STRENGTH FOR THE JOURNEY “NOT YOU … BUT GOD”

GENESIS 45:1-15 "Joseph said unto his brethren, I am Joseph" (Gen. 45:3). Previously he had spoken to them through an interpreter, but now in their own language he said, "I am Joseph." When Joseph disclosed his identity, "his brethren could not answer him; for they were troubled at his presence"...

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STRENGTH FOR THE JOURNEY NO EXCUSES; MERCY SOUGHT

GENESIS 44:1-16 Perhaps you say this was cruel for Joseph to test his brothers. Maybe it seems cruel, but sometimes God has to do severe things to get people to see their sinfulness. Joseph’s brothers were being severely tested to see what their reaction would be toward Benjamin when it...

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STRENGTH FOR THE JOURNEY A BROTHER IS HONORED

GENESIS 43:19-34 Joseph was unable to restrain himself, and he "made haste; for his bowels [heart] did yearn upon his brother: and he sought where to weep; and he entered into his chamber, and wept there" (Gen. 43:30). What a moving account of the love of Joseph for Benjamin! Finally...

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STRENGTH FOR THE JOURNEY GUILT PRODUCES FEAR

GENESIS 43:1-18 Jacob reluctantly let his sons take Benjamin to Egypt, and he gave them instructions as to what they should take along so they might be well received. The sons did as Jacob instructed. They "took that present, and they took double money in their hand and Benjamin; and...

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STRENGTH FOR THE JOURNEY JUDGING BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES

GENESIS 42:29-38 When the brothers returned to Canaan, they rehearsed to their father all that had taken place in Egypt. Realizing the trouble they were in, Jacob said to his sons, "Me have ye bereaved of my children: Joseph is not, and Simeon is not, and ye will take Benjamin...

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STRENGTH FOR THE JOURNEY NO GRUDGES HELD

GENESIS 42:18-28 All of this was too much for Joseph, and “he turned himself about from them, and wept” (Gen. 42:24). His heart was still tender toward them in spite of what they had done to him. Controlling himself, he “returned to them again, and communed with them, and took...

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STRENGTH FOR THE JOURNEY BROTHERS MEET AGAIN

GENESIS 42:1-17 Joseph accused his brothers of being spies. Think of the contrast! More than 20 years ago they had accused Joseph of spying on them and telling their father on them; now he was accusing them of being spies. When they accused Joseph, they cast him into a pit....

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STRENGTH FOR THE JOURNEY FORGETTING PAST TRIALS

GENESIS 41:46-57 As time passed, "unto Joseph were born two sons before the years of famine came, which Asenath the daughter of Potipherah priest of On bare unto him. And Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manasseh [forgetting]: For God, said he, hath made me forget all my toil,...

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STRENGTH FOR THE JOURNEY ADVICE WITHOUT SELF-INTEREST

GENESIS 41:25-36 After Pharaoh told his dreams to Joseph, God revealed through Joseph that the dreams had to do with seven years of plenty, followed by seven years of great famine. Joseph then advised Pharaoh that every precaution should be taken during the seven years of plenty so there would...

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