Revealed and Restored: God's Provision for His People
- Be God's Glory
- Jan 14
- 8 min read
Welcome to The Glory Team Bible Reading plan. In Chapters 44-47 Joseph interprets Pharaoh’s dreams and rises to power. He reunites with his brothers, showing God’s providence and forgiveness.
Genesis 44: Joseph, still disguised, orchestrates a final test of his brothers by secretly placing his silver cup in Benjamin's sack after a feast; when the brothers are stopped and the cup is discovered, they are devastated and return to Egypt, where Judah, the leader, pleads with Joseph to take him as a slave instead of Benjamin, revealing the depth of their father's love for the youngest brother and laying the groundwork for Joseph's eventual revelation of his identity.
Genesis 45: Joseph finally reveals his identity to his brothers, who had sold him into slavery years earlier, and assures them he holds no grudge; instead, explaining that God orchestrated his situation to save their family from famine in Egypt. With Pharaoh's support, Joseph invites his father Jacob and the entire family to move to Egypt, where they will be provided for, leading to a joyous reunion after years of separation and the brothers' deep remorse.
Genesis 46: Details Jacob's journey with his family to Egypt, where he is reunited with his long-lost son Joseph; the chapter begins with Jacob offering sacrifices in Beersheba, where God reassures him about the move to Egypt, then provides a detailed genealogy of Jacob's descendants, totaling seventy people, before culminating in an emotional meeting between Jacob and Joseph in Goshen, where Joseph prepares his family to meet Pharaoh; this chapter emphasizes God's faithfulness in guiding Jacob and his family to a new land while highlighting the significance of family lineage in the story of Israel.
Genesis 47: Joseph presents his father Jacob and brothers to Pharaoh, securing for them a privileged settlement in the fertile land of Goshen, Egypt, due to Joseph's high position in the Egyptian court; as a severe famine grips the land, Joseph manages the food distribution, eventually requiring people to sell their possessions and even become servants to Pharaoh in exchange for grain, effectively making Egypt dependent on him; while the Israelites prosper in Goshen, Jacob blesses Pharaoh, signifying God's sovereignty even over the Egyptian ruler, and prepares for his eventual return to Canaan by asking Joseph to promise to bury him there upon his death.
Revealed and Restored: God's Provision for His People
The purpose of the book of Genesis are to record God's creation of the world and His desire to have a people set apart to worship Him. The author of the Book of Genesis is Moses. There is plenty of evidence that leads to this conclusion:
The Talmud (The Hebrew Bible, the central text of Rabbinic Judaism and the primary source of Jewish religious law and Jewish theology.) attributes this book to Moses.
Citations from Genesis show that the Old Testament is part of the Law of Moses (Deuteronomy 1:8; 2 Kings 13:23; 1 Chronicles 1:1)
Jesus and the New Testament writers attribute Moses as the author of as an essential part of Scripture (Matthew 19:8; Luke 16:29; 24:27)
The original audience of the book of Genesis are the people of Israel and it was written in the wilderness during Israel's wanderings. The setting is primarily the region presently known as the Middle East.
The Key People we will learn about are Adam, Eve, Noah, Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Rebekah, Jacob, and Joseph.
What is God's Name in these Chapters?
In this portion of our journey we want to dive deep into the character of God described in His name. By identifying who God is, we can further relate to Him personally and build a stronger relationship and connection with Our Father.
Names are important. They give significance to places, people, and things. We identify with so much based off what it's name is. This is considerably notable when it comes to the names of God.
The book of Genesis establishes fundamental truths about God, including His role as the Creator, His holiness, His hatred of sin, His love for mankind, and His willingness to provide for our redemption.
Elohim - God, The Strong Creator
Jehovah - Lord, The Self-Existing One
El Elyon - The Lord God Most High
Adonai - Lord, Master
El Roi - God who sees me
El Shaddai - God Almighty
Jehovah Jireh - The Lord will provide
El-Elohe-Israel - God, The God of Israel
El Bethel - The God of Bethel (The House of God)
In Genesis Chapter 44, although specific Hebrew names of God are not explicitly mentioned, His character is evident in the unfolding of Joseph’s plan to test his brothers. Through Joseph’s actions, we see God as El Elohe Yisrael (God, the God of Israel), who is sovereignly working behind the scenes to fulfill His covenant promises to Jacob’s family. God’s justice and mercy are highlighted as Joseph orchestrates a situation to reveal the true hearts of his brothers, who now display repentance and a willingness to sacrifice themselves for Benjamin. This reflects God’s desire for transformation and reconciliation in the lives of His people.
In Genesis Chapter 45, God’s character as El Shaddai (God Almighty) and YHWH (the LORD) is revealed through Joseph’s recognition of God’s sovereignty over his life. Joseph declares that it was not his brothers who sent him to Egypt but God, who orchestrated everything for the preservation of their family during famine. This highlights God as a loving provider and sustainer who brings good out of evil (Genesis 45:5-8). His character as a redeemer and reconciler shines as He fulfills His covenant promises to protect and prosper Abraham’s descendants. God’s providence underscores His faithfulness to work all things for His divine purposes.
In Genesis Chapter 46, God’s character is revealed through the name El Elohe Yisrael (God, the God of Israel) as He speaks to Jacob, reaffirming His covenant promises. God reassures Jacob in a vision, calling him by name and declaring, “I am God, the God of your father” (Genesis 46:2-3). He promises to make Jacob’s family into a great nation in Egypt and assures him that He will go with him and bring his descendants back to the Promised Land. This interaction highlights God’s personal relationship with His people, His faithfulness to His promises, and His constant presence as a guide and protector, even in foreign lands.
In Genesis Chapter 47, God’s character is reflected through His provision and faithfulness as El Shaddai (God Almighty). Joseph’s wise stewardship, guided by God, secures food and sustenance for Egypt and his family during the famine. Jacob blesses Pharaoh, acknowledging God’s sovereignty even in a foreign land. The chapter demonstrates God’s faithfulness to His covenant with Abraham by preserving Jacob’s family in a time of great need. God’s providence shines as He uses Joseph’s position to fulfill His plans, showing His ability to provide abundantly and guide His people through challenging circumstances.
Christ in Every Book of the Bible
Christ is the theme throughout the Bible. From Genesis to Revelation, God reveals His Son, Jesus Christ.
Christ is the Seed of the woman Genesis 3:14 , He is the Passover Lamb Exodus 12:3, The Atoning Sacrifice Leviticus 17:11, The Smitten Rock Numbers 20:8, 11, The Faithful Prophet Deuteronomy 18:18, Christ is the Captain of the Lord's Host Joshua 5:15, The Divine Deliverer Judges 2:18, The Kinsman Redeemer Ruth 3:12, Christ is the anticipated as the Anointed One,1 Samuel 2:10, The Son of David 2 Samuel 7:14, The Coming King 1 & 2 Kings, Builder of the Temple 1 & 2 Chronicles (1 Chronicles 28:20), Ezra represents Christ as the Restorer of the Nation Ezra 6:14, 15, Nehemiah shows Him as the Restorer of the Temple Nehemiah 6:15, and Esther portrays Him as the Preserver of the Nation Ester 4:14, Christ is seen as the Living Redeemer Job 19:25, The Praise of Israel Psalm 150:6, The Wisdom of God Proverbs 8:22, 23, The Great Teacher Ecclesiastics 12:11, The Fairest of Ten Thousand Song of Solomon 5:10. Christ is the Suffering Servant Isaiah 53:11, The Maker of the New Covenant Jeremiah 31:31, The Man of Sorrows Lamentations 3:28-30, The Glory of God Ezekiel 43:2, The coming Messiah Daniel 9:25, The Lover of the Unfaithful Hosea 3:1, The Hope of Israel Joel 3:16, The Husbandman Amos 9:13, the Savior Obadiah 21, the Resurrected One Jonah 2:10, the Ruler in Israel Micah 5:2, the Avenger Nahum 2:1, the Holy God Habakkuk 1:13, the King of Israel Zephaniah 3:15, the Desire of Nations Haggai 2:7, the Righteous Branch Zechariah 3:8, and the Sun of Righteousness Malachi 4:2.
The King of the Jews Matthew 2:2, the Servant of the Lord Mark 10:45, the Son of Man Luke 19:10, and the Son of God John 1:1. Christ is the Ascended Lord Acts 1:10, the believer's Righteousness Romans 1:17, Sanctification 1 Corinthians 1:30, Sufficiency 2 Corinthians 12:9, and Liberty Galatians 2:4. He is the Exalted Head of the church Ephesians 1:22, the Christian's Joy Philippians 1:26, and the Fullness of Deity Colossians 2:9. In the Thessalonian epistles Christ is the believer's Comfort 1 Thessalonians 4:16, 17 and Glory 2 Thessalonians 1:12. The Christian's Preserver 1 Timothy 4:10, Rewarder 2 Timothy 4:8, Blessed Hope Titus 2:13, and Substitute Philemon 17. He is the High Priest Hebrews 4:15, the Giver of Wisdom James 1:5, the Rock 1 Peter 2:6, and Precious Promise 2 Peter 1:4. John represents Christ as the Life 1 John, the Truth 2 John, and the Way 3 John, Jude portrays Christ as the Advocate and Revelation shows Him as King of Kings and Lord of Lords Revelation 19:16. The whole Bible is literally all about Christ!
Questions: Let's expand how these chapters expanded your faith and your relationship with God.
Themes of Reconciliation and Forgiveness
Genesis 44-45: How does Joseph’s decision to test his brothers reveal God’s work in transforming their hearts? What does Joseph’s forgiveness teach us about extending grace to those who have wronged us?
How can you see God’s hand in the events leading up to Joseph’s revelation of his identity? How does this encourage you to trust God’s timing in your own life?
God’s Providence and Sovereignty
Genesis 45: How does Joseph’s statement, “God sent me before you to preserve life” (Genesis 45:5), highlight God’s sovereignty and His ability to bring good out of suffering? How does this truth apply to challenges you’ve faced?
How does God’s provision for Jacob’s family during the famine encourage you to trust His care in times of scarcity or hardship?
Trust in God’s Promises
Genesis 46: What does Jacob’s willingness to move to Egypt, after God reassures him in a vision, teach us about trusting God’s promises even when they involve leaving familiar places?
How does God’s faithfulness to His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob encourage you to trust His promises to you?
God’s Blessings and Faithfulness
Genesis 47: How does Jacob’s blessing of Pharaoh reflect God’s call for His people to be a blessing to others, even in foreign or challenging environments?
In what ways does Joseph’s leadership during the famine display God’s wisdom and provision? How can you seek to honor God in positions of influence or responsibility?
Personal Reflection
What do these chapters teach you about God’s character—His sovereignty, provision, faithfulness, and grace? How does this deepen your relationship with Him?
How can you apply Joseph’s example of humility, forgiveness, and reliance on God in your relationships and daily life?
These questions can help deepen understanding of the themes of these chapters, while encouraging trust in God's sovereignty, justice, faithfulness, and timing. We hope thoughts to these questions invite you to reflect on your own journeys, grow in faith, and understand more about God's nature.
Reference Guides:
Life Application Study Guide
A Popular Survey of the Old Testament by Norman L. Geisler
The Power of God's Names by Tony Evans
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