Joseph Reveals His Identity
Genesis 45
Genesis 45
(Attribute) is God’s kindness to those who do not deserve it. God is slow to anger and longs to forgive people. God’s grace in salvation reaches out powerfully to sinful people and makes them alive in Christ when they were dead in sin. God shows grace to all people. He gives life, families, sunshine, rain, music, talents etc., as good gifts even to people who do not love Him.
What is Grace?
Jacob stopped at Beersheba to offer sacrifices to God. (46:1)
What did Jacob do after setting out toward Egypt? (46:1)
God’s purposes are always fulfilled
What is the lesson's aim?
Scripture Memory Verse “ ‘But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance.’ ”
What is Genesis 45:7?
God gave Jacob four promises: I will make you into a great nation; I will go with you; I will surely bring you back; Joseph will close your eyes when you die.
What four things did God promise to Jacob in Beersheba? (46:3-4)
Pharaoh was humble enough to take advice from a foreigner and former slave. He chose Joseph as administrator when he saw his abilities and that God was with him. He treated Joseph and his family generously. He received Jacob’s blessing and was courteous to the elderly patriarch.
In what ways was this Pharaoh a wise and gracious ruler? (See Genesis 41:39-40; 45:16-20; and 46:31-47:12.)
Jacob was at first stunned and disbelieving. Then he saw all the provisions and listened to the reports. His spirit was revived. Jacob became convinced that Joseph was alive, and he determined to go see him.
(45:25-28)
How did Jacob’s emotions and responses change as he heard the news about Joseph? (45:25-28)
66 plus his sons’ wives; 70 if you include Jacob, Joseph and Joseph’s two sons born in Egypt.(46:26-27)
How many of Jacob’s descendants went to Egypt with him? (46:26-27)
God prepares His children for future purposes.
What is one of the principle for this lesson?
“And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you … God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance. So then, it was not you who sent me here, but God. He made me father to Pharaoh, lord of his entire household and ruler of all Egypt.”
(45:4-8)
What did Joseph say to his brothers about God? (45:4-8)
Proverbs 3:5-6 says God will direct everything in our lives, so we can trust Him beyond what we can merely see and understand. Isaiah 55:8-9 tells us God’s ways are not our ways. His ways and thoughts are so much higher than ours are. James 1:5-7 says as we ask for wisdom, we should expect to receive and then act upon the wisdom God gives. He guides us. He does not find fault when we ask for help.
What does Scripture reveal about God’s guidance and people’s plans in Scripture? (See Proverbs 3:5-6; Isaiah 55:8-9; James 1:5-7.)
means God declares a sinner righteous because of the perfect life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
What does justification mean?
At first, the brothers were terrified. They almost undoubtedly feared punishment and would not have anticipated being forgiven. Once they believed Joseph’s forgiveness, they threw their arms around each other, wept together and kissed. They talked together.
(45:3, 12-15)
How did the brothers respond to Joseph?
(45:3, 12-15)
God gave Jacob four promises: I will make you into a great nation; I will go with you; I will surely bring you back; Joseph will close your eyes when you die.
(46:3-4)
What four things did God promise to Jacob in Beersheba? (46:3-4)
Jacob had tricked his brother, Esau, into giving him his birthright (Genesis 25:29-34) and his father into giving him a blessing intended for Esau. Esau had threatened to kill him, forcing him to flee (Genesis 27:1-28:9). Laban had tricked him into marrying Leah before giving him Rachel, along with deceiving Jacob regarding his wages before he returned home to his father (Genesis 29:14-28; 30:25-31:55). His daughter Dinah was violated in Shechem, and his sons took murderous revenge (Genesis 34). He thought Joseph was dead (Genesis 37:32-35).
Some events in Jacob’s life that he might have been referring to in Genesis 47:9 when he said “my years have been few and difficult.