Chapter Summary

Joseph preserves his brethren from the famine.

Discussion Questions for Genesis, Chapter 42

1. How do you think Joseph felt when he saw his brothers again after all those years? Can you relate to holding onto a long-held grudge or having a grudge held against you? What emotions did you experience during that time?
2. What have you done to begin the reconciliation process with someone who has done something wrong to you? What fruit have you seen from that?
3. Discuss the brothers' guilt and their changing attitudes. What do you think led to this change in their hearts? How can facing our mistakes and seeking forgiveness help us grow?
4. Reflect on the idea of reaping what you sow as seen in the brothers' situation. How can our past actions come back to affect us? How do we reconcile that idea with the grace we have been given through Jesus Christ?
5. Was it right for Joseph to conceal his identity during this story? Why or why not?
6. Joseph privately weeps after seeing the turmoil in his brothers' hearts. After being a slave and a prisoner at the hands of his brothers, why do you think Joseph responds to their misery with weeping? How would you have responded? Why?
7. What is the significance of Joseph choosing Simeon as the brother that was going to stay behind? How would this have affected the brothers as a whole?
8. Why do you think that Joseph returned the silver to his brothers? How might this have hindered the brothers' willingness to return to Egypt?
9. Reflect on Joseph's reconciliation with his brothers and how Jesus taught us to reconcile with others. Who do you need to be reconciled to? How can you start that process today?
10. Why do you think Jacob was going to allow Simeon to die in Egypt? Picking favorite children is frowned upon today, so why does Jacob (one of the patriarchs of the family and Israel's namesake) do it? Does it make this choice acceptable? Why or why not?

Key Words/Phrase

Proved (tested), v. 15.

Characters

Jacob, Joseph, brothers.

Strong Verse(s)

8, 23, 24.