Genesis 44-45
Joseph Revealed

V.1-5 Why is Joseph doing this?

It’s OK to say, “Let me see it.”

V.5 “cup for divination”

Did Joseph practice divination?

Deut 18:10 Let no one be found among you who sacrifices his son or daughter in the fire, who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, 11 or casts spells, or who is a medium or spiritist or who consults the dead. 12 Anyone who does these things is detestable to the LORD, and because of these detestable practices the LORD your God will drive out those nations before you. 13 You must be blameless before the LORD your God. 14 The nations you will dispossess listen to those who practice sorcery or divination. But as for you, the LORD your God has not permitted you to do so.

V.6-13 The brothers pass another test

V.14-17 “God has uncovered your servant’s guilt.”

The cup = Innocent
Jealousy, hatred, selling their brother, lying, deceiving = Guilty

V.18-32 Judah shows more signs of repentance

V.33-34 The love test

John 13:34 "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."

What’s love?

1 John 3:16 This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.

Moses
Ex 32:31 So Moses went back to the LORD and said, "Oh, what a great sin these people have committed! They have made themselves gods of gold. 32 But now, please forgive their sin — but if not, then blot me out of the book you have written."

Paul
Rom 9:1 I speak the truth in Christ-I am not lying, my conscience confirms it in the Holy Spirit- 2 I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. 3 For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, those of my own race, 4 the people of Israel.

The Test Results

· They did not resent it when Benjamin was given the favored portion (Genesis 43:34)
· They trusted each other, not accusing each other of wrong when accused of stealing the cup (Genesis 44:9)
· They stuck together when the silver cup was found. They did not abandon the favored son and allow him to be carried back to Egypt alone (Genesis 44:13)
· They completely humbled themselves for the sake of the favored son (Genesis 44:14)
· They knew their predicament was the result of their sin against Joseph (Genesis 44:16)
· They offered themselves as slaves to Egypt, not abandoning Benjamin, the favored son, their brother (Genesis 44:16)
· They showed due concern for how this might affect their father (Genesis 44:29-31)
· Judah was willing to be a substitutionary sacrifice for his brother out of love for his father and his brethren (Genesis 44:33)

V.1-4 Joseph revealed

V.5 “Why was Joseph in Egypt?”

1. Was it because of the sin of his brothers or
2. Because of the good plan of God?

Both

V.6-8
Rom 8:28 And we know that in all things GOD works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

James 1:2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds,

Job 1:20 Then he fell to the ground in worship 21 and said: "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I will depart. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised." 22 In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing.

Eph 5:19 Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, 20 always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

1 Thess 5:16 Be joyful always; 17 pray continually; 18 give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

Heb 10:32 Remember those earlier days after you had received the light, when you stood your ground in a great contest in the face of suffering. 33 Sometimes you were publicly exposed to insult and persecution; at other times you stood side by side with those who were so treated. 34 You sympathized with those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, because you knew that you yourselves had better and lasting possessions. 35 So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded.

Wait to see what God is doing

V.9-15 The time of reconciliation

V.16-24 Where’s Jesus?

John 14:1 "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. 2 In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.