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1. The family is back together again. Joseph awaits the return of his father while Israel waits for the moment when he sees Joseph with his own eyes. What do you think was Israel’s strongest emotion?
After Israel sets out for Egypt, where does he stop?
What is the significance of Beersheba?
2. How does God speak to Jacob?
How does God address him? Why do you think God did not use the name Israel?
What does God tell Jacob in this vision?
If you were Jacob, what would bring you the most comfort? Why?
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What does God tell Jacob about going to Egypt?
Why do you think God did not tell Jacob what He told Abraham?
3. Who is on this caravan going to Egypt?
What do they take with them?
Based upon what we have read about Benjamin in these last chapters, how would you describe him?
4. Chapters 9-24 tell us about Jacob’s sons and their families. How many children did Reuben have?
Simeon?
Levi?
Judah?
Issachar?
Zebulun?
Gad?
Asher?
Dan?
Naphtali?
Joseph?
Benjamin?
Does it surprise you that Benjamin had the largest family of all the brothers? Please explain.
How many in all left Canaan for Egypt? How many were in Israel’s family?
5. According to verse 28 whom did Jacob send ahead of them?
Why do you think he did not send Reuben, his first born? What were Judah’s instructions?
What did Joseph do when his family arrived in Goshen?
What did Joseph do when he saw his father?
What does Israel say to Joseph after all this time?
6. After greeting his family, where does Joseph plan on going?
What does he plan to tell Pharaoh?
Specifically, according to verse 32, what is Joseph going to tell Pharaoh?
Why is he going to say this to Pharaoh?
How are they to respond when Pharaoh asks them about their occupation?
Do they tend livestock?
Why do you think the Egyptians thought all shepherds were detestable?
Is Joseph instructing them to lie?
7. What does it tell us that Pharaoh himself was going to meet Joseph’s family?
In what way has God used Joseph to bring favor to his entire family? What can we learn from this about our relationship with our families?
How would you define a “white lie”?
Can you think of other examples of “white lies” in the Bible?
Can you think of any time when telling such a lie would be acceptable? Please explain.
What have you learned about God and the way He directs our paths from this episode in Joseph’s life? |