Seventh Sunday after the Epiphany Genesis 45:3-11, 15

Joseph’s brothers, meaning to harm him, sold him into Egypt, but in reality God sent him there so that he could save Jacob’s family and many others from death by starvation

Robert E. Longacre, Joseph: A Story of Divine Providence (Eisenbraums, 2003), 43.

A Brief Recap

At this point in the Joseph story (Gen. 37-50), the favored son of Jacob has received special treatment, leading to the envy of his 10 brothers and his being sold into slavery. He has lived in Potiphar’s house, resisted the unwanted advances of the Egyptian’s wife, been thrown in prison over false accusations, interpreted Pharaoh’s dreams,…

1. How do you think Jacob’s favoritism toward Joseph influenced the actions of his brothers? Can you relate this to modern family or community dynamics?

2. Joseph sees God’s hand in the events of his life, even in the betrayal by his brothers. What do you think about the idea of God working through difficult circumstances in your own life or the lives of others?

3. The text mentions that Joseph’s brothers experienced a mix of rage and anguish upon his revelation. How do guilt and fear often influence our reactions to the past?

4. What do you think gave Joseph the ability to forgive his brothers instead of seeking…