Joseph’s Story, Genesis 37:1-36
Let’s backtrack and sort out the family of Jacob (Israel).
Jacob met a girl, Rachel the daughter of his cousin, pretty much instantly loved her (Gen 28:18) and made a deal with his cousin Laban that he would work for seven years for her hand in marriage. BUT after seven years, Laban gave his older daughter, Leah, to Jacob (after a feast, presumably nighttime, you get the impression that Jacob didn’t realise he’d slept with the wrong woman!). So, Jacob marries Rachel as well and then works another seven years for the privilege. (Gen 29:15-29)
Thus begins the procession of personal feelings which drove the making of this large family of Jacob’s (29:30-30:1-24). Leah always felt unloved by Jacob (who clearly loved Rachel) and so wanted to become pregnant with boys so Jacob would love her, Rachel couldn’t conceive a child and so, seeing Leah being able to do what she couldn’t – her jealousy and feelings of inadequacy made her give her servant to Jacob as a sort of surrogate for her. Then Leah did the same to add to her tally of babies for Jacob – making her self-esteem grow even more.
And THEN after years and 10 children to other women, God ‘remembers Rachel’ and blesses her with a boy. Jacob’s love match has finally had a baby in their old age, and it’s a boy! God was faithful to Jacob and Rachel and they finally have a child from their love. Any wonder this boy was favourable in Jacob’s eyes.
Discussion Question:
How would you feel about Joseph if you were in Jacob’s shoes?
Now read the passage 37:1-36
1. How does the author describe Joseph? (37:1–36)
2. Why does Israel love Joseph more than his other sons, and how did he show it? (37:3)
3. How did Joseph’s brothers treat him? (37:4)
4. What makes jealousy such a powerful emotion?
5. What causes jealousy between siblings?
6. How does boasting get people into trouble?
7. How should we deal with feelings of jealousy?
8. What can you do this week to show all of your close family members that you love them?
Close in Prayer for each other
Let’s backtrack and sort out the family of Jacob (Israel).
Jacob met a girl, Rachel the daughter of his cousin, pretty much instantly loved her (Gen 28:18) and made a deal with his cousin Laban that he would work for seven years for her hand in marriage. BUT after seven years, Laban gave his older daughter, Leah, to Jacob (after a feast, presumably nighttime, you get the impression that Jacob didn’t realise he’d slept with the wrong woman!). So, Jacob marries Rachel as well and then works another seven years for the privilege. (Gen 29:15-29)
Thus begins the procession of personal feelings which drove the making of this large family of Jacob’s (29:30-30:1-24). Leah always felt unloved by Jacob (who clearly loved Rachel) and so wanted to become pregnant with boys so Jacob would love her, Rachel couldn’t conceive a child and so, seeing Leah being able to do what she couldn’t – her jealousy and feelings of inadequacy made her give her servant to Jacob as a sort of surrogate for her. Then Leah did the same to add to her tally of babies for Jacob – making her self-esteem grow even more.
And THEN after years and 10 children to other women, God ‘remembers Rachel’ and blesses her with a boy. Jacob’s love match has finally had a baby in their old age, and it’s a boy! God was faithful to Jacob and Rachel and they finally have a child from their love. Any wonder this boy was favourable in Jacob’s eyes.
Discussion Question:
How would you feel about Joseph if you were in Jacob’s shoes?
Now read the passage 37:1-36
1. How does the author describe Joseph? (37:1–36)
2. Why does Israel love Joseph more than his other sons, and how did he show it? (37:3)
3. How did Joseph’s brothers treat him? (37:4)
4. What makes jealousy such a powerful emotion?
5. What causes jealousy between siblings?
6. How does boasting get people into trouble?
7. How should we deal with feelings of jealousy?
8. What can you do this week to show all of your close family members that you love them?
Close in Prayer for each other