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Causes of Division in the Family

Genesis 37:1-36

Introduction:

A. Character God Can Use

B. Destructive Dynamics in a Family

Psalms 133:1 “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!”

Romans 5:20 - Where sin abounded, grace abounded more

I. Jealousy Causes Division (vv. 1–4)

A. Joseph had integrity (v. 2).

B. Joseph was the favorite son (vv. 3–4).

Chuck Swindoll: “passive fathers tend to favor the child who’s easiest to raise”

II. Envy Causes Division (vv. 5–17)

A. Envy and Malice

Titus 3:3; 1 Peter 2:1

B. Should Joseph have told his dreams to the family?

C. Questions (vv. 12–17).

1. Why were Jacob’s sons pasturing their flocks fifty miles from home when there was surely good grassland available closer to Hebron?

2. Why did they return to the dangerous area near Shechem when Jacob’s family had such a bad reputation among the citizens there?

3. Why did Jacob send him out to visit them alone and wearing the special garment that had aggravated them so much?

Psalms 105:17 - “He sent a man before them, even Joseph, who was sold for a servant”

III. Conspiracy Causes Division (vv. 18-30)

A. Conspiracy (vv. 18–24).

B. Indifference (vv. 23–28).

IV. Deception Causes Division (vv. 31-35)

Proverbs . 28:13 - “He who covers his sins will not prosper”

V. God Overrules Division in Families (v. 36)

A. God Meant It For Good

Romans 8:28: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

Daniel 4:35 - “He does as he pleases with the powers of heaven and the peoples of the earth. No one can hold back his hand or say to him: ‘What have you done?’ ”

B. Principles

1. God removes familiar props to lay His foundation.

2. God’s curriculum is seldom one we’d select.

3. God prepares people before He uses them.

4. God never leaves us alone.

5. God is determined to move your trust to Him alone.

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