Closer To Heaven
|
|
|
Join the Hit the Mark Panel as they examine Joseph’s amazing response to his reunion with his brothers. This week’s keyword makes a difference in our experience. Join us to discover what it is.
(1)The post Joseph, Prince of Egypt – Hit the Mark Sabbath School appeared first on Sabbath School Net.
Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/joseph-prince-of-egypt-hit-the-mark-sabbath-school/
Jacob could not easily allow the departure of Benjamin, his only son with Rachel who remained with him. He was afraid that he would lose him, as he already had lost Joseph (Genesis 43:6-8). It is only when there was no more food (Genesis 43:2) and when Judah pledged to guarantee the return of Benjamin (Genesis 43:9) that Jacob finally consented for a second visit to Egypt and allowed Benjamin to go with his brothers.
Image © Review & Herald Publishing at Goodsalt.com
Benjamin’s presence dominated the events. When all the brothers stand before Joseph, Benjamin is the only person whom Joseph sees (Genesis 43:16). Benjamin is the only one who is called “brother” (Genesis 43:29, NKJV). While Benjamin is called by name, all the other brothers are not identified; they are simply referred to as “men” (Genesis 43:16).
Joseph calls Benjamin “my son,” as a reassuring expression of special affection (Genesis 43:29; compare with Genesis 22:8). Joseph’s blessing refers to “grace” (Genesis 43:29), reminiscent of his begging for grace, which was not forthcoming (Genesis 42:21). Joseph returns to Benjamin the grace that he did not receive from his other brothers.
While Joseph’s brothers fear that they will be cast in prison because of the money that was returned, Joseph prepares a banquet for them because of Benjamin’s presence. It is as if Benjamin had a redeeming effect on the whole situation. When all the brothers are seated according to their ages and respecting the rules of honor, it is Benjamin, the youngest, who is served five times more than all the other brothers (Genesis 43:33-34). And yet, this favoritism does not bother them, unlike when Joseph was his father’s favorite many years ago, which led to their terrible actions toward both their half brother and their own father (Genesis 37:3-4).
“By this token of favor to Benjamin he hoped to ascertain if the youngest brother was regarded with the envy and hatred that had been manifested toward himself. Still supposing that Joseph did not understand their language, the brothers freely conversed with one another; thus he had a good opportunity to learn their real feelings. Still he desired to test them further, and before their departure he ordered that his own drinking cup of silver should be concealed in the sack of the youngest.” — Ellen G. White, Patriarchs and Prophets, Pages 228, 229.
(0)The post Tuesday: Joseph and Benjamin appeared first on Sabbath School Net.
The book of Genesis offers us so many vast topics from which to choose a theme hymn. As we are starting at the very beginning, I would like to give praise to our Creator of heaven and earth in singing
Hymn 320 – Lord of Creation and
Hymn 2 – All Creatures of Our God and King. The stories that follow creation will lean back towards our amazing God and what He has done
for each of us in creation.
Our story for this quarter continues with Joseph “now leader of Egypt” just as we say daily
He Leadeth Me – Hymn 537, there is no doubt that Joseph knew of God’s leading. Sabbath afternoon introduces us to the grace for which the brothers were to plead from the leader, just as we do today, and see
Amazing Grace – Hymn 108 and
Marvelous Grace – Hymn 109 all because we ask
Forgive Our Sins As We Forgive – Hymn 299.
We see
The Spirit of the Lord Revealed – Hymn 261 as Pharoah sees “Joseph, who is qualified as ‘discerning and wise’ (Gen 41:39)”. We may then continue to pray
Hover O’er Me, Holy Spirit – Hymn 260.
Reuben thought that Joseph’s shed blood was now required of the brothers (Gen 42:22) but we are excited to know there is
Power in The Blood – Hymn 294 (Monday).
It is noted on Tuesday that “Benjamin has a redeeming effect” just as our Lord Jesus has for us showing
The Wonders of Redeeming Love – Hymn 179.
As the wonderful story of Joseph continues we find “Joseph then declares: ‘God sent me’ (Gen 45:5)”. He surely was
Sent Forth By God’s Blessing – Hymn 407 to help in the saving of the whole family. The carts provided by Joseph for his family to be transported back to Egypt was “enough for him (Jacob) to come alive again” to go forth to Egypt and meet Joseph once again. And, today we know for certain that
Christ is Alive! – Hymn 182.
God’s abundant blessings this quarter as we study through the first book of the Bible which our gracious God has given. May we be faithful and all say “Come, Lord Jesus, come – very soon” so we are able to go to our new home in Heaven, as
We Have This Hope – Hymn 214.
To learn unknown hymns, you will find the accompaniment music for each one at: https://sdahymnals.com/Hymnal/
Another great resource is for when there is a hymn you wish to sing, but can’t find it in your hymnal. Go to https://www.sdahymnal.org and in the search bar type a special word in that is in the hymn. I am sure you will be amazed at the help you will be given.
2 Timothy 2:15 KJV – “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”
(0)The post 12: Joseph, Prince of Egypt – Singing with Inspiration appeared first on Sabbath School Net.
Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/12-joseph-prince-of-egypt-singing-with-inspiration/
Key Thought: Joseph’s brothers live the whole experience of Divine Judgment, yet despite their unjustifiable acts of evil, contains a message of forgiveness for them.
June 18, 2022
(Truth that is not lived, that is not imparted, loses its life-giving power, its healing virtue. Its blessings can be retained only as it is shared.”Ministry of Healing, p. 148).
(0)The post 12: Joseph, Prince of Egypt – Teaching Plan appeared first on Sabbath School Net.
Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/12-joseph-prince-of-egypt-teaching-plan/
The famine obliges Jacob to send his sons to Egypt to buy grain. Ironically, it is Jacob who initiates the project (Genesis 42:1). The unfortunate old man, a victim of circumstances beyond his control, unknowingly sets in motion an amazing chain of events that will lead to him being reunited with the son for whom he had mourned so long.
Image © Review & Herald Publishing at Goodsalt.com
The providential nature of this meeting is highlighted through two fundamental characters. First, it is seen as a fulfillment of Joseph’s dreams. The event — predicted in Joseph’s prophetic dreams: “your sheaves … bowed down to my sheaf” (Genesis 37:7, NKJV) — is now taking place. Joseph is identified as the “governor over the land” (Genesis 42:6) and “the lord of the land” (Genesis 42:30, Genesis 42:33). Joseph’s powerful position contrasts with that of his needy brothers, who “bowed down before him with their faces to the earth” (Genesis 42:6, NKJV) — the same 10 brothers who mocked Joseph about his dream and doubted its fulfillment (Genesis 37:8).
Second, this providential meeting is described as a response. The linguistic and thematic echoes between the two events underline the character of just retribution. The phrase “they said to one another” (Genesis 42:21, NKJV) was also used when they began to plot against Joseph (Genesis 37:19). The brothers’ sojourn in prison (Genesis 42:17) echoes Joseph’s sojourn in prison (Genesis 40:3-4). In fact, Joseph’s brothers relate what is currently happening to them to what they did to their brother perhaps 20 years ago. “Then they said to one another, ‘We are truly guilty concerning our brother, for we saw the anguish of his soul when he pleaded with us, and we would not hear; therefore this distress has come upon us’” (Genesis 42:21, NKJV).
Reuben’s words, “his blood is now required of us” (Genesis 42:22, NKJV), which echo his past warning to “shed no blood” (Genesis 37:22, NKJV), reinforce the link between what they were now facing and what they had done.
| Most of us, surely, have done things for which we are sorry. How can we, to whatever degree possible, make up for what we have done? Also, why is accepting God’s promises of forgiveness through Jesus so crucial for us (see Romans 5:7-11)? |
(0)The post Monday: Joseph Confronts His Brothers appeared first on Sabbath School Net.
Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/monday-joseph-confronts-his-brothers/
Intercer is a website with biblical materials in Romanian, English, Hungarian and other languages. We want to bring the light from God's Word to peoples homes. Intercer provides quality Christian resources...[Read More]
