Further Thought: Ellen G. White, “Joseph in Egypt,” Pages 213-223; “Joseph and His Brothers,” Pages 224-232 in Patriarchs and Prophets. “The three days of confinement were days of bitter sorrow with Jacob’s sons. They reflected upon their past wrong course, especially their cruelty to Joseph. They knew if they were convicted of being spies, and they could … Continue reading –>
Read Genesis 45:1-28. What lessons of love, faith, and hope can be found in this story? It is at that very moment, when Judah talked about the “evil” that would fall upon ’avi, “my father” (Genesis 44:34), that Joseph “cried out” (Genesis 45:1, NKJV) and then “made himself known” to his brothers. This expression, often used to refer to God’s self-revelation (Exodus … Continue reading –>
Read Genesis 44:1-34. Why did Joseph put the divination cup in Benjamin’s sack and not in another brother’s sack? This story parallels the preceding one. As before, Joseph gives specific instructions; and, once again, he fills the men’s sacks with food. This time, however, Joseph adds the strange command to put his precious cup in Benjamin’s … Continue reading –>
Six years ago today my mother died, and a few days later I wrote an article called, When Prayer Doesn’t Move Mountains. The comment section was filled with notes of sympathy and condolences which I greatly appreciated. I was amazed I could write an article right after my mother died. I always thought that when … Continue reading –>
Join the Hit the Mark Panel as they examine Joseph’s amazing response to his reunion with his brothers. This week’s keyword makes a difference in our experience. Join us to discover what it is.
(10)Jacob could not easily allow the departure of Benjamin, his only son with Rachel who remained with him. He was afraid that he would lose him, as he already had lost Joseph (Genesis 43:6-8). It is only when there was no more food (Genesis 43:2) and when Judah pledged to guarantee the return of Benjamin (Genesis 43:9) that Jacob finally … Continue reading –>
The book of Genesis offers us so many vast topics from which to choose a theme hymn. As we are starting at the very beginning, I would like to give praise to our Creator of heaven and earth in singing Hymn 320 – Lord of Creation and Hymn 2 – All Creatures of Our God and … Continue reading –>
Key Thought: Joseph’s brothers live the whole experience of Divine Judgment, yet despite their unjustifiable acts of evil, contains a message of forgiveness for them. June 18, 2022 1. Have a volunteer read Genesis 41:39-57. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the most important point is in this passage. What is … Continue reading –>
Read Genesis 42:1-38. What happened here, and how does it reveal the providence of God, even despite human evil and malfeasance? The famine obliges Jacob to send his sons to Egypt to buy grain. Ironically, it is Jacob who initiates the project (Genesis 42:1). The unfortunate old man, a victim of circumstances beyond his control, unknowingly sets … Continue reading –>
For Joseph, Pharaoh’s dreams revealed what God was “about to do” (Genesis 41:28, NKJV) in the land. Joseph, however, does not call on Pharaoh to believe in Joseph’s God. Instead, Joseph’s immediate response is action. Joseph proposes an economic program. Interestingly, only the economic part of Joseph’s discourse is retained by Pharaoh, who seems more interested in … Continue reading –>
