Genesis 38, 39 and 40 March 31, 2016 1. Read Genesis 38:1-11. Judah has separated from his family and moved to Adullam. How does Judah s separation from his family differ from the way Joseph was separated from his family in Genesis 37? How do Judah s actions in verse 2 dishonor his family? Look also at Genesis 24:3 and 28:1. How is Judah also dishonoring God by his actions? 2. In Genesis 38:6 Judah finds a wife, named Tamar, for his firstborn son, Er. Very little is recorded about Tamar, but it is likely that she was a Canaanite woman. Why do you think Judah would have chosen a Canaanite woman for his son? What are some consequences of living outside the will of God? 3. The custom during the time of Judah, which later became part of the Mosaic Law (Deuteronomy 25:5-6 and Ruth 4:10), was known as levirate marriage. This custom stated that if one brother died without leaving a male heir, one of his surviving brothers must marry the dead brother s widow. The purpose of the law was to produce a son for the dead brother so his name would not disappear and the son could inherit all his father s property. Read again Genesis 38:8-10. Onan dishonored this custom. What were the consequences of his actions? According to Genesis 38:11, how does Judah also dishonor the levirate marriage custom? On what does he base his choice? And how does he justify his choice to Tamar? 4. Finish by reading Genesis 38:12-30. How do you see Judah s sinful choices affecting those within his family as well as the lives of those outside his family? In which verse do you see Judah s recognition of his sinful behavior? Who will come from the line of Judah and his son Perez? Read Matthew 1:1-3.
Genesis 38, 39 and 40 March 31, 2016 Page 2 5. Read Genesis 39:1-6. How was Joseph blessed even in the midst of his unfair circumstances? According to verses 2-3, what was Joseph s success attributed to? Explain why Joseph s master was also blessed by God. 6. Joseph is a good example of a believer who trusted God and made the best of his difficult circumstances. What other people in the Bible come to your mind when you think of these characteristics? In what way are you making the most of your current circumstances? Are your words and actions pointing others to God or away from Him? 7. Read Genesis 39:7-23. What reasons does Joseph give Potiphar s wife for fleeing from her advances? Joseph was tempted over and over again by Potiphar s wife, but he continued to resist. What are some practical ways you can resist persistent temptations in your life? 8. As Genesis 39 closes, we find Joseph again enduring injustice. In Genesis 38, Judah endured the death of two sons and his wife. Compare the responses of Judah and Joseph to their difficult circumstances. According to Genesis 39:21-23, Who made the difference in Joseph s life?
Genesis 38, 39 and 40 March 31, 2016 Page 3 9. Read Genesis 40:1-8. Joseph has been in prison about two years. Recall a time when you may have felt like you were in your own personal prison. What thoughts or feelings might Joseph have experienced during those two years in prison? 10. Look back at verses 5-8. What is the cause for the baker and cupbearer s sadness? What characteristics does Joseph display in verses 6-7? How does he use this opportunity to bring glory to God in verse 8? What does Joseph understand about serving others that all believers should understand as well? Look at Colossians 3:23-24 for insight. 11. Read Genesis 40:9-19. What is Joseph s interpretation of the cupbearer s dream? What does the baker s dream mean? 12. Read Genesis 40:20-23. How does this story end for the cupbearer and the baker? How does this story end for Joseph? But Who has not forgotten Joseph? Read 39:2,21,23. 13. When looking back over what Joseph has been through, what encourages you to remain faithful to the Lord in your time of suffering? What verses from Scripture are helpful to you during times of suffering? 14. Do you have a personal prayer request to share with your small group?
Genesis 41 and 42 April 7, 2016 1. Last week we looked at Joseph as he was serving time in prison unfairly. Have you ever experienced your own times of feeling imprisoned unfairly? What verses or truths about God kept you from losing hope during those times? 2. Look back at Genesis 40:23 to remember that Joseph had asked the cupbearer to remember him when he was freed from prison. Did the cupbearer remember? Who must we rely on to never forget us and to deliver us from our darkest trials? What can we learn from Isaiah 64:4? Read Genesis 41:50-52 to see Joseph blessed with children in the future. Summarize Joseph s beliefs about his Deliverer. 3. Read Genesis 41:1-13. How do you see the hand of God at work in this situation? 4. Read 41:14-24. How would you contrast Pharaoh and Joseph in this scene? How do we know that Joseph has not lost his faith in God even after two more years in prison? 5. Read Genesis 41:25-36. What words would you use to describe Joseph as he interprets Pharaoh s dreams? Summarize Joseph s plans to protect Egypt from the famine that will come.
6. Read Genesis 41:37-45. How does Pharaoh describe Joseph in verses 38-39? Women in the Word Genesis 41 and 42 April 7, 2016 Page 2 Make a list of all the privileges Pharaoh gives Joseph. 7. Read Genesis 41:46-57. What do you learn about Joseph as he handles the preparation for the famine and the distribution of food during the famine? Go back and read Genesis 39:21-23 when Joseph was still in prison. In what ways would that part of Joseph s life relate to his current position which was given to him by Pharaoh? According to verses 56 and 57, whom does Joseph bless through this great trial? 8. Read Genesis 42:1. Compare Joseph s actions during the famine with his brother s actions. Read Genesis 42:2-17. Read 42:9 again with Genesis 37:9 when Joseph was a boy. How was Joseph s dream coming true? According to 42:11, what kind of men do the brothers think they are? Joseph is testing his brothers in this scene. What reason does he give them for testing them? What could be the deeper personal reasons for Joseph testing his brothers?
Genesis 41 and 42 April 7, 2016 Page 3 9. Read Genesis 42:18-24. How was God using Joseph in this situation to reveal the brothers guilty consciences regarding their former treatment of Joseph? Was this a difficult process for the brothers? Was it a difficult process for Joseph? Explain. 10. Read Genesis 42:25-28. How else do we see God working in the hearts of Joseph s brothers in these passages? Where do we see Joseph s love for his brothers in these verses? 11. Read Genesis 42:29-38. What would be some of the emotions surrounding Jacob and his sons at this moment? What is Jacob s greatest fear when he hears this story? How do we know that Jacob doesn t trust his sons to help from these verses? Since this family is imprisoned in a trial of famine and the literal imprisonment of Simeon, where should they place their hope? Read Psalm 38:15. 12. Do you have a personal prayer request to share with your small group?
Genesis 43 and 44 April 14, 2016 1. Have you ever experienced a time when you thought God was testing you? Please share. What do the following verses say about the purpose of testing? Deuteronomy 8:1-2 1 Peter 1:6-7 2. Read Genesis 42:14-16. Why did Joseph send his brothers back to Egypt and keep Simeon as his prisoner? 3. Read the conversation between Jacob and his sons in Genesis 43:1-14. Why is Jacob so hesitant to send Benjamin with his brothers to Egypt? Share a time when fear kept you from trusting God. What does Proverbs 29:25 say about trusting God? Share a time when you trusted God in a difficult situation and you were protected. 4. Reread Genesis 43:8-10. Who convinces Jacob to send Benjamin to Egypt? How is Judah s offer different than Reuben s offer in Genesis 42:37?
Genesis 43 and 44 April 14, 2016 Page 2 5. Read Genesis 43:15-34. What prophecy was fulfilled in verses 26-28? See Genesis 37:5-9. 6. Joseph is gracious and kind to his brothers and invites them to dinner. In verse 34, how is Benjamin s meal different than his brothers? Review Genesis 37:3,4,11,18. In what way might Joseph s favoritism toward Benjamin be a test for the brothers? 7. Read Genesis 44:1-17. How does Joseph test his brothers a second time? What will be the fate of Benjamin when found with the cup? Read Genesis 37:31-32. The brother s jealousy of Joseph years ago led to selling him to slave traders and lying to their father to cover up their guilt. How might Joseph s proposal in 44:17 be tempting for Joseph s brothers? 8. In 44:16, what does Judah reveal about the presence of sin in his heart and his knowledge of God? God already knows our hearts, but wants us to know our hearts as well. Why is this so important?
Genesis 43 and 44 April 14, 2016 Page 3 9. Read Genesis 44:18-34. In verse 33, what lowly position is Judah offering for himself in exchange for his brother Benjamin? How is this offer different than the offer he gave the Ishmaelites concerning his brother Joseph in Genesis 37:27? How is Judah s offer for ransom similar to Jesus offer to us in Mark 10:45? What evidence do you see in Judah s plea to Joseph that reflects a change in his heart? Who would be a descendant from the line of Judah? See Hebrews 7:14. 10. Read Genesis 15:13. What does God tell Abraham about the future of his descendants? How do you see God s plan unfolding in the lives of Jacob and his 12 sons? 11. Think back over Judah s life and the choices he s made. How do you see God s love for Judah and his brothers in these chapters? How has this true story encouraged you in light of your own choices? 12. God s plans will continue in our life in spite of our disobedience. Along the way, we will be tested to expose sin that may stand between us and our friendship with Him. How will you respond to testing in your life? 13. Do you have a personal prayer request to share with your group?
Genesis 45, 46 and 47 April 21, 2016 1. In the midst of hard circumstances it is difficult for us to see how God can use it for good. Share a time when hardship actually had a benefit in your life. 2. Read Genesis 45:1-15 and describe the emotional scene in verses 1-3. 3. How would you define the phrase providence of God? In what way has God s providence played a role in the story of Joseph and his brothers according to verses 5-8? Read Romans 8:28 and Proverbs 19:21. What do you think protected Joseph from bitterness and allowed him to see God s hand in his harsh treatment? Read Proverbs 3:5-6. 4. List the ways Joseph extends forgiveness, grace and mercy to his family that betrayed him. How do Joseph s actions with his family remind you of God s forgiveness, mercy and grace in your life? 5. Read Genesis 45:16-28. What is the reaction of Pharaoh and his household to the news of Joseph s family? What does that tell you about their relationship with Joseph?
Genesis 45, 46 and 47 April 21, 2016 Page 2 6. As Joseph s brothers leave to return to their father, what instruction does he give them in verse 24? Why would Joseph be concerned about their interactions on their return journey since finding out he was alive? Describe Jacob/Israel s reaction to the news that Joseph lives. 7. As Jacob/Israel begins his journey to Egypt he stops in Beersheba. Read Genesis 46:1-4 and record the promises that God makes to Jacob. Why would Jacob need God s reassurance before traveling to Egypt? Read Genesis 26:1-2. How is Jacob/Israel s journey to Egypt a fulfillment of God s prediction in Genesis 15:13-14? 8. Genesis 46:5-27 describes the entourage that travels to Egypt. According to verses 6-7, who traveled with Jacob? In verse 27 we read that Jacob s household was composed of 70 people when they arrived in Egypt. Now read Exodus 1:1-7 and Genesis 15:3-5. What did God promise Abraham that comes to fruition during their time in Egypt? 9. Read Genesis 46:28-34. Look back at Jacob s reaction to the news of Joseph s death in Genesis 37:32-35. What emotions do you think he is experiencing as he is reunited with Joseph?
Genesis 45, 46 and 47 April 21, 2016 Page 3 10. Read Genesis 47:1-12. What words would you would use to describe Joseph s relationship with Pharaoh? What words would you use to describe Joseph s relationship with his newly reunited family? 11. Why do you think Jacob characterizes his life as difficult when he is questioned by Pharaoh in verses 8-9? Jacob, the foreigner, blesses Pharaoh in verses 7 and 10. What insight does that give you into Jacob? 12. Read Genesis 47:13-26. Summarize how Joseph s wisdom saves the people of Egypt and prospers Pharaoh during the famine. How do the people of Egypt view Joseph in spite of becoming servants to Pharaoh during this time? 13. Read Genesis 47:27-31. How does God continue to bless Israel even during the famine? What is Jacob s last request of Joseph? 14. The story of Joseph and his brothers is a remarkable example of God s providence combined with the blessings of forgiveness. Record some of the blessings you see as a result of Joseph s ability to forgive his brothers and accept God s providence in his life. Share a time when forgiving or being forgiven has blessed you. 15. Do you have a personal prayer request to share with your small group?
Genesis 48, 49 and 50 April 28, 2016 1. Read Genesis 48:1-4 along with 28:10-15. Why might God s covenant promise to Jacob have been of special significance to Joseph who has spent most of his life in Egypt? 2. Read Genesis 48:5-7. Jacob elevates the status of Manasseh and Ephraim from grandsons to sons. Therefore, Joseph, through these sons, will receive a double portion of his father s inheritance. Read Genesis 35:22 and 1 Chronicles 5:1-2. What action from Reuben s past disqualified him from keeping his birthright? 3. Read Genesis 48:8-12. In verse 11, what characteristics of God might Jacob be rejoicing in at this moment? Write out a short praise to God for something or someone He has restored to you. 4. Read chapter 48:13-22. Jacob s special blessing for Joseph is closely tied to his sons future. What mistake does Joseph think his father is making as he gives his blessing? How does Jacob reassure Joseph of his intention in verse 19? 5. When Jacob claims Joseph s two sons as his own, Joseph essentially receives a double portion of inheritance, elevating his status to firstborn. Record whose birthrights have also been reversed according to the following verses: Genesis 17:18-19; 27:35-36 and 48:20. God has intervened in the natural procession of birthrights in the last four generations of this family. Why might God have chosen this course of action? See 1 Corinthians 1:27-29.
Genesis 48, 49 and 50 April 28, 2016 Page 2 6. Reread Genesis 48:21-22. What things of great value does Jacob assure Joseph will be his? 7. Read Genesis 49:1-28. Describe what you imagine this scene to have looked and sounded like. Look again at verses 8-12. What animal is mentioned in Judah s blessing? What object is mentioned in verse 10 and what does it represent? List the 12 sons that Jacob blesses. According to verse 28, who would each of these sons become? 8. Read Genesis 49:29-33. What did Jacob s wish to be buried in Canaan reveal about him? 9. Read Genesis 50:1-14. Who accompanied Joseph to Canaan to bury his father? Why do you think the funeral procession was so large? 10. Read Genesis 50:15-21. Why might the brothers have fresh cause to fear retribution from Joseph now?
Genesis 48, 49 and 50 April 28, 2016 Page 3 11. Look again at Genesis 50:19-20 along with Genesis 45:5-7. How did God use Joseph s enslavement in Egypt to preserve his family? 12. In Genesis 50:21, Joseph s words and actions display great forgiveness. Why was Joseph able to fully forgive his brothers? How can that be an encouragement when you need to forgive? 13. Read Genesis 50:22-26. As Joseph anticipates his death, what did he believe to be true? 14. What has been your favorite story from this study of Genesis 12 50? Why is it your favorite? What is one thing you have learned about God this semester that will impact your walk with Him? 15. Do you have a personal prayer request to share with your small group?