Faithful Journeys: God's Promises and Our Responsibilities
Summary
### Summary
Today, we delved into Genesis 46 and 47, exploring the journey of Jacob and his family to Egypt. This passage marks a pivotal moment in the narrative of Genesis, where God's promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob begin to unfold in a profound way. We started by recounting the overarching story of Genesis, from creation to the fall, the flood, and the call of Abraham, leading up to Jacob's family moving to Egypt. This move is significant as it represents the fulfillment of God's promise to make Abraham's descendants a great nation.
Jacob, now an old man, receives a vision from God reassuring him not to fear the journey to Egypt, as God will be with him. This echoes the faith of his grandfather Abraham, who also journeyed into the unknown. Jacob's family, totaling 70 people, moves to Egypt, symbolizing the completeness and the beginning of Israel as a nation. This number 70 is not just a literal count but a literary device indicating the fullness of God's promise.
We also examined the leadership of Judah, who steps up to take responsibility, reflecting the principle that leadership flows to those who take responsibility. This is further exemplified by Joseph, whose faithfulness and wisdom lead to the salvation of his family and the blessing of Egypt. Joseph's strategic planning during the famine not only saves lives but also positions his family in a place of prosperity and growth.
The central theme of our study is that God's people are called to be a blessing to the nations. This is seen in Jacob blessing Pharaoh and Joseph's actions that save Egypt and surrounding nations. This principle extends to us today, as we are called to evangelize, work skillfully, and promote just laws, thereby being a blessing to those around us.
### Key Takeaways
1. Faith in God's Promises: Jacob's journey to Egypt, despite his old age and the uncertainty ahead, reflects a deep faith in God's promises. He trusts that God will fulfill His word, even if he won't see it in his lifetime. This teaches us to hold on to God's promises, knowing that His plans are far greater than our immediate circumstances. [09:18]
2. Leadership Through Responsibility: Judah's rise to leadership among his brothers highlights the principle that leadership flows to those who take responsibility. This is a call for us to step up in our own lives, taking responsibility in our families, workplaces, and communities, trusting that God will honor our faithfulness with greater opportunities to lead and serve. [20:27]
3. God's Sovereignty in Adversity: Joseph's life is a testament to God's sovereignty, even in the midst of suffering and adversity. His journey from slavery to becoming a savior for his family and Egypt shows that God can use our trials for His greater purposes. This encourages us to trust in God's plan, even when we don't understand our current struggles. [27:23]
4. Blessing the Nations: The central task of God's people is to be a blessing to the nations. This was true for Israel and remains true for us today. We are called to share the gospel, work diligently, and promote justice, thereby extending God's blessings to those around us. This is our mission as followers of Christ. [34:30]
5. Integration of Faith and Work: Joseph's story challenges the false dichotomy between sacred and secular work. His practical skills and wisdom were crucial in God's plan to save many lives. This teaches us that all work, when done unto the Lord, is valuable and can be used by God to accomplish His purposes. We should strive for excellence in all areas of life, knowing that God can use our efforts for His glory. [28:59]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[01:37] - Jacob's Vision and Journey to Egypt
[03:13] - Summary of Genesis So Far
[04:47] - God's Promises to the Patriarchs
[06:19] - The Famine and the Move to Egypt
[07:42] - The Revelation of Joseph
[09:18] - Jacob's Faith and God's Assurance
[10:50] - The Descendants of Jacob
[12:18] - The Significance of the Number 70
[13:53] - Literary Devices in the Genealogy
[15:34] - Reading the Bible Literally
[16:59] - Israel as a Nation of Nations
[18:47] - Judah's Leadership Role
[20:27] - Leadership and Responsibility
[22:04] - Joseph's Reunion with Jacob
[23:16] - Joseph's Strategy for His Family
[24:51] - Joseph's Brothers Meet Pharaoh
[25:58] - Pharaoh's Favor and Joseph's Wisdom
[27:23] - Joseph's Faithfulness and Leadership
[28:59] - Integration of Faith and Work
[31:17] - Jacob Blesses Pharaoh
[32:53] - Pharaoh's Acceptance of Yahweh's Blessing
[34:30] - Our Task to Bless the Nations
[36:03] - Joseph's Economic Strategy
[37:19] - Controversy and Interpretation
[38:38] - Jacob's Final Years and Request
[40:09] - Lessons from Joseph's Actions
[41:57] - The Cost of Survival
[43:33] - Political Lessons and Applications
[45:07] - How We Can Bless the Nations
[46:36] - Evangelism and Influence
[48:13] - Working Skillfully
[49:40] - Promoting Just Laws
[51:19] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Genesis 46:1-7
2. Genesis 47:1-12
3. Genesis 47:13-31
### Observation Questions
1. What vision does Jacob receive from God before his journey to Egypt, and what assurance does God give him? ([01:37])
2. How many people from Jacob's family moved to Egypt, and what is the significance of this number? ([10:50])
3. What role does Judah play in leading his family, and how does this reflect the principle of leadership through responsibility? ([18:47])
4. How does Joseph's strategic planning during the famine benefit both his family and the nation of Egypt? ([27:23])
### Interpretation Questions
1. What does Jacob's faith in God's promises, despite his old age and the uncertainty ahead, teach us about trusting in God's plans? ([09:18])
2. How does Judah's rise to leadership among his brothers illustrate the principle that leadership flows to those who take responsibility? ([20:27])
3. In what ways does Joseph's life demonstrate God's sovereignty in the midst of suffering and adversity? ([27:23])
4. How does the story of Jacob blessing Pharaoh and Joseph's actions during the famine illustrate the central task of God's people to be a blessing to the nations? ([34:30])
### Application Questions
1. Jacob trusted God's promises even though he knew he wouldn't see their fulfillment in his lifetime. Are there promises from God that you find difficult to trust in your current circumstances? How can you strengthen your faith in these promises? ([09:18])
2. Judah took responsibility for his actions and rose to a leadership role. In what areas of your life can you take more responsibility to potentially open up opportunities for leadership and service? ([20:27])
3. Joseph's faithfulness and wisdom during adversity led to the salvation of many. How can you remain faithful and wise in your current struggles, trusting that God has a greater purpose? ([27:23])
4. The central task of God's people is to be a blessing to the nations. How can you actively share the gospel, work diligently, and promote justice in your community to fulfill this mission? ([34:30])
5. Joseph integrated his faith with his work, showing that all work done unto the Lord is valuable. How can you integrate your faith into your daily work or activities, ensuring that everything you do is for God's glory? ([28:59])
6. Reflect on a time when you had to make a difficult decision that required faith and trust in God. How did that experience shape your understanding of God's sovereignty and faithfulness? ([09:18])
7. Consider the ways you can be a blessing to those around you, whether through acts of kindness, sharing your faith, or promoting justice. What specific actions can you take this week to be a blessing in your community? ([34:30])
Devotional
Day 1: Trusting God's Promises in Uncertainty
Jacob's journey to Egypt, despite his old age and the uncertainty ahead, reflects a deep faith in God's promises. He trusts that God will fulfill His word, even if he won't see it in his lifetime. This teaches us to hold on to God's promises, knowing that His plans are far greater than our immediate circumstances. Jacob's vision from God reassures him not to fear the journey, as God will be with him. This echoes the faith of his grandfather Abraham, who also journeyed into the unknown. Jacob's family, totaling 70 people, moves to Egypt, symbolizing the completeness and the beginning of Israel as a nation. This number 70 is not just a literal count but a literary device indicating the fullness of God's promise. [09:18]
Genesis 46:2-4 (ESV): "And God spoke to Israel in visions of the night and said, 'Jacob, Jacob.' And he said, 'Here I am.' Then he said, 'I am God, the God of your father. Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for there I will make you into a great nation. I myself will go down with you to Egypt, and I will also bring you up again, and Joseph's hand shall close your eyes.'"
Reflection: What is one promise from God that you find difficult to trust in your current circumstances? How can you remind yourself of God's faithfulness today?
Day 2: Leadership Through Responsibility
Judah's rise to leadership among his brothers highlights the principle that leadership flows to those who take responsibility. This is a call for us to step up in our own lives, taking responsibility in our families, workplaces, and communities, trusting that God will honor our faithfulness with greater opportunities to lead and serve. Judah's willingness to take responsibility for his family’s well-being is a significant turning point in his character development. This principle is further exemplified by Joseph, whose faithfulness and wisdom lead to the salvation of his family and the blessing of Egypt. [20:27]
Genesis 44:33-34 (ESV): "Now therefore, please let your servant remain instead of the boy as a servant to my lord, and let the boy go back with his brothers. For how can I go back to my father if the boy is not with me? I fear to see the evil that would find my father."
Reflection: In what area of your life is God calling you to take more responsibility? How can you take a step towards that today?
Day 3: God's Sovereignty in Adversity
Joseph's life is a testament to God's sovereignty, even in the midst of suffering and adversity. His journey from slavery to becoming a savior for his family and Egypt shows that God can use our trials for His greater purposes. This encourages us to trust in God's plan, even when we don't understand our current struggles. Joseph's strategic planning during the famine not only saves lives but also positions his family in a place of prosperity and growth. His faithfulness and wisdom are crucial in God's plan to save many lives. [27:23]
Genesis 50:20 (ESV): "As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today."
Reflection: Think of a recent trial or adversity you have faced. How might God be using this situation for a greater purpose? How can you trust Him more in this?
Day 4: Being a Blessing to the Nations
The central task of God's people is to be a blessing to the nations. This was true for Israel and remains true for us today. We are called to share the gospel, work diligently, and promote justice, thereby extending God's blessings to those around us. Jacob blessing Pharaoh and Joseph's actions that save Egypt and surrounding nations exemplify this principle. As followers of Christ, our mission is to be a blessing to those around us through evangelism, skillful work, and the promotion of just laws. [34:30]
Genesis 12:2-3 (ESV): "And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed."
Reflection: How can you be a blessing to someone in your community today? What specific action can you take to share God's love and justice?
Day 5: Integrating Faith and Work
Joseph's story challenges the false dichotomy between sacred and secular work. His practical skills and wisdom were crucial in God's plan to save many lives. This teaches us that all work, when done unto the Lord, is valuable and can be used by God to accomplish His purposes. We should strive for excellence in all areas of life, knowing that God can use our efforts for His glory. Joseph's faithfulness in his work not only saved Egypt but also provided a place of prosperity for his family. [28:59]
Colossians 3:23-24 (ESV): "Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ."
Reflection: In what ways can you integrate your faith into your daily work? How can you strive for excellence in your tasks today, knowing that you are serving the Lord?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "So it's very easy for us when we are coming here kind of week by week, taking one story at a time from the book of Genesis or from any book in the Bible, any narrative, to kind of lose our place in the larger story, right? We can take things for granted. We can downplay the significance of some of the things that are going on." [02:30] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "So at work, take the extra shift, go the extra mile, work. A little bit harder. Then you might get that promotion. Frankly, if you don't do that, you don't deserve it. It's as simple as that. Kids with mom and dad, right? Maybe you want a later curfew. Maybe you're looking to buy that first car. You're looking for some extra freedom, whatever it is, right? Have you considered making your bed in the morning or helping with the dishes or helping with your younger siblings, right? Take some responsibility." [21:00] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "So the point is, leadership flows to those who take responsibility. Leadership flows to those who take responsibility. And this is same as it was then is true today, right? Are you grumbling about not getting that promotion at work or not getting that raise at work? Are you maybe a teen or a young lady, young man living at home with your parents, and you're kind of frustrated that mom and dad won't let you do certain things? Are you a husband this morning grumbling about your wife not following your lead, respecting you, right?" [20:27] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "So Joseph made it a statute concerning the land of Egypt and it stands to this day that Pharaoh should have the fifth. The land of the priests alone did not become Pharaoh's. Thus Israel settled in the land of Egypt, in the land of Goshen, and they gained possessions in it and were fruitful and multiplied greatly. And Jacob lived in the land of Egypt 17 years. So the days of Jacob, the years of his life, were 147 years." [38:38] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "So let's wrap up, though, pull out some application. We're going to kind of tie in some of our earlier points to some quick application here about how we then can bless the nations, or maybe more properly say, how does God, through us, bless the nations? Three really quick points. First, evangelize. The most important way that we can bless the nations is we evangelize them. This should be, hopefully, very obvious." [45:07] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "So why then did the writer go through so much effort, jump through so many hoops to make sure that he got to the number 70? Well, if you remember from a couple weeks ago, we were looking at the first couple chapters of the book of Judges, and we encountered a... king named Adonai Bezek, and he was ruling over 70 kings. And we talked about how the number 70 is used in the Old Testament, in the book of Genesis, as representative of the nations of the world, okay? This is a very significant number in Genesis." [15:34] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "So this is actually a pretty controversial passage, believe it or not. For many, it's very straightforward. And, you know, I won't say anything shocking to you, but for some, they do read a lot of negativity into Joseph's actions here, right? Some people essentially see what Joseph has done and they read socialism or communism or statist power, statist, you know, creep. And there's a, there are definitely lessons to be learned here, but I have difficulty, seeing this as the intention of the author for a couple of reasons." [40:09] (48 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "So when I say this, I'm not saying that there's nothing to learn from this in terms of political theory. Okay, there are many lessons we can learn from this. It's not our focus, and it's not something we're going to spend a bunch of time in. But just very quickly, right, we can see the good that a good, wise, godly, godly, godly, godly, ruler can do, right? He can literally save his people from starvation, save their lives. And then with that same amount of power, we can see what a wicked, ungodly king can do, right?" [43:33] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "So the problem is thinking that way, is that Joseph here, that the means by which Joseph is able to save his entire family is almost entirely these very practical Christian living things over here. And so we can't separate these two things, right? God is concerned and we are as reliant on God for all the things over here as we are for all the things in this category over here as well. And God uses both. They're both very important." [28:59] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "So at the center of our text, this is where we're going to get our big idea. It's a simple one. It is simply that our central task as God's people is to be a blessing to the nations. Our central task as God's people is to be a blessing to the nations. That's it. This is the original promise given to Abraham by God, right? That God would bless Abraham and not, not just Abraham, but Abraham would bless Abraham. It's not just that God would bless Abraham, but it says that God blessed Abraham so that he would be a blessing to the nations." [34:30] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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