"And after you have
suffered for a while, the God of all grace, who has called you to His eternal glory in
Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you." I Peter 5:10
Thank
You, Precious Lord, for Your wisdom and love demonstrated through the life of
Joseph. Remind me to always abide in You, so that nothing will hinder Your beautiful
life from shining through my words and actions moment by moment.
Thank you for making us "more than conquerors" in Christ.
I. Read
Genesis
41:53-42:28.
A.
1. What is happening "in all the
lands" at this time?
2. Remembering the events of the first part of
chapter 41, how do we see and know that God is in control?
B.
1. Where do you see a partial fulfillment
of Joseph's dream?
2. How did Joseph receive his brothers?
3. What did he ask them to do?
4. What was taking place in the hearts of his
brothers as a result of the harsh treatment? (See vs. 21-22 and 28)
5. Why do you think Joseph treated them as he
did?
6. Read Heb. 12:5-11. What does this show you about God's love for you and for
Joseph's brothers?
7. Read Psalm 51:1-4 and 17.
What is true repentance?
2. Read
Genesis 42:29-38
A. (Challenge) How
strong was Jacob's confidence in God's wise and perfect plan at this time? (Consider his
response to his sons' request, and consider also how you manifest faith and
confidence in God by your response to various circumstances,)
B. Think back over
Joseph's life as well as over the struggles of your own life; then explain why it is
possible to face difficulties with hope and confidence.
3. Read
Genesis 43:1-45:5
A. List the verses where you see expressions
of Joseph's love for his brothers. Describe
the love. (Remember I Cor. 13.)
B. Where do you see expressions of repentance produced by God?
4. Read
Genesis 45:5-46:7
and ask God to show you the living reality of His forgiving and
redeeming love
through Joseph, as well as the wonder of His perfect plan for each of us.
A. How do you see God
and His ways in the beautiful verses which follow?
1. vs. 5-7
2. vs. 8-9
As we learn to see relationships and circumstances from God's perspective and in
His wisdom, we "shall not be moved." (Psalm 16:8) Offenses can't touch us
personally, because we know God is in control. (Rom. 8:28-29)
B.
(Personal)
Examine yourself by
His light and see how you respond to hurtful situations. Do you see yourself as an
unfortunate victim, or do you trust in God's overall loving plan for you and know that
in Him there is ultimate triumph?
C. Which of God's
promises gives you strength and confidence in Him through difficult circumstances?
(Suggested verses in case you have not yet made such promises your own: 11 Cor. 12:9,
Psalms 16, 18, 91, 121, Isaiah 43:1-4a)
D. How did God provide
Jacob with all the encouragement and assurance he needed?
5. Read
Genesis 50:12-26
A. Why did the
brothers experience fear after the death of their father, and what did their fear motivate
them to do?
B. What is Joseph really saying in v.
19? (See also Rom. 12:18-19)
C. Paraphrase Joseph's
beautiful response in v. 20.
D. (Personal) Ask God
to show you if there is any bitterness in your heart -any person whom you could forgive
with these same words, so that you might be truly free in Him.
E. What do you learn
from Joseph's example in v. 21?
