42:1-9
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Joseph's dream of being exalted, and that his brothers would bow down to him, was fulfilled here (Genesis 37:5-9).
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Joseph learned that the purpose of this future was for him to save their lives.
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Remember that power or influence is given so that we can help others (2 Corinthians 10:8).
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42:10-38, 43:1-10,15-44, 44:1-15
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As with Joseph, people who struggle to forgive someone who has hurt them will have a tendency to behave roughly towards them.
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Joseph did this to test his brothers, to see if they had changed or not.
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It is okay to test a person's heart, to see if their character is genuine (1 John 4:1-3).
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Simply do not sin in doing so. Don't be dishonest while trying to determine if someone else is dishonest.
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You can ask questions to know what is in a person's heart (Luke 20:2-8).
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Verses 20-23. Reuben and his brothers expressed deep regret for their sin against Joseph.
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To know if a person has had a change of heart, watch for signs of repentance for their sin; see if they confess their sin. People who are repentant will confess their wrongs in humility (Matthew 3:6, 1 John 1:8-9).
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Confess your wrongs if you want people to come to trust you (James 5:16).
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43:11-14
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Although Jacob feared for his son, Benjamin, he became willing to send Benjamin to Egypt when he prayed for God's mercy (verse 14). He submitted Himself to God's will.
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When you struggle to do something that you know will be hard, pray and trust that God's plan will be done. Even if hardship comes, trust Him (Job 13:15).
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44:16-34
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Notice that Joseph's final test revealed everything that was in the heart of his brothers.
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By this time, Joseph's brothers had learned of the pain that they brought upon their father, Jacob, after they had sold Joseph into slavery. This made them want to spare Benjamin, in order to save their father from greater pain.
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When you know how your sin hurts others, if you care about them, you will avoid sin.
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Understand that your sin brings grief to God and to others. Consider how God feels about your actions, and how disobedience will hurt others, and you will be more motivated to repent.
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Make it your goal to live well-pleasing to God (2 Corinthians 5:9).
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Verses 33-34. And by this time, Judah was willing to sacrifice himself for his younger brother. Before, when they sold Joseph into slavery, Judah was the one that devised the plot (Genesis 37:26-27).
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Self-sacrifice is the greatest demonstration of love and compassion (John 15:13).
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Sacrifice yourself and your convenience, to help others, and they will know that you are genuine.
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