Author: Brian

Follower of Jesus, Husband, Dad, Grandpa, and Pastor

Genesis 40-44: Tale of 3 Men

On By BrianIn OT Studies

(40-41) Joseph’s exaltation: Chapter 39 ended with the idea that God was with Joseph. How do you see that in chapters 40-41?

What part did Joseph’s trials (slavery, prison) play in his eventual exaltation? Can you think of a time when this happened in your life?

Go back to chapter 37. In what ways might Joseph have been tempted with pride?

What part might Joseph’s trials have played in addressing this temptation?

Who does Joseph credit with his ability to interpret dreams? What does that tell you about Joseph?

Describe how Joseph’s life demonstrates the principle found in I Peter 5:6. How do you need to apply this principle in your own life?

(42-44) Jacob’s Reaction: Describe Jacob’s reaction to the idea of sending Benjamin to Egypt (42:36 & 38, 43:6 & 14). What does that tell you about Jacob?

When are you tempted to act like Jacob?

(42-44) Judah’s Transformation: Describe Judah’s part in the brothers selling Joseph into slavery (37:25-28). What do you learn about Judah?

Now compare his past behavior with his actions in 43:8-9 and 44:14-34. What transformation do you see?

In what small ways in your daily life do you need to follow Judah’s transformed example in chapter 44?

Passion Points

On By BrianIn PASSION Points

Here are some good posts for your weekend reading:

How to Commune with Christ on a Crazy Day – David Mathis (Crossway)
Whatever the circumstances that throw a wrench into your routine, your crazy mornings raise the question, How should you think about, and engage in (if at all), the “spiritual disciplines”—or better yet, “the means of grace”—of Bible meditation and prayer when God’s good, but often inconvenient, sovereignty has you reeling without your routine?

The Character of the Christian: Hospitable – Tim Challies
An open home displays Christian love but it also enables it. Hospitality creates opportunities for relationship, for discipleship, and for evangelism. It creates a natural context for modeling marriage, parenting, and a host of Christian virtues. While we are to teach others what the Bible says, we are also to demonstrate what it says, and we do that by inviting people into our homes and into our lives.

The Character of the Christian: Gentle – Tim Challies
To be gentle is to be tender, humble, and fair, to know what posture and response is fitting for any occasion. It indicates a graciousness, a desire to extend mercy to others, and a desire to yield to both the will of God and the preferences of other people. Such gentleness will be expressed first in the home and only subsequently in the church. It is a rare trait, but one we know and love when we see and experience it.

Don’t Be Embarrassed by Your Ordinary Church – Erik Raymond
Is your church ordinary? Small? Well, my Christian friend, if it is preaching the gospel and endeavoring to help others to know and follow Jesus then it is not insignificant. It is powerfully important and surpassingly glorious. And, you should praise God for it–even as you get to work in it!

Hope you have a great Lord’s Day ready to worship and fellowship with your ordinary local church!

Reflections on Genesis 37-39

On By BrianIn OT Reflections1 Comment

In our reading today we see the glaring difference between living with God in mind and living with self in mind:

  • Joseph’s godly example – Joseph lived with God in mind. When tempted by Potiphar’s wife, his response is clear – “How then can I do this great wickedness and sin against God?” When pressed, he runs lest he sin against God. How are you being tempted to sin against God? How will you respond? How might you grow in living with God in view?
  • Judah’s selfish example – While Joseph flees temptation, Judah seeks it out by approaching Tamar. Rather than living with God in mind, he is thinking only of himself. Earlier Judah suggested to his brothers that they sell Joseph to the traders. He says, “What profit is it….” For twenty shekels of silver he sells his brother. In what ways are you living selfishly for your own gain?

Reflections on Genesis 34-36

On By BrianIn OT Reflections

God commands Jacob to go to Bethel (meaning the house of God) and built an altar to God. In preparation, Jacob commands his family to put away all foreign gods. Note:

  • Faithfulness to God – You cannot serve God and foreign gods – you must make a choice. If you serve God, you must put away all other gods. Anything that you honor or trust can be a god to you. Are there gods you need to put away today?
  • God answers – Jacob testifies that God is a God who answers prayer. False gods can’t answer prayer, but the true God does! How have you seen God answer prayer? Do you pray with expectation that he will answer?
  • God’s presence – Jacob testifies that God has always been with him. God is always with you too. When has God’s presence been a comfort to you?
  • God’s protection – As chapter 34 ends, Jacob is afraid the cities in the area will attack him, but God fills the cities with terror so they will not pursue Jacob as he travels to Bethel. False gods can’t protect us, but God can. When have you seen God’s hand of protection in your life?

Genesis 34-39: God With Us

On By BrianIn OT Studies

(35) Jacob proclaims to his family that God has been with him wherever he has gone (v3). What evidence do you see of that from past chapters?

In this chapter? In your own life?

(34, 37, 38) Despite God being with them to help them, Jacob’s family continues to try to make their own way by resorting back to their old family sin of deception. What examples do you see?

(34, 35, 38, 39) In these six chapters, we see three examples of sexual immorality (Shechem, Reuben, and Judah). Compare Jacob’s approach to temptation in chapter 38 with Joseph’s approach to temptation in chapter 39. What do you learn?

What principles can you learn from Joseph on how to overcome temptations toward sexual immorality, or indeed any sin?

How might we specifically apply these principles to our relationships? Our use of the internet and other media? What our culture tells us?

Reread 39:9b. What specific reason does Joseph give for not giving in to temptation? Review chapters 34 & 38. How many references do you find to God? What conclusions can you make based on this comparison?

(39) Four times in this chapter we read that God was with Joseph. What blessings flowed out of God’s presence with him? (v2-4, 21-23)? How did this blessing relate to God’s promises back in 12:2-3?

At what points was it perhaps less evident that God was with Joseph? When have you questioned if God was with you?

And yet the passage is clear that God was with Joseph even in the bad times (v21). In what situations in your life do you need to cling to the assurance that God is with you?

Reflections on Genesis 31-33

On By BrianIn OT Reflections

God faithfully brings Jacob back home, and Jacob finally comes home to God.

  • God’s faithfulness – God had promised to safely bring Jacob back home, and God keeps his promise. How has God been faithful to you this week?
  • Jacob’s prayer – Afraid of his brother Esau, Jacob cries out to God in prayer. Notice that Jacob approaches humbly, claims God’s promises, and makes his request. How might you incorporate these three elements in your prayers?
  • Jacob’s humility – Jacob shows an amazing character change from when he left several years ago. He humbly acknowledges his unworthiness to God. And he treats his brother with utmost humility and respect that undoubtedly helps to end a family quarrel. How do you relate to God and the people around you?
  • Jacob’s God – Our passage ends with a most striking verse. Until now, Jacob (renamed Israel in the wrestling match) always refers to God as the God of Abraham or Isaac. Now he builds an altar to God and calls it El-Elohe-Israel, meaning God, the God of Israel. Finally, Jacob (or Israel) has come to serve the God of his fathers. Have you come to the place where you can fill in the blank with your name? God, the God of _______