GOD MEANS IT FOR GOOD
Having looked at the first part of Joseph’s life in the story “From the Pit to the Palace” you have learned that his father was Jacob and that his mother was Rachel, Jacob’s favourite wife.You have, furthermore, learned that Jacob spoiled Joseph greatly by giving him a special coat. And that Jacob’s actions caused the brothers of Joseph to become jealous of Joseph.
Moreover, God gave Joseph two dreams. From these dreams Joseph understood that one day his family would bow down to him. He announced that to his family and this caused his brothers to become even more jealous of Joseph. In fact, they began to hate him so much that they began to plot against Joseph how to get rid of him. They did this by selling him to merchants who were on their way to Egypt. Consequently he found himself sold as a slave to a man named Potiphar. However, that was not the end of his misery for after he had served Potiphar well he found himself thrown in prison for doing what was right.
He must have felt that God had forgotten him and his dreams. One day in prison things seemed to have taken a turn for the better when he was able to interpret the dreams of two men who had served at Pharaoh’s Court but that too ended in disappointment for he never heard from either one of them again. And then, unexpectedly as far as Joseph was concerned, one day he heard a knock on the door of his prison cell and he was told he was needed at Pharaoh’s Court. And that’s where we pick up the story. For God had not forgotten Joseph neither had God forgotten Joseph’s dreams. God had obviously decided that after 13 years Joseph’s training at Potiphar’s home as well as the prison had paid off and that Joseph was now ready for the task God had for him. A week before the knock on his prison cell door he was not completely ready. Even the day before the knock on his prison cell door he was not yet completely ready. But then the day came that he had passed all the tests God had prepared for him in order to be able to fulfil his God-given task. So that night God gave Pharaoh two dreams as, you can read in Genesis 41:1-7
When two full years had passed, Pharaoh had a dream; He was standing by the Nile, when out of the river there came up seven cows, sleek and fat, and they grazed among the reeds. After them, seven other cows, ugly and gaunt, came up out of the Nile and stood beside those on the river bank. And the cows that were ugly and gaunt ate up the seven sleek, fat cows. Then Pharaoh woke up. He fell asleep again and had a second dream: Seven heads of grain, healthy and good, were growing on a single stalk. After them, seven other heads of grain sprouted – thin and scorched by the east wind. The thin heads of grain swallowed up the seven healthy, full heads. Then Pharaoh woke up; it had been a dream.
God then made sure that Pharaoh would be so troubled by these dreams that he would ask for help. At the same time He made sure that the help Pharaoh had in mind would not be useful at all as you can read in Genesis 41:8
In the morning his mind was troubled, so he sent for all the magicians and wise men of Egypt. Pharaoh told them his dreams, but no-one could interpret for him.
God then brought back to the cupbearer’s mind an experience he had had with someone when he was in prison, as you can read in Genesis 41:9-13
Then the chief cupbearer said to Pharaoh, “Today I am reminded of my shortcoming. Pharaoh was once angry with his servants, and he imprisoned me and the chief baker in the house of the captain of the guard. Each of us had a dream the same night, and each dream had a meaning of its own. Now a young Hebrew was there with us, a servant of the captain of the guard. We told him our dreams, and he interpreted them for us, giving each man the interpretation of his dream. And things turned out exactly as he interpreted them to us: I was restored to my position and the other man was hanged.”
This caused the Pharaoh to call for Joseph, as you can read in Genesis 41:14
So Pharaoh sent for Joseph and he was quickly brought from the dungeon. When he had shaved and changed his clothes, he came before Pharaoh.
Now you need to remember that Joseph would not have known that that day things would be changing dramatically for him. As far as he was concerned, this day was going to be like any other day in prison and so would tomorrow and the day after tomorrow, and the day after…and the day after….
But then there was a knock on his cell door and life changed forever for him.
As he stood before the Pharaoh, the Pharaoh began to explain the reason for Joseph’s coming to Court, as you can read in Genesis 41:15
Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I had a dream, and no-one can interpret it. But I have heard it said of you that when you hear a dream you can interpret it.”
You can see from Joseph’s answer that he really has changed since he had his dreams. Let’s read Genesis 41:16
“I cannot do it,” Joseph replied to Pharaoh, “but God will give Pharaoh the answer he desires.”
It is clear from Joseph’s answer that the pride he displayed in his youth, has completely gone. He has become a humble man who has learned that he can do nothing of himself as you can read in John 15:5 where Jesus says:
“I am the vine, you are the branches. If a man remains in Me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from Me you can do nothing.”
And Joseph makes sure the Pharaoh knows that it is God who gives the interpretation of dreams. Pharaoh then tells him his dreams, in Genesis 41:17-24
Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “In my dream I was standing on the bank of the Nile, when out of the river there came up seven cows, fat and sleek, and they grazed among the reeds. After them, seven other cows came up –scrawny and very ugly and lean. I had never seen such ugly cows in all the land of Egypt. The lean, ugly cows ate up the seven fat cows that came up first. But even after they ate them, no-one could tell that they had done so; thy looked just as ugly as before. Then I woke up. In my dreams I also saw seven heads of grain, healthy and good, growing on a single stalk. After them, seven other heads of grain sprouted – thin and scorched by the east wind. The thin heads of grain swallowed up the seven healthy, full heads. I told this to the magicians, but none could explain it to me.”
The Pharaoh mentions as well that the magicians are not able to explain the dreams. No doubt this will have upset him. After all, these men claim to know things beyond the natural and he will have relied upon them all these years. But this time they have completely let him down and that at a time when he is in such a great need of understanding his dreams.
Pharaoh must have felt such a relief when he hears the words of Joseph that God will give him the answer he desires. And he is not disappointed because Joseph does indeed give him the explanation, as inspired by God in Genesis 41:25-27
Then Joseph said to Pharaoh, “The dreams of Pharaoh are one and the same. God has revealed to Pharaoh what He is about to do. The seven good cows are seven years, and the seven good heads of grain are seven years; it is one and the same dream. The seven lean, ugly cows that came up afterwards are seven years and so are the seven worthless heads of grain scorched by the east wind; they are seven years of famine.”
However, God does not only enable Joseph to interpret the dreams for Pharaoh, He gives Joseph wisdom in knowing how to put the dreams into action as, you can read in Genesis 41:33-36
“And now let Pharaoh look for a discerning and wise man and put him in charge of the land of Egypt. Let Pharaoh appoint commissioners over the land to take a fifth of the harvest of Egypt during the seven years of abundance. They should collect all the food of these good years that are coming and store up the grain under the authority of Pharaoh, to be kept in the cities for food. This food should be held in reserve for the country, to be used during the seven years of famine that will come upon Egypt, so that the country may not be ruined by the famine.”
Pharaoh is wise enough to realise who should put that plan into action for it can only be the one who has been given the knowledge not only what his dreams mean but how these dreams should be implemented. And that person is Joseph, as you can read in Genesis 41:37-39
The plan seemed good to Pharaoh and to all his officials. So Pharaoh asked them, “Can we find anyone like this man, one in whom is the spirit of God?” Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since God has made all this known to you, there is no-one so discerning and wise as you. You should be in charge of my palace, and all my people are to submit to your orders. Only with respect to the throne will I be greater than you.”
You can see here that Pharaoh recognises and honours the God that Joseph serves.
You can see here too that God is using all the practical skills Joseph has learned when he was in charge of the household of Potiphar as well as the time when he was overseeing everything in prison so that he can now administrate this great task of overseeing the storage of food. Likewise, you too may know that God has a specific calling for you but you are not at present walking in your calling. As a matter of fact, you are doing something which may not be remotely related to what you believe the Lord is calling you to do. Like Joseph, do not despair. God will use your present training to get you ready physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually and, at the right time, you too will walk in what God has for you. Going back to the story of Joseph, after the seven years of plenty, the seven years of famine start. This period does not just affect Egypt but its neighbouring countries, as you can read in Genesis 41:57
And all the countries came to buy grain from Joseph, because the famine was severe in all the world.
The famine affects Jacob and his family as well so Jacob sends ten of his sons to Egypt to buy grain, as you can read in Genesis 42:1-2
When Jacob learned that there was grain in Egypt, he said to his sons, “Why do you just keep looking at each other?” He continued, ”I have heard that there is grain in Egypt. Go down there, and buy some for us, so that we may live and not die.”
With these words Jacob sends his sons on a path which will end up them all bowing down to Joseph as foretold in the dreams of Joseph. Let’s read Genesis 42:6
Now Joseph was the governor of the land, the one who sold grain to all its people. So when Joseph’s brothers arrived, they bowed down to him with their faces to the ground.
It is only then that God brings to Joseph’s remembrance the dreams God had given him so many years ago, as you can read in Genesis 42:8-9
Although Joseph recognised his brothers, his brothers did not recognise him. Then he remembered his dreams about them and said to them: “You are spies. You have come to see where our land is unprotected.”
Joseph may have originally thought that his dreams would be fulfilled in his father’s tent but God had never shown him how or when or where these dreams were to be fulfilled. It must have been such a bitter-sweet moment for he will not only have remembered the dreams themselves, he will have remembered that he had gone to his family members to tell them that they would bow down to him. O, how full of pride he had been, how full of arrogance, how full of foolishness. He recognises these things now but he had not then. Moreover, he recognises that God has been the source behind his brothers’ scheme to sell him as a slave to Egypt…. so that godly character could be formed in him and he could prepare the way for the eventual coming of his family to Egypt.
Joseph recognises his brothers but they do not recognise him so he puts them through some tests to find out if they have changed. He demands as well that that they return with their youngest brother, as you can read in Genesis 42:14-20
Joseph said to them, “It is just as I have told you: You are spies. And this is how you will be tested: As surely as Pharaoh lives, you will not leave this place unless your youngest brother comes here. Send one of your number to get your brother; the rest of you will be kept in prison, so that your words may be tested to see if you are telling the truth. If you are not, then surely as Pharaoh lives, you are spies.” And he put them all in custody for three days. On the third day, Joseph said to them, “Do this and you will live, for I fear God: If you are honest men, let one of your brothers stay here in prison, while the rest of you go and take grain back for your starving households. But you must bring your youngest brother to me, so that your words may be verified and that you may not die.” This they proceeded to do.
The brothers, except Simeon, go back home to Jacob and report everything to him. But Jacob is unwilling to let his youngest son, Benjamin, go. However in time they completely run out of food again so Jacob has no choice but to let them go and this time Benjamin has to go as well. Once again they meet with Joseph who still does not reveal to them who he is, as you can read in Genesis 43. This chapter starts with the following words in verses 1-2:
Now the famine was still severe in the land, so when they had eaten all the grain they had brought from Egypt, their father said to them, “Go back and buy us a little food.”
And ends with the words in verse 34:
When portions were served to them from Joseph’s table, Benjamin’s portion was five times as much as anyone else’s. So they feasted and drank freely with him.
Joseph tests them once again and they pass each test. For their final test he has his personal silver cup placed in the grain sack of Benjamin, as you can read in Genesis 44:2
“Then put my cup, the silver one in the mouth of the youngest one’s sack along with the silver for his grain.” And he did as Joseph said.
Joseph then tells the brothers that Benjamin has to stay behind as a slave, as you can read in Genesis 44:17b
“……Only the man who was found to have the cup will become my slave. The rest of you, go back to your father in peace.”
However, a real change has taken place in the lives of these men, as you can see from the account of Judah in Genesis 44:18-34
Then Judah went up to him and said, “Please, my lord, let your servant speak a word to my lord. Do not be angry with your servant, though you are equal to Pharaoh himself. My lord asked his servants, “Do you have a father or a brother? And we answered, “We have an aged father, and there is a young son born to him in his old age. His brother is dead, and he is the only one of his mother’s sons left, and his father loves him.” Then you said to your servants, “Bring him down to me so I can see him for myself.” And we said to my lord, “The boy cannot leave his father; if he leaves him, his father will die.” But you told your servants, “Unless your youngest brother comes down with you, you will not see my face again.” When we went back to your servant, my father, we told him what my lord had said. Then our father said, “Go back, and buy a little more food.” But we said, “We cannot go down. Only if our youngest brother is with us will we go. We cannot see the man’s face unless our youngest brother is with us.” Your servant my father said to us, “You know that my wife bore me two sons. One of them went away from me, and I said, “He has surely been torn to pieces. And I have not seen him since. If you take this one from me too and harm comes to him, you will bring my grey head down to the grave in misery.” So now, if the boy is not with us when I go back to your servant my father, and if my father, whose life is closely bound up with the boy’s life, sees that the boy isn’t there, he will die. Your servants will bring the grey head of our father down to the grave in sorrow. Your servant guaranteed the boy’s safety to my father. I said, “If I do not bring him back to you, I will bear the blame before you, my father, all my life.” Now then please let your servant remain here as my lord’s slave in place of the boy, and let the boy return with his brothers. How can I go back to my father if the boy is not with me? No! Do not let me see the misery that would come upon my father.”
Previously they had callously thrown away the life of Joseph which had brought so much grief to their father’s heart. But their hearts have been so softened they cannot not do this again. God has been at work in the life and heart of Joseph but He has been at work in the lives and hearts of the brothers as well. Joseph knows the time has come to reveal himself to his brothers, as you can read in Genesis 45:3
Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph! Is my father still living? But his brothers were not able to answer him, because they were terrified at his presence.”
You need to remember that Joseph has known for some time already that these men are his brothers for he recognised them the first time they stood before him. But his brothers have absolutely no idea that the “Egyptian” who stands before them is not who he claims to be. So Joseph’s revelation of who he really is comes as a great shock to them for they will have realised that the past has finally caught up with them. And there is no running away from it; they have to face it.
And that is how it is for you. Sooner or later God will want you to face anything you may have done in the past that has not been right. This is for your sake so that you can come clean of these things, can be forgiven and be set free from any guilt, condemnation in relation to these things.
Joseph understands then as well why God has allowed him to be sold into Egypt by his brothers for it has happened so that their lives will be saved as, you can read in Genesis 45:4-5
Then Joseph said to his brothers, “Come close to me.” When they had done so, he said, “I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt. And now do not be distressed, and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, for it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you.”
Joseph, furthermore, tells his brothers to bring their families as well as their father with them to Egypt because the famine is going to continue for a number of years as yet as, you can read in Genesis 45:13
“Tell my father about all the honour accorded me in Egypt and about everything you have seen. And bring my father down here quickly.”
So Jacob and his family end up travelling back to Egypt where they meet Joseph as, you can read in Genesis 46: 28-29
Now Jacob sent Judah ahead of him to Joseph to get directions to Goshen. When they arrived in the region of Goshen, Joseph had his chariot made ready and went to Goshen to meet his father Israel. As soon as Joseph appeared before him, he threw his arms around his father and wept for a long time.
The moment that Joseph has been anticipating ever since he has told his brothers to return to him with their families has finally arrived; they have returned. But Joseph only sees one person; his aged father!! It is to him he runs. At that moment he is not the most important official in Egypt. No, he is the son who has been separated from his father for many, many years and the time to grief over the loss of that time has finally come. No doubt, this pain, this grief has been locked up on the inside of him and no one has ever been allowed to see it. But that day he can no longer hold it back and he allows the tears, which have been there for all these years, to freely flow so that a healing, a restoration can take place on the inside of him. Then it is time for Jacob and his family to settle in the land of Egypt.
Eventually Jacob dies in Egypt and the brothers are still afraid that Joseph will take revenge for all they have done to him, as you can read in Genesis 50:15-18
When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, “What if Joseph holds a grudge against us and pays us back for all the wrongs we did to him?” So they sent word to Joseph, saying, “Your father left these instructions before he died, “This is what you are to say to Joseph: “I ask you to forgive your brothers the sins and the wrongs they committed in treating you so badly. Now, please forgive the sins of the servants of the God of your father.” When their message came to him, Joseph wept. His brothers then came and threw themselves down before him. “We are your slaves,” they said.
Perhaps, at an earlier stage in Joseph’s life he may have wanted to take revenge but God has done a great work in Joseph’s heart and God has shown him the reason he has suffered so much, as he explains this to his brothers in Genesis 50:19-20
But Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.”
It has taken Joseph many years to have a full understanding of God’s plan for his life but the day has come when he realises that him having been sold as a slave has not prevented his God-given dreams of his family bowing down to him from happening. On the contrary, God has used the circumstances in his life to make these dreams come true. Joseph has finally learned that with God nothing is impossible and He will do what he has promised to do but it will happen in His Way, in His time and for His purpose.
Joseph’s story is to encourage you that, just as God had a plan for Joseph which God fulfilled to it smallest detail, likewise God has a plan for you as, you can read in Ephesians 2:10
For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
As was in the case of Joseph, you may well have to undergo a training program, specifically prepared for you, to get you ready for that which God has for you to do. That training program may not seem to fit the particular calling, you believe, God has for you. Nevertheless, if you do as Joseph did and are willing and obedient to serve the Lord wherever that may be and to do whatever He has for you to do then when the time is right you will walk in the fullness of your calling. And, like Joseph, you will then fully understand that your training was absolutely necessary, as preparation for the task God had prepared for you all along.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Question 1: Who was Joseph’s father?
Answer: Jacob was Joseph’s father.
Question 2: Who was Joseph’s mother?
Answer: Rachel was Joseph’s mother.
Question 3: How did Jacob spoil Joseph?
Answer: Jacob spoiled Joseph by giving him a special coat.
Question 4: How did Joseph’s brother feel about Jacob’s actions towards Joseph?
Answer: Joseph’s brother became jealous of Joseph because of Jacob’s actions towards him.
Question 5: What did God give Joseph?
Answer: God gave Joseph two dreams.
Question 6: What did Joseph understand from these dreams?
Answer: Joseph understood from these dreams that one day his family would bow down to him.
Question 7: Did Joseph share his dreams with his family?
Answer? Joseph shared his dreams with his family.
Question 8: How did Joseph’s brothers feel about his dreams?
Answer: Joseph brothers became even more jealous of him.
Question 9: How did Joseph’s brothers show their hatred for Joseph?
Answer: Joseph’s brothers showed their hatred for Joseph by plotting to get rid of him.
Question 10: How did Joseph’s brother get rid of Joseph?
Answer: Joseph’s brothers got rid of Joseph by selling him to merchants.
Question 11: What country were these merchants going to?
Answer: These merchants were going to Egypt.
Question 12: When Joseph arrived in Egypt to whom was he sold as a slave?
Answer: When Joseph arrived in Egypt he was sold as a slave to Potiphar.
Question 13: What happened to Joseph after he had server Potiphar well?
Answer: After Joseph had served Potiphar well he was thrown in prison.
Question 14: Why was Joseph thrown in prison?
Answer: Joseph was thrown in prison for doing what was right.
Question 15: What happened when Joseph was in prison?
Answer: Joseph was able to interpret the dreams of two men who had served at Pharaoh’s court.
Question 16: Were these two men helpful for Joseph?
Answer: These men were not helpful for Joseph for he did not hear from either one of them again.
Question 17: What happened to Joseph unexpectedly?
Answer: One day he unexpectedly heard a knock on the door of his prison cell.
Question 18: What was Joseph told?
Answer: Joseph was told he was needed at Pharaoh’s court.
Question 19: Had God forgotten Joseph?
Answer: God had not forgotten Joseph.
Question 20: After how many years was Joseph ready for the task God had for him?
Answer: After 13 years Joseph was ready for the task God had for him.
Questions 21: What did God do?
Answer: God gave Pharaoh two dreams.
Question 22: According to Genesis 41:1-7 how many years had passed since the cupbearer had gone back to Pharaoh’s court before God gave Pharaoh two dreams?
Answer: According to Genesis 41:1-7 two years had passed since the cupbearer had gone back to Pharaoh’s court before God gave Pharaoh two dreams.
Question 23: According to Genesis 41:8 could anyone interpret Pharaoh’s dreams for him?
Answer: According to Genesis 41:8 no-one could interpret Pharaoh’s dreams for him.
Question 24a: According to Genesis 41:9-13 who spoke to Pharaoh of his shortcoming?
Answer: According to Genesis 41:9-13 the cupbearer spoke to Pharaoh of his short coming.
Question 24b: According to Genesis 41:9-13 who did the cupbearer mention to Pharaoh?
Answer: According to Genesis 41:9-13 the cupbearer mentioned to Pharaoh a young Hebrew.
Question 24c: According to Genesis 41:9-13 what did the cupbearer share with Pharaoh the young Hebrew had been able to do?
Answer: According to Genesis 41:9-13 the cupbearer shared with Pharaoh that the young Hebrew had been able to interpret his dream for him.
Question 25a: According to Genesis 41:14 what did Pharaoh do next?
Answer: According to Genesis 41:14 Pharaoh sent for Joseph.
Question 25b: According to Genesis 41:14 was Joseph ready to come before Pharaoh?
Answer: According to Genesis 41:14 Joseph needed to shave and change his clothes before coming before Pharaoh.
Question 26: Would Joseph have known that that day things would be changing dramatically for him?
Answer: Joseph would not have known that that day things would be changing dramatically for him.
Question 27: When did life change forever for Joseph?
Answer: Life changed forever for Joseph when there was a knock on his cell door.
Question 28a: According to Genesis 41:15 what does the Pharaoh say to Joseph?
Answer: According to Genesis 41:15 Pharaoh says to Joseph that he has had a dream.
Question 28b: According to Genesis 41:15 what has Pharaoh heard about Joseph?
Answer: According to Genesis 41:15 Pharaoh has heard of Joseph that when he hears a dream he can interpret it.
Question 29a: According to Genesis 41:16 does Joseph agree with Pharaoh that he can interpret a dream?
Answer: According to Genesis 41:16 Joseph does not agree with Pharaoh that he can interpret a dream.
Question 29b: According to Genesis 41:16 Wo does Joseph tell Pharaoh can give the answer that Pharaoh desires?
Answer: According to Genesis 41:16 Joseph tells Pharaoh God can give the answer Pharaoh desires.
Question 30: What does Joseph’s answer shows about Joseph?
Answer: Joseph’s answer shows that the pride he displayed in his youth has completely gone.
Question 31: What has Joseph learned?
Answer: Joseph has learned that he can do nothing of himself.
Question 32: From what Bible passage can we learn that we can do nothing of ourselves?
Answer: We can learn that we can do nothing of ourselves from John 15:5
“I am the vine, you are the branches. If a man remains in Me and I in him, he will bear much fruit, apart from Me you can do nothing”
Question 33: What does Joseph want to Pharaoh to know?
Answer: Joseph wants Pharaoh to know that it is God who gives the interpretation of dreams.
Question 34a: According to Genesis 41:17-24 what does Pharaoh tell Joseph?
Answer: According to Genesis 41:17-24 Pharaoh tells Joseph his dreams.
Question 34b: According to Genesis 41:17-24 what does Pharaoh say to Joseph about the magicians?
Answer: According to Genesis 41:17-24 Pharaoh says to Joseph that the magicians could not explain the dreams to him.
Question 35: Will Pharaoh have been upset with the magicians?
Answer: Pharaoh will have been upset with the magicians.
Question 36: Why will Pharaoh have been upset with the magicians?
Answer: Pharaoh will have been upset with the magicians because they claim to know things beyond the natural and he will have relied upon them for many years.
Question 37: Is Pharaoh in need of understanding his dreams?
Answer: Pharaoh is in great need of understanding his dreams.
Question 38: How will Pharaoh have felt when he hears the words of Joseph that God will give him the answer he desires?
Answer: Pharaoh will have felt such a relief when he heard the words of Joseph that God will give him the answer he desires.
Question 39: Is Pharaoh disappointed by Joseph’s words?
Answer: Pharaoh is not disappointed by Joseph’s words for Joseph does indeed give him the explanation as inspired by God.
Question 40: According to Genesis 41:25-27 what does God reveal to Pharaoh is about to happen?
Answer: According to Genesis 41:25-27 God reveals to Pharaoh that there will be seven good years followed by seven years of famine.
Question 41: What other gift does God give Joseph?
Answer: God gives Joseph wisdom in knowing how to put the dreams into action.
Question 42a: According to Genesis 41:33-36 who does Joseph tell Pharaoh to look for?
Answer: According to Genesis 41:33-36 Joseph tells Pharaoh to look for a discerning and wise man.
Question 42b: According to Genesis 41:33-36 what does Joseph tell Pharaoh he should have this discerning and wise man do?
Answer: According to Genesis 41:33-36 Joseph tells Pharaoh he should put this discerning and wise man in charge of the land of Egypt.
Question 42c: According to Genesis 41:33-36 what other people does Joseph tell Pharaoh to appoint?
Answer: According to Genesis 41:33-36 Joseph tells Pharaoh to appoint commissioners.
Question 42d: According to Genesis 41:33-36 what are the commissioners to do?
Answer: According to Genesis 41:33-36 the commissioners are to take one fifth of the harvest of Egypt during the seven years of abundance.
Question 42e: According to Genesis 41:33-36 what are the commissioners to do with the food they have collected during the good years?
Answer: According to Genesis 41:33-36 the commissioners are to store up the grain under the authority of Pharaoh, to be kept in the cities for food.
Question 42f: According to Genesis 41:33-36 when is the food that is to be held in reserve to be used?
Answer: According to Genesis 41:33-36 the food that is to be held in reserve is to be used during the seven years of famine that will come upon Egypt.
Question 42g: According to Genesis 41:33-36 why is the food that is to be held in reserve to be used during the seven years of famine?
Answer: According to Genesis 41:33-36 the food that is to be held in reserve is to be used during the seven years of famine so that the country may not be ruined by famine.
Question 43: Does Pharaoh realise who should put that plan into action?
Answer: Pharaoh is wise enough to realise who should put that plan into action.
Question 44: According to Pharaoh which person can put that plan into action?
Answer: According to Pharaoh the one, who has been given the knowledge not only what his dreams mean but how these dreams should be implemented, should put that plan into action.
Question 45: Who is the person who can put that plan into action?
Answer: Joseph is the person who can put that plan into action.
Question 46a: According to Genesis 41:37-39 to whom does the plan sound good?
Answer: According to Genesis 41:37-39 the plan sounds good to Pharaoh and to all his officials.
Question 46b: According to Genesis 41:37-39 what does Pharaoh ask the officials?
Answer: According to Genesis 41:37-39 Pharaoh asks the officials, “Can we find anyone like this man, in whom is the spirit of God?”
Question 46c: According to Genesis 41:37-39 what does Pharaoh say to Joseph?
Answer: According to Genesis 41:37-39 Pharaoh says to Joseph that there is no-one so wise and discerning as he is since God has made all this known to him.
Question 46d: According to Genesis 41:37-39 what does Pharaoh tell Joseph he should be in charge of?
Answer: According to Genesis 41:37-39 Pharaoh tells Joseph he should be in charge of his palace and all his people are to submit to his orders.
Question 46e: According to Genesis 41:37-39 in what way will Pharaoh be greater than Joseph?
Answer: According to Genesis 41:3739 Pharaoh will be greater than Joseph with respect to the throne.
Question 47: Can we see here that Pharaoh recognises and honours the God that Joseph serves?
Answer: We can see here that Pharaoh recognises and honours the God that Joseph serves.
Question 48: Can we see here too that God is using all the practical skills Joseph has learned?
Answer: We can see here too that God is using all the practical skills Joseph has learned when he was in charge of the household of Potiphar as well as the time when he was overseeing everything in prison so he can now administrate this great task of overseeing the storage of food.
Question 49: Does God want you to despair if at present you are not walking in your calling?
Answer: God does not want you to despair if at present you are not walking in your calling.
Question 50: How will God use your present training?
Answer: God will use your present training to get you ready physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually so, at the right time, you will walk in your calling.
Question 51: Going back to the story of Joseph, what happens after the seven years of plenty?
Answer: After the seven years of plenty, the seven years of famine start.
Question 52: Does this period only affect Egypt?
Answer: This period affects not only Egypt but its neighbouring countries as well.
Question 53: According to Genesis 41:57 who came to buy grain from Joseph?
Answer: According to Genesis 41:57 all the countries came to buy grain from Joseph.
Question 54: Who is affected by the famine as well?
Answer: Jacob and his family are affected by the famine.
Question 55a: According to Genesis 42:1-2 what has Jacob learned?
Answer: According to Genesis 42:1-2 Jacob has learned that there is grain in Egypt.
Question 55b: According to Genesis 42:1-2 what does Jacob tell to his sons to do?
Answer: According to Genesis 42:1-2 Jacob tells his sons to do down to Egypt to buy grain.
Question 55c: According to Genesis 42:1-2 why does Jacob want his sons to buy grain in Egypt?
Answer: According to Genesis 42:1-2 Jacob wants his sons to buy grain in Egypt so that they will live and not die.
Question 56: What will Jacob’s sons end up doing?
Answer: Jacob’s sons will end up bowing down to Joseph.
Question 57: Was Jacob’s sons bowing down to Joseph foretold?
Answer: Jacob’s sons bowing down to Joseph was foretold in Joseph’s dreams.
Question 58a: According to Genesis 42:6 what is Joseph’s position in Egypt?
Answer: According to Genesis 42:6 Joseph’s position in Egypt is that of governor of the land.
Question 58b: According to Genesis 42:6 who sold grain to all the people?
Answer: According to Genesis 42:6 Joseph, as governor of the land of Egypt, sold grain to all the people.
Question 58c: According to Genesis 42:6 who arrive in Egypt?
Answer: According to Genesis 42:6 Joseph’s brothers arrive in Egypt.
Question 58d: According to Genesis 42:6 what do the brother do before Joseph?
Answer: According to Genesis 42:6 the brothers bow down to Joseph with their faces to the ground.
Question 59: What does God remind Joseph of at that time?
Answer: God brings to Joseph’s remembrance the dreams God had given him so many years ago.
Question 60a: According to Genesis 42:8-9 does Joseph recognise his brothers?
Answer: According to Genesis 42:8-9 Joseph recognises his brothers.
Question 60b: According to Genesis 42:8-9 do Joseph’s brothers recognise him?
Answer: According to Genesis 42:8-9 Joseph’s brother do not recognise him.
Question 60c: According to Genesis 42:8-9 after having recognised his brothers what does Joseph remember next?
Answer: According to Genesis 42:8-9 after having recognised his brothers Joseph next remembers his dreams.
Question 60d: According to Genesis 42:8-9 what does Joseph accuse his brothers of?
Answer: According to Genesis 42:8-9 Joseph accuses his brothers of being spies who have come to see where the land of Egypt is unprotected.
Question 61: Where may Joseph originally have thought his dreams would be fulfilled?
Answer: Joseph may have originally thought his dreams would be fulfilled in his father’s tent.
Question 62: Had God shown Joseph where these dreams were to be fulfilled?
Answer: God had never shown Joseph where these dreams were to be fulfilled.
Question 63: Will Joseph have remembered what he had done after he had his dreams?
Answer: Joseph will have remembered that he had gone to his family members to tell them they would bow down to him.
Question 64: Had Joseph been full of pride at that time?
Answer: Joseph had been full of pride, full of arrogance, full of foolishness.
Question 65: Who does Joseph recognise has been behind his brothers’ scheme to sell him as a slave to Egypt?
Answer: Joseph recognises that God has been the source behind his brothers’ scheme to sell him as a slave to Egypt.
Question 66: Why did God allow Joseph to be sold as a slave to Egypt?
Answer: God allowed Joseph to be sold as a slave to Egypt so that godly character could be formed in him.
Question 67: For what other reason did God allow Joseph to be sold as a slave to Egypt?
Answer: God allowed Joseph to be sold as a slave to Egypt so that Joseph could prepare the way for the eventual coming of his family to Egypt.
Question 68: What does Joseph put his brothers through?
Answer: Joseph puts his brothers through some tests.
Question 69: Why does Joseph put his brothers through some tests?
Answer: Joseph puts his brothers through some tests to find out if they have changed.
Question 70: Who does Joseph demand the brothers return with?
Answer: Joseph demands that the brothers return with their youngest brother.
Question 71a: According to Genesis 42:14-20 how many of the brothers does Joseph say are to be send home to get their youngest brother?
Answer: According to Genesis 42:14-20 Joseph says to the brothers to send one of their number home to get their youngest brother.
Question 71b: According to Genesis 42:14-20 what will happen with the other brothers?
Answer: According to Genesis 42:14-20 the other brothers will be put in prison.
Question 71c: According to Genesis 42:14-20 why will the other brothers put in prison?
Answer: According to Genesis 42:14-20 the other brothers will be put in prison so that their words may be tested to see if they are telling the truth.
Question 71d: According to Genesis 42:14-20 for how long does Joseph put the brothers in custody?
Answer: According to Genesis 42:14-20 Joseph puts the brothers in custody for three days.
Question 71e: According to Genesis 42:14-20 after three days what does Joseph say to the brothers?
Answer: According to Genesis 42:14-20 after three days Joseph tells the brothers that one of them is to stay behind and the others can go and take grain for their starving households.
Question 71f: According to Genesis 42:14-20 what does Joseph insist his brothers do?
Answer: According to Genesis 42:14-20 Joseph insists that his brothers bring their youngest brother to him.
Question 71g: According to Genesis 42:14-20 why does Joseph insist that his brothers bring their youngest brother to him?
Answer: According to Genesis 42:14-20 Joseph insists that his brothers bring their youngest brother to him so that their words may be verified and they will not die.
Question 71h: According to Genesis 42:14-20 do the brothers leave for home?
Answer: According to Genesis 42:14-20 the brothers leave for home.
Questions 72: Do all the brothers go home?
Answer: All the brothers, except Simeon go back home to Jacob.
Question 73: Is Jacob willing to let his youngest son Benjamin go to Egypt?
Answer: Jacob is unwilling to let his youngest son Benjamin go to Egypt.
Question 74: Does Jacob have to let Benjamin go one day?
Answer: In time Jacob and his family run out of food again so Jacob has no choice but to let the brothers go back to Egypt and this time Benjamin has to go as well.
Question 75: Does Joseph reveal to his brothers who he is?
Answer: Joseph still does not reveal to his brothers who he is.
Question 76a: According to Genesis 43:1-2 when does Jacob tell his sons to go back to Egypt?
Answer: According to Genesis 43:1-2 Jacob tells his sons to go back to Egypt when they have eaten all the grain they had brought from Egypt.
Question 76b: According to Genesis 43:1-2 what does Jacob tell his sons to do when they get to Egypt?
Answer: According to Genesis 43:1-2 Jacob tells his sons to buy them a little food when they get to Egypt.
Question 77a: According to Genesis 43:34 whose portion was larger than anyone else’s portion?
Answer: According to Genesis 43:34 Benjamin’s portion was larger than anyone else’s portion.
Question 77b: According to Genesis 43:34 how big was Benjamin’s portion?
Answer: According to Genesis 43:34 Benjamin’s portion was five times as much as anyone else’s portion.
Question 78: What is Joseph’s final test for his brothers?
Answer: Joseph has his personal silver cup placed in the grain sack of Benjamin for his final test of his brothers.
Question 79: According to Genesis 44:2 what else is put in the sack of Benjamin besides the cup?
Answer: According to Genesis 44:2 the silver for his grain is put in the sack of Benjamin besides the cup.
Question 80: What does Joseph tell his brothers with regards Benjamin?
Answer: Joseph tells his brothers Benjamin has to stay behind as a slave.
Question 81: According to Genesis 44:17b does Joseph say that the other brothers have to stay behind as slaves as well?
Answer: According to Genesis 44:17b Joseph tells his brothers that the rest of the brothers can go back to their father.
Question 82: Has a change taken place in the lives of these men?
Answer: A change has taken place in the lives of these men.
Question 83a: According to Genesis 44:18-34 who went up to Joseph to speak?
Answer: According to Genesis 44:18-34 Judah went up to Joseph to speak.
Question 83b: According to Genesis 44:18-34 what does Judah remind Joseph of?
Answer: According to Genesis 44:18-34 Judah reminds Joseph that his aged father has a young son who was born to him in his old age.
Question 83c: According to Genesis 44:18-34 what more details about the aged father does Judah remind Joseph of?
Answer: According to Genesis 44:18-34 Judah reminds Joseph of the fact that the brother of the young son is dead.
Question 83d: According to Genesis 44:18-34 what does Judah remind Joseph he told the brothers to do?
Answer: According to Genesis 44:18-34 Judah reminds Joseph that he told the brothers to bring down this young son to him.
Question 83e: According to Genesis 44:18-34 what does Judah remind Joseph the brothers told him about their aged father?
Answer: According to Genesis 44:18-34 Judah reminds Joseph that the brothers told him the young son cannot leave his father for if he leaves his father, the father will die.
Question 83f: According to Genesis 44:18-34 what does Judah remind Joseph of next?
Answer: According to Genesis 44:18-34 Judah reminds Joseph next that Joseph had told the brothers they would not see his face again unless they brought him the youngest son.
Question 83g: According to Genesis 44:18-34 what does Judah tell Joseph about their aged father?
Answer: According to Genesis 44:18-34 Judah tells Joseph that their aged father told them to go back to Egypt to buy some more food.
Question 83h: According to Genesis 44:18-34 what does Judah tell Joseph the brothers’ response to the father’s request was?
Answer: According to Genesis 44:18-34 Judah tells Joseph the brothers had told the father that they could not go down to Egypt without their youngest brother.
Question 83i: According to Genesis 44:18-34 does Judah explain to Joseph why the father was unwilling to let the youngest son go down to Egypt?
Answer: According to Genesis 44:18-34 Judah tells Joseph the father was unwilling to let the youngest son go down to Egypt because one son went away from him, who he has not seen since. If they were to take the youngest son and harm would come to him, they would bring his grey head down to the grave in misery.
Question 83j: According to Genesis 44:18-34 what does Judah tell Joseph he has promised the father?
Answer: According to Genesis 44:18-34 Judah tells Joseph he has promised the father that he will bear the blame before his father all his life if he does not bring the youngest son back to the father.
Question 83k: According to Genesis 44:18-34 what does Judah ask Joseph?
Answer: According to Genesis 44:18-34 Judah asks Joseph if he can take the place of the youngest brother so that the youngest brother can return home with the other brothers.
Question 83l: According to Genesis 44:18-34 why does Judah ask Joseph if he can take the place of the youngest brother?
Answer: According to Genesis 44:18-34 Judah asks Joseph if he can take the place of the youngest brother because he does not want to see the misery that will come upon his father if the youngest son does not come home to him.
Question 84: What had the brothers done previously?
Answer: Previously they had callously thrown away the life of Joseph.
Question 85: What had their previous action done to their father’s heart?
Answer: Their previous action had brought so much grief to their father’s heart.
Question 86: Are the brothers able to do the same thing again?
Answer: The hearts of the brothers have been so softened that they cannot do this again.
Question 87: Who has been at work in the life and heart of Joseph?
Answer: God has been at work in the life and heart of Joseph.
Question 88: Who has been at work in the lives and hearts of the brothers?
Answer: God has been at work in the lives and hearts of the brothers as well.
Question 89: Who does Joseph reveal himself to?
Answer: Joseph reveals himself to his brothers.
Question 90a: According to Genesis 45:3 what does Joseph ask his brothers?
Answer: According to Genesis 45:3 Joseph asks his brothers if his father is still living.
Question 90b: According to Genesis 45:3 why are Joseph’s brothers not able to answer him?
Answer: According to Genesis 45:3 Joseph’s brothers are not able to answer hum because they are terrified at his presence.
Question 91: Has Joseph already known for some time that the men in front of him are his brothers?
Answer: Joseph has already known for some time that the men in front of him are his brothers because he recognised them the first time they stood before him.
Question 92: Do the brothers know who the “Egyptian” who stands before them is?
Answer: The brothers have no idea that the “Egyptian” who stands before them is not who he claims to be.
Question 93: Will Joseph’s revelation of who he really is have come as a great shock to the brothers?
Answer: Joseph’s revelation of who he really is will have come as a great shock to the brothers.
Question 94: What will the brothers have realised?
Answer: The brothers will have realised that the past has finally caught up with them.
Question 95: Can the brothers run away from the past?
Answer: The brothers cannot run away from their past; they have to face it.
Question 96: Will God want you to face anything that you may have done in the past that has not been right?
Answer: God will want you to face anything you may have done in the past that has not been right.
Question 97: Why does God want you to face anything that you may have done in the past that has not been right?
Answer: God wants you to face anything that you may have done in the past that has not been right so that you can become clean of these things, can be forgiven and be set free from any guilt, condemnation in relation to these things.
Question 98: Does Joseph understand why God allowed him to be sold into Egypt by his brothers?
Answer: Joseph understands that God has allowed him to be sold into Egypt by his brothers so that their lives will be saved.
Question 99a: According to Genesis 45:4-5 what does Joseph tell the brothers not to do?
Answer: According to Genesis 45:4-5 Joseph tells the brothers not to be distressed and angry with themselves for selling him.
Question 99b: According to Genesis 45:4-5 why does Joseph tell the brothers not to be distressed and angry with themselves for selling him?
Answer: According to Genesis 45:4-5 Joseph tells the brothers not be distressed and angry with themselves for selling him for it has happened so that their lives will be saved.
Question 99c: According to Genesis 45:4-5 Who sent Joseph ahead of the brothers?
Answer: According to Genesis 45:4-5 God sent Joseph ahead of the brothers.
Question 100: Who does Joseph want the brothers to bring with them to Egypt?
Answer: Joseph wants the brothers to bring their families and their father with them to Egypt.
Question 101: Why does Joseph want the brothers to bring their family and their father with them to Egypt?
Answer: Joseph want the brothers to bring their family and their father with them to Egypt because the famine is going to continue for a number of years as yet.
Question 102: According to Genesis 45:13 what does Joseph want the brothers to tell their father?
Answer: According to Genesis 45:13 Joseph wants the brothers to tell their father about all the honour accorded to him in Egypt and about everything they have seen.
Question 103: Where do Jacob and his family end up travelling to?
Answer: Jacob and his family end up travelling to Egypt.
Question 104: Who do Jacob and his family meet when they travel to Egypt?
Answer: Jacob and his family meet Joseph when they travel to Egypt.
Question 105a: According to Genesis 46:28-29 who does Jacob send ahead of him to Joseph?
Answer: According to Genesis 46:28-29 Jacob sends Judah ahead of him to Joseph.
Question 105b: According to Genesis 46:28-29 why does Jacob send Judah ahead of him to Joseph?
Answer: According to Genesis 46:28-29 Jacob sends Judah ahead of him to get directions to Goshen.
Question 105c: According to Genesis 46:28-29 who makes his chariot ready?
Answer: According to Genesis 46:28:29 Joseph make his chariot ready.
Question 105d: According to Genesis 46:28-29 why does Joseph make his chariot ready?
Answer: According to Genesis 46:28-29 Joseph makes his chariot ready to go to Goshen to meet his father.
Question 105e: According to Genesis 46:28-29 what happens when Joseph appears before his father?
Answer: According to Genesis 46:28-29 Joseph throws his arms around his father and weeps for a long time when he appears before his father.
Question 106: Who does Joseph run to when the brothers, their families and his father arrives?
Answer: Joseph runs to his aged father when the brothers, their families and his father arrives.
Question 107: How does Joseph see himself at that moment?
Answer: Joseph does not see himself as the most important official in Egypt but as the son who has been separated from his father for many, many years.
Question 108: Why does Joseph allow the tears, which have been there for all these years, to freely flow?
Answer: Joseph allows the tears, which have been there for all these years, to freely flow so that a healing, a restoration can take place on the inside of him.
Question 109: Who dies eventually in Egypt?
Answer: Jacob dies eventually in Egypt.
Question 110: What are the brothers afraid of?
Answer: The brothers are afraid that Joseph will take revenge for all they have done to him.
Question 111a: According to Genesis 50:15-18 who sends word to Joseph?
Answer: According to Genesis 50:15-18 the brothers send word to Joseph.
Question 111b: According to Genesis 50:15-18 what do the brothers mention in their word to Joseph?
Answer: According to Genesis 50:15-18 the brothers mention that their father wanted Joseph to forgive them for the sins and the wrongs they have committed in treating him so badly.
Question 111c: According to Genesis 50:15-18 what is Joseph’s response to the message of the brothers?
Answer: According to Genesis 50:15-18 Joseph weeps in response to the message of the brothers.
Question 111d: According to Genesis 50:15-18 what action take the brothers next?
Answer: According to Genesis 50:15-18 the brothers come and throw themselves down before him.
Question 111e: According to Genesis 50:15-18 what do the brothers say to Joseph?
Answer: According to Genesis 50:15-18 the brothers say to Joseph that they are his slaves.
Question 112: Why does Joseph not want to take revenge on his brothers?
Answer: God has shown Joseph the reason he has suffered so much.
Question 113: According to Genesis 50:19-20 what does God want to accomplish?
Answer: According to Genesis 50:19-20 God wants to save lives.
Question 114: Has it taken Joseph a long time to have a full understanding of God’s plan for his life?
Answer: It has taken Joseph many years to have a full understanding of God’s plan for his life.
Question 115: Has Joseph having been sold as a slave prevented his God-given dreams of his family bowing down to him from happening?
Answer: God has used the circumstances in his life to make these dreams come true.
Question 116: What has Joseph learned?
Answer: Joseph has finally learned that with God nothing is impossible and He will do what He has promised to do but it will happen in His way, in His time and for His purpose.
Question 117: Does God have a plan for you just as God had a plan for Joseph?
Answer: God has a plan for you as you can read in Ephesians 2:10
For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Question 118: Will you have to undergo a training program, just like Joseph had to?
Answer: You may well have to undergo a training program, specifically prepared for you.
Question 119: Why do you have to undergo a training program, specifically prepared for you?
Answer: You may have to undergo a training program, specifically prepared for you, to get you ready for what God has for you to do.
Question 120: Will you training program always fit your particular calling?
Answer: Your training program may not always seem to fit your particular calling, which you believe, God has for you.
Question 121: What is the Lord wanting you to do?
Answer: The Lord wants you to be willing and obedient to serve Him wherever that may be and whatever He has for you to do.
Question 122: Why does the Lord wants you to be willing and obedient to serve Him wherever that may be and whatever He has for you to do?
Answer: The Lord wants you to be wiling and obedient to serve Him wherever that may be and whatever He has for me to do so that when the time is right you will walk in the fullness of your calling.
Question 123: What will you understand about your training when you walk in the fullness of your calling?
Answer: When you walk in the fullness of your calling you will understand that your training was absolutely necessary as preparation for the task God had all along prepared for you.