Genesis 45-46

 

Chapter 45

Chapter 45 shows Joseph revealing his identity to his brothers. This is one of the most dramatic and moving scenes in Joseph’s life, where Joseph and his brothers, who had lived in deep conflict for many years, are finally reunited and reconciled. According to Joseph’s plan, after Judah’s earnest plea and self-sacrificial appeal on behalf of Benjamin, who was accused as a criminal, Joseph can no longer control his emotions. He reveals to his brothers that he is Joseph and weeps aloud with joy (verses 1–8). He then instructs his brothers to go quickly and bring their father Jacob, sending them back to Canaan with many gifts (verses 9–24). Most importantly, knowing that his brothers feared revenge, Joseph reassures them by confessing that it was not their fault that they sold him, but rather God’s providence to preserve life during the famine. When Jacob hears that Joseph is still alive, he rejoices and immediately prepares to go down to Egypt to meet him (verses 25–28).

Q1) What was Joseph’s emotional state when he revealed his identity to his brothers (verses 1–2)?

Q2) How did Joseph and his brothers express the joy of reunion and reconciliation (verses 14–15)?

Q3) What did Jacob say when he heard that Joseph was alive (verse 28)?

 

Chapter 46

Chapter 46 records the scene of Jacob’s family migrating to Egypt at Joseph’s invitation during the famine. A new phase of redemptive history begins, in which God shifts His work from focusing on an individual patriarch to focusing on the nation of Israel. Jacob, upon hearing the news that his son Joseph—whom he thought was dead—is alive and serving as governor of Egypt, is filled with great joy. On his way to Egypt, Jacob offers sacrifices to God at Beersheba, and God reaffirms His covenant blessing from Bethel (verses 1–7). The total number of people who migrated to Egypt with him was seventy (verses 8–28). When Jacob arrives in Goshen, Joseph goes up to meet him, and after 20 years, they have an emotional reunion. Jacob’s family settles in the land of Goshen (verses 29–34).

Q1) Where did Jacob offer sacrifices to God when he set out for Egypt with his family (verse 1)?

Q2) What did Jacob say after meeting Joseph (verse 30)?

Q3) Where did Joseph want his family to live (verse 34)?

 

Chapter 47

Jacob and his family, who moved to Egypt at Joseph’s invitation, are peacefully settled in the land of Goshen under Pharaoh’s special favor. In chapter 47, after living in Egypt for 17 years, Jacob senses that his death is near and makes Joseph swear to bury him in Canaan. Jacob meets Pharaoh, and his family is settled in Goshen (verses 1–12). Meanwhile, the famine becomes more severe, and the people give their livestock and land to Pharaoh in exchange for food. From that point on, all the land in Egypt, except for the land belonging to the priests, becomes Pharaoh’s possession (verses 13–26). After 17 years in Goshen, Jacob realizes that his death is near and gives Joseph a final request to bury him in the tomb of his ancestors (verses 27–31), expressing his redemptive-historical hope in God’s promised land through the covenant line.

Q1) How did Jacob describe his life before Pharaoh (verse 9)?

Q2) What proposal did the people make to Joseph after selling even their livestock for food (verses 18–19)?

Q3) What was Jacob’s earnest request to Joseph (verses 29–30)?