Q3. Joseph's Revelation of God's Purpose

[Pastor Ralph]

Q3. (Genesis 45:4-8) Contrast Jacob and Joseph. Jacob has suffered great loss. Joseph has suffered great injustice. Why is Jacob's vision so bleak but Joseph's, so broad? What have been their differing responses to fear? What insight has kept Joseph from being bitter towards his brothers?

[Commissioned]

Q3. (Genesis 45:4-8) Contrast Jacob and Joseph. Jacob has suffered great loss. Joseph has suffered great injustice. Why is Jacob's vision so bleak but Joseph's, so broad? What have been their differing responses to fear? What insight has kept Joseph from being bitter towards his brothers?

Both Jacob and Joseph has suffered great loss. Jacob's loss included separation from his dearly beloved son Joseph. Joseph's loss included being separated from his father and brother Benjamin. Joseph's great injustice came by the hands of his brothers who sold him into slavery. He also suffered in justice when he was thrown into prison for an evil accusation. Jacob's vision is is yet to be fulfilled through his sons and his sons sons. Joseph is already seeing the fulfillment of his vision in his lifetime. For both Jacob and Joseph their faith in God sustained them, however, when it comes to fear the elder allowed his mind to reflect upon the many losses in his lifetime; Joseph young and fully trusting that God would fulfill His will in his life. This attitude of trusting God is what has kept Joseph from being bitter towards his brothers.

[pickledilly]

Quite simply, the difference in how Jacob reacted to his heartbreaking losses and how Joseph reacted to the years of injustice he suffered was that Joseph didn't have circumstantial faith. No matter what he faced, he never turned from God, and so it is repeatedly noted in the accounts that "the LORD was with Joseph". Jacob couldn't see through his sorrow and was paralyzed by fear because his spiritual vision and strength were crippled by lack of faith. He was looking inward at his pain and suffered from tunnel vision. Joseph held fast, refusing to succumb to "great wickedness and sin against God" in all the difficult situations he went through. He looked upward beyond the pain and was given a glimpse of God's glorious panoramic view of events.

Joseph's insight and declaration of God's goodness is such an encouragement and inspiration. He trusted that the LORD was using the events of his life for the grand purpose of preserving the future of Abraham's nation of descendants, beginning with the visions of authority over his family he had as a youth. There is always divine purpose to accomplish good in whatever the Father allows His children to endure. Clinging to that truth has certainly seen me through some difficult experiences in my own life. God is good, indeed.

[Vincent Paul DiMino]

I read the two answers that came before mine, and they helped to shape my thoughts.Joseph,when confronted with Potiphar's wife's evil intent to userp her husband's authority by entrapping his trusted servant by intrigue and sin,and thus become "the boss" herself,he knew that she was capable of initiating great evil,on anyone,including himself,if it suited her own evil intentions,but he feared God, and served God only,at whatever cost to himself.Joseph does get to see the fulfillment of his dreams and visions within his lifetime,and to see the repentance and salvation of his brother Judah.The experience moved him to tears.He has witnessed,and been part of a miracle,but the name of the story is ISRAEL.This is his Father's story, both the earthly father of the Nation of Israel, and Our Heavenly Father, who speaks to us through the miracles in our daily lives,as well as those we study,in His written Word.Praise God !

[charisbarak]

Jacob didn't see things through God's eyes. He was focused on himself. Joseph, with all the injustices he went through, kept his eyes on God and reacted knowing God was in control.

Jacob when fearful, held tightly to his possessions. Joseph, gave it to God and trusted that God would bring him through.

He was aware that God had put him there as a fulfillment of the promise to Israel. Where he was, was in a position that God had put him in so Joseph would be able to provide for His people. He saw how God used his brothers' jealousy to put Joseph just where God wanted him.

Oh, that we would keep this mindset--keep our eyes on God--not let our situations rock us!! Praise Him!

[iam4-1god]

Q3. (Genesis 45:4-8) Contrast Jacob and Joseph. Jacob has suffered great loss. Joseph has suffered great injustice. Why is Jacob's vision so bleak but Joseph's, so broad? What have been their differing responses to fear? What insight has kept Joseph from being bitter towards his brothers?

The difference between Jacob and Joseph was God. What I mean is, Jacob didn't have the relationship with God that Joseph had. When we sit and wring our hands like Jacob did, we don't have peace that Joseph had because he sought God for everything. That is the difference. When we trust god for all our needs and all our praises, then we can have the peace that passes all understanding.

Joseph was not angry with his brothers because he knew that God was in control of everything. And, Joseph knew about forgiveness because he communicated with God on a regular basis. Therefore, Joseph could forgive and help his brothers through the famine, and he knew that everything would work out for the glory of God-it is all good when that happens!

[masika]

Q3. (Genesis 45:4-8) Contrast Jacob and Joseph. Jacob has suffered great loss. Joseph has suffered great injustice. Why is Jacob's vision so bleak, but Joseph's so broad? What have been their differing responses to fear? What insight has kept Joseph from being bitter towards his brothers?

Jacob feels God forsaken, pessimistic, and in despair, Joseph has an all season God. He is a God you can trust even when life is not easy

Although Joseph

[WALT39]

Q3. (Genesis 45:4-8) Contrast Jacob and Joseph. Jacob has suffered great loss. Joseph has suffered great injustice. Why is Jacob's vision so bleak but Joseph's, so broad? What have been their differing responses to fear? What insight has kept Joseph from being bitter towards his brothers?

Genesis 45:4-8 -Then Joseph said to his brothers, "Come close to me." When they had done so, he said, "I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt! And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you. For two years now there has been famine in the land, and for the next five years there will not be plowing and reaping. But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance. "So then, it was not you who sent me here, but God. He made me father to Pharaoh, lord of his entire household and ruler of all Egypt.

The contrast between Jacob and Joseph visions is their relationship with God. I think that these questions are summed up in Genesis 45:7-8, "But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance. "So then, it was not you who sent me here, but God. "

[leihaynes]

Q3. (Genesis 45:4-8) Contrast Jacob and Joseph. Jacob has suffered great loss. Joseph has suffered great injustice. Why is Jacob's vision so bleak but Joseph's, so broad? What have been their differing responses to fear? What insight has kept Joseph from being bitter towards his brothers?

1. Contrast Jacob and Joseph. Jacob has suffered great loss. Joseph has suffered great injustice. Why is Jacob's vision so bleak but Joseph's, so broad?

It would have to be an individual thing. Probably the attitude of each person. Was Jacob so stuck in his loss that he left God out the whole time he grieved? Did he seek God for an explanation as far as what God was

showing him or teaching him? Did he continue to talk with God about his feelings? Taking the whole load upon yourself will definitely bring you down at some point and time where you begin to make unwise decisions

which will always cloud you vision.

Joseph on the other hand continued to allow God to use him inspite of his circumstances and gave God the glory for the outcome.

2. What have been their differing responses to fear?

The pain that apparently never went away, for Jacob was to much for him to bear when hearing about Benjamin. Because of his fear he tried to see if he could fix this problem. After exhausting all his avenues finds out

his way is not going to work. Fear will make us react without thinking it through and consulting God about it. Joseph although had fear new who would take care of him.

3. What insight has kept Joseph from being bitter towards his brothers?

Understanding his dream. Understanding why God allowed him the gift of interpreting dreams. Being patient about understanding why he was even there in Egypt.

[okno]

Contrast Jacob and Joseph. Jacob has suffered great loss. Joseph has suffered great injustice. Why is Jacob's vision so bleak, but Joseph's so broad? This is maybe a question for our God. Why do we have such a destiny? Why someone is rich and other is poor, why one is ill and other is healthy? Maybe Jacob forgotten the God, maybe it was a retribution for his sins, who knows...Any way, as Joseph said to his brothers - not you but God have sent me to Egypt.

What have been their differing responses to fear? Differing? Both remembered the God. Jacob blessed his sons before the second journey to Egypt, Joseph mentioned God in all specific cases.

What insight has kept Joseph from being bitter towards his brothers? He tried to test their position towards Jacob. Did they changed their mind or are they still bitter towards the younger brother?

[Emma2]

Jacob had been deceptive as a young man. He had repented, he was forgiven, but he still bore a lifetime of consequences, in his own life and in the attitudes of his children. As much as he loved and trusted God, most of the time, he still had to deal with the psychological impact of his early character and the compounding fears and discouragements that he was left to deal with all his life.

Joseph's upbringing was different. Instead of one brother, he had 11, most of whom were rascals. Instead of a mother who doted on him and encouraged deceptiveness, he had a father who spoiled him, but probably encouraged honesty. After all, Jacob was repentent of his own early deceptions. Joseph's biggest recorded "fault" was bragging (as it seemed to his family) about his dreams. He probably was just too innocent, and not sensitive enough to realize the effect of his words about his dreams. Guilty or not, he also bore the consequences of that "fault". He had seen all kinds of trouble and confusion in his family and he polarized to side of honesty and faith, as hard as it was.

The beauty of it is that even though we each have our own complicated characters, formed by our experiences and observations, God doesn't compare each one of us with others, because we are unique. We are called to learn from one another, help one another, but we are each treasured by our Father equally. And though the story shows Joseph being used by God in a special way, I believe God equally loved each brother - and sister(s)! - and had especial concern over those with the worst character traits and most disadvantages.

[Greta]

I think their age makes a big difference. Jacob is old and most of his life is behind him and the people he loved most in the world were taken from him. On top of all this, the guilt that he lived with most of his life weighed him down, making him open to depression.

Joseph is young, possibly the same age when he was sold into slavery as his father was when he first left home. As far as we know, Joseph hadn't done anything very bad so was not pressed down with guilt. He also knew that his father and brothers were all alive. He had dreadful things done to him but he didn't retaliate. Joseph had a more positive attitude than his father and he kept very close to God at all times.

Joseph stood up to fear and called upon God, but Jacob hid from fear and often took the easy way out even though he also called upon God. Perhaps Joseph responded better to fear because he had the insight to see that everything was part of God's plan. Even the bad things that happened, helped to bring God's overall plan into being.

God gave Joseph insight so he was not bitter towards his brothers by showing Joseph that it was for God's purpose that he was brought to Egypt and not because of his brothers' tretchery. Their tretchery was the means by which he came, BUT, he would have come some other way to fulfill God's purpose to keep the remnant of His people alive.

Love from Greta

[Seeking His Face]

Q3. (Genesis 45:4-8) Contrast Jacob and Joseph. Jacob has suffered great loss. Joseph has suffered great injustice. Why is Jacob's vision so bleak but Joseph's, so broad? What have been their differing responses to fear? What insight has kept Joseph from being bitter towards his brothers?

Well the right attitude can change any devastating situation. Some folks see the cup half empty and others see it half full. Joseph realized early to make the best of every circumstance. He also remembered that God was with him always He trusted him and knew what others meant for evil God used for the good.

[Elwood C O'Dell]

Jacob was seeing everything from a very narrow, personal point of view while Joseph was seeing what was happening as God working through the situation to fulfill his purpose. Jacob was viewing everything from a very personal mindset while Jacob was seeing it from God

[Vincent Paul DiMino]

Joesph's faith and advancement in righteousness are part of Jacob's blessing; as Israel,he has experienced the blessings that were given through Joseph, to the "community of Nations" that are to come from him, and through God's Word, we are transformed.The contact with his favorite son,whose righteousness was communicated in Truth,indirectly, through Joseph's conscious interaction with his other sons,served Our Lord's purpose, in blessing Israel.Israel mourned,and was comforted.Was his mourning,at his loss ? Or,was his mourning an intense focus on the continuing sin within his own house,and his accountability for that sin ? Does he have to know why he's mourning to be comforted ? OR,Is knowing why he was mourning revealed to him only in the comfort he received ?

[hanks]

Q3. (Genesis 45:4-8)

Contrast Jacob and Joseph. Jacob has suffered great loss. Joseph has suffered great injustice.

Why is Jacob's vision so bleak, but Joseph's so broad?

What have been their differing responses to fear?

What insight has kept Joseph from being bitter towards his brothers?

I find Jacob was very self-centred, it was all about him. He was focused on his bereavement. In contrast Joseph reveals his Christ-likeness in forgiving his brothers, and his concern for his father. Joseph also saw the bigger picture. He realized that his brothers had wanted to get rid of him, but God used their evil actions to accomplish His ultimate plan. Joseph was sent to Egypt to prepare for the beginning of the nation of Israel.

[haar]

Joseph seemed to have taken the terrible events that have happened to him as God's plan to raise him to higher levels. He was right. He therefore did not blame his brothers for their wickedness to him as he attributed that to part of God's plan for his life. Jacob on the other hand chose to blame others- his children for the calamities that have happened to him.

[Stan]

Q3. (Genesis 45:4-8) Contrast Jacob and Joseph. Jacob has suffered great loss. Joseph has suffered great injustice. Why is Jacob's vision so bleak but Joseph's, so broad? What have been their differing responses to fear? What insight has kept Joseph from being bitter towards his brothers?

I believe that a lot of their differing outlooks has to do with age as we get older we tend to think we are running out of time and in Jacobs case He has lost a lot in his wife and son. He looks at the remaining days of his life and worries about what he will lose next. Joseph has been through a hard time but he is still a young man and now find himself in a place of power and wealth he has anything he needs plus the people of Egypt to do his bidding. He feels that God will continue to bless him now that he knows that his father is alive and that he can have him brought to him.

[Stan]

Q3. (Genesis 45:4-8) Contrast Jacob and Joseph. Jacob has suffered great loss. Joseph has suffered great injustice. Why is Jacob's vision so bleak but Joseph's, so broad? What have been their differing responses to fear? What insight has kept Joseph from being bitter towards his brothers?

I believe that a lot of their differing outlooks has to do with age as we get older we tend to think we are running out of time and in Jacobs case He has lost a lot in his wife and son. He looks at the remaining days of his life and worries about what he will lose next. Joseph has been through a hard time but he is still a young man and now find himself in a place of power and wealth he has anything he needs plus the people of Egypt to do his bidding. He feels that God will continue to bless him now that he knows that his father is alive and that he can have him brought to him.

[JanMary]

Q3. (Genesis 45:4-8) Contrast Jacob and Joseph. Jacob has suffered great loss. Joseph has suffered great injustice. Why is Jacob's vision so bleak but Joseph's, so broad?

Jacob seems to have forgotten God and His promise to him, getting mired in years of mourning, never coming to acceptance. Joseph remembered God's promise to him, and saw life through the lens of God's purpose, which was larger than just what Joseph was going through. He accepted God's will without becoming angry and self pitying, as Jacob had become.

What have been their differing responses to fear?

Jacob's fear never left him. He was still trying to manipulate and pave the way of escape with bribes and gifts. Joseph seemed courageous, because his trust was in God's plan for him. He knew that God was with him, so he had nothing to fear.

What insight has kept Joseph from being bitter towards his brothers?

Joseph remembered God's promise to him and he saw God's hand in everything that happened to him. He believed that though evil was done to him, that God would use it for good in his life. He was able to forgive his brothers and saw that though their intent was to harm him, God meant him to go into captivity to be prepared to save thousands of lives, both in Egypt, but in Canaan, including his whole family.....to preserve them as a nation who would eventually be numbered as the grains of sand.

[Patricia A]

Q3. (Genesis 45:4-8) Contrast Jacob and Joseph. Jacob has suffered great loss. Joseph has suffered great injustice. Why is Jacob's vision so bleak but Joseph's, so broad?

What have been their differing responses to fear? Jacob did not turn to God in his suffereing. Joseph knew God had a purpose which could work for good.

What insight has kept Joseph from being bitter towards his brothers? Joseph had insight into the fact that God had a purpose in what had happened to him.

[studybug52]

Q3. (Genesis 45:4-8) Contrast Jacob and Joseph. Jacob has suffered great loss. Joseph has suffered great injustice. Why is Jacob's vision so bleak, but Joseph's so broad? What have been their differing responses to fear? What insight has kept Joseph from being bitter towards his brothers?

Jacob was experiencing alot of loss in life and I think instead of trusting God , and remembering God's promises He let fear make him physically

and emotionally sick. Fear imprisoned him in himself ... He had not seen his wife and children as Gods and got angry after loss. Closed God out.

Joseph in his heart kept his dreams in mind. He opened up with a mind set that He could not change what was happening to him. He loved and

trusted and I believe had a good relationship with His God. He allowed God to work out the details. Fear made HimLean on and Trust God more.

He knew that even in their hatred and mean ness of selling Him. They had not known it but God used them to get Joseph to where God

could Use Joseph.He did test his brothers not for his own sake but for the sake of His younger brother. To see if they had changed.

He knew God Had brought him there to feed His people keep them from dying in the famine. God Had promises to Keep to Abraham, Issac and Jacob.

Even though Jacob had lost mind of the Promises.

[Standing On the Rock]

A3. The difference between Jacob and Joseph is their relationship with God. Jacob prayed and worshipped God for personal protection whenever he felt threatened, afraid or remorseful. Joseph prayed and worshipped God during the battle, resting assured on his confidence and faith in the Lord

[janel]

Q3 Jacob being of age, knows his time is near. With the loss of so many of his loved

one, he finds life meaningless. He finds no joy anymore. There is nothing to look

forward to and nothing to hold or cling on anymore.

Joseph on the other hand, is a successful man. He is blessed by God. He has power,

prestige, honour, and position. His vision is broad because he has found his brothers

and father again in spite of pretending not to know them.

Jacob's fear is of losing all his children to the ruler of Egypt, in particular

Benjamin and he may never see them again.

Whereas Joseph feared that his brother might not repent and be reconciled with him.

God is with Joseph all the way, protecting him from harm and leading him to his

present status. If God is in him, there is no room for bitterness and anger, for

God is love and love knows no bound. Since all are his blood brothers.

[Craig]

Q3. (Genesis 45:4-8) Contrast Jacob and Joseph. Jacob has suffered great loss. Joseph has suffered great injustice. Why is Jacob's vision so bleak but Joseph's, so broad? What have been their differing responses to fear? What insight has kept Joseph from being bitter towards his brothers?

Joseph eventually understands God's purpose in what was happening to him. The purpose in Joseph's experience in suffering injustice had nothing to do with him or his family. The whole betrayal thing was the way God got Joseph into Eygpt and into the proper position. It was about what God was doing in the greater scheme of things, like saving/perserving the descentants of Abraham in order to eventually make them into a great nation. Jacob hadn't reached that realiztion. Therefore, Joseph wasn't angry with his brothers, but warm, compassionate, and forgiving. Joseph handled fear by staying faithful to and dependent upon God. Jacob was fearful about losing some of his family instead of turning the matter over to God. We must let God be our God if we are going to have victory in our life and maintain a proper perspective of life.