12 Jan 2022
GOD USED JOSEPH
GENESIS 42:1-50:26
KEY VERSE 45:5
** JOSEPH'S LOVE (42:1-45:2)
Read 42:1-9. Why did Jacob send 10 of his sons to Egypt (1-5)? Why did he not send Benjamin? When his 10 brothers bowed down to him, what did Joseph remember (9)? What does this show about him?
Read 42:7-23. How did he begin to serve God's will? Describe the way he drove them to the corner (7-20). How did they respond to this (21-23)?
When Joseph heard them, what did he do (24,25)? What does this show about him?
Read 43:1-14. Why did Jacob have to send his sons with Benjamin to Egypt again? Who persuaded him to send Benjamin?
Read 43:15-34. When they arrived in Egypt with Benjamin, how did Joseph receive them? Why were they so frightened (15-22)? How did the steward reassure them? Describe their meeting with Joseph (26-30). Describe the banquet in Joseph's house.
Read 44:1-17. What serious problem did Joseph create for his brothers as they were leaving Egypt (44:1-13)? How did the brothers respond to the crisis? What was Joseph's response (17)?
Read verses 18 through 34. What was the reason Judah pleaded for Benjamin so earnestly (27-31; 34)? Instead, what other solution did he suggest? What was Joseph's response to Judah's plea (45:1,2)? Think about Joseph's love, which led his brothers to repentance and God who used him to raise up 12 sons of Jacob to be 12 tribes of Israel.
** JOSEPH'S FAITH (45:3-28)
Read verses 5 through 8. How did Joseph see the tragedy of his life of being sold as a slave? How do you characterize his faith?
Skim through 46:1-47:12. How many members of Jacob's family went to Egypt (27)? How did Joseph help his family practically?
** JOSEPH'S STEWARDSHIP (47:13-26)
How long had the famine ravaged the land when Joseph's family came to live in Egypt (45:11)? How did he serve starving people during the famine? How did the people respond to his treatment?
** JOSEPH'S HOPE (49:29-50:26)
How many years did Jacob live in Egypt (47:28)? What was his last will (49:29-32)? How many years had Joseph been as prime minister in Egypt (50:22)? What was his last will (50:24-26)?