It is vital that we spend time in God’s Word.

But it’s not always easy.

We read a chapter and we don’t know what to get out of it or even how to start to understand it.

I thought I could try to help you get a little something out of what you are reading by providing you with some questions to ask as you look at the text.  Good questions are a good start to understanding. Sometimes there will be more questions, sometimes less.

You can do this!

So, get a notebook, a pen, your Bible, and if you would like some help, take some time to answer the questions, and you may be surprised by all God teaches you.

Genesis 42

1. What problem is Jacob and his family experiencing in this chapter?
2. What are Jacob's sons doing about this problem?
3. What does Jacob tell them to do?
4. Who does Jacob refuse to send to Egypt and why?
5. All the world is coming to Egypt for help at this point, but who really is in charge?
6. What do Joseph's brothers do when they appear before him?
7. How did Joseph treat them? Why do you think Joseph treated them the way he did?
8. What does Joseph do to them for three days? On the third day he gives them a test, what is the test?
9. The brothers are obviously experiencing a conviction of sin. This is many years after they sold Joseph into slavery, but what do they think of his request? What do they say is the reason for the request? What do they say Joseph was doing while he was in the pit?
10. After Joseph heard them talking to one another, what did he do? Why do you think he did that?
11. What did Joseph put back in their sacks? How did they respond when they found out?
12. What does Jacob say to them after he hears what happened in Egypt?
13. How does Reuben try to motivate his father to allow them to take Benjamin?
14. Do you think the brothers have changed in the years after they sold Joseph into slavery?
15. What do you think about Jacob as a father? Does this chapter teach you anything more about his leadership of his family?
16. Everybody is suffering here. But God's behind it, seeking to accomplish something good. It takes years. It is confusing. But God is at work. What in your life causes you to doubt God's control? Will you trust that God is able to use bad circumstances and confusing situations to accomplish His good purpose today?