Session 12
the next steps for the brothers.
9 “Return quickly to my father and say to him,
‘This is what your son Joseph says:
“God has made me lord of all Egypt. Come down to me without delay.
10 You can settle in the land of Goshen and be near me -
you, your children, and your grandchildren, your flocks, your herds, and all you have.
11 There I will sustain you, for there will be five more years of famine.
Otherwise, you, your household, and everything you have will become destitute.”’
12 Look! Your eyes and the eyes of my brother Benjamin can see that I’m the one speaking to you.13 Tell my father about all my glory in Egypt and about all you have seen.
And bring my father here quickly.”14 Then Joseph threw his arms around his brother Benjamin and wept,
and Benjamin wept on his shoulder.15 Joseph kissed each of his brothers as he wept, and afterward his brothers talked with him.
Believers can demonstrate forgiveness to others.
highlight the key points in these verses.
(v. 9) Lord of all Egypt:
The title used here is written in English as ’Adon.
By stating that God had made him lord or master of Egypt, Joseph acknowledged that only God could have brought about this unbelievable turn of events.
(v. 11) I will sustain you:
Jacob’s family made their living as herdsmen.
During the extended famine, grazing land would have virtually been impossible to find.
Therefore, Joseph stated that he would sustain his family during the remaining five years of the famine.
Joseph anticipated Jacob’s reluctance to depart the promised land to reside in Egypt.
His promise of sustenance helped convince his father to move for the family’s welfare.
The Hebrew verb rendered “provided” in 47:12 is the same verb used here.
(v. 12) Benjamin:
Rachel, Jacob’s favored wife, had died during Benjamin’s birth
and named him Ben-oni, meaning “son of my sorrow.” However, Jacob called him Benjamin, meaning “son of the right hand.” Though small, the tribe of Benjamin later played a significant role in Israelite history.
(v. 13) My glory:
This probably refers to Joseph’s esteemed position.
Part of the Lord’s covenant with Abraham, the promise of a great name, was being fulfilled in Joseph’s rise to power
The Hebrew term translated glory also means “dignity,” “splendor,” and “riches.” The basic meaning relates to weight, in the sense of being impressive or influential.
(vv. 14-15) Wept:
Public expressions of reunion among the Hebrews typically included kissing, hugging, and weeping
The Scripture records that only Joseph and Benjamin wept on this occasion.
The rest of the brothers talked with Joseph.
Emphasize the enthusiasm Joseph demonstrated in bringing his family to Egypt and being able to take care of them.
Goshen
Pharaoh assigned the land of Goshen to Joseph’s family members when they came to Egypt.
The area is generally located in the northeast part of the Nile Delta.
The Hebrews, or Israelites, occupied this territory from the time of Joseph until their exodus from Egypt.
The phrase is interchangeable with the expression “the land of Rameses”
(Gen. 47:11).
This Goshen differs from the Goshen mentioned in Joshua, which was located in the promised land
(see Josh. 10:41; 11:16; 15:51).
Joseph’s dreams came to pass as his brothers bowed down to him in Egypt.
Still, he understood that God was using him for something great.
His example of forgiveness and reconciliation reflected God’s character and protected the remnant God would use to carry on the promises given to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
Review these points from Apply the Text on page 117 of the Personal Study Guide:
Invite the group to suggest ways believers can practically apply these statements each day.
Challenge them to pick out one they will focus on for the next few weeks.
Share this quote attributed to C.S. Lewis.
Encourage adults to share if they agree:
“To be a Christian means to forgive the inexcusable, because God has forgiven the inexcusable in you.” Lead a brief discussion on remembering God’s forgiveness.
Praise God for His faithfulness to forgive our sins
and for providing the Holy Spirit to guide us.
Pray specifically for those who need to experience reconciliation with others.
Reinforce the session by sending the group an email or text, sharing a personal story about a challenging time when you knew there was a need for reconciliation. Reflect on how knowing God had a plan changed the way you faced the situation. Remind adults that we should forgive as God forgives us. Challenge them to look for God’s work in each situation of their lives, including those where reconciliation is needed.
Secure a copy of the lyrics of
“Forgiven” by TobyMac and Lecrae.
Play the song and lead a brief discussion on its main themes.
Point out that accepting and offering forgiveness can be hard, but it gets easier when we remember how God has forgiven us.
(NOTE: The hymn “Grace Greater Than Our Sin,” No. 105 in the Baptist Hymnal, 2008, can also be used for this activity.)