Genesis 50:15-21 | Bible Study Questions
Observation
What does it say?
- Read Genesis 50:15-21
- Who are the people in this passage?
- Do you see any repeated words or ideas?
- How many brothers did Joseph have? [11 brothers. See Gen. 35:23-26]
- What evil had Jospeh's brothers done to him? (see Genesis 37:12-35)
- What do the brothers hope will be the result of their speech?
- How would you summarize Joseph's response in 1 sentence?
INTERPRETATION
What does it mean?
- What would you say is the conflict of this passage?
- Why did Joseph's brothers do this to him?
- Is there any doubt that they did evil to him?
- If you were Joseph, what might be your response?
- Why do you think Joseph wept at their speech? (v. 17)
- Why do you think it's significant that the brothers bow down to Joseph? [remember Genesis 37:5,9]
- Joseph responds to his brothers' two pleas for forgiveness (v.17) with two statements not to fear (v.19, 21)
- Why does Joseph say that his brothers shouldn't fear?
- Can you think of other places in the Bible where people meant to do evil, but God uses it for good?
- How does God's good plans through evil deeds give comfort?
APPLICATION
How should it change us?
- What can we learn about God from this passage?
- How do you need to change in light of this passage?
- Is there someone in your life who you are withholding forgiveness from? What would it look like to trust God in this situation and truly forgive them?
- How can you use this passage to encourage other church members who are struggling?
- Pray in light of this passage and any applications you've made.
- Sing O Great God to God and to one another.
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Genesis 50:15-21 | Bible Study Questions
Observation
What does it say?
- Read Genesis 50:15-21
- Who are the people in this passage?
- Do you see any repeated words or ideas?
- How many brothers did Joseph have? [11 brothers. See Gen. 35:23-26]
- What evil had Jospeh's brothers done to him? (see Genesis 37:12-35)
- What do the brothers hope will be the result of their speech?
- How would you summarize Joseph's response in 1 sentence?
INTERPRETATION
What does it mean?
- What would you say is the conflict of this passage?
- Why did Joseph's brothers do this to him?
- Is there any doubt that they did evil to him?
- If you were Joseph, what might be your response?
- Why do you think Joseph wept at their speech? (v. 17)
- Why do you think it's significant that the brothers bow down to Joseph? [remember Genesis 37:5,9]
- Joseph responds to his brothers' two pleas for forgiveness (v.17) with two statements not to fear (v.19, 21)
- Why does Joseph say that his brothers shouldn't fear?
- Can you think of other places in the Bible where people meant to do evil, but God uses it for good?
- How does God's good plans through evil deeds give comfort?
APPLICATION
How should it change us?
- What can we learn about God from this passage?
- How do you need to change in light of this passage?
- Is there someone in your life who you are withholding forgiveness from? What would it look like to trust God in this situation and truly forgive them?
- How can you use this passage to encourage other church members who are struggling?
- Pray in light of this passage and any applications you've made.
- Sing O Great God to God and to one another.