Times Of Testing. Joseph Meets His Brothers. Genesis 42-43

2024.11.10. Sermon Notes. Genesis 42-43. The Test Begins.

Joseph meets his brothers. Dreams fulfilled.

William Akehurst, HSWC

BIG IDEA: Joseph‘s brothers come to Egypt and undergo a time of testing. As they come into their brother’s presence, unbeknownst to them, they bow low before him. Joseph’s Dream has been fulfilled.

Go deeper in this study than I will take you.

What areas in your life, is GOD putting to the test?

What areas in your life, needs to change course?

Is GOD leading you into uncharted waters?

To go through things in your life, you would never have selected?

Perhaps the LORD is trying your heart, to bring repentance, restoration and reconciliation to HIM and to others.

Put your trust in HIM, acknowledge HIM in all you do, and HE will direct your paths.

SCRIPTURES: Genesis 42:1-38, Genesis 43:1-34; Psalm 105:16-22

Genesis 42:1-38

Joseph Meets His Brothers in Egypt.

The sons of Jacob come to Egypt.

Vs. 1-5. Jacob sends his sons to Egypt to buy grain.

1 When Jacob saw that there was grain in Egypt, Jacob said to his sons, “Why do you look at one another?” 2 And he said, “Indeed I have heard that there is grain in Egypt; go down to that place and buy for us there, that we may live and not die.” 3 So Joseph’s ten brothers went down to buy grain in Egypt. 4 But Jacob did not send Joseph’s brother Benjamin with his brothers, for he said, “Lest some calamity befall him.” 5 And the sons of Israel went to buy grain among those who journeyed, for the famine was in the land of Canaan.

Famine had begun in the land. 7 years of plenty have been swallowed up by famine. There was nowhere to go except for Egypt.

Egypt is put on the map.

Famine had found its way to Jacob’s family.

WHY DO YOU LOOK AT ONE ANOTHER?

I remember my father saying something like this…“why are you standing here with teeth in your mouth?”

Did Jacob notice a strange expression on the brothers’ faces when Egypt was mentioned. Perhaps it brought up ill feelings or made them feel bad whenever Egypt was mentioned having sold their brother into slavery and most likely ending up in Egypt.

But Jacob wouldn’t send Benjamin. Jacob believed that Joseph was dead, and wanted to protect the memory of his first love Rachel.

We see a telltale sign of Jacob’s trust in GOD. And he couldn’t see that this was GOD’s plan to rescue his family from the famine. IF Jacob only know that the only reason for grain in Egypt was to provide for their needs, and that GOD sent Joseph ahead to prepare for this exact time.

Famine is not a good thing, but GOD used it for HIS Glory.

GOD may also use lacking and material need in our own lives to get us to do things we normally wouldn’t do. To get us out of our comfort zone to move in the direction HE has planned.

The brothers would never go to Egypt; but now, their need for food drove them there.

Vs. 6 The sons of Jacob bow down before Joseph.

6 Now Joseph was governor over the land; and it was he who sold to all the people of the land. And Joseph’s brothers came and bowed down before him with their faces to the earth.

“Bowed down before him with their faces to the earth”

Their lives depended on this Egyptian official, and they paid respect by bowing down before him.

Dream fulfilled. Roughly 20 years before, Joseph shared his dream of his brothers bowing down to him.

Because of their disgust with Joseph and his dreams, the planned to defeat the dreams by plotting to murder him, but GOD…because of GOD’s working in their lives and in the life of Joseph, the brothers sold him into slavery instead.

And by sending Joseph to Egypt, they actually provided the way for the dreams to be fulfilled.

GOD’s Providence is shown as HE used the evil actions of the brothers to further HIS plan for good for Israel and the Promise.

Vs. 7-8. Joseph recognizes his brothers.

7 Joseph saw his brothers and recognized them, but he acted as a stranger to them and spoke roughly to them. Then he said to them, “Where do you come from?”

And they said, “From the land of Canaan to buy food.”

8 So Joseph recognized his brothers, but they did not recognize him.

“Joseph saw his brothers and recognized them, but he acted as a stranger”

Using an interpreter to speak with his brothers, Joseph did not reveal his identity to his brothers, and treated them roughly instead. As an Egyptian over a Hebrew.

This action was directed by the HOLY SPIRIT IN Joseph.