ASENATH

Learn: I Peter 1:7-9 

That the trial of your faith, being more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ. Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now you see him not; yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory. Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.

This lesson includes much reading, in order that we not leave out any of the vital history of Israel, whose women we continue to study. The Bible tells the story of God’s working with the nation of Israel (men and women), leading to the coming of our Savior. There is only a short discussion of one woman, Asenath, in this lesson. But it is important to know the context of a particular portion of the Scripture in order to understand the women that are part of its history. 

Read: Genesis 40:1-23 

1.What position was Joseph given by Pharaoh?  vv 40-41

2. Find and record a verse in this chapter that gives the reason why Pharaoh gave Joseph this important position.

3. What were the items given to Joseph by Pharaoh to make everyone aware the position that Joseph now held in Egypt?  vv 42, 43

4. Joseph was of alien background, what 2 things did Pharaoh do to confer, insofar as possible, Egyptian citizenship and social status on Joseph, making it easier for him to be accepted as second ruler by the Egyptian people? v 45

5. What does Scripture tell concerning the religious beliefs that Asenath grew up with?   v 45b

NOTE: We can only assume that Joseph, being a man whose whole life was dedicated to the LORD, would not have consented to such a marriage unless he was assured that Asenath would leave her pagan ways and trust in the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Knowing how God had guided Joseph,  and had been with him through all his trials, we would also assume that the LORD had been working in this young lady’s heart prior to their marriage.

6. Asenath gave Joseph 2 sons. What was the name of each son, and what was the meaning of the names that they were given?   vv 50-52

NOTE: There is no further mention of Asenath in the Bible, but that does not mean that her role in Israel was insignificant. Her husband Joseph received a double portion from his father Israel (a portion for his son Ephraim and a portion for his son Manasseh), so that when the nation came into the Promised Land under the leadership of Joshua, they each received a portion of land with their own name ( i.e. the tribe of Ephraim and the tribe of Manasseh), rather than one portion of land under their father Joseph’s name, as the other sons of Jacob did. 

7. Read: Genesis 42: 1-38 Joseph tested his brothers severely to know whether they were changed men or if they had continued in their envy and hatred. Choose and record what you consider an important verse from this chapter.

8. Read: Genesis 43:1-34 Find a verse that speaks about Judah taking leadership and responsibility in the family of Jacob as seen in this chapter. 

9. Read: Genesis 44:1-34 Find a verse in this chapter that shows that there had been a change in attitude of Joseph’s brothers from the past time when they were willing to kill him, and then sold him into slavery.

10. Find a verse in this chapter that shows again the leadership and godly character of Judah.

11. Read: Genesis 45:1-28 Record a verse or 2 that shows the repentance of the brothers, and the healing of relationship that God had accomplished in the hearts of the brothers during the years while Joseph had been in Egypt. 

12. Read: Genesis 46:1-34 What verse indicates Jacob’s contentment? 

13. Read: Genesis 47:1-31 What did Jacob’s blessing of Pharaoh indicate?    Also see Hebrews 7:4-7, especially note verse 7.

14. Read: Genesis 48:1-22 Who was the basis of the blessing that Jacob gave to his sons and grandsons?

15. What 3 descriptions did Jacob use to define the God that he knew and worshipped?   vv 15, 16a

16. Read: Genesis 49:1-33     In blessing his 12 sons, Jacob took into account (by God’s direction) their characters and in the case of the 3 oldest, past acts of willful wickedness. Judah, the 4th son was given the blessing. The blessing is recorded in verses 8-12, Use these verses, as well knowledge from Scripture that you have concerning Jesus our Savior, to point out some of what is meant by the “blessing” as promised to Abraham which was “that the whole world would be blessed through him.”

17. Read: Genesis 50:1-26 Record the verse that shows Joseph’s complete trust in the LORD through all the difficult circumstances that he faced.

18. Record the verse that shows that Joseph had completely forgiven his brothers for the anguish they brought to his life.