Christ-Light Connections: The Second Journey of Joseph’s Brothers & Joseph Makes Himself Known

The Christ-Light theme of this week is God wants us to show love and forgiveness to others. While this is God’s will for us, I’d rather pick a gospel- centered theme. When a sanctification theme is used, we run the risk of diminishing or skipping the gospel and moralizing the story. The key points  in Seeds of Faith  this week may be a helpful reference as you as you pick a theme. 

As you study these two lessons, watch closley as the events parallel and teach us about the restoration of our relationship with God. 

OT Set 1 11A

The Second Journey of Joseph’s Brothers (Genesis 43,44)

Context

The brothers (minus Simeon who has been kept in prison) have been sent back home from Egypt with full sacks of grain and full wallets. They interpret the harsh treatment and return of their money as deserved punishment for their crimes against Joseph. As their food runs low they are stuck between a rock and a hard place. Either they stay home and starve, or they risk their lives and the life of their father’s favorite child, Benjamin, to acquire more food. Will the Egyptian ruler believe they are not spies or thieves?

Big Themes

Jacob (Genesis 43:11-14)

Remember Jacob’s new name? Israel: One who struggles with God. Jacob’s struggle to trust God must have continued as he remembered God’s promise to create a nation through him and his sons left home to face the powerful and harsh Egyptian ruler.

The life of a believer often is not just clean and simple: I used to doubt God, now I don’t.

We will constantly go through different trials and our faith will be weak and strong.

What never changes and is always secure is that God always keeps his promises and will prove himself to be faithful.

Conversation Starter:

• The biblical text calls Jacob by his old name here. In other chapters, he is again called Israel. Why do you think that is?
• Does God’s faithfulness to us change when our faith is weak?

Healthy diet: Eat lots of raw fruits, vegetables, whole grains and nuts, making sure viagra delivery to chew well and take your daily supplements as prescribed. 3. Based on the non-drug approach, nutrition response testing combines knowledge of acupuncture, as well as the climax could not be gotten to, a part from sildenafil free shipping the alt tags, by the spiders. This type of surgery is performed in http://regencygrandenursing.com/about-us/our-care-services viagra no prescription order to rectify the damages caused due to trauma, infections, tumours or disease. You also need to purchase generic levitra know it will only work when you are sexually invigorated.

Preparations to Return (Genesis 43:11-14)

Go back and check out what Joseph had been sold for in Genesis 37:25 and Genesis 37:28. Look what the brothers took with them to try and buy back his favor! Genesis 43:11-12

Reunion number two (Genesis 43:1-34)

The second meeting with the ruler of Egypt is even more confusing than the first. It is understandable that the brothers are afraid that the lunch they are about to have could be a trap to enslave them. How surprising it must have been to hear about God, their God, from the Egyptian ruler’s steward. (Genesis 43:23)

The steward’s message to the brothers reminds us again that God is working behind the scenes of this story. As the brothers further experience a lack of control, they are reminded that God is the one guiding events.

Next, the brothers experience one weird lunch. Is Joseph dropping hints about his identity as he seats them in order by age and favors Benjamin? Verse 34 says they feasted and drank. The Hebrew says, “they drank and got drunk.” Meaning, they partied hard and had a good time. It seemed they had the favor of the ruler of Egypt and no reason to be afraid.

Conversation Starter:

• Why do you think Joseph feasted with his brothers in such a way?

Judah (Genesis 44:16-34)

Judah, the one originally responsible for trading Joseph into slavery (Genesis 37:26-27) now is willing to sacrifice himself to rescue his brother. In his speech to Joseph, he emphasizes the effect losing Benjamin would have on his father.

Veiled in this portion of the narrative is the theme of all of scripture. Connect this sacrificial offer to animal sacrifices, Abraham and Isaac on Mount Moriah, and the sacrifice of Jesus. Here a son is offering to sacrifice himself for his brother because his father cannot bear to lose him. God, our Father, could not bear to lose us, so his son, Jesus, offered himself as a sacrifice for our salvation.

From the tribe of Judah, the Messiah would one day be born.

Conversation Starters:

• What did it take to bring the brothers to full repentance?
• Does God use suffering to lead us to repentance?
• Do any other portions of this story point to other parts of our Savior’s story?

Digging Deeper

The Seeds of Faith resource lumps Genesis chapters 42-45 together and does not separate the journeys and restoration into separate lessons.

40 Minutes in the Old Testament

• Episode 54: Joseph’s brothers returning to him, everyone getting drunk, Benjamin’s special treatment and Joseph’s master plan. The wine is flowing, cups are being planted and grace is about to abound when all seems lost.

OT Set 1 11B

Joseph Makes Himself Known (Genesis 45)

Context

Judah has made a full confession of sin and offered to sacrifice his life and freedom for the sake of his younger brother, Benjamin. Finally, Joseph can’t bear to keep his secret any longer! Watch for more themes of reconciliation!

Big Themes

The Big Reveal (Genesis 45)

Joseph is ready to stop pretending and is finally moved to reveal his true identity. It’s hard to imagine how the brothers responded to him. Their judge and possible executioner just told them that he is their blood, the one they betrayed, sold, and send down the path of suffering.

Joseph’s view of his life (Genesis 45:4-5)

Joseph shocks everyone again and turns the focus off of the sins committed and the suffering that ensued and on to God. Joseph could see that God had worked through the acts of sinful men to bring about salvation from starvation for the world.

At this point in his life, Joseph now had the ability to see the big picture of God’s plan and purpose. Sometimes believers are allowed to see the big picture and sometimes we are left confused or in the dark. In those times we rely on the promises of God such as Romans 8:28, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Or Ephesians 2:10 “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

Conversation Starters:

• How did God work through the acts of sinful men to bring about salvation from death and damnation for the world?
• Do you see a Christ-like response when Joseph says, “Come closer to me.”?
• What else do we learn about forgiveness when Joseph says, “Don’t be angry with yourselves.”?
• Adults, do you have stories to share about God working through sin and hardship in your life?

Not just forgiveness (Genesis 45:9-11)

Not only does Joseph offer forgiveness, but he also offers to provide continued salvation and great blessings for his family. He gives them the best that Egypt has to offer.

Joseph gives his brothers clothing and silver (Genesis 45:22). The items that once were part of his betrayal (Genesis 37:23 and Genesis 37:28) are now part of their reconciliation.

Conversation Starters:

• Besides forgiveness, what does God all offer to us?

Digging Deeper

The Seeds of Faith resource lumps Genesis chapters 42-45 together and does not separate the journeys and restoration into separate lessons.

40 Minutes in the Old Testament

• Genesis 41 begins about halfway through Episode 55. Judah steps forward to take Benjamin’s place and Joseph reveals his identity. This episode is loaded with pictures of Christ, forgiveness, and grace.
• Episode 56: Joseph sends his brothers back to get their Father and Jacob responds. The pictures of our own reconciliation are vivid.