Understanding the text
What happens physically in this story demonstrates what has been going on in Jacob’s life for quite some time. Jacob was wrestling with God. This is how God would reveal himself to Jacob and also how God will reveal who Jacob is to Jacob himself! Jacob was alone. It is often the case that God does His greatest work in our hearts when we are alone and removed from all distractions.
Through Jacob’s encounter with God, he learns two very important things. First, God has great and incredible power. By simply touching Jacob’s hip, He was able to injure Jacob. Second, Jacob saw that though he had indeed wrestled with God, God had withheld His great power and not destroyed Jacob. God’s power was used for Jacob, not against Jacob. Jacob would be reminded of this important truth by the limp that would accompany him from that day forward.
Additional scripture
1. Proverb 26:7
2. Romans 12:3
3. Psalm 37:7
Applying the text
1. Why do you think God waited until Jacob was alone to have this encounter with him? What does this teach us about the importance of getting alone with God?
2. In what sense can Jacob’s wound and limp be seen as a gift from God?
3. How does this story reveal both God’s great power and His gentle care?
Wrestling with God
Genesis 32:22-32
May 24, 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