DCLM Search The Scripture 14 August 2022 || Lesson 32 (Adult) || Joseph’s Encounter With His Brethren
DCLM Search The Scripture 14 August 2022 || Lesson 32 (Adult)
Deeper Life Search The Scripture 14 August 2022
ADULT STS LESSON 32 – JOSEPH’S ENCOUNTER WITH HIS BRETHREN
MEMORY VERSE: “And Joseph said unto his brethren… I am Joseph your brother, whom ye sold into Egypt. Now therefore be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves; that ye sold me hither: for God did send me before you to preserve life” (Gen 45:4,5)
TEXT: Genesis 42-45
DCLM Search The Scripture 14 August 2022 || Lesson 32 (Adult)
MESSAGE
The previous chapter reveals how God used Joseph to interpret Pharaoh’s dream after all the magicians and wise men of Egypt could not interpret the dream. It also brings to the fore his wise counsel to the king, elevation to the post of a second ruler in Egypt, diligence and prudence as “he gathered up all the food of the seven years, which were in the land of Egypt” against the seven years of severe famine. Consequently, “all countries came into Egypt to Joseph for to buy corn; because that the famine was so sore in all lands.” Jacob and his family were not spared of this famine.
Therefore, he sent his ten sons to Egypt to buy corn. In this study, we shall see the condemnation that brought contrition upon Joseph’s brethren, his humility and forgiveness. It was divine providence at work that made Joseph’s dream a reality and even preserved his family from being consumed in the prevalent famine that followed. Truly, “Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world” (Acts 15:18).
DCLM Search The Scripture 14 August 2022 || Lesson 32 (Adult)
READ: DCLM Search The Scripture 7 August 2022 || Lesson 31 (Adult)
1. PREVALENCE OF FAMINE AND THE SUFFERING OF JOSEPH’S BRETHREN
Gen 42:1-24; 43:1; 12:10; 26:1; 41:54-57; Psalm 105:16-21; Eccl 9:1,2; Acts 7:1113; 11:28
“…Jacob said unto his sons, Why do ye look one upon another? And he said, Behold, I have heard that there is corn in Egypt: get you down thither, and buy for us from thence; that we may live, and not die” (Gen 42: ,2). Jacob came to the realization that the only way to salvage his family from the prevailing famine over the whole earth then was to go to Egypt and buy grains.
Famine is characterized by scarcity, dryness and shortage of food, where multitudes compete for the scarce commodity in the land. Both in Bible days and contemporary times, famine often come as a result of gross disobedience to God (2 Chro 7:13; Prov 26:2; Psalm 1 19:67). Where idolatry, occultism, immorality and shedding of blood for rituals are the order of the day in any society, the wrath of God is incurred and this makes people to suffer in the hand of the devil.
DCLM Search The Scripture 14 August 2022 || Lesson 32 (Adult)
Going down to Egypt to buy grains by Jacob’s sons would soon burst the burble and reveal the whereabouts of Joseph. They had been living with a terrible secret for close to twenty years. They never talked about it and it never left them. Every sinner needs repentance and not remorse. The need for contrition that leads to conviction and genuine conversion cannot be over-emphasized (Psalm 51:1-5; Proverbs 28:13).
READ ALSO: DCLM Search The Scripture 7 August 2022 for Youth || Lesson 31
Such is expected to approach the Lord with a humble heart and pray sincerely like the psalmist for total deliverance from secret faults (Psalm 19:12). For the brothers of Joseph, they had no peace of mind because of being enslaved. In these last days, our land is famished of the truth because of sin. The rat race for riches at all costs is the devil’s strategy to derail believers from the truth.
The only way out is to “Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee” (1 Tim 4:16; Jude 3). Doing this will always keep believers nourished and ready for the imminent rapture of saints. It is instructive that Pharaoh told the people to go to Joseph for provision of food (Gen 41:55,56).
Today the only lasting solution to our lack and need is Jesus Christ; He is the Bread of life (John 2:3-5; 6:35). Therefore, we must come to Him with faith and readiness to do all that He commands us.
Cont’d: DCLM Search The Scripture 14 August 2022 || Lesson 32 (Adult)
2. PROVISION FOR JOSEPH’S BRETHREN AND PROGRESSIVE PROOF BEFORE
REUNION
Gen 42:15,25-38; 43:1-34; 44:1-34; 37:7-9; Rom 12:18-21; Rev 3:9
The need for survival during the famine made Jacob to send his sons to Egypt to buy grains. This was God’s providence for Joseph and his brethren to reunite and restore their relationship. It brought provisions and succour for the entire family of Jacob. Like the encounter with Joseph and his brethren, there is no encounter with Jesus the Saviour of the world without a lasting testimony.
As soon as Joseph sighted his brothers, he recognized them, but they did not. In God’s providence, all the actions of men towards believers, whether good or bad, work together to further and fulfil His good plans for them (Jeremiah 29: 11; Romans 8:28). That does not excuse man’s evil but it means that God’s wisdom and goodness are greater than man’s imaginations.
Meanwhile, Joseph interrogated his brethren to validate their sincerity. He made them to give details of their progeny. Their statement exposed their guilty conscience. It was a revealing process. A guilty conscience sees every trouble as sin’s penalty. It was their wickedness before Joseph made himself known to them. “And they said one to another, We are verily anguish of his soul, when he besought us, and we would not hear; therefore is this distress come upon us.
And Reuben answered them, saying, Spake I not unto you, saying, Do not sin against the child; and ye would not hear? therefore, behold, also his blood is required” (Gen 42:21,22). Jacob’s sons went back to their father and told him all that they experienced in They told him how the young man in charge had requested that Benjamin accompany them on their return journey.
Their father was unwilling and refused. But after Judah guaranteed Benjamin’s safety, Jacob finally agreed to let him go with them. Upon arriving Egypt the second time, Joseph sent his brothers to his personal house, where food was lavishly prepared for them. Here, we see the charitable and benevolent attitude of Joseph to his earlier wicked brethren. This is worthy of emulation.
The Bible says, “Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him…” (Rom 12:19,20).
READ ALSO: DCLM Search The Scripture 7 August 2022 for Youth || Lesson 31
Cont’d DCLM Search The Scripture 14 August 2022 || Lesson 32 (Adult)
3. REVELATION OF JOSEPH BY HIMSELF AND PLAN OF REUNION FOR HIS FAMILY
Gen 45:1-28; 43:30,31; Isaiah 42:14; Jer 20:.9; Matt 14:27; 18:15; Luke 23:34; Acts 7:13; 9:5; 10:41; 1 Cor 13:4,5; 2 Cor 2:7,11
“And Joseph said unto his brethren, I am Joseph; doth my father yet live? And his brethren could not answer him; for they were troubled at his presence. And Joseph said unto his brethren, Come near to me, I pray you. And they came near. And he said, I am Joseph your brother, whom ye sold into Egypt. Now therefore be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither: for God did send me before you to preserve life” (Gen 45:3-5).
Joseph had the grace of God to forgive as he narrated his ordeal before his exaltation as a means of fulfilment of God’s programme for him and his people. His attitude revealed that he had the fear of God from his youth as he was trained in the way of the Lord. This is a lesson for parents to train their children properly in the way of the Lord (Prov 22:6).
It is noteworthy that Joseph was a man who had a compassionate spirit, loved to please God, gave situations or challenges of life Positive approach, had no vengeful spirit, forgave heartily, led others to godly sorrows and made provision for others’ survival and prosperity. He exhibited the attributes of the fruit of the Spirit in handling his brethren (Gal 5:22,23). With wisdom, he extracted necessary truth from them and got tangible proofs of their changed nature. He did not demonstrate any revengeful spirit for their wickedness; instead, he wept and forgave them. What a lesson to self-acclaimed believers who wish that their so-called human enemies perish!
Rather than wish our enemies to die, we should be most desirous of their salvation (Matt 5:4348). After this great encounter with his brethren, Joseph sent for his father in Canaan and provided for their journey while Pharaoh was fully informed. Upon hearing that Joseph was alive and seeing the wagons that he sent, Jacob’s spirit was revived. “And Israel said, It is enough; Joseph my son is yet alive: I will go and see him before I die” (Gen 45:28). Today, Jesus Christ is our link to all heavenly resources. Unlike Joseph who was limited while in Egypt,
Christ the Lord and Author of our life is never limited (Matt 28:18; Phil 2:5-10; Tit 2: 11- 14; John 14:1-3). God now counts on Christians to bring others to Him for reconciliation so they can secure a place in His Kingdom.
DCLM Search The Scripture 14 August 2022 || Lesson 32 (Adult)
QUESTIONS FOR REVIEW:
1. What should characterise the life of believers for their God-given visions to be fulfilled?
2. What is the major cause of famine in any society?
3. What is the way out of spiritual decline in these last days for heaven-bound saints?
4. What do we learn from the way Joseph treated his
5. What must believers do to rescue perishing souls
6. How should we treat those who have offended us? 7. What did Christ say about offences
ALSO, READ DCLM Search The Scripture 7 August 2022 || Lesson 31 (Adult)
Thank you for reading DCLM Search The Scripture 14 August 2022 || Lesson 32 (Adult)
