In the Beginning 14: Joseph Part 2

The first slide Tim shared in this sermon gave a sort of summary of the themes and story arcs found to repeat throughout the book of Genesis. These were its two short lists: shalom chaos barrenness humans rule in God’s image  creation / blessing  testing / failure  de- /  re-creation  What comes to mind as you reflect on these patterns in Genesis? It what ways has learning about these patterns impacted your sense of the book and your conception of it?  Do you see the presence of some or all of these themes elsewhere in the Bible? Where? If you do, what curiosity, questions, or ideas arise when you consider that linkage with Genesis? If not, what questions or thoughts arise from reflecting on that observation? To what extent do these same themes & narrative templates feel present in the world  around you today and/ or in your own life? If you see their presence, what does that prompt in you? Do you think there are lessons from these stories in Genesis that can provide wisdom for you today? How so? If not, why not?

Tim pointed out several instances in the text in which the language is reminiscent of or exactly duplicating language found elsewhere in Genesis.  For example:  he talked about the linguistic repetition that frames Joseph as a temptation for Potiphar’s wife in the way that the fruit was a temptation for Adam & Eve. And, following, the way in which Joseph didn’t listen to Potiphar’s wife as a contrast to the way the snake was listened to in the garden.  Throughout the Genesis series, Tim has pointed out many linguistic parallels in the Hebrew that the authors used as intentional ways  to underscore and link those same repeating patterns mentioned above. Does the presence of these linguistic patterns surprise you? Why or why not?  Think about that idea for a moment. What does this  linguistic linkage tell us about the book of Genesis itself? About its creators/writers? Perhaps about the nature of (at least parts of) the Bible? What surfaces for you as you consider the fact that so many of the nuances rooted in the language are absent in the English translations most of us use and read? How might an awareness of that disconnect impact the way you read/understand the Bible?

Of Joseph, Tim said, “Finally, a human who doesn’t fail the test…who honors God and the  image of God in others, endures suffering instead of grasping an easy solution.” He also pointed out that Joseph is the origin of the suffering servant motif found throughout the Bible, a motif Christians see as profoundly connected to Christ.  Ultimately, Tim taught that Joseph’s story demonstrates that “ all it takes is one human being…who is faithful, has integrity, has wisdom, will live in service to others, endure hardship, forego vengeance, forgive, reconcile, seek shalom for the life of the world,…And they can change the world.”  What does this profound statement evoke in you? To what extent is it inspiring? To what extent is it intimidating? Can you see yourself at all in this list of virtuous feats, all of which might be called “easier said than done?”  In what ways do you see yourself as someone who can change the world? Or, maybe, is changing it?  In what ways is it difficult to see yourself that way? Are there any patterns for you to observe in your own responses to these ideas?  Take a short moment to re-read and ponder Tim’s words. What might be the big “take home idea” for you as you spend a little time intentionally absorbing them?