Message Notes

INTRODUCTION

1. In Egypt

a) All surrounding countries came to Egypt

b) Only in Egypt was there grain to feed the hungry millions

c) The famine was very severe

2. The problem the sons of Jacob faced

a) They had been accused of being spies

b) They knew that they could possibly be executed!

c) They were already in prison for three days

THE TEST PROPOSED BY THE GOVERNOR OF EGYPT

18 Then Joseph said to them the third day, “Do this and live, for I fear God:
19 If you are honest men, let one of your brothers be confined to your prison house; but you, go and carry grain for the famine of your houses.
20 And bring your youngest brother to me; so your words will be verified, and you shall not die.”
And they did so.

Genesis 42:18-20

1. The proposal made:

a) One of the men would be confined in prison

b) They can purchase grain for the family in Canaan

c) The youngest brother must be brought to Egypt on the next trip

2. If they agreed to this proposal

a) Their words would be verified

b) They would not die (executed as spies) Genesis 42:20

CONVERSATION AMONG THE BROTHERS

21 Then they said to one another, “We are truly guilty concerning our brother, for we saw the anguish of his soul when he pleaded with us, and we would not hear; therefore this distress has come upon us.”
22 And Reuben answered them, saying, “Did I not speak to you, saying, ‘Do not sin against the boy’; and you would not listen? Therefore behold, his blood is now required of us.”

Genesis 42:21-22

1. In full agreement among the brothers

a) They felt that they were truly guilty concerning their brother

b) They remembered what Joseph did:

i) The anguish of his soul

ii) His pleas made to them

c) They also remembered

i) They refused to hear Joseph

ii) They had been so angry and jealous

d) They were in deep distress now

i) This distress had come about because of their sin

ii) This was God’s punishment

2. Reuben chipped in:

a) He had pleaded with the brothers not to kill Joseph

b) But no one had listened

c) This present distress was the judgment of God upon all of them

THE TEARS OF JOSEPH

23 But they did not know that Joseph understood them, for he spoke to them through an interpreter.
24 And he turned himself away from them and wept. Then he returned to them again, and talked with them. And he took Simeon from them and bound him before their eyes.

Genesis 42:23-24

1. The brothers had not recognised Joseph

2. They did not know that Joseph had understood all they were saying

3. All along, Joseph had used an interpreter

4. He was moved by what he had heard:

a) His brothers had recognised their wrong

b) They had been remorseful and regretful

5. Joseph turned away from his brothers

a) He needed to give vent to his emotions

b) He wept:

i) So many years had been wasted

ii) So much pain and suffering had been experienced by all

6. He returned to the brothers

a) He talked to the brothers further

b) Simeon was arrested and jailed

c) This was done right in front of them

d) The impact must have been very significant

7. All of these things

a) They were carefully planned

b) Joseph needed to know what their true character was

c) This was a huge, carefully planned test

8. The guilt of the brothers

a) There was fear

b) There was guilt

c) There was despair too

9. The proving of the brothers

a) They had been wicked once

b) They had changed

c) They were changed for the better!