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1. How would you define “coincidence”?
How would you explain a coincidence in relation to God’s sovereignty?
How has God used “coincidences” to speak to you or to help direct your path?
2. While Joseph has been serving as Pharaoh’s second in command, what has been happening with Joseph’s family in Canaan?
What does Jacob say to his sons?
How many sons did Jacob send to Egypt to buy food?
Which one did he not send and why did he do this?
Again, if you were one of the sons sent on this long journey, how would you feel?
Do you think the brothers have changed because of what they did to Joseph years before? Do you think they are as jealous of Benjamin as they were of Joseph? Please explain.
How do you think Benjamin felt being the only one not to go?
3. What can we learn from verse 5?
What do we learn about Joseph from verse 6?
How is it possible for Joseph to sell grain to all the people in the land?
What did they do when Joseph’s brothers arrived in Egypt looking for food?
Why do you think they were brought before Joseph personally?
4. Verse 7 tells us that as soon as Joseph saw his brothers, he recognized them. Why could he recognize them when they could not recognize Joseph?
What do you think Joseph was feeling at this precise moment?
We are told that Joseph spoke harshly to his brothers. What does this mean to you?
Why do you think Joseph did this?
5. What does Joseph ask them?
What do you think the brothers were feeling as they answered him?
Do you feel any compassion for the brothers?
6. What was the first dream God had given to Joseph?
What happens when the brothers find themselves in Joseph’s presence?
Verse 9 tells us that Joseph remembered his dreams. How do you think Joseph felt as he looked upon his brothers bowing before him? Please explain, 7. What does Joseph say to them next?
If Joseph truly thought they were spies, what does he have the power to do?
What do you think this accusation did to the brothers?
What is the brothers’ response?
How do they refer to Joseph and to themselves?
What is the last thing they say to Joseph?
What is ironic about this statement?
8. Despite their assurances, Joseph continues to accuse them of being spies. According to verse 13, what does Joseph learn about his family from their answer?
How do you think Joseph felt when he heard them say that one of their brothers was no more?
Joseph is living the first dream. What was the second dream he had and what does it mean?
9. Again Joseph accuses them of being spies, and he does so in the same harsh, accusatory tone. Why do you think he continues doing this?
In what way does this fit with his position?
What does Joseph say he is going to do to them? (See verse 15.)
Joseph says he is going to test them to see if they are spies. Why is he really testing them?
Joseph says “As surely as Pharaoh lives” to make his point. Why does he say this?
What condition does Joseph place on their leaving Egypt?
What had Jacob told them concerning Benjamin before they left?
The brothers are in a very difficult situation. How do their reactions differ from their reactions when they sold Joseph into slavery?
10. What does Joseph tell them in verse 16?
They are going to remain in prison until Jacob sends Benjamin, yet they know he will not do this. In what way are the brothers being tested?
Here is a key. Joseph says he is going to test their words to see if they are telling the truth. Why does he say this to them?
What do you think his brothers were thinking as they heard Joseph’s words?
11. Joseph puts them into prison for how many days?
What do you think the brothers were saying to each other?
What do you think might have been their biggest concern?
12. After the three days, what does Joseph say to them?
What do you think Joseph meant when he said that he feared God?
What do you think the brothers, who thought him to be an Egyptian, thought he meant?
What did Joseph tell them he was going to do in verse 16?
What does he tell them they are to do now?
What do you think the brothers are feeling when they are told they must bring their youngest brother back with them?
13. Look carefully at verse 23. What do we learn about this exchange between Joseph and his brothers?
Believing they cannot be understood, what do the brothers believe is the main reason for their troubles?
After all these years, they still have not forgotten what they did. What does this mean to you?
14. Who was Reuben?
What does he say to his brothers?
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What do these verses mean to you and what implication do they hold for us today?
15. As the brothers were talking, what did Joseph do? (See verse 24.) What does this tell us about him?
Which brother does Joseph decide to keep with him? Why do you think he chose this brother and not Reuben?
Based upon what we read about Joseph in verse 24, how hard do you think it was for Joseph to bind Simeon in front of his other brothers?
Why do you think Joseph is doing this? Do you think he is acting on his own or following the LORD’s guidance?
16. What does Joseph do with the grain his brothers’ bought?
What else did he have put in the bags? Why do you think he did this?
When did the brothers notice their money was in their sacks?
Verse 28 tells us that their hearts sank at the sight of the silver. Why?
Whom do they believe is responsible for this occurrence? Was He? Please explain.
17. Upon their return home, what do they tell their father in verses 29-34?
Do they tell Jacob the truth? What does this tell us about them?
After this initial talk, they empty their sacks. What do they find?
Why were they all frightened?
What does Jacob say to his sons?
18. As the oldest, what does Reuben say to his father?
Do you think he is serious? Please explain.
Compare Reuben’s statement, “Entrust him (Benjamin) to my care” with his statement when his brothers wanted to kill Joseph?
How has Reuben changed during this time?
19. How does Jacob respond?
In his concern, which sons does Jacob mention?
Does this mean he does not care about Simeon who is in an Egyptian prison?
Again, how do you think the brothers felt when Jacob said that Benjamin was the only son he had left?
20. During Joseph’s absence, what changes have taken place in his brothers?
Has Jacob changed? If so, how? |