January 7, 2026
When Joseph sent his brothers back to Canaan carrying a second shipment of grain, he played a trick on them by having his steward place a silver cup in Benjamin's sack. Then he sent the steward after them, to accuse them of theft. After rashly saying that whoever was found in possession of the cup should be put to death, the brothers returned to Joseph where Judah pleaded for Benjamin's life offering himself in Benjamin's place.
December 18, 2025
Having depleted the food they had bought from Joseph on their first trip to Egypt, Joseph's brothers returned to Egypt - this time bringing Joseph's younger brother Benjamin with them as Joseph had commanded. Joseph brought them all into his home and dined with them, but still didn't reveal to them who he was.December 17, 2025
The famine foretold in Pharaoh's dreams began to affect Jacob's family in Canaan. Hearing that grain was available in Egypt, Jacob sent his ten eldest sons there to buy food. Like all the Egyptians, Joseph's brothers had to deal with Joseph to obtain the grain. When they came to him, Joseph recognized them but they didn't recognize him. He provided them with the grain they needed, but told them they should not return unless they brought his younger brother Benjamin with them. Joseph sent them back to Canaan, but held Simeon as a hostage to secure their promise to return with Benjamin.
December 6, 2025
Genesis 41 brings us at last to the revelation of God's purpose in allowing Joseph to be sold into slavery - to put Joseph into a position in Egypt that allowed him to facilitate the rescue of Jacob's family out of starvation in a regional famine. Ultimately, God used this survival of Israel through the famine to bring about the birth of Jesus of Nazareth the promised Messiah who was to rescue all mankind out of death in our sins.
December 4, 2025
We return now to the story of Joseph's slavery in Egypt. While serving as the manager of his master Potiphar's household, Joseph resisted the temptation to sleep with Potiphar's wife and ran away. But she falsely accused Joseph of attempting to sexually assault her, and Potiphar threw him into prison. While there, Joseph (by God's power) correctly interpreted the dreams of two fellow prisoners. One was executed by Pharaoh. The other was returned to his place in Pharaoh's service, but forgot about Joseph whom he left behind in the prison.