JOSEPH'S FAMILY

Genesis 25-31

  I.  Joseph did not live in ideal family conditions .

      A.  His mother, Rachel, served idols.  Genesis 31:19-20

      B.  His father, Jacob, was a deceiver.

           1.  Joseph was the younger twin brother of Esau who

                was born to Isaac, Abraham's son.

           2.  The name Jacob means strickster, deceiver and grabber.

           3.  Joseph was the favorite son of Rebekah and Esau

                was the favorite son of Isaac.

     C.  Jacob deceived on many occasions.

          1.  Jacob deceived Esau and stole his birthright.  Gen. 25

          2.  Jacob tricked Isaac out of his blessing.  Gen. 27

          3.  Jacob tricked his father-in-law out of the best flocks. Gen. 30:25-43

          4.  Jacob tricked Esau after their reconciliation.  Gen. 33:15-16

     D.  Jacob's brothers hated him.  Gen. 37:4-8

          1.  Jacob's wives were jealous of each other.

          2.  Leah had 6 sons and one daughter.  Gen. 29:31-35, 30:16-22

          3.  Rachel's handmaid had two sons.  Gen. 30:9-13

          4.  Leah's handmaid had two sons.  Gen. 30:9-13

          5.  Joseph, the son of the beloved wife Rachel and who was

               hated by his brothers, lived with jealousy and infighting.

     E.  Joseph's great uncle Laban tricked Joseph's father Jacob.  Gen. 29

           1.  Jacob agreed to work 7 years for Laban in order to marry Rachel.

           2.  At the end of 7 years Laban gave Jacob his older daughter Leah.

           3.  Jacob worked 7 more yars for Rachel but they seemed as

                only a few days because he loved her so much.

 II. Take homes

     A.  Joseph's family life was a mess.

     B.  He never used it as an excuse not to serve God.

     C.  Jacob later told his brothers that even when they hated him,

          and did evil to him God used their evil deeds to work good in his life.

     D.  We must not use others as an excuse for our conduct;

          each of us is responsible for our service to God. 

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COMING EVENTS

Please be back tonight at 6 PM for our evening Worship, with Ron George speaking.

W ednesday B ible S tudy A t 7:00 pm. This will be our first class in a series of lessons on the book of Acts. You don't want to miss this series.

March 17, 2007, 3rd Saturday singing here at Melrose C of C 6:00 PM

March 24, 2007 , 4th Saturday workday. 9 AM to Noon.