◄ Genesis 37:22 ►
"Do not shed his blood. Throw him into this pit in the wilderness, but do not lay a hand on him." Reuben said this so that he could rescue Joseph from their hands and return him to his father. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Genesis 37:22? 2. How does Reuben's suggestion in Genesis 37:22 demonstrate his leadership qualities? 3. What does Genesis 37:22 reveal about Reuben's intentions toward Joseph's well-being? 4. How can Reuben's actions in Genesis 37:22 inspire us to protect others today? 5. Compare Reuben's plan in Genesis 37:22 with other biblical examples of peacemaking. 6. How does Genesis 37:22 encourage us to intervene in situations of potential harm? 7. Why did Reuben suggest not killing Joseph in Genesis 37:22? 8. How does Genesis 37:22 reflect Reuben's character and leadership? 9. What theological significance does Reuben's intervention hold in Genesis 37:22? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Genesis 37? 11. Who was Reuben in the Bible? 12. (Genesis 37:25-28) How plausible is it that Midianites and Ishmaelites are used interchangeably here without creating confusion about who purchased Joseph? 13. Psalm 40:2 - How can we reconcile the 'pit of destruction' metaphor with a literal historical event or location, given the lack of evidence for David's confinement in such a pit? 14. What are examples of miracles in the Bible? Discussion Questions 1. How does Reuben's intervention in Genesis 37:22 reflect the role of conscience in making moral decisions? Can you think of a time when you had to stand up for what was right? 2. In what ways does Joseph's experience in the pit foreshadow his future role in Egypt? How does this encourage you to trust God's plan in your own life? 3. How do Reuben's intentions to save Joseph compare to other biblical figures who acted with good intentions? What can we learn from their accounts? 4. How can we apply the lessons of family dynamics and responsibility from this passage to our own family relationships? 5. Reflect on a time when envy affected your actions or relationships. How can the account of Joseph and his brothers guide you in overcoming envy? Genesis 37 Bible Study Questions 1. How does favoritism impact family dynamics, as seen in this chapter? 2. How can dreams be interpreted in the context of this story, and how might we interpret dreams in our own lives? 3. If you were Joseph, would you have shared your dreams? Why or why not? 4. How do you understand the brothers' reaction to Joseph's dreams? How do you handle jealousy in your life? 5. If you were in Reuben's position, how would you handle the situation differently? 6. What motivations led to Judah suggesting the sale of Joseph? How do we justify actions that might not be morally right? 7. Consider the brothers' decision to deceive their father. Have there been times when you have deceived someone to cover a mistake? How did that affect you and the person involved? 8. How did Jacob's reaction to Joseph's supposed death influence the family's dynamics? 9. How does this chapter show the possible consequences of jealousy and resentment? 10. If you were Joseph, how would you react to the situation in Egypt? 11. How might Joseph's journey to Egypt fit into God's larger plan? 12. Can good ever emerge from betrayal? Can you provide any examples from your own life? 13. How does this chapter address the theme of resilience in the face of adversity? 14. What lessons can we learn from Jacob's grief? 15. How can one maintain faith in times of despair, as experienced by Joseph and Jacob? 16. What lessons about conflict resolution can we learn from this narrative? 17. How does this chapter highlight the theme of divine providence? 18. Compare and contrast Joseph's brothers' treatment of him with the ideal of brotherly love. How can this inform our relationships with our own siblings? 19. What could Joseph's story teach us about perseverance in the face of hardship? 20. How does this story speak to issues of forgiveness and reconciliation that will come later in Joseph's life? Links Genesis 37:22 NIV Genesis 37:22 NLT Genesis 37:22 ESV Genesis 37:22 NASB Genesis 37:22 KJV Genesis 37:22 Commentaries Bible Hub