharaoh restored me to my position but hanged him.” (Genesis 41:9-13 CEB)
To whom did Joseph give credit? To whom do we give credit?
The king sent for Joseph, who was quickly brought out of jail. He shaved, changed his clothes, and went to the king. The king said to him, “I had a dream, yet no one can explain what it means. I am told that you can interpret dreams.” “Your Majesty,” Joseph answered, “I can't do it myself, but God can give a good meaning to your dreams.” (Genesis 41:14-16 CEV)
How did Pharaoh recount his dreams to Joseph? Were they somewhat similar?
Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Behold, in my dream I was standing on the banks of the Nile. Seven cows, plump and attractive, came up out of the Nile and fed in the reed grass. Seven other cows came up after them, poor and very ugly and thin, such as I had never seen in all the land of Egypt. And the thin, ugly cows ate up the first seven plump cows, but when they had eaten them no one would have known that they had eaten them, for they were still as ugly as at the beginning. Then I awoke. I also saw in my dream seven ears growing on one stalk, full and good. Seven ears, withered, thin, and blighted by the east wind, sprouted after them, and the thin ears swallowed up the seven good ears. And I told it to the magicians, but there was no one who could explain it to me.” (Genesis 41:17-24 ESV)
What did Joseph begin to say? To whom did he give credit?
Then Joseph said to Pharaoh, “Pharaoh’s dreams mean the same thing. God has revealed to Pharaoh what He is about to do. The seven good cows are seven years, and the seven ripe heads are seven years. The dreams mean the same thing. The seven thin, ugly cows that came up after them are seven years, and the seven worthless, scorched heads of grain are seven years of famine. (Genesis 41:25-27 HCSB)
Who did Joseph again credit for the interpretation? Did he point to God?
So the message that I have for Pharaoh is that God is telling Pharaoh what he is getting ready to do. Be advised that seven years of phenomenal abundance are coming throughout all the land of Egypt, but after them seven years of famine are ahead, during which all of the abundance will be forgotten throughout the land of Egypt. The famine will ravage the land so severely that there will be no surplus in the land due to the coming famine, because it will be very severe. (Genesis 41:28-31 ISV)
What did Joseph advise Pharaoh? Was it extraordinary wisdom?
And for that the dream was doubled unto Pharaoh twice; it is because the thing is established by God, and God will shortly bring it to pass. Now therefore let Pharaoh look out a man discreet and wise, and set him over the land of Egypt. Let Pharaoh do this, and let him appoint officers over the land, and take up the fifth part of the land of Egypt in the seven plenteous years. And let them gather all the food of those good years that come, and lay up corn under the hand of Pharaoh, and let them keep food in the cities. And that food shall be for store to the land against the seven years of famine, which shall be in the land of Egypt; that the land perish not through the famine. (Genesis 41:32-36 KJV)
Who did Pharaoh appoint? Was Joseph’s long time of trouble coming to a sudden end?
Now the proposal seemed good to Pharaoh and to all his servants. Then Pharaoh said to his servants, “Can we find a man like this, in whom there is a divine spirit?” So Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since God has informed you of all this, there is no one as discerning and wise as you are. You shall be in charge of my house, and all my people shall be obedient to you; only regarding the throne will I be greater than you.” (Genesis 41:37-40 NASB)
What did Pharaoh say to Joseph? Did Joseph go from the worst to the best of circumstances all in one day?
So Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I hereby put you in charge of the whole land of Egypt.” Then Pharaoh took his signet ring from his finger and put it on Joseph’s finger. He dressed him in robes of fine linen and put a gold chain around his neck. He had him ride in a chariot as his second-in-command, and people shouted before him, “Make way!” Thus he put him in charge of the whole land of Egypt. Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I am Pharaoh, but without your word no one will lift hand or foot in all Egypt.” Pharaoh gave Joseph the name Zaphenath-Paneah and gave him Asenath daughter of Potiphera, priest of On, to be his wife. And Joseph went throughout the land of Egypt. (Genesis 41:41-45 NIV)
How old was Joseph? 30 years old is a common age of reaching office throughout the Bible. It is the same age that Jesus was when He began His ministry. What did Joseph do?
Joseph was thirty years old when he stood before Pharaoh king of Egypt. And Joseph went out from the presence of Pharaoh, and went throughout all the land of Egypt. Now in the seven plentiful years the ground brought forth abundantly. So he gathered up all the food of the seven years which were in the land of Egypt, and laid up the food in the cities; he laid up in every city the food of the fields which surrounded them. Joseph gathered very much grain, as the sand of the sea, until he stopped counting, for it was immeasurable. (Genesis 41:46-49 NKJV)
Did Joseph also have children? What were their names?
During this time, before the first of the famine years, two sons were born to Joseph and his wife, Asenath, the daughter of Potiphera, the priest of On. Joseph named his older son Manasseh [causing to forget], for he said, “God has made me forget all my troubles and everyone in my father’s family.” Joseph named his second son Ephraim [fruitful], for he said, “God has made me fruitful in this land of my grief.” (Genesis 41:50-52 NLT)
What did Joseph do during the seven years of famine? Did this also increase the king’s ownership of property?
The seven years of plenty, that were in the land of Egypt, came to an end. The seven years of famine began to come, just as Joseph had said. There was famine in all lands, but in all the land of Egypt there was bread. When all the land of Egypt was famished, the people cried to Pharaoh for bread, and Pharaoh said to all the Egyptians, “Go to Joseph. What he says to you, do.” The famine was over all the surface of the earth. Joseph opened all the store houses, and sold to the Egyptians. The famine was severe in the land of Egypt. All countries came into Egypt, to Joseph, to buy grain, because the famine was severe in all the earth. (Genesis 41:53-57 WEB)
How suddenly can God’s blessings come? How patient must we be for God to work out difficult circumstances in our lives? You decide!
A Prisoner's Dreams (Genesis 40)
Sometimes in life God may take a few years or more to get us out of a bad situation. He may be setting us up for a great blessing. Will we have the patience and faith to wait upon the Lord? Let’s look at Genesis 40.
Was God beginning to work something out by giving Joseph the interpretation of dreams?
Some time after this, the cupbearer of the king of Egypt and his baker committed an offense against their lord the king of Egypt. And Pharaoh was angry with his two officers, the chief cupbearer and the chief baker, and he put them in custody in the house of the captain of the guard, in the prison where Joseph was confined. The captain of the guard appointed Joseph to be with them, and he attended them. They continued for some time in custody. (Genesis 40:1-4 ESV)
What were the dreams of the cupbearer and baker? To whom did Joseph give credit for interpreting dreams?
The Egyptian king’s cupbearer and baker, who were confined in the prison, each had a dream. Both had a dream on the same night, and each dream had its own meaning. When Joseph came to them in the morning, he saw that they looked distraught. So he asked Pharaoh’s officers who were in custody with him in his master’s house, “Why do you look so sad today?” “We had dreams,” they said to him, “but there is no one to interpret them.” Then Joseph said to them, “Don’t interpretations belong to God? Tell me your dreams.” (Genesis 40:5-8 HCSB)
What was the cup bearer’s dream? Was it rather intriguing?
So the senior security advisor [cup bearer] related his dream to Joseph. “In my dream,” he said, “all of a sudden there was a vine in front of me! On the vine were three branches that budded. Blossoms shot out, and clusters grew up that produced ripe grapes. Then, with Pharaoh’s cup in my hand, I took the grapes, squeezed them into Pharaoh’s cup, then handed the cup directly to Pharaoh.” (Genesis 40:9-11 ISV)
What was the interpretation that God gave Joseph? Was it good news?
And Joseph said unto him, This is the interpretation of it: The three branches are three days: Yet within three days shall Pharaoh lift up thine head, and restore thee unto thy place: and thou shalt deliver Pharaoh's cup into his hand, after the former manner when thou wast his butler. But think on me when it shall be well with thee, and shew kindness, I pray thee, unto me, and make mention of me unto Pharaoh, and bring me out of this house: For indeed I was stolen away out of the land of the Hebrews: and here also have I done nothing that they should put me into the dungeon. (Genesis 40:12-15 KJV)
What about the baker’s dream? Was it quite the opposite, bad news?
When the chief baker saw that he had interpreted favorably, he said to Joseph, “I also saw in my dream, and behold, there were three baskets of white bread on my head; and in the top basket there were some of all kinds of baked food for Pharaoh, and the birds were eating them out of the basket on my head.” Then Joseph answered and said, “This is its interpretation: the three baskets are three days; within three more days Pharaoh will lift up your head from you and will hang you on a wooden post, and the birds will eat your flesh off you.” (Genesis 40:16-19 NASB)
What happened to the two men? Were the interpretations given to Joseph true?
Now the third day was Pharaoh’s birthday, and he gave a feast for all his officials. He lifted up the heads of the chief cupbearer and the chief baker in the presence of his officials: He restored the chief cupbearer to his position, so that he once again put the cup into Pharaoh’s hand— but he impaled the chief baker, just as Joseph had said to them in his interpretation. The chief cupbearer, however, did not remember Joseph; he forgot him. (Genesis 40:20-23 NIV)
Sometimes in life God may take a few years or more to get us out of a bad situation. He may be setting us up for a great blessing. Will we have the patience and faith to wait upon the Lord? You decide!
Was God beginning to work something out by giving Joseph the interpretation of dreams?
Some time after this, the cupbearer of the king of Egypt and his baker committed an offense against their lord the king of Egypt. And Pharaoh was angry with his two officers, the chief cupbearer and the chief baker, and he put them in custody in the house of the captain of the guard, in the prison where Joseph was confined. The captain of the guard appointed Joseph to be with them, and he attended them. They continued for some time in custody. (Genesis 40:1-4 ESV)
What were the dreams of the cupbearer and baker? To whom did Joseph give credit for interpreting dreams?
The Egyptian king’s cupbearer and baker, who were confined in the prison, each had a dream. Both had a dream on the same night, and each dream had its own meaning. When Joseph came to them in the morning, he saw that they looked distraught. So he asked Pharaoh’s officers who were in custody with him in his master’s house, “Why do you look so sad today?” “We had dreams,” they said to him, “but there is no one to interpret them.” Then Joseph said to them, “Don’t interpretations belong to God? Tell me your dreams.” (Genesis 40:5-8 HCSB)
What was the cup bearer’s dream? Was it rather intriguing?
So the senior security advisor [cup bearer] related his dream to Joseph. “In my dream,” he said, “all of a sudden there was a vine in front of me! On the vine were three branches that budded. Blossoms shot out, and clusters grew up that produced ripe grapes. Then, with Pharaoh’s cup in my hand, I took the grapes, squeezed them into Pharaoh’s cup, then handed the cup directly to Pharaoh.” (Genesis 40:9-11 ISV)
What was the interpretation that God gave Joseph? Was it good news?
And Joseph said unto him, This is the interpretation of it: The three branches are three days: Yet within three days shall Pharaoh lift up thine head, and restore thee unto thy place: and thou shalt deliver Pharaoh's cup into his hand, after the former manner when thou wast his butler. But think on me when it shall be well with thee, and shew kindness, I pray thee, unto me, and make mention of me unto Pharaoh, and bring me out of this house: For indeed I was stolen away out of the land of the Hebrews: and here also have I done nothing that they should put me into the dungeon. (Genesis 40:12-15 KJV)
What about the baker’s dream? Was it quite the opposite, bad news?
When the chief baker saw that he had interpreted favorably, he said to Joseph, “I also saw in my dream, and behold, there were three baskets of white bread on my head; and in the top basket there were some of all kinds of baked food for Pharaoh, and the birds were eating them out of the basket on my head.” Then Joseph answered and said, “This is its interpretation: the three baskets are three days; within three more days Pharaoh will lift up your head from you and will hang you on a wooden post, and the birds will eat your flesh off you.” (Genesis 40:16-19 NASB)
What happened to the two men? Were the interpretations given to Joseph true?
Now the third day was Pharaoh’s birthday, and he gave a feast for all his officials. He lifted up the heads of the chief cupbearer and the chief baker in the presence of his officials: He restored the chief cupbearer to his position, so that he once again put the cup into Pharaoh’s hand— but he impaled the chief baker, just as Joseph had said to them in his interpretation. The chief cupbearer, however, did not remember Joseph; he forgot him. (Genesis 40:20-23 NIV)
Sometimes in life God may take a few years or more to get us out of a bad situation. He may be setting us up for a great blessing. Will we have the patience and faith to wait upon the Lord? You decide!
Joseph in Trouble (Genesis 39)
Sometimes in life people sell us out because they hate us, we are falsely accused and land in trouble. Do we trust in God, who even in the worst of times, can make our lives prosper, help us and be good to us?
In the midst of slavery, did God look after Joseph?
Now Joseph had been taken down to Egypt. And Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, captain of the guard, an Egyptian, bought him from the Ishmaelites who had taken him down there. The Lord was with Joseph, and he was a successful man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian. And his master saw that the Lord was with him and that the Lord made all he did to prosper in his hand. So Joseph found favor in his sight, and served him. Then he made him overseer of his house, and all that he had he put under his authority. (Genesis 39:1-4 NKJV)
How did God bless Joseph? Was he highly honored even as a slave?
From the day Joseph was put in charge of his master’s household and property, the Lord began to bless Potiphar’s household for Joseph’s sake. All his household affairs ran smoothly, and his crops and livestock flourished. So Potiphar gave Joseph complete administrative responsibility over everything he owned. With Joseph there, he didn’t worry about a thing—except what kind of food to eat! (Genesis 39:5-6a NLT)
Did Joseph refuse to sin, but chose to do what was right in God’s sight?
Joseph was well-built and handsome. After these things, his master’s wife set her eyes on Joseph; and she said, “Lie with me.” But he refused, and said to his master’s wife, “Behold, my master doesn’t know what is with me in the house, and he has put all that he has into my hand. No one is greater in this house than I am, and he has not kept back anything from me but you, because you are his wife. How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?” As she spoke to Joseph day by day, he didn’t listen to her, to lie by her, or to be with her. About this time, he went into the house to do his work, and there were none of the men of the house inside. She caught him by his garment, saying, “Lie with me!” He left his garment in her hand, and ran outside. (Genesis 39:6b-12 WEB)
How did Potiphar’s wife falsely accuse Joseph? Have we ever been falsely accused because we obeyed God?
When she realized that he had left his garment in her hands and run outside, she summoned the men of her house and said to them, “Look, my husband brought us a Hebrew to ridicule us. He came to me to lie down with me, but I screamed. When he heard me raise my voice and scream, he left his garment with me and ran outside.” She kept his garment with her until Joseph’s master came home, and she told him the same thing: “The Hebrew slave whom you brought to us, to ridicule me, came to me; but when I raised my voice and screamed, he left his garment with me and ran outside.” (Genesis 39:13-18 CEB)
What happened to Joseph? In the midst of false imprisonment, did God look after Joseph?
Potiphar became very angry and threw Joseph in the same prison where the king's prisoners were kept. While Joseph was in prison, the Lord helped him and was good to him. He even made the jailer like Joseph so much that he put him in charge of the other prisoners and of everything that was done in the jail. The jailer did not worry about anything, because the Lord was with Joseph and made him successful in all that he did. (Genesis 39:19-23 CEV)
Sometimes in life people sell us out because they hate us, we are falsely accused and land in trouble. Do we trust in God, who even in the worst of times, can make our lives prosper, help us and be good to us? You decide!
In the midst of slavery, did God look after Joseph?
Now Joseph had been taken down to Egypt. And Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, captain of the guard, an Egyptian, bought him from the Ishmaelites who had taken him down there. The Lord was with Joseph, and he was a successful man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian. And his master saw that the Lord was with him and that the Lord made all he did to prosper in his hand. So Joseph found favor in his sight, and served him. Then he made him overseer of his house, and all that he had he put under his authority. (Genesis 39:1-4 NKJV)
How did God bless Joseph? Was he highly honored even as a slave?
From the day Joseph was put in charge of his master’s household and property, the Lord began to bless Potiphar’s household for Joseph’s sake. All his household affairs ran smoothly, and his crops and livestock flourished. So Potiphar gave Joseph complete administrative responsibility over everything he owned. With Joseph there, he didn’t worry about a thing—except what kind of food to eat! (Genesis 39:5-6a NLT)
Did Joseph refuse to sin, but chose to do what was right in God’s sight?
Joseph was well-built and handsome. After these things, his master’s wife set her eyes on Joseph; and she said, “Lie with me.” But he refused, and said to his master’s wife, “Behold, my master doesn’t know what is with me in the house, and he has put all that he has into my hand. No one is greater in this house than I am, and he has not kept back anything from me but you, because you are his wife. How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?” As she spoke to Joseph day by day, he didn’t listen to her, to lie by her, or to be with her. About this time, he went into the house to do his work, and there were none of the men of the house inside. She caught him by his garment, saying, “Lie with me!” He left his garment in her hand, and ran outside. (Genesis 39:6b-12 WEB)
How did Potiphar’s wife falsely accuse Joseph? Have we ever been falsely accused because we obeyed God?
When she realized that he had left his garment in her hands and run outside, she summoned the men of her house and said to them, “Look, my husband brought us a Hebrew to ridicule us. He came to me to lie down with me, but I screamed. When he heard me raise my voice and scream, he left his garment with me and ran outside.” She kept his garment with her until Joseph’s master came home, and she told him the same thing: “The Hebrew slave whom you brought to us, to ridicule me, came to me; but when I raised my voice and screamed, he left his garment with me and ran outside.” (Genesis 39:13-18 CEB)
What happened to Joseph? In the midst of false imprisonment, did God look after Joseph?
Potiphar became very angry and threw Joseph in the same prison where the king's prisoners were kept. While Joseph was in prison, the Lord helped him and was good to him. He even made the jailer like Joseph so much that he put him in charge of the other prisoners and of everything that was done in the jail. The jailer did not worry about anything, because the Lord was with Joseph and made him successful in all that he did. (Genesis 39:19-23 CEV)
Sometimes in life people sell us out because they hate us, we are falsely accused and land in trouble. Do we trust in God, who even in the worst of times, can make our lives prosper, help us and be good to us? You decide!
Listen to Whom? (Mark 9)
Do we listen to Jesus? Do we still squabble over who is important? Do we cause any little ones, who believe in Jesus, to stumble? Let’s find out in Mark 9.
What strange statement did Jesus make? Would our minds have gone in all kinds of directions wondering what Jesus meant?
I can assure you that some of the people standing here will not die before they see God's kingdom come with power. (Mark 9:1 CEV)
Was this fulfilled in a much different manner than Peter, James and John may have expected? What details are given describing Jesus’ transfiguration?
And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his clothes became radiant, intensely white, as no one on earth could bleach them. (Mark 9:2-3 ESV)
Who else was there with Jesus? What were they doing? Could these two be representatives of the two grand divisions of the Hebrew scriptures?
Elijah appeared to them with Moses, and they were talking with Jesus. (Mark 9:4 HCSB)
What did Peter babble? Were they terrified by this vision?
Then Peter told Jesus, “Rabbi, it’s good that we’re here! Let’s set up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” (Peter didn’t know how to respond, because they were terrified.) (Mark 9:5-6 ISV)
What did God the Father say? Does Jesus therefore take priority over Moses and Elijah?
And there was a cloud that overshadowed them: and a voice came out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him. And suddenly, when they had looked round about, they saw no man any more, save Jesus only with themselves. (Mark 9:7-8 KJV)
What did Jesus order them not to do? What did they argue about among themselves?
And as they were coming down from the mountain, He gave them orders not to recount to anyone what they had seen, until the Son of Man rose from the dead. And they seized upon that statement, arguing with one another what rising from the dead meant. (Mark 9:9-10 LSB)
What did they ask Jesus? Who was the Elijah to come?
And they asked Him, saying, “Why is it that the scribes say that Elijah must come first?” And He said to them, “Elijah does come first and he restores all things. And yet how is it written of the Son of Man that He will suffer many things and be treated with contempt? But I say to you that Elijah has indeed come, and they did to him whatever they wanted, just as it is written of him.” (Mark 9:11-13 NASB)
What happened as they returned to the other disciples? Why did the people run to greet Jesus?
When they came to the other disciples, they saw a large crowd around them and the teachers of the law arguing with them. As soon as all the people saw Jesus, they were overwhelmed with wonder and ran to greet him. “What are you arguing with them about?” he asked. (Mark 9:14-16 NIV)
What could the disciples not now do, that they had just previously been doing on their short-term mission trip?
Then one of the crowd answered and said, “Teacher, I brought You my son, who has a mute spirit. And wherever it seizes him, it throws him down; he foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth, and becomes rigid. So I spoke to Your disciples, that they should cast it out, but they could not.” (Mark 9:17-18 NKJV)
What did Jesus say? What happened when they brought the boy to Him?
Jesus said to them, “You faithless people! How long must I be with you? How long must I put up with you? Bring the boy to me.” So they brought the boy. But when the evil spirit saw Jesus, it threw the child into a violent convulsion, and he fell to the ground, writhing and foaming at the mouth. (Mark 9:19-20 NLT)
What did Jesus ask the boy’s father? What did Jesus say about belief?
He asked his father, “How long has it been since this has come to him?” He said, “From childhood. Often it has cast him both into the fire and into the water to destroy him. But if you can do anything, have compassion on us, and help us.” Jesus said to him, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.” (Mark 9:21-23 WEB)
Can we relate to the father’s plea? Did Jesus cure the boy?
At that the boy’s father cried out, “I have faith; help my lack of faith!” Noticing that the crowd had surged together, Jesus spoke harshly to the unclean spirit, “Mute and deaf spirit, I command you to come out of him and never enter him again.” After screaming and shaking the boy horribly, the spirit came out. The boy seemed to be dead; in fact, several people said that he had died. But Jesus took his hand, lifted him up, and he arose. (Mark 9:24-27 CEB)
Why couldn’t the disciples exorcize this demon? Was it a particularly tough kind?
After Jesus and the disciples had gone back home and were alone, they asked him, “Why couldn't we force out that demon?” Jesus answered, “Only prayer [and fasting] can force out this kind of demon.” (Mark 9:28-29 CEV)
Did Jesus again foretell His death and resurrection? Did the disciples understand what He was saying?
They went on from there and passed through Galilee. And he did not want anyone to know, for he was teaching his disciples, saying to them, “The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill him. And when he is killed, after three days he will rise.” But they did not understand the saying, and were afraid to ask him. (Mark 9:30-32 ESV)
Did Jesus know that the disciples were arguing over who was the greatest? Is this kind of playing politics common in churches still, even if left unsaid? Who is truly the greatest? Look around. Who is quietly serving behind the scenes without tooting their horn?
Then they came to Capernaum. When He was in the house, He asked them, “What were you arguing about on the way?” But they were silent, because on the way they had been arguing with one another about who was the greatest. Sitting down, He called the Twelve and said to them, “If anyone wants to be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.” (Mark 9:33-35 HCSB)
What can we learn from children? What kind of attitude does Jesus recommend to the disciples and to us?
Then he took a little child and had him stand among them. He took him in his arms and told them, “Whoever welcomes a child like this in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes not me but the one who sent me.” (Mark 9:36-37 ISV)
Would Jesus forbid someone who is not part of His little group of disciples? How did Jesus tell the disciples that we should act towards believers of a different group?
And John answered him, saying, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name, and he followeth not us: and we forbad him, because he followeth not us. But Jesus said, Forbid him not: for there is no man which shall do a miracle in my name, that can lightly speak evil of me. (Mark 9:38-39 KJV)
Should we be thankful for others who also believe in the name of Jesus Christ, even if they prefer belonging to a different group?
For he who is not against us is for us. For whoever gives you a cup of water to drink in My name because you are of Christ, truly I say to you, he will not lose his reward. (Mark 9:41 LSB)
Rather than commit atrocities as Catholics and Protestants have done, persecuting each other, what should we do? Rather than have the other burned at the stake, steal their homes, or drive them out of town, how should we look upon a different group of believers in Jesus Christ? Could they be little ones in the faith?
“Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it is better for him if a heavy millstone is hung around his neck and he is thrown into the sea. (Mark 9:42 NASB)
How seriously does Jesus take this kind of rivalry between groups of believers? What if a hand causes us to sin? Do we literally cut it off or metaphorically by not touching sin?
And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched: Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. (Mark 9:43-44 KJV)
What if a foot causes us to sin? Do we literally cut it off or metaphorically by not walking towards sin?
And if your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life lame, than, having your two feet, to be cast into hell, [and where their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched.] (Mark 9:45-46 LSB)
What if our eye causes us to sin? Do we literally throw it away or metaphorically by not looking?
And if your eye is causing you to sin, throw it away; it is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye, than, having two eyes, to be thrown into hell, where their worm does not die, and the fire is not extinguished. (Mark 9:47-48 NASB)
Does Mark illuminate a different aspect of salt than Matthew? Sacrifices were salted and then put in the fire. This is very deep. Do we choose to be the salt of the earth and the fiery trials that go along with a Christian life? Is everyone going to be purified by fire, the fire of persecution for believers and the fire hell for unbelievers? Does this also relate to having peace among ourselves and possibly all of the above? Let’s see.
Everyone will be salted with fire. “Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can you make it salty again? Have salt among yourselves, and be at peace with each other.” (Mark 9:49-50 NIV)
Do we listen to Jesus? Do we still squabble over who is important? Do we cause any little ones, who believe in Jesus, to stumble? You decide!
What strange statement did Jesus make? Would our minds have gone in all kinds of directions wondering what Jesus meant?
I can assure you that some of the people standing here will not die before they see God's kingdom come with power. (Mark 9:1 CEV)
Was this fulfilled in a much different manner than Peter, James and John may have expected? What details are given describing Jesus’ transfiguration?
And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his clothes became radiant, intensely white, as no one on earth could bleach them. (Mark 9:2-3 ESV)
Who else was there with Jesus? What were they doing? Could these two be representatives of the two grand divisions of the Hebrew scriptures?
Elijah appeared to them with Moses, and they were talking with Jesus. (Mark 9:4 HCSB)
What did Peter babble? Were they terrified by this vision?
Then Peter told Jesus, “Rabbi, it’s good that we’re here! Let’s set up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” (Peter didn’t know how to respond, because they were terrified.) (Mark 9:5-6 ISV)
What did God the Father say? Does Jesus therefore take priority over Moses and Elijah?
And there was a cloud that overshadowed them: and a voice came out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him. And suddenly, when they had looked round about, they saw no man any more, save Jesus only with themselves. (Mark 9:7-8 KJV)
What did Jesus order them not to do? What did they argue about among themselves?
And as they were coming down from the mountain, He gave them orders not to recount to anyone what they had seen, until the Son of Man rose from the dead. And they seized upon that statement, arguing with one another what rising from the dead meant. (Mark 9:9-10 LSB)
What did they ask Jesus? Who was the Elijah to come?
And they asked Him, saying, “Why is it that the scribes say that Elijah must come first?” And He said to them, “Elijah does come first and he restores all things. And yet how is it written of the Son of Man that He will suffer many things and be treated with contempt? But I say to you that Elijah has indeed come, and they did to him whatever they wanted, just as it is written of him.” (Mark 9:11-13 NASB)
What happened as they returned to the other disciples? Why did the people run to greet Jesus?
When they came to the other disciples, they saw a large crowd around them and the teachers of the law arguing with them. As soon as all the people saw Jesus, they were overwhelmed with wonder and ran to greet him. “What are you arguing with them about?” he asked. (Mark 9:14-16 NIV)
What could the disciples not now do, that they had just previously been doing on their short-term mission trip?
Then one of the crowd answered and said, “Teacher, I brought You my son, who has a mute spirit. And wherever it seizes him, it throws him down; he foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth, and becomes rigid. So I spoke to Your disciples, that they should cast it out, but they could not.” (Mark 9:17-18 NKJV)
What did Jesus say? What happened when they brought the boy to Him?
Jesus said to them, “You faithless people! How long must I be with you? How long must I put up with you? Bring the boy to me.” So they brought the boy. But when the evil spirit saw Jesus, it threw the child into a violent convulsion, and he fell to the ground, writhing and foaming at the mouth. (Mark 9:19-20 NLT)
What did Jesus ask the boy’s father? What did Jesus say about belief?
He asked his father, “How long has it been since this has come to him?” He said, “From childhood. Often it has cast him both into the fire and into the water to destroy him. But if you can do anything, have compassion on us, and help us.” Jesus said to him, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.” (Mark 9:21-23 WEB)
Can we relate to the father’s plea? Did Jesus cure the boy?
At that the boy’s father cried out, “I have faith; help my lack of faith!” Noticing that the crowd had surged together, Jesus spoke harshly to the unclean spirit, “Mute and deaf spirit, I command you to come out of him and never enter him again.” After screaming and shaking the boy horribly, the spirit came out. The boy seemed to be dead; in fact, several people said that he had died. But Jesus took his hand, lifted him up, and he arose. (Mark 9:24-27 CEB)
Why couldn’t the disciples exorcize this demon? Was it a particularly tough kind?
After Jesus and the disciples had gone back home and were alone, they asked him, “Why couldn't we force out that demon?” Jesus answered, “Only prayer [and fasting] can force out this kind of demon.” (Mark 9:28-29 CEV)
Did Jesus again foretell His death and resurrection? Did the disciples understand what He was saying?
They went on from there and passed through Galilee. And he did not want anyone to know, for he was teaching his disciples, saying to them, “The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill him. And when he is killed, after three days he will rise.” But they did not understand the saying, and were afraid to ask him. (Mark 9:30-32 ESV)
Did Jesus know that the disciples were arguing over who was the greatest? Is this kind of playing politics common in churches still, even if left unsaid? Who is truly the greatest? Look around. Who is quietly serving behind the scenes without tooting their horn?
Then they came to Capernaum. When He was in the house, He asked them, “What were you arguing about on the way?” But they were silent, because on the way they had been arguing with one another about who was the greatest. Sitting down, He called the Twelve and said to them, “If anyone wants to be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.” (Mark 9:33-35 HCSB)
What can we learn from children? What kind of attitude does Jesus recommend to the disciples and to us?
Then he took a little child and had him stand among them. He took him in his arms and told them, “Whoever welcomes a child like this in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes not me but the one who sent me.” (Mark 9:36-37 ISV)
Would Jesus forbid someone who is not part of His little group of disciples? How did Jesus tell the disciples that we should act towards believers of a different group?
And John answered him, saying, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name, and he followeth not us: and we forbad him, because he followeth not us. But Jesus said, Forbid him not: for there is no man which shall do a miracle in my name, that can lightly speak evil of me. (Mark 9:38-39 KJV)
Should we be thankful for others who also believe in the name of Jesus Christ, even if they prefer belonging to a different group?
For he who is not against us is for us. For whoever gives you a cup of water to drink in My name because you are of Christ, truly I say to you, he will not lose his reward. (Mark 9:41 LSB)
Rather than commit atrocities as Catholics and Protestants have done, persecuting each other, what should we do? Rather than have the other burned at the stake, steal their homes, or drive them out of town, how should we look upon a different group of believers in Jesus Christ? Could they be little ones in the faith?
“Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it is better for him if a heavy millstone is hung around his neck and he is thrown into the sea. (Mark 9:42 NASB)
How seriously does Jesus take this kind of rivalry between groups of believers? What if a hand causes us to sin? Do we literally cut it off or metaphorically by not touching sin?
And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched: Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. (Mark 9:43-44 KJV)
What if a foot causes us to sin? Do we literally cut it off or metaphorically by not walking towards sin?
And if your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life lame, than, having your two feet, to be cast into hell, [and where their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched.] (Mark 9:45-46 LSB)
What if our eye causes us to sin? Do we literally throw it away or metaphorically by not looking?
And if your eye is causing you to sin, throw it away; it is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye, than, having two eyes, to be thrown into hell, where their worm does not die, and the fire is not extinguished. (Mark 9:47-48 NASB)
Does Mark illuminate a different aspect of salt than Matthew? Sacrifices were salted and then put in the fire. This is very deep. Do we choose to be the salt of the earth and the fiery trials that go along with a Christian life? Is everyone going to be purified by fire, the fire of persecution for believers and the fire hell for unbelievers? Does this also relate to having peace among ourselves and possibly all of the above? Let’s see.
Everyone will be salted with fire. “Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can you make it salty again? Have salt among yourselves, and be at peace with each other.” (Mark 9:49-50 NIV)
Do we listen to Jesus? Do we still squabble over who is important? Do we cause any little ones, who believe in Jesus, to stumble? You decide!
Judah's Sin (Genesis 38)
We may think that we have hidden our sins, but they often come back to haunt us. Is it better to live honestly and above board, as much as humanly possible, than be constantly worried that our sin will find us out? Let’s look at Genesis 38.
Did Judah leave his brothers to live elsewhere?
Right about then, Judah left his brothers and went to live with an Adullamite man named Hirah. There Judah met the daughter of a Canaanite man named Shua. He married her, had sexual relations with her, and she conceived, bore a son, and named him Er. Later, she conceived again, bore another son, and named him Onan. Then she bore yet another son and named him Shelah. Judah was living in Kezib when she bore him. (Genesis 38:1-5 ISV)
Is onanism a sin because contraception in general is a sin, or because of Onan’s refusal to give his brother’s widow children, so they could inherit his brother’s portion? What’s the real sin here?
And Judah took a wife for Er his firstborn, whose name was Tamar. And Er, Judah's firstborn, was wicked in the sight of the Lord; and the Lord slew him. And Judah said unto Onan, Go in unto thy brother's wife, and marry her, and raise up seed to thy brother. And Onan knew that the seed should not be his; and it came to pass, when he went in unto his brother's wife, that he spilled it on the ground, lest that he should give seed to his brother. And the thing which he did displeased the Lord: wherefore he slew him also. Then said Judah to Tamar his daughter in law, Remain a widow at thy father's house, till Shelah my son be grown: for he said, Lest peradventure he die also, as his brethren did. And Tamar went and dwelt in her father's house. (Genesis 38:6-11 KJV)
What mischief did Tamar get up to? What sin did she commit?
Now after a considerable time Shua’s daughter, the wife of Judah, died; and when the time of mourning was ended, Judah went up to his sheepshearers at Timnah, he and his friend Hirah the Adullamite. And Tamar was told, “Behold, your father-in-law is going up to Timnah to shear his sheep.” So she removed her widow’s garments and covered herself with a veil, and wrapped herself, and sat in the gateway of Enaim, which is on the road to Timnah; for she saw that Shelah had grown up, and she had not been given to him as a wife. (Genesis 38:12-14 NASB)
What mischief did Judah get up to? Has the culture changed so that a veil no longer represents prostitution?
When Judah saw her, he thought she was a prostitute, for she had covered her face. Not realizing that she was his daughter-in-law, he went over to her by the roadside and said, “Come now, let me sleep with you.” “And what will you give me to sleep with you?” she asked. “I’ll send you a young goat from my flock,” he said. “Will you give me something as a pledge until you send it?” she asked. He said, “What pledge should I give you?” “Your seal and its cord, and the staff in your hand,” she answered. So he gave them to her and slept with her, and she became pregnant by him. After she left, she took off her veil and put on her widow’s clothes again. (Genesis 38:15-19 NIV)
What happened when Judah attempted to retrieve his deposit? Had Tamar acted wisely?
And Judah sent the young goat by the hand of his friend the Adullamite, to receive his pledge from the woman’s hand, but he did not find her. Then he asked the men of that place, saying, “Where is the harlot who was openly by the roadside?” And they said, “There was no harlot in this place.” So he returned to Judah and said, “I cannot find her. Also, the men of the place said there was no harlot in this place.” Then Judah said, “Let her take them for herself, lest we be shamed; for I sent this young goat and you have not found her.” (Genesis 38:20-23 NKJV)
How did Judah get found out? Is there always a danger that our sins will be found out?
Now it was about three months later that Judah was informed, “Your daughter-in-law Tamar has prostituted herself, and behold, she is also pregnant by prostitution.” Then Judah said, “Bring her out and have her burned!” It was while she was being brought out that she sent word to her father-in-law, saying, “I am pregnant by the man to whom these things belong.” She also said, “Please examine and see, whose signet ring and cords and staff are these?” And Judah recognized them, and said, “She is more righteous than I, since I did not give her to my son Shelah.” And he did not have relations with her again. (Genesis 38:24-26 NASB)
What happened at the birth? Were there twins involved again?
When the time came for her to give birth, there were twin boys in her womb. As she was giving birth, one of them put out his hand; so the midwife took a scarlet thread and tied it on his wrist and said, “This one came out first.” But when he drew back his hand, his brother came out, and she said, “So this is how you have broken out!” And he was named Perez. Then his brother, who had the scarlet thread on his wrist, came out. And he was named Zerah. (Genesis 38:27-30 NIV)
We may think that we have hidden our sins, but they often come back to haunt us. Is it better to live honestly and above board, as much as humanly possible, than to be constantly worried that our sin will find us out? You decide!
Did Judah leave his brothers to live elsewhere?
Right about then, Judah left his brothers and went to live with an Adullamite man named Hirah. There Judah met the daughter of a Canaanite man named Shua. He married her, had sexual relations with her, and she conceived, bore a son, and named him Er. Later, she conceived again, bore another son, and named him Onan. Then she bore yet another son and named him Shelah. Judah was living in Kezib when she bore him. (Genesis 38:1-5 ISV)
Is onanism a sin because contraception in general is a sin, or because of Onan’s refusal to give his brother’s widow children, so they could inherit his brother’s portion? What’s the real sin here?
And Judah took a wife for Er his firstborn, whose name was Tamar. And Er, Judah's firstborn, was wicked in the sight of the Lord; and the Lord slew him. And Judah said unto Onan, Go in unto thy brother's wife, and marry her, and raise up seed to thy brother. And Onan knew that the seed should not be his; and it came to pass, when he went in unto his brother's wife, that he spilled it on the ground, lest that he should give seed to his brother. And the thing which he did displeased the Lord: wherefore he slew him also. Then said Judah to Tamar his daughter in law, Remain a widow at thy father's house, till Shelah my son be grown: for he said, Lest peradventure he die also, as his brethren did. And Tamar went and dwelt in her father's house. (Genesis 38:6-11 KJV)
What mischief did Tamar get up to? What sin did she commit?
Now after a considerable time Shua’s daughter, the wife of Judah, died; and when the time of mourning was ended, Judah went up to his sheepshearers at Timnah, he and his friend Hirah the Adullamite. And Tamar was told, “Behold, your father-in-law is going up to Timnah to shear his sheep.” So she removed her widow’s garments and covered herself with a veil, and wrapped herself, and sat in the gateway of Enaim, which is on the road to Timnah; for she saw that Shelah had grown up, and she had not been given to him as a wife. (Genesis 38:12-14 NASB)
What mischief did Judah get up to? Has the culture changed so that a veil no longer represents prostitution?
When Judah saw her, he thought she was a prostitute, for she had covered her face. Not realizing that she was his daughter-in-law, he went over to her by the roadside and said, “Come now, let me sleep with you.” “And what will you give me to sleep with you?” she asked. “I’ll send you a young goat from my flock,” he said. “Will you give me something as a pledge until you send it?” she asked. He said, “What pledge should I give you?” “Your seal and its cord, and the staff in your hand,” she answered. So he gave them to her and slept with her, and she became pregnant by him. After she left, she took off her veil and put on her widow’s clothes again. (Genesis 38:15-19 NIV)
What happened when Judah attempted to retrieve his deposit? Had Tamar acted wisely?
And Judah sent the young goat by the hand of his friend the Adullamite, to receive his pledge from the woman’s hand, but he did not find her. Then he asked the men of that place, saying, “Where is the harlot who was openly by the roadside?” And they said, “There was no harlot in this place.” So he returned to Judah and said, “I cannot find her. Also, the men of the place said there was no harlot in this place.” Then Judah said, “Let her take them for herself, lest we be shamed; for I sent this young goat and you have not found her.” (Genesis 38:20-23 NKJV)
How did Judah get found out? Is there always a danger that our sins will be found out?
Now it was about three months later that Judah was informed, “Your daughter-in-law Tamar has prostituted herself, and behold, she is also pregnant by prostitution.” Then Judah said, “Bring her out and have her burned!” It was while she was being brought out that she sent word to her father-in-law, saying, “I am pregnant by the man to whom these things belong.” She also said, “Please examine and see, whose signet ring and cords and staff are these?” And Judah recognized them, and said, “She is more righteous than I, since I did not give her to my son Shelah.” And he did not have relations with her again. (Genesis 38:24-26 NASB)
What happened at the birth? Were there twins involved again?
When the time came for her to give birth, there were twin boys in her womb. As she was giving birth, one of them put out his hand; so the midwife took a scarlet thread and tied it on his wrist and said, “This one came out first.” But when he drew back his hand, his brother came out, and she said, “So this is how you have broken out!” And he was named Perez. Then his brother, who had the scarlet thread on his wrist, came out. And he was named Zerah. (Genesis 38:27-30 NIV)
We may think that we have hidden our sins, but they often come back to haunt us. Is it better to live honestly and above board, as much as humanly possible, than to be constantly worried that our sin will find us out? You decide!
Sold into Slavery (Genesis 37)
What was it like for Joseph being sold by his brothers into Egyptian slavery? How do we handle terrible loss? Do we have the faith to wait on God, who has wonderful plans, for those who love Him? Let’s look at Genesis 37.
Does Joseph get along with his older brothers? Have we ever experienced sibling rivalry?
Jacob lived in the land where his father had stayed, the land of Canaan. This is the account of Jacob’s family line. Joseph, a young man of seventeen, was tending the flocks with his brothers, the sons of Bilhah and the sons of Zilpah, his father’s wives, and he brought their father a bad report about them. Now Israel loved Joseph more than any of his other sons, because he had been born to him in his old age; and he made an ornate robe for him. When his brothers saw that their father loved him more than any of them, they hated him and could not speak a kind word to him. (Genesis 37:1-4 NIV)
Did Joseph have a dream? What was that all about?
Now Joseph had a dream, and he told it to his brothers; and they hated him even more. So he said to them, “Please hear this dream which I have dreamed: There we were, binding sheaves in the field. Then behold, my sheaf arose and also stood upright; and indeed your sheaves stood all around and bowed down to my sheaf.” And his brothers said to him, “Shall you indeed reign over us? Or shall you indeed have dominion over us?” So they hated him even more for his dreams and for his words. (Genesis 37:5-8 NKJV)
Did Joseph have another dream? Was it about a similar prophecy?
Soon Joseph had another dream, and again he told his brothers about it. “Listen, I have had another dream,” he said. “The sun, moon, and eleven stars bowed low before me!” This time he told the dream to his father as well as to his brothers, but his father scolded him. “What kind of dream is that?” he asked. “Will your mother and I and your brothers actually come and bow to the ground before you?” But while his brothers were jealous of Joseph, his father wondered what the dreams meant. (Genesis 37:9-11 NLT)
Did Israel send Joseph to check on his brothers? Where did he find them?
His brothers went to feed their father’s flock in Shechem. Israel said to Joseph, “Aren’t your brothers feeding the flock in Shechem? Come, and I will send you to them.” He said to him, “Here I am.” He said to him, “Go now, see whether it is well with your brothers, and well with the flock; and bring me word again.” So he sent him out of the valley of Hebron, and he came to Shechem. A certain man found him, and behold, he was wandering in the field. The man asked him, “What are you looking for?” He said, “I am looking for my brothers. Tell me, please, where they are feeding the flock.” The man said, “They have left here, for I heard them say, ‘Let’s go to Dothan.’” Joseph went after his brothers, and found them in Dothan. (Genesis 37:12-17 WEB)
What did the brothers plot? Is this sibling rivalry taken to a dangerous extreme?
They saw Joseph in the distance before he got close to them, and they plotted to kill him. The brothers said to each other, “Here comes the big dreamer. Come on now, let’s kill him and throw him into one of the cisterns, and we’ll say a wild animal devoured him. Then we will see what becomes of his dreams!” When Reuben heard what they said, he saved him from them, telling them, “Let’s not take his life.” Reuben said to them, “Don’t spill his blood! Throw him into this desert cistern, but don’t lay a hand on him.” He intended to save Joseph from them and take him back to his father. (Genesis 37:18-22 CEB)
What did they do? How could brothers do such a terrible thing?
When Joseph came to his brothers, they pulled off his fancy coat and threw him into a dry well. As Joseph's brothers sat down to eat, they looked up and saw a caravan of Ishmaelites coming from Gilead. Their camels were loaded with all kinds of spices that they were taking to Egypt. So Judah said, “What will we gain if we kill our brother and hide his body? Let's sell him to the Ishmaelites and not harm him. After all, he is our brother.” And the others agreed. When the Midianite merchants came by, Joseph's brothers took him out of the well, and for 20 pieces of silver they sold him to the Ishmaelites who took him to Egypt. (Genesis 37:23-28 CEV)
What lie did they tell their father? What lies have we told that we are ashamed to admit?
When Reuben returned to the pit and saw that Joseph was not in the pit, he tore his clothes and returned to his brothers and said, “The boy is gone, and I, where shall I go?” Then they took Joseph's robe and slaughtered a goat and dipped the robe in the blood. And they sent the robe of many colors and brought it to their father and said, “This we have found; please identify whether it is your son's robe or not.” And he identified it and said, “It is my son's robe. A fierce animal has devoured him. Joseph is without doubt torn to pieces.” (Genesis 37:29-33 ESV)
How did Jacob react? Was this a terrible blow for the elderly gentleman?
Then Jacob tore his clothes, put sackcloth around his waist, and mourned for his son many days. All his sons and daughters tried to comfort him, but he refused to be comforted. “No,” he said. “I will go down to Sheol to my son, mourning.” And his father wept for him. Meanwhile, the Midianites sold Joseph in Egypt to Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh and the captain of the guard. (Genesis 37:34-36 HCSB)
What was it like for Joseph being sold by his brothers into Egyptian slavery? How do we handle terrible loss? Do we have the faith to wait on God, who has wonderful plans, for those who love Him? You decide!
Does Joseph get along with his older brothers? Have we ever experienced sibling rivalry?
Jacob lived in the land where his father had stayed, the land of Canaan. This is the account of Jacob’s family line. Joseph, a young man of seventeen, was tending the flocks with his brothers, the sons of Bilhah and the sons of Zilpah, his father’s wives, and he brought their father a bad report about them. Now Israel loved Joseph more than any of his other sons, because he had been born to him in his old age; and he made an ornate robe for him. When his brothers saw that their father loved him more than any of them, they hated him and could not speak a kind word to him. (Genesis 37:1-4 NIV)
Did Joseph have a dream? What was that all about?
Now Joseph had a dream, and he told it to his brothers; and they hated him even more. So he said to them, “Please hear this dream which I have dreamed: There we were, binding sheaves in the field. Then behold, my sheaf arose and also stood upright; and indeed your sheaves stood all around and bowed down to my sheaf.” And his brothers said to him, “Shall you indeed reign over us? Or shall you indeed have dominion over us?” So they hated him even more for his dreams and for his words. (Genesis 37:5-8 NKJV)
Did Joseph have another dream? Was it about a similar prophecy?
Soon Joseph had another dream, and again he told his brothers about it. “Listen, I have had another dream,” he said. “The sun, moon, and eleven stars bowed low before me!” This time he told the dream to his father as well as to his brothers, but his father scolded him. “What kind of dream is that?” he asked. “Will your mother and I and your brothers actually come and bow to the ground before you?” But while his brothers were jealous of Joseph, his father wondered what the dreams meant. (Genesis 37:9-11 NLT)
Did Israel send Joseph to check on his brothers? Where did he find them?
His brothers went to feed their father’s flock in Shechem. Israel said to Joseph, “Aren’t your brothers feeding the flock in Shechem? Come, and I will send you to them.” He said to him, “Here I am.” He said to him, “Go now, see whether it is well with your brothers, and well with the flock; and bring me word again.” So he sent him out of the valley of Hebron, and he came to Shechem. A certain man found him, and behold, he was wandering in the field. The man asked him, “What are you looking for?” He said, “I am looking for my brothers. Tell me, please, where they are feeding the flock.” The man said, “They have left here, for I heard them say, ‘Let’s go to Dothan.’” Joseph went after his brothers, and found them in Dothan. (Genesis 37:12-17 WEB)
What did the brothers plot? Is this sibling rivalry taken to a dangerous extreme?
They saw Joseph in the distance before he got close to them, and they plotted to kill him. The brothers said to each other, “Here comes the big dreamer. Come on now, let’s kill him and throw him into one of the cisterns, and we’ll say a wild animal devoured him. Then we will see what becomes of his dreams!” When Reuben heard what they said, he saved him from them, telling them, “Let’s not take his life.” Reuben said to them, “Don’t spill his blood! Throw him into this desert cistern, but don’t lay a hand on him.” He intended to save Joseph from them and take him back to his father. (Genesis 37:18-22 CEB)
What did they do? How could brothers do such a terrible thing?
When Joseph came to his brothers, they pulled off his fancy coat and threw him into a dry well. As Joseph's brothers sat down to eat, they looked up and saw a caravan of Ishmaelites coming from Gilead. Their camels were loaded with all kinds of spices that they were taking to Egypt. So Judah said, “What will we gain if we kill our brother and hide his body? Let's sell him to the Ishmaelites and not harm him. After all, he is our brother.” And the others agreed. When the Midianite merchants came by, Joseph's brothers took him out of the well, and for 20 pieces of silver they sold him to the Ishmaelites who took him to Egypt. (Genesis 37:23-28 CEV)
What lie did they tell their father? What lies have we told that we are ashamed to admit?
When Reuben returned to the pit and saw that Joseph was not in the pit, he tore his clothes and returned to his brothers and said, “The boy is gone, and I, where shall I go?” Then they took Joseph's robe and slaughtered a goat and dipped the robe in the blood. And they sent the robe of many colors and brought it to their father and said, “This we have found; please identify whether it is your son's robe or not.” And he identified it and said, “It is my son's robe. A fierce animal has devoured him. Joseph is without doubt torn to pieces.” (Genesis 37:29-33 ESV)
How did Jacob react? Was this a terrible blow for the elderly gentleman?
Then Jacob tore his clothes, put sackcloth around his waist, and mourned for his son many days. All his sons and daughters tried to comfort him, but he refused to be comforted. “No,” he said. “I will go down to Sheol to my son, mourning.” And his father wept for him. Meanwhile, the Midianites sold Joseph in Egypt to Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh and the captain of the guard. (Genesis 37:34-36 HCSB)
What was it like for Joseph being sold by his brothers into Egyptian slavery? How do we handle terrible loss? Do we have the faith to wait on God, who has wonderful plans, for those who love Him? You decide!
Edom (Genesis 36)
Esau married Canaanite wives (Genesis 26:34-35). His descendants refused the Exodus Israelites safe passage (Numbers 20:21; 21:4). Yet, God commanded Israel to treat them kindly (Deuteronomy 23:7). Israel ruled them for a time (1 Samuel 14:47; 2 Samuel 8:14). Prophets prophesied against them (Jeremiah 49:17-18; Ezekiel 25:12-14; Obadiah). Esau symbolizes anyone who treats our eternal inheritance lightly (Romans 9:13; Malachi 1:1-4; Hebrews 12:15-17). Do we want to be spiritual Israelites or Edomites? Let’s look at Genesis 36.
Who were members of Esau’s (Edom’s) family?
Esau, also known as Edom, had many descendants. He married three Canaanite women: The first was Adah, the daughter of Elon the Hittite; the second was Oholibamah, the daughter of Anah and the granddaughter of Zibeon the Hivite; the third was Basemath, who was Ishmael's daughter and Nebaioth's sister. Esau and his three wives had five sons while in Canaan. Adah's son was Eliphaz; Basemath's son was Reuel; Oholibamah's three sons were Jeush, Jalam, and Korah. (Genesis 36:1-5 CEV)
Why did Esau and Jacob separate? Was increased population a reason?
Then Esau took his wives, his sons, his daughters, and all the members of his household, his livestock, all his beasts, and all his property that he had acquired in the land of Canaan. He went into a land away from his brother Jacob. For their possessions were too great for them to dwell together. The land of their sojournings could not support them because of their livestock. So Esau settled in the hill country of Seir. (Esau is Edom.) (Genesis 36:6-8 ESV)
Who were Esau’s sons? Were they names we have heard before?
These are the family records of Esau, father of the Edomites in the mountains of Seir. These are the names of Esau’s sons: Eliphaz son of Esau’s wife Adah, and Reuel son of Esau’s wife Basemath. The sons of Eliphaz were Teman, Omar, Zepho, Gatam, and Kenaz. Timna, a concubine of Esau’s son Eliphaz, bore Amalek to Eliphaz. These were the sons of Esau’s wife Adah. These are Reuel’s sons: Nahath, Zerah, Shammah, and Mizzah. These were the sons of Esau’s wife Basemath. These are the sons of Esau’s wife Oholibamah daughter of Anah and granddaughter of Zibeon: She bore Jeush, Jalam, and Korah to Edom. (Genesis 36:9-14 HCSB)
Who were the tribal leaders of Edom? Were they kings or just chieftains?
These were the tribal leaders of Esau’s descendants; that is, the children of Eliphaz, who was Esau’s firstborn: tribal leaders Teman, Omar, Zepho, Kenaz, Korah, Gatam, and Amalek. These were the tribal leaders who descended from Eliphaz in the territory of Edom. These were Adah’s sons. These were the descendants of Esau’s son Reuel: tribal leaders Nahath, Zerah, Shammah, and Mizzah. These were the tribal leaders who descended from Reuel in the territory of Edom. These were the sons of Esau’s wife Basemath. These were the descendants of Esau’s wife Oholibamah: tribal leaders Jeush, Jalam, and Korah. These tribal leaders descended from Esau’s wife Oholibamah, Anah’s daughter. These were the descendants of Esau (also known as Edom) and their tribal leaders. (Genesis 36:15-18 ISV)
Who were the descendants of Seir the Horite whose tribe mixed with Edom? Did they refer to their leaders as dukes?
These are the sons of Seir the Horite, who inhabited the land; Lotan, and Shobal, and Zibeon, and Anah, And Dishon, and Ezer, and Dishan: these are the dukes of the Horites, the children of Seir in the land of Edom. And the children of Lotan were Hori and Hemam; and Lotan's sister was Timna. And the children of Shobal were these; Alvan, and Manahath, and Ebal, Shepho, and Onam. And these are the children of Zibeon; both Ajah, and Anah: this was that Anah that found the mules in the wilderness, as he fed the asses of Zibeon his father. And the children of Anah were these; Dishon, and Aholibamah the daughter of Anah. And these are the children of Dishon; Hemdan, and Eshban, and Ithran, and Cheran. The children of Ezer are these; Bilhan, and Zaavan, and Akan. The children of Dishan are these; Uz, and Aran. These are the dukes that came of the Horites; duke Lotan, duke Shobal, duke Zibeon, duke Anah, Duke Dishon, duke Ezer, duke Dishan: these are the dukes that came of Hori, among their dukes in the land of Seir. (Genesis 36:20-30 KJV)
Did Edom adopt the title kings before Israel did? Who were the kings of Edom? Is this perhaps one of the nations that Israel wanted to copy when they became dissatisfied with the judges?
Now these are the kings who reigned in the land of Edom before any king reigned over the sons of Israel. Bela the son of Beor reigned in Edom, and the name of his city was Dinhabah. Then Bela died, and Jobab the son of Zerah of Bozrah became king in his place. Then Jobab died, and Husham of the land of the Temanites became king in his place. Then Husham died, and Hadad the son of Bedad, who defeated Midian in the field of Moab, became king in his place; and the name of his city was Avith. Then Hadad died, and Samlah of Masrekah became king in his place. Then Samlah died, and Shaul of Rehoboth on the Euphrates River became king in his place. Then Shaul died, and Baal-hanan the son of Achbor became king in his place. Then Baal-hanan the son of Achbor died, and Hadar became king in his place; and the name of his city was Pau; and his wife’s name was Mehetabel, the daughter of Matred, daughter of Mezahab. Now these are the names of the chiefs descended from Esau, according to their families and their localities, by their names: chief Timna, chief Alvah, chief Jetheth, chief Oholibamah, chief Elah, chief Pinon, chief Kenaz, chief Teman, chief Mibzar, chief Magdiel, and chief Iram. These are the chiefs of Edom (that is, Esau, the father of the Edomites), according to their settlements in the land of their possession. (Genesis 36:31-43 NASB)
Esau married Canaanite wives (Genesis 26:34-35), pagans. His descendants refused the Exodus Israelites safe passage (Numbers 20:21; 21:4). Yet, God commanded Israel to treat them kindly (Deuteronomy 23:7). Israel ruled them for a time (1 Samuel 14:47; 2 Samuel 8:14). Prophets prophesied against them (Jeremiah 49:17-18; Ezekiel 25:12-14; Obadiah). Esau symbolizes anyone who treats our eternal inheritance lightly (Romans 9:13; Malachi 1:1-4; Hebrews 12:15-17). Do we want to be spiritual Israelites or Edomites? You decide!
Who were members of Esau’s (Edom’s) family?
Esau, also known as Edom, had many descendants. He married three Canaanite women: The first was Adah, the daughter of Elon the Hittite; the second was Oholibamah, the daughter of Anah and the granddaughter of Zibeon the Hivite; the third was Basemath, who was Ishmael's daughter and Nebaioth's sister. Esau and his three wives had five sons while in Canaan. Adah's son was Eliphaz; Basemath's son was Reuel; Oholibamah's three sons were Jeush, Jalam, and Korah. (Genesis 36:1-5 CEV)
Why did Esau and Jacob separate? Was increased population a reason?
Then Esau took his wives, his sons, his daughters, and all the members of his household, his livestock, all his beasts, and all his property that he had acquired in the land of Canaan. He went into a land away from his brother Jacob. For their possessions were too great for them to dwell together. The land of their sojournings could not support them because of their livestock. So Esau settled in the hill country of Seir. (Esau is Edom.) (Genesis 36:6-8 ESV)
Who were Esau’s sons? Were they names we have heard before?
These are the family records of Esau, father of the Edomites in the mountains of Seir. These are the names of Esau’s sons: Eliphaz son of Esau’s wife Adah, and Reuel son of Esau’s wife Basemath. The sons of Eliphaz were Teman, Omar, Zepho, Gatam, and Kenaz. Timna, a concubine of Esau’s son Eliphaz, bore Amalek to Eliphaz. These were the sons of Esau’s wife Adah. These are Reuel’s sons: Nahath, Zerah, Shammah, and Mizzah. These were the sons of Esau’s wife Basemath. These are the sons of Esau’s wife Oholibamah daughter of Anah and granddaughter of Zibeon: She bore Jeush, Jalam, and Korah to Edom. (Genesis 36:9-14 HCSB)
Who were the tribal leaders of Edom? Were they kings or just chieftains?
These were the tribal leaders of Esau’s descendants; that is, the children of Eliphaz, who was Esau’s firstborn: tribal leaders Teman, Omar, Zepho, Kenaz, Korah, Gatam, and Amalek. These were the tribal leaders who descended from Eliphaz in the territory of Edom. These were Adah’s sons. These were the descendants of Esau’s son Reuel: tribal leaders Nahath, Zerah, Shammah, and Mizzah. These were the tribal leaders who descended from Reuel in the territory of Edom. These were the sons of Esau’s wife Basemath. These were the descendants of Esau’s wife Oholibamah: tribal leaders Jeush, Jalam, and Korah. These tribal leaders descended from Esau’s wife Oholibamah, Anah’s daughter. These were the descendants of Esau (also known as Edom) and their tribal leaders. (Genesis 36:15-18 ISV)
Who were the descendants of Seir the Horite whose tribe mixed with Edom? Did they refer to their leaders as dukes?
These are the sons of Seir the Horite, who inhabited the land; Lotan, and Shobal, and Zibeon, and Anah, And Dishon, and Ezer, and Dishan: these are the dukes of the Horites, the children of Seir in the land of Edom. And the children of Lotan were Hori and Hemam; and Lotan's sister was Timna. And the children of Shobal were these; Alvan, and Manahath, and Ebal, Shepho, and Onam. And these are the children of Zibeon; both Ajah, and Anah: this was that Anah that found the mules in the wilderness, as he fed the asses of Zibeon his father. And the children of Anah were these; Dishon, and Aholibamah the daughter of Anah. And these are the children of Dishon; Hemdan, and Eshban, and Ithran, and Cheran. The children of Ezer are these; Bilhan, and Zaavan, and Akan. The children of Dishan are these; Uz, and Aran. These are the dukes that came of the Horites; duke Lotan, duke Shobal, duke Zibeon, duke Anah, Duke Dishon, duke Ezer, duke Dishan: these are the dukes that came of Hori, among their dukes in the land of Seir. (Genesis 36:20-30 KJV)
Did Edom adopt the title kings before Israel did? Who were the kings of Edom? Is this perhaps one of the nations that Israel wanted to copy when they became dissatisfied with the judges?
Now these are the kings who reigned in the land of Edom before any king reigned over the sons of Israel. Bela the son of Beor reigned in Edom, and the name of his city was Dinhabah. Then Bela died, and Jobab the son of Zerah of Bozrah became king in his place. Then Jobab died, and Husham of the land of the Temanites became king in his place. Then Husham died, and Hadad the son of Bedad, who defeated Midian in the field of Moab, became king in his place; and the name of his city was Avith. Then Hadad died, and Samlah of Masrekah became king in his place. Then Samlah died, and Shaul of Rehoboth on the Euphrates River became king in his place. Then Shaul died, and Baal-hanan the son of Achbor became king in his place. Then Baal-hanan the son of Achbor died, and Hadar became king in his place; and the name of his city was Pau; and his wife’s name was Mehetabel, the daughter of Matred, daughter of Mezahab. Now these are the names of the chiefs descended from Esau, according to their families and their localities, by their names: chief Timna, chief Alvah, chief Jetheth, chief Oholibamah, chief Elah, chief Pinon, chief Kenaz, chief Teman, chief Mibzar, chief Magdiel, and chief Iram. These are the chiefs of Edom (that is, Esau, the father of the Edomites), according to their settlements in the land of their possession. (Genesis 36:31-43 NASB)
Esau married Canaanite wives (Genesis 26:34-35), pagans. His descendants refused the Exodus Israelites safe passage (Numbers 20:21; 21:4). Yet, God commanded Israel to treat them kindly (Deuteronomy 23:7). Israel ruled them for a time (1 Samuel 14:47; 2 Samuel 8:14). Prophets prophesied against them (Jeremiah 49:17-18; Ezekiel 25:12-14; Obadiah). Esau symbolizes anyone who treats our eternal inheritance lightly (Romans 9:13; Malachi 1:1-4; Hebrews 12:15-17). Do we want to be spiritual Israelites or Edomites? You decide!
Repenting of Idols (Genesis 35)
God is merciful. Families do not repent of past sins all at once. It often takes time. What sins of our families do we still need to grow past? Let’s look at an example in Genesis 35.
Did God tell Jacob to leave the area? Did the family finally repent of having idols? Were even their earrings possibly dedicated to idolatry?
Then God said to Jacob, “Arise, go up to Bethel and live there, and make an altar there to God, who appeared to you when you fled from your brother Esau.” So Jacob said to his household and to all who were with him, “Remove the foreign gods which are among you, and purify yourselves and change your garments; and let’s arise and go up to Bethel, and I will make an altar there to God, who answered me on the day of my distress and has been with me wherever I have gone.” So they gave Jacob all the foreign gods which they had and the rings which were in their ears, and Jacob hid them under the oak which was near Shechem. (Genesis 35:1-4 NASB)
Where did they go? Was it a familiar place to Jacob?
Then they set out, and the terror of God fell on the towns all around them so that no one pursued them. Jacob and all the people with him came to Luz (that is, Bethel) in the land of Canaan. There he built an altar, and he called the place El Bethel, because it was there that God revealed himself to him when he was fleeing from his brother. Now Deborah, Rebekah’s nurse, died and was buried under the oak outside Bethel. So it was named Allon Bakuth [Oak of Weeping]. (Genesis 35:5-8 NIV)
Did God remind Jacob of his name change? What did God promise him?
Then God appeared to Jacob again, when he came from Padan Aram, and blessed him. And God said to him, “Your name is Jacob; your name shall not be called Jacob anymore, but Israel shall be your name.” So He called his name Israel. Also God said to him: “I am God Almighty. Be fruitful and multiply; a nation and a company of nations shall proceed from you, and kings shall come from your body. The land which I gave Abraham and Isaac I give to you; and to your descendants after you I give this land.” Then God went up from him in the place where He talked with him. So Jacob set up a pillar in the place where He talked with him, a pillar of stone; and he poured a drink offering on it, and he poured oil on it. And Jacob called the name of the place where God spoke with him, Bethel. (Genesis 35:9-15 NKJV)
Did Jacob move on from Bethel? Did Rachel have her last child? What happened during childbirth?
Leaving Bethel, Jacob and his clan moved on toward Ephrath. But Rachel went into labor while they were still some distance away. Her labor pains were intense. After a very hard delivery, the midwife finally exclaimed, “Don’t be afraid—you have another son!” Rachel was about to die, but with her last breath she named the baby Ben-oni (which means “son of my sorrow”). The baby’s father, however, called him Benjamin (which means “son of my right hand”). So Rachel died and was buried on the way to Ephrath (that is, Bethlehem). Jacob set up a stone monument over Rachel’s grave, and it can be seen there to this day. (Genesis 35:16-20 NLT)
Did Reuben commit an immoral act? Are sex problems still common even sometimes in the church?
Israel traveled, and spread his tent beyond the tower of Eder. While Israel lived in that land, Reuben went and lay with Bilhah, his father’s concubine, and Israel heard of it. (Genesis 35:21-22a WEB)
Can we remember the names of the sons of Israel and their mothers? Did Israel see Isaac his father again?
Jacob had twelve sons. The sons of Leah were Reuben, Jacob’s oldest son, and Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun. The sons of Rachel were Joseph and Benjamin. The sons of Bilhah, Rachel’s servant, were Dan and Naphtali. The sons of Zilpah, Leah’s servant, were Gad and Asher. These were Jacob’s sons born to him in Paddan-aram. Jacob came to his father Isaac at Mamre, that is, Kiriath-arba. This is Hebron, where Abraham and Isaac lived as immigrants. At the age of 180 years, Isaac took his last breath and died. He was buried with his ancestors after a long, satisfying life. His sons Esau and Jacob buried him. (Genesis 35:22b-29 CEB)
God is merciful. Families do not repent of past sins all at once. It often takes time. What sins of our families do we still need to grow past? You decide!
Did God tell Jacob to leave the area? Did the family finally repent of having idols? Were even their earrings possibly dedicated to idolatry?
Then God said to Jacob, “Arise, go up to Bethel and live there, and make an altar there to God, who appeared to you when you fled from your brother Esau.” So Jacob said to his household and to all who were with him, “Remove the foreign gods which are among you, and purify yourselves and change your garments; and let’s arise and go up to Bethel, and I will make an altar there to God, who answered me on the day of my distress and has been with me wherever I have gone.” So they gave Jacob all the foreign gods which they had and the rings which were in their ears, and Jacob hid them under the oak which was near Shechem. (Genesis 35:1-4 NASB)
Where did they go? Was it a familiar place to Jacob?
Then they set out, and the terror of God fell on the towns all around them so that no one pursued them. Jacob and all the people with him came to Luz (that is, Bethel) in the land of Canaan. There he built an altar, and he called the place El Bethel, because it was there that God revealed himself to him when he was fleeing from his brother. Now Deborah, Rebekah’s nurse, died and was buried under the oak outside Bethel. So it was named Allon Bakuth [Oak of Weeping]. (Genesis 35:5-8 NIV)
Did God remind Jacob of his name change? What did God promise him?
Then God appeared to Jacob again, when he came from Padan Aram, and blessed him. And God said to him, “Your name is Jacob; your name shall not be called Jacob anymore, but Israel shall be your name.” So He called his name Israel. Also God said to him: “I am God Almighty. Be fruitful and multiply; a nation and a company of nations shall proceed from you, and kings shall come from your body. The land which I gave Abraham and Isaac I give to you; and to your descendants after you I give this land.” Then God went up from him in the place where He talked with him. So Jacob set up a pillar in the place where He talked with him, a pillar of stone; and he poured a drink offering on it, and he poured oil on it. And Jacob called the name of the place where God spoke with him, Bethel. (Genesis 35:9-15 NKJV)
Did Jacob move on from Bethel? Did Rachel have her last child? What happened during childbirth?
Leaving Bethel, Jacob and his clan moved on toward Ephrath. But Rachel went into labor while they were still some distance away. Her labor pains were intense. After a very hard delivery, the midwife finally exclaimed, “Don’t be afraid—you have another son!” Rachel was about to die, but with her last breath she named the baby Ben-oni (which means “son of my sorrow”). The baby’s father, however, called him Benjamin (which means “son of my right hand”). So Rachel died and was buried on the way to Ephrath (that is, Bethlehem). Jacob set up a stone monument over Rachel’s grave, and it can be seen there to this day. (Genesis 35:16-20 NLT)
Did Reuben commit an immoral act? Are sex problems still common even sometimes in the church?
Israel traveled, and spread his tent beyond the tower of Eder. While Israel lived in that land, Reuben went and lay with Bilhah, his father’s concubine, and Israel heard of it. (Genesis 35:21-22a WEB)
Can we remember the names of the sons of Israel and their mothers? Did Israel see Isaac his father again?
Jacob had twelve sons. The sons of Leah were Reuben, Jacob’s oldest son, and Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun. The sons of Rachel were Joseph and Benjamin. The sons of Bilhah, Rachel’s servant, were Dan and Naphtali. The sons of Zilpah, Leah’s servant, were Gad and Asher. These were Jacob’s sons born to him in Paddan-aram. Jacob came to his father Isaac at Mamre, that is, Kiriath-arba. This is Hebron, where Abraham and Isaac lived as immigrants. At the age of 180 years, Isaac took his last breath and died. He was buried with his ancestors after a long, satisfying life. His sons Esau and Jacob buried him. (Genesis 35:22b-29 CEB)
God is merciful. Families do not repent of past sins all at once. It often takes time. What sins of our families do we still need to grow past? You decide!
Revenge or Justice? (Genesis 34)
Do we want true justice or is our motive really revenge for wrongful acts? Should we fight every wrong in the world or sometimes wait on God for justice? Let’s look at justice and revenge in Genesis 34.
What did Shechem do to Dinah? Did he want to marry her afterwards?
Dinah, the daughter of Leah, whom she bore to Jacob, went out to see the daughters of the land. Shechem the son of Hamor the Hivite, the prince of the land, saw her. He took her, lay with her, and humbled [violated] her. His soul joined to Dinah, the daughter of Jacob, and he loved the young lady, and spoke kindly to the young lady. Shechem spoke to his father, Hamor, saying, “Get me this young lady as a wife.” (Genesis 34:1-4 WEB)
What happened between Jacob and Hamor? Was the anger of Jacob’s sons out of control?
Now Jacob heard that Shechem defiled his daughter Dinah; but his sons were with the animals in the countryside, so he decided to keep quiet until they got back. Meanwhile, Hamor, Shechem’s father, went out to Jacob to speak with him. Just then, Jacob’s sons got back from the countryside. When they heard what had happened, they were deeply offended and very angry, because Shechem had disgraced Israel by sleeping with Jacob’s daughter. Such things are simply not done. (Genesis 34:5-7 CEB)
What did Hamor and Shechem propose? Was it too little too late?
Hamor said to Jacob and his sons: My son Shechem really loves Dinah. Please let him marry her. Why don't you start letting your families marry into our families and ours marry into yours? You can share this land with us. Move freely about until you find the property you want; then buy it and settle down here. Shechem added, “Do this favor for me, and I'll give whatever you want. Ask anything, no matter how expensive. I'll do anything, just let me marry Dinah.” (Genesis 34:8-12 CEV)
What did Jacob’s sons plot? Were they deceiving Shechem?
The sons of Jacob answered Shechem and his father Hamor deceitfully, because he had defiled their sister Dinah. They said to them, “We cannot do this thing, to give our sister to one who is uncircumcised, for that would be a disgrace to us. Only on this condition will we agree with you—that you will become as we are by every male among you being circumcised. Then we will give our daughters to you, and we will take your daughters to ourselves, and we will dwell with you and become one people. But if you will not listen to us and be circumcised, then we will take our daughter, and we will be gone.” (Genesis 34:13-17 ESV)
Did Hamor fall for the plot? Did he also have a plot of his own?
Their words seemed good to Hamor and his son Shechem. The young man did not delay doing this, because he was delighted with Jacob’s daughter. Now he was the most important in all his father’s house. So Hamor and his son Shechem went to the gate of their city and spoke to the men there. “These men are peaceful toward us,” they said. “Let them live in our land and move about in it, for indeed, the region is large enough for them. Let us take their daughters as our wives and give our daughters to them. But the men will agree to live with us and be one people only on this condition: if all our men are circumcised as they are. Won’t their livestock, their possessions, and all their animals become ours? Only let us agree with them, and they will live with us.” (Genesis 34:18-23 HCSB)
What did Jacob’s sons do to avenge their sister? Did their desire for justice cause them to act with excessive vengeance?
All of the males who heard Hamor and his son Shechem, who had gone out to the city gate, were circumcised. Three days later, while they were still in pain, Jacob’s sons Simeon and Levi, two of Dinah’s brothers, each grabbed a sword and entered the city unannounced, intending to kill all the males. They killed Hamor and his son Shechem with their swords, took back Dinah from Shechem’s house, and left. Jacob’s other sons came along afterward and plundered the city where their sister had been defiled, seizing all of their flocks, herds, donkeys, and whatever else was in the city or had been left out in the field. They carried off all their wealth, their children, and their wives as captives, plundering everything that remained in the houses. (Genesis 34:24-29 ISV)
What was Jacob’s reaction and his son’s excuse? Did they even listen to their father’s wisdom?
And Jacob said to Simeon and Levi, Ye have troubled me to make me to stink among the inhabitants of the land, among the Canaanites and the Perizzites: and I being few in number, they shall gather themselves together against me, and slay me; and I shall be destroyed, I and my house. And they said, Should he deal with our sister as with an harlot? (Genesis 34:30-31 KJV)
What should they have sought, rather than this vengeful perversion of justice?
Learn to do good; Seek justice, Rebuke the oppressor; Defend the fatherless, Plead for the widow. (Isaiah 1:17 NKJV)
Do we want true justice or is our motive really revenge for wrongful acts? Should we fight every wrong in the world or sometimes wait on God for justice? You decide!
What did Shechem do to Dinah? Did he want to marry her afterwards?
Dinah, the daughter of Leah, whom she bore to Jacob, went out to see the daughters of the land. Shechem the son of Hamor the Hivite, the prince of the land, saw her. He took her, lay with her, and humbled [violated] her. His soul joined to Dinah, the daughter of Jacob, and he loved the young lady, and spoke kindly to the young lady. Shechem spoke to his father, Hamor, saying, “Get me this young lady as a wife.” (Genesis 34:1-4 WEB)
What happened between Jacob and Hamor? Was the anger of Jacob’s sons out of control?
Now Jacob heard that Shechem defiled his daughter Dinah; but his sons were with the animals in the countryside, so he decided to keep quiet until they got back. Meanwhile, Hamor, Shechem’s father, went out to Jacob to speak with him. Just then, Jacob’s sons got back from the countryside. When they heard what had happened, they were deeply offended and very angry, because Shechem had disgraced Israel by sleeping with Jacob’s daughter. Such things are simply not done. (Genesis 34:5-7 CEB)
What did Hamor and Shechem propose? Was it too little too late?
Hamor said to Jacob and his sons: My son Shechem really loves Dinah. Please let him marry her. Why don't you start letting your families marry into our families and ours marry into yours? You can share this land with us. Move freely about until you find the property you want; then buy it and settle down here. Shechem added, “Do this favor for me, and I'll give whatever you want. Ask anything, no matter how expensive. I'll do anything, just let me marry Dinah.” (Genesis 34:8-12 CEV)
What did Jacob’s sons plot? Were they deceiving Shechem?
The sons of Jacob answered Shechem and his father Hamor deceitfully, because he had defiled their sister Dinah. They said to them, “We cannot do this thing, to give our sister to one who is uncircumcised, for that would be a disgrace to us. Only on this condition will we agree with you—that you will become as we are by every male among you being circumcised. Then we will give our daughters to you, and we will take your daughters to ourselves, and we will dwell with you and become one people. But if you will not listen to us and be circumcised, then we will take our daughter, and we will be gone.” (Genesis 34:13-17 ESV)
Did Hamor fall for the plot? Did he also have a plot of his own?
Their words seemed good to Hamor and his son Shechem. The young man did not delay doing this, because he was delighted with Jacob’s daughter. Now he was the most important in all his father’s house. So Hamor and his son Shechem went to the gate of their city and spoke to the men there. “These men are peaceful toward us,” they said. “Let them live in our land and move about in it, for indeed, the region is large enough for them. Let us take their daughters as our wives and give our daughters to them. But the men will agree to live with us and be one people only on this condition: if all our men are circumcised as they are. Won’t their livestock, their possessions, and all their animals become ours? Only let us agree with them, and they will live with us.” (Genesis 34:18-23 HCSB)
What did Jacob’s sons do to avenge their sister? Did their desire for justice cause them to act with excessive vengeance?
All of the males who heard Hamor and his son Shechem, who had gone out to the city gate, were circumcised. Three days later, while they were still in pain, Jacob’s sons Simeon and Levi, two of Dinah’s brothers, each grabbed a sword and entered the city unannounced, intending to kill all the males. They killed Hamor and his son Shechem with their swords, took back Dinah from Shechem’s house, and left. Jacob’s other sons came along afterward and plundered the city where their sister had been defiled, seizing all of their flocks, herds, donkeys, and whatever else was in the city or had been left out in the field. They carried off all their wealth, their children, and their wives as captives, plundering everything that remained in the houses. (Genesis 34:24-29 ISV)
What was Jacob’s reaction and his son’s excuse? Did they even listen to their father’s wisdom?
And Jacob said to Simeon and Levi, Ye have troubled me to make me to stink among the inhabitants of the land, among the Canaanites and the Perizzites: and I being few in number, they shall gather themselves together against me, and slay me; and I shall be destroyed, I and my house. And they said, Should he deal with our sister as with an harlot? (Genesis 34:30-31 KJV)
What should they have sought, rather than this vengeful perversion of justice?
Learn to do good; Seek justice, Rebuke the oppressor; Defend the fatherless, Plead for the widow. (Isaiah 1:17 NKJV)
Do we want true justice or is our motive really revenge for wrongful acts? Should we fight every wrong in the world or sometimes wait on God for justice? You decide!
Brothers' Reunion (Genesis 33)
When God makes a promise, why do we worry about circumstances? Why don’t we trust that God has a plan to fulfill His promises to us?
How did the meeting with Esau start out?
Then Jacob raised his eyes and looked, and behold, Esau was coming, and four hundred men with him. So he divided the children among Leah and Rachel, and the two slave women. He put the slave women and their children in front, and Leah and her children next, and Rachel and Joseph last. But he himself passed on ahead of them and bowed down to the ground seven times, until he came near to his brother. (Genesis 33:1-3 NASB)
What joyful surprise awaited Jacob? Was he favorably received?
But Esau ran to meet Jacob and embraced him; he threw his arms around his neck and kissed him. And they wept. Then Esau looked up and saw the women and children. “Who are these with you?” he asked. Jacob answered, “They are the children God has graciously given your servant.” Then the female servants and their children approached and bowed down. Next, Leah and her children came and bowed down. Last of all came Joseph and Rachel, and they too bowed down. Esau asked, “What’s the meaning of all these flocks and herds I met?” “To find favor in your eyes, my lord,” he said. But Esau said, “I already have plenty, my brother. Keep what you have for yourself.” “No, please!” said Jacob. “If I have found favor in your eyes, accept this gift from me. For to see your face is like seeing the face of God, now that you have received me favorably. Please accept the present that was brought to you, for God has been gracious to me and I have all I need.” And because Jacob insisted, Esau accepted it. (Genesis 33:4-11 NIV)
Did they part in peace? Where did they go?
Then Esau said, “Let us take our journey; let us go, and I will go before you.” But Jacob said to him, “My lord knows that the children are weak, and the flocks and herds which are nursing are with me. And if the men should drive them hard one day, all the flock will die. Please let my lord go on ahead before his servant. I will lead on slowly at a pace which the livestock that go before me, and the children, are able to endure, until I come to my lord in Seir.” And Esau said, “Now let me leave with you some of the people who are with me.” But he said, “What need is there? Let me find favor in the sight of my lord.” So Esau returned that day on his way to Seir. And Jacob journeyed to Succoth, built himself a house, and made booths for his livestock. Therefore the name of the place is called Succoth [booths]. (Genesis 33:12-17 NKJV)
Where did Jacob settle? Did he buy land and settle down?
Later, having traveled all the way from Paddan-aram, Jacob arrived safely at the town of Shechem, in the land of Canaan. There he set up camp outside the town. Jacob bought the plot of land where he camped from the family of Hamor, the father of Shechem, for 100 pieces of silver. And there he built an altar and named it El-Elohe-Israel [God, the God of Israel]. (Genesis 33:18-20 NLT)
When God makes a promise, why do we worry about circumstances? Why don’t we trust that God has a plan to fulfill His promises to us? You decide!
How did the meeting with Esau start out?
Then Jacob raised his eyes and looked, and behold, Esau was coming, and four hundred men with him. So he divided the children among Leah and Rachel, and the two slave women. He put the slave women and their children in front, and Leah and her children next, and Rachel and Joseph last. But he himself passed on ahead of them and bowed down to the ground seven times, until he came near to his brother. (Genesis 33:1-3 NASB)
What joyful surprise awaited Jacob? Was he favorably received?
But Esau ran to meet Jacob and embraced him; he threw his arms around his neck and kissed him. And they wept. Then Esau looked up and saw the women and children. “Who are these with you?” he asked. Jacob answered, “They are the children God has graciously given your servant.” Then the female servants and their children approached and bowed down. Next, Leah and her children came and bowed down. Last of all came Joseph and Rachel, and they too bowed down. Esau asked, “What’s the meaning of all these flocks and herds I met?” “To find favor in your eyes, my lord,” he said. But Esau said, “I already have plenty, my brother. Keep what you have for yourself.” “No, please!” said Jacob. “If I have found favor in your eyes, accept this gift from me. For to see your face is like seeing the face of God, now that you have received me favorably. Please accept the present that was brought to you, for God has been gracious to me and I have all I need.” And because Jacob insisted, Esau accepted it. (Genesis 33:4-11 NIV)
Did they part in peace? Where did they go?
Then Esau said, “Let us take our journey; let us go, and I will go before you.” But Jacob said to him, “My lord knows that the children are weak, and the flocks and herds which are nursing are with me. And if the men should drive them hard one day, all the flock will die. Please let my lord go on ahead before his servant. I will lead on slowly at a pace which the livestock that go before me, and the children, are able to endure, until I come to my lord in Seir.” And Esau said, “Now let me leave with you some of the people who are with me.” But he said, “What need is there? Let me find favor in the sight of my lord.” So Esau returned that day on his way to Seir. And Jacob journeyed to Succoth, built himself a house, and made booths for his livestock. Therefore the name of the place is called Succoth [booths]. (Genesis 33:12-17 NKJV)
Where did Jacob settle? Did he buy land and settle down?
Later, having traveled all the way from Paddan-aram, Jacob arrived safely at the town of Shechem, in the land of Canaan. There he set up camp outside the town. Jacob bought the plot of land where he camped from the family of Hamor, the father of Shechem, for 100 pieces of silver. And there he built an altar and named it El-Elohe-Israel [God, the God of Israel]. (Genesis 33:18-20 NLT)
When God makes a promise, why do we worry about circumstances? Why don’t we trust that God has a plan to fulfill His promises to us? You decide!
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