Study Desk

Joseph named the second son Ephraim. Joseph gave him this name because he said, "I had great troubles, but God has made me successful in everything."

After three days Joseph said to them, "I am a God-fearing man. Do this, and I will let you live.

He said to the other brothers, "Look! Here is the money I paid for the grain. Someone put the money back in my sack." The brothers were very afraid. They said to one another, "What is God doing to us?"

I pray that God All-Powerful will help you when you stand before the governor. I pray that he will let Benjamin, and also Simeon, come back safely. If not, I will again be sad from losing my children."

But the servant answered, "Don't be afraid; believe me. Your God, the God of your father, must have put the money in your sack as a gift. I remember that you paid me for the grain the last time." Then the servant brought Simeon out of the prison.

Then Joseph saw his brother Benjamin. (Benjamin and Joseph had the same mother.) Joseph said, "Is this your youngest brother that you told me about?" Then Joseph said to Benjamin, "God bless you, my son!"

Judah said, "Sir, there is nothing we can say. There is no way to explain. There is no way to show that we are not guilty. God has judged us guilty for something else we have done. So all of us, even Benjamin, will be your slaves."

So God sent me here ahead of you so that I can save your people in this country.

It was not your fault that I was sent here. It was God's plan. God made me like a father to Pharaoh. I am the governor over all his house and over all Egypt."

Joseph said, "Hurry up and go to my father. Tell him his son Joseph sent this message: ‘God made me the governor of Egypt. So come here to me quickly. Don't wait.

So Israel began his trip to Egypt. First he went to Beersheba. There he worshiped God, the God of his father Isaac. He offered sacrifices.

During the night God spoke to Israel in a dream and said, "Jacob, Jacob." Israel answered, "Here I am."

Then God said, "I am God, the God of your father. Don't be afraid to go to Egypt. In Egypt I will make you a great nation.

Then Israel said to Joseph, "God All-Powerful appeared to me at Luz in the land of Canaan. God blessed me there.

Joseph said to his father, "These are my sons. These are the boys God gave me." Israel said, "Bring your sons to me. I will bless them."

Then Israel said to Joseph, "I never thought I would see your face again. But look! God has let me see you and your children."

And Israel blessed Joseph and said, "My ancestors, Abraham and Isaac, worshiped our God, and that God has led me all my life.

So Israel blessed them that day. He said, "The Israelites will use your names whenever they bless someone. They will say, ‘May God make you like Ephraim and Manasseh.'" In this way Israel made Ephraim greater than Manasseh.

Then Israel said to Joseph, "Look, my time to die is almost here, but God will still be with you. He will lead you back to the land of your ancestors.

the God of your father who helps you. May God All-Powerful bless you and give you blessings from the sky above and from the deep below. May he give you blessings from breast and womb.