~~~~~Lesson: Genesis, Chapter 43 (part 2) & 44 (part 1) (reading after lesson)

What a predicament for the brothers: they had promised their father to bring back Benjamin, and then he is caught STEALING, which means he must stay in Egypt as a slave!

Question: Do you think the brother's believed Benjamin when he proclaimed his innocence? Or did they assume he was guilty and still love him anyway (later we'll see definite proof of their love for him)?
Question: Have you ever been falsely accused of something or felt that people were accusing you in their minds? How did it make you feel? Do you think it affected your relationship with them?

Joseph is a gracious and kind host, if a bit unorthodox (giving the youngest choice portion, concern for their family).

Question: In your everyday life, are there places you can be "a gracious host," by showing extra kindness or showing interest in their lives? Where are they? What could you do?

~Reading: Genesis: Chapter 43 (part 2) & 44 (part 1)

(43:15) So the men [Jacob's sons] got the gifts, took double the amount of money with them, and, accompanied by Benjamin, were off on their way down to Egypt to present themselves to Joseph.

(43:24-31)The steward then brought the men inside Joseph's house. He gave them water to bathe their feet, and got fodder for their donkeys. Then they set out their gifts to await Joseph's arrival at noon, for they had heard that they were to dine there. When Joseph came home, they presented him with the gifts they had brought inside, while they bowed down before him to the ground.

After inquiring how they were, he asked them, "And how is your aged father, of whom you spoke? Is he still in good health?"

"Your servant our father is thriving and still in good health," they said, as they bowed respectfully. When Joseph's eye fell on his full brother Benjamin, he asked "Is this your youngest brother, of whom you told me?" Then he said to him, "May God be gracious to you, my boy!" With that, Joseph had to hurry out, for he was so overcome with affection for his brother that he was on the verge of tears. He went into a private room and wept there. After washing his face, he reappeared and, now in control of himself, gave the order, "Serve the meal."

(44:1-2) Then Joseph gave his head steward these instructions: "Fill the men's bags with as much food as they can carry, and put each man's money in the mouth of his bag. In the mouth of the youngest one's bag put also my silver goblet, together with the money for his rations." The steward carried out Joseph's instructions.

(44:10-12) But he [the steward, after he caught up with the brothers] replied, "Even though it out to be as you propose, only the one who is found to have it shall become my slave, and the rest of you shall be exonerated." Then each of them eagerly lowered his bag to the ground and opened it; and when a search was made, starting with the oldest and ending with the youngest, the goblet turned up in Benjamin's bag