Q&A Books/Genesis Truth Boosters/Genesis 45Chapter 45Genesis 457questionsQ1.In Genesis 45:3, when Joseph revealed himself to his brothers, they were terrified at his presence. Why were they so frightened? Was it just because they felt guilty over what they had done to him, or was there something deeper that caused their fear?Q2.Did Joseph really need to go through all that suffering and end up in Egypt just to save his family from famine? Couldn’t God have provided for Jacob’s family in another way? Why did God choose to use Joseph and Egypt to accomplish this?Q3.In Genesis 45:8, Joseph tells his brothers, 'It was not you who sent me here, but God.' Does this mean Joseph was excusing their betrayal? Doesn’t it downplay their sin since God used it for good? How could Joseph forgive them without minimizing the wrong they did?Q4.In Genesis 45:8, Joseph says that God made him 'a father to Pharaoh.' Since he wasn’t literally Pharaoh’s father, what did he mean by this? Was it just a title of respect, or does it have a deeper significance in the context of his role in Egypt?Q5.Why did Joseph insist that his family move to Egypt during the famine? Wasn’t God’s promise tied to the land of Canaan? Why didn’t they just trust God to provide for them in Canaan instead of relocating?Q6.Why did Joseph show favoritism toward Benjamin by giving him more gifts and privileges in Genesis 45:22? Wasn’t favoritism the same mistake their father Jacob made that caused so much trouble in the family before?Q7.Why did Joseph warn his brothers not to quarrel on their way back to Canaan in Genesis 45:24? If he had forgiven them and was trying to restore the family, why would he think they might argue after everything they had been through?
