Genesis Bible Study Guide Rev. John Barnes

Week 15: Genesis 41-47

Review Last week we looked at Joseph’s time enslaved in Egypt. He’s sold into slavery by his jealous and angry brothers. He’s accused of attempted rape by Potiphar’s wife and sent to prison. He helps a high ranking official, but the official forgets what he has done.

In the midst of this story you might think that it’s a tragedy. Joseph doesn’t get what he deserves. God has forgotten him. But the story wasn’t over, but Joseph, of course, didn’t know that. He may have been depressed or disappointed by God, but God was at work and soon things would change. The sermon theme was “God is with us when things are bad and sometimes all we can do is trust and wait.”

Context 37 Joseph has dreams of greatness that he shares with his family Joseph is sold into slavery by his brothers. 38 Judah has an illicit relationship with Tamar. 39 Joseph’s situation improves and worsens in Potiphar’s home. 40 Joseph’s situation worsens and improves in prison.

Structure 41 Joseph interprets Pharaoh’s dreams. Pharaoh makes Joseph second in command. 42 Joseph’s brothers come to Egypt for food and meet Joseph, though they don’t recognize him. Joseph accuses the brothers of being spies and keeps Simeon in prison. 43 The brothers return for more food and bring Benjamin. Joseph accuses Benjamin of stealing and threatens to enslave him. Judah offers to take Benjamin’s place for the sake of Benjamin and Jacob. 45 Joseph reveals himself to his brothers and they are reconciled. 46 The whole family moves from Canaan to Egypt.

47a Pharaoh sends Jacob’s family to Goshen.

Approaching Gen. 41-47 The context for understanding this story is Gen. 41-47. Read these chapters since I’ll ask questions about them below.

In this part of the story Joseph has begun to rule in Egypt. He will save many lives by preparing for the coming famine. He helps many Egyptians, but he will also save his own family.

One of the puzzling parts of this story is how Joseph treats his brothers. He seems to be playing cruel games with them. What does this mean? Why does he do it? What is the purpose? What is the result?

Scripture 45:1-15 Narrator: ___; Joseph: ___; brothers: ___; Jacob: ___; man: ___; Reuben: ___Judah: ___

1Then Joseph could no longer control himself before all those who stood by him, and he cried out, “Send everyone away from me.” So no one stayed with him when Joseph made himself known to his brothers. 2And he wept so loudly that the Egyptians heard it, and the household of Pharaoh heard it. 3Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph. Is my father still alive?” But his brothers could not answer him, so dismayed were they at his presence. 4Then Joseph said to his brothers, “Come closer to me.” And they came closer. He said, “I am your brother, Joseph, whom you sold into Egypt. 5And now do not be distressed, or angry with yourselves, because you sold me here; for God sent me before you to preserve life. 6For the famine has been in the land these two years; and there are five more years in which there will be neither plowing nor harvest. 7God sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant on earth, and to keep alive for you many survivors. 8So it was not you who sent me here, but God; he has made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house and ruler over all the land of Egypt. 9Hurry and go up to my father and say to him, ‘Thus says your son Joseph, God has made me lord of all Egypt; come down to me, do not delay. 10You shall settle in the land of Goshen, and you shall be near me, you and your children and your children’s children, as well as your flocks, your herds, and all that you have. 11I will provide for you there—since there are five more years of famine to come—so that you and your household, and all that you have, will not come to poverty.’ 12And now your eyes and the eyes of my brother Benjamin see that it is my own mouth that speaks to you. 13You must tell my father how greatly I am honored in Egypt, and all that you have seen. Hurry and bring my father down here.” 14Then he fell upon his brother Benjamin’s neck and wept, while Benjamin wept upon his neck. 15And he kissed all his brothers and wept upon them; and after that his brothers talked with him.

Questions Before answering the following questions read Gen. 41-47 to understand the fuller context of this story.

1. In Gen 41 the tide finally turns for Joseph after so many unremittingly bad things had happened. What does that tell you about how God works?

2. How might Joseph’s trials of thirteen years enslaved and imprisoned have shaped him and prepared him for his position of authority?

3. In Gen. 42 Joseph meets and recognizes his brothers but they don’t recognize them. There is much irony in this chapter. In Gen. 42:9 Joseph remembers his dreams that he told his brothers (Gen. 37:5-11) and then accuses them of being spies. Joseph will end up keeping Simeon in prison and sending the other brothers home. What might Joseph learn about his brothers from this test?

4. When the brothers return for more grain in Gen. 43 they bring Benjamin along with them as Joseph required of them. He then sent them away but set up Benjamin to appear to have stolen a special silver cup from Joseph. They are all brought back and Joseph tells them that he will set them all free except Benjamin who will be put in slavery. This seems to be a re-enactment of what happened to Joseph and his brothers so many years ago. What might Joseph be trying to learn about his brothers? What might he be trying to teach them?

5. In Gen 44 (Read Gen. 44:18-34) Judah speaks to Joseph about Benjamin’s situation. What does Joseph learn about this brother who came up with the idea to sell Joseph into slavery so many years ago? How are Judah and the brothers different now?

6. How might Joseph’s brother respond to the knowledge that their brother is alive and has complete power over them?

7. Why does Joseph not blame his brothers for the evil that they did to him?

8. How does Joseph understand his trials and troubles (Gen. 45:5-8)? Could you say that about the trials and troubles of your life? Why or why not?

9. What is the result of the tests that Joseph has put his brother (and father) through (Gen. 42-45)?