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Who’s in the wrong? – A Bible study on how we handle perceived wrongs.  (Pg.#1)

Genesis 37:1-11 (ESV) 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 to me.”  (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.

— Three different people/groups and their various wrongs committed here make an interesting study on how we react to perceived wrongs ourselves.

Jacob – SEE Vs.9-11…

— Q1. (For discussion) Do you think that Jacob’s reaction is proper?

O – Yes, because Joseph should show more respect.     O – No, because it comes out of Jacob’s pride.

O – (I have a different response.) _________________________________________________________

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Joseph – SEE Vs.2-8…

— Q2. What two accounts of Joseph’s dealings with his brothers do we find in these verses?

O – He brings a bad report of their doings to Jacob.     O – He tells them of his dream.

O – He brags about his fine coat of many colours.

— Q3. (For discussion) Do you think Joseph means to boast in relating his dreams?

O – Yes, he is being arrogant.     O – No, I think he is just naively excited about his dreams.

O – (I see something more here.) ________________________________________________________

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The brothers – First, SEE Vs.3-4…

— Q4. (For discussion) Do you approve of their reaction to Jacob’s favouritism?

O – Yes, for they are being wronged.     O – No, they should love their brother regardless.

O – (I’d like to comment further.) _________________________________________________________

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The brothers continued – Now, SEE Vs.5-8…

— Q5. (For discussion) Do you think they are justified in their reactions?

O – Yes, for Joseph is a spoiled brat.     O – No, they should forgive their brother’s youthful excitement.

O – (Further comment?) ______________________________________________________________

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Now I would like you to examine your answers, and see if they agree with God’s Word…(Pg.#2)

Jacob – Was it alright for him to show favouritism? (SEE what the Bible says.)

Deuteronomy 10:17-18… For the LORD your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great, the mighty, and the awesome God, who is not partial and takes no bribe.  (18)  He executes justice for the fatherless and the widow, and loves the sojourner, giving him food and clothing.

Romans 2:9-11… There will be tribulation and distress for every human being who does evil, the Jew first and also the Greek,  (10)  but glory and honor and peace for everyone who does good, the Jew first and also the Greek.  (11)  For God shows no partiality.

Acts 10:34-35… So Peter opened his mouth and said: “Truly I understand that God shows no partiality,  (35)  but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him.

— Q6. Will God allow us to show favouritism?

O – Yes..     O – No.
(Think about how God deals with this error in our lives.)

Joseph – What does the Bible say about boasting and being naive?

1^st Corinthians 1:27-31… But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong;  (28)  God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are,  (29)  so that no human being might boast in the presence of God.  (30)  And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption,  (31)  so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.”

Romans 16:17-18… I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them.  (18)  For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive.

— NLT translates Vs.18 “they deceive the hearts of the naive” as “they deceive innocent people.”

— Q7. Are we asked to be more than naive/innocent?

First, read Matthew 10:16 Jesus said… “Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.

Are we asked to be more than naive/innocent?     O – Yes..     O – No.

— Q8. (For discussion) How can we be both wise and innocent? (How might this apply to our daily living?)

The brothers – What does God say about envy and hating a brother?

Leviticus 19:17-18… “You shall not hate your brother in your heart, but you shall reason frankly with your neighbor, lest you incur sin because of him.  (18)  You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the LORD.

Matthew 5:43-48… “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’  (44)  But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,  (45)  so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.  (46)  For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?  (47)  And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same?  (48)  You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

— Q9. Does God allow us to hate any person?     O – Yes..     O – No.

(Discuss Lev. 19:17… but you shall reason frankly with your neighbor, lest you incur sin because of him.) 

— Q10. We close with a question for further discussion… Does God’s Word regulate our behaviours?

(Even to the point of responding to perceived wrongs done to us?)

May God bless and continue to guide us all…  (KK)