1 a study of the christ in the life of joseph lesson 2 saemmul christian church september - december...

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A Study of the Christ in the Life of Joseph

Lesson 2

Saemmul Christian Church

September - December 2010

An ICAHATTOWAK International Production

Al Bandstra bandstra@iowatelecom.net

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Genesis 37:12 - 36

God Separates Joseph to Save His People

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Genesis 37:12 - 13

12 Now his brothers had gone to graze their father's flocks near Shechem, 13 and Israel said to Joseph, "As you know, your brothers are grazing the flocks near Shechem. Come, I am going to send you to them."

"Very well," he replied.

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Genesis 37:14 - 15

14 So he said to him, "Go and see if all is well with your brothers and with the flocks, and bring word back to me." Then he sent him off from the Valley of Hebron.

When Joseph arrived at Shechem, 15 a man found him wandering around in the fields and asked him, "What are you looking for?"

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Genesis 37:16 - 18

16 He replied, "I'm looking for my brothers. Can you tell me where they are grazing their flocks?” 17 "They have moved on from here," the man answered. "I heard them say, 'Let's go to Dothan.' "

So Joseph went after his brothers and found them near Dothan. 18 But they saw him in the distance, and before he reached them, they plotted to kill him.

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Genesis 37:19 - 20

19 "Here comes that dreamer!" they said to each other. 20 "Come now, let's kill him and throw him into one of these cisterns and say that a ferocious animal devoured him. Then we'll see what comes of his dreams."

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Genesis 37:21 - 22

21 When Reuben heard this, he tried to rescue him from their hands. "Let's not take his life," he said. 22 "Don't shed any blood. Throw him into this cistern here in the desert, but don't lay a hand on him." Reuben said this to rescue him from them and take him back to his father.

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Genesis 37:23 - 24

23 So when Joseph came to his brothers, they stripped him of his robe - the richly ornamented robe he was wearing- 24 and they took him and threw him into the cistern. Now the cistern was empty; there was no water in it.

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Genesis 37:25

25 As they sat down to eat their meal, they looked up and saw a caravan of Ishmaelites coming from Gilead. Their camels were loaded with spices, balm and myrrh, and they were on their way to take them down to Egypt.

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Genesis 37:26 - 27

26 Judah said to his brothers, "What will we gain if we kill our brother and cover up his blood? 27 Come, let's sell him to the Ishmaelites and not lay our hands on him; after all, he is our brother, our own flesh and blood." His brothers agreed.

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Genesis 37:28

28 So when the Midianite merchants came by, his brothers pulled Joseph up out of the cistern and sold him for twenty shekels of silver to the Ishmaelites, who took him to Egypt.

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Genesis 37:29 - 30

29 When Reuben returned to the cistern and saw that Joseph was not there, he tore his clothes. 30 He went back to his brothers and said, "The boy isn't there! Where can I turn now?"

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Genesis 37:31 - 32

31 Then they got Joseph's robe, slaughtered a goat and dipped the robe in the blood. 32 They took the ornamented robe back to their father and said, "We found this. Examine it to see whether it is your son's robe."

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Genesis 37:33

33 He recognized it and said, "It is my son's robe! Some ferocious animal has devoured him. Joseph has surely been torn to pieces."

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Genesis 37:34 - 35

34 Then Jacob tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and mourned for his son many days. 35 All his sons and daughters came to comfort him, but he refused to be comforted. "No," he said, "in mourning will I go down to the grave to my son." So his father wept for him.

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Genesis 37:36

36 Meanwhile, the Midianites sold Joseph in Egypt to Potiphar, one of Pharaoh's officials, the captain of the guard.

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1. Why does Jacob send Joseph to his brothers? vs. 12 – 14

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1. Why does Jacob send Joseph to his brothers? vs. 12 – 14

• Jacob loves his sons and is concerned for their wellbeing.

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1. Why does Jacob send Joseph to his brothers? vs. 12 – 14

• Jacob loves his sons and is concerned for their wellbeing.

• Joseph is Jacob’s messenger.

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2. How do you explain Joseph’s obedience to his father? vs. 13

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2. How do you explain Joseph’s obedience to his father? vs. 13

• Joseph loves and serves his father.

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2. How do you explain Joseph’s obedience to his father? vs. 13

• Joseph loves and serves his father.• Question: Does he go to his brothers

because he loves them or because he wants to irritate them?

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2. How do you explain Joseph’s obedience to his father? vs. 13

• In the final analysis, God orchestrates Jacob’s command and Joseph’s going to his brothers so that he will be sold into Egypt. History is linear.

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2. How do you explain Joseph’s obedience to his father? vs. 13

• In the final analysis, God orchestrates Jacob’s command and Joseph’s going to his brothers so that he will be sold into Egypt. History is linear.

• Colossians 1:16 - 17 For by Him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.

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3. What is the brothers’ purpose in killing or selling Joseph? vs. 20

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3. What is the brothers’ purpose in killing or selling Joseph? vs. 20

• The divine dreams of Joseph have authority over them and they are determined to stop them from being fulfilled.

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3. What is the brothers’ purpose in killing or selling Joseph? vs. 20

• The divine dreams of Joseph have authority over them and they are determined to stop them from being fulfilled.

• Their attempt to eliminate Joseph and his dreams actually causes the dreams to be fulfilled! Psalm 2

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3. What is the brothers’ purpose in killing or selling Joseph? vs. 20

Psalm 2:1 - 4

1. “Why do the nations conspire and the peoples plot in vain?

2. The kings of the earth take their stand and the ruler gather together against the LORD and against His Anointed One.

3. “Let us break their chains,” they say, “and throw off their fetters.”

4. The One enthroned in heaven laughs; the LORD scoffs at them.”

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3. What is the brothers’ purpose in killing or selling Joseph? vs. 20

• God averts all evil or turns it to our profit!

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3. What is the brothers’ purpose in killing or selling Joseph? vs. 20

• God averts all evil or turns it to our profit!• God will save them through the brother they

despise.

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3. What is the brothers’ purpose in killing or selling Joseph? vs. 20

• God orchestrated all the events leading to Christ’s death to fulfill Christ’s calling to be the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.

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3. What is the brothers’ purpose in killing or selling Joseph? vs. 20

• God orchestrated all the events leading to Christ’s death to fulfill Christ’s calling to be the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. – The betrayal of Jesus by Judas

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3. What is the brothers’ purpose in killing or selling Joseph? vs. 20

• God orchestrated all the events leading to Christ’s death to fulfill Christ’s calling to be the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. – The betrayal of Jesus by Judas

– The Sanhedrin’s condemnation of Jesus Christ

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3. What is the brothers’ purpose in killing or selling Joseph? vs. 20

• God orchestrated all the events leading to Christ’s death to fulfill Christ’s calling to be the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. – The betrayal of Jesus by Judas

– The Sanhedrin’s condemnation of Jesus Christ

– Their sentencing of Him to death by crucifixion

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3. What is the brothers’ purpose in killing or selling Joseph? vs. 20

• God orchestrated all the events leading to Christ’s death to fulfill Christ’s calling to be the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. – The betrayal of Jesus by Judas

– The Sanhedrin’s condemnation of Jesus Christ

– Their sentencing of Him to death by crucifixion

These all worked for Christ, not against Christ.

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4. Why do the brothers eat after throwing Joseph into the empty cistern? vs. 25

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4. Why do the brothers eat after throwing Joseph into the empty cistern? vs. 25

• To celebrate their victory.

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4. Why do the brothers eat after throwing Joseph into the empty cistern? vs. 25

• To celebrate their victory.

• It is a ritual confirming their oneness in selling Joseph.

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4. Why do the brothers eat after throwing Joseph into the empty cistern? vs. 25

• To celebrate their victory.

• It is a ritual confirming their oneness in selling Joseph.

• They are at peace together in this wickedness.

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5. Why does God protect Joseph’s life at this time by causing his brothers to sell him instead of killing him?

vs. 26 – 28

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5. Why does God protect Joseph’s life at this time by causing his brothers to sell him instead of killing him?

vs. 26 – 28

• It is not the time for Joseph to die. God still has work for Joseph to do.

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5. Why does God protect Joseph’s life at this time by causing his brothers to sell him instead of killing him?

vs. 26 – 28

• It is not the time for Joseph to die. God still has work for Joseph to do.

• God’s will cannot be averted, interrupted, nor changed by any individual, family, organization, religion, or political power. (Psalm 2)

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6. Describe how Joseph reacted to the treatment he received from his brothers? Genesis 42:21

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6. Describe how Joseph reacted to the treatment he received from his brothers? Genesis 42:21

• In great distress he pleaded with his brothers for his life.

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7. Since Reuben is absent during the selling of Joseph, who is actually responsible for the selling of Joseph? Genesis 35:23

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7. Since Reuben is absent during the selling of Joseph, who is actually responsible for the selling of Joseph? Genesis 35:23

• Simeon

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8. Why do the brothers bring Joseph’s bloodied coat to their father? vs. 31 – 32

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8. Why do the brothers bring Joseph’s bloodied coat to their father? vs. 31 – 32

• To cause Jacob to make his own conclusion as to what had happened to Joseph.

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8. Why do the brothers bring Joseph’s bloodied coat to their father? vs. 31 – 32

• To cause Jacob to make his own conclusion as to what had happened to Joseph.

• To protect themselves from having to directly lie to their father.

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8. Why do the brothers bring Joseph’s bloodied coat to their father? vs. 31 – 32

• To cause Jacob to make his own conclusion as to what had happened to Joseph.

• To protect themselves from having to directly lie to their father.

• They want to appear innocent before their father.

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9. What are your thoughts on the comfort Jacob’s sons and daughters attempt to give their father?

vs. 35

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9. What are your thoughts on the comfort Jacob’s sons and daughters attempt to give their father?

vs. 35 Jeremiah 6:13 -15 13. “From the least to the greatest, all are greedy for

gain; prophets and priests alike practice deceit.14. They dress the wound of my people as though it

were not serious. ‘Peace, peace,’ they say, when there is no peace.

15. Are they ashamed of their loathsome conduct? No, they have no shame at all; they do not even know how to blush. So they will fall among the fallen; they will be brought down when I punish them,” says the LORD.

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9. What are your thoughts on the comfort Jacob’s sons and daughters attempt to give their father?

vs. 35

• It is a component of their deliberate deceiving of Jacob, therefore it is loathsome.

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9. What are your thoughts on the comfort Jacob’s sons and daughters attempt to give their father?

vs. 35

• It is a component of their deliberate deceiving of Jacob, therefore it is loathsome.

• They live with repressed guilt for 20+ years. Genesis 42: 21 - 22

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9. What are your thoughts on the comfort Jacob’s sons and daughters attempt to give their father?

vs. 35

• It is a component of their deliberate deceiving of Jacob, therefore it is loathsome.

• They live with repressed guilt for 20+ years. Genesis 42: 21 - 22

• Jacob lives with this grief for 22 years.

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9. What are your thoughts on the comfort Jacob’s sons and daughters attempt to give their father?

vs. 35

• It is a component of their deliberate deceiving of Jacob, therefore it is loathsome.

• They live with repressed guilt for 20+ years. Genesis 42: 21 - 22

• Jacob lives with this grief for 22 years. • Genesis 42:36 “You have deprived me of my

children. Joseph is no more and Simeon is no more.”

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10. Describe the condition of the covenant family of Jacob at the end of this passage.

• It is completely and hopelessly broken by deception, greed, and violence. There is no repentance. There is nothing in this family deserving of being saved. It is completely lost in sin.

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11. Do you believe God orchestrated everything that happened to Joseph and this family in this passage? Why or why not?

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11. Do you believe God orchestrated everything that happened to Joseph and this family in this passage? Why or why not?

• Yes.

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11. Do you believe God orchestrated everything that happened to Joseph and this family in this passage? Why or why not?

• Yes.

• Psalm 16:5 “Lord, you have assigned me my portion and my cup; you have made my lot secure.”

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11. Do you believe God orchestrated everything that happened to Joseph and this family in this passage? Why or why not?

• Yes.

• Psalm 16:5 “Lord, you have assigned me my portion and my cup; you have made my lot secure.”

• Not a hair falls from our head without the will of our Father in heaven.

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12. How is the Christ being revealed in the life of Joseph in this passage?

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12. How is the Christ being revealed in the life of Joseph in this passage?

1. Joseph is a revelation of the Christ God sent to seek and save the lost. Israel was unwilling to acknowledge the claims of Christ and therefore rejected Him. “Away with Him, crucify Him!” (Matthew 27:22)

Joseph was rejected when he proclaimed himself the LORD of the family, just as the world rejects the proclaiming of the lordship Jesus Christ.

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12. How is the Christ being revealed in the life of Joseph in this passage?

2. Like the Christ, Joseph was hated because he represented righteousness and obedience. Darkness hates the light because it exposes their evil deeds.

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12. How is the Christ being revealed in the life of Joseph in this passage?

3.Like Christ, Joseph had to be rejected to save his people. If he had stayed in Canaan there could be no future for Israel; they would have died in Canaan. One “dies” for the people!

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12. How is the Christ being revealed in the life of Joseph in this passage?

4. His coat reminds us of the coat of Christ. Like the Christ, his coat was removed by his mockers, making him in essence like them.

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12. How is the Christ being revealed in the life of Joseph in this passage?

4. His coat reminds us of the coat of Christ. Like the Christ, his coat was removed by his mockers, making him in essence like them.

5. Like Christ, his people would rather have silver than him.

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12. How is the Christ being revealed in the life of Joseph in this passage?

6. Joseph is raised from the pit and brought to Egypt to prepare a future place for God’s people. The risen Christ is preparing a place for us in the kingdom of God.

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12. How is the Christ being revealed in the life of Joseph in this passage?

6. Joseph is raised from the pit and brought to Egypt to prepare a future place for God’s people. Christ is preparing a place for us in the kingdom of God.

7. God will give the whole world life through Joseph as He does through the Christ.

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12. How is the Christ being revealed in the life of Joseph in this passage?

8. God’s covenant with Jacob’s family to bless them and make them a blessing to all nations appears to be crushed. From our human perspective we could conclude the serpent has crushed the head of Christ! Joseph is a loser!

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12. How is the Christ being revealed in the life of Joseph in this passage?

8. God’s covenant with Jacob’s family to bless them and make them a blessing to all nations appears to be crushed. From our human perspective we could conclude the serpent has crushed the head of Christ! Joseph is a loser! – “My ways are not your ways says, the Lord.” Isaiah

55:8

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12. How is the Christ being revealed in the life of Joseph in this passage?

8. God’s covenant with Jacob’s family to bless them and make them a blessing to all nations appears to be crushed. From our human perspective we could conclude the serpent has crushed the head of Christ! Joseph is a loser! – “My ways are not your ways says, the Lord.” Isaiah

55:8 – God is sovereign. He knows the plans He has for each

of us as His kingdom takes dominion over the world.

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12. How is the Christ being revealed in the life of Joseph in this passage?

9. God’s love for Jacob and his family is unconditional because of Christ’s sacrifice.

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The End of

Lesson 2

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Time for

Questions

and Answers