Session 1

Domestic Tensions

 

Study 1 - Passage for Study: Genesis 37:1-11

Outline of Talk:

• Joseph was born into a family which had been living with domestic tensions for years. Think of the tension between Jacob and Esau (chapter 27), and Rachel and Leah (chapter 29). This is carried on into the relationship between Joseph and his older brothers, as now seen in chapter 37.
• Jacob contributed much to this pressure in his family. He was a schemer all through his life, but he met his match in his uncle Laban, who managed to get 14 years service out of him in return for his daughter Rachel, having deceived Jacob by giving him Leah at first instead of Rachel! Jacob’s management of his family was far from commendable, as shown in his favouritism towards Joseph.
• The hostility of the brothers towards Joseph is:
  • A reaction to their father’s favouritism.
  • A reaction to Joseph’s report – verse 2.
  • A reaction to Joseph’s dreams. As we read about these, we are aware that they are a revelation from God, although this is not specifically mentioned. Jacob knew something of this too, as shown in 37:11b.

 The unmentioned God. There is no mention of God till chapter 39:2! Yet it is clear that he is in the background directing all that happens “on the stage” as it were. There are no such dramatic events in Joseph’s life as are found in the account we have of his father Jacob. Consequently, in reading the life of Joseph we are aware of the need to trust in this unseen God who arranges life’s events for us.

 Questions for Discussion Session:

1. Imagine you are a social worker tasked with drawing up a report on Jacob’s family. What would you be stating in your report?

  

1. In what ways could “favouritism” and tensions show in the following contexts?
2. A family - husband, wife, three sons (aged 12, 8 and 5) and one daughter (aged 17, single mother with baby).
3. A rural, vacant congregation which includes immigrants from Poland, a converted former drug dealer, a retired Judge, a group of environmental activists and a local councillor.
4. A company where profits have been increasing for five years but where wage rises have been less than the rate of inflation.

  

1. Discuss the following and their implications for arriving at an understanding of Joseph’s character.
2. Joseph was a spoilt young man, as shown by his bringing a “bad report” about his brothers to their father (v2).
3. Joseph should have kept his dreams to himself and not told his brothers.
4. Joseph displayed an immaturity and pride when he told his brothers what he had dreamed.

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Posted in Study Questions; Posted 5 years ago by Elizabeth McGowan