Parting Professions

Genesis 50:15-26
[15] When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, “It may be that Joseph will hate us and pay us back for all the evil that we did to him.” [16] So they sent a message to Joseph, saying, “Your father gave this command before he died: [17] ‘Say to Joseph, “Please forgive the transgression of your brothers and their sin, because they did evil to you.”’ And now, please forgive the transgression of the servants of the God of your father.” Joseph wept when they spoke to him. [18] His brothers also came and fell down before him and said, “Behold, we are your servants.” [19] But Joseph said to them, “Do not fear, for am I in the place of God? [20] As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today. [21] So do not fear; I will provide for you and your little ones.” Thus he comforted them and spoke kindly to them.

[22] So Joseph remained in Egypt, he and his father’s house. Joseph lived 110 years. [23] And Joseph saw Ephraim’s children of the third generation. The children also of Machirthe son of Manasseh were counted as Joseph’s own. [24] And Joseph said to his brothers, “I am about to die, but God will visit you and bring you up out of this land to the land that he swore to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.” [25] Then Joseph made the sons of Israel swear, saying, “God will surely visit you, and you shall carry up my bones from here.” [26] So Joseph died, being 110 years old. They embalmed him, and he was put in a coffin in Egypt.

DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study Questions
1.   What have been your biggest takeaways from Genesis? How has God strengthened your faith through this series?
2.   Why are Joseph’s brothers afraid? Is their fear rational or irrational?
3.   How does Joseph respond to his brothers? How does he view the events that have transpired over the years?
4.   How has the doctrine of God’s sovereignty, which Joseph articulates in this passage, been of practical help in your life?
5.   According to Joseph what will God do for his people in the future? How does this help us to understand the nature of God’s ultimate salvation in Christ?

References: 1 Thessalonians 5:15; Romans 12:17; Genesis 45:1-15; Job 1:21; Deuteronomy 32:39; Hebrews 11:22; Luke 1:68-70; Revelation 22:20.