Village Schools of the Bible

Genesis: A Devotional Study
by Max Frazier, Jr

We continue the story of Joseph. In our last study - Genesis 42 - Joseph was approached by his brothers, coming from Canaan, to purchase food because of the famine. They did not recognize the man with whom they were talking as their brother, but Joseph recognized them. So, now the testing begins to determine whether, after all these years, his brothers have changed any.

Genesis 43

Key Words: "Judah"; "Benjamin"; "Israel"; "Joseph"

Key Verse: Israel, not know the situation, was correct in his prayer for mercy to be given to his sons; they deserved justice - verse 14.

Purpose Statement: All the players are now in Egypt. It was important that Benjamin was there so that Joseph could discern how his brothers treated him, another one dearly loved by his father. Would they hold contempt for Benjamin as they had for him?

Outline: Joseph is Confronted by His Brothers (cont.)

IV. A planned second trip to Egypt (vs. 1-14)
A. Judah's warning (vs. 1-5)
B. Israel's concern (vs. 6)
C. Judah's pledge (vs. 7-10)
D. Israel's reluctance (vs. 11-14)
V. The brothers meet Joseph again (vs. 15-34)
A. The brothers are taken to Joseph's home (vs. 15-17)
B. Their fears expressed (vs. 18-23)
C. They prepare to meet Joseph (vs. 24-25)
D. The meeting (vs. 26-34)

Thoughts to Ponder: A by-product of sin is fear. It was with fear Joseph's brothers returned to Egypt. It was with fear they approached his home. It was with fear they related the saga of the returned money to Joseph's steward. It was with fear they sat at the table for dinner. No peace here. No quiet spirits here. They awaited the order for their arrest and expected to die and not live. Their hearts were troubled with fears that their web of deceit and lies had created. You know, when you get right down to it, sinning is not enjoyable for very long.

Jacob was clinging to his possessions, namely his son Benjamin. It was only after his sons had convinced him that he allowed Benjamin to travel to Egypt. But, according to his statement found in verse 14, I am not convinced that Jacob expected to see his son again. It seems to me that Jacob was still clinging to the remnants of his problem of wanting to control matters. Now he was going to have to trust God. It think that was still difficult for him.

Notice the change of heart in Judah. In Genesis 37:26, he was the spokesman for selling Joseph into slavery. Now, years later, he is the one offering a guarantee for the safety of his brother Benjamin. I do believe that God was already at work in the lives of Joseph's brothers.

Genesis 44

Key Words: "Joseph"; "Judah" (great dialogue between these two brothers)

Key Verse: Verse 16 depicts the true words of Judah for they went far beyond what he knew. They were guilty before God for their treatment of Joseph.

Purpose Statement: This was the final testing of Joseph's brothers. They had grown up since their petty jealousies with him.

Outline: Joseph is Confronted by His Brothers (cont.)

VI. The plot with the silver cup (vs. 1-13)
A. The plot described (vs. 1-2)
B. The plot carried out (vs. 3-13)
VII. The brothers reappear before Joseph (vs. 14-34)
A. Joseph's command (vs. 14-17)
B. Judah pleads for Benjamin (vs. 18-34)

Questions to Probe: Verses 9 and 10 don't seem to coincide. Verse 9 talks about a penalty of death and slavery, while verse 10 describes slavery and freedom. Why the difference?

Thoughts to Ponder: What a change of heart Joseph's brothers now take toward their younger brother Benjamin. They are fully aware that he is their father's favorite. But over the years God had removed their spirit of jealousy. Maybe it was the daily sorrow they saw in the eye of their father that reminded them how hurtful jealousy could be. Maybe it was in knowing that although Joseph was gone their lot in life had not improved. Now, when Benjamin's life is threatened, they did not sell him to the slave merchants. Instead, Judah was willing to sell himself in the place of his brother. Oh the transformation that occurs when God works within a heart.

One can almost hear the anguish in the voice of Judah as he pleads for the freedom of his brother Benjamin. Gone is that arrogant attitude he had concerning Joseph. Then he gladly sold his brother into slavery; now he begs to be a slave himself in the place of his brother. It was this attitude of repentance that signaled Joseph that his brothers, at least Judah, had changed. Perhaps it was for this reason that Judah was chosen to be the one through whom the ultimate substitute for our slavery would come.

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK: Joy is the most infallible sign of the presence of God. (Leon Bloy)

Genesis 42 Return to Table of Contents Genesis 45