JOSEPH'S FAITH AND STEWARDSHIP

GENESIS 45:1-50:26

(45:1-26; 46:26-47:27; 50:15:26)

KEY VERSE 50:20

** JOSEPH'S FAITH (45)

After hearing Judah's plea for Benjamin, how did Joseph respond? How did he reveal himself to his brothers? How did they react? 

How did Joseph reassure them? What meaning did he see in the tragedy of being sold as a slave? (5) What mission had he received from God (6,7)? How did his mission make him great? What can we learn here about God? About Joseph's faith? 

How did Joseph help his family practically? (Think about spiritual help, material help, and human help toward having independent lives.) 

** JOSEPH'S STEWARDSHIP (47)

How did Joseph regard his position in Egypt (45:8)? What does this reveal about his attitude toward people and toward material things? About his attitude towards God? 

How long had the famine ravaged the land when Joseph's family came to live in Egypt? (45:11) How did his treatment of his family reveal his stewardship of Egypt? (46:31-47:12) How did the people respond to his treatment?  Why? 

How did Joseph prove his loyalty to Pharaoh? What does this reveal about Joseph? 

** JOSEPH'S PLACE IN HISTORY (48,49,50)

How did Jacob bless Joseph and his sons (49:8-12)? What is the significance of this blessing? (Mt. 1)

Why did Joseph's brothers become fearful after Jacob's death? What request did they make of Joseph that reeals their repentance? (50:14-18) 

What did Joseph teach them? What can we learn about Joseph's faith (19-21)? What hope did Joseph plant in his family *22-26)?