1. Part 5: Struggling with God Molded for Greatness: The Story of Joseph

2. Note: The dramatic presentation that follows is amplified for effect, and includes some conjecture, speculation and embellishment of the bible narrative. In order to best understand the story and its lessons, listeners should read the narrative for themselves.

3. Part 5: Struggling with God Molded for Greatness: The Story of Joseph

4. #1: When we are __________, we often foolishly ___________ that which becomes _____________ when we are older. It is _______ during our youth to be ___________ about what we don’t yet _______________. young despise valuable wise cautious understand

5. “The LORD your God gave me success.”

6. “Ah, the smell of my son is like the smell of a field that the LORD has blessed. May God give you heaven’s dew and earth’s richness, an abundance of grain and new wine.

7. “May nations serve you and peoples bow down to you. Be lord over your brothers, and may the sons of your mother bow down to you. May those who curse you be cursed, and those who bless you be blessed.”

8. #2: In what ways do we _________ our _________? Do we really believe that the _______ justifies the _________? Do we not ________ God to achieve His _______ for us in a way that _________ Him? justify deceit end means trust best honors

9. “Your dwelling will be away from the earth’s richness, away from the dew of heaven above. You will live by the sword and you will serve your brother.

10. “But when you grow restless, you will throw his yoke from off your neck.”

11. “I am the LORD, the God of your father Abraham and the God of Isaac. I will give you and your descendants the land on which you are lying.

12. “Your descendants will be like the dust of the earth, and you will spread out to the west and to the east, to the north and to the south. All peoples on earth will be blessed through you and your offspring.

13. “I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.”

14. “Surely the LORD is in this place!

15. “This is awesome! This is none other than the house of God, the gate of heaven.” Beth-el

16. #3: Have I ________________ the ____________ of God? In what times or places have I said, “Surely the ________ is in this ________!”? experienced presence Lordplace

18. “O God of my fathers Abraham and Isaac, O LORD…

19. “…I am unworthy of all the kindness and faithfulness You have shown…

20. “…Save me, I pray, from my brother Esau…”

21. “Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and men and have overcome.”

22. #4: When we are ____________ by the Lord, we are _____________ forever. From that time our ___________ is defined by God, not by our _______ or our __________________. touched changed identity past preconceptions