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JOSEPH’S SECOND INTERVIEW WITH THE TEN BROTHERS

Text: Genesis 42
6 August 2013

(I) JOSEPH’S SECOND INTERVIEW WITH THE TEN BROTHERS

1. On the third day of the imprisonment of the Ten Brothers (Genesis 42:18a)

2. Joseph interviews the brothers a second time (Genesis 42:18b-20)

a) Slight change of plans

b) Reason for this change: “I fear God” (Genesis 42:18c)

c) One of the brothers will stay in prison (Genesis 42:19a)

d) The rest can return home to Canaan with grain (Genesis 49:19b)

e) They must bring with them their youngest brother (Genesis 49:20a)

f) Their words would then be verified (Genesis 42:20b)

g) They would then escape the death penalty (Genesis 42:20c)
(II) THE DISTRESS OF THE TEN BROTHERS

1. They were guilt ridden (Genesis 42:21)

2. They remembered the anguish of their brother Joseph (Genesis 42:21b)

3. They had closed their heart to his anguished cries (Genesis 42:21b)

4. This present distress was their retribution (Genesis 42:21c)

5. Reuben speaks up

a) He had warned the brothers not to harm Joseph (Genesis 42:22a)

b) They had not heeded him (Genesis 42:22b)

c) The blood of Joseph was on them (Genesis 42:22c)
(III) JOSEPH’S HEART

1. Joseph had understood every word spoken (Hebrew) (Genesis 42:23a)

2. The brothers did not know Joseph spoke Hebrew

3. Joseph had used an interpreter to speak to the Ten Brothers (Genesis 42:23b)

4. He withdrew into his personal chambers (Genesis 42:24)

a) He wept (Genesis 42:24)

b) At heart he was their brother

5. Resumption of Interview

a) He arrested Simeon

b) He bound him before the eyes of the brothers