Genesis 46-48: Study Guide

Background

• Review of Genesis 43-45: After several years of famine had forced Joseph's brothers to seek food from Egypt, he revealed to them that he was still alive and that he had become the second most powerful person in Egypt. With Pharaoh's blessing, Joseph told his brothers retrieve their father Jacob and their entire household, so that they could live in the best part of the land of Egypt.
• Setting for Genesis 46: Joseph's brothers are in Canaan, where they are informing their father Jacob what has transpired with Joseph in Egypt.

Study Preparations

• Timer: Assign a timer who will focus the group on spending 15 minutes in each chapter.
• Prayer: Open in prayer and invite God to provide understanding into Genesis 46-48.

Genesis 46

Read: Choose a reader to read Genesis 46.

Discussion

1. First Impressions
1. What was your reaction to Jacob & Joseph's reunion?
2. What are your thoughts on Jacob's words to Joseph?
2. God's Promise for Israel: How does God clarify or expand His promise to Israel within Jacob's latest vision?
3. The Sons of Israel
1. Based upon repetition, what seems to be the primary purpose and importance of Israel's genealogy?
2. What commentary remarks stand out to you within Israel's genealogy?
3. Which sons or daughters are singled out?
4. What point do you think verses 26-27 might be trying to bring out?
4. Shepherds: Consider Joseph's instructions for how his brothers should identify their occupations to Pharaoh. What possible tensions do you anticipate?

Transition: The leader ties Genesis 46 into the full picture of Genesis, and transitions the group into Genesis 47. Suggested themes and foreshadows include:

• God's promise to make a Israel a great nation is to be fulfilled in Egypt
• Census of the numerous sons of Israel ("__ total children were born to Jacob by his wife/maid servant______")
• God's preservation of the complete number of Israel (66 sons without Joseph vs 70 family members with Joseph)
• Fatherly love (Jacob's relief at seeing Joseph was still alive)

Genesis 47

Read: Choose a reader to read Genesis 47.

Discussion

1. First Impressions: 
1. What was your reaction to how Joseph's brothers answered Pharaoh regarding their occupation? What did you think about Pharaoh's reply?
2. What do you think about Joseph's dealings with the Egyptians who sought relief from the famine?
2. Jacob's Lament: What message do you think we are meant to draw from Jacob's answer to Pharaoh's question regarding his age?
3. Jacob's Burial Request: Why would it be meaningful for Jacob to be buried with his forefathers?
4. Israelites vs Egyptians: Consider how the narrator draws attention to the contrast between the fruitfulness of the Israelites vs the servitude of the Egyptians. What idea(s) do you think the narrator intends for the reader to draw from the contrast?

Transition: The leader ties Genesis 47 into the full picture of Genesis, and transitions the group into Genesis 48. Suggested themes and foreshadows include:

• Pharaoh's goodwill towards Israel
• Jacob blesses Pharaoh
• Jacob as the patriarch "whose years were few & difficult"
• Israel's fruitfulness vs Egypt's servitude
• Joseph's promise to bury Jacob with his forefathers

Genesis 48

Read: Choose a reader to read Genesis 48.

Discussion

1. Jacob's Intentions
1. What do you think was Jacob's intention in claiming Ephraim & Manasseh as his own sons? 
2. What do you think was Jacob's intention in giving Ephraim the greater blessing?
2. Jacob's Blessing: 
1. Why do you think that Jacob blessed Joseph's sons before blessing his own sons?
2. Why do you think Jacob recounts how God worked in his life at the moment of his blessing on Ephraim & Manasseh?
3. Joseph's Inheritance: What will be Joseph's inheritance when Jacob dies? What importance do you think Joseph will have upon future generations?

Transition: The leader ties Genesis 48 into the full picture of Genesis, and helps the group anticipate what may be coming in the next study. Suggested themes and foreshadows include:

• Ephraim & Manasseh counted as Sons of Israel
• Ephraim & Manasseh to be counted as recipients of the favor God had showed to Jacob & The Patriarchs
• God as Jacob's Shepherd & Rescuer

Closing

Looking Forward

1. Jacob's Blessings: Based upon Jacob's blessings for Ephraim & Manasseh, what kind of blessings do you think he will give to his twelve sons?
2. Relations with Egypt: What aspects about the Israelites do you think will impact Israel's future relations with Egypt?