The Life of Joseph: His Destiny and Yours Part 4

You will find the study guide and link to our 4th Online Lesson for our Women's Small Group "The Life of Joseph: His Destiny and Yours. 

Please follow this link to listen: https://vimeo.com/52262235

The Life of Joseph: His Destiny and Yours Part IV

Genesis 41:37-46, Gen. 42:1-6

  

Genesis 41:37-46

 

1.       What does Pharaoh recognize about Joseph?

 

 

 

*Extra Insight- Pharaoh “appointed him the grand vizier or prime minister.   He set him over the entire kingdom, next to himself.”[1]

 

 

2.      What do you think went on in Joseph’s mind after Pharaoh’s decision to put him in charge?

 

 

 

3.      Why do you think Joseph experienced God’s blessing so abundantly?

 

 

 

4.      Read  Luke 7:36-50.  What can we learn from the people in this story? 

 

The Sinful Woman:

 

 

Simon the Pharisee:

 

 

The beauty of this woman is that she realized how much she needed Jesus.  She was bankrupt before His feet.  While this woman may have had more outward sin, Simon still had sin in his heart.  For those of us who walk in self-righteousness like Simon did it can be harder for us to see our sin and need for Christ because our sin is not so outward, but more inward.  This is why true self-examination and authenticity is so important in our relationship with Christ and others.   

 

Genesis 42:1-6

 

1.       Why might Jacob be afraid to send Benjamin?

 

 

2.      What does v. 6 remind you of?  Why is this important?

 

 

 

“His character has undergone a remarkable transformation…He is no longer the brash teenager whose careless chatter annoyed everyone.  Now Joseph is intelligent and wise without peer in Egypt.  The vale of tears has proved to be the valley of soul making.”[2]

 

 

Reflection

 

Robert Morris says in his book, From Dream to Destiny:  “God has big dreams for all of us, just as He did for Joseph—and He will persevere as He seeks to get rid of anything that stands in the way.”[3]

 

1.       Do you think this is true for your own life?  Why or why not?

 

 

 

 

2.      What might be standing in the way of God’s dream for your life?

 

 

 

 

3.      What do you think it means to be bankrupt before the Lord?

 

 

 

 

 

 

Even through trail Jacob remained ____________ to God.

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[1] Charles F. Pfeiffer and Everett F. Harrison, eds. The Wycliffe Bible Commentary. (Chicago: Moody Press), 41.

[2] Wenham, Gordon. 399.

[3] Morris, Robert. 18.

The Life of Joseph: His Destiny and Yours Part 3

 

Please follow this link https://vimeo.com/51186239 to listen to our online lesson!  You'll find the study guide for this lesson below!

 

 

The Life of Joseph: His Destiny and Yours Part III

 

Read Genesis 40:1-23, Gen. 41:1-16

 

 

Genesis 40:1-8, 14-15, 20-23

 

1.      Who are the cupbearer and the baker?

 

 

2.      Why are they sad?

 

 

*Extra Insight-“The Egyptians shared a belief, widespread in antiquity, that “sleep puts us in real and direct contact with the other world where not only the dead but also the gods dwell.  Dreams therefore are a gift from the gods” (Vergote, Joseph en Egypt, 48).”[1]

 

3.      What does Joseph declare concerning their dreams? Why is this important in light of Joseph’s past? (v.8)

 

 

 

 

4.      What does Joseph asks of the cupbearer? (v.14-15)

 

 

 

*Application-What does God’s Word tell us about our troubles? 2 Cor. 4:17, 1 Pet. 5:10

 

 

 

 

Genesis 41:1, 9-16

 

1.      After two full years the cupbearer remembers.  What does Pharaoh do in light of this new information?

 

 

2.      Once again Joseph acknowledges God’s power to interpret the dream.  What do you think Joseph learned about God during the extra two years of waiting?

 

 

 

*Application- What can we learn from the Apostle Paul about suffering?  Phil. 3:7-10

 

 

“God planned for Joseph to step into the dream at the age of 30—and He knew that could never happen until Joseph had dealt with that pride.  So God allowed Joseph to see the big dream at 17, so the pride of his heart could be exposed and dealt with.”[2]

 

 

Reflection

 

1.      Have you ever gotten your hopes up to only have them dashed?  How did it feel?

 

 

 

 

2.      Joseph had to wait 13 years before He was brought to a place of leadership (41:46).  How have you experienced God’s blessing after a long period of waiting like Joseph’s?

 

 

 

 

 

“Joseph is a good example of a man who seemed to have all the gifts and talents for leadership, but God developed his character and talents over many years. Gifts and talents may be impressive and immediate, but character is what God looks for and always takes time to develop.”[3]

 

 

 

 

 

On the way to Joseph’s destiny God was in the process of building Godly____________ in him.

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[1] Wenham, Gordon. Word Biblical Commentary: Genesis 16-50. Vo. 2 (Dallas: Word Books Publisher), 382.

[2] Morris, 18.

[3] Guzik, David. "Study Guide for Genesis 41." Enduring Word. Blue Letter Bible. 7 Jul 2006. 2012. 29 Aug 2012. <http:// www.blueletterbible.org/commentaries/comm_view.cfm?

 

AuthorID=2&contentID=7361&commInfo=31&topic=Genesis >