Genesis Part 3 Week 6

Day 1 

READ 

Genesis 44:1-2 

¹ When his brothers were ready to leave, Joseph gave these instructions to his palace manager: “Fill each of their sacks with as much grain as they can carry, and put each man’s money back into his sack. ² Then put my personal silver cup at the top of the youngest brother’s sack, along with the money for his grain.” So the manager did as Joseph instructed him. 

Joseph planned again how to surprise his brothers and make them fear for their lives. They were carrying as much grain as they could as they left Egypt. Their money was placed back into their sacks. Joseph’s personal silver cup was to be placed in Benjamin’s sack.  

REFLECT 

What do you think Joseph is planning to do to his brothers now? 

RESPOND 

With your friend read Genesis 44:1-10. The brothers had not gone far when Joseph sent his palace manager to catch up with them and accuse them of robbing his master. They denied such and said anyone who had the cup should die and the rest of them would be his slaves. The palace manager said the one who had the cup would be his slave and the rest could go free. 

Day 2 

READ 

Genesis 44:11-13 

¹¹ They all quickly took their sacks from the backs of their donkeys and opened them. ¹² The palace manager searched the brothers’ sacks, from the oldest to the youngest. And the cup was found in Benjamin’s sack! ¹³ When the brothers saw this, they tore their clothing in despair. Then they loaded their donkeys again and returned to the city. 

The tension had to be growing as the sacks were searched beginning with the oldest one and working toward the youngest. Then the cup was found in Benjamin’s sack! Horrified, the brothers tore their clothing in anguish, loaded their donkeys and headed back to the city.  

REFLECT 

What did you do when God brought you face to face with some sin or wrong that you had done? Did you do what 1 John 1:9 says to do in such cases? 

RESPOND 

With your friend read Genesis 44:11-17. The brothers confessed to Joseph their wrong and said they would all be his slaves. Joseph repeated what his palace manager had told them earlier. Only the one with the stolen cup would be his slave and the rest could go free.  

Day 3 

READ 

Genesis 44:18 

¹⁸ Then Judah stepped forward and said, “Please, my lord, let your servant say just one word to you. Please, do not be angry with me, even though you are as powerful as Pharaoh himself.” 

Judah now hopes to plead their case to Joseph. Remember it was Judah who had the idea to sell Joseph to the Ishmaelite traders (see Genesis 37:26-27). Judah had promised his father he would be the security for Benjamin, and now he pleads for mercy from Joseph. Judas admits he knows that Joseph was as powerful as Pharaoh.  

REFLECT 

Have you experienced a change in your life from having done something wrong to wanting desperately to do something right? 

RESPOND 

With your friend read Genesis 44:18-34. Judah rehearsed for Joseph how he had wanted to know if they had a brother and then wanted him brought to Egypt. Finally that was possible, but if Benjamin did not return it would cause his father’s death. Judah pleads that he be kept as Joseph’s slave and that Benjamin be sent back to spare his father’s life.  

Day 4 

READ 

Genesis 45:1-2 

¹ Joseph could stand it no longer. There were many people in the room, and he said to his attendants, “Out, all of you!” So he was alone with his brothers when he told them who he was. ² Then he broke down and wept. He wept so loudly the Egyptians could hear him, and word of it quickly carried to Pharaoh’s palace. 

Joseph had been touched emotionally before, but now he could take it no longer after Judah’s plea. He sent his servants out and told his brothers who he was. Imagine how loudly he wept because others heard him and Pharaoh’s palace was notified about it.  

REFLECT 

Have you experienced some emotional stress in your life that caused you to loudly weep? 

RESPOND 

With your friend read Genesis 45:1-11. When Joseph first identified himself to his brothers they might have wondered if he remembered what they had done to him. It was clear when he said, “I am Joseph, your brother, whom you sold into slavery in Egypt.” Then Joseph added, “But don’t be upset, and don’t be angry with yourselves for selling me to this place. It was God who sent me here ahead of you to preserve your lives.” Joseph had a deep concept of the sovereignty of God in all that had happened to him.  

Day 5 

READ 

Genesis 45:9-11 

⁹ “Now hurry back to my father and tell him, ‘This is what your son Joseph says: God has made me master over all the land of Egypt. So come down to me immediately! ¹⁰ You can live in the region of Goshen, where you can be near me with all your children and grandchildren, your flocks and herds, and everything you own. ¹¹ I will take care of you there, for there are still five years of famine ahead of us. Otherwise you, your household, and all your animals will starve.’” 

Joseph told his brothers to hurry back to bring their father to Egypt. He wanted them to bring all of Jacob’s relatives and livestock. Joseph promised they could live in Goshen. This area was the most fertile land in all of Egypt. There were still five years of famine left. Joseph warned that if the brothers did not do as he said they would all die in Canaan. 

REFLECT 

Have you ever been faced with a life or death situation if you did not act?  

RESPOND 

With your friend read Genesis 45:9-15. Joseph continued to prove to his brothers that he was really Joseph and said Benjamin could recognize it. What a tender scene it must have been as Joseph embraced Benjamin. Joseph kissed each of his brothers and wept over them. Then they talked freely with each other.