“So Joseph bought all the land of Egypt for Pharaoh...”
Genesis 47:20
Genesis 47 - Printable Download
Opening Prayer Led by Group Leader
Psalm 115
Pray the Psalm together aloud, alternating verses between two sides. When finished, share reflections on the Psalm as a group
1 Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name give glory, for the sake of your mercy and your faithfulness!
2 Why should the nations say, “Where is their God?”
3 Our God is in the heavens; he does whatever he pleases.
4 Their idols are silver and gold, the work of men’s hands.
5 They have mouths, but do not speak; eyes, but do not see.
6 They have ears, but do not hear; noses, but do not smell.
7 They have hands, but do not feel; feet, but do not walk; and they do not make a sound in their throat.
8 Those who make them are like them; so are all who trust in them.
9 O Israel, trust in the Lord! He is their help and their shield.
10 O house of Aaron, put your trust in the Lord! He is their help and their shield.
11 You who fear the Lord, trust in the Lord! He is their help and their shield.
12 The Lord has been mindful of us; he will bless us; he will bless the house of Israel; he will bless the house of Aaron.
13 He will bless those who fear the Lord, both small and great.
14 May the Lord give you increase, you and your children!
15 May you be blessed by the Lord, who made heaven and earth!
16 The heavens are the Lord’s heavens, but the earth he has given to the sons of men.
17 The dead do not praise the Lord, nor do any that go down into silence.
18 But we will bless the Lord from this time forth and for evermore. Praise the Lord!
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
As it was in the beginning, is now and will be forever. Amen.
Joseph Profits Pharaoh
1. Joseph has effectively cornered the market on grain during a time of famine. Over the course of the years, what does he acquire for Pharaoh? How does Joseph treat Pharaoh’s subjects? How do the Egyptians treat Joseph? How might a Patriarch imitate Joseph in business?
2. How does the Lord’s portion compare with Pharaoh’s? What percentage of profit do Abraham and Jacob offer the Lord? How much of their yield does Joseph demand on behalf of Pharaoh? How does your tithe portion compare with your tax portion?
3. What is the irony of Joseph reducing the Egyptians to slavery? What examples are you aware of where “subjects” who attain power become like the “oppressors” who had formerly subjected them? How have you been affected by “authorities” in your life in the way you exercise authority and power?
4. How does Genesis say the Israelites fared during this famine? What connections or networks might profit you during economic “famines”
Resolutions
Choose a resolution for this week from the suggestions below or make your own. Tap on a resolution to email it to yourself:
1. I will establish professional goals and create a timeline for accomplishing them.
2. I will read Genesis 47:13-15 to my children and have a conversation with them about what the Egyptians and Canaanites could have done avoid running out of food and money.
3. I will meet with my wife to discuss the state of our “emergency fund” and establish goals to provide for our family in case of emergency.
4. I will create an evaluation for the people who work under me to help them clarify their goals and ask how I can better assist them.
5. I will ask my boss how I can better assist in accomplishing his/her goals.
6. I will examine the ways in which I exercise authority over my children and employees, paying particular attention to practices I observed as a child or employee that I felt were unnecessary or ineffective.
7. I will lead a family rosary in thanksgiving for our blessings.
8. I will increase my older children’s responsibility in the home and also increase their allowance.
9. I will teach my children about tithing and saving by bringing them to the bank and opening an account that will allow them to set aside money for savings and for tithing.
Prayer Partners
Discuss with your prayer partner the success/failure of your previous resolution & offer a vocal prayer for one another.
Genesis 37-50 Joseph, The Last of the Patriarchs
Banner Image: "Joseph in Egypt" by Jacapo Pontormo [Public Domain], via Wikimedia Commons
Scripture quotations are from the Revised Standard Version of the Bible—Second Catholic Edition (Ignatius Edition) copyright © 2006 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.