Online Sermons
Lesson #8 - A Silver Cup Of Remorse
Series: The Life of Joseph - A Tapestry of God's ProvidenceLESSON #8
A Silver Cup Of Remorse
1. How were the brothers sent back home? / Genesis 44
Joseph commanded his steward to: load them up with as much food as they could carry …
to return their payment money to their sacks … and to hide his silver chalice in Benjamin’s sack. – vss.1-2
At daybreak they are their donkeys headed home to Canaan. – vs.3
Why did Joseph “set them up” by hiding his sliver cup (as if it were stolen)?
Is Joseph a cruel jokester? Does Joseph enjoy giving his brothers grief? What’s behind this scheme?
2. How were the brothers arrested?
Chased down by Joseph’s steward! – vss.4-5
Directed by Joseph to interrogate them by asking, “why have you repaid evil for good?”.
“How could you steal silver or gold from your lord’s house?” - vs.8
The brothers denied any wrong-doing and agreed if the silver cup was found that brother should die.
And, furthermore, if money is found in their sacks they should all become slaves in Egypt. – vss.9-10
The search begins with the eldest son and works it way down to the youngest, Benjamin. – vss.11-12
Money is found in every sack and the sliver cup is discovered in Benjamin’s sack.
What is meant by the actions of the brothers in “tearing their clothes”? – vs.13
“Rending one’s garments” was an expression of grief & mourning. - cf. Gen.37:29 & 34; 2Sam.3:31 and Joel 2:13
3. Describe the rebuke from Joseph?
Was Joseph’s claim to “divination” (one who sees as God) meant to produce added trepidation? – vss.5 & 15
Speaking for his brothers, note carefully Judah’s words: “what can we say … how can we justify ourselves?” – vs.16
“God has found out the iniquity (sin) of your servants.”
These words encouraged Joseph, as he witnessed their acknowledgment of their sinful past.
Judah’s words (as to their sins) are not spoken regarding the money or the cup, but regarding sinful past deeds.
They passed their first “test”, now there is one more to come. – vs.17
Joseph proposes to keep Benjamin (since the cup was found in his sack) and let the other ten return home.
Would the older brothers “sell out” or “discard” Benjamin as they had done with Joseph long ago?
4. What was Judah’s response?
The balance of chapter 44 is a disclosure of what Judah (the eldest of the brothers) said to Joseph. cf. Gen.37:26
He rehearses the promises made to their father regarding the safe-keeping and return of Benjamin.
Judah expressed genuine love for his father. – vss.27-31 & 34
Judah took responsibility! – vss. 32-33
As Gen.45:1 reveals, this is what Joseph needed to confirm - - that his brothers had undergone a change of heart.
Next week’s assignment - Read Genesis 45 regarding Joseph’s “revealing”.
