The Bible Course for Children

Genesis Chapter 42 to 45

From Genesis 42 onwards, the family of Joseph, his father Jacob, and his eleven brothers are again discussed.

Even in Canaan, where they live, there is famine. But Jacob did not know beforehand that seven bad harvest years were coming and he did not store up as many provisions as the Egyptians. Soon the food will run out. Then he hears that grain can be bought in Egypt and he says to his sons, "Go to Egypt to buy grain." What must Joseph's brothers have thought when their father sent them to Egypt?

They surely thought of their brother Joseph, whom they had sold as a slave 13 years earlier. Could he still be alive? How is he doing? They never heard from him again, and their father still thinks that Joseph was eaten by a wild animal on that journey.

Now the ten older brothers of Joseph are traveling to Egypt. When they want to buy grain there, Joseph sees them and recognizes them immediately. But the brothers have no idea that the powerful Egyptian prince is their brother Joseph. He does not reveal himself to them. After all, the brothers' great sin stands between them. Joseph would like his brothers to finally recognize their sin, repent, and confess.

That's why Joseph treats his brothers harshly.

Gradually, their conscience awakens: In Genesis 42:21, one speaks to another:

Sometime later, Judah, one of the brothers, says: "God has found out the iniquity (that is, the evil deed) of your servants" (Genesis 44:16).

Now they have realized that they sinned against God when they sold their brother.

This is the same with us: when we sin, for example by lying to our parents, it's not only a sin against the parents, but also a sin against God. Our parents might not even notice that we didn't tell the truth, but God always sees and never forgets!

That's why God has given us conscience, which keeps knocking and warning us. We can only find true peace once we've confessed our sins before God and humans.