Bible Study - Joseph(7)
BIBLE STUDY
Joseph – A Life of Integrity and Wisdom
Wednesday 6th November 2019
Session 7 - Confession Time
Passage for Study: Genesis 44:1-34
Outline of Talk:
* The more we proceed with this study of Joseph’s life the more “New Testament-like” it becomes. In chapters 43 and 44 we can see that Joseph has a carefully thought-out plan for his brothers. He has two objectives in this; (1) a further testing of his brothers as to what they will do when they discover the money in their sacks and Joseph’s silver cup in Benjamin’s sack; and (2) to bring his brothers back to him, with a view to them confessing their guilt, leading to a reconciliation with him.
* There are situations in God’s providence which bring us distress yet are designed to draw us nearer to God himself and to increase our dependence on him. The more we come to see that our own resources are not sufficient to bring us acceptance with God or to overcome trauma, the more we ought to cast ourselves upon the wisdom and mercy of God, as the brothers here cast themselves upon Joseph.
* In verse 16 Judah makes a confession for them all to Joseph and in this he states, “God has found out the guilt of your servants.” He is not referring to guilt in respect of the money or the silver cup; he is referring to guilt over what they did to Joseph! The Egyptians practiced “divination” (v.15), (a technique that pagans used in trying to ascertain how the future would unfold, or as in Numbers 22-24 to pronounce curses on enemies), but we should not think that Joseph engaged in this. His words here amount to, “did you think you could fool me?”.
* Judah’s speech (v. 18-34) is the longest in Genesis! It contains two significant features: (1) intercession; and (2) substitution (v. 33). In fact, Judah is the first example in the Bible of someone offering himself in place of someone else. You can explore these as you follow the related questions.
Questions for Discussion Session:
1. “Behind a frowning providence he hides a smiling face”, is a line from William Cowper’s famous hymn “God moves in a Mysterious Way.” Cowper meant that God sometimes “hides himself” behind some of the painful events he has arranged for us, but with good intentions.
a. Do you agree?
b. Can you give any examples from your own experience which may help younger Christians?
c. Where do you find indications of this in the way Joseph dealt with his brothers in Genesis 44?
2. “What shall we speak? Or how can we clear ourselves? God has found out the guilt of your servants; behold, we are my Lord’s servants…” (verse 16).
Discuss this in relation to your experience of:
a. Conviction of sin and guilt.
b. Confession of sin and guilt.
c. Commitment to becoming a servant of Christ.
3. In verses 18-32 Judah makes intercession for his brothers. In particular, look for the following and discuss these in relation to Christ’s prayer in John chapter 17.
(a) A confession of the truth about himself and those he is interceding for (verse 19 and compare John 17 v 2-4, 6-7, 14, 18, 25-26).
(b) A pledge by Judah to his father that he would ensure Benjamin’s safety (verses 32-33, and compare John 17 v 6, 11-12 and 15).
(c) The words “How can I go back to my father if the boy is not with me?” (verse 34) could be taken as a sentiment applicable to Christ’s mission to bring his people safely home to be with him in heaven. Compare with John 17 v 24 and discuss how Christ’s concern for this to be fulfilled affects your own thinking about:
(i) your present life
(ii) heaven
