May 19, 2024 - Genesis 45:1-15
May 19, 2024
Genesis 45:1-15
Lessons Learned
by Wayne Gaeddert
1. Judah was the brother who sold Joseph into slavery. Genesis 37:26
2. Judah’s passionate plea to take the penalty in place of Benjamin so that Jacob would not die in grief demonstrated a change in character for Judah. Genesis 44:18-34
3. When Joseph revealed that he was their brother, the brothers were speechless and stunned.
4. The time between visits of his brothers gave Joseph time to understand God’s plan and put all the pieces together.
5. Joseph forgave his brothers even though they had not asked for forgiveness.
6. The brothers were never quite sure Joseph really had forgiven them. The brothers feared Joseph would seek revenge after the death of Jacob, so they told Joseph that dad said they should acknowledge their wrong and ask for forgiveness. Gen 50:15-18
7. The text does not explicitly tell us if the brothers ever told Jacob that they sold him as a slave, on this occasion they told Jacob that Joseph is a ruler in Egypt.
8. Pharaoh was pleased to welcome and assist Joseph’s whole family to settle in Egypt.
9. God’s promise to Abraham was to bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you. Genesis 12:3 This was demonstrated in Egypt:
The Pharaoh that placed Joseph in charge, was greatly blessed as were all the Egyptian people.
The Pharaoh of Exodus 1 made the Israelites slaves and dealt shrewdly with them. Egypt paid a high price for this treatment as they endured ten plagues ending with the death of the firstborn of man and animals.
10. The ‘land of Goshen’ is probably a region on the eastern Nile delta suitable for herdsmen.
11. The ‘land of Goshen’ isolated Jacob’s family so that they remained distinct from the Egyptian population rather than assimilate with them.
12. Living in the ‘land of Goshen’ allowed Jacob’s family to preserve their ethnic and religious heritage.
13. Jacob was stunned to hear that Joseph is alive and a ruler in Egypt.
14. Joseph had a perspective of faith, God had brought good out of intended evil.
15. Application:
Do you think more about your dreams or are you bitter toward those who have hurt you?
When you see God’s hand at work, past hardships lose their significance. See #14.
“The little troubles we suffer now for a short time are making us ready for the great things God is going to give us forever.” 2 Cor. 4:17 (NLT)
Take the initiative to be reconciled. Our sin offends God but He made the first move to be reconciled with us.