Week 5 Genesis 38 - 44

Haven't you enjoyed reading these familiar Bible stories? I remember these stories from my days in Sunday School at the First Church of God...flannel graph and all. If you have no idea how flannel graph works that means you're way young...see me and I'll explain it to you!

We enter the longest narrative in Genesis - the story of Joseph. There are so many good questions for these chapters it's hard to pick and choose.

1. I'm backing up a bit to chapter 37 for some context. This is a chapter of how NOT to parent. Favoritism always gets a parent in trouble. Obviously Jacob didn't learn from his own life lessons of what happens when a parent favors one child over another. Joseph struts his stuff in chapter 37 and creates an attitude of hatred among his brothers. The question I ask is have you been on either side of this situation? As a parent have you favored a child over another and lived with the consequences? Or, as a child have you been the favored child or the discarded child and lived with the consequences? Have these situations had an impact on your relationship with God? If so, what?

2. Another thought about chapter 37. Verse 36 tells us Joseph is sold to the house of Potiphar. Joseph has started a journey he certainly does not understand. Over a period of years, the journey is revealed. Are you in the midst of a life journey wtih God you don't understand? How do you cope with it? If the Genesis narrative tells us anything, it certainly tells us about God's provision. Take hope in the story of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Joseph.

3. Tamar and Judah story - Chapter 38. As you read this story think about these questions: When has God taken something bad in your life and created something good? Have you ever found it hard to live up to your end of a bargain? Do you admire Tamar's actions in this story? Remember from this pregnancy comes comes the family line of Jesus. God works in our imperfections...I take great hope from this fact.

4. The Renovare Spiritual Transformation Bible has this note on Chapter 39: "The Lord was with Joseph during circumstances that today seem especially extreme: sold into slavery, accused of rape and imprisoned, forgotten after giving wise counsel. But in their midst he knew God was with him. What circumstances hinder your sense that God is with you? What helps you realize God's presence? How do you plan to 'practice the presence of God' in the future?" (Page 70 in the Old Testament)

5. Chapter 40 might be titled "The Forgotten Good Deed." Verse 14 says: "But remember me when it is well with you; pleasae do me the kindness to make mention of me to Pharaoh, and so get me out of this place." Verse 23 reads: "Yet the chief cupbearer did not remember Joseph, but forgot him." Two thoughts: when have you been forgotten by someone? And when have you forgotten God?

6. Chapter 41 chronicles Joseph's rise to power in Egypt. As I thought about Joseph's lengthy time in prison I wondered if his youthful arrogance was replaced by a mature humility? Obviously Joseph was born with a strong sense of his personal power and charisma, did his time in exile and his time in prison bring forth a self reckoning that allowed God to work through him? Is this not true in our own lives? The bumps and bruises of every day living can either turn us into wise servants of God or bitter characters. Which are you?

7. Chapters 42 - 44 share an all too familiar family tale. Families give us much pain in our lives and much joy. When there has been separation (or a family rift), reconciliation is so sweet. We cry (Joseph - 42:24), we celebrate (the banquet Joseph gives), we confess (the brothers among each other) and finally we reunite. Sometimes it takes us a long time to see our own part in a family division. When we finally realize it, we must act. Relationships are too precious to waste time on personal pride. Today, if you need to reconcile with a family member, ask God to help you and make it right.

As as I said at the beginning of this long post, there are many questions and lessons in these chapters. What questions or insights do you have? Please feel free to comment.