Preschool
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. Proverbs 9:10
A Faithful Son and Brother
Memory Verses
Primary
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding. Proverbs 9:10
Junior
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding. Proverbs 9:10
Background Scripture: Genesis 46–47, 50
Lesson Scripture: Genesis 46:29–30; 47:1–6, 11–12; 50:18–21
Introduction
Faithfulness requires unswerving allegiance to someone or something. Joseph’s faithfulness to his father and brothers was a result of his faithfulness to God. He believed God would care for him regardless of what happened. In the security of that trust, Joseph confidently treated others with respect and compassion. In the case of caring for his family, Joseph assured them, “I will nourish you, and your little ones. And he comforted them, and spake kindly unto them” (Gen. 50:21).
Key Verse
For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother (Matt. 12:50).
Lesson Scripture
Genesis 46:29 And Joseph made ready his chariot, and went up to meet Israel his father, to Goshen, and presented himself unto him; and he fell on his neck, and wept on his neck a good while.
30 And Israel said unto Joseph, Now let me die, since I have seen thy face, because thou art yet alive.
47:1 Then Joseph came and told Pharaoh, and said, My father and my brethren, and their flocks, and their herds, and all that they have, are come out of the land of Canaan; and, behold, they are in the land of Goshen.
2 And he took some of his brethren, even five men, and presented them unto Pharaoh.
3 And Pharaoh said unto his brethren, What is your occupation? And they said unto Pharaoh, Thy servants are shepherds, both we, and also our fathers.
4 They said moreover unto Pharaoh, For to sojourn in the land are we come; for thy servants have no pasture for their flocks; for the famine is sore in the land of Canaan: now therefore, we pray thee, let thy servants dwell in the land of Goshen.
5 And Pharaoh spake unto Joseph, saying, Thy father and thy brethren are come unto thee:
6 The land of Egypt is before thee; in the best of the land make thy father and brethren to dwell; in the land of Goshen let them dwell: and if thou knowest any men of activity among them, then make them rulers over my cattle.
11 And Joseph placed his father and his brethren, and gave them a possession in the land of Egypt, in the best of the land, in the land of Rameses, as Pharaoh had commanded.
12 And Joseph nourished his father, and his brethren, and all his father’s household, with bread, according to their families.
50:18 And his brethren also went and fell down before his face; and they said, Behold, we be thy servants.
19 And Joseph said unto them, Fear not: for am I in the place of God?
20 But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.
21 Now therefore fear ye not: I will nourish you, and your little ones. And he comforted them, and spake kindly unto them.
Studying the Lesson
After many years of separation from home and family, Joseph continued to be faithful in what he was given to do. During the severe famine that was sweeping the earth, he was helping to relieve the hunger many people were experiencing. One day as he was distributing food in Egypt, he saw his brothers coming to him for aid. Without revealing who he was, he tested them to prove whether they were still of the same heart as the day they had cast him into the pit, or if now he could trust them as faithful men. When he told them he was their long-lost brother, they became fearful that he would seek revenge. But Joseph was as noble with his brothers as he was in all of his relationships. He assured them that he loved them and that they should not be grieved or angry with themselves for selling him. With an honest and good heart he comforted them, telling them that God had sent him to Egypt to preserve life. He told them they need not fear, even though they had intended evil against him.
Imagine an elderly, weary father, who had long ago given up his favorite son for dead, hearing that Joseph is alive and well in Egypt! Furthermore, the Pharaoh of that land had sent wagons, provisions, and donkeys laden with corn, bread, meat, and changes of raiment for all. The Bible records that Jacob’s heart fainted for he could not believe the good news. When he heard all that had transpired in Egypt, Jacob said, “It is enough; Joseph my son is yet alive: I will go and see him before I die.” Without doubt, the respect that Joseph showed to his brothers and his father impressed Pharaoh to also honor them. Jacob lived seventeen years in Egypt in the consolation that the former jealousy and family strife was forgiven and forgotten (Gen. 45:28).
Before his father’s death, Joseph promised to faithfully carry out Jacob’s desire to be buried in Canaan with his fathers. Joseph said, “I will do as thou hast said.” After the burial, the brothers feared again what Joseph would do to them now that their father was gone. Joseph kindly reassured them, saying that he would provide for them and their children, again demonstrating his faithfulness as their brother.
Practical Truths for Today
The Lord is faithful to us, not because we are perfect or have attained unto righteousness of our own, but because He loves us unconditionally. Before God called us, we had not achieved anything of eternal value, yet He loved us. So we as God’s children must also be faithful to family, friends, employers, and others we associate with, in spite of their weaknesses and failings that may have hurt us.
True love looks at the eternal consequences of the attitude and spirit of a wayward brother or sister and desires the quiet assurance that God is with them. Love will endeavor to gently guide them to live by God’s standard when it appears they are following their own understanding. Are we faithful to them if we are permissive of their error?
God calls us to faithfully help our fellowmen when they experience calamity, sickness, poverty, and distress. Can we feel the pain they are experiencing regardless of past hurts and grievances? Their inconsistencies should not prevent us from extending genuine, godly charity to them. Joseph’s forgiveness overshadowed the faults and injustices his brothers had committed.
An outstanding characteristic of the account of Joseph is the respect that his brothers learned. They esteemed Joseph as well as each other in the time of need. When Joseph revealed himself to his brothers and learned that his father still lived, he gave Jacob the best of Egypt, cared for his every need, and honored his dying wish to be buried with his fathers in Canaan.
In a society that idolizes youth, beauty, and independence, how can we promote due respect and honor for our elderly? Do we find wisdom in our aged fathers and grandfathers even when their eyesight is dim and their thoughts and words do not flow as smoothly as they once did? Is it a pleasure for a youth to hold grandmother’s hand, even if her mind is not clear, knowing that her hands toiled in dedication for decades for her family’s well-being? Contemplate what stories those hands could tell: nurturing and disciplining disobedient children; folded in daily, earnest prayer; or caressing the flushed face of a feverish son or daughter. We must value our spiritual heritage with its honorable customs more than the latest fashions and frivolity.
The born-again Christian is not only the light, but also the salt of the earth. Jesus said that when salt has lost its flavor it is tossed out—good for nothing. Abraham pled for Sodom for the sake of the righteous souls who were living there. Do Christians today have sufficient salt to preserve the nations, or is God perhaps ready to thrust in the sickle? The evening shadows are lengthening fast, and it is high time to trim our lamps, lest His coming find many unprepared (Matt. 25:1–13). “God’s remnant people must be willing to be considered radical when compared to the moral standards of the world. Are not Christian people to be the conscience of the world?” 1
Today it seems that the world has little conviction of sin or desire for godly living. As we faithfully follow the Holy Spirit in our lives, the world will be turned toward righteousness when they see our chaste behavior (Dan. 12:3). We must tell them about salvation and point them to God; they must then decide for themselves to follow Him. As sons and daughters of God, we must be faithful to our Father to be saved.
Questions
- Why does it seem to be easier to be a missionary abroad than at home?
- Discuss how to promote respect for the elderly so that children, youth, and the middle-aged will all truly realize the rich heritage our elders give us.
- Should we ever attempt to prove our brother’s sincerity as Joseph did?
- 1 Messenger of Truth, Editorial, Jan. 8, 1986
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Source: COGICM Daily Bible Readings (Daily Bible Readings, PO Box 124, Glenn, CA 95943).