Daily Reading:
Monday, October 29—The Favored Son (Genesis 37:1-4)
Tuesday, October 30—The Jealous Brothers (Genesis 37:5-11)
Wednesday, October 31—The Messenger (Genesis 37: 12-17)
Thursday, November 1—The Dreamer (Genesis 37: 18-24)
Friday, November 2—Sold into Slavery (Genesis 37: 25-28)
Saturday, November 3—A Father’s Distress (Genesis 37: 29-36)
Sunday, November 4—A Prayer for Deliverance (Psalm 70)
Devotional Reading: Psalm 70
Background Scripture: Genesis 37
Lesson Text: Genesis 37:5-11, 19-21, 23, 24a, 28
Examine a seed for a large, strong plant—like an oak tree. In spite of its miniscule size, it has (within itself) the promise of becoming something great. But, the seed cannot attain its potential destiny unless it is buried, covered with dirt, fertilized with waste, discards its outer coating, and develops into its promised form. It is not a quick process. It takes decades. Quite often, it is difficult, if not impossible, to notice anything is happening—it seems like everything has come to a halt. But, God is still at work—as is evidenced by the finished product—the mighty oak tree!
.
In this week’s lesson, Joseph, as a teenager, has received revelation (through dream) that he was destined for a high ranking leadership position. The position would be so great, that not only would his older siblings bow down to him, but his parents would also be inclined to genuflect to him. Joseph’s brothers were already jealous of the preferential treatment Joseph received from his father. Seeing how Father Jacob had received (or stolen) his older brother’s, Esau’s, birthright, perhaps the older brothers were afraid that history would repeat itself—unless they intervened. Joseph revealing his dream to his family served to fan the flames of hatred and envy—causing the brothers to plot Joseph’s demise.
.
The intervention of the older brother, Rueben, prevented the other brothers from murdering Joseph. At the suggestion of brother Judah, Joseph was sold into slavery to the Ishmaelites (descendants of Jacob’s uncle—Ishmael). No doubt, the brothers’ concluded that this action would put an end—once and for all—to the threat of their brother rising above them (or anyone else). None of them, not even Joseph, realized that the brothers had put into action the very process that would later serve to bring Joseph's dream of superiority to reality. They had planted the seed. God was at work.
.
Generations ago, the old folk had a saying, “Delayed is not denied.” The God-given potential in you may seem like it has been thwarted by enemies; but God is still at work. It may take weeks, months, years, decades, or generations; but if it is pre-destined by God, the trials and tribulation of the journey will only serve to direct you toward the perfected destination.
...................
Have you ever experienced a time where it seemed like your life took a detour from your intended aspirations? Parents, do you have a child or children that appear to be traveling (intentionally or unintentionally) down a path that is different from the vision you have for them? Let us share our stories to encourage each other that God is still in control.
Monday, October 29—The Favored Son (Genesis 37:1-4)
Tuesday, October 30—The Jealous Brothers (Genesis 37:5-11)
Wednesday, October 31—The Messenger (Genesis 37: 12-17)
Thursday, November 1—The Dreamer (Genesis 37: 18-24)
Friday, November 2—Sold into Slavery (Genesis 37: 25-28)
Saturday, November 3—A Father’s Distress (Genesis 37: 29-36)
Sunday, November 4—A Prayer for Deliverance (Psalm 70)
Devotional Reading: Psalm 70
Background Scripture: Genesis 37
Lesson Text: Genesis 37:5-11, 19-21, 23, 24a, 28
Examine a seed for a large, strong plant—like an oak tree. In spite of its miniscule size, it has (within itself) the promise of becoming something great. But, the seed cannot attain its potential destiny unless it is buried, covered with dirt, fertilized with waste, discards its outer coating, and develops into its promised form. It is not a quick process. It takes decades. Quite often, it is difficult, if not impossible, to notice anything is happening—it seems like everything has come to a halt. But, God is still at work—as is evidenced by the finished product—the mighty oak tree!
.
In this week’s lesson, Joseph, as a teenager, has received revelation (through dream) that he was destined for a high ranking leadership position. The position would be so great, that not only would his older siblings bow down to him, but his parents would also be inclined to genuflect to him. Joseph’s brothers were already jealous of the preferential treatment Joseph received from his father. Seeing how Father Jacob had received (or stolen) his older brother’s, Esau’s, birthright, perhaps the older brothers were afraid that history would repeat itself—unless they intervened. Joseph revealing his dream to his family served to fan the flames of hatred and envy—causing the brothers to plot Joseph’s demise.
.
The intervention of the older brother, Rueben, prevented the other brothers from murdering Joseph. At the suggestion of brother Judah, Joseph was sold into slavery to the Ishmaelites (descendants of Jacob’s uncle—Ishmael). No doubt, the brothers’ concluded that this action would put an end—once and for all—to the threat of their brother rising above them (or anyone else). None of them, not even Joseph, realized that the brothers had put into action the very process that would later serve to bring Joseph's dream of superiority to reality. They had planted the seed. God was at work.
.
Generations ago, the old folk had a saying, “Delayed is not denied.” The God-given potential in you may seem like it has been thwarted by enemies; but God is still at work. It may take weeks, months, years, decades, or generations; but if it is pre-destined by God, the trials and tribulation of the journey will only serve to direct you toward the perfected destination.
...................
DISCUSSION QUESTION:
.Have you ever experienced a time where it seemed like your life took a detour from your intended aspirations? Parents, do you have a child or children that appear to be traveling (intentionally or unintentionally) down a path that is different from the vision you have for them? Let us share our stories to encourage each other that God is still in control.
3 comments:
Thank you for posting this overview. It helped me to study my Sunday School lesson and to develop discussion questions for my Sunday School class.
Joseph needed a developmental period. If nothing else, he needed to learn not to tell everything that was revealed to him. Sometimes our closest relatives will be a stumbling block. Sometimes what God tells you, is just between you and God.
What do you think, please, of Obadiah Shoher's interpretation of the story? (here: samsonblinded.org/blog/genesis-37.htm ) He takes the text literally to prove that the brothers played a practical joke on Yosef rather than intended to murder him or sell him into slavery. His argument seems fairly strong to me, but I'd like to hear other opinions.
Post a Comment