Hatred in the Household

Genesis 37:1-11
[1] Jacob lived in the land of his father’s sojournings, in the land of Canaan.
[2] These are the generations of Jacob.

Joseph, being seventeen years old, was pasturing the flock with his brothers. He was a boy with the sons of Bilhah and Zilpah, his father’s wives. And Joseph brought a bad report of them to their father. [3] Now Israel loved Joseph more than any other of his sons, because he was the son of his old age. And he made him a robe of many colors. [4] But when his brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers, they hated him and could not speak peacefully to him.

[5] Now Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers they hated him even more. [6] He said to them, “Hear this dream that I have dreamed: [7] Behold, we were binding sheaves in the field, and behold, my sheaf arose and stood upright. And behold, your sheaves gathered around it and bowed down to my sheaf.” [8] His brothers said to him, “Are you indeed to reign over us? Or are you indeed to rule over us?” So they hated him even more for his dreams and for his words.

[9] Then he dreamed another dream and told it to his brothers and said, “Behold, I have dreamed another dream. Behold, the sun, the moon, and eleven stars were bowing down tome.” [10] But when he told it to his father and to his brothers, his father rebuked him and said to him, “What is this dream that you have dreamed? Shall I and your mother and your brothers indeed come to bow ourselves to the ground before you?” [11] And his brothers were jealous of him, but his father kept the saying in mind.

DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study Questions
1. Where have we seen God’s providence in Genesis so far? What do you anticipate most about getting into the story of Joseph?
2. What from the background of Genesis 37 helps us understand Jacob’s favoritism towards Joseph? How has Genesis encouraged you to avoid this in your own family?
3. Discuss the envy and hatred of Jacob’s brothers throughout the narrative. How have you seen envy play out in your life?
4. What does it mean that Jacob “kept the saying in mind” when Joseph told him about the second dream? How do Joseph’s dreams relate to Jacob’s past experiences?
5. What does this passage teach us about God’s sovereignty?
6. As you think about the brothers’ response to Joseph’s dreams, discuss how you respond to the grace of God in other people’s lives.

References: Matthew 10:29-30; Romans 8:28; Genesis 24; Genesis 29:30, 31; 30:22-24; 33:2; Romans 3:13-14; Romans 1:29; Galatians 5:19-21; James 3:16; Ecclesiastes 4:4; Genesis 41:26, 32