July.9 2023: Family Worship Service: Old Testament (3) : "A Life of Trust in God - Joseph”　

Today, we will talk about the story of Joseph. He is Abraham's great-grandson. Do you remember? Who was Joseph's father?

Jacob, right? Let me think. How many children did Jacob have? I think he had 12. But I wonder if he had any daughters?

I think Jacob had daughters too. However, the only one mentioned in the Bible is Dinah. Her mother was Leah. Bilhah was Rachel's slave, and Zilpah was Leah's slave. Jacob had a total of 12 sons. The ten sons of Jacob form the 12 tribes of Israel, and Joseph's two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim, also contribute to the tribes. Levi is not counted as one of the 12 tribes because they were responsible for rituals. The tribe of Levi leads to Aaron and Moses, and Jesus would be born from the tribe of Judah.

When I was young, my dad used to tell me Bible stories in bed every night after we prayed. My favorite one was the story of Joseph. But it was so long that I would always fall asleep in the middle of it.

Mom used to tell us Bible stories when we were little, but you always fell asleep first, so we never heard the end of the story.

Mom must have been tired because she worked so hard every day.

Well, let's start with some praise and watch a video.

Now, tell me what impressed you the most in this story today.

Joseph was a clever child from a young age, but he was favored and spoiled by his father, Jacob, wasn't he? So I don't think it was good that he ignored his brothers. However, as he grew up and even though he held a high position in Egypt, he remained humble, acknowledging, "It is not what I did, but what God did." He demonstrated humility. It's inspiring to see how a person who overcomes trials can transform into a great individual.

Yes, that's right. Maybe that's what true humility means.

When I look at the people and customs in the Bible, they are very different from today. Women and children were often ignored during that time. It seemed as though women were only for bearing children. It was a male-dominated society. However, that's not the main theme here.

James is correct. In those days, polygamy was the norm. When we read the Bible, we need to consider the historical context of that era. Just because we say, "The Bible is true," doesn't always mean that everything written word for word aligns with God's will. We should be cautious.

Joseph remained calm throughout all the trials he faced, didn't he? He never panicked, even though it must have been incredibly difficult. I don't know if I could endure such challenges.

Grace, I feel the same way. Many things happen in our lives, both good and unfortunate. We encounter situations that seem insurmountable. Sometimes, you might feel frustrated because your mother and father don't fully understand you. We are your parents, but we can't always protect you perfectly, and we make mistakes too. Joseph's brothers almost killed him, people betrayed him, and things didn't go as he expected. However, God protected him and used him in His plan to restore family ties and establish the 12 tribes of Israel.

Exactly. No person is perfect, and even if you have a loving family, it doesn't mean everything will be okay. Problems arise one after another. Each person has different values and lives a unique life. In other words, it's not always possible to live a good life. That's why it's crucial to trust in God and Jesus, praying to them and having conversations as we move forward. Let us always remember that God doesn't send trials or sorrow, but He gives each one of us meaning, helps us grow, and reveals His love. Sophia, will you pray for us today?

Yes, I will pray. Dear God, thank you for blessing us with such a beautiful day today. We are truly grateful. Please help the people in the areas affected by the disasters caused by heavy rain. Grant us the faith to trust in You, just like Joseph did. In Jesus' name, Amen.