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The Testing of Joseph – Part 1

Sunday 6th, February, 2022
Read: Psalm 105: 1 – 24; James 1: 2 – 18; Genesis 39: 1 – 20

Introduction:
Genesis 39: 1 Meanwhile, back in Egypt

Genesis 39: 2 – 6a Joseph blessed

Genesis 39: 6b – 12 Joseph tested

Genesis 39: 13 – 18 Joseph accused

Genesis 39: 19 – 20 Joseph jailed

Conclusion: “I (LORD) will be with you always”

 

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Canaanite, contraception and cunning

Sunday 30th, January, 2022
Read: Matthew 1: 1- 6, 18- 25; Genesis 38: 1 – 30

Introduction:
Genesis 1 – 36 Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and the nations

Genesis 38: 1 – 11 Abraham’s seed by Judah
38: 1 – 6 Judah’s seed: marrying a Canaanite
38: 7 – 11 Onan’s seed: when contraception is wicked

Genesis 38: 12 – 26 Tamar’s wisdom and righteousness?
38: 12 – 19 Duty and desire
38: 20 – 23 Worrying about the wrong things
38: 24 – 26 The righteous prostitute!

Genesis 38: 27 – 30 The younger and older sons – again!

Placement of Genesis 39 in Genesis narrative and the whole Bible.

 

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Joseph: Hating the favoured son

Sunday 23rd, January, 2022
Read: John 7:1-19; Genesis 37:1-36

Introduction:
Genesis 1 – 36 Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and the nations

Genesis 37: 2 – 11 Joseph and the family of Jacob / Israel
37: 2 -4 Joseph the favourite and dobber?
37:5-11 Joseph the dreamer

Genesis 37: 12 – 36 The father sends his son to the brothers
12 – 17 The father sends his son
18 – 30 Conspiring to kill the son
31 – 36 Deception (again!) and the torn robe of the son

“Joseph is at this stage passive in his actions, private in his thoughts, overshadowed by the dream which will determine his destiny.” – (Wilson, 77)

John 7: 1 – 19 The world hates the Son because its works are evil!

Jesus said to them, “My time has not yet come, but your time is always here. The world cannot hate you, but it hates me because I testify about it that its works are evil. (John 7:6–7 ESV)

 

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Future comfort for present living

Sunday 16th, January, 2022
Read: Psalm 94; Romans 12:9 – 21

94: 1 – 3 God as the Judge

94: 4 – 7  The rebellious wicked

94: 8 – 11 Senseless rebellion

94: 12 – 15 God’s people are blessed and safe

94: 16 – 19 God’s people are comforted

94: 20 – 23 God’s people will be defended

 Beloved, mnever avenge yourselves, but leave it9 to the wrath of God, for it is written, n“Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, o“if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. (Romans 12: 19 – 21 ESV) 

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The greater Exodus by the true Israelite and Son of God

Christmas Day 25th, December, 2021
Read: Isaiah 9; Matthew 2: 13 – 23

Introduction: The human condition and Christmas (Matthew 1)
2: 1 – 12 A ruler from Bethlehem to shepherd God’s people

2: 13 – 23 A new Exodus from slavery by the true Son
13 – 15 Out of Egypt I called my son (Hosea 11: 1)
16 – 18 Rachel weeping for her children (Jeremiah 31: 15)
19 – 23 He shall be called a Nazarene (eg, Isaiah 9: 1 – 7; 49: 1 – 13)

“Those magi were wise and one thing is true…
if you want to be wise you will seek him too.”
– from “The Magi” by Colin Buchanan

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Stand Firm In The Gospel Traditions

Sunday 12th, December, 2021
Read: Deuteronomy 6:1-13; 2 Thessalonians 2:13-17

2:13 A thankful contrast

2:13-14 the Gospel traditions:
– loved by the Lord
– from the beginning, God chose you to be saved
– through the sanctifying work of the Spirit
– belief in the truth
– He called you
– to share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ
– the Trinity and salvation

2:15 Stand firm in the traditions

2:16-17 Praying for establishment in Gospel works

Conclusion