Lesson 40

Genesis 40–43

Prepare to Learn

Prepare your mind and heart to learn. Remove all distractions and focus on studying and learning. By doing this you show your willingness to be taught by the Spirit.

Begin your study with prayer.

Think about your experience watching the most recent general conference. How did you feel while listening to our living prophets speak?

Listen to Sister Carol F. McConkie, formerly of the Young Women General Presidency, as she describes why God calls prophets. You can read the text for this video here: “Live according to the Words of the Prophets,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2014, 77–79.

The Lord’s Help in Preparing for Future Events

Think about these questions:

• What are some significant events in the future that you think the Lord wants you to prepare for?

• What are some ways the Lord helps us prepare for future events?

As you study Genesis 40–41, look for how the Lord can help us prepare for future events.

Joseph and Pharaoh

As recorded in Genesis 40 and Genesis 41:1–7, while Joseph was in prison, he interpreted dreams for other people. One of these people was returned to being the Pharaoh’s butler. When the Pharaoh had troubling dreams, the butler told Pharaoh about Joseph’s gift.

Joseph interpreted Pharaoh’s dream and offered some counsel. Pharaoh acknowledged Joseph’s wisdom and referred to him as “a man in whom the Spirit of God is” (Genesis 41:38). The full account of Joseph’s interpretation of Pharaoh’s dream can be found in Genesis 41:8–41.

Joseph in Egypt

As recorded in Genesis 41:42–52, Pharaoh made Joseph ruler over all the land of Egypt. Joseph married Asenath, the daughter of the priest of On. For seven years Joseph went throughout all of Egypt gathering food until there was more grain in storage than could be measured. During this time, Joseph and Asenath had two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh.

Read Genesis 41:53–57, looking for what happened because Pharaoh followed Joseph’s counsel.

What is a principle we can identify from this account about following the counsel of prophets and inspired leaders?

Prophetic Counsel

From the account in Genesis 41:53–57 we can identify the following principle: If we follow the counsel of the prophets and inspired leaders, then we will be better prepared to face difficulties.

1. Answer two of the following questions:

• In what ways have prophets in our day asked us to prepare for future spiritual or temporal challenges?

• How have you or someone you know been blessed for following prophetic counsel to prepare for spiritual or temporal challenges?

• What are some ways you can apply this principle in your efforts to be prepared for possible future difficulties?

Joseph’s Brothers

We read in Genesis 42:1–5 that Jacob sent his sons to Egypt to buy food so they could survive the famine, which had spread to the land of Canaan. Jacob kept his youngest son, Benjamin, home with him in order to keep Benjamin safe.

In Egypt, Jacob’s sons encountered Joseph, their brother. Read Genesis 42:6–8. Why do you think Joseph’s brothers did not recognize him?

What feelings might you have had if you were Joseph and you saw your brothers, who had greatly wronged you, for the first time in over 20 years?

Joseph’s Dreams

According to Genesis 42:9–20, after Joseph saw his brothers bowing before him, he remembered the dreams God had given him (see Genesis 37:6–7, 9–10). He recognized that these prophetic dreams were being fulfilled. Joseph decided to accuse his brothers of being spies. His brothers responded that they had simply come to buy food and that their father and younger brother had remained in Canaan. Joseph put his brothers in prison for three days. He then released all of them but Simeon, whom he kept as a prisoner. Joseph instructed the rest of his brothers to prove they were telling the truth by bringing their younger brother to Egypt.

The Purpose of Guilt

Guilt is something that people often think of as a bad thing. However, it can be a good thing. Think of some circumstances where feeling guilt can be a blessing.

A Difficult Situation

Read Genesis 42:21–23, looking for what Joseph’s brothers began to think about as they experienced this difficult situation in Egypt. The phrase “his blood is required” in verse 22 suggests that Joseph’s brother Reuben realized they would be held accountable for what they had done to Joseph.

Quiz 1

1. Who is the brother whom Joseph’s other brothers were referring to as recorded in verses 21–23?

   1. Benjamin

   2. Joseph

   3. Simeon

2. What evidence do you see in verses 21–23 that Joseph’s brothers were still suffering for what they had done to Joseph more than 20 years previously?

   1. They were confused and angry.

   2. They were feeling guilty and distressed.

   3. They regretted having come to Egypt.

Truths about Guilt

From Genesis 42:21–22 we can identify the following truths about guilt: Guilt accompanies sin. Guilt can cause us to regret our sins.

To further understand some of the purposes of guilt, read the following statement by Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles:

“All of us have experienced the pain associated with a physical injury or wound. When we are in pain, we typically seek relief and are grateful for the medication and treatments that help to alleviate our suffering. Consider sin as a spiritual wound that causes guilt. … Guilt is to our spirit what pain is to our body—a warning of danger and a protection from additional damage” (David A. Bednar, “We Believe in Being Chaste,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2013, 44).

How can guilt protect us from additional damage?

Guilt and Repentance

Read this second statement by Elder Bednar, looking for what we can do if we are experiencing guilt because of sin:

“The Savior is often referred to as the Great Physician, and this title has both symbolic and literal significance. … From the Atonement of the Savior flows the soothing salve that can heal our spiritual wounds and remove guilt. However, this salve can only be applied through the principles of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, repentance, and consistent obedience. The results of sincere repentance are peace of conscience, comfort, and spiritual healing and renewal” (David A. Bednar, “We Believe in Being Chaste,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2013, 44).

If you are experiencing guilt, follow Elder Bednar’s counsel. Seek peace and spiritual healing by exercising faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and repenting of your sins.

Joseph’s Reaction to His Brothers

After seeing and hearing his brothers’ expressions of guilt and regret, Joseph wept in private (see Genesis 42:24).

From Genesis 42:25–35 we learn that after Joseph imprisoned Simeon, he sent the other brothers home with grain. But before they left, he commanded his servants to hide in his brothers’ sacks of grain the money his brothers had used to purchase the grain. This was actually a merciful act on Joseph’s part (see Genesis 43:23). But when Joseph’s brothers later discovered the money in their sacks, they were afraid.

Read Genesis 42:36–38, looking for how Jacob initially responded to his sons’ request to take Benjamin back to Egypt with them.

A Reunion in Egypt

We read in Genesis 43:1–25 that after Jacob’s family ran out of food again, Jacob’s sons returned to Egypt. When Joseph saw that his brothers had brought Benjamin with them, he instructed his servant to bring the brothers to Joseph’s house. The brothers feared that Joseph would put them in bonds because of the money that had been returned to their sacks of grain during their previous visit.

This was the first time Joseph had seen Benjamin in many years. As you read Genesis 43:26–34, pause periodically to think about what Joseph and his brothers might have been feeling.

In the next lesson you will learn how and when Joseph revealed his identity to his brothers.

A Question to Ponder—What Will You Do?

The following truths were identified in this lesson:

• If we follow the counsel of the prophets and inspired leaders, then we will be better prepared to face difficulties.

• Guilt accompanies sin. Guilt can cause us to regret our sins.

If you are feeling guilty over something you have done wrong in the past, determine to resolve it by going through the process of repentance. Think about what you can do to avoid making this mistake in the future.

Answer Key

Quiz 1: (1) b; (2) b