The Heart of God: Genesis (4)

And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself. Luke 24.27

Read and meditate on Genesis 35.9-29, then chapters 37 and 39-41.
This section begins with God reaffirming His covenant to Jacob. It will end with Jacob pointing toward a far horizon in the development of God’s covenant. Joseph’s story brings this stage of the unfolding of God’s covenant to a close.

For reflection
1.  In God’s words to Jacob (35.9-15), we find guidance in how to think about our place in God’s covenant. How far back did God root this affirming of His covenant with Jacob? How does this guide us in thinking about living within God’s covenant? How far back must we go to understand it? How far forward should we be looking as we pursue His promises?

2.   Joseph seems an unlikely person to play a significant role in the progress of the divine economy. Why?

3.  But how can you see that Joseph is a man of faith? What does Joseph’s story teach us about how God unfolds His covenant and promises to His people? What is the duty of His people toward God and His Word?

4.  In what ways does the story of Joseph represent a partial fulfilling – a down payment – of God’s promises to Abraham? What do we learn from this about how God fulfills His promises to His covenant people?

5.  Joseph married an Egyptian woman who bore him two sons. These boys would become part of the twelve tribes of Israel. What does this part of Joseph’s story suggest about the scope of God’s covenant? Does He intend to bless only Israel? Explain.

Summary
We note that nearly every time God speaks in Genesis, His words are grounded in His covenant. His people are often faithless, self-centered, and foolish. But they are always His people, and He makes sure to remind them of His larger purpose for them. What can we learn from Joseph about being a person of faith, one who keeps his eye on the Lord in every situation?

Closing Prayer
He sent a man before them—
Joseph—who was sold as a slave.
They hurt his feet with fetters,
He was laid in irons.
Until the time that his word came to pass,
The word of the LORD tested him.
The king sent and released him,
The ruler of the people let him go free.
He made him lord of his house,
And ruler of all his possessions,
To bind his princes at his pleasure,
And teach his elders wisdom.

Psalm 105.17-22

Next steps – Transformation: What can we learn from Joseph about trusting in God and His promises in times of trial?

T. M. Moore

Two books can help you gain a fuller understanding of the terrain we will be covering in this series. Kingdom Documentsprovides a concise overview of the primary teaching of the Old and New Testaments, and shows, through early Church creeds, how our forebears understand the primary teachings of God’s Word. (click here to order). I Will Be Your God develops more fully the idea of God’s covenant and leads us to consider the practical implications of our covenant relationship with God (click here).

Visit The Ailbe Seminary, where our course, Introduction to Biblical Theology, offers a parallel study of our theme in this series, using brief video presentations and the workbook God’s Covenant: An Introduction. All courses at The Ailbe Seminary are available without charge.

We are happy to be able to offer each week’s Scriptorium studies in a free weekly PDF, suitable for personal or group use. You can download all the studies in this series by clicking here. Please prayerfully consider sharing with The Fellowship of Ailbe through your giving. You can contribute to The Fellowship by clicking the Contribute button at the website or by sending your gift to The Fellowship of Ailbe, 19 Tyler Drive, Essex Junction, VT 05452.

Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.