BSF Study Questions Genesis Lesson 26, Day 2: Genesis 37:1-11

YEAH, JOSEPH!!!!!!!!  MY FAVORITE!!!!!!!!

Summary of passage:  Joseph at age 17 attended the flocks with his brothers and wives. It seemed he tattled on them quite frequently.  Joseph as Rachel’s first-born son was Jacob’s favorite and everyone knew it.  Jacob gave him a richly ornamented robe.  The brothers hated him for his father’s favoritism.

Joseph made the mistake of telling his brothers the dream he had of how they were all sheaves of grain and they bowed down to him (which as we know comes true in Genesis 42:6).  This only enraged his brothers more against him.

Not learning his lesson, Joseph tells his brothers another dream he has where the sun, moon, and 11 stars were bowing down to him (Genesis 40:41, 43).  This is NOT endearing him at all.

Joseph told his father this dream as well and Jacob rebuked the arrogant Joseph out of disbelief but Jacob it seems wondered about it.

Questions:

3a)  As God walked with Abraham and decided to reveal his intentions for Sodom to Abraham (Genesis 18:17-21), we learn  God revealed to him because he was the chosen one.  So too was Joseph.  He was chosen to save his people from a famine and to accomplish this he gave Joseph the gift of dream interpretation for the Pharaoh.  He was preparing Joseph to trust his dreams and to interpret them in order to fulfill God’s purpose on earth and for His people.

A simple answer is because God wanted to.  He chose Joseph and this was the method He would communicate with him.

b)  No.  Very bad idea.  It only incited their hatred against him.

c)  Personal Question.  My answer:  Sometimes it’s best to keep things to yourself.  We must remember though Joseph is only 17 here.  He is spoiled, naive, and probably a bit arrogant (hubris of the youth).  He truly doesn’t know any better.  I think he was just retelling his dream and wondering out loud what it meant.  It was his audience he should have chosen better.

It’s the old adage “If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say it at all.”  We must be considerate of others’ feelings when speaking due to the power of our tongue.  Here, it’s all about Joseph.

The Matthew verse says to not give what is sacred or valued to those who will just crush it and use it against you.  This is what Joseph did and it was definitely used against him.

4)  For a reason not in Joseph’s control:  They hated him because he was the favorite of their father, Jacob, so he was showered with gifts, treated special, and could do no wrong in Jacob’s eyes.  Jacob was probably lax on the rules with Joseph and probably let Joseph do less work than the others.  Their hatred should have been towards their father (the brothers were wrong to hate at all.  That is the devil at work.  What I’m saying is since they had hatred in their hearts it should have been towards their father, not Joseph.  It wasn’t his fault his mother was Rachel and Jacob treated him as such).

Conclusions:  Another example of how playing favorites in a family can lead to hurt feelings, pent up frustrations, and ultimately to horrible acts against family members.  It seems to be a dysfunctional cycle that is being passed down through the generations in this family.

Interesting to note what an age-old problem this is.  We, as humans, still do this today and often with the same disastrous results.  It is another sin, another human condition, we must consciously fight against in this world.

Joseph’s fabled coat-of-many-colors signifies that he is to receive the birthright.  Can you imagine how Reuben, the firstborn who is supposed to receive the birthright, felt? Ironically, it is Reuben who saves Joseph from death (Genesis 37:21-22).  And God’s plan is now set in motion.

Note the sheaves of wheat in the first dream of Joseph.  His brothers will bow down to him, asking for wheat.  Nothing is insignificant when done by God.

Telling his family his dreams was definitely in a lack of taste and in poor judgement.  I believe these dreams were meant only for Joseph so he would know his fate.  Instead, he blabbed in human pride and arrogance.  But like I said, he is young.  He will learn.

End Notes:  This section of Genesis is not in chronological order.  Notice how Jacob says “your mother and I” in verse 10.  This shows that Rachel was still alive when this happened even though we just read about her death in Genesis 35.

Scholars believe Genesis 37:2 is a breaking point, showing Jacob’s writing or preservations ending and Joseph’s beginning in 37:3.

The sun, the moon, and the 11 stars represents the family of Israel and is also found in Revelation 12:1.  This passage points to Jesus and his lineage from the tribes of Israel.

BSF Study Questions Acts Lesson 26, Day 2: James 1:1-18

Summary of passage:  James is speaking to the 12 tribes scattered among the nations. He tells them to consider it pure joy when they are faced with trials because it tests their faith and develops perseverance, which we need in order to finish the work God wants to do in us.  If we lack wisdom, ask God and believe the Lord will answer and He will.  The humble brother should be prideful in his position but the rich should take pride if he becomes low; otherwise he will fade away like the flower if he puts his trust in material things of this world.

Blessed are those who persevere under trial for he will receive the crown of life from God.  God does not tempt anyone.  Temptation comes from our own evil desire, which leads to sin and then to death.  Every good and perfect gift is from God who never changes.

Questions:

3)  We learn in 1:1 this letter was written after the diaspora in 70 AD when the temple was destroyed by the Romans so the tribes are no longer in their homeland but in foreign nations and amongst unbelievers.  The rich are apparently exploiting the poor and dragging them into court (2:6-7) and are being favored.  And 1:2 tells us they face “trials of many kinds”.  Living in the first century AD was a struggle just to survive for many people.

4a)  Personal Question.  My answer:  As I’ve said before, I don’t face anything like what Paul did or the other early Christians.  My main trials are doing the right thing (which I try to do) and living according to God’s calling and not according to the world’s.

b)  I think 1:4 says it best:  look at trials as working in you, giving you perseverance and maturity to finish the work God has for you.  There is a reason for whatever is happening in your harried life and even if we can’t see it, we must trust God and believe in the end we will come out stronger for Him.

5a)  Ask God for wisdom and it will be given.  But you must believe and not doubt that God will answer.

b)  Great question!  Depends on what kind of doubt we are talking about here.  In my mind, doubt is human nature.  We all question whether we are doing the right thing or not, making the right decisions, or if we are following God’s will.  Sure, we must ask and believe but that doesn’t mean Satan is not throwing darts to pop our balloons.  We must be wary as well.

According to Webster’s, doubt is:  fear; to lack confidence in; distrust to be uncertain; uncertainty of belief that often interferes with decision-making.

Sin is “offensive to God; an offense against religious or moral law; transgression of the law of God” says Webster’s.

Jesus said in Matthew 21:21 “If you have faith and do not doubt”.  Doubt is the antithesis of faith.  If we doubt then we lack faith.  We must have faith to have Jesus.  So can we make the jump to saying all doubt is sinful?

I would argue no.  To have doubt in the first place you must believe in something. Otherwise, why would you fear repercussions?  I believe you can doubt and still have Jesus.  You can’t doubt Jesus.  But you can doubt whether or not your new job offer is a God-thing or not.

We doubt because we are human.  Because we have an Enemy who attacks us daily.  And, yes, because we are unsure of God’s answer.  But it strengthens us.  Gives us perseverance to finish the race.  When we doubt, we pray.  When we pray, we become closer to God; we hear Him more.  So the next time doubt surfaces, we can believe and trust Him more.

Doubt is a symptom of weak faith.  Can we have God and still doubt?  Yes.  Because we are growing in Him.  And every time we pray and ask God to remove doubt from our lives, to show us the way–clearly–we grow in Him.  And our doubt lessens every time.

Mark 9:24 “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” is a prayer we all need to pray at certain moments in our life.

6)  Personal Question.  My answer:  I think it’s saying that we all (no matter if we are wealthy or not) face trials and ups and downs in life and all the material goods will fade away like a wild flower.  We must put our faith in God who never fades.

7a)  Temptation–desire–sin–death.  Temptation is everywhere.  We are told sins are okay (premarital sex, indulging in whatever our heart desires, etc).  That life is short so live it up.  If we are not grounded in God, we will Fall.

b)  Personal Question.  My answer:  Use the word of God as a shield and sword.  Pray.  Trust and believe everything is for my good. (Romans 8:28)  ”If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31).  I think we all know our weaknesses so avoid situations where we are weak and tempted.  When the desire arises, pray and flee from it or the situation if possible.  If we do sin, repent immediately and God will forgive.

Conclusions:  Great lesson.  I liked the personal questions and it’s a great passage to study.  James certainly doesn’t mince any words.  I’ll be interested to see what BSF says about doubt.  I could be wrong on this but I think doubt is so common and is used by the devil so much against us that I see it as part of the life we must traverse and not as a sin. It’s part of our Fallen nature, one we must overcome.  Another step in God’s direction. Our growth process.   Another test of our faith in Him.  Another trial we must persevere. Until the day comes when we can fully trust in Him.

End Note:  In lecture this week we talked about the process of sanctification (the process or result of being made holy).  Our leader mentioned how we are all born as infants, starting out in doubt but growing up in faith.  Thus, doubt is a process, one we are meant to go through as we grow in our relationship with God.  One we all go through.

BSF Study Questions Isaiah Lesson 26, Day 2 Isaiah 58

Summary of passage:  God directs Isaiah to shout out to His people, the house of Jacob, their sins.  Day after day they seek me (God) and are eager to know His ways as if they were a righteous and law-abiding nation.  They ask for just decisions and for God to be near.

Yet the people ask, “Why have we fasted and humbled ourselves if you (God) have not noticed?”

God answers, “You do as you please and exploit your workers.  You quarrel and strike each other.  You cannot fast as you do today and expect to be heard.”  In essence, the people’s hearts were not God’s heart.  They fasted for wrong reasons and with evil hearts.

God asks, “Is this the kind of fast I have chosen where you bow your head and lie on sackcloth and ashes?  Is this acceptable to the Lord?”  The answer is No.  God reveals the fast He desires:

“To loose the chains of injustice, set the oppressed free, and break every yoke. To share your food with the hungry and provide the poor with shelter. To clothe the naked and not abandon your relatives.”

Then your light will break forth like the dawn, your healing will appear, you will be righteous with the glory of the Lord at your rear.

Then when you call I will answer: Here am I.  [So when you fast with a heart of God, He will answer.]  Your light will rise in the darkness if you do away with oppression, malicious talk, and satisfy the needs of the oppressed.

The Lord will guide you always and satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and strengthen you.  You will be a well-watered garden whose waters never fail.  You will rebuild and build up things.

If you keep your feet from breaking the Sabbath and doing what you please on God’s holy day then you will find joy in the Lord and He will cause you to ride on the heights of the land and feast on the inheritance of Jacob.

Questions:

3a)  The Israelites fasted, sought God day after day, seemed eager to know His ways, portrayed righteousness and obedience.

b)  They sought to please themselves.  On the day of the fasting, they did as they pleased and exploited all their workers.  They quarreled and hit each other.  They fasted without their heart on God.  They went through the motions of bowing their heads and putting on sackcloth and ashes but still their heart remained aloof.

c)  He did not answer their prayers and He told them what fasting He has chosen:  to see the oppressed free and break every yoke, to share your food with the hungry and provide shelter to the wanderer, to clothe the naked, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood.  Only then will He say:  Here am I.

d)  Personal Question.  My answer:  I’m working on praising God more in prayer and praying more for others.  When I feel far away from Him, I tend to pray less so I’m working on praying no matter what mood I am in.  Sometimes I do pray and my heart is not in it (mainly because my brain is elsewhere, dwelling on something I should have let go which I haven’t yet or on future events) but I feel it’s better than not praying at all and in time God will turn my mind and heart to Him again as long as I am seeking.

4a)  The purpose was to make atonement to God for your sins and to cleanse yourself of sins so you will be clean before the Lord.  The attitude was strict:  it must be on the tenth day of the seventh month and the people must fast (deny themselves) and not do any work. Everyone had to do this–whether native Israelites or foreigners living amongst them who did not necessarily believe in the Lord.  This was to be the Sabbath, the day of rest and to be a lasting ordinance.

b)  God desires an authentic fast:  one where we obeyed His commands and were eager to know Him.  We are to set the oppressed free, share with others what God has given us, and follow His will, not ours.  We are to do what pleases God, not ourselves.  And only then when we call will He answer.

c)  Donate to the poor or serve in soup kitchens.  Find charities that work with the poor and support them.  Help your relatives when they are on hard times (this could also be members of the church or Christian body as your own flesh and blood since we are all the body of Christ).  Give to your church to help your sisters and brothers who are struggling.  God ultimately wants our heart to lie where His does–which is with those struggling.

Conclusions:  God is so good!  This was EXACTLY what I needed to hear in this time in my life.  ”The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame.”  So, no matter where I go, I will have no fear or inhibitions because God is guiding me and He will satisfy my needs in that place.  He will build things, which I constantly see in my work.

If I honor God by not doing my own thing or going my own way, then I will be filled with joy in the Lord, ride on the heights of the land, and feast on the inheritance of Jacob.

What better message right now in my life than one of Hope.  I think this is my favorite message in the Bible for I know I can’t live without it.

End note:  We are no longer required to do no work on the Sabbath since we now find rest in Jesus.  This was only required before Jesus died for us.  Hebrews 4 explains it best.  We enter a Sabbath-rest:  ”There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God.” Hebrews 4:9 which is not necessarily on Sundays.  Or we are free to not technically “rest” at all.  But I think most Christians rest with God through prayer and in His word–essentially in God since His spirit now dwells in us.  See also Colossians 2:16-17 and Galatians 4:9-11