Join us as we analyze the complex dynamics of Joseph’s story — from being sold into slavery by his own brothers to rising to power in Egypt. This narrative not only invites us to consider God’s providence and Joseph’s unwavering faith but also challenges us to reflect on the concept of reaping what we sow, as seen in the parallels between Joseph’s experiences and his family’s past.
The Bible shares the lives of many, and do’s and don’ts of living. Well, let’s look at the time and life of one Joseph, coming up from the International Gospel Hour.
SPEAKER 02 :
Hi, this is Jay Webb for International Gospel Hour. Welcome to our broadcast today. For over 90 years, churches of Christ have proclaimed God’s word through our broadcasts. Just ahead is another Bible-based lesson with Jeff Archie of International Gospel Hour. Let’s begin.
SPEAKER 01 :
Well, thank you always to our J-Web, and greetings to all of you. Thank you for tuning in today to our broadcast. And in just a little bit, we’re going to ask you to call our toll-free number. We have some free things we want to share with you. And if you find those of interest, we’d love to send them to you. But if not, when that opportunity comes, if you want to call us and just tell us where you’re listening to our broadcast. You don’t have to give your name. Just let us know where you’re listening to our broadcast, and we would appreciate it. We thank you for tuning in to our studies here at the International Gospel Hour. It was in 2025 I was asked to spend five evenings speaking and teaching about Joseph from Genesis 37 and Genesis 39 through 50. What a beautiful account, and we learn a lot from the life of Joseph and the do’s and the don’ts of living itself. It is a magnificent account of God’s plan in the life of this young man. And I’d like for you and I to simply talk about some life lessons from this study of Joseph that I came across in my study. In Genesis 45, verses 5 through 7, Joseph is speaking to his brothers. They now know he is the Joseph whom they threw in that pit many years before. He said, But now do not therefore be grieved or angry with yourselves, because you sold me here. For God sent me before you to preserve life. For these two years the famine has been in the land. And there are still five years in which there will be neither plowing nor harvesting. And God sent me before you to preserve a posterity for you in the earth and to save your lives by great deliverance. And oh, indeed he did. Friends, I would encourage you to take your Bibles after the broadcast here, read Genesis 37 through 50, and once again see the beautiful account of Joseph. And so what I want to do is look at some things that I learned in my searching the Scriptures and study to prepare for these lessons. Just a few, shall I say, odds and ends maybe, but a few things, say a potpourri of things. And, you know, we’re taught to study the Scriptures to seek those things and to see what we hear is correct. And there’s nothing wrong ever in searching the Scriptures, Acts 17, 10 and 11. So let’s just begin, first of all, a question arises. For example, and I want to give a special thanks to my friend and brother Eric Lyons, the director of ApologeticsPress.org and that great work, for considering this question and answer. It’s rather interesting. The question, did the Midianites or the Ishmaelites sell Joseph to Potiphar? And we’re going to refer to Genesis 37, verse 36, as well as Genesis 39, verse 1. After a thorough study of the scriptures, one can easily see that the names Ishmaelites and Midianites are used interchangeably. The book of Judges records that after Gideon and his 300 mighty men defeated their enemy, the men of Israel said to Gideon, Rule over us, both you and your son, and your grandson also, for you have delivered us from the hand of Midian. Then Gideon said to them, I would like to make a request of you that each of you would give me the earrings from his plunder. For they, that’s recording to those whom Gideon and his men had just conquered, had gold earrings because they were Ishmaelites. Now the weight of the gold earrings that he requested was 1,700 shekels of gold, beside the crescent ornaments, pendants, and purple robes which were on the kings of Midian. Judges 8, 22, 24, and 26. Now after Gideon had delivered the Israelites from the hand of Midian, he requested the gold and earrings that the Israelites had plundered. Well, from whom did they plunder them? From those whom Gideon and the Israelites had just conquered, and who were they? Well, like Moses and his inspired historical narrative concerning Joseph, the inspired writer of Judges referred to the people of Midian as Ishmaelites. The Midianites and Ishmaelites mentioned in Genesis chapters 37 and 39 were the same group of traitors, and this is not a contradiction. In ancient times, these tribes often were confounded, probably for two reasons. One, both groups were descendants of Abraham, Genesis 16, 15 and 25, verse 2. And second, both were similar in their mode of life and in their constant change of abode. Strangers hardly could distinguish them, especially when they appeared not as tribes, but as Arabian merchants, such as they are described in Genesis 37 and Genesis 39. It’s pretty interesting, is it not? And I appreciate my friend and brother Eric Lyons and his study of that. And that’s a question that arises as you read the text. Well, you know, friends, speaking of our friends at Apologetic Express, I want to pause, got a free gift courtesy of our friends at Apologetic Express. And here is our J-Web to tell you how you can receive a free copy of Discovery.
SPEAKER 02 :
You can receive absolutely free a copy of Discovery, Scripture and Science for Kids, courtesy of our friends at apologeticspress.org. This great publication helps families of all ages understand the truth concerning such teachings as creation, evolution, dinosaurs, and other biblical subjects written on a child’s level. You can get your free copy today by calling toll-free at 855-444-6988. Leave your name and address and just say, Discovery. You can also send your request through our website at internationalgospelhour.com. Click on the Contacts tab and leave us your name and address and put Reason in the message box. Ask for your free copy of Discovery today.
SPEAKER 01 :
Here is another lesson we learned from the time of Joseph. God’s hand is in it all. In Galatians 6, verses 7 and 8, the Bible says, Do not be deceived, God is not mocked, for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. Folks, God knows all that we do. I look, for example, at Genesis 37, verses 31 and following. Jacob, the father of Joseph, and the boys that deceived him, Jacob was deceived with blood from a goat and Joseph’s coat. Remember, they put blood on Joseph’s coat and led Jacob to believe that Joseph had been devoured. They deceived him with, if you will, a goat and a coat. Now, let’s go back to Genesis 27. With a little help from his mother, Rebekah, did not Jacob deceive Isaac, allowing Isaac to think that he was actually Esau? With savory meat from two young goats, Genesis 27, 9 and 14, remember, Esau would prepare that savory meat. and a raiment of Esau with skins from a goat. He would touch the hand of Jacob, thinking it was Esau, because Isaac’s sight was dim. And so, if you will, Jacob deceived Isaac with goat’s meat and skins from a goat, or he deceived him with goat and a coat. Jacob deceived and now he was deceived with a goat and a coat. Just a little small study there, but something that reminds us of Numbers 33 verse 26. Be sure your sin will find you out. I thought it was rather interesting how Jacob deceived and now he was deceived with a goat and a coat. Now, let’s go a little further. How about some thoughts from Genesis 39? The account moves us from Joseph being sold into slavery at the end of Genesis 37, and it picks up in Genesis 39. I rather meant to say Genesis 38. Thoughts from Genesis 38, if you will. I’m sorry. And I’ve often wondered why we have a break in that account of Joseph that deals with Judah and his decision. Well, the more that we read Genesis 39, we find one born unto Judah was named Phares. There in verse 29. As we note Matthew’s account of the life of Christ, the genealogy of Christ in Matthew 1 and verse 3, we find Phares mentioned. And we do know Jesus came through the tribe of Judah, Genesis 49 and verse 10, and as we read his genealogy. I’ve often wondered why we have that break in chapter 38 of the account of Joseph. Maybe it is to remind us that Joseph preserved, or as we noted earlier in Genesis 45, God sent him before his brothers to preserve a posterity for you in the earth. What if there had not been a Joseph to plan for the problems of life, for the droughts? Well, Judah could have died. But that wasn’t God’s plan. Friends, this study of Joseph, I just wanted to share these thoughts with you to help you to be a good Bible student. And this part of the study helped me to understand a few other things. With that being said, let me end our broadcast by offering you our Bible course by mail. Once again, our J-Web.
SPEAKER 02 :
Our long-time free Bible study course by mail is always available. Have you tried it yet? Just call us toll-free at 855-444-6988 and leave your name, address, and just say Home Study. That’s it. You may also go to our website at internationalgospelhour.com, click on the Contact tab, and leave us the same information, name, address, and type Home Study in the message box. Study the Bible at your own pace. Again, it’s free from your friends here at International Gospel Hour.
SPEAKER 01 :
Well, friends, again, we hope that you found this study of interest to you today, and I do appreciate you joining me each and every time for our studies here from the International Gospel Hour. We’ll continue this study at another time, but for now, thanks once again. I’m Jeff Archie, and as always, keep listening.
SPEAKER 03 :
God be with you till we meet again.
SPEAKER 02 :
Thank you for listening to our broadcast today, and we hope you continue onward with your search and study of God’s Word. Please join us next time and visit our website at internationalgospelhour.com.
