Category: Bible Challenge

But the famine continued to ravage the land of Canaan. When the grain they had brought from Egypt was almost gone, Jacob said to his sons, ‘Go back and buy us a little more food.’” v1-2
Jacob and his sons had no relief from the famine. They could not see God’s overall plan of sending them to Egypt’s storehouses. If you are praying for relief from suffering or pressure and God is not bringing it as quickly as you would like, maybe He has something better in store than that immediate request?

Taken from the NLT Life Application Bible

“When Jacob heard that grain was available in Egypt, he said to his sons, ‘Why are you standing around looking at one another? I have heard there is grain in Egypt. Go down there, and buy enough grain to keep us alive. Otherwise we’ll die.’” v1-2
Sounds like a family reunion! Little did the brothers know that they would be seeing the brother they thought was dead. Joseph could have easily said no to his brothers and sought revenge. Or he could help his brothers and family in their time need. How do you respond to people that have wronged you, but now need help? Do you allow them to suffer, or do you lend a helping hand?

Taken from the NLT Life Application Bible

“Joseph’s suggestions were well received by Pharaoh and his officials. So Pharaoh asked his officials, ‘Can we find anyone else like this man so obviously filled with the spirit of God?’ Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, ‘Since God has revealed the meaning of the dreams to you, clearly no one else is as intelligent or wise as you are. 40You will be in charge of my court, and all my people will take orders from you. Only I, sitting on my throne, will have a rank higher than yours.’” v37-40
Pharaoh recognized that Joseph was a man “filled with the spirit of God.” You probably wont get to interpret dreams for a king, but those who know you should be able to see God in you, through your kind words, merciful acts, and wise advidce. Do your relatives, neighbors, and co-workers see you as a person in whom the Spirit of God lives?

Joseph rose quickly o the top, from prison walls to Pharaoh’s palace. His training for this important position involved being first a slave and then a prisoner. In each situation he learned the importance of serving God and others. Whatever your situation, no matter how undesirable, consider it part of your training program for serving God!

Taken from the NLT Life Application Study Bible

“Pharaoh sent for Joseph at once, and he was quickly brought from the prison. After he shaved and changed his clothes, he went in and stood before Pharaoh. Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, ‘I had a dream last night, and no one here can tell me what it means. But I have heard that when you hear about a dream you can interpret it.’
‘It is beyond my power to do this,’ Joseph replied. ‘But God can tell you what it means and set you at ease.’” v14-16
Our most important opportunities may come when we least expect them. Joseph was brought hastily from the dungeon and pushed before Pharaoh. Did he have time to prepare? Yes and no. He had no warning that he would be suddenly pulled from prison and questioned by the king. Yet Joesph was ready for almost anything because of his right relationship with God. It was not Joseph’s knowledge of dreams that helped him interpret their meaning. It was his knowledge of God. Be ready for opportunities by staying close to God. Then, when he calls you to a task, you’ll be ready!

Taken from the NLT Life Application Study Bible

“‘We both had dreams last night, but no one can tell us what they mean.’
‘Interpreting dreams is God’s business,’ Joseph replied. ‘Go ahead and tell me your dreams.’” v8
When the subject of dreams came up, Joseph focused everyone’s attention on God. Rather than using the situation to make himself look good, he turned it into a powerful witness for the Lord. One secret of effective witnessing is to recognize opportunities to relate God to the other person’s experience. When the opportunity arises, we must have the courage to speak, as Joseph did.

Taken from the NLT Life Application Study Bible

The LORD was with Joseph, so he succeeded in everything he did as he served in the home of his Egyptian master. Potiphar noticed this and realized that the LORD was with Joseph, giving him success in everything he did. This pleased Potiphar, so he soon made Joseph his personal attendant. He put him in charge of his entire household and everything he owned. From the day Joseph was put in charge of his master’s household and property, the LORD began to bless Potiphar’s household for Joseph’s sake. All his household affairs ran smoothly, and his crops and livestock flourished. So Potiphar gave Joseph complete administrative responsibility over everything he owned. With Joseph there, he didn’t worry about a thing—except what kind of food to eat!
Joseph was a very handsome and well-built young man, and Potiphar’s wife soon began to look at him lustfully. “Come and sleep with me,” she demanded.
But Joseph refused. ‘Look,’ he told her, ‘my master trusts me with everything in his entire household. No one here has more authority than I do. He has held back nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. How could I do such a wicked thing? It would be a great sin against God.’
She kept putting pressure on Joseph day after day, but he refused to sleep with her, and he kept out of her way as much as possible. One day, however, no one else was around when he went in to do his work. She came and grabbed him by his cloak, demanding, ‘Come on, sleep with me!’ Joseph tore himself away, but he left his cloak in her hand as he ran from the house.” v2-12
Joseph was blessed by God!
Joseph was a man of integrity!
Joseph was a man of high Character!
Joseph served well in whatever situation he was placed!
Joseph maintained a good attitude!
Joseph was faithful!

These are all great qualities. It would be easy to say that Joseph was wronged, and I believe he was, but the thing that stands out is how faithful Joseph was to God and the people in authority over him. Instead of having a bad attitude, he sought out ways to help in every situation.

Taken from the NLT Life Application Study Bible

“When Joseph’s brothers saw him coming, they recognized him in the distance. As he approached, they made plans to kill him. ‘Here comes the dreamer!’ they said. ‘Come on, let’s kill him and throw him into one of these cisterns. We can tell our father, ‘A wild animal has eaten him.’ Then we’ll see what becomes of his dreams!’” v18-20
Could jealousy ever make you feel like killing someone? Before saying, “Of course not,” look at what happened in this story. Ten men were willing to kill their younger brother over a robe and a few reported dreams. Their deep jealousy had grown into ugly rage, completely blinding them to what was right. Jealousy can be difficult to recognize because our reasons for it seem to make sense. But left unchecked, jealousy grows quickly and leads to serious sins. The longer you cultivate jealous feelings, the harder it is to uproot them. The time to deal with jealousy is when you notice yourself keeping score of others’ recognition, awards, and achievements.

Taken from the NLT Life Application Study Bible

“Then Jacob prayed, ‘O God of my grandfather Abraham, and God of my father, Isaac—O LORD, you told me, ‘Return to your own land and to your relatives.’ And you promised me, ‘I will treat you kindly.’ I am not worthy of all the unfailing love and faithfulness you have shown to me, your servant. When I left home and crossed the Jordan River, I owned nothing except a walking stick. Now my household fills two large camps! O LORD, please rescue me from the hand of my brother, Esau. I am afraid that he is coming to attack me, along with my wives and children. But you promised me, ‘I will surely treat you kindly, and I will multiply your descendants until they become as numerous as the sands along the seashore—too many to count.’” v9-12
How would you feel if you knew you were about to meet the person you had cheated out of his most precious possession? Jacob had taken Esau’s birthright and his blessing. Now he was about to meet his brother for the first time in 20 years, and he was frantic The last thing he knew was that Esau wanted to kill him. As he collected his thoughts, he decides to pray. When we face a difficult situation or conflict, we can run about frantically or we can pause to pray. Which approach will be more effective? Which approach do I tend to use most often?

Taken for the NLT Life Application Study Bible

“Since Jacob was in love with Rachel, he told her father, ‘I’ll work for you for seven years if you’ll give me Rachel, your younger daughter, as my wife.’” v18
People often wonder if working a long time for something they desire is worth it. Jacob worked seven years to marry Rachel. After being tricked, he agreed to work seven more years for her (wow). The most important goals and desires are worth working and waiting for. Movies and Television have created the illusion that people have to wait only about an hour to solve their problems or get what they want. Don’t be trapped in thinking the same is true in real life. Patience is hardest when we need it most, but it is the key to achieving our goals.

Taken from the NLT Life Application Study Bible

“Jacob made this vow: “If God will indeed be with me and protect me on this journey, and if he will provide me with food and clothing, and if I return safely to my father’s home, then the LORD will certainly be my God.” v20-21
Jacob has just had an encounter with God through a dream. When he wakes up he realizes that God is in this place. God’s covenant promise to Abraham and Isaac was now offered to Jacob. God had promised to bless him and make his descendants great! In response to God Jacob makes a memorial and a vow. He committed his future to God.

When God speaks to me, am I more likely to commit or question? I hope to say that I am more likely to commit.

Taken from the NLT Life Application Study Bible