Christ-Light Connections: Joseph Is Made Ruler & The First Journey of Joseph’s Brothers

The theme of this week is God uses what is bad and sad in our lives for his good purpose. Not only will we see that play out in the life of Joseph, but also in the lives of Jacob’s family and for the nations. In spite of the sin that has saturated mankind and creation, God ultimately controls the destiny of all. 

OT Set 1 10A

Joseph Is Made Ruler (Genesis 41:1-57)

Context

Last week, we left Joseph hopeless in prison. The memory of his childhood dreams must have mocked him. What had been the purpose of his dreams and the dreams of his fellow prisoners? They only brought him hatred from his brothers or created a sense of false hope.

Big Themes

Pharoah’s Dreams and Joseph’s Interpretation (Genesis 41:14-32)

Who is in charge here? You may have learned from Egyptian history that pharaohs were regarded as diety. As Pharaoh’s dreams remained a mystery, God created a situation to make Pharaoh feel powerless and in need of authority outside of himself.

Enter Joseph.

Upon arrival, Joseph immediately gives all credit to God. The Hebrew indicates that Joseph calls God, the God. In a sense, Joseph is proclaiming that he is the “one true God.”

Conversation Starter:

• How does Joseph act as a missionary?
• Many ask, “Why did God only reveal himself Israel?” How do you see God’s revelation and mercy among the nations in this story?

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Joseph’s Rise to Power (Genesis 41:33-45)

Joseph is now 30 years old. He has been in Egypt for 13 years. He is a Hebrew, former slave, and prisoner. Likely it would have been strange and controversial for Pharoah to appoint him to such a high position. The signet ring, fine clothing, parade, Egyptian wife, and name change gave Joseph a new identity that solidifies his position.

Conversation Starters:

• Reflect on Joseph’s past: How had God prepared him to be a ruler in Egypt?
• Joseph certainly faced many temptations in his sufferings, what temptations do you think he faced as an Egyptian ruler married to the daughter of a priest?

Joseph’s Children (Genesis 41:50-52)

Joseph’s two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim are born. These names are Hebrew and their meanings point to God. They reveal that Joseph has kept his faith. Both names reflect back on the sufferings of his past. One commentator put the best construction on this saying that Joseph has truly forgiven his family and has healed. Another commentator said that this is a symptom that Joseph has not yet healed. If Joseph had truly “forgotten” he would have not have given his children names that reminded him of his sufferings every time he said them. In either case, God would soon orchestrate events so that full restoration could take place.

Conversation Starter:

• What is the difference between forgiveness and restoration?

Digging Deeper

The Seeds of Faith resource provides context and deeper connections.

In 40 Minutes in the Old Testament, two episodes cover the content.

• Genesis 41 begins about halfway through Episode 51. Joseph is finally invited to appear before Pharoah to interpret the dreams.
• Episode 52: Joseph’s rise to power and lying to himself about forgetting his family. Famine has struck and the craziest family reunion ever is happening. “Old guilt gathers no rust.

OT Set 1 10B

The First Journey of Joseph’s Brothers — Genesis 42:1-38

Context

Now we transition back to the house of Jacob. The famine has indeed affected the whole land. The emerging nation of Israel was in need of rescue, not just from starvation, but also from the guilt of their sin.

Big Themes

Jacob did not send Benjamin (Genesis 42:4)

Are we surprised that Jacob has a new favorite son? Maybe not. What may be surprising is how the brothers care for and treat Benjamin in the coming chapters compared to their treatment of Joseph.

Harsh treatment from Joseph (Genesis 42:6-20)

As Joseph’s brothers bowed before him (Genesis 42:6) his prophetic childhood dreams were fulfilled. But Joseph was not so quick to speak of his dreams this time. Joseph interrogates, terrifies, and threatens the brothers who sold him into slavery. Is it fair to say that Joseph has mixed motivations for the harsh treatment of his family? Joseph is, like us, both sinner and saint at the same time. He may have been motivated by mixed desires for revenge, forgiveness, and love all intertwined together.

I do think it is safe to say that Joseph wanted more information. Was his father alive? Was Benjamin safe from his jealous brothers? Had the brothers changed? Did they feel remorse?

Conversation Starters:

• Was Joseph wrong to treat his brothers the way he did? Why or why not?
• How does God want us to treat people who have hurt us?
• We fail at forgiveness all the time; how did Jesus show forgiveness to his enemies? (This is not a what would Jesus do question, but one that points us to vicarious atonement, Christ fulfilling the law for us.

Guilt and shame (Genesis 43:21-22)

These verses reveal that the weight of the brother’s sin against Joseph has been haunting them for the past 20 years. They fully acknowledge guilt and are aware that they deserve punishment.

Sin separates. Their relationship with their father is filled with pain. As we see them squabble and blame one another, we see that their relationships with one another are strained. Worst of all, they do not view God as a loving accepting father, but as the judge issuing deserved punishments. (Genesis 42:28)

Conversation Starters:

• What does it feel like to be under the weight of sin?
• What did it look like when Jesus was under the weight of our sin? What does this mean for us now?

The money was returned to the sacks (Genesis 42:27-28)

Either out of generosity and love or maybe to confuse and further terrify his brothers, Joseph has their payments returned. The brothers interpret the gift as further punishment from God. They are driven to deeper despair as they claim that God is against them.

And here ends the story for the week! Will the brothers return? Will Joseph reveal himself? Will the family be restored?

Conversation Starter:

• True or False: God was against the sons of Jacob? (Trick question! Think about how God views sin, how God treats his children and the great exchange between sinners and Jesus.)

Digging Deeper

Seeds of Faith doesn’t cut the story off but includes the next few chapters as well.

40 Minutes in the Old Testament Podcast,

• Episode 53: Joseph’s interaction with his brothers and their interaction with Jacob. Money is given back, people are panicking, Grandsons are offered as collateral and tough decisions must be made.