Lesson: Joseph & His Heart

Session 5

Scripture Reading

Introduction: The Dilemma

Joseph was:

1. Rejected by his brothers
2. Sold into slavery by the Midianites
3. Falsely accused by Potiphar's wife
4. Unjustly imprisoned by Potiphar
5. Forgotten by the chief cupbearer

And now at last, Joseph is the one with all the power and authority. Finally he is the one in control.

• How will he react?
• Joseph's heart has been deeply wounded over and over.
• What condition is it in now?
• Why would God allow all these detours?
• Because God cares more about the development of the dreamer than He cares about the fulfillment of the dream.

A. The Famine

• The famine was severe all over the world, including Canaan.
• Jacob heard there was grain in Egypt, and sent his sons there to buy some.
• Jacob sent ten sons to Egypt, but insisted that Benjamin stay home.

• When they arrived in Egypt, they bowed down to Joseph, fulfilling the dream God had revealed years ago.
• Joseph recognized his brothers right away but pretended to be a stranger.
• Joseph spoke to them harshly and accused them of being spies.
• The brothers tried to convince Joseph they were honest men.

B. The Test

• Joseph tested their character by keeping one of the brothers in prison while the rest returned to Canaan to deliver food and bring Benjamin to Egypt.
• The brothers believed they were being punished by God because of how they had treated Joseph.
• Reuben said they were guilty and would have to give an account for Joseph's blood.
• The brothers did not realize Joseph understood their whole conversation because he used an interpreter.
• Joseph turned away from them and began to weep.
• Chapters 42–47 record a lot of detail as the brothers travel home and back to Egypt.
• Joseph is testing their character.
• Is he also giving himself time to decide what to do?

C. The Reunions

• When the brothers returned to Egypt with Benjamin, they bowed down to Joseph two more times.
• Joseph was deeply moved when he saw Benjamin and left the room to weep in private.

• Joseph finally revealed his true identity to his brothers and wept loudly.
• Joseph asked about his father, and found out Jacob was still alive.
• The brothers were terrified because of their guilt.
• Joseph told them not to be distressed, and told them it was really God who had sent him to Egypt.
• Joseph sent his brothers to go get their father and bring him back to Egypt, and promised to provide everything they needed.
• Joseph kissed all his brothers and wept over them.

• The brothers returned to Canaan and told their father that Joseph was alive and was the ruler of all Egypt.
• Jacob was stunned and struggled to believe them.
• After seeing all the provisions Joseph had sent, Jacob was convinced and eager to see his son.

• When the family arrived in Egypt, Joseph hugged his father and wept for a long time.
• Jacob said he could now die in peace since he knew Joseph was alive.

• Joseph settled his family in the richest part of Egypt and provided them with food during the famine.
• Joseph often made the right choice, but the Bible makes it clear that his decision to forgive was a deep struggle.

Conclusion…

Our Response

• Joseph had the ultimate opportunity for revenge, but chose reconciliation instead. Why do you think he made this unexpected choice?
• We have all been mistreated at different times in our lives. Who is the person that has hurt you the most? What would it look like for you to choose reconciliation over revenge?
• Sometimes it seems like Joseph automatically did the right thing without ever having to think about it. But the Bible makes it clear that he had very raw emotions and struggled deeply with all he had to process. Why do you think we so often refuse to acknowledge and deal with our emotions?