Genesis Series Chapter 42

 EXPLORING GENESIS SERIES

THE BIBLE: EXPLORING GENESIS SERIES.

Chapter 42: Joseph meets his brothers.

In chapter 42, Joseph meets his 10 brothers, who bow before him as the dream he had many years before indicated. They came because of the famine and wanted to buy food. Jacob had kept Benjamin with him, since he feared losing him and was still grieving the loss of Joseph.  His brothers did not recognise Joseph, so he set them a test (vs 34) to see whether they were able to acknowledge their dishonesty, and had learnt their lesson by changing their behaviour.

When the sons returned to Jacob, they relayed their story and the demand made by Joseph to them. Jacob however was not prepared to allow Benjamin to go, since he feared losing him. In Reuben and Jacob’s conversation (vs 37-38, there seems to be a hint that Jacob had some awareness of what his other sons had really done to Joseph. It is interesting to not that Reuben offered his two sons to be slain if Benjamin did not return.

REFLECTION QUESTIONS.

Are we prepared to own up to a wrong we have committed and right it?

When we have been wronged, are we merciful enough to give someone another chance to change?

Do we set a test in order to kindly assist the ‘wrongdoer’ into admitting his/her errors?

When lying has occurred, do we at (some level) believe it, because of the repetition?

How does grief affect people’s decision making and emotions?

Chapter 42 tells us something of the strength and beauty of Joseph’s character, since despite all that had happened to him, he was still prepared to give his brothers another chance to right the wrong.

Whose character are we most like- Joseph, Jacob, the other sons or Reuben?