Reformed Theology

Why did Joseph's brothers hate him?

In Genesis 37, Joseph's brothers hate him enough to sell him into slavery. Dr. Toby Holt asks where God is when calamity strikes — even though God's name never appears in the chapter. Jacob plays favorites with a special coat, and the brothers' jealousy turns to hatred when Joseph shares his dreams of ruling over them. They plot to kill him, then sell him to traders bound for Egypt, and deceive their father with a blood-stained coat. Though God seems absent, His fingerprints are over every event.

Questions this study answers:

1. Why did the brothers hate Joseph? Out of jealousy — over their father's favoritism and Joseph's dreams of leadership. Their envy hardened into hatred.

2. Where was God in this betrayal? Present and sovereign, even though unseen. His hand was guiding events toward a greater purpose.

3. Where is God when our circumstances grow dark? Right there, working behind the scenes. As with Joseph, God can be at work even when He seems silent. "Come therefore, let us now kill him and cast him into some pit… We shall see what will become of his dreams." — Genesis 37:20 (NKJV)

Dr. Toby Holt is President of New Geneva Theological Seminary, and his sermons have been downloaded more than 1.9 million times on SermonAudio. Find more verse-by-verse Bible teaching at newgeneva.org; support this ministry at newgeneva.org/give.

In Genesis 32, Jacob was ready for a fight.

Jacob was no stranger to conflict, but this time was different. In Genesis 32, as darkness closed in, he prepared for a confrontation with his brother Esau. However, the figure who grabbed him that night was not who he expected.

Questions That We’ll Answer:

A) Who was it that Jacob wrestled with in Genesis 32?

B) What was the point of this wrestling match?

C) How was Jacob changed forever as a result?

web: www.fpcgulfport.org

In Genesis 28, Jacob dreamed of a ladder.

The ladder reached all the way from Heaven to Earth.

So, what was this dream all about? For centuries, no one knew. For centuries, it remained a mystery. But then, in the first chapter of John, the answer was finally provided.Join us as we consider ‘Jacob’s Ladder’ in today’s study of Genesis.

Questions That We’ll Answer:

A) Why was Jacob all alone, using a rock for a pillow?

B) What was the nature of his dream – and what exactly did he see?

C) What was Jacob’s response (after waking from this dream)?

Website: www.fpcgulfport.org

Jacob must have been one rotten kid!

In spite of God’s clear direction, and although his other son was a numskull, Isaac did not want Jacob to receive his blessing. If it were up to Isaac, it would be Esau who would carry the family line forward. Jacob was not an option. However, God’s decree would not be thwarted, would it? That will be the focus of today’s study in Genesis 27.

Questions That We’ll Answer:

A) Why did Isaac prefer Esau? What were his reasons?

B) Was the ‘ruse’ of Jacob and his mother Rebecca actually a sin?

C) What can we learn from the brokenness of this patriarchal family?

Website: www.fpcgulfport.org

Meet Abraham. Isaac. Jacob.

These men, hailed as the ‘patriarchs’ of the Old Testament, helped shape the entire narrative of our faith.They were also sinners. Big, big sinners. In today’s sermon, we’ll see that the patriarchs needed God’s grace every bit as much as we do. And God gave it to them! His providential care is seen in every part of Genesis 25.

Questions That We’ll Answer:

A) In what way are the patriarchs the ‘Mt. Rushmore’ of the OT?

B) Why them? In other words, why did God choose these three men?

C) What does this text tell us about the doctrine of ‘predestination?’

website: www.fpcgulfport.org/sermons

In Genesis 22, God told Abraham to sacrifice his son. Why?

For many, this event is one of the most confusing in all of Scripture – why would God tell Abraham to sacrifice Isaac? What was His purpose? And then, why would He tell Abraham to stay his knife? In today’s study, we will study this difficult and heartrending event.

Questions That We’ll Answer:

1) What was God’s purpose here? Was He testing Abraham?

2) What did Abraham think would happen on Mt. Moriah?

3) How does this event foreshadow Christ’s sacrifice on Calvary?

website: www.fpcgulfport.org/sermons

Sodom and Gomorrah are the poster children for God’s wrath.

In Genesis 19, we read of a cautionary tale to a world hellbent on offending a holy God. Specifically, Genesis 19 describes the destruction of these two cities. The destruction was horrific. It was severe. And yet, in Matthew 10, Jesus says that an even worse judgment will befall those places that reject the Gospel.

Questions That We’ll Answer:

1) What was the sin (or sins) of Sodom and Gomorrah?

2) Why was God willing to relent if 10 righteous were found there?

3) What did Jesus mean in Matthew 10 (when He referred to Sodom)?

Website: www.fpcgulfport.org

In Genesis 18 made a promise so outrageous that Sarah laughed.

The promises that He has made you are bigger.

Throughout Scripture, God has promised to save and sanctify you, to wipe away all your tears, and to dwell with you in Paradise for eternity. Now those are promises! But how can we be sure they apply to us (and that they will be fulfilled)? That will be the focus of today’s sermon.

Questions That We’ll Answer:

1) Who were the three men that appeared to Abraham in the desert?

2) What promises did One of the men make to Abraham and Sarah?

3) Why did Sarah laugh, and what was God’s reaction to that laughter?

Web: www.fpcgulfport.org

God made Abraham mind-boggling promises. Abraham believed Him.

In Genesis 12, Abraham was introduced with little fanfare. He was a man from a pagan family and a pagan background. And yet, God was going to make this nobody a series of incredible promises – promises that Abraham believed in, and then acted accordingly.

Questions That We’ll Answer:

A) What were these amazing promises? And how many were there?

B) Who are the true children of Abraham? Are you one of his children?

C) What does it mean to be called a ‘friend’ of God?

Web: www.fpcgulfport.org

God told the people to go outward. Instead, they went upward.

“Be fruitful, multiply, and fill the earth,” God told the people. But they said no – in their minds, it was safer and smarter to stay in one place. And so, they built a formidable ‘tower’ in Genesis 11. In today’s study, we’ll read about that tower (and God’s response).

Questions That We’ll Answer:

A) Why was God angered by the building of this tower?

B) Why did God confuse the language of the builders?

C) What relationship does Genesis 11 have with Acts 2 (Pentecost)?

web: www.fpcgulfport.org