1. As we start off in this portion let’s take a look at Genesis 37:12-36.
2. So, what started this whole chain of events?
3. Look at Genesis 37:3, the idea of unbalanced love is not perceived it is real
Because it is stated here.
4. Joseph had 10 other brothers and Joseph was the last son or the 11th son and
Also, the first son of Rachel who was the wife that he wanted in the first place.
5. So through this we are able to see that there may have been some relationship
Problems.
6. So, let’s add to that Jacob giving Joseph this special robe as a gift for him to
Wear in front of his brothers Genesis 37:3, as well as Joseph was a snitch
7. This is not made up, look at Genesis 37:4, they saw that Jacob loved Joseph
More than them Scripture says so.
8. And on top of all that, the dream that Joseph had put all of his brothers serving
Joseph, including Jacob, even Jacob was upset over that because the dreams had
Jacob serving Joseph as well.
9. So, Jacob sends Joseph off to check on how the brothers are doing, probably
Because of the bad report that had been given before.
10. Look at the mission command, bring word back to Jacob about how they were
Doing.
11. So we have to ask the question, how would you feel about that happening to
You?
12. When the brothers saw him coming, they plotted to kill Joseph, Genesis 37:18
And you can hear the hurt in their speech, Oh, look here comes the “Dreamer”.
13. Only two of the brothers argued against it, Reuben and Judah and so they sold
Him instead.
14. Now let’s going to Genesis 44: 18, in which we find Judah interceding for
Another brother.
15. This time it is for Benjamin, who Rachel had given birth to, once again it was
Jackob’s true love.
16. Look at Genesis 43:1-11, Israel tells Judah that they need to go back and buy
Some food for then in Egypt but Judah tells Israel that he can’t unless he is
Able to take Benjamin with him, he tells his father that the man had told him
That.
17. So, the decision is made to send Benjamin with them and go back to Egypt
They go, only this time when they get there they not only get food they needed
But they get extra food, their money back, but Benjamin had Joseph’s silver
Cup in his bag, Joseph had it placed there as a test.
18. When they went to leave, they had not gotten very far when they were stopped
By Joseph’s people, and accused of doing evil even though good was given to
Them and the found in Benjamin’s bag Joseph’s cup that he uses for
Divination Genesis 44:3-5.
19. When Joseph told his steward to put the cup in the bag of Benjamin, Joseph
Said it was his to put his “cup the silver one” in the bag of Benjamin, Joseph
Does not call it a divination cup, in fact all of the wisdom that Joseph had
Came from dreams that he had.
20. The truth is that it was common in the Middle Eastern nobles to have a
Divination cup’s and so it would not be thought of as odd for him to have one
Remember, they did not know who Joseph was.
21. Look at Genesis 44:18-20, Now Judah begins to intercede for Benjamin, and
Notice that he brings up about Joseph when he tells them that Benjamin’s
Older brother is dead, and he also brings out that their dad is old and weak and
Benjamin is the only other son of Rachel.
22. If we listen to this we can hear that Judah had a love for his father Israel had
Caused Judah to be willing to place his own life in harm’s way to protect
Benjamin but to protect Israel as well, and it sounds and we see this in
Genesis 44:30-34, it seems that Judah is sorry that he wasn’t able to prevent or
That he didn’t prevent Joseph from being sold, and the sorrow it caused Israel.
23. I believe this is what caused Joseph to go ahead and reveal his true identity to
Them, because Judah had changed look at Genesis 45:1 Joseph breaks down
Emotion at this point and had his stewards sent away.
24. This is when Joseph revealed his identity to his brothers, also I think that
Joseph did not want to expose his brothers to the humility of what had
Happened when they had sold him into slavery and the discussion about them
Murdering him.
25. Look at Genesis 45:3, it says that they could not answer Joseph because they
Were terrified, they were waiting at this point for the other boot to drop, this
Is a wonderful picture of forgiveness, Look at Micah 6:7-8 what does Yahweh
Require from us?
26. It says that they were terrified, think about this, you are in Egypt standing
Before the 2nd most powerful man in Egypt, and you just find out that he is
The one you had talked about killing, and then decided to sell him into
Slavery, who wouldn’t be terrified.
27. But there is more going on, we see that there was some grieving go on, and
Anger going on, and Joseph tells them not to do that, because it was Yahweh’s
Plan and that is what those dreams were about, I think it is important for us to
Look at the plan based in the direction that Yahweh may have been taking in
Over our life time to be able to put things in perspective and then we can get
Rid of anger and extend forgiveness, mercy and grace to others.
28. This will also help us put the future in perspective so we will not get caught
Off guard about the future, and be able to plan for the future as well as did
Joseph as he told his brothers to go get his father and to move the family to
Egypt so they will be able to survive the famine.