Getting Ready for March 25th - Genesis 37 through 50

Here are some questions that you might think about as you read through the last thirteen chapters of Genesis. The last part deals with the story of Joseph and his brothers and the movement of the clan down to Egypt during a time of famine in the region.

Genesis 37 -  What are the reasons Joseph has such poor relations with his brothers? Note the way that both Reuben and Judah are presented in the story, beginning here but continuing on. What do they finally do with Joseph?

Genesis 38 - Some interesting stuff here – what seems interesting or important to you?

Genesis 39 -  What are the key parts of Joseph’s story in Egypt?

·         Genesis 40 -  Dreams are important in Joseph’s story from the beginning – just notice.

·         Genesis 41 - What are the key parts of the story told here?

·         Genesis 42 - What brings about the reunion of Joseph with his brothers – how does he deal with his anger towards them?

·         Genesis 43 - In the Yahwist source, Judah is the key brother in bringing about reconciliation. What does he do here?

·     Genesis 44 -  Joseph manages to take one last revenge on his brothers. What does he do? Which brother plays the most important role?

·         Genesis 45 - How does Joseph see the story of what happened to him? Why does Jacob go to Egypt? Genesis 46 - Jacob has a vision at Beer-sheba. What is its importance?

·         Genesis 47 - Where do Joseph’s brothers settle in Egypt? Any significance to the location? What does Jacob make his son Joseph promise him?

·         Genesis 48 - How is God’s promise to Jacob passed on to Joseph? What similarities are there in this story and the story of Jacob and Esau as young men?   I love the blessing Jacob/Israel gives to Joseph – just notice it.

·         Genesis 49 -  Jacob prophesies over his sons at his end. Which are interesting? Who else is buried where he asks his sons to bury him?

Genesis 50 - Why do the brothers again begin to fear that Joseph might treat them harshly? How do they deal with this fear? This whole story that began with Abraham centered around a promise God made to him. Remember what that promise was – what land do they own in the “promised land”?

What I think is most important is what the story says to you and what premises it sets for the biblical narrative. It is the start of a very long story. Looking at it as literature, we need to ask about the story elements: the setting, the characters (also called "figures" or "types" by later readers), the fundamental "conflict" that makes the plot engaging as we go along. Next month, we will do Exodus.