Tag: joseph

Genesis Week 11 – Death and Blessing

This week we come to the end of Genesis! Next week is an opportunity for you to catch up on anything you missed, or maybe re-watch the Bible Project videos on Genesis now that the content is more familiar. Our next 12 week reading plan is the Gospel of Mark and it starts March 29th.


Readings this week:
Genesis 48 – 50
□ 48:1-9 Joseph’s Sons
□ 48: 10-22 Blessing Joseph’s Sons
□ 49:1-28 Blessing Jacob’s Sons
□ 49:29 – 50:14 Death of Jacob
□ 50:15-26 Death of Joseph

Main Topic – Death and Blessing
The book of Genesis begins with God’s blessing on Adam and the command to “Be fruitful and multiply” (Gen 1:28). This command and the covenant promise of offspring, land, and being a blessing to the nations (Gen 15, 17) are passed from Abraham, to Isaac and Jacob, and are fulfilled in many ways at the end of Genesis. In this final section, Jacob blesses his children before his death, thus preparing the reader for the story of the growth of the family into the nation of Israel as they sojourn in Egypt.

Questions for Reflection and Discussion
1.    Joseph’s Sons (Gen 48) – How is the blessing of “make you fruitful and multiply you…” passed on from Jacob to Ephraim and Manasseh? How is the blessing of land passed on?

2.    Blessing of Jacob’s Sons (Gen 49) – Jacob gathers his sons and speaks prophetically over them. What consequences do Reuben, Simeon, and Levi bear for their offenses?

3.    Blessing of Judah (Gen 49) – Although Judah was recently shown in an unfavorable light during the episode with Tamar (Gen 38), how has his character and way of life changed? (Gen 43, 46:28) Jacob gives an unexpected blessing to Judah (Gen 49:8-12). What is it? How does this show the grace of God?

4.    Burial of Jacob (Gen 49-50) – Amid the mourning for Jacob, where is the primary focus for his burial? How does this relate back to the promise of the land and the prophecy of Gen 15:12-16? How does it foreshadow what is to come?

5.    Death of Joseph (Gen 50) – How does an understanding of God’s providence help Joseph deal with his brothers? What lessons can we draw from Joseph’s life for dealing with seasons of challenges and blessings?

Genesis Week 10 – Joseph’s Reconciliation

We are nearing the end! Thank you for reading Genesis with us! Here are the readings for this week:


Readings this week:
Genesis 42 – 47
□ 42 Joseph’s Brothers Go to Egypt
□ 43 The Second Trip to Egypt
□ 44 The Silver Cup Hidden in a Sack
□ 45-46 Joseph Makes Himself Known
□ 47 Settling in Egypt


Main Topic – Joseph’s Reconciliation
Stories of reconciliation dominate the book of Genesis. We have already seen the story of Jacob’s reconciliation with Esau. In this segment we see Joseph’s reconciliation with his brothers and reunion with his father. The story shows the end result of Joseph’s experience in prison, and the fruit of God’s ongoing grace in Joseph’s life. Overall, the journey to Egypt in this section fulfills God’s promise to Abraham in Genesis 15:12-16 and sets the stage for the exodus.

Questions for Reflection and Discussion
1.    In Egypt (Gen 42-44) – Famine drives the sons of Israel to Egypt again, just as it drove Abraham (Gen 12) and Isaac (Gen 26). Joseph’s dream that his brothers would bow to him is now fulfilled. Read through chapters 42-44 and note how the pain and scars of the past affect the following people: Jacob/Israel, Joseph, Reuben, Judah.

2.    Joseph Makes Himself Known (Gen 45) – This chapter is the climax of the Joseph story. What feelings do you imagine the brothers had as Joseph identified himself? How would you characterize Joseph’s emotions? Read 48:4-8 carefully. How does Joseph interpret his many years of affliction?

3.    Joseph Restored to Jacob (Gen 45-46) – Jacob who once believed his son was dead now receives him back. The narrator begins to call him Israel more consistently from this point forward. How is God’s blessing seen in his life?

4.    Settling in Egypt (Gen 47) – Jacob’s family settles in Goshen as shepherds. At this point in the story, Egypt is a place of blessing. The work of God is not limited by geography or by governments. How are the covenant promises continued in this new land? 

Genesis Week 9 – Joseph’s Slavery, God’s Promises

We are nearing the end! Thank you for reading Genesis with us! Here are the readings from last week (late post!):

Genesis 36 – 41
□ 36-37 Joseph’s Dreams and Slavery
□ 38 Judah and Tamar
□ 39 Joseph and Potiphar’s Wife
□ 40 Joseph in Prison
□ 41 Joseph Interprets Pharoah’s Dreams


Main Topic – Joseph’s Slavery, God’s Promises
While the story of Jacob introduced us to the twelve tribes of Israel, the story of Joseph shows how God preserved Israel outside of the promised land. The story of Joseph is the longest individual person’s story in the Old Testament and serves as a bridge from the patriarchs in early Genesis to the nation of Israel and the events in the book of Exodus. In this section the dreamer Joseph is sold into slavery and forgotten in prison, but God providentially preserves him and his family.

Questions for Reflection and Discussion

1.    The Generations of Esau (Gen 36) – While we usually think of our lives in terms of our own accomplishments, stories in Genesis are primarily told in the lives of one’s children. What implications might this have for the orientation of our lives?

2.    Joseph’s Dream (Gen 37) – Joseph’s dreams turn out to be prophetic and accurate. What do we learn of Joseph here, early on? Does he display relational wisdom?

3.    Joseph Sold into Slavery (Gen 37) – This chapter is marked by unexpected suffering. How does suffering strike Jacob/Israel? Joseph? Reuben? How do you see the hand of God providing and preserving?

4.    Judah and Tamar (Gen 38) – This challenging story is full of cultural details that may seem strange (you might need to do some extra research!) How many ways does Judah fail? Who is declared righteous and why? How is Judah’s line preserved?

5.    Joseph in Prison (Gen 39-41) – How does Joseph stand strong in the face of temptation? Describe the journey Joseph endures – What emotions might he have faced? What marks of Joseph’s integrity and ongoing trust in God are evident? How is Joseph’s character developed in this time? How does God show favor to Joseph?