Seventeen to Forty-Nine
The Life of Joseph
Genesis 37-50

Written by Rev Tom J Halls

There are many documents from the second millennium BC, which supply the backdrop to the life of Joseph, son of Jacob (Israel). All three synoptic Gospels of the New Testament speak of the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob Exodus 3:6. When announcing the Gospels to Jews in the first century AD, Peter and Stephen both mention Jacob (Acts 3:13 and 7:12, 14-16). Paul, explaining God's election and purpose in nation building, draws on the Genesis account of Jacob's birth and experiences. (Romans 9:11-13 and 11:26) Jacob appears among the heroes of the faith in the Letter to the Hebrew. (Hebrews 11:9 and 20-21) Our Lord Jesus Christ refers to feasting with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the Kingdom of Heaven Matthew 8:11.

Twenty five percent of the Book of Genesis is given over to the life of Jacob, son of Isaac, grandson of Abraham. Branded by circumcision, as a son of the covenant made by God with Abraham, Jacob takes his place as a vital link in the fulfilment of God's plan for his chosen people.

Like any believe in the living God, Jacob sometimes proved more faithful to his divine calling and covenant responsibility, than at other times, As a parent he failed badly, The dysfunctional relationship which dominate the activities recorded in Genesis chapters 37 to 50, can be traced back to Jacob's obsession: first with one son, Joseph, the with another, Benjamin. It is a miserable store for his other children, relieved only by the unfolding mercy of God, preceding and following after his people; surrounding them with love. Believers from dysfunctional families can take heart from the provision God made for this servant Joseph.

Joseph was spoiled by his father, hatefully abused by his brothers, sexually harassed by Potiphar's wife, and downsized and forgotten by the bureaucracy of ancient Egypt. With experiences like that, who could blame him, if he had been cruel and unforgiving? Certainly no post-modernist court would condemn him. Yet, by the grace of God, Joseph rose above these trials and temptations. He is a model of that lifestyle Jesus prayer would be evident in his disciples. They are to live out their lives in the world, but they are not to be in sympathy with the aims of the world, where men and women try to exist without reference to God. I hope this volume 2will help followers of Jesus, especially any who have suffered like Joseph, to clarify this goal, and achieve it, in their lifetime.

Rev Tom Halls

The Vital Years is priced at:

• $A 6.95 + $4.00 PH for 1 copy
• $A 6.50 per copy + $7.00 PH for 5 copies
• $A 6.00 per copy + $10.00 PH for 10 copies
• $A 5.00 per copy + $20.00 PH for 50 copies

Order your copy of The Vital Years today - just download and print a copy of our Books Order Form. Once you have filled in the form please post it with your payment (cheque or money order) to St Peters Church, 187 Princes Highway, St Peters NSW 2044.