Genesis 44 Summary - 5 Minute Bible Study

Genesis 44

WHEN:

• Joseph was 17 when he went to Egypt (approximately 1728 B.C.).

• Joseph was 30 years old when he became a ruler of Egypt (approx.. 1715 B.C.).

• The 7 years of abundance foretold in Pharaoh’s dream (Gen 41) had past and the 7 years of famine had begun. Therefore, these events occurred at least 20 years after Joseph was sold as a slave.

CHARACTERS:

• Joseph – Jacob’s son with Rachel. In this chapter, he was the second most powerful man in Egypt.

• Joseph’s 11 Brothers – In Genesis 42, 10 of the brothers travelled to Egypt to buy food during a famine. They returned to Egypt in chapter 43 with their youngest brother, Benjamin.  

WHERE:

• Joseph’s brothers travelled from Canaan to Egypt to buy food during a famine.

• We are not told where exactly in Egypt Joseph was located.  

OUTLINE:

• JOSEPH’S SILVER CUP GOES MISSING (44:1-13):

  • Joseph told the steward of his house to fill his brother’s sacks with grain, but to secretly put his silver cup in Benjamin’s sack.

  • At first light on the next day, the brothers loaded their donkey’s and set out for Canaan.

  • When they had gone a short distance, Joseph sent his steward after his brothers and told him to confront them about stealing his cup.

  • The steward did as Joseph instructed and the brother’s denied stealing the cup.

  • They told him they would be the servants of Pharaoh if the cup was found.

  • The steward searched their bags, from the oldest to the youngest, and the cup was found in Benjamin’s sack.

  • The brothers were distraught, tore their clothes, and turned their donkeys around to return to Egypt.

• JUDAH OFFERS HIMSELF AS A SUBSTITUTE FOR BENJAMIN (44:14-34):

  • The brothers were brought to Joseph’s house and bowed before him.

  • Joseph told them Benjamin must remain in Egypt and be his slave.

  • Judah approached Joseph and pleaded with him, explaining their situation, and their father’s love for Benjamin.

  • He told Joseph their father would die of heartbreak if they returned without Benjamin.

  • Judah asked if he could take Benjamin’s place and remain in Egypt as Joseph’s servant.

APPLICATION:

• In Judah, we see a shadow of Jesus’ sacrifice for us.

• I don’t think it’s a coincidence Jesus was a descendant of Judah’s.

• In Judah, we observe a sinful man who sacrificially offered himself as a substitute for his brother.

• In Jesus, we observe a sinless man who sacrificially offered Himself for as a substitute for His brothers (Mark 3:34-35; Hebrews 2:11).

• We will observe many other “shadows” of Jesus as we study the Old Testament.