Gen4-4

1. How COULD Joseph have used his position with these brothers?

2. How can you account for his generous and forgiving attitude towards his

brothers?

3. How had he actually got there?

C. Comment :

This must be one of the most remarkable and lovely passages in the Old Testament. After Judah has shown his willingness to give his life for Benjamin's, Joseph just cannot contain himself anymore. He sends his servants out and then just weeps with joy and pleasure and happiness at the wonder of these "new" brothers of his. At this his brothers' reaction is exactly the opposite. They realise what they deserve and the power Joseph now has to do it! They are terrified! They fully expect him to take vengeance on them, for that would be the natural thing to happen!

But the wonder continues. Instead of bitter anger and revenge Joseph goes to great lengths to put them at ease and not feel bad about it. His explanation is truly incredible. Three times he says that it was God who brought him here. This was all God's doing. It is amazing what God has done in this man's heart! There is purity of heart in the revelation of the purposes of God and not an ounce of recrimination.

D. Application?

1. Ask the Lord, if you can't see it, to open the eyes of your heart to see the

wonder of what He has done in the heart of Joseph.

2. If you look back on bad times, ask the Lord to transform your

understanding to see His purposes.

Chapter: Genesis 45

Passage: Genesis 45:9-20

A. Find Out:

1. To whom does Joseph send them? v.9

2. Where does he say they can live? v.10

3. How many years of famine are to come? v.11

4. How did he express his joy? v.14,15

5. What did Pharaoh feel? v.16

6. What did he say could happen? 17-20

B. Think :

1. How were Joseph and Pharaoh of the same heart?

2. What must Pharaoh have felt about Joseph to have responded in the way

he did?

3. What sort of future was being offered to Jacob and his family?

C. Comment :

Joseph's joy is overflowing. He has had to reveal himself to his brothers and now all his feelings for them pour out into the open. All he wishes to do is bless them, and he's in the position to do that as President of Egypt. The obvious thing is for old Jacob and all the family to come to Egypt and see out the famine there with plentiful provision. In particular his joy over seeing his closest brother also bubbles over with a burst of joyful weeping. In all of this there is not a speck of feeling against the brothers. He holds nothing against them for the past. When we are in a position of security and blessing, it is always easier to forgive others the past.

Finally we see Pharaoh's reaction when he hears Joseph's brothers have come. His response is instant. He too sees that it is obvious for the family to come and live in Egypt. His feeling for Joseph is obviously one that says "Well, you have blessed me. Let me bless your family". How tremendous! The effect Joseph has had on this mighty ruler is obvious and now he is reaping his reward in full! This is a story about the sovereign will of God working to bring blessing to all involved - but then that is His intention all the time!

D. Application?

1. Ask the Lord to help you have to sort of forgiving heart that Joseph had,

towards ANYONE who has wronged you in the past (see Matthew

6:12,14,15)

2. Receive and thank Him for His grace.

Chapter: Genesis 45

Passage: Genesis 45:21-28

A. Find Out:

1. What did Joseph give each of them? v.21,22a

2. What did he give Benjamin? v.22b

3. What did he send his father? v.23

4. What did he instruct them not to do? v.24

5. What was Jacob's first response? v.26

6. What convinced him? v.27,28

B. Think :

1. Why would Jacob have found it so hard to believe the news?

2. How had Joseph provided for this eventuality?

3. If we were not sure about it before, what do the provisions say about

Joseph's position?

C. Comment :

Joseph provides them with all they will need to respond to Pharaoh's command. They have carts to transport their families and all their belongings back to Egypt, provisions to see them home and back, new clothes as befit the family of Egypt's ruler, special riches for Benjamin and many presents for Jacob. Perhaps Joseph realised that Jacob would have a hard time believing the brothers and so provided such abundance for them that he couldn't do anything but believe! Whichever way it was, he blessed them with great abundance.

When the brothers return home, Jacob does have big problems believing that Joseph is alive. For years and years he has grieved the loss of his favourite son, and now he's told that that the one who was dead is alive! It is no wonder that it is a problem to him, but the evidence before his eyes convinces him, it MUST be true! Many people today have difficulty believing that the one who was dead is now alive, Jesus!

D. Application?

1. Do we have a problem believing that God wants to bless us with great

    abundance? Then look up the following verses: 2 Corinthians 9:8 /

    Ephesians 1:18,19 / Matthew 16:27 / Mark 10:29,30

2. Were you disappointed? Ask the Lord to cleanse your heart of

    materialism and help you seek first His kingdom (Matthew 6:33 )

Chapter: Genesis 46

Passage: Genesis 46:1-7,26,27

A. Find Out:

1. When did the Lord speak to Israel ? v.1,2

2. How did the Lord speak to Israel ? v.2

3. What did the Lord tell Israel NOT to be? v.3

4. What 3 reasons did he give for this? v.3,4

5. Who went with Jacob to Egypt ? v.5-7

6. How many "Israelites" ended up in Egypt ? v.27

B. Think :

1. How does Jacob's relationship with the Lord differ from that which Joseph

has with the Lord?

2. What does that say about Jacob?

3. What does this passage reveal about God's overall purposes?

C. Comment :

As Jacob leaves the land of his fathers he pauses on the way to offer a sacrifice to the Lord, a sign of his desire for ongoing relationship with the Lord. In response the Lord comes and speaks with him in a vision to encourage him. In all that we have seen of Joseph, we have never seen the Lord communicate directly with him in such a way. Joseph dreamed prophetic dreams, had interpretation of prophetic dreams and had wisdom to know what to do in response.

In one sense we could say he moved very clearly in the revelatory gifts of the Spirit, but nowhere do we see the same intimacy of contact that the Lord had with Jacob. Jacob and Joseph are both special men, but Jacob has prevailed with God (Genesis 32:28) and has a special place in God's heart. The Lord makes clear to Jacob that he need not fear leaving the land. Why? The Lord will do great things with them there and will be with him and bring him back. What greater reassurances could Jacob ask for, that the Lord will be with him to bless him. This is the greatest reassurance any of us can ask for!

D. Application?

1. Are you filled with the Spirit and moving in the gifts of the Spirit? (1

Corinthians 12:7-11)

2. More than this, do you have a "personal encounter" relationship with the

Lord?

Chapter: Genesis 46

Passage: Genesis 46:28-34

A. Find Out:

1. Who did Jacob trust to go ahead? v.28

2. What did Joseph do when he met Jacob again? v.29

3. What did Jacob say he was now ready to do? v.30

4. When describing them, what 2 occupations did Joseph say he would mention to

Pharaoh? v.32

5. Which one did he say to emphasise? v.34a

6. Why? 34c

B. Think :

1. How would you describe the reunion of Joseph and Jacob?

2. How is Joseph seen to be a diplomat?

3. Who is clearly still the most powerful man in Egypt ?

C. Comment :

As they near Egypt, Judah is given the task of going ahead to find out where Joseph wanted them. At their meeting Joseph is so moved at finding his father again that he weeps long and loud. Jacob is so relieved at finding his long lost son still alive, he feels there is no other blessing he can look forward to in life, he has it all now! He is ready to die, he says. After the initial reunion, Joseph tries to prepare his family to meet Pharaoh, the ultimate ruler over all Egypt and therefore, at the present time, the most influential man in what we call the Middle East. The problem they have to face is that Egyptians are not sheep keepers; in fact they detest shepherds - and Jacob has plenty of sheep! So says Joseph, we'll tell the truth but emphasise that which will be more acceptable to Pharaoh.

Note that Joseph doesn't try to deceive Pharaoh. He is too righteous for that! The truth can be spoken in palatable ways! We see another side of righteousness in Joseph now, in what we might call diplomacy, caring for the feelings of the one over him. There is a wisdom and grace seen in him that should be an example to us.

D. Application?

1. We are told to speak the truth in love (Eph 4:15 ). Do we speak the truth

with gentleness and sensitivity caring for those we speak it to?

2. Ask God for wisdom in the way you speak.

RECAP - "Joseph's Reunon" - Genesis Chapters 45 & 46

SUMMARY :

In these 5 studies we have seen:

- Joseph revealing himself to his brothers & their fear

- Pharaoh's welcome

- the brothers returning to Jacob

- Jacob being persuaded to come

- Jacob meeting with God on the way

- Jacob reunited with Joseph

- Joseph preparing the family to meet Pharaoh

COMMENT :

Joseph eventually tells his brothers who he is and then overcomes their fears. His only concern if for their welfare. He is a model example of forgiveness and reconciliation.

When they bring old Jacob back with them the Lord meets with Jacob on the way and encourages him, and we see the Lord's love and care expressed for this elderly believer.

The word that perhaps encompasses all that happens here is 'reassurance'. Joseph goes to great lengths to reassure his brothers and reassure his father. The Lord comes to Jacob to reassure him about the future. The Lord wants us to live in peace, and part of that comes with reassurance.

LESSONS :

1. God wants forgiveness to flourish in us

2. He wants us to understand that nothing in our past is wasted for His purposes

3. The Lord wants to bless us in abundance

4. We are to speak the truth always in love, being sensitive to those to whom we speak.

PRAY :

Ask the Lord again, to open the eyes of your understanding to see His purposes at work in your life, in both the good things and bad things that happen.

PART 5 : Joseph's Last Days

In this last Part look particularly to see the sort of man Joseph has become. Remember the spoilt brat he once was and marvel at the wonder of God's love and grace that can bring such a change.