These chapters should be taken as an entirety, and can be understood in 5 acts. Three (or 2.5) of them happened in Canaan, and the others happened down in Egypt. We pick up from the end of Gen 41, with a great famine that affected all the earth.
Last week's study explains the events of this chapter. In the earlier verses of Genesis 41, Pharaoh recognised that Joseph was a spirit-filled person. Simply, Joseph's life was filled so much with the presence and hand of God that even a nonbeliever like Pharaoh recognised it.
We pick up where we left off from chapter 40, and here we are told that two whole years have passed by. As Gen 40 ended, are told that Joseph was forgotten. Two years in prison. How do you think he spent his days? Joseph probably prayed and waited for God to act, but this did not mean passivity. Joseph also went about his business, finishing up what the work he was entrusted. For two whole years, it is not unlikely that he had to constant fight to recall the covenantal promises given to his fathers. For two years he had to suffer and wait for deliverance. This quick transition from chapter 40 to 41 is also meant for us to see that his faith survived and was still intact. Would your faith survive a similar situation?
We continue to trace the life of Joseph in one of the darkest moments of his life -- stuck in prison. But for us, how should we view these dark moments in our lives, when we wait and pray and God does not seem to act? Gen 40 has a lesson for us all. Clearly for those who are struggling, it is easy to relate to Joseph. But for those that are not at the moment, it serves as good preparation, and better yet, it reminds us to encourage those around us that we know are struggling. There is a lesson in Gen 40 for everyone.
Why do bad things happen to good people? This is a common question, and even Christians sometimes subscribe to this idea that if we do good, bad things won't happen to us. But then we grow up and realise that that is not how the world functions. In fact, the Bible warns us and prepares us for suffering. As Christians, we should not be surprised by suffering! In such times, how are we to carry on? Is God incompetent with handling suffering, or is he unwilling? Through the life of Joseph, we will learn more about God's plan and purposes for difficult times in our lives.
As we read this passage, some of us may be familiar with the narrative after years of hearing it in Sunday School. But, as we go through it again, let us read it in its larger context. Remember that Joseph is part of the chain of the seed of the woman (Gen 3:15).
In between the story of Joseph lies this rather strange account of Judah and Tamar in Gen 38. What do we make of this, frankly, awkward passage? But because we believe in 2 Tim 3:16 -- that this is also breathed out by God -- and Rom 15:4 -- that this is also for our instruction and encouragement -- we humbly approach this difficult text.
(A) Joseph sent by his father
(B) Joseph betrayed and sold by his brothers
After focussing on Esau's line in Gen 36, the narrative returns to Jacob's family, this time, moving on to his son, Joseph. In verse 1, we are told that unlike Esau who settled in Seir, Jacob settled in Canaan, the land of his father's sojournings. Two sons, two places. Gen 37 introduces us to Joseph, the focus of the narrative from this point onwards. What does the text tell us about Joseph?
After the death of Isaac in Gen 35:28, the writer of Genesis inserts a very clear demarcated section break surveying the genealogy of Esau (Gen 36) and Jacob (Gen 37). What is the point? What are we to make of it? Before we begin, we are reminded that we are to read Gen 36 in light of 2 Tim 3:16, fully recognising that it is Scripture breathed out by God, profitable for teaching, reproof, correction and training in righteousness.
These verses relate 2 deaths in the family of Jacob -- Rachel's and Isaac's. What can we learn from here?
Gen 34 was a depressing passage, which recorded for us the rape of Jacob's daughter Dinah and the mass massacre of the peoples of the land by Jacob's sons. The chapter ended with Jacob referring to himself as a "stink to the inhabitants of the land", insecure and clearly outnumbered by those around who could seek revenge anytime. At the end of Gen 34, Jacob was in the wrong place, facing a whole load of problems. Gen 35 begins with this context in mind.
Gen 33 ended with Jacob moving to the city of Shechem. What was so significant about this move? Shechem was not Bethel, where God made a covenant with Jacob. In Gen 28:20, Jacob made a vow, where he promised that he would return if God was with him and protected him and provided for him. Throughout Gen 29-33, we read of God's fulfilment of His part, yet, Jacob did not return to Bethel.
At the end of Gen 32, Jacob wrestled with God and prevailed. However, the circumstances still had not changed. Esau was still on the way to meet him with 400 of his men. It is under these circumstances that Gen 33 begins.
In Gen 31, Jacob received his orders from God to leave Laban and go home but he had a big problem on his hands. For Jacob to leave Laban and to head home meant that he had to face Esau and his return journey took him through the land where Esau lived. Jacob and Esau parted on bad terms, with Esau threatening to hunt him down and kill him in Gen 27:41. Therefore, to return meant that Jacob had to face a lingering fear and problem in his life.
More changes take place in Jacob's life in Gen 31, but yet, we continue to see a faithful God who works ceaselessly through it all.
The previous studies have focused on Rachel and Leah, and the sons of Jacob. In this study, we'll take a closer look at Jacob, the man God chose to use.
At this point in Genesis, Jacob is living with Laban, and is married to both Leah and Rachel. Genesis 30:1-24 is an account of the domestic, marital life as told from the perspective of the sisters. It is one filled with much brokenness and pain, as with all life after Genesis 3. What can we learn from this passage?
The passage picks up after Jacob leaves Beersheba for Haran. Jacob was heading back to the land that Abraham came from in order to find a wife.
(A) Lessons from Jacob: blessing and call to holiness (v.1-5)
(B) Lessons from Esau: hardened and sinful heart (v.6-9)