Band of Brothers

Chapters 43 – 50

- Reuben is no longer the brother with a plan, it is Judah now, also the brother who sold Joseph into slavery. Judah tells Dad that he can hold him responsible if something happens to Benjamin.

- In verse 14 Jacob is trusting in GOD, but he is also coming to grips with the fact they he may lose them both, he is learning to step out in faith regardless of the outcome.

- They have a feast at Joseph’s house, and he sits them all at the table according to age, oldest to youngest. One thing of interest in verse 33 it says the Egyptians that were with Joseph sat at another table as they despised Hebrews and refused to eat with them. Irony of ironies the Egyptians were saved from famine by a Hebrew who without GOD working through him would have nothing to eat at any table.

- Joseph tests his brothers again and this time Judah follows through and offers himself in Benjamin’s place, something even Reuben did not even attempt to offer to do for Simeon. These things have whispers of Eden in them, will you take the punishment to save your own flesh and blood? GOD is also still looking for my and your answer to that question? (I hope I have the strength to say yes)

- Chapter 45, Joseph reveals himself to his brothers and he knows exactly why it all happened, it was GOD who sent him there, not them and GOD made him advisor to Pharaoh, manager of Palace and governor over all of Egypt.

- Pharaoh invites Jacob and all his family down to Egypt; Jacob is stunned by the news.

- GOD speaks to Jacob again, and tells him do not be afraid to go down to Egypt. Why you might ask, because Jacob knows that GOD is true to his word and what he told Abraham has yet to happen - your descendants will be strangers in a foreign land, where they will be oppressed as slaves for 400 years.

- The Brothers and Jacob meet Pharaoh and Jacob blesses him. The greater in the eyes of men is blessed by the lesser, but as it is written in Hebrews 7:7 like Abraham, Jacob has the blessings of GOD and without a question the person given the blessing is greater than the one being blessed in this case.

- Pharaoh gives them the region of Goshen to live.

- Chapter 48, Jacob blesses Ephraim and Manasseh, and, in his prayer, you can see his heart towards GOD who he says has been his shepherd and Angel redeemer.

- Even though Manasseh is the first-born Ephraim will become the greater, interesting.

- Chapter 49, Jacob prophesies and blesses before he dies.

Take note of Reuben’s rebuke, Simeon, and Levi’s too and remember where the line of Priests will come through. Judah has recovered what was lost in more ways than one. "The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from his descendants, until the coming of the one to whom it belongs, the one whom all nations will honor."

- Jacob dies and is gathered to his people, the family mourns for him, and they take him and bury him in the cave Abraham had purchased. 

- Another point of interest before Joseph dies, he gets his family to promise to take his bones with them when GOD leads them out of Egypt and he dies at 110 years of age and is embalmed. 

Next – Sink or Swim