Mary Weymouth
Bible 104-B18
LUO 02/24/2019
Observation
Old Testament Character Sketch Bible Study
Step 1—Chosen Character from Courageous Faith by E. Hindson.
•Joseph; When dreams and hero’s die: starting over when it all falls
apart Step 2—Identify All the Bible Passages on the Person
•Passages about Joseph’s Life in KJV:
o Gen 37:1-35
o Gen 39:1-41:57
o Gen 42:1-32
o Gen 43:16-45:28
oGen 46:9
oGen 46:27
o Gen 42:1-48:22
o Gen 49:22-26
o Gen 50:1-8
o Gen 50:14-21
o Gen 50:22-26
oActs 7:9-18
oDeuteronomy 33:13-16
o Psalms 105:17-22
There are also several Passages which speak of Joseph’s House.
Step 3—Making General Observations Based on First Impressions
•(Gen 37:1-35) Joseph is favored by his father; His Jealous elder half brothers sell him
into slavery and deceive their father; Joseph has a gift for interpreting dreams.
•(Gen 39:1-41:57) Gives details of josephs life after sold into slavery; In how he faces
many Trails but remains true to his faith; Here again shows his gift of interpreting
dreams; in which by facing his trails and to remain unwavering he is greatly rewarded.
•(Gen 42:1-32) Joseph’s brothers come for help unknowing it to be their brother.
•(Gen 43:16-45:28) Joseph test his brothers to see if they changed their ways. After
they pass their test he reveals himself.
•(Gen 46:9) he is the 1st born to Jacob and Rachel.
•(Gen 46:27) joseph brings his brothers and father to Goshen.
•(Gen 47:1-48:22) Pharaoh grants joseph’s Brothers lands in Goshen; speaks about
the time in famine; and his father’s impending death
•(Gen 49:22-26) speaks about all of Jacob’s sons specifically here about Joseph.
•(Gen 50:1-8) Jacob, Joseph’s father dies
•(Gen 50:14-21) Joseph’s brother fear that Joseph will now show vengeance since
Jacobs death, but Joseph shows his forgiveness.
•(Gen 50:22-26) Joseph’s Death
•(Acts 7:9-18) A summary of Joseph’s life.
•(Deuteronomy 33:13-16) Speaks of the blessings to come to Joseph.
•(Psalms 105:17-22) speaks of how God took a lowly man to raise him to greatness that
even a king can’t deny.
Mary Weymouth
Bible 104-B18
LUO 02/24/2019
Step 4—Ask the Key Questions and Observe Other Structural or Grammatical Elements
Observations related to “Who?”
•An essential figure in the Books of Genesis, Joseph, was the first-born son to
Jacob, through Rachel. Joseph was full brother of Benjamin; and is the half-
brother of 11 Older siblings: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Dan, Naphtali,
Gad, Asher, Issachar, Zebulun & Dinah.
•Minor characters to joseph’s story would include Potiphar and Pharaoh.
Observations related to “What?” (separated into three areas)
•“What” trails did Joseph face: He was sold into slavery, bought by
Potipher later imprisoned by him.
•“What” did Joseph do: He had a gift to interpret dreams.
•“What” was Joseph rewarded with: 1st he was head of Potiphers house hold
until imprisoned. 2nd Pharaoh made him his Vizier over Egypt, gave him a
wife who bore him 2 sons, he was reunited with his family. Joseph was
extremely profitable in the land of Egypt.
Observations related to “Where?”
•lived in the land of Canaan, sold at Dothan, transported to Egypt.
Observations related to “When?”
•Joseph received his dreams and was sold into slavery at age 17, Fallowed by
serving in Potiphers home.
•Joseph was later wrongly imprisoned for an estimate of 13years.
•Joseph was brought to Pharaoh at 30.
•In 7 years of Plenty Joseph was given new name, a wife, two sons
•2yrs into famine he is reunited with his family and moves them to Goshen.
Where they remained the rest of their days.
Observations related to “Why?”
•Because of Jacob’s favoritism shown to Joseph, his elder half-brothers
were jealous of him only to be made worse when Joseph reveals his dream.
Thus, they rid themselves of him.
•One could also say as Joseph said, “You intended to harm me, but God intended
it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.” (Gen
50:20). Thus, it was the Lords will.
Observations related to “How?”
•“How” did Joseph preserver his trails: He refused to turn away from God. He
did not allow the unfortunate events that had befallen him to affect the out
comes of his life; he simply made the best of a bad situation.
•“How” did he come to high status: By using his gift of interpreting dreams,
being diligent and hardworking, being a faithful servant to God, Potipher,
and Pharaoh.
Step 5—Timeline
•Son of Jacob and Rachel (Gen 46:9)
Mary Weymouth
Bible 104-B18
LUO 02/24/2019
•At 17 he receives dreams of which he interprets that he would do greatness. (Gen 37:1-
11)
•His brothers, jealous, sell him into Egypt. (Gen 37:11-28)
•Bought by Potipher and is given charge of Potipher’s house hold. (Gen 39:1-6)
•Joseph is imprisoned due to false accusations (39:20-23)
•Joseph interprets dreams of prisoners (Gen 40:5-19)
•Pharaoh is desperate to find meaning of his own dreams, and he is pointed to Joseph (Gen
41:1-13)
•After Joseph’s interpretations of Pharaoh’s dreams, Pharaoh choses him to “save” Egypt
from the coming famine. Placing him as head of Pharaoh’s House and charged with
overseeing All of Egypt. (Gen 41:33-44) (Joseph is 30yrs when brought to Pharaoh)
•7 years of famine Begins (Gen 41:53-57)
•Brother’s are told to come to Egypt for Egypt has food, Joseph recognizes them
remembering his dream, but they do not know him. Thus, he tests them (Gen 42:1-
16)
•Brother’s do as request of them bringing Benjamin to joseph, but upon their return to
Canaan that they are tried to see if they have changed (Gen 44:1-13)
•When they pass his test, Joseph reveals himself (Gen 45:1-28)
•Pharaoh and joseph bring Jacob and Joseph’s brothers to Goshen & are grated land
(Gen 47:1-12)
•Jacob, Joseph’s father dies (Gen50:1-8)
•Joseph dies (Gen 50:22-26)
Interpretation
Step 6—Determine What Biblical Wisdom Can Be Gained from This Character
•What does he want you to learn about him or her?
oGod is with you even in your darkest hours
oThe way you react and choices you make under life’s pressures determines
your outcome.
•What biblical wisdom can you gather about your character?
oGod blesses and provides to those who follow him.
oGod blesses patience and perseverance in time of hardships
oSomething to be said for honesty and hard work.
oHumility
•How is this wisdom reflected across the span of his or her life?
oJoseph doesn’t take pride in his work, for he gives glory to God.
oJealousy clouded the minds of his brothers, which hurt more people than did
good.
oJoseph showed patience for he knew that one day god will show him his purpose.
oGod shows in the story of Joseph, that he will be provided and bless those who
fallow him. As he blessed and provided for Joseph who in turned did the same
for Egypt and surrounding nations in the time of need.
Mary Weymouth
Bible 104-B18
LUO 02/24/2019
Correlation
Step 7—How Does This Character’s Life Reflect Other Truths Found in the Scriptures?
•How does the character you have studied fit within the collection of characters recorded
in Scripture?
oMost of the characters in scriptures received their calling in a dream/vision.
oGod places these characters with a task, and undergo trails to test their faith
oOnly to fulfill God’s will threw perseverance.
•Furthermore, what does the Bible say about this person’s character traits and actions?
oJoseph shows wisdom, diligence, loyalty, self-control, gratitude, humility,
•How is the wisdom you have uncovered relevant for every human being?
oIn today’s age everyone could benefit from characteristics of Joseph. Many of
us do not show self-control, humility, loyalty, and diligence. Nor do we show
patience. In todays age we are accustomed to everything being almost
instantaneous, but we do not show gratitude or humility.
Step 8—Ask, “How Does This Character’s Life Point Me to Jesus?”
•What elements in this character’s life reflect the grand redemptive narrative of Scripture?
oForgiveness, as when Jacob and Joseph show their forgiveness of the brothers
in Genesis 49:22-50:21
•Are there verses in your study that you find quoted later in the New Testament as pointers
to Christ?
o(2 Tim 3:12) Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall
suffer persecution.
o(Amos 5:14) Seek good, and not evil, that ye may live: and so, the LORD, the God
of hosts, shall be with you, as ye have spoken.
o(James 1:2-4) When all kinds of trials and temptations crowd into your lives my
brothers, don’t treat them as intruders, but welcome them as friends! Realize that
they come to test your faith and to produce in you the quality of endurance. But
let the process go on until that endurance is fully developed, and you will find you
have become men of mature character with the right sort of independence.
•Do the verses contain a promise that is eventually fulfilled by Christ?
oThat the house of Joseph will come to the promise land
•How is your Bible character a part of this promise and fulfillment?
oJoseph is part of the 12 tribes.
•Are there ways in which your character failed but in which we see Christ succeed?
oWhen Joseph’s brothers appeared in Egypt, I believe he held some anger, which
is why he tested them to see that they changed their ways.
Application
Step 9—What Points of Application Can Be Made Using the Four Common Questions?
Mary Weymouth
Bible 104-B18
LUO 02/24/2019
•Is there something from the life of your character that is an action item to heed or a
vice that should be avoided?
oTemptations will come to cross our paths in which must be avoided if we are to
fallow the Lords will. Patience and diligence are examples of how we can show
our faith.
•What responsibilities do you have toward God and toward others based on the life of this
person?
oTo show humility, patience, and perseverance.
•How does the life of Christ provide clarity or further direction with regard to this duty or
responsibility?
oProvides clarity by saying all is possible threw the will of the Lord.
•Is there something in the life of this Bible character that is a picture of Christlikeness?
oHe places his fait into the lord’s hands, so that he may work threw God to
deliver his people.
•If so, how does the Holy Spirit work in your life to develop that character quality, and
what choices can you make to help build that character quality into your life?
oPatience, forgiveness, and faith. By trying to reflect on these more it may
be possible to have more of their qualities.
•What motivated this biblical character?
oHis dreams that he received from God that one day he will do greatness, that
patience and perseverance will show the way of how he would come to serve the
lord.
•Is it something consistent with the will of God as found in the Scriptures?
oYes; All things are possible with God, and God is always with you even in
the darkest of times.
•Is it an ambition or mission that is appropriate for the calling God has placed on every
Christian?
oIt is a mission; fallow and you shall be received and blessed.
•Will following this motivation result in hearing one day, “Well done, good and
faithful servant”?
oBy showing patience, humility and perseverance I believe so.
•What choices did this person make?
oHe made the choice to not be resentful or bitter but to face his woe’s as a
faithful servant.
•Did these choices demonstrate discernment or a lack of it?
oI believe Joseph demonstrates discernment well in all his choices.
•How can you learn to be more discerning in your choices based on this example?
oBy reflecting on how I react and the choices I make. To try and place my
worries into God’s hands for he will help answer them.
•What can you learn from this biblical personality that allows you to better understand
God’s perspective?
oThat God has purpose for us all.
Mary Weymouth
Bible 104-B18
LUO 02/24/2019
References and Cited Work: https:// www.biblegateway.com/passage/?
search=Genesis+37-50&version=KJV
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_(Genesis)
[When Dreams and Heroes Die: Starting Over When It All Falls Apart [Hindson, Ed (2017).
Courageous Faith (p. 49- p. 60). Wordsearch. Retrieved from https://app.wordsearchbible.com.]
[Hindson, Ed & Towns, Elmer L. (2017). Illustrated Bible Survey (p. 35). B&H
Publishing Group. Retrieved from https://app.wordsearchbible.com.]
[Hulshof, Chris & Cartwright, John (2016). Everyday Bible Study (p. 209). B&H Publishing
Group. Retrieved from https://app.wordsearchbible.com.]
https://heartstonejourney.com/7-things-we-can-learn-from-joseph-when-our-life-sucks/
