Read for This Week’s Study: Gen. 41:37–46, 1 Kings 3:12,

Genesis 42, Rom. 5:7–11, Genesis 43, Genesis 44, Genesis 45.

Memory Text: “And Pharaoh said to Joseph, ‘See, I have set you over

all the land of Egypt’ ” (Genesis 41:41, NKJV).

Joseph is now leader of Egypt, and his own brothers will bow before

him without knowing who he is (Genesis 42). Joseph’s brothers

will humble themselves when Joseph forces them to return with

Benjamin (Genesis 43), and—when Benjamin’s safety is, they fear,

threatened (Genesis 44)—they will plead for grace before this powerful

man, whom they see as “like Pharaoh.” In the end, when Joseph reveals

his identity, they will understand that, despite what they have done, God

has brought good out of it all.

Interestingly, this whole next sequence of events, which were sup-

posed to be about Joseph’s success, are more about his brothers’ repen-

tance. Their back-and-forth journeys from Joseph to their father, and

the obstacles they encounter, make them remember their wicked acts

toward Joseph and their father, and they realize their iniquity toward

God. Joseph’s brothers live that whole experience as a divine judgment.

And yet, the moving emotional conclusion, which brings everyone to

tears and joy, also contains a message of forgiveness for them, despite

their unjustifiable acts of evil.