This Week’s Experience – 10/31/2021

My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.

-James 1:19

Then they sat down to eat. As they were eating, they saw a caravan of Ishmaelites coming from Gilead. Their camels were carrying spices, balm, and myrrh on their way down to Egypt. Judah said to his brothers, “What will we gain by killing our brother? We’d have to cover up the crime. Let's sell him to the Ishmaelites and not harm him. After all, he is our brother." And the others agreed.

-Genesis 37:25-27

The Ishmaelites took Joseph to Egypt and sold him to Potiphar, the king's official in charge of the palace guard. The LORD was with Joseph, so he succeeded in everything he did as he served in the home of his Egyptian master.

-Genesis 39:1-2

No one in my master's house is more important than I am. The only thing he hasn't given me is you, and that's because you are his wife. I won't sin against my God by doing such a terrible thing as this.

-Genesis 39:9

Potiphar became very angry and threw Joseph in the same prison where the king's prisoners were kept.  While Joseph was in prison, the Lord was with Joseph and made him the favorite of the prison warden.

-Genesis 39:20-21

The king sent for Joseph, who was quickly brought out of jail. He shaved, changed his clothes, and went to the king. The king said to him, "I had a dream, yet no one can explain what it means. I am told that you can interpret dreams." 

“I cannot do it,” Joseph replied to Pharaoh but my God can give you the answer so your mind is put to ease.”

-Genesis 41:14-16

The plan seemed good to Pharaoh and to all his officials. So the king said to them, "Who could possibly handle this better than Joseph? After all, the Spirit of God is with him." The king told Joseph, "God is the one who has shown you these things. No one else is as wise as you are or knows as much as you do.

Therefore, I'm putting you in charge of my palace, and everybody will have to obey you. No one in all of Egypt will be greater than you, except for me.

-Genesis 41:37-40

When Jacob found out there was grain in Egypt, he said to his sons, "Why are you just sitting here, staring at one another? Go down and buy some, so we won't starve to death."

-Genesis 42:1-2

Since Joseph was governor of all Egypt and in charge of selling grain to all the people, it was to him that his brothers came. When they arrived, they bowed before him with their faces to the ground. As soon as Joseph saw his brothers, he recognized them. But he acted as if he didn't know them and spoke harshly to them. "Where did you come from?" he asked them. "From Canaan, to buy food," they answered.

-Genesis 42:6-7

Joseph could stand it no longer. There were many people in the room, and he said to his attendants, “Out, all of you!” So he was alone with his brothers when he told them who he was.

-Genesis 45:1

Joseph asked his brothers if his father was still alive, but they were too frightened to answer.

-Genesis 45:3

You tried to harm me, but God made it turn out for the best, so that he could save all these people, as he is now doing.

-Genesis 50:20

LIFE APPLICATION
To discuss during the week with your family or Life Group

1. Why is it that many people only see God in “the good” and forget that He’s still with them in “the bad”?  What has been your experience with this?

2. What part of Joseph’s story jumped out at you? Why?

3. Have you ever been in a situation where the person or people who hurt you now need you?  How did you handle that situation? What would you possibly do differently after hearing this message?

4. After the past 2 weeks' messages are you still holding onto any bitterness or unforgiveness?  If so, what do you need to do to let it go? How can those in your group help you?

5. What is your next step as a result of this message?