Jesus in Scripture and Tradition Module 1: Who is Israel? Guided Reading Questions

Genesis 37 begins the Joseph Narrative. What is the first event that takes place in this story? ( ) Joseph is sold into slavery. ( ) Joseph interprets dreams in jail. ( ) Joseph has a dream and tells his brothers. ( ) Joseph tests his brothers. In Genesis 37:1-12 we get several insights into Joseph's personality and his relationships with family. Knowing this portion of Genesis is the Joseph story, what do you make of this introduction to Joseph? Describe Joseph in your own words. Genesis 37:5-8 Now Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers they only hated him the more. He said to them, Hear this dream which I have dreamed: behold, we were binding sheaves in the field, and lo, my sheaf arose and stood upright; and behold, your sheaves gathered round it, and bowed down to my sheaf. His brothers said to him, Are you indeed to reign over us? Or are you indeed to have dominion over us? So they hated him yet more for his dreams and for his words. In Genesis 37:5-8, Joseph has a dream, the description of which results in Joseph's brothers hating Joseph. What is your initial interpretation of this dream?

With whom did Jacob have children? Select all that apply. __ Rachel __ Hagar __ Zilpah __ Leah __ Sarah __ Bilhah

The Bible shows a pattern of God "choosing" unlikely candidates to do his handiwork, often it is not the firstborn as one might expect. Such passages speak about someone receiving the blessing of the firstborn by 'election' rather than by actual birth order. Perhaps the most poignant example is Exodus 4:21-23, where the Bible refers to Israel as God's firstborn son. Below is a list of other Biblical passages. Using the following passages, provide the name of the person being reference in the passage when prompted. In Genesis 27:1-37 -- Jacob took the place of _________ as firstborn. Genesis 50: 22-26 -- __________ took the place of Reuben as firstborn. Genesis 48: 12-20 -- Ephraim tool the place of ___________ as firstborn. Who are "the chosen" in this narrative - those through whom God will work His blessing despite the fact that they're not firstborn by birth? Select all that apply. __ Lot __ Terrah __ Ishmael __ Esau __ Jacob __ Isaac __ Reuben __ Joseph __ Manasseh

What does the pattern of those chosen tell us about God? Select one. ( ) God chooses to pass on his blessing through those who most faithfully follow his Law. ( ) The authors of the text explain the power of certain tribes (e.g. Manasseh or Judah on the map) by claiming that God had chosen that tribe's ancestors (e.g. the persons of Manasseh or Judah). ( ) God chooses the most unexpected candidates to emphasize that chosenness is about God's free and gratuitous gift, not our merit. ( ) God always chooses the second-born in every sequence.

Genesis 37:5-8 Now Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers they only hated him the more. He said to them, Hear this dream which I have dreamed: behold, we were binding sheaves in the field, and lo, my sheaf arose and stood upright; and behold, your sheaves gathered round it, and bowed down to my sheaf. His brothers said to him, Are you indeed to reign over us? Or are you indeed to have dominion over us? So they hated him yet more for his dreams and for his words. Now that you have read the Joseph Narrative in its entirety, what new thoughts do you have about Joseph's first dream? Has your view of this event in the story changed? What other events or passages in the narrative led you through this change?

Genesis 50:17-21 And now, we pray you, forgive the transgression of the servants of the God of your father. Joseph wept when they spoke to him. His brothers also came and fell down before him, and said, Behold, we are your servants. But Joseph said to them, Fear not, for am I in the place of God? As for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today. So do not fear; I will provide for you and your little ones. Thus he reassured them and comforted them. How does this passage from the end of the Joseph narrative impact or change your interpretation of Genesis 37? Genesis 50:17-21 And now, we pray you, forgive the transgression of the servants of the God of your father. Joseph wept when they spoke to him. His brothers also came and fell down before him, and said, Behold, we are your servants. But Joseph said to them, Fear not, for am I in the place of God? As for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today. So do not fear; I will provide for you and your little ones. Thus he reassured them and comforted them. How does this passage from the end of the Joseph narrative impact or change your interpretation of Genesis 37?

(Spoiler Alert: Answer Key is on the Next Page.)

Imagine that a friend asks to interview you for a project she is completing for a class. She knows that you have recently studied the Joseph Narrative and has several questions about this Biblical story. Prepare a response to each of her questions. Your friends ask you to tell her about the story of Joseph. What are the two or three most important events in relation to the story's larger message? What is the significance of each? Your friend asks, "In as few words or sentences as possible, tell me the overall message of the Joseph Story." Your friend asks, "What personal experiences have you had that have a relationship to the experiences of Joseph. Has your study of the Joseph Narrative impacted your understanding of your own personal relationships with family or friends? Please tell me how

Answer Key Jesus in Scripture and Tradition Module 1: Who is Israel? Guided Reading Questions Note: the short response questions do not have a right answer. The multiple choice and multiple answer questions above have answers provided below that our teaching assistants would have given if asked these questions. Question: Genesis 37 begins the Joseph Narrative. What is the first event that takes place in this story? ( ) Joseph is sold into slavery. ( ) Joseph interprets dreams in jail. (x) Joseph has a dream and tells his brothers. ( ) Joseph tests his brothers. Question: With whom did Jacob have children? Select all that apply. __ Rachel __ Hagar __ Zilpah __ Leah __ Sarah __ Bilhah Answer: Jacob had children with Leah, Rachel, Zilpah, and Bilhah. This genealogy will prove very significant. Question: The Bible shows a pattern of God "choosing" unlikely candidates to do his handiwork, often it is not the firstborn as one might expect. Such passages speak about someone receiving the blessing of the firstborn by 'election' rather than by actual birth order. Perhaps the most poignant example is Exodus 4:21-23, where the Bible refers to Israel as God's firstborn son. Below is a list of other Biblical passages. Using the following passages, provide the name of the person being reference in the passage when prompted. In Genesis 27:1-37 -- Jacob took the place of _________ as firstborn. Answer: Jacob took the place of Esau as firstborn. Genesis 50: 22-26 -- __________ took the place of Reuben as firstborn. Answer: Joseph took the place of Reuben as firstborn.

Genesis 48: 12-20 -- Ephraim took the place of ___________ as firstborn. Answer: Ephraim took the place of Manasseh as firstborn. Question: Who are "the chosen" in this narrative - those through whom God will work His blessing despite the fact that they're not firstborn by birth? Select all that apply. Answer: Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph are those through whom God works His blessing despite the fact that they're not firstborn by birth. Question: What does the pattern of those chosen tell us about God? Select one. ( ) God chooses to pass on his blessing through those who most faithfully follow his Law. ( ) The authors of the text explain the power of certain tribes (e.g. Manasseh or Judah on the map) by claiming that God had chosen that tribe's ancestors (e.g. the persons of Manasseh or Judah). (x) God chooses the most unexpected candidates to emphasize that chosenness is about God's free and gratuitous gift, not our merit. ( ) God always chooses the second-born in every sequence. Question: Organize these events to match their order in the narrative. __ Joseph forgives his brothers. __ Joseph tests his brothers, when putting a goblet in his brother's bag. __ Joseph is sold into Egypt. __ Joseph dies. __ Jacob dies. __Pharaoh dreams. __ Joseph tells his brothers and father about his dreams and is rebuked. __ Joseph's brothers travel to Egypt for the first time. __ Joseph interprets dreams in jail. The correct order of events is: 1st: Joseph tells his brothers and father about his dreams and is rebuked. 2nd: Joseph is sold into Egypt. 3rd: Joseph interprets dreams in jail. 4th: Pharaoh dreams.

5th: Joseph's brothers travel to Egypt for the first time. 6th: Joseph tests his brothers, when putting a goblet in his brother's bag. 7th: Jacob dies. 8th: Joseph forgives his brothers. 9th: Joseph dies.