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Stories From The Old Testament That Build Faith & Devotion

A Story Of Providence Gen 37, 39-45, 50  Joseph on a ruler’s throne 41:1 – 45:8  Eventually, the famine affects Jacob and his family in Canaan…he sends his sons to Egypt to buy food 42:1-5  They unknowingly present themselves to Joseph 42:6-9a cp. 37:5-9 Stories From The O.T. That Build Faith & Devotion

A Story Of Providence Gen 37, 39-45, 50  Joseph on a ruler’s throne 41:1 – 45:8  It has been at least 20 years  Joseph was 17 when sold 37:2  He was 30 when “promoted” 41:46  The 7 years of plenty are over 41:53  How could Joseph have reacted?? Stories From The O.T. That Build Faith & Devotion

A Story Of Providence Gen 37, 39-45, 50  Joseph on a ruler’s throne 41:1 – 45:8  How could Joseph have reacted??  He now had power to exact some revenge  Many hold grudges for as long as it had been since Joseph had seen his brothers  Revenge taken would indeed be “sweet” Stories From The O.T. That Build Faith & Devotion

A Story Of Providence Gen 37, 39-45, 50  Joseph on a ruler’s throne 41:1 – 45:8  How could Joseph have reacted??  The Scripture instructs us in such situations Mt 5:43-48 Rom 12:17-21  Man is not allowed to “take his revenge”… he most certainly would go too far  Again, Joseph shows great character Stories From The O.T. That Build Faith & Devotion

A Story Of Providence Gen 37, 39-45, 50  Joseph on a ruler’s throne 41:1 – 45:8  He treats his brothers “harshly” 42:9b-17  Possibly to ascertain their disposition  They were accused of being spies  They admit to having lost a brother…all they wanted was to buy food  They were imprisoned for 3 days Stories From The O.T. That Build Faith & Devotion

A Story Of Providence Gen 37, 39-45, 50  Joseph on a ruler’s throne 41:1 – 45:8  He gives them his “conditions” 42:18-24  One brother had to remain behind  They had to bring Benjamin back with them  They express regrets & some remorse over how they had treated Joseph  Reuben Ù “I told you…!!” Stories From The O.T. That Build Faith & Devotion

A Story Of Providence Gen 37, 39-45, 50  Joseph on a ruler’s throne 41:1 – 45:8  He deals with them kindly 42:25-28  He gives them their food free, returning their money in their sacks  They find their money…assume the worst  They even appear to blame God Stories From The O.T. That Build Faith & Devotion

A Story Of Providence Gen 37, 39-45, 50  Joseph on a ruler’s throne 41:1 – 45:8  The brothers back at home 42:29-38  They relate the entire story to Jacob  They tell him Joseph’s conditions  Jacob refuses to send Benjamin  Reuben offers his own sons as “surety” Stories From The O.T. That Build Faith & Devotion

A Story Of Providence Gen 37, 39-45, 50  Joseph on a ruler’s throne 41:1 – 45:8  The brothers back in Egypt 43:1 – 44:34  Jacob instructs them to buy more food  They remind him of Joseph’s conditions  Judah offers to be “surety” for Benjamin  Jacob relents…he allows Benjamin to go Stories From The O.T. That Build Faith & Devotion

A Story Of Providence Gen 37, 39-45, 50  Joseph on a ruler’s throne 41:1 – 45:8  The brothers back in Egypt 43:1 – 44:34  Joseph intends to share a meal with them  When he finally sees his younger brother, he is overcome with emotion  The brothers are seated in birth order… Benjamin is given a greater portion of food Stories From The O.T. That Build Faith & Devotion

A Story Of Providence Gen 37, 39-45, 50  Joseph on a ruler’s throne 41:1 – 45:8  The brothers back in Egypt 43:1 – 44:34  Joseph has 1 more “test”…how will they respond to Benjamin in jeopardy?  Judah defends Benjamin…he even offers to take his place as Joseph’s slave  Contrast Judah in 37:23-27 & 44:18-34 Stories From The O.T. That Build Faith & Devotion

A Story Of Providence Gen 37, 39-45, 50  Joseph on a ruler’s throne 41:1 – 45:8  Joseph finally reveals himself 45:1-4  Judah’s offer obviously touched Joseph… he could not control himself any longer  After dismissing everyone from the room, he reveals his true identity to his brothers Stories From The O.T. That Build Faith & Devotion

A Story Of Providence Gen 37, 39-45, 50  Joseph on a ruler’s throne 41:1 – 45:8  Joseph finally reveals himself 45:1-4  We can only imagine the brothers’ shock and dismay at Joseph’s announcement Stories From The O.T. That Build Faith & Devotion

A Story Of Providence Gen 37, 39-45, 50  Joseph on a ruler’s throne 41:1 – 45:8  Joseph now understands 45:5-8 50:15-21  He reassures his brothers re: all that has happened  “You meant evil…God meant it for good”  It has been 22 years since they sold him out Stories From The O.T. That Build Faith & Devotion

A Story Of Providence Gen 37, 39-45, 50  Joseph on a ruler’s throne 41:1 – 45:8  Joseph now understands 45:5-8 50:15-21  Providence ultimately “makes sense” only after life’s events work themselves out  God’s will is always accomplished anyway with or without specific human participation cp. Esth 4:13-14 Stories From The O.T. That Build Faith & Devotion

A Story Of Providence Gen 37, 39-45, 50  Joseph on a ruler’s throne 41:1 – 45:8  Joseph now understands 45:5-8 50:15-21  The main lesson of Joseph’s story for us is whether or not we possess the deep faith he had to see us through the end  Like Joseph, at times all we’ll have is faith  May our words be like Joseph’s 50:20 Stories From The O.T. That Build Faith & Devotion

A Story Of Redemption Ex 3-14  The story of all Bible stories  Someone is in bondage  A ransom must be paid  Someone held hostage is ultimately freed because of another’s sacrifice Stories From The O.T. That Build Faith & Devotion

A Story Of Redemption Ex 3-14  Redemption is told in both the O.T. & N.T.  The greatest “redemption story” in the Scripture is the D/B/R of Jesus Christ  This story of Israel’s redemption from Egyptian slavery serves as a type Stories From The O.T. That Build Faith & Devotion

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