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1. Bitterness is overcome when _______________ are

________________

2. Bitterness is overcome when God brings you to the _________ ______ _________________

3. Bitterness is overcome when you are will to __________________

4. Bitterness is overcome when you see God’s _______________

___________ in everything

5. Bitterness is overcome when love ______________

6. When bitterness is overcome there is great _________________

Rescued – Genesis 43-45 Week Twenty-Three: Overcoming Bitterness

Jacob’s family is unaware that Joseph is now the ruler of Egypt right under Pharaoh! Instead Jacob has sunk in despair as he faces a severe famine, has lost his son Joseph, and now Simeon, and may soon lose Benjamin. But Jacob’s reality is far from what he has already concluded it to be. What a challenge for us not to draw wrong conclusions about our life until God has had a chance to play out all of the facts!

Day One: More Famine

We’re going to pick up today’s reading with a worsening famine, forcing Joseph’s brothers to return to Egypt. A reunion is on the way, but several things must happen first. Read Genesis 43:1-14. Exploring the Text

1. As the famine intensified, what pressures did it put on Jacob

and his sons in vs.1-10? 2. Did Jacob have any other choice but to send his sons back to

Egypt?

23 3. Which of the brothers stepped up and vouched for Benjamin’s

safety?

4. What did he promise his father to do? 5. What impresses you about Jacob as he

sends off his sons in vs.11-14? 6. We haven’t heard much about God up to this point. What part

has God had so far in the way our story is unfolding?

Genesis 43:14

May God Almighty grant you mercy before the man, and may he send back your other

brother and Benjamin.

Application for your life?

Record your thoughts here.

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Personal Application 7. Think of a difficult situation you are facing

right now. How can you better trust it to the Lord, the God of Isaac, Jacob and Joseph?

23 Day Two: Back to Egypt

Jacob is between a rock and a hard place, but the need for food supersedes all other concerns. God is a God of reconciliation and we are headed towards a meeting between Joseph and his brothers. I’m praying the Lord brings reconciliation to every relationship in your life where it’s needed! Read Genesis 43:15-34. Exploring the Text 1. What did the brothers take with them as they headed back to

Egypt? 2. How did Joseph welcome his brothers again? 3. In vs.15-25, how did the brothers interpret Joseph’s intentions? 4. What did the brothers do to prevent a bad outcome?

5. What did that reveal about how the brothers have changed over the years?

6. What questions did Joseph ask his brothers? 7. How did Joseph react to seeing Benjamin?

8. Verse 33 is such a picture of grace. Do you think the brothers

recognized it?

Romans 5:11

More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord

Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received

reconciliation.

23 Personal Application 9. The story is starting to get quite emotional,

isn’t it? Joseph is such a picture of Christ, bringing reconciliation where punishment is deserved. Is there anyone in your life right now you need to be reconciled to?

Application for your life?

Record your thoughts here.

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Day Three: A Trap

We’re about to see how time has changed Joseph’s brothers. Joseph continues to test them, but treats them with more love than they deserve. It’s amazing that Joseph still loves his brothers after all that’s happened. Read Genesis 44:1-17. Exploring the Text 1. The brothers were about to head back home. What did Joseph

ask his steward to put in each man’s satchel? 2. Where did Joseph ask for his cup to be placed? 3. How did Joseph test his brothers one last time?

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Ask God to give you the will to

forgive one person in your life who has hurt you.

4. How do you think the brothers must have felt when the cup was

found in Benjamin’s bag?

5. Which of the brothers spoke up for his

brothers? 6. What solution did Joseph come up with by the end of today’s

reading? Was that even an option for the brothers?

Application for your life?

Record your thoughts here.

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Personal Application 7. Joseph set his brothers up because he

wanted to see how they had changed over time. How have you changed in character over time? When tested, what comes out of your heart and mouth?

23 Day Four: Changed

The brothers have changed, there is no doubt about it! In today’s passage we’re going to see Judah speak up and fight for his brother. Oh, what a blessing it is to see a man change for better over time! Read Genesis 44:18-34. Exploring the Text 1. As you read today’s passage, how honest was Judah’s speech? 2. Judah explained to Joseph that they would not have come back

except for what? 3. In vs. 27, Judah went into more details about his 2 brothers.

Who was he talking about, and who was the mother? 4. How attached had Jacob become to Benjamin? Why?

5. What was Judah’s greatest worry about going back home

without Benjamin? 6. What solution did Judah offer instead?

7. As you read Judah’s speech today, what is

the thing that seems to motivate him the most?

1 Corinthians 13:13

So now faith, hope, and love abide, these

three; but the greatest of these

is love.

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Application for your life?

Record your thoughts here.

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Personal Application 8. Love is the greatest motivator of all. Think

about the love you have for your family, your friends, and your enemies. How can you develop more Christ like love towards the relationships God has put in your life?

Day Five: Reconciled

We’ve been leading up to this moment all week. I hope you’re ready for it! Joseph has tested his brothers and he has witnessed how they’ve changed from selfish to loving. As he reveals himself to them, the brothers have a new set of challenges: to receive their brother’s love without fear! Read Genesis 45:1-15. Exploring the Text 1. How did Joseph react to Judah’s speech? 2. What did Joseph do next? 3. Can you feel the shock on Joseph’s brothers faces? How do you

think the brothers felt as Joseph came clean?

23 4. No one understood better than Joseph God’s hand in his life.

What was Joseph’s perspective on the last 20 years?

5. Count how many times the word “God”

shows up in verses 7-9. Contrast that with how many times we read God’s name in the last few chapters!!

6. What did Joseph offer his family?

Genesis 45:5

God sent me before you to preserve life.

Application for your life?

Record your thoughts here.

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Personal Application 7. It took a lot of kissing and hugging to

convince Joseph’s brothers of Joseph’s sincere love and forgiveness. Is it hard for you to accept undeserved love?

8. Look at the negative circumstances in your

life. How does Joseph’s perspective encourage you to trust the Lord now?