Joseph Identifies Himself to His Brothers

"God did send me before you to preserve life." Genesis 45:5

All the brothers were scared when they found that Benjamin had the silver cup in his sack. They didn't know how it got there, but they knew if Benjamin had to stay behind their father's heart would break.

They returned to Egypt and Judah stood before him. He told him about their father and how he would die if Benjamin didn't return. Judah then offered himself in Benjamin's place.

Joseph was moved at Judah's offer of sacrifice for Benjamin. He sent everyone away and told the brothers who he was - that he was their brother Joseph who had been sold into slavery long ago. He hugged them all and cried for joy. He asked about his father, then told them not to be upset at what had happened before. God had worked it all out for good and allowed Joseph to be the way their lives were saved because he was over the grain stores in Egypt. 

"Go home, brothers," he said," and tell our father that I am alive and a I am a great and powerful man. Then bring him to me, along with your families, and come live with me here and I will take care of you." 

Joseph forgave his brothers and forgot all of the hurt they had done to him. He loved them with all his heart. When the brothers returned home their father couldn't believe the news. Finally, he did, and he said, "Joseph, my son, is still alive! I will see him before I die."

The family returned to Egypt and Joseph ran to meet them. He hugged his father and kissed him, and there was joy for Jacob because it was like Joseph had returned from the dead.

Jacob lived the rest of his life in Egypt and was happy with his son Joseph. God changed his name to Israel and his sons and their sons after them were then always called the Children of Israel. 

QUESTIONS

1. Who was Benjamin?

2. What was found in Benjamin's sack?

3. Who put it there?

4. What was going to be done to Benjamin?

5. Who spoke for him?

6. What did Judah ask?

7. Who did the lord of the land turn out to be ?

8. How did Joseph come to Egypt?

9. Why didn't his brothers recognize him sooner?

10. How did he treat them?

11. Whom did he send for?

12. What did Jacob say?

13. Where did Jacob go to live?

14. Why was it very kind in Joseph to help his brothers?

15. Did he give back to them the harm they had done to him?

16. How could we do like Joseph?

Joseph's Brothers Return

"God Almighty give you mercy before the man." Genesis 43:14

Joseph's brothers had to return to Egypt to buy more corn. Joseph had told them to bring Benjamin, their youngest brother, with them. But their father, Jacob, was sad and upset now that he knew what they'd done to Joseph. He wouldn't let Benjamin go. But Judah promised to take care of him, and Jacob trusted Judah. 

When Joseph saw his younger brother, he was so full of emotion he couldn't stop his tears. He had to leave his duties and he cried for a long time in his room. But still he tested his brothers He wanted to see if they envied Benjamin, his father's favorite son, the way they'd envied him. He had his servant hide his cup in Benjamin's sack of corn. Then the servant went after them, pretending they'd stolen the valuable cup. 

The brothers told the servant to search the sacks. The cup wouldn't be found. But when they took the sacks down and opened them, the cup was in Benjamin's sack! 

The brothers were shocked and surprised. The servant said Benjamin must return with him to be punished. But their hearts had changed since they'd plotted to kill Joseph so many years ago. Instead they were sad and upset at the thought of losing their brother. 

QUESTIONS

1. What had Joseph's brothers done to him?

2. What trouble did you hear last Sunday he was in ?

3. But how did he behave?

4. And what had he come to be?

5. What had he stored up?

6. Who came to buy corn?

7. How many brothers came?

8. Which did not come?

9. Why didn't Benjamin come?

10. Did the brothers know Joseph?

11. What did he tell them to do?

12. When he saw Benjamin, where did he go?

13. What did Joseph tell his steward to do?

14. What did Joseph want to see?

15. How did the brothers behave this time?