Genesis 50:15-26

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TALKS FOR GROWING CHRISTIANS

Joseph’s Last Days

BACKGROUND NOTES


DOCTRINAL POINT(S)

  1. The caravan to Egypt was not the end of the story.

  2. The coffin in Egypt was not the end of the story.

PRACTICAL APPLICATION

  1. Our disappointments are God’s appointments.

QUESTIONS

  1. At the conclusion of this story, how do Joseph’s brothers look at him? How does Joseph look at his brothers?

  2. How are we like Joseph’s brothers? How does Joseph give us a glimpse of Christ?

  3. When was the oath (Genesis 50:25) carried out?

  4. Does God allow evil, or is it a part of His plan?

  5. Support your answer to #4 with New Testament verses.

  6. What does Doctrinal Point #1 mean?

ANSWERS

  1. The brothers were afraid that Joseph might change his mind and take revenge. Joseph had no intention of doing this. He had truly forgiven them.

  2. We, like the brothers, doubt and question the Lord’s grace. The Lord freely forgives.

  3. At the time of the exodus. See Exodus 13:19. See also Joshua 23:42.

  4. God does not approve or condone evil or plan it in the sense that He wants it to happen. But because God is sovereign, all-powerful and all-knowing, we have to conclude that whatever evil God allows is part of His overall plan. We must remember that He can work all things together for good for those who love Him.

  5. Acts 2:23 and Acts 4:27-28.

  6. In Genesis 37, we read about the brothers’ hatred and betrayal of Joseph that resulted to Joseph being placed in the caravan to Egypt. But the end of the story is found in Genesis 50:20. Evil was involved on the part of man, but God overruled it and used it for good, keeping many people alive and causing Israel to become a nation.

DISCUSS/CONSIDER

  1. Could you be as forgiving as Joseph was to his brothers? Do you really believe the forgiveness of Christ in your life?

  2. How do you handle the doctrine, “Evil is a part of God’s plan?”

  3. Contrast the empty tomb at the end of the gospels with the coffin in Egypt at the end of Genesis.

CHALLENGE

  1. Have you been part of a caravan, where someone treated you badly? Do you believe that God can overrule? Remember, our disappointments are God’s appointments. Recall Romans 8:28.

KEY VERSES

  • “Joseph said, ‘Do not be afraid, for am I in the place as God. But as for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good...’“ Genesis 50:19-20

Genesis, Old Testament, TalksRon ReidGENESIS 50:15-26