Search The Scriptures — Study 34 — Genesis 42

Study 34 of "Search The Scriptures” Is:

Genesis 42

     1.     What was the motive of Joseph’s apparent harshness towards his brethren? For his real feelings see verses 24, 25.  Have we here an illustration of the methods which God also uses? Cf. Heb.12:6, 11; Je. 31:18, 19.

    2.     What brought the brothers to the recognition of their guilt? See verse 21.

3.     How mistaken was the attitude of Jacob in verse 36! What may we learn from this about our own attitude when everything seems against us? Cf. Ps. 43:5; Phil.4:6-7.

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STUDY 33

Search The Scriptures — Study 33 — Genesis 41:14-57

Study 33 of "Search The Scriptures” Is:

Genesis 41:14-57

    1.     What in Joseph so impressed Pharaoh and his court that he was made ruler of Egypt? Compare your own character and consistency with his, and consider where you fall short.

    2.     If we have found in Christ the Bread of life, and men around us are perishing, what spiritual lesson may we draw from verses 54-57?

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STUDY 32

Search The Scriptures — Study 32 — Genesis 40:1-41:13

Study 32 of "Search The Scriptures” Is:

Genesis 40:1-41:13

    1.     What qualities in Joseph are shown in this passage? Try to find at least five.

    2.     How did God make Joseph’s prison experiences work together for good? Why were victory over temptation, and use of opportunities to prove God and help others, so important at this stage?

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STUDY 31

Search The Scriptures — Study 31 — Genesis 38 and 39

Study 31 of "Search The Scriptures” Is:

Genesis 38 and 39

    1.     Chapter 38. From what initial false step did all the events of sin and shame originate? What can we learn from this? Cf. Gn. 24:3; 26: 34, 35; 27:46-28:4.

    2.     Chapter 39.  How did Joseph exemplify the best qualities of his ancestors: the faith and faithfulness of Abraham, the meekness of Isaac, the energy and ability of Jacob, the beauty of Rachel?

3.     Over what temptations did Joseph win the victory? What was the key to his success?

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STUDY 30

Search The Scriptures — Study 30 — Genesis 37

Study 30 of "Search The Scriptures” Is:

Genesis 37

    1.     What three things specially aroused the envy and hatred of Joseph’s brothers against him?  To what other sins did their envy lead them? Cf. Jas. 3:16.

    2.     Can you approve of (a) Jacob’s possessive love for Joseph, (b) his favouritism in his treatment of him, (c) the unrelieved gloom to which the loss of Joseph led him? What ought we to learn from such a story?

Note.  Verse 3. ‘A long robe with sleeves’: a garment of distinction, perhaps implying freedom from manual toil. The ordinary tunic had no sleeves.

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STUDY 29

Search The Scriptures — Study 29 — Genesis 36

Study 29 of "Search The Scriptures” Is:

Genesis 36

In chapter 10, before the writer concentrates on the line of Abraham, the names of other nations are recorded. In a similar way in this chapter, before concentration on the family of Jacob a list of Esau’s descendants is given.

    1.     Jacob and Esau were both sinners. What, however, was the vital and decisive difference between them? Do we ever read anything similar to 35:1-7 recorded of Esau? Cf. Heb. 12:16,17.

2.     It was foretold before their birth that each of Rebekah’s twin sons would beget a nation (25:23).  Was it the case with the nations, as it was with their progenitors, that the one was chosen of God and the other rejected, and, if so, why? Cf. Ob. 1-4, 8-10, 17, 18. Mal. 1:2-5.

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STUDY 28

Search The Scriptures — Study 28 — Genesis 35

Study 28 of "Search The Scriptures” Is:

Genesis 35

   1.     How did Jacob’s repentance show itself, and how was it rewarded? Note what personal sorrows accompanied God’s blessing to Jacob. Cf. Heb. 12:6-11; Ps. 119:67, 71.

   2.     What actually provoked Jacob’s repentance, and what new revelation was given to him after his repentance? What does this record thus demonstrate concerning God’s character and His demands? Cf. Ho. 14:4-7; Tim. 2:19.

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STUDY 27