Joseph is Reconciled to His Brothers Genesis 43

Joseph is Reconciled to His Brothers Genesis 43: 1 - 45: 5 Presented by Bob De. Waay May 21, 2006

Genesis 43: 1 -10 The famine forces Jacob to send for more food. n Judah reminds Jacob that what Jacob refused to do earlier (send Benjamin) will be necessary. n Jacob is unreasonable and blames his sons. n Judah takes action to save his family. n

Jacob Decides to Send Them n Genesis 43: 11, 12 Then their father Israel said to them, “If it must be so, then do this: take some of the best products of the land in your bags, and carry down to the man as a present, a little balm and a little honey, aromatic gum and myrrh, pistachio nuts and almonds. And take double the money in your hand, and take back in your hand the money that was returned in the mouth of your sacks; perhaps it was a mistake. ”

Jacob Puts his Sons in God’s Hands n Genesis 43: 13, 14 “Take your brother also, and arise, return to the man; and may God Almighty grant you compassion in the sight of the man, that he may release to your other brother and Benjamin. And as for me, if I am bereaved of my children, I am bereaved. ”

Back to Egypt with Benjamin n Genesis 43: 15 So the men took this present, and they took double the money in their hand, and Benjamin; then they arose and went down to Egypt and stood before Joseph.

Genesis 43: 16 - 25 Joseph orders that his brothers be brought to his house. n The brothers imagine the worst. n They tell their story to Joseph’s steward. n The steward reassures them and brings them to Joseph’s house and extends courtesy to them. n

Genesis 43: 26 - 34 Again they bow before Joseph. n They still do not know it is Joseph as he enquires about the family’s welfare. n Joseph is moved to tears, but weeps privately so as not to reveal his identity yet. n The brothers are served separately by Egyptian custom. n Joseph shows favor to Benjamin n

Genesis 44: 1 - 13 Joseph has his silver cup planted in Benjamin’s sack. n Joseph had his brothers set up. n The steward confronts them. n The brothers assure him of their innocence. n They offer slavery and death if they are guilty. n To their horror, the cup is in Benjamin’s sack. n

Genesis 44: 14 - 17 n The brothers still feel their guilt: “God has found out the iniquity of your servants. ” n Joseph expresses willingness to let them go and keep Benjamin as a slave.

Judah’s Impassioned Speech Genesis 44: 18 – 31 n He explains Jacob’s deep love for Benjamin. n Joseph finds out that his father thinks he has been torn to pieces. n Judah says that if they do not bring back Benjamin, Jacob will die in horrible sorrow. n

Judah Offers to be a Substitute n Genesis 44: 32, 33 “For your servant became surety for the lad to my father, saying, ‘If I do not bring him back to you, then let me bear the blame before my father forever. ’ Now, therefore, please let your servant remain instead of the lad a slave to my lord, and let the lad go up with his brothers. ”

This Family Has Been Changed n Genesis 44: 34 “For how shall I go up to my father if the lad is not with me, lest I see the evil that would overtake my father? ”

Joseph Reveals His Identity n Genesis 45: 1, 2 Then Joseph could not control himself before all those who stood by him, and he cried, “Have everyone go out from me. ” So there was no man with him when Joseph made himself known to his brothers. And he wept so loudly that the Egyptians heard it, and the household of Pharaoh heard of it.

Joseph Reveals His Identity n Genesis 45: 3, 4 Then Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph! Is my father still alive? ” But his brothers could not answer him, for they were dismayed at his presence. Then Joseph said to his brothers, “Please come closer to me. ” And they came closer. And he said, “I am your brother Joseph, whom you sold into Egypt. ”

Joseph Holds no Anger Toward His Brothers n Genesis 45: 5 And now do not be grieved or angry with yourselves, because you sold me here; for God sent me before you to preserve life.

Applications We must trust God because the future is unknown. n If we trust God, He will change us through His providential dealings. n We see the meaning of God’s providence after the fact, not before. n

We Must Trust God Because the Future is Unknown. n James 4: 13, 14 Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow, we shall go to such and such a city, and spend a year there and engage in business and make a profit. ” Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away.

God’s Providential Will is Unknown Until Revealed Through History n James 4: 15 Instead, you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we shall live and also do this or that. ”

God’s Providential Dealings are Designed to Change Us n James 5: 11 Behold, we count those blessed who endured. You have heard of the endurance of Job and have seen the outcome of the Lord's dealings, that the Lord is full of compassion and is merciful.

Seeing the Meaning of Providence After the Fact n Genesis 50: 20 “And as for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive. ”