Understanding the text
Jacob, who deceived his own father, now experiences deception at the hand of Laban, his uncle. After greatly desiring to marry Rachel, who was beautiful, and after working seven years to earn her hand in marriage, Jacob is tricked by Laban into marrying Rachel’s sister, Leah. There is a certain irony in this twist of events. Jacob gets a taste of his own medicine. Leah, who is less desired by Jacob is precious to God. He hears and answers her cries.
However, Jacob is not satisfied. He agrees to work another seven years in order to receive Rachel as his wife. From the outside, this seems absurd. Fourteen years of labor for a wife? Yet it was not too much to require of Jacob, for he loves Rachel. Through Jacob, we see how love radically transforms the way we relate to work. (Genesis 29:20)
Additional scripture
1. John 3:16
2. Leviticus 18:18
3. Hebrews 12:1-2
Applying the text
1. What does this story teach us about the honesty of the Bible? What details would you have left out to make this story more “respectable”?
2. How might this text be misused to promote polygamy? How would you respond to such a claim?
3. In what sense does Jacob shed light on the love that Jesus has for His bride, the church?
The Power of Love
Genesis 29:1-30
March 8, 2020 • Pastor Jon Needham
The Sovereignty of God
June 21, 2020 • Pastor Rusten Harris
Understanding the text Joseph’s story is an emotional rollercoaster full of seemingly random, tragic events. It starts off with his brothers selling him into slavery—a life that would be short and full of suffering. From there, he is purchased by Potiphar, one of Pharaoh’s officers, only to be falsely accused of sexual perversion by Potiphar’s wife. Next, he ends up in prison where his unique ability to interpret dreams puts him in Pharaoh’s favor. Consequently, Joseph becomes the second most powerful person in Egypt. It is this unique position of power that will allow Joseph to save his brothers and the people of Israel. We might expect Joseph to be exceedingly bitter towards his brothers. In fact, given his powerful status in Egypt, Joseph could have potentially imprisoned them or worse! But what did Joseph do? Joseph knew that what his brothers meant for evil, God meant for good. The God of Israel had put Joseph in a position to protect and provide for his family, the very family from which Jesus would come. Additional scripture 1. Acts 2:22-24 2. Romans 8:18-30 3. Luke 6:27-36 Applying the text 1. How does faith in the sovereignty of God protect Joseph and us from bitterness and vengeance? 2. In hindsight, the random and tragic events of Joseph’s life can be seen as God’s wise and good plan to bring blessing to Israel. How have you experienced this same dynamic in your own life? 3. In what way is Joseph’s life story similar to Jesus’? How does Joseph’s life point forward to the promised and coming Christ? “You cannot judge God by your calendar. God may appear to be slow, but he never forgets his promises. He may seem to be working very slowly or even to be forgetting his promises, but when his promises come true (and they will come true), they always burst the banks of what you imagined.” —Tim Keller
The Common Good
June 14, 2020 • Pastor Jon Needham
Understanding the text Life can often feel random, as if the individual moments and chapters aren’t necessarily connected or part of some larger story. Sometimes it feels as if our vocation and faith don’t share common space, making it difficult to see how they connect. This episode in Joseph’s life assures that even when we can’t see the big picture, there is, in fact, a bigger picture. God had sovereignly ordered the events of Joseph’s life to put him in a position to work for the common good of all of Egypt. Joseph had a well-earned reputation as dream interpreter. Upon learning this, Pharaoh seeks out Joseph’s unique skills to help him understand the meaning of his own mysterious dreams. Joseph correctly interprets Pharaoh’s dreams, which not only wins him Pharaoh’s favor, but also puts him in a position to save Egypt, and ultimately, the very brothers who sold him into slavery. Additional scripture 1. Ephesians 2:10 2. 1 Corinthians 10:31 3. Acts 17:26-27 Applying the text 1. What past decisions and events helped to place Joseph in a position to interpret Pharaoh’s dreams? What does this teach us about God’s purpose in the small events in our lives? 2. Who benefitted from Joseph’s work and wisdom? What does this teach us about the power of God and the impact of obedient Christians in the workplace? 3. How does Joseph foreshadow the coming of Jesus who would bless the nations?
Fleeing Sexual Temptation
June 7, 2020 • Pastor Jon Needham
Understanding the text It is no coincidence that, while the previous chapter presented us with an example of sexual sin, this chapter provides us with an example of sexual obedience. Joseph had been sold as a slave by his insecure and jealous brothers, but God’s hand was upon Joseph. He was slowly moving him into a place where Joseph would be able to deliver his entire family, preserving all of Israel. But in this story, Joseph finds himself as the object of Potiphar’s wife’s lustful desires. Through this chapter, we learn a number of important things. First, women are not immune to lust. Sexual perversion knows no boundaries. Second, our battle against sexual sin must be ongoing and requires a great deal of commitment and determination. Third, obedience can land us in trouble when those with power prefer perversion over holiness. Additional scripture 1. Genesis 4:7 2. James 4:7 3. 1 Corinthians 6:18-20 Applying the text 1. Sexual temptation and sin is a universal reality. How have you dealt with this temptation and/or sin in your own life? 2. What motivates Joseph to resist the temptation of sexual sin? (vs. 7-9) What principles can you apply to your own battle against sexual sin and temptation? 3. How is Joseph treated as a result of his obedience? Why do you think this happens? (1 Peter 4:4-5). “The man who rings the bell at the brothel, unconsciously does so seeking God.” —Bruce Marshall