1 A Study of the Christ in the Life of Joseph Lesson 1 Saemmul Christian Church September - December 2010 An ICAHATTOWAK International Production Al Bandstra

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A Study of the Christ in the Life of Joseph

Lesson 1

Saemmul Christian Church

September - December 2010

An ICAHATTOWAK International Production

Al Bandstra [email protected]

mailto:[email protected]

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Genesis 37:1 - 2

1 Jacob lived in the land where his father had stayed, the land of Canaan.

2 This is the account of Jacob.

Joseph, a young man of seventeen, was tending the flocks with his brothers, the sons of Bilhah and the sons of Zilpah, his father's wives, and he brought their father a bad report about them.

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Genesis 37:3 - 4

3 Now Israel loved Joseph more than any of his other sons, because he had been born to him in his old age; and he made a richly ornamented robe for him. 4 When his brothers saw that their father loved him more than any of them, they hated him and could not speak a kind word to him.

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Genesis 37:5 - 7

5 Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers, they hated him all the more. 6 He said to them, "Listen to this dream I had: 7 We were binding sheaves of grain out in the field when suddenly my sheaf rose and stood upright, while your sheaves gathered around mine and bowed down to it."

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Genesis 37:8

8 His brothers said to him, "Do you intend to reign over us? Will you actually rule us?" And they hated him all the more because of his dream and what he had said.

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Genesis 37:9

9 Then he had another dream, and he told it to his brothers. "Listen," he said, "I had another dream, and this time the sun and moon and eleven stars were bowing down to me.

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Genesis 37:10

10 When he told his father as well as his brothers, his father rebuked him and said, "What is this dream you had? Will your mother and I and your brothers actually come and bow down to the ground before you?"

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1. Why does Genesis 37:2 state: “This is the account of Jacob” when the Bible begins to focus its attention on

Joseph?

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Joseph? • Luke 19:9-10

Jesus said to him [Zaccheus], "Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost.”

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Joseph? • Luke 19:9-11 9Jesus said to him [Zaccheus],

"Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost.”

• God tells us the truth about who man is. He presents His people as lost and hopeless in sin until He saves them in His love, grace, and mercy.

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Joseph? • God is going to present to us the truth about

Jacob and his family. God doesn’t paint Jacob as being the perfect role model of a wonderful, loving, perfect, godly father. Jacob in many ways was a complete failure. The same is true about his family. It too is a complete failure. God reveals His unconditional love for this family in saving them out of their shameful failure, disobedience, and hopelessness.

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Joseph? • “Jacob I have loved, Esau I have

hated.” (Malachi 1: 2 - 3, Romans 9:13)

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• Here is where God begins to reveal how His love for Jacob orchestrates the life of Jacob to bless him and his family.

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• Here is where God begins to reveal how His love for Jacob orchestrates the life of Jacob to bless him and his family.

• God is maintaining His covenant with Jacob and his family, confirming His unconditional love and favor on them.

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Joseph? a. God disciplines those He loves. Proverbs

3:12

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1. Why does Genesis 37:2 state: “This is the account of Jacob” when the Bible begins to focus its attention on Joseph?

a. God disciplines those He loves. Proverbs 3:12

b. We sometimes think when I get through this crisis (physical, financial, marital, etc. ) things will improve.

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1. Why does Genesis 37:2 state: “This is the account of Jacob” when the Bible begins to focus its attention on Joseph?

a. God disciplines those He loves. Proverbs 3:12

b. We sometimes think when I get through this crisis (physical, financial, marital, etc. ) things will improve.

c. That is possible, but the focus of God’s love is the redemption and sanctification of our body and soul, not necessarily our health, wealth, and earthly happiness.

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Joseph? d. Romans 8:28 And we know that in all

things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.

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things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.

e. Matthew 13:8 Only the plowed and broken ground produced an abundant crop.

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things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

e. Matthew 13:8 Only the plowed and broken ground produced an abundant crop.

f. We must learn to see ourselves from God’s perspective, not ours.

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2. Describe Joseph’s family. (Genesis 30:22 – 24; 37:3 – 4)

a. What’s good about it?

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a. What’s good about it? • God loves Jacob.

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a. What’s good about it? • God loves Jacob. • In chapter 35 Jacob wrestles with

God and wins.

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a. What’s good about it? • God loves Jacob. • In chapter 35 Jacob wrestles with God

and wins. • He receives God’s blessing and his

name is changed to Israel.

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a. What’s good about it? • God loves Jacob. • In chapter 35 Jacob wrestles with God

and wins. • He receives God’s blessing and his

name is changed to Israel.• Many believe this is when Jacob

becomes a man of faith and begins his role as a godly patriarch at the age of about 70.

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b. What’s wrong with it?

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b. What’s wrong with it?

It is broken and ruined by the sins of jealousy, envy, strife, favoritism, hatred, etc.

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b. What’s wrong with it?It is broken and ruined by the sins of jealousy, envy, strife, favoritism, hatred, etc.

This covenant family at this time is a curse to the world, not a blessing.

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b. What’s wrong with it?It is broken and ruined by the sins of jealousy, envy, strife, favoritism, hatred, etc.

This covenant family at this time is a curse to the world, not a blessing.It is a failure by living in darkness and needs to be completely redeemed and restored by God.

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c. How does his father Jacob contribute to making life miserable for Joseph?

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c. How does his father Jacob contribute to making life miserable for Joseph?

• Jacob favors Joseph and makes it obvious to the rest of the family.

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d.Did Jacob train and teach Joseph?

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d. Did Jacob train and teach Joseph?• Joseph is a youth of faith. He

knows God and submits to His sovereignty.

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• How much Jacob had to do with this, the Bible doesn’t tell us.

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• How much Jacob had to do with this, the Bible doesn’t tell us.

• God planted faith in Joseph; most likely through Jacob instructing him.

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• Jacob seems to have simply raised his first 10 sons.

• Training requires causing a change in the one being directed. The Hebrew word for training means “to twist towards greatness.” This twisting against their nature brings them to maturity. It requires firm, consistent effort.

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e. Why does God put Joseph into this family?

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• God placed this family in His Covenant because He loves this family unconditionally.

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• God appointed Joseph to be the savior of this family because they belong to Him.

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• Christ will be revealed and born through this family.

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• Christ will be revealed and born through this family.

• This family is predestined to be glorified to give glory to God.

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3. Describe Joseph’s character (Genesis 37:2, 5 – 9)

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a. Was he a spoiled child?

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a. Was he a spoiled child?• According to the “experts,” he should

have been!

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have been!• But we see a young man filled with the

righteousness and holiness of God.

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have been!• But we see a young man filled with the

righteousness and holiness of God.• Joseph is gripped by the Holy Spirit.

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If we follow the “experts:” – Parents are to expect and tolerate

rebellion in a two-year old. It’s simply a “phase” they are going through – “terrible twos!”

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If we follow the “experts:” – Parents are to expect and tolerate

rebellion in a two-year old. It’s simply a “phase” they are going through – “terrible twos!”

– Defiant 3-year-olds – are going through the “trying threes.”

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3. Describe Joseph’s character (Genesis 37:2, 5 – 9) • When the child is still willful and

demanding at adolescence, the parents are told that it is a phase which will eventually pass.

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3. Describe Joseph’s character (Genesis 37:2, 5 – 9) • When the child is still willful and

demanding at adolescence, the parents are told that it is a phase which will eventually pass.

• When they become disrespectful teenagers, parents are told that is what they should expect and they will eventually grow out of it, especially when they have children of their own.

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3. Describe Joseph’s character (Genesis 37:2, 5 – 9) • The Bible knows of no such phases or expectations.

• The Bible knows of using the Word of God for teaching, correcting, rebuking, and training in righteousness. II Timothy 3:16

• “The Lord was with Joseph…” Genesis 39:2

• “…because the Lord was with Joseph” Genesis 39:23

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b. Was he a rebellious 17-year-old?

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b. Was he a rebellious 17-year-old? • No, we see a young man in fellowship

with God.

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b. Was he a rebellious 17-year-old? • No, we see a young man in fellowship

with God. • Joseph’s heart and mind are gripped by

the Spirit of God. Joseph doesn’t join in his brothers’ immorality. He separates himself from his brothers and goes to his father, who is responsible to God for his family, and gives him an honest report.

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c. Was he a trouble-maker in his family?

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– Is Joseph speaking and acting according to the Word of God?

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c. Was he a trouble-maker in his family?– Is Joseph speaking and acting according to

the Word of God? – John 3: 19 - 21 “19This is the verdict: Light has

come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. 20Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. 21But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God.”

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– Evil doers despise the messengers God has called to bring to them the Word and discipline of God.

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c. Was he a trouble-maker in his family?– Evil doers despise the messengers God has

called to bring to them the Word and discipline of God.

– 1 Kings 18:17When he [Ahab] saw Elijah, he said to him, "Is that you, you troubler of Israel?”

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– It was Ahab himself, not Elijah, who was the troubler of Israel because Ahab’s disobedience brought Israel under God’s judgment.

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– It was Ahab himself, not Elijah, who was the troubler of Israel because Ahab’s disobedience brought Israel under God’s judgment.

– The seed of the woman and the seed of the serpent are at war. Genesis 3:15

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4. What was the meaning of the two dreams Joseph had? (Genesis 37:6 – 9)

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4. What was the meaning of the two dreams Joseph had? (Genesis 37:6 – 9) • Joseph’s brothers would be bowing before

Joseph and submitting to his authority.

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4. What was the meaning of the two dreams Joseph had? (Genesis 37:6 – 9) • Joseph’s brothers would be bowing before

Joseph and submitting to his authority.• The whole world would submit to Joseph’s

authority.

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4. What was the meaning of the two dreams Joseph had? (Genesis 37:6 – 9) • Joseph’s brothers would be bowing before Joseph

and submitting to his authority.• The whole world would submit to Joseph’s

authority.• Philippians 2:9 - 11 “Therefore God exalted Him

to the highest place and gave Him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the arth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

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4. What was the meaning of the two dreams Joseph had? (Genesis 37:6 – 9) • Matthew 21:42

Jesus said to them, "Have you never read in the Scriptures: " 'The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone ; the Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes'?

• Your kingdom come, Your will be done. Matthew 6:10

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5. Where did they come from? (Genesis 37:6 – 9)

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5. Where did they come from? (Genesis 37:6 – 9)

God revealed them to him to show Joseph how God’s kingdom will function in his life.

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6. What is Joseph’s response to the dreams? (Genesis 37:6 – 9)

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6. What is Joseph’s response to the dreams? (Genesis 37:6 – 9)

Joseph believes them and proclaims them to his brothers.

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7. Why does Joseph tell these dreams to his brothers and later

to his father? (Genesis 37:6 – 9)

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• Only Joseph experienced these dreams, no one else did.

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• Only Joseph received this calling, no one else did.

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• Only Joseph received this calling, no one else did.

• It is God’s revelation to Joseph for Joseph, for his family, and for the world.

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8. Do his brothers believe these dreams to be significant? Does Jacob? (Genesis 37:6 – 9)

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– Perhaps, but they try to reject and repress them.

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– Perhaps, but they try to reject and repress them. Romans 1:18 “…who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them.”

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– Like all unbelievers, they say God’s revelation is false.

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– Like all unbelievers, they say God’s revelation is false.

– They place themselves over the authority of Word of God.

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– They don’t understand because:

• They didn’t have the dream.

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– They don’t understand because:• They didn’t have the dream.• It wasn’t the time for them to understand it.

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– They don’t understand because:• They didn’t have the dream.• It wasn’t the time for them to understand it.• Jacob is touched by it, but isn’t ready for it.

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– They don’t understand because:• They didn’t have the dream.• It wasn’t the time for them to understand it.• Jacob is touched by it, but isn’t ready for it. • Expect opposition to your calling.

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9. Why does Jacob rebuke Joseph in verse 10? (Genesis 37:10)

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• Jacob knows the tension and jealousy in his family and desires peace.

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• Joseph is causing more tension and hatred in the family by telling his brothers about his dreams.

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• Joseph is causing more tension and hatred in the family by telling his brothers about his dreams.

• For Jacob, keeping peace is more desirable than proclaiming and listening to the truth of God’s revelation.

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10. How is the Christ being revealed in the life of Joseph in this passage?

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• The kingdom of God is always advancing. We are not living in a world where God is playing catch-up to Satan. Don’t think God is losing the battle. Christ is the King. He has the dominion over all things. It is His world. (Psalm 2)

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• The kingdom of God is always advancing. We are not living in a world where God is playing catch-up to Satan. Don’t think God is losing the battle. Christ is the King. He has the dominion over all things. It is His world. (Psalm 2)

• God takes hold of this sick family for the purpose of bringing it to repentance, confession, restoration and redemption.

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• As God appointed Joseph to save Israel from physical death, so He appointed the Christ to save us from eternal death.

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• As God appointed Joseph to save Israel from physical death, so He appointed the Christ to save us from eternal death.

• The one this family despises and rejects is their savior.

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• Mark 2:17 On hearing this, Jesus said to them, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners."

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• Mark 2:17 On hearing this, Jesus said to them, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

• The good news is that God saves sinners.

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• Mark 2:17 On hearing this, Jesus said to them, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

• The good news is that God saves sinners.

• Never think we are too sinful, too immoral, or too weak to be saved. God saves the least, the last, and the lost. There is no prerequisite that we need to start being a better Christian before God will come to save us. Salvation is completely by God’s will and work!

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• John 10:27-30

• 27 “…My sheep listen to My voice; I know them, and they follow Me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of My hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of My Father's hand. 30 I and the Father are one."

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The End of

Lesson 1

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Time for

Questions

and Answers

Documents

1 A Study of the Christ in the Life of Joseph Lesson 1 Saemmul Christian Church September - December 2010 An ICAHATTOWAK International Production Al Bandstra