Genesis 37, 39 - Joseph

The last Toledot (Generations) of the 12 in Genesis is of Jacob

37:1-25 Joseph dreamt and was sold into slavery

            How would you describe Joseph at age 17?

            What was his relationship with his father, brothers?

            From Joseph’s viewpoint, do you think he felt God’s favor on his life?

Gen 50:18 Then his brothers also came and fell down before him and said, “Behold, we are your servants.” ¹⁹ But Joseph said to them, “Do not be afraid, for am I in God’s place? ²⁰ As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive. ²¹ So therefore, do not be afraid;

            Have you ever been in a situation where it didn’t feel like God was showing you all that much grace, but you later learned that he was actually taking you through something that was of great benefit for you or for a greater purpose?

Keeping God’s plan in mind, let’s look at Chapter 39.

Genesis 39:1-6

Potiphar’s house. –Wife –Jail (Joseph overcame temptation – normal application)

Genesis 39:19-23

Even though Joseph had been thrown in Jail, he had now experienced the Lord’s blessing on everything he touched.

How do you think Joseph felt about his successes?

Do you think Joseph’s success was intended for Joseph or for something else?

Both Potifar and the jailer experienced God’s blessing as well. Why?

Why do some believers experience success like Joseph and some don’t?

Mark 5:1-20 - The Gadarene Demoniac

How would you describe this man during the month prior to his encounter with Jesus?

What was the man doing at the beginning of this passage?

            Living among the dead, gashing himself with stones.

One theologian describes these actions as “self-imposed pain”. He had a fascination with death, he abused his body, he inflicted terrible torment on his body with rocks.

These actions reveal something about Satan’s tactics.

Have you seen people around you suffer from self-imposed pain?

Our culture doesn’t use stones so much, but what do you see people using to inflict self-imposed pain on themselves?  Drugs, alcohol, food, power, violence, knives – cutters.

How much self destruction is too much for Jesus to counter?

The ensuing conversation is with a demon, so let’s move on through the passage to focus on the man after Jesus cast out the demons.

How does the man appear now? (V15)

What did he want to do? Follow Jesus

Any Idea why Jesus wouldn’t allow the man to follow Him?

What does Jesus actions and response tell us about Him?

            He can command Demons, He sends certain people to do certain things