Good evening. This evening we are going to work our way through Genesis chapters 35, 36, and 37. Now we are not going to spend time with chapter 37 due to it mainly being a genealogy. However, I would encourage you to read over that text just to be familiar with the names and who they descended from. But as we begin this evening, let me open our time up with a word or prayer.
Let’s Pray
As we look at this first passage tonight, tell me what family heirloom you would like to someday inherit?
Well, let’s go ahead and jump right into our text for this evening. The first passage that we are going to look at is chapter 35:1-15. In this passage we are reading about Jacob returning to Bethel. So whoever has the first key, go ahead and read that for us at this time please. (READ)
Years before, God had revealed Himself to Jacob as he was fleeing his homeland. The Lord promised to bring him back safely, and also transferred to Jacob the covenant promises given to his grandfather Abraham and to his father Isaac. Now God calls him to return to that special place Jacob had named Bethel, “the house of God.”
Now, let’s work our way through this passage at this time. First, what do you suppose Jacob was feeling as he returned to the land from which he had previously fled?
Why do you think God called Jacob to return to Bethel?
What impresses you about Jacob in this story?
What is the significance of burying the things that they do? (Be clean before God)
How might God be calling you to go back to something?
Where do you feel especially close to God?
Jacob erected an altar in response to God’s blessings. How has God blessed you lately, and how have you expressed your thanks?
To be clean before God, what is something that you need to “bury?”
Does anyone have anything that they would like to add about this passage?
Well, if there is nothing else, then let’s prepare to move on to the next section. First, let me ask you a couple of questions. How many times have you moved in your lifetime?
Who has been the hardest loved one to deal with their passing?
Well, in the rest of chapter 35 we see Jacob experience some loss of some loved ones. Whoever has the next key, could you go ahead and read that for us please. (READ)
Well, I don’t have much on this section, but I do have a few questions to consider.
In the context of Genesis, what is the significance of Rachel’s death? (31:32-35)
What irony do you see in the reunion of Jacob and Esau at their father’s death?
Consider Isaac’s life and death as described in verse 29. In many ways this is like a eulogy. Now describe how you would like to be remembered when you pass away?
Well, as I said, I didn’t have a lot to go over with this passage, so Does anyone have anything that they would like to add about this section of scripture?
Well, if there is nothing else, we can move on to chapter 36. Now here in this chapter we again see a huge genealogy. And as much as I like seeing people read over these names, there is nothing new that we can learn from reading a genealogy that we haven’t already covered in the past. So, again I would encourage you to read this on your own time just to be familiar with the names and the connection of their decent.
However, at this time, let me read what the commentary had to say about chapters 35 and 36. In my commentary it combined the 2 chapters and had one little excerpt about them as a whole. Here is what it had to say. It says, “READ COMMENTARY”
Now, unless there is anything that anyone has about chapter 36, we will get ready and move on to chapter 37.
Alright, here in this chapter is when we make a transition to take a deeper look into the life of Joseph. The first section we are going to look at will be Genesis 37:1-11, and that covers the dreams that Joseph has here in the beginning. Then we will cover Genesis 37:12-36, and see how his brothers respond to his dreams and how things begin to play out for the life of Joseph.
But, before we do that, what did you want to be as a child? What did you maybe dream of being when you grew up?
Well, let’s go ahead and take a look at Joseph’s dreams of what he may become. Whoever has the next key, go ahead and read that for us please. (READ)
Now, we have made a transition from Jacob to Joseph. This story as well as the rest of Genesis, centers around Joseph, Jacob’s 11th son and Rachel’s firstborn, which made Joseph the favorite son.
From these verses, how would you describe Joseph to someone who had never heard of or read about him?
How do you feel about Joseph’s behavior?
If you had a brother like Joseph, what would you do?
Why do you think that God gave these dreams to Joseph?
What do you think Jacob should have done about the problem brewing between Joseph and his brothers?
If you were Jacob, why play favorites? (Remember the problems surrounding him and his brother Esau.)
What would a family therapist say about this family?
What do you personally do when you have dreams about personal success?
Is there any area in your life that you are dealing with envy right now?
Does anyone have anything that they would like to add about this passage?
Well if there is nothing else, we will move on and read the last section for tonight. The last section found in verses 12-36 is about Joseph being sold out by his brothers. In relation to this passage, what is the worst thing that a sibling has done to you or you have done to them?
Well, let’s go ahead and read the rest of this chapter. Whoever has the last 2 keys go ahead and read them for us at this time please. (READ)
Jacob’s favorite son, Joseph, was already despised by his brothers when he shared about his dreams that elevated him above the rest of the family. Now, when given the opportunity, his brothers strike back. Reuben, as the oldest, feels responsible fro taking care of Joseph, but his efforts to rescue him fail.
What was behind the 10 brother’s desire to kill Joseph?
Why do you think the brothers end up selling Joseph instead of killing him?
How do you think Joseph was feeling?
Who can you identify with in this story? (Jacob, grieving over a loss, Reuben, feeling responsible for others, Joseph, not sure what is happening to you, or the brothers, who are trying to eliminate the competition.)
What aspects of Joseph’s experience can you relate to the most?
How do you typically respond when you are being betrayed by people close to you?
What do others have that you are most tempted to be jealous of?
Joseph’s story in Genesis chapters 37-50 abounds with irony. In just this chapter, how much irony can you see?
If you were Joseph right now, would you be despising your dreams from God or drawing comfort from them? Why?
The cruelty of Joseph’s brothers not only hurt Joseph, but they also hurt Jacob. When you hurt someone, whether or not you make it right, do you consider the implications of your actions on people other than the direct recipient of your behavior?
At this time, let me read for you what my commentary has to say about Genesis chapter 37. It says, “READ COMMENTARY”
Does anyone have anything that they would like to add before we close this evening?
Well, if there is nothing else, next week we are going to try and take a look at Genesis chapters 38, 39, and 40. So to be ready for discussion next week, you may want to read through chapters 38-40. Now, if there is nothing else, I will close with a word of prayer, and then we will be dismissed.
Let’s Pray |
