Study: Genesis 42, 43, 44, 45:1-3.
Read with the class: Genesis 42:8-21; 45:1-3.
Memorization Text:
(Younger children) 1 Juan 4:9. “God sent... “
(Older
children) - 1 Juan 4:9.
OBJECTIVES:
1. To point out how our conscience functions and what its purpose is.
2. To show how, like Joseph, God is patient while waiting for conviction of sin and then
repentance.
3. To teach the need for understanding how offensive sin is and the need of confession of
it before there can be pardon.
4. To clarify how pardon permits one who formerly lived at a distance to now be
invited to draw near to God.
SCENE No.1. The ten brothers before Joseph in Egypt.
DEVELOPMENT of the lesson:
Joseph was about 30 years of age when he was brought before Pharaoh.
After seven years of plenty, the seven years of famine began.
Throughout this period, God was at work in the lives of Joseph’s brothers.
The day had to come when they would bow before Joseph and his dreams begin to be
fulfilled.
Apl. God works in the sinner’s heart, convincing him of sin, even though he may not
be aware of the Holy Spirit’s actions.
Cns. God always works to bring men to repentance. Joseph speaks roughly to his brothers,
not to take vengeance on them, but to get them thinking about their wickedness.
The brothers are ignorant of Joseph’s true identity.
He leaves them in prison for three days during which time their conscience begins to
trouble them.
Cmt. God has put within every one a conscience, which gives a person the capacity to
distinguish between what is right and good, and what is evil. It also causes the person to
recall sin committed in the past.
Sug. It is important that young people understand how God uses the conscience.
Conscience causes the sinner to perceive his/her sin and feel remorse. The ten brothers
talk together while they are in prison. Recalling their evil behaviour, they recognize
that they sinned against Joseph about 20 years before.
Cns. Being in Egypt perhaps has made them think about their brother Joseph, since the
Midianites who bought him were on their way to that country. They recognize that it is
because they did not concern themselves about Joseph’s suffering that they are now
suffering themselves. Despite their discussion of the past, they still do not make
confession of their sin.
Apl. Man’s heart is hard.
SCENE No. 2. In the dining room of Joseph’s house.
DEVELOPMENT of the lesson: - On this second journey, Benjamin accompanies his brothers. It
had been very difficult to convince Jacob that he must let Benjamin go to Egypt.
Cns. Jacob’s acquiescence to Joseph’s order to have Benjamin sent is a
fulfillment of Joseph’s dream, in which his parents were foreseen as bowing before
him. Gen. 37:10. Jacob gave in, interpreting it as “all these things are against
me”.
Cns. Jacob does not realize that in God’s plans, “all things
work together for good ....” (Romans 8:28). Joseph invites the eleven brothers to eat
with him and, once their fears are relieved, they have a good time together. The fears of
the brothers are based on not being able to explain the special treatment being received.
Cns. The grace of God ofttimes allows people to receive treatment they do not deserve.
His goodness leads them to repentance. See Rom. 2:4.
The eleven brothers still do not recognize Joseph who, in turn, cannot reveal
himself to them due to their unbelief. The process of contrition is not yet complete.
Apl. If children do not recognize their sin and need of pardon, neither will they see
Christ as the Saviour they need. Joseph’s meekness (power under control) should be
pointed out. He is waiting for the right moment to reveal himself to his brothers.
Apl. God does not rush in His dealings with sinners, but rather waits for conviction of
sin to be complete.
SCENE No. 3. On the road out of the city where Joseph lives.
DEVELOPMENT: - Joseph has a plan for making his brothers recognize and confess their sin.
The money he has returned to his brothers is again in their sacks, showing that he does
not want their goods but their heart.
Apl. Often we act as if God wants our possessions, failing to take into account that He is
owner of everything and wants us to give Him our hearts first of all. Charging his
brothers with robbery and making them return is designed to make the brothers see what it
is like to be falsely accused. They had falsely charged Joseph with presumption for
his dreams.
They were reaping what they had sowed. Point out the words in Gen. 44:9. They
themselves pronounced the pain of death if one were found guilty. Benjamin is the only
innocent one of the whole group, and he is the one who bears the burden of the false
accusation about Joseph’s cup.
Apl. Benjamin is a type of the Lord Jesus. Cmp. Sal. 69:4, 9. During the meal, he
had been given a portion five times larger than that of the others.
Cns. According to the law of Moses, when restitution was made of stolen goods, the fifth
part had to be added to what was being returned. Just as the Lord Jesus would do later,
Benjamin was about to “pay” that which he took not away.
Benjamin, a just one, suffers on account of the unjust ones. Cmp 1 Peter 3:18.
SCENE No. 4. In Joseph’s presence once again.
DEVELOPMENT of the lesson:
These men, who had been the objects of so much suspicion, finally stop trying to justify
themselves and confess that they are
sinners. They request that Benjamin not be kept as a slave, and Judah offers to stay in
his place. Seeing the change in Judah, the one who had been the leader in selling his
brother, Joseph can refrain himself no longer. He weeps as he embraces Benjamin and
reveals his identity to his brothers.
Apl. A sinner must recognize himself as bad, confess his sinnership before God, and then,
contrite and repentant, he finds
salvation in the Lord Jesus Christ. Had Joseph never revealed to his brothers who he was,
they would never have known him.
Apl. Christ will appear before the Jewish people one day in the future to prove that He it
was they nailed to a cross. What a marvelous revelation! “I am Joseph”. Now
pardoned, he can invite them, “Come near to me, I pray you”. He calls them
his brothers; he is one of them.
Apl. The Lord Jesus Christ became man to make it possible for us to draw nigh unto God.
See. Heb.7:19 10;22 James 4:8. |
