Lesson 10
Read Genesis 45 - https://www.bible.com/bible/59/gen.45.esv
- Joy – a settled state of contentment, confidence and hope
- Peace – a stress-free state of security and calmness
- Forgiveness – to wipe the slate clean, to pardon, to cancel a debt

Joseph couldn’t control his emotions in front of all his servants another moment. He commanded them, “Leave my presence, immediately!” So none of his servants saw Joseph tell his brothers who he was, but his crying was so loud they heard him through the walls.

This is what Joseph said to his brothers: “I am your brother Joseph! Is my father actually still alive?” But his brothers were so shocked by his revelation they were speechless.

“Come closer,” Joseph beckoned joyfully, with complete forgiveness. “I am your brother Joseph you sold as a slave to Egypt,” he repeated. “But don’t blame yourselves, because God wanted this to happen. He sent me here ahead of you as His mighty act of deliverance, to save lives – yours and many others. There will be five more years of famine, and God sent me here, putting me in charge of Pharaoh’s personal affairs, to save His people from starvation.”

“Now hurry back,” Joseph continued, “and tell my father what God has done, and bring him and your families here to Egypt. I’ll give you, your families, and your animals a place to live in Goshen, close to me. I’ll take care of all of you completely – you won’t need a thing.”

Joseph embraced his full brother Benjamin and wept, and Benjamin wept on Joseph’s neck. Then he kissed his half-brothers and wept. Finally, after Joseph’s reassuring hugs, his brothers could speak!

The news Joseph had been reunited with his brothers quickly traveled to Pharaoh’s palace. Everyone in the palace was happy about this good news. Pharaoh encouraged Joseph to quickly bring his family back to Egypt and settle them on the best grazing land. Pharaoh offered Joseph’s brothers wagons to carry everything, but they didn’t have to worry about leaving things behind – they would be given all they needed in Egypt.

Joseph gave his brothers brand-new clothes. He sent his father gifts of Egypt’s best products, plus grain, bread, and other provisions for their journey back to Egypt.

As his brothers left to return to their father and families, Joseph called out, “Travel safely, and try to get along; be at peace with each other!”

When the brothers told Jacob Joseph was still alive and was the ruler over all of Egypt, Jacob felt numb and faint with disbelief and hopeful joy. But as they explained to Jacob what had happened, and after he saw wagons Joseph had given them to carry him back to Egypt, he revived. Then he exclaimed, “All right, I finally believe you – my son Joseph lives! I’ve got to hurry and go see him while I’m still alive!”

Apply God’s Word to your life:
*Is joy the same thing as happiness? Why or why not?
*Can you think of someone or something which gives you joy but not happiness?
*Is God’s peace the absence of conflict, or more a state of mind and heart regardless of circumstances?
*In what areas of your life has God given you peace while in the midst of a storm?
*Can you think of anyone you need to forgive? If so, what are you going to do about this?