Joseph Lesson 7 – Frustration, Fear and Favor

Apr 20, 2021 | Joseph

Quest Men’s Bible Study  | April 21, 2021  |  Genesis 43

INSTRUCTIONS:

  • Join us at 7:00 am in the Parlor at The Shepherd’s Church. (Come a little early for coffee and a light breakfast.)
  • Do you have a health risk related to COVID-19? You can participate via Zoom using THIS LINK.
  • Immediately following the large group, we break into discussion / prayer groups. If you are not yet in a group, contact Scott Wylie. 
Outline and Discussion Questions:

Introduction 

Outline

  1. The Frustration of Jacob (43:1-14)
  2. The Fear of Joseph’s Brothers (43:15-30)
  3. The Favor of Benjamin (43:31-34)

Implications

  1. Like Jacob, our faith can falter and we might tend to look on the dark side of things.
    QUESTION: When has God wanted you to do something that you resisted? What was it that finally caused you to yield to His will? What are some principles we should keep in mind when faced with circumstances we would rather avoid?
  2. Joseph’s brothers were fearful of facing him. God often uses the power of the fear of judgment to prove, search, guide, warn, and purify us. (see Genesis 42:28; 43:18)
    QUESTION: God used the brother’s fear of facing the Prime Minister to soften them. In Proverbs 9:10, we are told to have “The feast of the Lord.” What is that fear? How does living with that fear help give us wisdom?
  3. Many of the tests God puts us through are found in the little, ordinary, hidden things of life.
    QUESTION: God put Joseph’s brothers through a prolonged and severe time of discipline. Can you share a time when God did that with you? What is the difference between God’s discipline and God’s punishment as it relates to sin? Read Hebrews 12:6. What are some ways that passage should inform the way we think about our life when we face what seems to be chastening? What are some principles we could follow in our daily life to avoid God’s chastening?
  4. Spiritual blessing will never be realized apart from genuine repentance and faith in Jesus Christ.
  5. Joseph’s tears were not a sign of weakness.