Joseph Sold As a Slave by His Own BrothersGenesis 37:25-36

Lesson 83

background notes

doctrinal points

1. “All things work together for good to those who love God.” (Romans 8:28)

 2. “Whatever a man sows, that will he also reap.” (Galatians 6:7)

practical application
1. You can rejoice even when your world falls apart.

 

questions
1. Which of the two brothers were not involved in the plot to kill Joseph?

2. Who bought Joseph?

3. Where were they from, and where were they going?

4. Referring to Doctrinal Point #1, was it good that Joseph’s brothers hated him and sold him into slavery?

5. How is this portion of the Joseph story related to Jesus?

6. How did the brothers reap what they sowed?

7. How did Jacob reap what he had sown?

 answers
1. Reuben, the oldest, and Benjamin, the youngest

2. A band of Ishmaelite or Midianite traders

3. They were coming from Gilead and were on their way to Egypt.

4. No, these things were not good, but God took them and worked them together for good.

5. Neither Joseph nor Jesus were received by their own, both were mistreated, and both were sold for the price of a slave. But God overruled, and put Joseph into a place of prominence. By Jesus’ death on the cross, God procured salvation for all of mankind.

6. They reaped the hurt of a guilty conscience. And in the years to come, their descendants would be slaves in Egypt for many years.

7. Jacob had used a killed goat to fool his father, Isaac, into thinking he was Esau. Jacob’s sons killed a goat and dipped Joseph’s coat into its blood.

 

discuss / consider
1. Do you really believe Romans 8:28? How has it been proven in your life?

2. Do you believe Galatians 6:7? How has it been proven in your life?

 

challenge
Read 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18. How is this possible? Think of a time in your life when you were tested, and    yet able to give thanks. You can be like Joseph, who rose above his circumstances and trusted God, or you can be like Jacob, who refused to be comforted. One focused on God, the other on self. On which one are you focusing (trusting in)?

memorize

• “Jacob refused to be comforted.” Genesis 37:35