We are brought into God’s kingdom by grace;
we are sanctified by grace;
we receive both temporal and spiritual blessings by grace;
we are motivated to obedience by grace;
we are called to serve and enabled to serve by grace;
we receive strength to endure trials by grace;
and finally, we are glorified by grace.
The entire Christian life is lived
under the reign of God’s grace.
– Jerry Bridges in Transforming Grace
(2-3, 6) God promises deliverance. What motivates God to bring about this deliverance (2:23-25, 3:7-9, 6:2-9)?
What does this tell you about God? Why is this important for you in your life?
(1-2) Though the people weren’t aware of it, God is already at work in chapters 1-2. What preparations for deliverance do you see?
What does this suggest about God and your own trials?
(3) Who is this God who promises to deliver (3:13-17)? What is significant about these names for them? For you?
(3-4) God is going to use Moses as his instrument of deliverance. In what ways does God enable and equip Moses to do the job?
In what similar ways does God enable and equip us to do what he calls us to do?
(6-7) In order to deliver his people, God must be more powerful than the Egyptian gods. How does he show his greater power in chapter 7 as the plagues begin?
What further purpose does God have in mind in these demonstrations of power (6:7, 7:5, 7:17)?
(4-6) When Israel heard that God would deliver them, they believed. But when things got worse, they lost heart. What encouragement does this passage give us to trust God in our own times of waiting for deliverance?
Again we see Joseph’s trust in God’s providence and the practical results that it brings:
Behold this revealed mystery
In Christ we are all one
We share one hope as one body
One Spirit through the Son
This mystery we now proclaim
That all may enter in
And find new life in Jesus’ name
Forgiveness from their sin
So let us all in Christ believe
Draw near to God in prayer
In suffering His peace receive
Cast on Him every care
(To the tune of “O God Our Help In Ages Past”)
Joseph reveals himself to his brothers and reveals his trust in God’s providence.
(12-50) What examples have you seen of God’s sovereignty in the lives of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob? In Joseph’s life?
(45, 50) Describe the interplay between human actions and God’s sovereignty according to Joseph in 45:5-8 and 50:20. How does that encourage you?
How is the cross the ultimate example of 50:20?
(50) How does Joseph’s belief in God’s sovereignty make it possible for Joseph to forgive his brothers (50:15-21)? How can this belief help you to forgive others?
What else can you learn about forgiveness and reconciliation in this passage?
(48-49) Jacob blesses Joseph’s sons and his own sons based apparently on each son’s character, and yet these blessings are also prophetic. God has a plan for Jacob’s family, and he reveals some of that plan in these blessings. Looking ahead, how do we see God fulfill the following blessings (you may need to consult a study Bible or other Bible resource):
(48-49) Jacob twice refers to God as his Shepherd (48:15, 49:24). How does the term “shepherd” convey both God’s care and God’s control? In what circumstances do you need to think of (and turn to) God as your Shepherd this week?
Here are some good posts for your weekend reading:
The Character of the Christian: Temperate – Tim Challies
The Bible makes it crystal clear—God’s people are to be enslaved only to Jesus Christ. They are to resist any competitors, chief among them alcohol.
Rest in the Prince of Peace– Jon Bloom (DG)
An accurate gauge of our level of faith is how and how much we pray. A growing prayerful dependence on God is evidence of our growing spiritual maturity. And the more we pray in faith in everything, the more we experience the peace of God.
How To Be Conformed to the World – Tim Challies
Worldliness is like gravity, always there, always pushing down on you, always exerting its influence on you. As a Christian you are charged with resisting it day by day.
Beware the Black Hole of Time – Austin Brown (GR)
People get sucked away and lost forever on the second or third or fourth visit immediately following a church service (and especially during any waiting periods- like before a fellowship meal). This is the black hole of time. Initial hellos have been said. Handshakes have been exchanged. So everything is supposedly good now. The regulars can do their regular things, and the visitors are supposed to feel at home. But they don’t feel at home. Not even a little…. Let me encourage you to go out of your way to fill the black hole of time with warmth. Stay with the new people. Actively invite them to your table or sit down next to them. Go out of your comfort zone. Can I say all that again? It is really quite important. Stay with the new people. Be a good host. Take the time to hear their story and share yours. Ask good questions. Don’t leave them feeling awkward.
Hope you have a great Lord’s Day worshiping our great God and enjoying fellowship with His people!
Last week we saw Judah’s selfish example as he freely did whatever pleased him, even selling his brother Joseph into slavery. But in today’s passage we see a distinct change in Judah’s character:
Together we are God’s temple
Set apart to the Lord
The place in which our God now dwells
Established by His Word
We stand on the gospel knowing
Christ is our cornerstone
Built together ever growing
In Christ and Christ alone
So come ready your God to meet
Your Lord to now worship
Before the feast of His Word eat
And love the fellowship
(To the tune of “O God Our Help In Ages Past)
In our passage today, Joseph is able to interpret several dreams. Note:
Brian J. Mikul 