Joseph and His Brothers Reunite

TLDR: A guide for having a family discipleship time on Genesis 42–45; 50: based on the ACT Bible Study Method.

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Act 3: God Promises Jesus

Scene 24: Joseph and His Brothers Reunite

Genesis 42:1—45:28; 50:15–21

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Analyze the Passage

Step 1: Introduce the Passage

Genesis was written by Moses sometime between 1445–1405 BC to help the Israelites leaving Egypt understand their history with God. It’s one of the five books of the Law that Moses wrote, which we also call the Torah, or the Pentateuch, which means “five books.”

Today’s true story is the finish to Joseph’s story. It’s a long story with a few twists and turns, and we won’t look at it all, but in the end it leads to a wonderful conclusion for someone who endured so much hardship, but who was able to see that God used it all for his good and God’s glory. This story is in Act 3: God Promises Jesus.

Step 2: Read the Passage

Genesis 42:1—45:28; 50:15–21

Step 3: Summarize the Passage

When Jacob learned Egypt had grain during the famine, he sent his ten sons, without Benjamin, who he was afraid to lose.

When Joseph saw his brothers he recognized them but pretended not to know them and spoke harshly to them. He accused them of being spies. The brothers said they were ten of twelve brothers from Canaan and they left the youngest home.

Joseph responded that they were spies and they had to stay until one brother left and brought the youngest brother with him. He imprisoned them for three days. Then, he told them that one brother had to remain and the rest would go bring the youngest brother back.

The brothers believed they were being punished for what they had done to Joseph, but they didn’t know it was Joseph who imprisoned them. Simeon was left behind.

Joseph had their sacks full of grain and their money placed back with it. He also had them given supplies for their trip. When on the way home the brothers learned they had been given back their money, they were afraid.

They returned and told Jacob all that had happened. But Jacob was distressed, believing Joseph was gone, now Simeon was gone, and if they took Benjamin, he’d be gone too. So, he refused.

When their grain ran out, Jacob told Reuben to go buy food. But he reminded him that they couldn’t return without Benjamin. Jacob told them to take gifts to give and double the money so they could give back what they had tried to give the first time.

When they got to Egypt, Joseph had a meal prepared for the brothers. When they came into Joseph’s house, they were afraid and tried to give the money from the first time to Joseph’s main servant. But the servant said everything was fine and brought them Simeon.

When Joseph arrived, they gave the gifts and he asked how their father was. When Joseph saw Benjamin, he hurried out and and went to his room and wept.

Then, he washed his face and returned. The brothers were seated in birth order, which amazed them. Benjamin was given a portion five times larger than the others. And they all drank together.

When it came time for them to leave, Joseph had food and the money placed in their sacks again. But he also instructed for his cup to be put in Benjamin’s. After they left, Joseph had his servants chase after them and ask them why they had done wrong to him by taking his cup.

The brothers denied taking the cup and said if anyone had it, he should die and the rest become Joseph’s slaves. The servant responded that if one has the cup, he would become a slave and the rest would go free.

The sacks were searched from the oldest to the youngest, and the cup was indeed found in Benjamin’s. The brothers then tore their clothes in grief, and they all returned to Joseph’s city.

Joseph asked them why they had done this, and Judah told him that they all were now his slaves. Joseph said that only the one who tool the cup would be. But Judah explained that their elderly father loves Benjamin and that his brother was dead. Judah then told Joseph about them coming and that if they returned without Benjamin, their father would die. Instead, Judah asked that Joseph keep him and let Benjamin return to spare their father such pain.

At this, Joseph could not control himself any longer. He commanded his servants to leave and then he wept loudly and told his brothers who he was. His brothers couldn’t believe it at first. But Joseph told them not to be upset or angry with what they had done so long ago. For God used that to save their lives. Joseph knew it was ultimately God who sent him to Egypt.

Joseph then told the brothers to go to their father and tell them what happened. And then to bring him back and they would live in Egypt. There. Joseph would provide for them for the five remaining years of famine.

Joseph wept with his brothers and he kissed them. And they talked together.

When Pharaoh learned what happened, he told Joseph to have his family move to Egypt and he’d give them the best of the land. So, the brothers left, after Joseph told them not to be afraid.

When the brothers told Jacob that Joseph was alive, he was stunned. Then he said he would go see Joseph before he died.

The family returned to Egypt and reunited with Joseph. Then, in time, Jacob did die. But when that happened, the brothers became afraid, worried that Joseph had bore a grudge against them and would repay them now. So they sent word to Joseph that before Jacob died, he had given instructions for Joseph to forgive his brothers for their sin. Then, they went and fell at Joseph’s feet.

Joseph told them not to be afraid. What they meant as harm, God used for good. Then Joseph comforted them.

Step 4: Interrogate the Passage

Questions you and your family ask might include:

• Why did Joseph pretend to be a stranger?
• Why didn’t the brothers recognize Joseph?
• Why did Joseph speak harshly to them and accuse them of being spies?
• Why did Joseph test them by having them bring Benjamin?
• Why did Joseph change from one brother going while the rest remained prisoners to one brother staying?
• Why was Simeon chosen to stay?
• Why did Joseph give their money back?
• Did Joseph’s household servant believe in God, the way he explained that God had given them their money back?
• Why did Joseph seat the brothers by age?
• Why did Benjamin get a larger portion of the meal?
• Why did Joseph have his cup put in Benjamin’s sack?
• Why was Joseph unable to control himself any longer after Judah asked to stay in Benjamin’s place?
• Why did Joseph tell the brothers not to be overcome by fear as they left?
• Did Jacob really give the final instructions to Joseph or did the brothers make that up?

Step 5: Wonder about the Passage

Wonder statements you and your family make might include:

• I wonder if the ten brothers felt bitterness toward Benjamin for being the favorite, like they had toward Joseph.
• I wonder if Joseph had a plan from the beginning of all that he would do with his brothers.
• I wonder why the brothers connected what was happening to them to what they did to Joseph.
• I wonder how Simeon felt being left as a prisoner all that time.
• I wonder how Joseph had Simeon treated during that time.
• I wonder what the reunion with Simeon was like.
• I wonder why Joseph cried when he saw Benjamin, but he didn’t earlier when he had seen his other brothers.
• I wonder how the brothers felt when they learned it was Joseph.
• I wonder what Joseph and his brothers talked about.

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Connect the Passage to Christ

Step 6: Find the World in Front of Text

In the middle of a story filled with reminders of how the world is broken by sin, today’s story gives us a glimpse of how God wants us to live. It seems that Joseph wanted to test his brothers, to see if they had changed over the years, and they showed that they had. Before, they wanted to kill a favored son; now they were willing to sacrifice themselves for one.

But even before they could prove themselves to Joseph, we see signs of the amazing level of love and forgiveness he showed to them. He could have had them thrown in prison immediately. He could have had them killed. But he didn’t. He gave them back their money—a sign of his love for them—and treated them well. Then, when he finally revealed himself to them, he was clear that he forgave them and understood that God used what they had done for good. He did not back away from calling what they had done wrong and evil, but he accepted it as a path to God preserving their lives.

In this way, we see an example of the love and forgiveness we should extend to others. People will wrong us in big ways and small ways. God wants us to reject anger and bitterness and revenge and hold onto love and forgiveness. There is a time and place for justice, for sure, but our primary concern should be to love others who wrong us to show them Jesus’ love and to forgiven them, whether they deserve it or not.

Step 7: Find the World of Jesus of the Text

Joseph’s love and forgiveness is impressive, but it is nothing compared to the love and forgiveness of Jesus. In fact, the story of Joseph points us to Jesus. Each was a beloved son betrayed by his family. Each endured great hardships even though they were innocent. And each brought life from their hardships—Joseph physical life in a famine and Jesus spiritual life because of sin. Jesus is the greater Joseph, bringing life and restoring a shattered family through his sacrifice, his love, and the forgiveness he provides.

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Translate It to Your Context

Step 8: Connect the World of Jesus of the Text to Your World

Who do you need to forgive? Who has wronged you in a big way or a small way that you can truly forgive? How can you let that person know they are forgiven? Who might you ask to forgive you for something you’ve done wrong?

Who can you show the love of Jesus to this week? What are some ways you can love your family, friends, neighbors, and even strangers with the amazing and powerful love of Jesus?

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This will wrap up this walk through Genesis using the ACT Bible Study Method, at least for now. I hope it has given you an idea of how to use this method in the home and encouraged you to give it a try!

Learn more about this family discipleship method here.