Journal Through the Bible: Week 10 Saturday

source

Genesis 41:50-42:38

After 20 years, Joseph finds himself face-to-face with his brothers: the men who laughed at his dreams and sold him into slavery. There are a few notes to add to this journal page besides the 4 basic questions. They are at the bottom.

Does God make any promises in this passage?

God does not speak.

Are there any references to Jesus?

• As the type of Christ, Joseph provides the bread of life that keeps his kinsman alive.
• He is also the ruler that they fail to recognize in this passage. John 1:10-11 says that Jesus came into the world and the world didn't know him and that he even came unto his own but they didn't know him either.

Are there any references to eternity or End Time events?

At the marriage supper of the Lamb, Jesus is the one who has made all the provisions for His Father's household at this future event, much as Joseph made provisions for his father's household in Egypt.

Does God issue any commands?

God does not speak.

NOTES:

1. Jacob did not allow Benjamin to go to Egypt with the other 10 sons because he was afraid some mischief would happen to him. Perhaps he suspected that the 10 had something to do with Joseph's disappearance 20 years earlier and did not want them to treat Benjamin the same way or perhaps they had told him the truth (as 42:36 might suggest). 
2. The 10 brothers volunteer the information when they are standing before Joseph that they are "twelve brethren" and then proceed to explain to him why all 12 are not present. They could very easily have said that they were 10 brothers, the son of one man. Since Joseph did not ask for this information it could be assumed that the guilt of their deed had weighed on their consciences the whole 20 years and they could not even talk about themselves as siblings without stating the whole tally. Even though they were successful ridding themselves of Joseph their consciences would not allow them to rid themselves of his memory.