Genesis 43-46)

In chapter 42 we saw the continuance of God's perfect plan to bring a family back together with hearts of love and forgiveness. We will see in chapter 43 that Joseph makes a plan to get his brother's to return with his younger brother Benjamin. When his brother's enter his house to eat bread, he divides them according to their age (43:33). Rights of inheritance were almost inflexibly linked to the order of birth. In society as a whole, age was regarded as a title to respect. Contempt for one's parents or elders was a serious offense. In certain cases calling for extreme punishment (Ex. 21:17; Lev. 19:32) even death.

Joseph's Brothers return to Egypt with Benjamin (43:1-34)

Joseph's Cup (44:(1-17)
Judah Intercedes for Benjamin(18-34)

Joseph Revealed to his Brothers (45:1-28)

Joseph had a heart of forgiveness for his brother's who we have seen in previous chapters, had envy and hatred enough for him to wish him dead. Joseph's love for his brother's is lived out through his generosity and desire to use his position of power in Egypt to help his family with no regard to what they had done to him. Who does this remind you of? JESUS, of course, he was willing to forgive and has taught us through his word to forgive (70 times 7). I was reading this passage in a study Bible this morning and found a list that shows some interesting parallels between the life of Joseph and Jesus covered in Genesis chapters 37 through 50.

Joseph...............................................Jesus
Gen. 37:3 His father loved him dearly Matt. 3:127
37:2 A shepherd of his father's sheep John 10:11,27
37:13,14 Sent by the father to his brothers Hebrews 2:11
37:4 Hated by his brothers John 7:5
37:20 Others plotted to harm him John 11:53
39:7 Both were tempted Matt. 4:1
37:25 Both were taken to Egypt Matt. 2: 14,15
37:23 Their robes were taken from them John 19:23
37:28 Both were sold for the price of a slave Matt. 26:15
39:20 Both were bound in chains Matt. 27:2
39:16-18 Both were falsely accused Matt. 26:59,60
40:2,3 Both were placed with two prisoners
one on each side, one lost & one saved Luke 23:32
41:46 Both 30 yrs. old @ the beginning of
their public recognition Luke 3:23
41:41 Both were exalted after suffering Phil. 2:9-11
45:1-15 Both forgave those who wronged them Luke 23:34
45:7 Both saved their nations Matt. 1:21
50:20 What men did to hurt them, God
turned to good for them I Cor. 2:7,8

Joseph is one of very few Bible character's of whom the writer has nothing negative to say. What a beautiful picture of Christ is portrayed through the life of Joseph. We can all strive to work toward the privilege of someone saying the same of us. When I am no longer here, I want those left after me to be able to say that my life was an example of the love of Christ. We must forgive, love, minister, and humble ourselves in order to achieve this type of life. God bless!!!