Genesis 37:1-12
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SERMON NOTES:
That’s Not Fair!
Genesis 37:1-12
God is all you need when you suffer.
Discontentment brings suffering. (1-4)
Contentment brings peace. (5-12)
study questions:
For Next Lesson Questions
Genesis 37:1-12
1. Read verses 1-2. These verses set the foundation for a new character, Joseph, first born son of Rachel. Take a moment and look for the blessings of the Abrahamic Covenant (Promised land, large family, material wealth). On the outside, the family of Israel looks like they have it all together. When was the last time you felt tempted to “put on a show” for others in order to look like you or your family “had it all together?” Why is that a futile task? Sin affects everything and everywhere. The story of Joseph is about to expose the depth and width of sin within God’s chosen family of Israel. But God’s grace and providential hand is working in the background during every verse. Take a few minutes to look back on your life.How can you see the providential grace of God?
2. Read verses 3-4. Was Joseph in the wrong to bring a bad report about his brothers or was Joseph faithfully obeying his Father’s wishes to supervise his brothers? It is difficult to tell. Israel (Jacob) picked Joseph, the firstborn of the only woman he meant to marry, to inherit the family inheritance. This is indicated by the multi-colored robe. Look at the beginning of verse 3 closely. What is Israel’s sin? Favoritism was a sin that ran in the family starting back with Abraham. What relational sins tend to run in your family (passivity, anger, ignoring peacemaking etc.)? How might God use you to end that “learned” sinful trend? Israel was blind to the effects of his favoritism, just as his father Isaac was. How did favoritism affect the family in verses 3-4? If Israel had been convicted of this sin, what do you think repentance would have looked like?
3. Read 5-10. Joseph has two dreams about his future just like Abraham and Jacob before him (15:12-16; 28:12-15; 31:10-13) These dreams came from God. Was it sinful for Joseph to tell these dreams to his brothers and father? At first glance it seems to be arrogant boasting. However, the narrative highlights the response of the brothers as sinful, not the mentioning of the dreams in the first place. The first dream is agricultural, and the second dream is astronomical. Why do you think Joseph had two dreams with the same theme of him ruling others (Gen. 41:32)? How does God talk to believers today (Heb. 1:1-14; 2 Tim. 3:16)?
4. Read 11-12. The stage is set for Joseph to endure a long season of suffering. God is not mentioned in this part of the story. What do you think God was doing in the background? How might the dreams that God gave Joseph strengthen his faith during the difficult season? How do the promises of God in scripture strengthen you in seasons of suffering? What promises encourage you now during this pandemic?