In this week’s class presentation we are covering the answers for the questions to Genesis chapters 43-46 and the events that lead to the family of Israel moving to Egypt. We also present a review and overview of the “Moses Controversy” documentary that shows recent archeological evidence resulting in the conclusion that the first alphabet was actually Hebrew, and that Moses had every ability and opportunity to use it! As part of the apologetics for this time period, events and major players, we are recommending Timothy Mahony’s “Patterns of Evidence” documentary series. Each week’s class includes prayer, an “apologetics” presentation, a review of last week’s Bible study, and a homework assignment.

Watch this week’s class covering this topic:

Review and Bible Study – Joseph Brings His Family to Egypt:

Genesis chapters 43-46

Prayer and Reflection

Write out your prayer cards and exchange them at the end of the class.

Bible Knowledge Practice (answers can be found in the introduction session of this class):

1. What are the five categories of the Old Testament books in the Christian Bible and what are the 39 books of the Old Testament in each of those five categories? (Hint 5-12-5-5-12)

2. What are the “Major Historical Events” – the “Major Players” involved in those events – and the “Major Covenants” found in Genesis and Exodus?

3. What is the “Big Picture” of the Bible (12 points to remember)?

4. What are the (8) most important focus points to watch for when studying the Old Testament?

Read, or recite, the memory verse out loud with your group:

You have been believers so long now that you ought to be teaching others. Instead, you need someone to teach you again the basic things about God’s word. You are like babies who need milk and cannot eat solid food. For someone who lives on milk is still an infant and doesn’t know how to do what is right. Solid food is for those who are mature, who through training have the skill to recognize the difference between right and wrong.

Hebrews 5:12-14 (NLT)

BASIC ANSWERS FOR GENESIS CHAPTERS 43-46

Always remember to pray before you study and ask the Holy Spirit to teach you and lead you into the truth found in God’s Word – pray for protection from the evil one who will try to discourage, distract and deceive us when we commit to growing closer to the LORD.

Note: Questions are taken directly from the chapters, and answers should be found and cited from the Scripture text in order to be Biblically accurate (unless asked to summarize in your own words). Study Bibles, commentaries and your own thoughts can be used for Discussion or Going Deeper questions. If you use these kinds of sources share them with your group.

Scripture passages and quotations are taken from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) unless otherwise noted. Chapters or passages are copied and pasted, then underlined and bolded to represent areas of importance. The questions are then separated out and in bullet form to summarize specific answers.

1. Review of Class Topic: Before getting into the Bible study questions, discuss today’s class presentation by summarizing what you learned, commenting or asking any questions.

We did an overview of the Moses’ Controversy Documentary last week – click here for the notes

Read Genesis Chapter 43 through Chapter 46, then answer the following questions:

2. (Genesis 43:1-34) In this chapter, Jacob finally agrees to send the brothers back to Egypt with Benjamin (the famine was still severe). What happened between Jacob and his sons concerning going back to Egypt with Benjamin? What did Judah say in verses 8-9, and what does this say about Judah’s character at this point, compared to his previous behavior?

Discuss: What happened when Joseph saw the brothers again, this time with Benjamin, and how does his reaction relate to his character?

“Now the famine was severe in the land. So it came about when they had finished eating the grain which they had brought from Egypt, that their father said to them, “Go back, buy us a little food.” Judah spoke to him, however, saying, “The man solemnly warned us, ‘You shall not see my face unless your brother is with you.’ If you send our brother with us, we will go down and buy you food. But if you do not send him, we will not go down; for the man said to us, ‘You will not see my face unless your brother is with you.’” Then Israel said, “Why did you treat me so badly by telling the man whether you still had another brother?” But they said, “The man questioned particularly about us and our relatives, saying, ‘Is your father still alive? Have you another brother?’ So we answered his questions. Could we possibly know that he would say, ‘Bring your brother down’?” Judah said to his father Israel, “Send the lad with me and we will arise and go, that we may live and not die, we as well as you and our little ones. I myself will be surety for him; you may hold me responsible for him. If I do not bring him back to you and set him before you, then let me bear the blame before you forever. For if we had not delayed, surely by now we could have returned twice.” Then their father Israel said to them, “If it must be so, then do this: take some of the best products of the land in your bags, and carry down to the man as a present, a little balm and a little honey, aromatic gum and myrrh, pistachio nuts and almonds. Take double the money in your hand, and take back in your hand the money that was returned in the mouth of your sacks; perhaps it was a mistake. Take your brother also, and arise, return to the man; and may God Almighty grant you compassion in the sight of the man, so that he will release to you your other brother and Benjamin. And as for me, if I am bereaved of my children, I am bereaved.” So the men took this present, and they took double the money in their hand, and Benjamin; then they arose and went down to Egypt and stood before Joseph. When Joseph saw Benjamin with them, he said to his house steward, “Bring the men into the house, and slay an animal and make ready; for the men are to dine with me at noon.” So the man did as Joseph said, and brought the men to Joseph’s house. Now the men were afraid, because they were brought to Joseph’s house; and they said, “It is because of the money that was returned in our sacks the first time that we are being brought in, that he may seek occasion against us and fall upon us, and take us for slaves with our donkeys.” So they came near to Joseph’s house steward, and spoke to him at the entrance of the house, and said, “Oh, my lord, we indeed came down the first time to buy food, and it came about when we came to the lodging place, that we opened our sacks, and behold, each man’s money was in the mouth of his sack, our money in full. So we have brought it back in our hand. We have also brought down other money in our hand to buy food; we do not know who put our money in our sacks.” He said, “be at ease, do not be afraid. Your God and the God of your father has given you treasure in your sacks; I had your money.” Then he brought Simeon out to them. Then the man brought the men into Joseph’s house and gave them water, and they washed their feet; and he gave their donkeys fodder. So they prepared the present for Joseph’s coming at noon; for they had heard that they were to eat a meal there. When Joseph came home, they brought into the house to him the present which was in their hand and bowed to the ground before him. Then he asked them about their welfare, and said, “Is your old father well, of whom you spoke? Is he still alive?” They said, “Your servant our father is well; he is still alive.” They bowed down in homage. As he lifted his eyes and saw his brother Benjamin, his mother’s son, he said, “Is this your youngest brother, of whom you spoke to me?” And he said, “May God be gracious to you, my son.” Joseph hurried out for he was deeply stirred over his brother, and he sought a place to weep; and he entered his chamber and wept there. Then he washed his face and came out; and he controlled himself and said, “Serve the meal.” So they served him by himself, and them by themselves, and the Egyptians who ate with him by themselves, because the Egyptians could not eat bread with the Hebrews, for that is loathsome to the Egyptians. Now they were seated before him, the firstborn according to his birthright and the youngest according to his youth, and the men looked at one another in astonishment. He took portions to them from his own table, but Benjamin’s portion was five times as much as any of theirs. So they feasted and drank freely with him.” Genesis 43:1-34 (NASB)

Jacob and the brothers

The famine had become even more severe and Jacob’s family had again run out of grain, so it would be necessary to go back to Egypt, or else they would starve.
Jacob did not want to send Benjamin, but Judah convinced him that would be the only way to get the food so, Jacob gave in saying “if I am bereaved, I am bereaved.”
Jacob sent gifts with the brothers to give to the Governor (Joseph), including double the money, because they had previously returned with their original money in their sacks, not knowing that Joseph had been responsible for that.

Judah’s change in character

In verses 8-9, Judah says to his father, “Send the lad with me and we will arise and go, that we may live and not die, we as well as you and our little ones. I myself will be surety for him; you may hold me responsible for him. If I do not bring him back to you and set him before you, then let me bear the blame before you forever.”
Judah foreshadows Jesus here by putting himself as a sacrifice for Benjamin – this will also play out with Judah and Joseph a little later in the story.
Judah’s character seems to be changing for the better as he has gone from a selfish, self-centered person, to a concerned and caring brother and son.
Judah now appears to be the best example of a leader in the family, and will continue to serve in that way on into the future as reflected in his tribe and kingly descendants.

Joseph’s reaction to Benjamin

Joseph, upon seeing his brothers and Benjamin, had his servants bring them into his house and he gave them water, and they washed their feet, and he gave their donkeys fodder.
The brothers were however, fearful and confessed about having found the money in their sacks and offered the money Jacob had sent, but Joseph’s aide told them in verse 23 “Your God, and the God of your father has given you treasure in your sacks.” Notice how Joseph’s aide revered God (Joseph’s God) and this could only have come from the example Joseph had set for him.
Upon seen Benjamin specifically, Joseph “was deeply stirred, and he sought a place to weep.”
Joseph served his brothers a meal, and he sat them in order from oldest to youngest, giving Benjamin 5 times the amount of food. Note: This would have been nearly impossible for someone to guess because many of the brothers were extremely close in age (having different mothers).
Special Note relating to the question of the separation of the people: The setting of the meal was significant in several ways, 1) Joseph was an Egyptian, Semite and a Hebrew; 2) Joseph’s men were Egyptian and most likely Hamites; 3) The brothers were Hebrew Semites. Hebrews were shepherds and this was a loathsome (dirty) thing to Egyptians. So, there were different reasons that they all had to sit separately, especially Joseph as he fit all categories, yet he was barred from them all at the same time.

3. (Genesis 44:1-34) In this chapter, Joseph sends the brothers out, but he has a plan to bring them back and test them one last time. What did Joseph do that seemed to doom the brothers, and how did they respond? How did Judah step up in this situation, and what did he say he would do?

Discuss: How do we see a picture of Jesus in Judah’s recent actions?

“Then he commanded his house steward, saying, “Fill the men’s sacks with food, as much as they can carry, and put each man’s money in the mouth of his sack. Put my cup, the silver cup, in the mouth of the sack of the youngest, and his money for the grain.” And he did as Joseph had told him. As soon as it was light, the men were sent away, they with their donkeys. They had just gone out of the city, and were not far off, when Joseph said to his house steward, “Up, follow the men; and when you overtake them, say to them, ‘Why have you repaid evil for good? Is not this the one from which my lord drinks and which he indeed uses for divination? You have done wrong in doing this.’” So he overtook them and spoke these words to them. They said to him, “Why does my lord speak such words as these? Far be it from your servants to do such a thing. Behold, the money which we found in the mouth of our sacks we have brought back to you from the land of Canaan. How then could we steal silver or gold from your lord’s house? With whomever of your servants it is found, let him die, and we also will be my lord’s slaves.” So he said, “Now let it also be according to your words; he with whom it is found shall be my slave, and the rest of you shall be innocent.” Then they hurried, each man lowered his sack to the ground, and each man opened his sack. He searched, beginning with the oldest and ending with the youngest, and the cup was found in Benjamin’s sack. Then they tore their clothes, and when each man loaded his donkey, they returned to the city. When Judah and his brothers came to Joseph’s house, he was still there, and they fell to the ground before him. Joseph said to them, “What is this deed that you have done? Do you not know that such a man as I can indeed practice divination?” So Judah said, “What can we say to my lord? What can we speak? And how can we justify ourselves? God has found out the iniquity of your servants; behold, we are my lord’s slaves, both we and the one in whose possession the cup has been found.” But he said, “Far be it from me to do this. The man in whose possession the cup has been found, he shall be my slave; but as for you, go up in peace to your father.” Then Judah approached him, and said, “Oh my lord, may your servant please speak a word in my lord’s ears, and do not be angry with your servant; for you are equal to Pharaoh. My lord asked his servants, saying, ‘Have you a father or a brother?’ We said to my lord, ‘We have an old father and a little child of his old age. Now his brother is dead, so he alone is left of his mother, and his father loves him.’ Then you said to your servants, ‘Bring him down to me that I may set my eyes on him.’ But we said to my lord, ‘The lad cannot leave his father, for if he should leave his father, his father would die.’ You said to your servants, however, ‘Unless your youngest brother comes down with you, you will not see my face again.’ Thus it came about when we went up to your servant my father, we told him the words of my lord. Our father said, ‘Go back, buy us a little food.’ But we said, ‘We cannot go down. If our youngest brother is with us, then we will go down; for we cannot see the man’s face unless our youngest brother is with us.’ Your servant my father said to us, ‘You know that my wife bore me two sons; and the one went out from me, and I said, “Surely he is torn in pieces,” and I have not seen him since. If you take this one also from me, and harm befalls him, you will bring my gray hair down to Sheol in sorrow.’ Now, therefore, when I come to your servant my father, and the lad is not with us, since his life is bound up in the lad’s life, when he sees that the lad is not with us, he will die. Thus your servants will bring the gray hair of your servant our father down to Sheol in sorrow. For your servant became surety for the lad to my father, saying, ‘If I do not bring him back to you, then let me bear the blame before my father forever.’ Now, therefore, please let your servant remain instead of the lad a slave to my lord, and let the lad go up with his brothers. For how shall I go up to my father if the lad is not with me—for fear that I see the evil that would overtake my father?”” Genesis 44:1-34 (NASB)

Joseph’s final plan to test his brothers

Joseph decides to test his brothers one more time by releasing them and placing his silver cup in the mouth of Benjamin’s sack, and all of their money in each brother’s sack.
As soon as they left Joseph sent his officials after them, and the officials accused them of theft, and upon searching their sacks, they found the silver cup of Joseph’s in Benjamins sack.
This offense would have been worthy of imprisonment and/or death, and the brothers were all in shock at this point, they tore their clothes in grief and all returned to Joseph.
At this point Joseph actually gave them the opportunity to leave and go back home without Benjamin (which was ultimately the test), but Judah refused and said that they were all now Joseph’s slaves. Judah redeems himself and his brothers…

Judah steps up

Judah steps up by taking a chance and approaching Joseph (which could have cost him his life).
Judah recounts their family history, not knowing who Joseph really was, and tells him about their father and the [supposed] loss of Benjamin’s full brother, and how it grieved his father.
Judah is honest with Joseph and pleads with Joseph to take him in place of Benjamin so that his father would not die of grief.
Note: Joseph most likely thought that he would “save” Benjamin from the brothers by keeping him in Egypt and sending the brothers back, not knowing they were now remorseful. Judah seemed to have changed all that with his confession and willingness to take Benjamin’s place.

Judah pictures Jesus

Judah becomes a foreshadow of Jesus because he offers his life, and the blame (sin), for the father (Jacob) and for Benjamin, then ultimately for all the brothers (nation) when he goes before Joseph.
Judah atones for all their sins by confessing and offering his life in place of theirs.

4. (Genesis 45:1-28) In this chapter Joseph finally reveals himself to his brothers. What happened when Joseph revealed who he was; how did his brothers respond and ultimately how did Jacob react when he found out (Summarize the story)? What was the Pharaoh’s response to all that happened?

Discuss: Why do you think that the Pharaoh was so supportive of Joseph and his family, and what can we learn from Joseph’s trusting relationship with God?

“Then Joseph could not control himself before all those who stood by him, and he cried, “Have everyone go out from me.” So there was no man with him when Joseph made himself known to his brothers. He wept so loudly that the Egyptians heard it, and the household of Pharaoh heard of it. Then Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph! Is my father still alive?” But his brothers could not answer him, for they were dismayed at his presence. Then Joseph said to his brothers, “Please come closer to me.” And they came closer. And he said, “I am your brother Joseph, whom you sold into Egypt. Now do not be grieved or angry with yourselves, because you sold me here, for God sent me before you to preserve life. For the famine has been in the land these two years, and there are still five years in which there will be neither plowing nor harvesting. God sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant in the earth, and to keep you alive by a great deliverance. Now, therefore, it was not you who sent me here, but God; and He has made me a father to Pharaoh and lord of all his household and ruler over all the land of Egypt. Hurry and go up to my father, and say to him, ‘Thus says your son Joseph, “God has made me lord of all Egypt; come down to me, do not delay. You shall live in the land of Goshen, and you shall be near me, you and your children and your children’s children and your flocks and your herds and all that you have. There I will also provide for you, for there are still five years of famine to come, and you and your household and all that you have would be impoverished.”’ Behold, your eyes see, and the eyes of my brother Benjamin see, that it is my mouth which is speaking to you. Now you must tell my father of all my splendor in Egypt, and all that you have seen; and you must hurry and bring my father down here.” Then he fell on his brother Benjamin’s neck and wept, and Benjamin wept on his neck. He kissed all his brothers and wept on them, and afterward his brothers talked with him. Now when the news was heard in Pharaoh’s house that Joseph’s brothers had come, it pleased Pharaoh and his servants. Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Say to your brothers, ‘Do this: load your beasts and go to the land of Canaan, and take your father and your households and come to me, and I will give you the best of the land of Egypt and you will eat the fat of the land.’ Now you are ordered, ‘Do this: take wagons from the land of Egypt for your little ones and for your wives, and bring your father and come. Do not concern yourselves with your goods, for the best of all the land of Egypt is yours.’” Then the sons of Israel did so; and Joseph gave them wagons according to the command of Pharaoh, and gave them provisions for the journey. To each of them he gave changes of garments, but to Benjamin he gave three hundred pieces of silver and five changes of garments. To his father he sent as follows: ten donkeys loaded with the best things of Egypt, and ten female donkeys loaded with grain and bread and sustenance for his father on the journey. So he sent his brothers away, and as they departed, he said to them, “Do not quarrel on the journey.” Then they went up from Egypt, and came to the land of Canaan to their father Jacob. They told him, saying, “Joseph is still alive, and indeed he is ruler over all the land of Egypt.” But he was stunned, for he did not believe them. When they told him all the words of Joseph that he had spoken to them, and when he saw the wagons that Joseph had sent to carry him, the spirit of their father Jacob revived. Then Israel said, “It is enough; my son Joseph is still alive. I will go and see him before I die.” Genesis 45:1-28 (NASB)

Joseph finally reveals himself

Judah’s confession, honesty and willingness to take Benjamin’s place finally cracks Joseph and he tells the brothers who he really is, and he weeps loudly as he does it.
The brothers are speechless, and most likely trembling with fear for so many reasons. The text says they could not answer him and were dismayed. NIV say they were terrified, and NLT says they were stunned but Joseph reassures them, and shows his reverence and ultimate trust in God by saying: “Now do not be grieved or angry with yourselves, because you sold me here, for God sent me before you to preserve life. For the famine has been in the land these two years, and there are still five years in which there will be neither plowing nor harvesting. God sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant in the earth, and to keep you alive by a great deliverance. Now, therefore, it was not you who sent me here, but God”. Notice how prophetic this is, and the affirmation of Joseph’s earlier dreams comes out.
Joseph tells the brothers to go and get his Dad, and the rest of their family, and move to Goshen so that he can take care of them for the rest of the famine.
Joseph and the brothers weep together, and Joseph sends them off with provisions, but for Benjamin and his father he “gave three hundred pieces of silver and five changes of garments. To his father he sent… ten donkeys loaded with the best things of Egypt, and ten female donkeys loaded with grain and bread and sustenance for his father on the journey.”

The Pharaoh’s response

The Pharaoh’s response is extremely supportive in that he gave Joseph needed supplies and the best place in the land for Joseph’s family to come live, in the land of Goshen.

Discuss: Pharaoh’s support and Joseph’s relationship with God

Pharaoh’s support can be explained in a few ways, 1) God’s sovereign hand is guiding the events and the favor of Joseph in Pharaoh’s eyes, setting up the nation of Israel to grow and flourish in Egypt; 2) Joseph had proved to be a trustworthy co-regent for the Pharaoh in that his dream interpretation came true, and he showed his skill in managing not only households, but the entire country; 3) remembering that the Pharaoh at this time was of Semitic origin as was Joseph and his family, they would have been seen as allies more than just foreigners and therefore give some preferential treatment.
Joseph’s story is inspiring in many ways, as seen in his relationship with God:
- God used Joseph for a greater good that he did not see until many years later, yet Joseph trusted God’s plan and perfect timing.
- Joseph’s story teaches us that we sometimes don’t see God’s answer to our prayers right away, it may take many years, or even after we are gone, but like Joseph, we must have faith and trust in God and His Word, knowing that He will never leave us or forsake us
- Joseph was an example of how to live out our lives, trusting God, no matter the circumstances, or multiple disappointments that we might face. In the end, God was, and is in control, and works all things for good, even though others may mean it for evil (50:20).

5. (Genesis 46:1-34) In this chapter Jacob/Israel follows God’s instruction to move his entire family to Egypt during the famine. What did God say to Jacob concerning the move, and how does this relate to the Abrahamic Covenant (what part of the Covenant does He address)? Who did Jacob send ahead of the rest of the family of Israel to meet with Joseph, and why do you think he chose him?

Discuss: What happened when Jacob and Joseph finally met, what did Joseph tell his father to say to Pharaoh, and why do you think this was important?

Going Deeper: What is the connection between this chapter and the family of Jacob/Israel, and what we will eventually study in the book of Exodus, and why is that important?

“So Israel set out with all that he had, and came to Beersheba, and offered sacrifices to the God of his father Isaac. God spoke to Israel in visions of the night and said, “Jacob, Jacob.” And he said, “Here I am.” He said, “I am God, the God of your father; do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for I will make you a great nation there. I will go down with you to Egypt, and I will also surely bring you up again; and Joseph will close your eyes.” Then Jacob arose from Beersheba; and the sons of Israel carried their father Jacob and their little ones and their wives in the wagons which Pharaoh had sent to carry him. They took their livestock and their property, which they had acquired in the land of Canaan, and came to Egypt, Jacob and all his descendants with him: his sons and his grandsons with him, his daughters and his granddaughters, and all his descendants he brought with him to Egypt. Now these are the names of the sons of Israel, Jacob and his sons, who went to Egypt: Reuben, Jacob’s firstborn. The sons of Reuben: Hanoch and Pallu and Hezron and Carmi. The sons of Simeon: Jemuel and Jamin and Ohad and Jachin and Zohar and Shaul the son of a Canaanite woman. The sons of Levi: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari. The sons of Judah: Er and Onan and Shelah and Perez and Zerah (but Er and Onan died in the land of Canaan). And the sons of Perez were Hezron and Hamul. The sons of Issachar: Tola and Puvvah and Iob and Shimron. The sons of Zebulun: Sered and Elon and Jahleel. These are the sons of Leah, whom she bore to Jacob in Paddan-aram, with his daughter Dinah; all his sons and his daughters numbered thirty-three. The sons of Gad: Ziphion and Haggi, Shuni and Ezbon, Eri and Arodi and Areli. The sons of Asher: Imnah and Ishvah and Ishvi and Beriah and their sister Serah. And the sons of Beriah: Heber and Malchiel. These are the sons of Zilpah, whom Laban gave to his daughter Leah; and she bore to Jacob these sixteen persons. The sons of Jacob’s wife Rachel: Joseph and Benjamin. Now to Joseph in the land of Egypt were born Manasseh and Ephraim, whom Asenath, the daughter of Potiphera, priest of On, bore to him. The sons of Benjamin: Bela and Becher and Ashbel, Gera and Naaman, Ehi and Rosh, Muppim and Huppim and Ard. These are the sons of Rachel, who were born to Jacob; there were fourteen persons in all. The sons of Dan: Hushim. The sons of Naphtali: Jahzeel and Guni and Jezer and Shillem. These are the sons of Bilhah, whom Laban gave to his daughter Rachel, and she bore these to Jacob; there were seven persons in all. All the persons belonging to Jacob, who came to Egypt, his direct descendants, not including the wives of Jacob’s sons, were sixty-six persons in all, and the sons of Joseph, who were born to him in Egypt were two; all the persons of the house of Jacob, who came to Egypt, were seventy. Now he sent Judah before him to Joseph, to point out the way before him to Goshen; and they came into the land of Goshen. Joseph prepared his chariot and went up to Goshen to meet his father Israel; as soon as he appeared before him, he fell on his neck and wept on his neck a long time. Then Israel said to Joseph, “Now let me die, since I have seen your face, that you are still alive.” Joseph said to his brothers and to his father’s household, “I will go up and tell Pharaoh, and will say to him, ‘My brothers and my father’s household, who were in the land of Canaan, have come to me; and the men are shepherds, for they have been keepers of livestock; and they have brought their flocks and their herds and all that they have.’ When Pharaoh calls you and says, ‘What is your occupation?’ you shall say, ‘Your servants have been keepers of livestock from our youth even until now, both we and our fathers,’ that you may live in the land of Goshen; for every shepherd is loathsome to the Egyptians.”” Genesis 46:1-34 (NASB)

God speaks to Jacob/Israel about moving to Egypt

Special Note:

Jacob = is used when the narrative is speaking about the person, or when Jacob is acting “in the world”

Israel = is used when the narrative is emphasizing his spiritual connection to God and God’s Covenant, or when he is acting “in the Spirit” in line with God’s Covenant plan

At Beersheba (where Jacob stopped before going into Egypt to sacrifice to God), God spoke to Jacob and said: “I am God, the God of your father; do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for I will make you a great nation there. I will go down with you to Egypt, and I will also surely bring you up again; and Joseph will close your eyes.” (46:3-4)
(Three main parts to the Abrahamic Covenant: Nation, Land and Blessing) God is emphasizing the promise of a Nation and a Land, and He is reassuring Jacob that moving to Egypt is in line with His plan and promise because the family would be protected in Goshen, and would grow to some two million by the time of the Exodus and return to the Promised Land.

Jacob sends Judah ahead

46:28 – “Now he sent Judah before him to Joseph, to point out the way before him to Goshen; and they came into the land of Goshen.”
Judah was now beginning to show leadership (since his previous promise to take Benjamin’s place if anything went wrong), and his father Jacob recognized this, thus trusted him and gave him that role.
We will eventually see the tribe of Judah become the leader of the Nation of Israel and produce some of the most important and powerful kings in their history, including David and Solomon.
Note: Judah is the carrier of the “Seed Promise”.

Discuss: Jacob and Joseph finally meet

In verses 29-30 we are told that, “Joseph prepared his chariot and went up to Goshen to meet his father Israel; as soon as he appeared before him, he fell on his neck and wept on his neck a long time. Then Israel said to Joseph, “Now let me die, since I have seen your face, that you are still alive.” (Jacob actually lives another 17 years!)
In verses 33-34 Joseph tells his father and brothers – “ When Pharaoh calls you and says, ‘What is your occupation?’ you shall say, “Your servants have been keepers of livestock from our youth even until now, both we and our fathers,’ that you may live in the land of Goshen; for every shepherd is loathsome to the Egyptians.”
Joseph does this in order to protect his family from living among the Egyptians (who were sons of Ham), and to fulfill God’s Promise of a Nation (that has not been compromised or assimilated).

Going Deeper: Making a connection from now to Moses’ time in Exodus

God is protecting the “Promised Seed-line” and His Covenant Promise to Abraham, by moving Israel out of Canaan, and the Canaanite influence, to the land of Goshen in Egypt.
If they had stayed in Canaan, they would have blended or dissolved into the Canaanite population (Judah had set an example of that in chapter 38, and you can see that there had already been at least one Canaanite marriage – v. 11 – Simeon of course).
By moving Israel to Goshen, and by the fact that “shepherds” were loathed by the Egyptians, God would also be protecting His people from the Egyptians as they would (generally) not be able to intermarry and disperse into that culture, keeping them from pagan practices and beliefs as well.
This protection also helped fulfill the promise of a great Nation that would come from Abraham, and at the beginning of the next book, Exodus, we will find this little family of 70 has grown to over 2 million people, the Nation promised by God! (However, they will then be enslaved by a Pharaoh “who did not know Joseph,” and this will be where the story of Moses begins).

Bible Study

Each week, starting we will have Bible study following the presentation. There will be questions presented here on the weekend, and basic answers will be part of the next presentation. This can also be used to make a leader’s guide for your own small group and future studies!

1. Review of Class Topic: Before getting into the Bible study questions, discuss today’s class presentation by summarizing what you learned, commenting or asking any questions.

NOTE: THESE QUESTIONS WERE PREVIOUSLY ASSIGNED AND WE WILL REVIEW THEM IN CLASS NEXT WEEK

Read Genesis Chapter 47 through Chapter 50, then answer the following questions:

2. (Genesis 47:1-31) In this chapter the family of Israel begin to settle in the land of Goshen (leaving the Promised Land in Canaan), and Jacob with some of his sons meet with the Pharaoh and Joseph. What was the conversation and what special thing did Jacob do to the Pharaoh? What was the agreement Joseph made with the people of the land when the famine became more severe, and how do you think that might affect them down the road, especially later during the time of Moses? How long did Jacob live in the land of Egypt, how old was he when he died, and what did he make Joseph promise to do for him after he died?

Going Deeper: How do we see God’s sovereignty play out with the separation of the people of Israel in the land of Goshen from the Egyptians and the rest of the country, and why that is ultimately important?

Going even deeper (for those of you who like a challenge): Investigate the name Rameses and discuss why this name is the main reason for the controversy over the period of time these events, along with the Exodus, occurs?

3. (Genesis 47:28 – 48:22) Jacob, nearing his last days, gives the promise of the birthright (but not the blessing of the “Seed Promise”) to Joseph through his two sons by giving him a double-portion. What did Jacob tell Joseph about God appearing to him, and what part of the Abrahamic Covenant did he reinforce? Summarize what happened during this blessing of Manasseh and Ephraim and how Jacob compared them to Reuben and Simeon.

Going Deeper: Why did Jacob put Ephraim over Manasseh, and how do we see this played out in the future?

4. (Genesis 49:1-28) In this chapter Jacob gives a blessing and prophecy to each one of his twelve sons before he dies. This, in effect, does away with the “patriarchal” rule and institutes individuality for each tribe as they move forward, even though it is clear that future and final rulership of the Nation (in the form of kings) will specifically come through one tribe, Judah. What did Jacob say to Reuben, Simeon and Levi that gives clues as to his reason for blessing Judah? What does Jacob say to Judah, and what prophetic statements are specifically related to Jesus?

Going Deeper: Make a list of each of the twelve sons and summarize what Jacob prophesied about them (use Joseph’s two sons instead of Joseph).

Going even deeper (for those of you who like a challenge): Can you find, historically, what happened to each of these tribes in fulfillment of the prophecies, and any other Biblical characters that come from these tribes?

5. (Genesis 49:29 – 50:26) This is the final section of Genesis, and the end of Jacob and Joseph’s stories. Where does Jacob tell his sons he wants to be buried, why and who else was buried there? What seems to be unique about the burial process that happened for Jacob? After their father’s death, the brothers’ were afraid that Joseph would now enact revenge upon them, but how does Joseph respond? How old was Joseph when he died, what did he say prophetically to his brothers and what did he make them swear to do? (This comes true in Exodus!!!)

Discuss: How has Joseph’s story inspired you? The key verse for his entire story is found in Genesis 50:20 – copy and use as a memory verse along with the cross-referenced verse of Romans 8:28!

Join us next week as we continue our “Case for the Old Testament, Joseph to Moses!”

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You will not find this material in the public school curriculum even though it is based on solid evidence and grounded in research. It is ironic that following the evidence to where it leads stops at the door of our public schools as they will not let a “Divine footprint” in! Join us as we examine evidence for Christianity and learn how to become a thoughtful defender and ambassador of your faith.

Click into the resource page of this website to view many of the top Christian thinkers and apologists along with some of their work; connecting to these types of resources is essential in your Christian growth.

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Teri Dugan

TeriDugan@truthfaithandreason.com

1 Peter 3:15