• LESSON 23 June 14 • Genesis 45-47The Beginning of Israel's Time in Egypt•:• Take a moment to think back: where did we last leave Joseph and his brothers?•:• It's hard for us to imagine being one of the brothers of Joseph in Genesis 45:3. If you were, in that moment, what would you be thinking?•:• Genesis 45:5-8 is vitally important to our understanding of Joseph's perspective about his life in Egypt and why he does what he does. What can we learn from his statement?•:• Without this perspective, how could Joseph have treated his brothers after all these years?•:• How did Pharaoh react to the news when the report came to him?•!• Why would Joseph have told his brothers what he did in Genesis 45:24?•!• What do you make of Jacob's reaction to the incredible news in Genesis 45:25-28?•:• Genesis 46:1-4 describes a truly incredible scene. What is happening, in your own words?•:• What is the point of documenting the names of the descendants of Israel who came into Egypt in Genesis 46?•:• In Genesis 47,Jacob comes to stand before Pharaoh. Reflect for a moment on just how much Jacob has experienced to this point in his life. Is there anything we can learn from that wide range of unexpected experiences?•:• What do we learn about Joseph in Genesis 47:13-26?•:• Why would Israel make Joseph promise what he does at the end of Genesis 47?