TLDR: A guide for having a family discipleship time on Genesis 37 based on the ACT Bible Study Method.
Act 3: God Promises Jesus
Scene 20: Joseph Is Wronged by His Brothers
Genesis 37:1–36
Analyze the Passage
Step 1: Introduce the Passage
Genesis was written by Moses sometime between 1445–1405 BC to help the Israelites leaving Egypt understand their history with God. It’s one of the five books of the Law that Moses wrote, which we also call the Torah, or the Pentateuch, which means “five books.”
Today’s true story shifts focus from Jacob to his sons, namely Joseph. The rest of Genesis will follow Joseph through quite a journey, and end with God’s people being in a surprising place: Egypt. This story is in Act 3: God Promises Jesus.
Step 2: Read the Passage
Step 3: Summarize the Passage
When Joseph was seventeen, he was watching the flocks with his brothers, and he brought a bad report about them to their father.
Israel loved Joseph more than all his sons and he gave him a special tunic. This made the brothers jealous and they hated Joseph and weren’t kind to him.
Then Joseph had a dream that they were binding sheaves and his sheaf rose up and the others bowed to it. His brothers asked if he really thought he would rule over them and they hated him more.
Then Joseph had a second dream where the sun, moon, and eleven stars bowed to him. This time, Israel joined in asking if Joseph really thought that he, his mother, and his brothers would bow to him. His brothers grew more jealous but his father remembered this.
When his brothers went to graze the flocks, Israel sent Joseph to check on them. As Joseph approached his brothers, they saw him far off and plotted to kill him. But Reuben convinced them not to do that, but to throw him into a pit instead. And that’s what they did.
Then, when the brothers sat down to eat, they saw some traders coming so Judah said they should sell Joseph to them. The brothers sold Joseph for 20 pieces of silver.
The brothers then took Joseph’s special tunic and tore it and dipped it in a goat’s blood. They took it to their father and said they found it. Jacob tore his clothes in grief, thinking Joseph had been killed by an animal.
Meanwhile, the traders sold Joseph to Potiphar in Egypt.
Step 4: Interrogate the Passage
Questions you and your family ask might include:
- Why does the passage go back and forth between using Jacob and Israel?
- Did Jacob know that Joseph’s brothers hated Joseph?
- Was it foolish for Joseph to tell his family about his two dreams?
- Why did Jacob want Joseph to report on his brothers out in the field?
- Was it significant that Joseph couldn’t find his brothers in Shechem but rather in Dothan?
- Why did Reuben want to spare Joseph? Was he the only one?
- Why did Judah want to sell Joseph? Was it solely for money or was their some level of compassion?
- Where had Reuben gone?
- What did Reuben mean by “where can I go?”
Step 5: Wonder about the Passage
Wonder statements you and your family make might include:
- I wonder what Joseph’s bad report was about.
- I wonder why Jacob hadn’t learned how harmful favoritism is this point.
- I wonder if Joseph knew he was making his family angry.
- I wonder which brother was first to suggest killing him.
- I wonder what the scene was like when the brothers attacked Joseph.
- I wonder how the brothers could sit down and eat with Joseph in a pit.
- I wonder if God provided the caravan of traders.
- I wonder what the brothers felt like watching their father grieve because of their actions and lies.
Connect the Passage to Christ
Step 6: Find the World in Front of Text
In the last story, we saw a bright spot in the family God had called to form a new nation out of. Forgiveness seemed to define Jacob and Esau’s reunion. That was likely in part because of Esau, but also perhaps because of Jacob’s encounter with the mysterious man (God?) with whom he wrestled. It seems that things were set up for a change in the right direction. But here, just like that, things take another turn in the wrong direction. Once again we see a family in strife and sin.
It begins with favoritism once again rearing its ugly head. This sin seems to be deeply imbedded in this family’s DNA. Then, we have to wonder about Joseph’s wisdom and maturity. While we cannot be sure, it seems that it might not have been a good thing for him to tell his family about his dreams. In light of that, there seemed to be a lack of awareness in this family—did Jacob not see the brothers hating Joseph? Did he not understand the foolishness of sending Joseph to check on them? Did Joseph not understand that his brothers despised him?
All of this leads to what we know for sure: the brothers sinned against Joseph. Even if it was wrong that their father favored Joseph and even if Joseph might not have been self-aware, it was wholly their sin for wanting to kill Joseph. Selling him was not as severe, but just as sinful. And then to lie to their father and lead him to believe Joseph was dead was like murder.
In this, once again we see evidence of a world very much unlike God’s design. People aren’t supposed to do these things, let alone family. Families are to be bathed in love, gentleness, compassion, and forgiveness. We see nothing but the opposite of that in this account.
Step 7: Find the World of Jesus of the Text
It’s striking that Joseph’s own brothers failed to extend compassion and forgiveness to him. That gives us quite a contrast with Jesus. When his brothers (the Jews) sinned against him and called for his crucifixion, Jesus responded with compassion and forgiveness, showing us the better way.
Furthermore, we can’t miss how Joseph’s “death” brought sorrow to his father, but that sorrow, while lasting many years, wasn’t forever. In time, Jacob would learn that Joseph was still alive—a “resurrection” so to speak. In a greater way, Jesus truly died, laying down his life for sin, and his death indeed brought sorrow for a moment. But on the third day, Jesus rose from the dead, defeating sin and death and bringing his Father great glory.
Translate It to Your Context
Step 8: Connect the World of Jesus of the Text to Your World
How can you show others compassion this week? How can not only care about others, but act on that care by doing whatever you can for them, especially if they are in need. What can you do with your time, money, and possessions to help others in need?
Who do you need to forgive? Who has wronged you in a big way or a small way that you can truly forgive? How can you let that person know they are forgiven? Who might you ask to forgive you for something you’ve done wrong?
NEXT: Act 3: God Promises Jesus; Scene 21: Joseph in Potiphar’s House (Genesis 39:1–20)
Learn more about this family discipleship method here.
brian dembowczyk 