JOSEPH'S COAT

Bible Background

see " Joseph's Coat of Many Colors, from FUMC, Ann Arbor, MI, which includes a bible background by written Carol Hulbert, found here.

Scripture References:

Genesis 37:1-36, 39:1-6b

JOSEPH IN EGYPT

Background Info

Amy Crane's Teacher's Background, and links to her lessons for this Rotation, moved here to consolidate topic.

Scripture Reference:

Genesis 40:1 - 47:12

Romans 8:28 “And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.” (NLT)

Objectives for the rotation

At the end of the rotation, the students will:

• be able to locate Genesis and identify it as the first book in the Bible and the place where the stories of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Joseph can be found.
• Retell the story of how God save Joseph through Joseph’s interpretation of Pharaoh’s dreams and how Joseph is reconciled with his brothers and reunited with his father.
• Understand how God can use a deed intended for evil to fulfill his promise and purpose.
• Know that God is sovereign over all, evil and good.
• Be able to repeat the memory verse.

Background ~ Things to think about:

This rotation builds on our previous Rotation: “Joseph and His Brothers.”

Take some time to read the entire Joseph story in the Bible, Genesis 37, 39-50.

Some things to look at and think about as you read the Scripture:

Joseph's Dreams

• This rotation’s story resolves Joseph’s dreams from the last rotation. In chapter 41, he is appointed ruler over Egypt. And in 42-44 he is ruling over his brothers and father. Final resolution comes with his revealing his identity in chapter 45. All have bowed down before him.
• In chapter 37, Joseph’s dreams are a gift from God.
• Dreams are prominent in ancient literature. Egyptians loved dreams and their interpretations. Dream interpretation was crucial role. Some were “skilled” in this, such as Pharaoh’s magicians.
• God alone knows the future. Dreams can truly be interpreted only by one to whom God reveals His secrets. Joseph recognized — and acknowledged — his ability to interpret dreams as a gift from God.

Cup-Bearer and Baker's Dreams

• The cup-bearer and baker’s dreams were not important to Joseph and to God’s story except to demonstrate that God is with Joseph and that Joseph has been given the ability to interpret dreams.

Pharaoh's Dreams

• Joseph, with God’s help, not only interprets Pharaoh’s dreams but also shares a plan to deal with the events foretold in the dreams. God’s purpose is not to notify Pharaoh of the coming disaster but to use Joseph to save His people and keep His Covenant.
• Pharaoh chooses the one whom God has already chosen.

Joseph

• Note that Joseph gets an Egyptian name and wife and probably adopts Egyptian dress as well. So it is not surprising that his brothers do not recognize him. But Joseph does not also adopt the Egyptian gods.

Joseph's Brothers

• The brothers generally act as a group. They are mostly undifferentiated except for Judah.
• The brothers are trapped by their deception of their father (chapter 37). They see what happens to them in chapter 43 as God’s punishment. (42: 21, 28) Almost 20 years later, they are still burdened by guilt. Jacob accuses them of taking Simeon and Joseph from him (42:36), further increasing their feelings of being punished for what they did to Joseph long ago.
• The brothers assumed Joseph did not understand them since he was using an interpreter. So he hears them confess their sins (the first step to reconciliation) in 42:23-24.

Jacob

• Jacob finally sends Benjamin to Egypt. He trust’s God’s (“El Shaddai") mercy. He has more faith than his sons. But his faith is imperfect. (“And if I must bear the anguish of their deaths, then so be it.” 43:14b) He does not send them back empty-handed. They have twice as much money and some of the best products of the land, as well as Benjamin.

Benjamin (Second trip to Egypt)

• On their second trip to Egypt, Joseph again tests the brothers’ sincerity. (chapter 44) He gives them an “out” — he tells them all are free to return to their father except for Benjamin. They had already once abandoned a favored son. Joseph wants to see if they will take the opportunity to save their own skins and leave this younger favored brother.
• Judah’s moving speech in chapter 44 makes it obvious to Joseph that his brothers have changed their ways and their feelings.

God's Purpose

• Joseph’s key speech, which ties in to our memory verse, is found in 45:5b-8. Here Joseph explains God’s sovereign purpose. If not before, Joseph now realizes how he is part of God’s purpose.
• Joseph provides for his family, but actually, it is God who has provided.
• Note how this story parallels the Gospel: the son who was thought to be dead is alive! Only by the power of God is he alive.

Judah

• Note that it is Judah that steps forward in 44:18-34 and eloquently offers himself in place of Benjamin. Note that it is Judah that receives Jacob’s blessing in 49:8-12. Note in Jesus’ genealogy (Matthew 1:3 and Luke 3:34) that Jesus is descended from Judah.

God is sovereign over all, evil and good

• God uses man’s sin throughout the story:

• Through these sins it becomes clear:

Lesson that went with this background info. can be found here:

• Art #1 - Create Joseph’s coat out of polymer clay to decorate a memory verse refrigerator magnet.
• Art #2 - Make scrolls that depict events in the life of Joseph.
• Games #1 - Play a game to help them learn the story of Joseph and apply the lessons of the story to their own lives.
• Games #2 - Navigate through an obstacle course to remind them of some of the setbacks and victories of Joseph’s life.
• Drama - Experience the story of Joseph while traveling from station to station becoming part of the story in this active, personalized drama.
• Puppet - Dig deeper into the story to understand better Joseph and his father and his brothers’ feelings and motivations by using an object theater puppet show to re-enact the story.
• Movie - Watch the VeggieTales video, "The Ballad of Little Joe" and will consider how to turn to God in the hard times.

Material written by Amy Crane for River Community Church
Prairieville, LA

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