GENESIS 37
How old was Joseph when he was shepherding the flock with his brothers?
Joseph, when he was seventeen years old, was shepherding the flock with his brothers. (Genesis 37:2)
Judah had a son named Er. Er was his firstborn. Who did Er marry?
Now Judah took a wife for Er his firstborn; her name was Tamar. (Genesis 38:6)
Who was Potiphar?
Potiphar, an Egyptian officer of Pharoah, the captain of the (royal) guard. (Genesis 39:1)
In our lesson about Royalty. What is royalty? How was Joseph shown as being a "royal" person?
A multicolored tunic, a special gift, was given to Joseph by his father. This was marked as a priestly and royal one. Apparently, Joseph’s father believed that Joseph was worthy. What is royal? Royal is of kingly ancestry; of, relating to, or subject to the crown; suitable for royalty; magnificent; of superior size, magnitude, or quality. (ref. Merriam-Webster Dictionary). Based on Joseph’s father’s belief, he was suitable for royalty. He was well-deserving to receive this multicolored tunic, a special gift.
What did Joseph bring back to his father when he was shepherding the flock with his brothers?
Joseph brought back a bad report about his brothers to their father. (Genesis 37:2)
Er was evil in the sight of the Lord and the Lord killed him. Then Judah told Onan, "Go in to your brother's widow, and perform your duty as a brother-n-law (under the levirate marriage custom); (be her husband and raise children for the name of your brother.) How did Onan respond to this command from his father?
Onan knew that the child would not be his (but his dead brother's; so whenever he lay with his brother's widow, he spilled his seed on the ground (to prevent conception) so that he would not give a child to his brother. (Genesis 38:9)
The Lord was with Joseph, and he (even though a slave) became a __________ and ________ man; and he was in the house of his __________, the Egyptian.
The Lord was with Joseph, and he (even though a slave) became a successful and prosperous man; and he was in the house of his master, the Egyptian. (Genesis 39:2)
In our lesson "Rescue Me". We read in Genesis 37, “Then his brothers went to pasture their father’s flock near Shechem. Israel (Jacob) said to Joseph, “Are not your brothers pasturing [the flock] at Shechem? Come, and I will send you to them.” And he said, “Here I am [ready to obey you].” According to Matthew Henry’s commentary, “Here I am” response from Joseph refers to __________.
1. In Genesis 37:12-24, we read that, “Then his brothers went to pasture their father’s flock near Shechem. Israel (Jacob) said to Joseph, “Are not your brothers pasturing [the flock] at Shechem? Come, and I will send you to them.” And he said, “Here I am [ready to obey you].” According to Matthew Henry’s commentary, “Here I am” response from Joseph refers to Joseph’s obedience to his father’s command, made to his brethren, who were feeding the flock at Shechem, many miles off. Some suggest that they went thither on purpose, expecting that Joseph would be sent to see them, and that then they should have an opportunity to do him a mischief. Furthermore, Joseph knew his brothers hated him and envied him, yet he made no objections against his father’s commands. He cheerfully embraced the opportunity of showing his respect to his brothers, whether the distance of the place or the danger of the journey.
Why were the brothers jealous of Joseph?
His brothers saw that their father loved Joseph more than all of this brothers; so they hated him and could not speak to him on friendly terms. (Genesis 37:4)
God was displeased with Onan's actions and therefore he was killed. What instructions did Judah tell Tamar since now she continues to be a widow?
Then Judah said to Tamar, his daughter-n-law, "Remain a widow at your father's house until Shelah my (youngest) son is grown"; but he was deceiving her for he thought that if Shelah marry her he too might die like his brothers did. So Tamar went and lived in her father's house. (Genesis 38:11)
What was Joseph's responsibilities given to him by Potiphar?
So Joseph pleased Potiphar and found favor in his sight and he served him as his personal servant. He made Joseph overseer over his house, and he put all that he owned in Jospeh's charge. (Genesis 39:4)
In our lesson, "What Must A Woman Do?".
Tamar was young, childless, had no husband, lived in her father’s house. What Must A Woman Do? Oftentimes, as a woman, we are faced with problems and feel that there are no solutions. In reference to Tamar’s situation, what must a woman do?
Tamar needed to make a key decision that would affect her life as a woman. Judah and Tamar, both had to make a decision which would affect their lives. Judah’s decision would affect his son, Shelah. Tamar’s decision would affect her by not having a husband, children, and her living arrangements. Nothing new today! Many of us are faced with making a key decision that will affect our lives. What would you have proposed for Tamar?
Your opinion
The brothers made a plot against Joseph to kill him. However, someone rescued Joseph from this plot. Who was this person?
Now Reuben (the eldest) heard this and rescued him from their hands and said, "Let us not take his life." (Genesis 37:21)
Tamar was told that her father-in-law was going up to Timnah to shear his sheep. What did Tamar decide to do? Was the plot successful?
see Genesis 38:14-19
Potiphar's wife caught Joseph by his _______ saying, "Lie with me!"
Potiphar's wife caught Joseph by his robe, saying "Lie with me!" (Genesis 39:12)
In our lesson "Decisions Decisions".
We learned some insights on making difficult decisions based on our readings of "When Your Faced With Difficult Decision” by Christinia Fox and the Word of God. Fox provided several principles that we can apply. Which principle is not one:
1. He calls us to pray
2. Allow your friend to pray and handle everything for you.
3. He calls us to obey Him.
4. He calls us to glorify Him
5. He calls us to delight in Him
6. He calls us to seek godly wisdom
Princ
1. He calls us to pray: When you are faced with a big decision, the first step is to pray. Pray that God would make the way clear. Pray that He would give you wisdom and discernment. Pray for a heart that yields to His will and plan. Pray for His will to be done in your life.
2. He calls us to obey Him: When we don’t know what to do in a situation, we are called to obey Him. A good question to ask ourselves when faced with a decision is, “What choice will obey God?”.
3. He calls us to glorify Him: Another question to ask when faced with a decision is, “How will this bring God glory?” Is there are way this decision will keep me from glorifying God?”
4. He calls us to delight in Him: Our greatest desire should be God. When we are faced with a decision to make, a question to ask ourselves is, “Will this decision help or hinder my delight in God? Will it interfere in some way? Will it pull me away from seeking Him?”
5. He calls us to seek godly wisdom: When you need help in making a difficult decision, seek the wisdom of those in your church community.
The brothers decided not to kill Joseph, but to sell him. What group(s) of people was Joseph sold to? How much did they pay for Joseph?
Then as the Midianite (and Ishmaelite) traders were passing by, the brothers pulled Joseph up and lifted him out of the pit, and they sold him to the Ishmaelites for twenty shekels of silver. And so they took Joseph (as a captive) into Egypt. (Genesis 37:28)
Name the three pledge articles that were given to Tamar from Judah.
The seal, the cord, and staff. (Genesis 38:25)
When Joseph's master heard the words of his wife. How did Potiphar respond?
And when Joseph's master heard the words of his wife, saying, "This is the way your servant treated me." his anger burned. So Joseph's master took him and put him in the prison, a place where the king's prisoners were confined; so he was there in the prison. (Genesis 39:19-20)
In our lesson, "Breakforth into Brightness".
The story of Judah and Tamar reveals to us that God can use any dire situation and manifest a break forth to brightness. In other words, God is able to provide a way of deliverance which leads to brightness, which means the quality or state of being bright (ref. Merriam Webster Dictionary). In reference to the story of Judah and Tamar, Matthew Henry’s commentary points out that Judah was ashamed. Therefore, he was convicted by his own conscience. Judah confesses his sin by stating, “She has been more righteous than I”. Furthermore, we read that He knew her again no more, which implies that he never returned to Tamar and that he truly repented for his sins. Judah was able to break forth in this situation into the brightness. His confession of the sin began his break forth and the release of it, allowed Judah to come into the brightness. But, God gave Judah and Tamar grace. Grace is God’s unmerited favor.
Will God give me grace for committing this sin or that sin? Scripture says in
2 Timothy 1:9 amp states, “ for He delivered us and saved us and called us with a holy calling (a calling that leads to a consecrated life- a life set apart-a life of purpose), not because of our works ( or because of any personal merit- we could do nothing to earn this), but because of His own purpose and grace (His amazing, undeserved favor) which was granted to us in Christ Jesus before the world began (eternal ages ago).