Bible Study Materials

Questionnaire

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JOSEPH'S BROTHERS REPENT

Genesis 43:1-44:34

Key Verse: 44:33

“Now then, please let your servant remain here as my lord’s slave in place of the boy, and let the boy return with his brothers.”

 

Read 43:1-14. How did Judah persuade Jacob? (1-10) What can we learn about his change compared to the past? (37:26-27; 38:11) What was Jacob’s final decision? (11-14)

 

Read verses 15-34. Why were Joseph’s brothers so frightened (15-22) and how were they comforted? (23-28) Describe Joseph’s emotional reaction when he met his brother Benjamin? (29-30) What astonished his brothers? (33) How much more food did Joseph serve Benjamin? (34) Why?

 

Read 44:1-16. What serious problem did Joseph create for his brothers as they were leaving Egypt? (1-10) What does the brothers' reaction show about their changed hearts? (11-16)

 

Read verses 17-33. What offer did Joseph make? (17) What was Judah's plea? (18-33) How had he been changed in his relationship with God, his father and brothers? Through Judah, what can we learn about true repentance? (Psalm 51:17; Luke 15:17-20) Through Joseph, what do you learn about God’s holy love to lead us to repentance? How is God pleased with our repentance? (Luke 15:7)

 

Psalm 51:17 “My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise.”

Luke 15:17-20 “When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! 18 I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ 20 So he got up and went to his father. “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.

Luke 15:7 “I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.