Genesis - Week 4

Welcome to Genesis - Week 4!

Congratulations on making it through Genesis!  The book of Genesis brings to a close an era in the history of God's people.  As the book of Exodus starts, there is a gap of about 250-400 years.  That's a long time!  A little over 400 years ago, the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth Rock.  Before we enter that gap of time, the biblical narrative focuses on Joseph, who went from slave to property manager to prisoner to second in command in Egypt.  Talk about a roller coaster ride!

Last week, I mentioned the phrase, "the LORD was with Joseph."  There's a lot packed into that phrase, but it gives us some understanding of how Joseph could endure all that he did and how he could interpret dreams and develop government policies.  But don't miss the human side of this.  Even though his brothers had rejected him and sold him, he still had love for his brothers and eventually his dream was fulfilled.  God had used him to provide a place for his family and, more importantly, used him to preserve the line through which the Messiah would come.

As you read, keep in mind our reading questions.  Use these as general questions to keep in mind as you read to help formulate your reflections, observations, and questions.

Our guiding questions are these:

• What stood out to you in the reading?

• Was there anything confusing or troubling?

• Did anything make you think differently about God?

• How might what you read change the way you live?

Please post a comment below with some of your questions, comments, and reflections from this week's reading.