The text for this lesson is Genesis 37
Key Point
- Joseph was hated by his brothers, who threatened him with death and sold him into slavery, but he was rescued by God. God’s Son, Jesus, was also hated and was killed for our sin. He is our deliverer from sin, death, and the power of the devil.
- Law: Hatred ruins relationships and separates me from others and from God.
- Gospel: Jesus’ death and resurrection restores my relationships with God and others.
Discussion Points
- It has been said that, under certain circumstances, any human being could commit the most heinous crime. Do you think that is true? Do you think that, given a particular circumstance, thoughts of hate could lead to the action of murder?
- Genesis 37:3, we learn that Jacob “loved Joseph more than any other of his sons” and that Jacob even “made him a robe of many colors.” Because of this, Joseph’s brothers hated him (37:4). Was Jacob showing favoritism, or might there be another reason that he loved Joseph more? What is so important about the robe of many colors?
- God revealed His plan for Jacob’s family by giving two dreams to Joseph. What were the details of Joseph’s first dream, and how did his brothers respond? What were the details of Joseph’s second dream, and how did his father respond?
- Jacob sent Joseph to check on his brothers while they were tending the family flock. What did the brothers initially plan to do to Joseph when they saw him approaching from a distance? What alternative plan did Reuben give, and what could his motivation have been?
- What did the brothers finally do to Joseph, and how did their father, Jacob, respond? How does Joseph’s fate compare to that of our Lord Jesus Christ?
- How did Joseph endure the hatred of his brothers? How do you endure the hateful thoughts or actions of other people? How do you respond “when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely” on account of Jesus Christ (Matthew 5:11)?
