Genesis 44:1-17 We have now reached the watershed event in the story of Joseph. In this passage we learn of Joseph's plan to reveal the true attitude of his brothers. Do they speak merely words of repentance, or are they really changed? What is the significance of the three things Joseph instructs his house steward to speak to his brothers? What is all this talk about Joseph's "divining cup?" How does the response of the brothers reveal how effective Joseph has been in his plan? What do we learn about the brothers when they load their donkeys and return to the city? How does Joseph's plan recreate the situation his brothers confronted at Dotham twenty two years earlier? Why does he do this? What is the significance of Judah's offer that they all be Joseph's slaves? How does Joseph protect Benjamin? (58 min.)

Keywords Joseph, Judah, Divination, Cup

Genesis 43:26-34 As Joseph arrives home for the noon feast planned for his brothers, they bring to him the present they have prepared. What is it about this present? Why is it mentioned repeatedly, only to fade into obscurity in the narrative? What is the significance of the brothers bowing before Joseph? How is it that something that was once so abhorrent to them they now do with such apparent ease? The brothers report that their father is well. Is he, really? Once Joseph overcomes his overwhelming emotions, the feasting begins. Why did Joseph seat the men according to their birth order? What must have been going through Joseph's mind as he feasted and drank with his brothers? (55 min.)

Keywords Joseph, Benjamin

Genesis 43:16-25 Joseph, seeing his brothers have returned with Benjamin, now puts into action his carefully measured plan. How does the house steward play into this, and what does he think of it? A dominant motif of the narrative is what Joseph knows and what his brothers don't know. What lesson can we learn from this? When the brothers are brought to Joseph's house, they are filled with dread. What is it they fear, and why are the apparently thinking so much about their donkeys? What is the unexpected word his brothers hear when finally at the threshold of their long festering dread? How is this a picture to us of our God? (48 min)

Keywords Joseph, Fear, Peace, Shalom