Week of December 6, 2015: Joseph’s Dreams Came True

Bible Passage: Genesis 42:1–46:34; 50:15­21
Main Point: God sent Joseph to Egypt to save his family.
Key Passage: Genesis 26:24
Big Picture Question: What can stop God’s plan? Nothing can stop God’s plan.

Unbeknownst to Jacob, Joseph had been elevated to a position of power. So when a famine came to Canaan and Jacob sent his sons to Egypt for grain, he had no idea that the journey would lead to a family reunion.

Ten of Jacob’s sons went to Egypt to buy grain. They went to Joseph, who was in charge of distributing the food. Joseph recognized his brothers immediately, but they did not recognize him. Joseph put his brothers through a series of tests. He accused them of being spies.

Finally, Joseph revealed his identity to his brothers.Joseph explained why God allowed him to be taken to Egypt. Even though his brothers intended harm, God intended his good. Joseph told his family to come to Egypt where they could thrive.

Jacob’s descendants multiplied. God kept His promise, and through the nation of Israel, He worked out His plan of redemption through His Son, Jesus Christ.

Advent Conspiracy, Week 2: Spend Less

Week of November 29, 2015: Joseph Sent to Egypt

Bible Passage: Genesis 37:1­36; 39:1–41:57
Main Point: God used Joseph’s suffering for good.
Key Passage: Genesis 26:24
Big Picture Question: What can stop God’s plan? Nothing can stop God’s perfect plan.

Jacob had 12 sons. They would become the leaders of the tribes of Israel. But Jacob’s favorite son was Joseph. Joseph was the son of Rachel, Jacob’s favorite wife, and Jacob didn’t hide his favoritism. He gave Joseph a gift that his other sons did not get: a beautiful coat of many colors. Of course, this did not endear Joseph to his siblings. Neither did Joseph’s announcement that God had spoken to him in dreams—dreams that revealed that one day everyone in Joseph’s family would bow down to him. Joseph’s brothers planned evil against him, and Joseph ended up in a hole in the ground. Then he was sent to Egypt and was accused of a crime he did not commit.

Did God forget Joseph? No. God was with Joseph, and He had a wonderful plan. God raised up Joseph into a position of power in Egypt. God used Joseph to establish a remnant—a small, surviving group of His people. Centuries later, God sent His Son, Jesus, into the world as part of that family.

God is in control of our lives, and He uses suffering and injustice to accomplish His plans in and through us. We can trust God’s faithfulness. Through all circumstances, God’s will prevails—all for His glory and our good.

Advent Conspiracy, Week 1: Worship Fully

Advent Conspiracy Family Devotionals

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Week of November 22, 2015: Jacob's New Name

Bible Passage: Genesis 32–33

Main Point: God changed Jacob’s name to Israel, the name of God’s covenant people.

Unit Key Passage: Genesis 26:24

Big Picture Question: What can stop God’s plan? Nothing can stop God’s perfect plan.

After stealing his older brother’s blessing, Jacob fled his home to escape Esau’s anger. He spent time with his uncle Laban, got married, and fathered many children. Overall, Jacob prospered, but his time with his uncle Laban did not end well. Laban’s sons accused Jacob of taking their father’s wealth.

God told Jacob to leave, and Jacob did not hesitate. He gathered his family and all of his possessions and headed home to Canaan with Laban in pursuit. But uncertainty awaited Jacob in his homeland. His brother Esau was there. The last time Jacob saw Esau, Esau wanted to kill him.

That night, Jacob anxiously awaited word from Esau, and that is when he encountered the Lord. Did Jacob win the wrestling match? Was he stronger than the Lord? The victory was ironic; Jacob did not win by strength (God proved His power by crippling Jacob with just a touch) but by confessing his dependence on God’s blessing. Jacob had nowhere else to turn. He could not succeed by his own strength. Jacob held onto God and would not let go. God poured out His grace on Jacob. He blessed Jacob and gave him a new name, Israel. From Jacob’s descendants—from the nation of Israel—God would bring into the world His Son, Jesus.

Week of November 15, 2015: The Stolen Blessing

Bible Passage: Genesis 25:27­34; 27:1­45
Main Point: Jacob stole Esau’s blessing.
Unit Key Passage: Genesis 26:24
Big Picture Question: What can stop God’s plan? Nothing can stop God’s perfect plan.

Esau sold his birthright to his younger brother, Jacob. The birthright was an important part of the patriarchal culture. Typically, upon the death of his father, the older brother would receive twice as much property and goods as the younger. But Esau gave it up for a warm meal.

Later, Jacob deceived his father to steal his brother’s blessing—another privilege afforded to an oldest son. With his blessing, Isaac made his son master over his brother. Just as God said, the older would serve the younger.

Before Jacob and Esau were even born, God planned to bless Jacob’s family. God kept His promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob to make their descendants as numerous as the stars. From their family would come the promised One—God’s Son, Jesus.

Jesus is the firstborn over all creation (Col. 1:15), and He deserves all the privileges afforded to Him. But when Jesus hung on the cross, He gave up His blessing for us. Jesus took the punishment we deserve so that the Father would give us the blessing Jesus deserves.