Look Up: 35 Days to Finding Hope in Dark PlacesSample

Joseph, in the Old Testament, was the son of the patriarch Jacob and his wife Rachel. As Jacob’s name became synonymous with all Israel, Joseph was eventually equated with all the tribes that made up the northern kingdom. Joseph's story is told in Genesis (37–50).

Joseph, the most beloved of Jacob’s sons, is hated by his envious brothers. Angry and jealous of Jacob’s gift to Joseph, a resplendent “coat of many colors,” the brothers seize him and sell him to a party of Ishmaelites, or Midianites, who carry him to Egypt. There Joseph eventually gains the favour of the pharaoh of Egypt by his interpretation of a dream and obtains a high place in the pharaoh’s kingdom. His acquisition of grain supplies enables Egypt to withstand a famine. Driven by the same famine, his brothers' journey from Canaan to Egypt to obtain food. They prostrate themselves before Joseph but do not recognize him. After Joseph achieves a reconciliation with his brothers, he invites Jacob’s whole household to come to Goshen in Egypt, where a settlement is provided for the family and their flocks. His brothers’ sale of Joseph into slavery thus proves providential in the end, since it protected the family from famine. The family’s descendants grew and multiplied into the Hebrews, who would eventually depart from Egypt for Israel.

This week, we're going to spend time studying the life of Joseph and the "pit" of broken dreams.

Throughout these 35 days, we're studying with the S.O.A.P. method. If you're not familiar, each day you will have space to read scripture, make observations, look for the application, and take time to pray. 

Scripture: Take time reading and allow God to speak to you. 

Observation: What struck you and caught your attention in what you read? What do you think God is saying to you in this scripture? 

Application: Ask yourself how you can apply this to your life right now. 

Prayer: This can be as simple as asking God to help you use this scripture or even a prayer for a greater insight on what He may be revealing to you.