[Please excuse any and all typos and misspellings within this manuscript. It has been published online for the benefit of the saints of Emmaus Reformed Baptist Church, but without the benefit of proofreading.] 

Pre-Introduction

Brothers and sisters, the portion of scripture that we will be considering today is unusually long. I have decided cover Genesis 43 — 45 in one sermon because these chapters form a unit in the Genesis narrative. I suppose it would be possible to divide these three chapters into three sermons, but really they belong together. 

Genesis chapter 42 told us of the first journey that Joseph’s brothers (minus Benjamin) took down into Egypt and back home again. Genesis chapters 43 — 45 tell us of the brothers second journey (with Benjamin) down into Egypt and back home again. Though it is long, I would like to read this narrative in its entirety. I will read rather quickly. After that, I will make three rather brief observations. Hear now the inspired, inerrant and authoritative word of the LORD. 

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Old Testament Reading: Genesis 43 – 45

“Now the famine was severe in the land. And when they had eaten the grain that they had brought from Egypt, their father said to them, ‘Go again, buy us a little food.’ But Judah said to him, ‘The man solemnly warned us, saying, ‘You shall not see my face unless your brother is with you.’ If you will send our brother with us, we will go down and buy you food. But if you will not send him, we will not go down, for the man said to us, ‘You shall not see my face, unless your brother is with you.’’ Israel said, ‘Why did you treat me so badly as to tell the man that you had another brother?’ They replied, ‘The man questioned us carefully about ourselves and our kindred, saying, ‘Is your father still alive? Do you have another brother?’ What we told him was in answer to these questions. Could we in any way know that he would say, ‘Bring your brother down’?’ And Judah said to Israel his father, ‘Send the boy with me, and we will arise and go, that we may live and not die, both we and you and also our little ones. I will be a pledge of his safety. From my hand you shall require him. If I do not bring him back to you and set him before you, then let me bear the blame forever. If we had not delayed, we would now have returned twice.’ Then their father Israel said to them, ‘If it must be so, then do this: take some of the choice fruits of the land in your bags, and carry a present down to the man, a little balm and a little honey, gum, myrrh, pistachio nuts, and almonds. Take double the money with you. Carry back with you the money that was returned in the mouth of your sacks. Perhaps it was an oversight. Take also your brother, and arise, go again to the man. May God Almighty grant you mercy before the man, and may he send back your other brother and Benjamin. And as for me, if I am bereaved of my children, I am bereaved.’ So the men took this present, and they took double the money with them, and Benjamin. They arose and went down to Egypt and stood before Joseph. When Joseph saw Benjamin with them, he said to the steward of his house, ‘Bring the men into the house, and slaughter an animal and make ready, for the men are to dine with me at noon.’ The man did as Joseph told him and brought the men to Joseph’s house. And the men were afraid because they were brought to Joseph’s house, and they said, ‘It is because of the money, which was replaced in our sacks the first time, that we are brought in, so that he may assault us and fall upon us to make us servants and seize our donkeys.’ So they went up to the steward of Joseph’s house and spoke with him at the door of the house, and said, ‘Oh, my lord, we came down the first time to buy food. And when we came to the lodging place we opened our sacks, and there was each man’s money in the mouth of his sack, our money in full weight. So we have brought it again with us, and we have brought other money down with us to buy food. We do not know who put our money in our sacks.’ He replied, ‘Peace to you, do not be afraid. Your God and the God of your father has put treasure in your sacks for you. I received your money.’ Then he brought Simeon out to them. And when the man had brought the men into Joseph’s house and given them water, and they had washed their feet, and when he had given their donkeys fodder, they prepared the present for Joseph’s coming at noon, for they heard that they should eat bread there. When Joseph came home, they brought into the house to him the present that they had with them and bowed down to him to the ground. And he inquired about their welfare and said, ‘Is your father well, the old man of whom you spoke? Is he still alive?’ They said, ‘Your servant our father is well; he is still alive.’ And they bowed their heads and prostrated themselves. And he lifted up his eyes and saw his brother Benjamin, his mother’s son, and said, ‘Is this your youngest brother, of whom you spoke to me? God be gracious to you, my son!’ Then Joseph hurried out, for his compassion grew warm for his brother, and he sought a place to weep. And he entered his chamber and wept there. Then he washed his face and came out. And controlling himself he said, ‘Serve the food.’ They served him by himself, and them by themselves, and the Egyptians who ate with him by themselves, because the Egyptians could not eat with the Hebrews, for that is an abomination to the Egyptians. And they sat before him, the firstborn according to his birthright and the youngest according to his youth. And the men looked at one another in amazement. Portions were taken to them from Joseph’s table, but Benjamin’s portion was five times as much as any of theirs. And they drank and were merry with him. Then he commanded the steward of his house, ‘Fill the men’s sacks with food, as much as they can carry, and put each man’s money in the mouth of his sack, and put my cup, the silver cup, in the mouth of the sack of the youngest, with his money for the grain.’ And he did as Joseph told him. As soon as the morning was light, the men were sent away with their donkeys. They had gone only a short distance from the city. Now Joseph said to his steward, ‘Up, follow after the men, and when you overtake them, say to them, ‘Why have you repaid evil for good? Is it not from this that my lord drinks, and by this that he practices divination? You have done evil in doing this.’’ When he overtook them, he spoke to them these words. They said to him, ‘Why does my lord speak such words as these? Far be it from your servants to do such a thing! Behold, the money that we found in the mouths of our sacks we brought back to you from the land of Canaan. How then could we steal silver or gold from your lord’s house? Whichever of your servants is found with it shall die, and we also will be my lord’s servants.’ He said, ‘Let it be as you say: he who is found with it shall be my servant, and the rest of you shall be innocent.’ Then each man quickly lowered his sack to the ground, and each man opened his sack. And he searched, beginning with the eldest and ending with the youngest. And the cup was found in Benjamin’s sack. Then they tore their clothes, and every man loaded his donkey, and they returned to the city. When Judah and his brothers came to Joseph’s house, he was still there. They fell before him to the ground. Joseph said to them, ‘What deed is this that you have done? Do you not know that a man like me can indeed practice divination?’ And Judah said, ‘What shall we say to my lord? What shall we speak? Or how can we clear ourselves? God has found out the guilt of your servants; behold, we are my lord’s servants, both we and he also in whose hand the cup has been found.’ But he said, ‘Far be it from me that I should do so! Only the man in whose hand the cup was found shall be my servant. But as for you, go up in peace to your father.’ Then Judah went up to him and said, ‘Oh, my lord, please let your servant speak a word in my lord’s ears, and let not your anger burn against your servant, for you are like Pharaoh himself. My lord asked his servants, saying, ‘Have you a father, or a brother?’ And we said to my lord, ‘We have a father, an old man, and a young brother, the child of his old age. His brother is dead, and he alone is left of his mother’s children, and his father loves him.’ Then you said to your servants, ‘Bring him down to me, that I may set my eyes on him.’ We said to my lord, ‘The boy cannot leave his father, for if he should leave his father, his father would die.’ Then you said to your servants, ‘Unless your youngest brother comes down with you, you shall not see my face again.’ When we went back to your servant my father, we told him the words of my lord. And when our father said, ‘Go again, buy us a little food,’ we said, ‘We cannot go down. If our youngest brother goes with us, then we will go down. For we cannot see the man’s face unless our youngest brother is with us.’ Then your servant my father said to us, ‘You know that my wife bore me two sons. One left me, and I said, ‘Surely he has been torn to pieces,’ and I have never seen him since. If you take this one also from me, and harm happens to him, you will bring down my gray hairs in evil to Sheol.’ Now therefore, as soon as I come to your servant my father, and the boy is not with us, then, as his life is bound up in the boy’s life, as soon as he sees that the boy is not with us, he will die, and your servants will bring down the gray hairs of your servant our father with sorrow to Sheol. For your servant became a pledge of safety for the boy to my father, saying, ‘If I do not bring him back to you, then I shall bear the blame before my father all my life.’ Now therefore, please let your servant remain instead of the boy as a servant to my lord, and let the boy go back with his brothers. For how can I go back to my father if the boy is not with me? I fear to see the evil that would find my father.’ Then Joseph could not control himself before all those who stood by him. He cried, ‘Make everyone go out from me.’ So no one stayed with him when Joseph made himself known to his brothers. And he wept aloud, so that the Egyptians heard it, and the household of Pharaoh heard it. And Joseph said to his brothers, ‘I am Joseph! Is my father still alive?” But his brothers could not answer him, for they were dismayed at his presence. So Joseph said to his brothers, ‘Come near to me, please.’ And they came near. And he said, ‘I am your brother, Joseph, whom you sold into Egypt. And now do not be distressed or angry with yourselves because you sold me here, for God sent me before you to preserve life. For the famine has been in the land these two years, and there are yet five years in which there will be neither plowing nor harvest. And God sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant on earth, and to keep alive for you many survivors. So it was not you who sent me here, but God. He has made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house and ruler over all the land of Egypt. Hurry and go up to my father and say to him, ‘Thus says your son Joseph, God has made me lord of all Egypt. Come down to me; do not tarry. You shall dwell in the land of Goshen, and you shall be near me, you and your children and your children’s children, and your flocks, your herds, and all that you have. There I will provide for you, for there are yet five years of famine to come, so that you and your household, and all that you have, do not come to poverty.’ And now your eyes see, and the eyes of my brother Benjamin see, that it is my mouth that speaks to you. You must tell my father of all my honor in Egypt, and of all that you have seen. Hurry and bring my father down here.’ Then he fell upon his brother Benjamin’s neck and wept, and Benjamin wept upon his neck. And he kissed all his brothers and wept upon them. After that his brothers talked with him. When the report was heard in Pharaoh’s house, ‘Joseph’s brothers have come,’ it pleased Pharaoh and his servants. And Pharaoh said to Joseph, ‘Say to your brothers, ‘Do this: load your beasts and go back to the land of Canaan, and take your father and your households, and come to me, and I will give you the best of the land of Egypt, and you shall eat the fat of the land.’ And you, Joseph, are commanded to say, ‘Do this: take wagons from the land of Egypt for your little ones and for your wives, and bring your father, and come. Have no concern for your goods, for the best of all the land of Egypt is yours.’’ The sons of Israel did so: and Joseph gave them wagons, according to the command of Pharaoh, and gave them provisions for the journey. To each and all of them he gave a change of clothes, but to Benjamin he gave three hundred shekels of silver and five changes of clothes. To his father he sent as follows: ten donkeys loaded with the good things of Egypt, and ten female donkeys loaded with grain, bread, and provision for his father on the journey. Then he sent his brothers away, and as they departed, he said to them, ‘Do not quarrel on the way.’ So they went up out of Egypt and came to the land of Canaan to their father Jacob. And they told him, ‘Joseph is still alive, and he is ruler over all the land of Egypt.’ And his heart became numb, for he did not believe them. But when they told him all the words of Joseph, which he had said to them, and when he saw the wagons that Joseph had sent to carry him, the spirit of their father Jacob revived. And Israel said, ‘It is enough; Joseph my son is still alive. I will go and see him before I die.’” (Genesis 43–45, ESV)

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Introduction

Notice three things about this narrative that we have just read. One, notice that Joseph continued to test his brothers even after they returned to Egypt with Benjamin. Two, notice that Judah put himself forward as a substitute for Benjamin — a life for a life. And three, notice that it was God who sent Joseph down into Egypt to provide salvation for his people, and through them, the world. 

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The Testing Continued

First of all, in this narrative we see that Joseph continued to test his brothers even after they returned to Egypt with Benjamin. 

When they returned with Benjamin they showed themselves to be “honest” men. Remember, that is what they claimed when they stood before Joseph the first time. They said, among other things, “We are honest men; we have never been spies” (Genesis 42:31, ESV). And it was this claim that Joseph doubted given what he knew about their past. He doubted that they were in fact honest and upright men. And so he put their uprightness to the test, saying, “By this I shall know that you are honest men: leave one of your brothers with me, and take grain for the famine of your households, and go your way. Bring your youngest brother to me. Then I shall know that you are not spies but honest men, and I will deliver your brother to you, and you shall trade in the land’” (Genesis 42:33–34, ESV). Though it took them some times due to their father’s fearful hesitancy, the brothers of Joseph did follow through on their commitment. They returned with their youngest brother Benjamin, who was the other son of Rachel, besides Joseph.   

Notice how Joseph greeted them. Instead of speaking roughly to them as he had before, he welcomed them into his home, he returned Simeon to them, and made them a feast. So great was Joseph’s generosity towards them that the brothers began to fear. It seemed too good to be true. They wondered if it was some kind of trap. They even spoke to the steward of Joseph’s house about the money that they found in their bags when they came to the lodging place on their return trip home. And what did the steward of Joseph’s house say to them? “Peace to you, do not be afraid. Your God and the God of your father has put treasure in your sacks for you. I received your money.” 

[APPLICATION: Friends, when we repent truly and turn to Christ in faith, this is how he treats us. He receives us into his home. He sets us free from our bondage. He even invites us to his table. This is true for all who turn from their sin and believe upon Christ no matter how vial their sins have been. To repent truly and to trust in Christ sincerely results in the forgivness of our sins, our adoption as son and daughters, and communion with the living God. 

So marvelous is this grace that God has bestowed on sinners that sometimes we find it hard to believe. Sometimes we think, how could it be that God would treat a sinner such as me with such kindness? How important it is for the Christian to hear the gospel again and again and to be reminded that it is actually true. How important it is for the one who has faith in Christ to be comforted the gospel and to hear the words, “Peace to you, do not be afraid. Your God and the God of your father[s]” has  forgiven you all your sins and has applied Christ’s righteousness to you.]  

As we return to the Genesis narrative, notice that although Joseph welcomed his brothers into his home, set their captive free, and received them to his table, he was not done  testing them.

It would seem that the reason Joseph requested that they bring Benjamin was so that he might test them with him. Now, I do not doubt that he wished to see Benjamin. Benjamin was his full brother — Rachel was their mother. Undoubtedly, Joseph has a special love for Benjamin. But notice that Joseph did not reveal himself to his brothers until he tested them again. He had heard their admission of guilt the first time they stood before him. His brothers also proved themselves to be upright men when they returned with Benjamin for their brother Simeon. But here he tests them with Benjamin to see if they still have hatred for and prejudice against the sons of  Rachel. 

When the brothers ate at Joseph’s table they were seated according to their birth order. This astonished them. What were the chances? And when the brothers were served, favoritism was shown to Benjamin. “[His] portion was five times as much as any of theirs.” But before the  brothers returned home Joseph “commanded the steward of his house, ‘Fill the men’s sacks with food, as much as they can carry, and put each man’s money in the mouth of his sack, and put my cup, the silver cup, in the mouth of the sack of the youngest, with his money for the grain.’” By this the brothers would be tested again. 

After the men left the city the steward of Joseph’s house overtook them and accused them of stealing Joseph’s cup. The brothers denied it saying, “Whichever of your servants is found with it shall die, and we also will be my lord’s servants.’ He said, ‘Let it be as you say: he who is found with it shall be my servant, and the rest of you shall be innocent.’ Then each man quickly lowered his sack to the ground, and each man opened his sack. And he searched, beginning with the eldest and ending with the youngest. And the cup was found in Benjamin’s sack.”

What will the brothers do? They returned for Simeon, but would they abandon Benjamin the son of Rachel as they did with Joseph all those years ago? Would leave him  behind, having been provoked to jealousy by the favoritism that was shown to him at Joseph’s table?

[APPLICATION: Friends, may I remind you that when you repent truly and believe upon Christ sincerely, you are forgiven all your sins. You are received into God house, set free from your bondage, and welcomed to God’s table. But that does not mean that God is done with you. In fact, having been justified by God’s grace alone and through faith in Christ alone, the process of sanctification has just begun. God will continue to test you faith to strengthen it. He will continue to test your walk to refine it. You were forgiven the moment you sincerely believed, by chances are your faith was small at the start. In sanctification God works in you to make your faith big. And though you were forgiven then moment you truly turned from your sin and to Christ, your repentance was not finished. Corruption remain in you and in me and must be daily put to death. Having been received into God’s house and at God’s table does not mean that the testing and the refinement that comes as a result of it will end. To the contrary! It has just begun.]

Joseph tested his brothers again. Notice that the test was similar. But this time he got even closer to the heart of it. He tested them, not with Simeon the second born son of Leah, but Benjamin, the second born son of Rachel, who was their father’s favorite once Joseph was believed to be dead. 

The testing continued. 

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Judah The Substitue

Secondly, notice that Judah put himself forward as a substitute for Benjamin — a life for a life. This is very significant. 

It was not once, but twice, that Judah put himself forward as a kind of substitute for Benjamin. First, when the brothers were trying to persuade their father Jacob to let them return to Egypt with the boy, it was Judah who said, “Send the boy with me, and we will arise and go, that we may live and not die, both we and you and also our little ones. I will be a pledge of his safety. From my hand you shall require him. If I do not bring him back to you and set him before you, then let me bear the blame forever.” And then Judah put himself forward again when it really counted. After Joseph’s cup was found in Benjamin’s bag, and as the steward of Joseph’s house prepared to take Benjamin into custody while sending the others on their way, it was Judah who plead with the him. He explained how heartbroken his father was to loose his beloved son Joseph, how very dear Benjamin was to him, and how it would destroy his father if they returned without him. And then he said, “Now therefore, please let your servant remain instead of the boy as a servant to my lord, and let the boy go back with his brothers. For how can I go back to my father if the boy is not with me? I fear to see the evil that would find my father” (Genesis 44:33–34, ESV).

It should be remembered that Judah has not been portrayed as a good guy in the Genesis narrative up to this point. The last we heard of him was in chapter 38 in that scandalous story where he lay with his daughter-in-law Tamar, thinking she was a prostitute, and then in a act of great hypocrisy consented to her death when she was found to be with child. She was spared only because she proved his guilt with his staff and cloak. And before that, and more significant to this story, it was Judah who suggested that Joseph not be killed but sold into slavery. After the bothers threw Joseph in the pit, “Judah said to his brothers, ‘What profit is it if we kill our brother and conceal his blood? Come, let us sell him to the Ishmaelites, and let not our hand be upon him, for he is our brother, our own flesh.’ And his brothers listened to him” (Genesis 37:26–27, ESV).

Here in this narrative Judah takes center stage once again, but he seems to be a changed man as he offers himself as a substitute for Benjamin, being concerned, not about his own prosperity, but for the wellbeing of the boy and for the wellbeing of his father.

There were indications that Judah had changed when he spoke to Jacob saying, “Send the boy with me… I will be a pledge of his safety”, etc. But talk is cheep. Here he proves himself to be changed when he begs to be taken into custody instead of Benjamin out of true concern for his brother and father.

[APPLICATION: Brothers and sisters, we should not forget that Jesus the Christ is called the lion of the tribe of Judah. Jesus descended from Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Judah. There was something prophetic, therefore, about the actions of Judah, though he knew it not. When he offered himself up as a substitute for Benjamin he put on display what the Christ would do who would descend from him in the fulness of time. 

Jesus the Christ went further and did exceedingly more than what Judah did. Judah offered himself as a substitute for Benjamin, his father’s beloved son. Jesus offered himself up for all whom God the Father determined to set his love. Judah offered to be taken captive in the place of Benjamin. Jesus the Christ offered himself up in the place of sinners. He bore their sins and shielded them from the eternal wrath of God. Judah was not required to follow through on his offer, but was set free. Jesus the Christ was delivered up to die in the palace of siners. He died on the cross. And in so doing “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, ‘Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree’” (Galatians 3:13, ESV).

When Judah offered himself up as a substitute he unknowingly functioned as a type of the Christ who would descend from him. Jesus the Christ is infinitely greater. He accomplished infinitely more. But Judah was a type none-the-less. For the Christ who would come from the tribe of Judah would live and die and raise again as a substitute. He lived for others, obeying the law of God on their behalf. He suffered and died for others. “He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed” (1 Peter 2:24, ESV). And he rose again for others — “…in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep” (1 Corinthians 15:20, ESV). 

I ask you friends, are you in Christ? Have you believed upon him for the forgiveness of your sins? Have you, by faith, had his righteousness inputed to you. Have you, by faith, been washed by his shed blood? Do you, by faith, have hope in the resurrection of the dead. For, as Paul says, “if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his” (Romans 6:5, ESV).]

It is important we notice that Judah put himself forward as a substitute for Benjamin — a life for a life. Not only is it important to this narrative, but to the story of our salvation in Christ Jesus which will flow from it.  

*****

Joseph Sent Into Egypt To Provide Salvation

Thirdly and lastly,  let us see that that it was God who sent Joseph down into Egypt to provide salvation for his people, and through them, the world. 

When Joseph finally revealed himself to his brothers, listen to what he said. Verse 1 of chapter 45: “Then Joseph could not control himself before all those who stood by him. He cried, ‘Make everyone go out from me.’ So no one stayed with him when Joseph made himself known to his brothers. And he wept aloud, so that the Egyptians heard it, and the household of Pharaoh heard it. And Joseph said to his brothers, ‘I am Joseph! Is my father still alive?’ But his brothers could not answer him, for they were dismayed at his presence. So Joseph said to his brothers, ‘Come near to me, please.’ And they came near. And he said, ‘I am your brother, Joseph, whom you sold into Egypt. And now do not be distressed or angry with yourselves because you sold me here, for God sent me before you to preserve life. For the famine has been in the land these two years, and there are yet five years in which there will be neither plowing nor harvest. And God sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant on earth, and to keep alive for you many survivors. So it was not you who sent me here, but God. He has made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house and ruler over all the land of Egypt” (Genesis 45:1–8, ESV).

Joseph saw things most clearly. He knew that it was God who sent him down into Egypt ultimatly. As he considered the wicked actions of his brothers those many years ago, and as he considered his many years of suffering, he was convinced that it was the will of God. 

[APPLICATION: I wonder, do you have the same perspective on the calamities of life that have befallen you? Do you, like Joseph, take comfort in the fact that even the very difficult and unpleasant things in life are from the hand of God? There is comfort in knowing this, for in this we rest assured that the trials and tribulations of life are not without purpose and meaning. If trials and tribulations came upon us merely by chance, then they would be for nothing at all — no higher plan or purpose. But because we believe as Joseph did, that “God the good Creator of all things, in his infinite power and wisdom doth uphold, direct, dispose, and govern all creatures and things, from the greatest even to the least, by his most wise and holy providence, to the end for the which they were created, according unto his infallible foreknowledge, and the free and immutable counsel of his own will; to the praise of the glory of his wisdom, power, justice, infinite goodness, and mercy”, then we are able to do what Joseph did, and what the scriptures command, and “Count it all joy… when [we] meet trials of various kinds, for [we] know that the testing of [our] faith produces steadfastness. And [we] let steadfastness have its full effect, that [we] may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing” (James 1:2–4, ESV).]

When Joseph looked back upon his life and as he considered all of the sorrow, he had this perspective: it was God’s will. Frankly, it is only this high view of God and of the sovereignty of God over all created things that can explain the strength that we see in Joseph along with his willingness to forgive.

[APPLICATION: I have noticed that Christians love to say, “praise the Lord!”, and “God is good!” when “good things” happen to us and when our prayers are answered in a way that seems favorable to us. But I ask you this: will we also say, “praise the Lord!”, and “God is good!” when everything seems to be going terribly wrong and  when our prayers are not answered in the way wanted? I read Job 1 earlier this week and was reminded of how he responded to the Lord when every thing pleasent in this life was stripped away from him in a day. He said, “‘Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.’ In all this Job did not sin or charge God with wrong” (Job 1:21–22, ESV). Oh, may our love, faith and reverence for God be this strong.]

Joseph made it plain to his brothers that he was able to forgive them because he knew it was God’s will. And Joseph was also able to see what it was that the Lord was up to. “God sent me before you to preserve life”,  he said. And a little later he said, “God sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant on earth, and to keep alive for you many survivors.” Joseph was able to clearly see that God’s purpose in this was to, one, preserve life in general, and two, preserve a remnant on earth of the Hebrew people in particular. Israel would be preserved in Egypt, as you know. And this was accomplished through Joseph and his suffering. 

[APPLICATION: Brothers and sisters, God sent Joseph into Egypt to save ethnic Israel from the famine. God sent Jesus into the world to save spiritual Israel from their sins and to reconcile them to God. Both salvations — the physical salvation of physical Israel,  and the spiritual salvation of spiritual Israel — were accomplished trough a suffering servant, first Joseph and then Jesus. 

Speaking of God and of his Christ the writer to the Hebrews says, “For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the founder of their salvation perfect through suffering. For he who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one source. That is why he is not ashamed to call them brothers…” (Hebrews 2:10–11, ESV). 

Friends, the brothers of Joseph were blessed to have him as brother. They were richly provided for, preserved through the famine, and given the choicest part of the land. But that blessing was all earthly and physical. It is an infinitely greater blessing  to have Jesus as brother. He, being the eternal Son of God come in the flesh lived and dies and rose again to bring many sons, not into Egypt, but to glory. He came to save us, not from famine,  but  from sin and from eternal damnation. Are you in him? Have you believed upon him? Do you his Father as your Father? For that is what he came to do! To reconcile us to the Father! To bring many sons to glory! Do not forget that, “you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, ‘Abba! Father!’ The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him” (Romans 8:15–17, ESV).

How blessed it must have been for those men to look at Joseph in the midst of the famine and to say, that is my brother! But it is an infinitely greater blessing to look to Jesus in the mist of our suffering and to say, that is my brother! His Father is my Father through adoption! His inheritance is my inheritance is my inheritance! The glory that he has entered into is also mine, all by the grace of God alone, received by faith alone.]

*****

Conclusion

In 45:24 we read, “Then [Joseph] sent his brothers away, and as they departed, he said to them, ‘Do not quarrel on the way.’ So they went up out of Egypt and came to the land of Canaan to their father Jacob. And they told him, ‘Joseph is still alive, and he is ruler over all the land of Egypt.’ And his heart became numb, for he did not believe them. But when they told him all the words of Joseph, which he had said to them, and when he saw the wagons that Joseph had sent to carry him, the spirit of their father Jacob revived. And Israel said, ‘It is enough; Joseph my son is still alive. I will go and see him before I die’” (Genesis 43–45, ESV). 

Amen. Let us pray. 

Tags: Genesis 43-45

Posted in Sermons Genesis 43-45
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QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION AT HOME OR IN GOSPEL COMMUNITY GROUPS

• What must take place if forgiveness is to be transacted?
• What does it mean to forgive from the heart?
• Does forgiving from the heart usually mean that everything  goes back to the way it was before in the relationship? Does it always mean this? 
• What can we learn from the  story of Joseph regarding forgiveness?

Tags: Gospel Community Groups

Posted in Study Guides Gospel Community Groups
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Old Testament Reading: Genesis 42

“When Jacob learned that there was grain for sale in Egypt, he said to his sons, ‘Why do you look at one another?’ And he said, ‘Behold, I have heard that there is grain for sale in Egypt. Go down and buy grain for us there, that we may live and not die.’ So ten of Joseph’s brothers went down to buy grain in Egypt. But Jacob did not send Benjamin, Joseph’s brother, with his brothers, for he feared that harm might happen to him. Thus the sons of Israel came to buy among the others who came, for the famine was in the land of Canaan. Now Joseph was governor over the land. He was the one who sold to all the people of the land. And Joseph’s brothers came and bowed themselves before him with their faces to the ground. Joseph saw his brothers and recognized them, but he treated them like strangers and spoke roughly to them. ‘Where do you come from?’ he said. They said, ‘From the land of Canaan, to buy food.’ And Joseph recognized his brothers, but they did not recognize him. And Joseph remembered the dreams that he had dreamed of them. And he said to them, ‘You are spies; you have come to see the nakedness of the land.’ They said to him, ‘No, my lord, your servants have come to buy food. We are all sons of one man. We are honest men. Your servants have never been spies.’ He said to them, ‘No, it is the nakedness of the land that you have come to see.’ And they said, ‘We, your servants, are twelve brothers, the sons of one man in the land of Canaan, and behold, the youngest is this day with our father, and one is no more.’ But Joseph said to them, ‘It is as I said to you. You are spies. By this you shall be tested: by the life of Pharaoh, you shall not go from this place unless your youngest brother comes here. Send one of you, and let him bring your brother, while you remain confined, that your words may be tested, whether there is truth in you. Or else, by the life of Pharaoh, surely you are spies.’ And he put them all together in custody for three days. On the third day Joseph said to them, ‘Do this and you will live, for I fear God: if you are honest men, let one of your brothers remain confined where you are in custody, and let the rest go and carry grain for the famine of your households, and bring your youngest brother to me. So your words will be verified, and you shall not die.’ And they did so. Then they said to one another, ‘In truth we are guilty concerning our brother, in that we saw the distress of his soul, when he begged us and we did not listen. That is why this distress has come upon us.’ And Reuben answered them, ‘Did I not tell you not to sin against the boy? But you did not listen. So now there comes a reckoning for his blood.’ They did not know that Joseph understood them, for there was an interpreter between them. Then he turned away from them and wept. And he returned to them and spoke to them. And he took Simeon from them and bound him before their eyes. And Joseph gave orders to fill their bags with grain, and to replace every man’s money in his sack, and to give them provisions for the journey. This was done for them. Then they loaded their donkeys with their grain and departed. And as one of them opened his sack to give his donkey fodder at the lodging place, he saw his money in the mouth of his sack. He said to his brothers, ‘My money has been put back; here it is in the mouth of my sack!’ At this their hearts failed them, and they turned trembling to one another, saying, ‘What is this that God has done to us?’ When they came to Jacob their father in the land of Canaan, they told him all that had happened to them, saying, ‘The man, the lord of the land, spoke roughly to us and took us to be spies of the land. But we said to him, ‘We are honest men; we have never been spies. We are twelve brothers, sons of our father. One is no more, and the youngest is this day with our father in the land of Canaan.’ Then the man, the lord of the land, said to us, ‘By this I shall know that you are honest men: leave one of your brothers with me, and take grain for the famine of your households, and go your way. Bring your youngest brother to me. Then I shall know that you are not spies but honest men, and I will deliver your brother to you, and you shall trade in the land.’’ As they emptied their sacks, behold, every man’s bundle of money was in his sack. And when they and their father saw their bundles of money, they were afraid. And Jacob their father said to them, ‘You have bereaved me of my children: Joseph is no more, and Simeon is no more, and now you would take Benjamin. All this has come against me.’ Then Reuben said to his father, ‘Kill my two sons if I do not bring him back to you. Put him in my hands, and I will bring him back to you.’ But he said, ‘My son shall not go down with you, for his brother is dead, and he is the only one left. If harm should happen to him on the journey that you are to make, you would bring down my gray hairs with sorrow to Sheol.’” (Genesis 42, ESV)

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[Please excuse any and all typos and misspellings within this manuscript. It has been published online for the benefit of the saints of Emmaus Reformed Baptist Church, but without the benefit of proofreading.] 

Introduction

The scriptures are quite clear that Christians are to forgive others just as they have been forgiven by God in Christ Jesus. 

When Jesus taught his disciples how to pray he instructed them to say, among other things, “and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors” (Matthew 6:12, ESV). Receiving daily forgivness from God is linked, therefore, to our willingness to forgive others. Jesus elaborated on this point after he concluded with his model prayer, saying, “For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses” (Matthew 6:14–15, ESV). 

Now, please do not misunderstand. The context of the Lord’s prayer makes it clear that Jesus is refering to daily forgiveness, or the restoration of a right relationship with God, and not our initial justification when he teaches us to pray, saying, “and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors”. It is Christians who are to pray this pray. It is those who have already been forgiven by God’s grace and to all eternity who are to pray it.  Certainly, we are justified,  forgiven, and set apart as God’s children the moment that we trust in Christ. That forgivness is not contingent upon anything at all in us. It is by God’s free grace alone. But here Jesus teaches his disciples how to pray daily. And just as we are to pray for daily bread, so too are we to pray for daily forgivness. When we sin we are to repent of it. We are to confess ours sin to the Lord, and ask for forgivness, so that we might be restored in our personal walk with Christ. This is the kind of forgiveness that Jesus is talking about here — daily forgivness; restorational forgivness. And it is concerning this kind of forgivness that Jesus warns, “For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses”.

It is a terrible sin for a Christian to refuse to forgive. Read for yourself that powerful parable of the unforgiving servant found in Matthew 18:21-35. The servant in that parable had been forgiven so much and yet he refused to forgive only a little of the one who was under his authority. “Then his master summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. And should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?’ And in anger his master delivered him to the jailers, until he should pay all his debt. So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart’” (Matthew 18:32–35, ESV).

The one who is in Christ has been forgiven so much by God. How then could we possibly withhold forgivness from others? The Christian is to forgive from the heart just as they have been forgiven. 

The teaching of scripture is so clear on this point that I doubt any of you will disagree with what has just been said. You might respond saying, but this is hard to do! And I would agree with you about that. Sometimes forgiving others is hard! Our pride can get in the way. Our heart can grow hard like stone and bitter towards others if we are not careful to keep it. But no one can argue against the idea that Christians are called to forgive others from the heart. 

However, I have found that great confusion exists concerning the practical application of this clear teaching of scriptures. Christians are to forgive from the heart, but how? When are they to do it? And what is this forgivness to look like when it is transacted?

I am afraid that some have approached this subject in a simplistic manner assuming that the biblical command to forgive others means that forgives must be transacted always, immediately, and with the end result being a fully  restored relationship with the other no matter the disposition of the offending part. This, brothers and sisters, is naive. And it is not biblical. 

I will state the biblical position very succinctly (in three points) so that we can turn  our attention again to Genesis 42 where I see these principles of forgivness played out. 

One, the Christian must always keep their heart free from bitterness and un-forgivness so that they stand ready and willing to forgive should true repentance be expressed by the offending party. If and when we transact forgivness — when we come to sy the words, “I forgive you” — we are to do so “from the heart” (Matthew 18:35). The Christian must keep the heart, therefore. We must forgive in the heart, even before there is repentence express by the offender. 

Two, forgiveness can only be transacted where there is repentance. Please notice that this is how God himself deals with us. We are not forgiven by him until we  turn from our sin and look to Jesus the Christ for the forgivness of our sins. That process of turning from sin and believing upon Christ is called repentance. God stands ready and willing to forgive the sinner, but forgiveness is not transacted until there is true repentence. And so it is with us. Forgivness — though it may have already been prepared in the heart — can only be transacted where there is repentance. The offender must say to the offended, “I’m sorry for what I have done to you. I have sinned against God in this way. Please forgive me.” And it is then that Christian is to take the forgivness that has  been prepared in the heart and give it to the other saying, “I forgive you brother or sister, husband or wife, mother or father, son or daughter, friend.”

It was this question from Peter which prompted the parable of the unforgiving servent that I mentioned earlier. “Peter came up [to Jesus] and said to him, ‘Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?’ Jesus said to him, ‘I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times’” (Matthew 18:21–22, ESV). That is of course true. But I am hear pointing out the obvious thing that the forgiveness can only be transacted those “seventy-seven times” if repentance is expressed. You might be thinking, what kind of relationship could possibly require forgivness being transacted seventy-seven times? I’m sure of it — my wife has forgiven me many more times than that in our 20 year of marriage.    

Forgiveness can only be transacted where there is repentance. This helps to know when and how we are to forgive when we have been sinned against, and it also helps us to know what we should when we have sinned against another. We should go to the one we have offended and humbly seek their forgivness. We should learn to do a good job at this. We should learn to repent before God first, and afterwards to look the one we have offended in the eye and say, I know that I have sinned against you in this way. I know that it is has hurt you. Please forgive me. And because the offended party is human, and not Divine, it may be necessary to give them a little space to process what you have said, to ask follow questions of you, and then, hopefully say, from the  heart I forgive you.

Thirdly, please understand that forgiving from the heart and even transacting forgivness does not always mean that the relationship — whatever kind it is — will go back to what it was before. For example, it is possible for a friend to forgive a friend truly and from the heart,  but for the friendship to be less close than it was previously given the damage done to the relationship. 

This point is a very important point, but I am a little nervous about it being misused. Some might use what I have just said to justify bitterness and un-forgiveness in the heart, but I have warned against that! Here I am simply saying that in some rather extreme cases where significant damage has been done to a relationship as the result of some heinous sin, it is not required that things go back to what they previously were. It is possible, for example, for a wife to forgive her unfaithful husband from the heart, and even to transact that forgivness upon repentance, but for the marriage bond to be disolved.    

These three principles that I have just stated are put on full display in the story of Joseph that runs from chapter 42 through to the end of Genesis. You know the Joseph story well enough that I do not have to worry about spoiling it for you — Jospeh will forgive his brothers for the terrible sins that they committed against him. He will eventually utter these words to them:  “‘As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today. So do not fear; I will provide for you and your little ones.’ Thus he comforted them and spoke kindly to them” (Genesis 50:20–21, ESV). 

It is incredible that Joseph was able to say this to them given all of the pain and sorrow that they caused him. But he said it! And he meant it! He proved that he meant it by his actions. He made provision for his family in Egypt. Now, I don’t know that he was the best of friends with his brothers. I tend to doubt it! But he forgave them and he showed them love and kindness.

Today I want for you to notice that it was process for Jospeh to transact this forgivness with his brothers. I do not  doubt that Jospeh desired to forgive them — that he had it in his heart to forgive them long before he did so — but it was process to come to the point of transactional forgivness. Jospeh tested his brothers. He watched and waited to see if there was a change of heart in them. The last time that he saw them they were counting coins as the Ishmaelite traders took him away bound to Egypt. 

A we begin to observe this process of forgivness and reconciliation, notice three things. One, Joseph was eager to forgive, but guarded. Two, Joseph was  wise to test and to watch, wait and see. And three, Jospeh kept his heart free from bitterness and un-forgivness along the way. 

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Joseph Was Eager To Forgive, But Guarded

Notice first of all that Joseph was eager to forgive, but guarded.

When Jospeh first saw his brothers he recognized them, but they did not recognize him. It is not  difficult to see how this could be. One, Jospeh was the youngest when he was sold into slavery. His appearance would have changed more with the passing of time than his brothers who were older than him. Two, Jospeh would have undoubtably been dressed in the garb of the Egyptians as his brothers stood before him. He was a young Hebrew shepherd boy the last time his brothers saw him. Now he was royalty in Egypt. And three, while Jospeh undoubtably felt free to lock his gaze upon his brothers to examine their appearance closely,  his brothers would not have dared to stare at him, for he was a powerful Egyptian official who spoke harshly with them from the outset. Notice that in verse 6 we read, “And Joseph’s brothers came and bowed themselves before him with their faces to the ground.” 

When we read these words we should not forget the dreams that Joseph dreamed that provoked his brothers to envy all those years ago. In those dreams the sun, moon and stars which represented his brothers, his father and mother bowed before Joseph. So too the sheaves of wheat which represented his family bowed before the his sheave. Joseph must have wondered how these dreams would ever come true. He must have especially wondered about the fulfillment of them when was a servant in Potiphar’s house and  slave in the prison. But in this moment he knew. His brothers had journeyed to Egypt seeking grain, and when they arrived they bowed before Joseph, though they knew it not. 

But what I want for you to notice is that when Joseph recognized his brothers — the ones who had treated him so badly all those years ago, even to the point of stealing his life aways from him — he did not immediately rung to them, reveal his identity and offer them his warm embrace. To the contrary, “Joseph saw his brothers and recognized them, but he treated them like strangers and spoke roughly to them” (Genesis 42:7, ESV). 

Did Joseph sin when he treated his brothers in this way? Did he fail to forgive from the heart? I think not. These men were wicked men in the past. For all Joseph knew, they were wicked men in the present. And given his position, it was right for Jospeh to speak harshly with them, to question them, and to put them to the test. 

In verse 8 we read, “And Joseph recognized his brothers, but they did not recognize him. And Joseph remembered the dreams that he had dreamed of them. And he said to them, ‘You are spies; you have come to see the nakedness of the land.’ They said to him, ‘No, my lord, your servants have come to buy food. We are all sons of one man. We are honest men. Your servants have never been spies.’”

Of the four things that the brothers said of themselves, three were true.  One, it was true that they had come to  buy food. Two, it was true that they were “all sons of one man.” In fact, there was even more truth to this stamens than the brothers realized. As they spoke these words to Joseph, Joseph was also included in the plural “we”, but they did not know it at the time. Three, it was true that they were not spies. But the third of the four things that they said was not true. They claimed to be honest men. This they were certainly not. They had sold their brother into slavery many years earlier. They had lied to their own father saying that he was dead. And this their father still believed to the present day.   

[APPLICATION: Brothers and sisters, don’t you see that this is also how God deals with sinners as he leads them to true repentance? He does not at first speak kindly. He does not at first embrace us with his love. Instead, he speaks harshly to us (if I may use that word). He confronts us with our sin. He applies his law to show us that we have violated it in thought, word and deed. He convinces us that what we deserve is his judgement. 

Now, I am not saying that God only speaks harshly to the sinner we he calls him to repentence. He does also speak tenderly. After confronting with the law, he applies the gospel. After the harsh confrontation of our sin, he does also gently summon us to turn from it, to believe upon Christ, and to follow after him. But let us not overlook the fact that if  we are to repent truly and believe upon Christ sincerely, we must be confronted with our sin. 

Furthermore, don’t you see that sinners often respond to God in the same way that Joseph’s  brothers responded to him at first. They underestimate the severity of their sin, and over estimate their own goodness. “We are honest men”, Joseph’s brothers said. Joseph knew otherwise. And those who remain unrepentant before God do the same. “We are honest men”, they say. “We are good and generous men, upstanding citizens”, etc. “Certainly we are not spies”. This is not true repentance, but persistent pride and self-righteous behavior.]

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Joseph Was Wise To Test And To Watch, Wait and See

Secondly, see that Jospeh was wise to test his brothers, and to watch, wait and see if their were indeed honset men —  changed  men — as they claimed.   

Notice that it was the claim that they were honest men that Joseph set his sights on. 

In verse 19 Joseph said to them, “if you are honest men, let one of your brothers remain confined where you are in custody, and let the rest go and carry grain for the famine of your households, and bring your youngest brother to me. So your words will be verified, and you shall not die” (Genesis 42:19–20, ESV).In verse 31 Joseph’s brothers retell the story to their father back at home and they say, “But we said to him, ‘We are honest men; we have never been spies” (Genesis 42:31, ESV). And in  verse 33 they tell their father of the agreement: “Then the man, the lord of the land, said to us, ‘By this I shall know that you are honest men: leave one of your brothers with me, and take grain for the famine of your households, and go your way.” (Genesis 42:33, ESV). And then again in verse 34 they quote Joseph again, saying“Bring your youngest brother to me. Then I shall know that you are not spies but honest men, and I will deliver your brother to you, and you shall trade in the land’” (Genesis 42:34, ESV).

The word honest appears 5 times in Genesis 42. Once when the brothers claimed to be honest, and four times in regard to Joseph  testing to see that if it  was really true. 

In the Hebrew the word translated as “honest” means to be upright  or righteous. These brothers we not only claiming to be men who told the truth, but men upright men of integrity. This is what  Jospeh decided to put to the test.   

We know that Joseph was testing his brothers, for the text says so. Verse 15: “By this you shall be tested”, Jospeh said. Verse 16: “Send one of you, and let him bring your brother, while you remain confined, that your words may be tested, whether there is truth in you. Or else, by the life of Pharaoh, surely you are spies.” 

Joseph did not tempt his brothers. His aim was to see if they were  true. And it appears that he wanted to find them to be true, and not false. In verse 18 he said to them, ¸“Do this and you will live, for I fear God…” (Genesis 42:18, ESV). His hope was that they would follow through and live. If his desire was that they perish —  if his desire was for revenge — then he could have put them in prison or killed them immediately. The testing was in hopes that they would prove to be true and honest men. 

[APPLICATION: Brothers and sisters, herein lies the difference between temptation and testing. Temptation has failure as its goal; testing has success. Temptation aims to do harm; testing aims to prove, strengthen and refine. Satan tempts us, friends. God tests us so that our faith might proven true, and so that we might be  strengthened and refined.] 

I hope that you can see the wisdom in Joseph’s actions. They were not random. Essentially what Joseph did was recreate the senerio with his brothers which lead to his being sold into slavery those many years ago. 

Joseph’s desire was to see his younger brother, Benjamin, who was also the son Rachael. 

At first Joseph said, “Send one of you, and let him bring your brother, while you remain confined, that your words may be tested, whether there is truth in you.” After three days in custody his plan was refined. Verse 18: “On the third day Joseph said to them, ‘Do this and you will live, for I fear God: if you are honest men, let one of your brothers remain confined where you are in custody, and let the rest go and carry grain for the famine of your households, and bring your youngest brother to me. So your words will be verified, and you shall not die.’” 

It was upon hearing this that the brothers began to confess their sin to one another. They spoke in Hebrew and did not know that Joseph could understand them. “Then they said to one another, ‘In truth we are guilty concerning our brother, in that we saw the distress of his soul, when he begged us and we did not listen. That is why this distress has come upon us.’ And Reuben answered them, ‘Did I not tell you not to sin against the boy? But you did not listen. So now there comes a reckoning for his blood’” (Genesis 42:21–22, ESV).

Notice the language used. They admitted their guilt. Ruben specifically called what they did to their brother “sin”. And they recognized the connection between what was happening to them now and what they did back then. 

The situation must have felt strangely familiar. They were leaving one other brothers in bondage in Egypt and preparing to return to the comfort of their own home enriched. And of course that  was the point. Joseph had recreated that senerio which led to his being sold into slavery those many years ago. This was a test. Joseph would see if the brothers would again betray and abandon one of their own for personal comfort wealth, or if they would return to rescue  him out of the pit at a risk to themselves.  

When they uttered  those words of confession [verse 23] “They did not know that Joseph understood them, for there was an interpreter between them. Then [Joseph] turned away from them and wept. And he returned to them and spoke to them. And he took Simeon from them and bound him before their eyes.” He also “gave orders to fill their bags with grain, and to replace every man’s money in his sack, and to give them provisions for the journey. This was done for them” (Genesis 42:25, ESV).

And so here was the test to see if these brothers of Joseph were changed men. One was imprisoned in Egypt, the other went home with food and money. Would they return for their brother, or would they forget him as they did Joseph that many years earlier. 

[APPLICATION: I wonder, brothers and sisters, how is the LORD testing you? God does not tempt, but he does test his people. He tests us so that our faith might be proven true. He tests us to refine us and to strengthen us. How is the LORD testing you right now? My prayer for you is that you would be found to be honest and upright.]

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Joseph Kept His Heart Free From Bitterness And Un-forgiveness

The third and final point of the sermon today is that Joseph kept his heart from bitterness and un-forgiveness.

Now, I am not saying that Joseph was never bitter. Though the Genesis narrative never says so, I would not be surprised to find out that Joseph struggled greatly from time to time while in Potiphar’s house and while in prison. There were probably nights where he cried himself to sleep. He probably felt anger towards his brothers. But it seems clear that Joseph did not allow the bitterness and un-forgivness to take root within his heart. He managed to keep his heart. He tended to the garden of his soul.

This is apparent given the way that he responded to his brother when he saw them. He did not poor out his wrath, did he? He could have! And I suppose that he would have been justified in doing so. Instead he tested them. His desire was that they proved themselves to be upright so that they might live. When they acknowledged their sin, he wept. Joseph’s heart was still soft even after all of those heard years of bondage.

tterness and un-forgivness. 

Now, I am not saying that Joseph was never bitter. Though the Genesis narative never says so, I would not be surprised to find out that Joseph struggled greatly from time to time while in Potiphar’s house and while in prison. There were probably nights where he cried himself to sleep. He probably felt anger towards his brothers. But it seems clear that Joseph did not allow the bitterness and un-forgivness to take root within his heart. He managed to keep his heart. He tended to the  garden of his soul. 

This is apparent given the way that he responded to his brother when he saw them. He did not poor out his wrath, did he? He could have! And I suppose that he would have been justified in doing so. Instead he tested them. His desire was that they proved themselves to be upright so that they might live. When they acknowledged their sin, he wept. Joseph’s heart was still soft even after all of those heard years of bondage. 

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Conclusion

Brothers and sisters, may this be true of you and me. May our hearts  be ever soft and pliable before the Lord. May our love for God and for one another be always sincere. “Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you” (Ephesians 4:31–32, ESV).

Tags: Genesis 42

Posted in Sermons Genesis 42
Comments Off on Sermon: Genesis 42: Forgiveness And Reconciliation Predicated On True Repentance Posted by Joe

Old Testament Reading: Genesis 41

“After two whole years, Pharaoh dreamed that he was standing by the Nile, and behold, there came up out of the Nile seven cows, attractive and plump, and they fed in the reed grass. And behold, seven other cows, ugly and thin, came up out of the Nile after them, and stood by the other cows on the bank of the Nile. And the ugly, thin cows ate up the seven attractive, plump cows. And Pharaoh awoke. And he fell asleep and dreamed a second time. And behold, seven ears of grain, plump and good, were growing on one stalk. And behold, after them sprouted seven ears, thin and blighted by the east wind. And the thin ears swallowed up the seven plump, full ears. And Pharaoh awoke, and behold, it was a dream. So in the morning his spirit was troubled, and he sent and called for all the magicians of Egypt and all its wise men. Pharaoh told them his dreams, but there was none who could interpret them to Pharaoh. Then the chief cupbearer said to Pharaoh, ‘I remember my offenses today. When Pharaoh was angry with his servants and put me and the chief baker in custody in the house of the captain of the guard, we dreamed on the same night, he and I, each having a dream with its own interpretation. A young Hebrew was there with us, a servant of the captain of the guard. When we told him, he interpreted our dreams to us, giving an interpretation to each man according to his dream. And as he interpreted to us, so it came about. I was restored to my office, and the baker was hanged.’ Then Pharaoh sent and called Joseph, and they quickly brought him out of the pit. And when he had shaved himself and changed his clothes, he came in before Pharaoh. And Pharaoh said to Joseph, ‘I have had a dream, and there is no one who can interpret it. I have heard it said of you that when you hear a dream you can interpret it.’ Joseph answered Pharaoh, ‘It is not in me; God will give Pharaoh a favorable answer.’ Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, ‘Behold, in my dream I was standing on the banks of the Nile. Seven cows, plump and attractive, came up out of the Nile and fed in the reed grass. Seven other cows came up after them, poor and very ugly and thin, such as I had never seen in all the land of Egypt. And the thin, ugly cows ate up the first seven plump cows, but when they had eaten them no one would have known that they had eaten them, for they were still as ugly as at the beginning. Then I awoke. I also saw in my dream seven ears growing on one stalk, full and good. Seven ears, withered, thin, and blighted by the east wind, sprouted after them, and the thin ears swallowed up the seven good ears. And I told it to the magicians, but there was no one who could explain it to me.’ Then Joseph said to Pharaoh, ‘The dreams of Pharaoh are one; God has revealed to Pharaoh what he is about to do. The seven good cows are seven years, and the seven good ears are seven years; the dreams are one. The seven lean and ugly cows that came up after them are seven years, and the seven empty ears blighted by the east wind are also seven years of famine. It is as I told Pharaoh; God has shown to Pharaoh what he is about to do. There will come seven years of great plenty throughout all the land of Egypt, but after them there will arise seven years of famine, and all the plenty will be forgotten in the land of Egypt. The famine will consume the land, and the plenty will be unknown in the land by reason of the famine that will follow, for it will be very severe. And the doubling of Pharaoh’s dream means that the thing is fixed by God, and God will shortly bring it about. Now therefore let Pharaoh select a discerning and wise man, and set him over the land of Egypt. Let Pharaoh proceed to appoint overseers over the land and take one-fifth of the produce of the land of Egypt during the seven plentiful years. And let them gather all the food of these good years that are coming and store up grain under the authority of Pharaoh for food in the cities, and let them keep it. That food shall be a reserve for the land against the seven years of famine that are to occur in the land of Egypt, so that the land may not perish through the famine.’ This proposal pleased Pharaoh and all his servants. And Pharaoh said to his servants, ‘Can we find a man like this, in whom is the Spirit of God?’ Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, ‘Since God has shown you all this, there is none so discerning and wise as you are. You shall be over my house, and all my people shall order themselves as you command. Only as regards the throne will I be greater than you.’ And Pharaoh said to Joseph, ‘See, I have set you over all the land of Egypt.’ Then Pharaoh took his signet ring from his hand and put it on Joseph’s hand, and clothed him in garments of fine linen and put a gold chain about his neck. And he made him ride in his second chariot. And they called out before him, ‘Bow the knee!’ Thus he set him over all the land of Egypt. Moreover, Pharaoh said to Joseph, ‘I am Pharaoh, and without your consent no one shall lift up hand or foot in all the land of Egypt.’ And Pharaoh called Joseph’s name Zaphenath-paneah. And he gave him in marriage Asenath, the daughter of Potiphera priest of On. So Joseph went out over the land of Egypt. Joseph was thirty years old when he entered the service of Pharaoh king of Egypt. And Joseph went out from the presence of Pharaoh and went through all the land of Egypt. During the seven plentiful years the earth produced abundantly, and he gathered up all the food of these seven years, which occurred in the land of Egypt, and put the food in the cities. He put in every city the food from the fields around it. And Joseph stored up grain in great abundance, like the sand of the sea, until he ceased to measure it, for it could not be measured. Before the year of famine came, two sons were born to Joseph. Asenath, the daughter of Potiphera priest of On, bore them to him. Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manasseh. ‘For,’ he said, ‘God has made me forget all my hardship and all my father’s house.’ The name of the second he called Ephraim, ‘For God has made me fruitful in the land of my affliction.’ The seven years of plenty that occurred in the land of Egypt came to an end, and the seven years of famine began to come, as Joseph had said. There was famine in all lands, but in all the land of Egypt there was bread. When all the land of Egypt was famished, the people cried to Pharaoh for bread. Pharaoh said to all the Egyptians, ‘Go to Joseph. What he says to you, do.’ So when the famine had spread over all the land, Joseph opened all the storehouses and sold to the Egyptians, for the famine was severe in the land of Egypt. Moreover, all the earth came to Egypt to Joseph to buy grain, because the famine was severe over all the earth.” (Genesis 41, ESV)

*****

[Please excuse any and all typos and misspellings within this manuscript. It has been published online for the benefit of the saints of Emmaus Reformed Baptist Church, but without the benefit of proofreading.] 

Introduction

The story that we are considering today is rather straight forward. It is an amazing story, but it is not complicated. In fact, it is simple and easy to understand on the surface. But please know that the implications of this story are deep and profound. My objective in this sermon today is to go beyond a surface reading of the story of Joseph and to draw out some of the important inferences and implications.

I have three observations to make (though more could be stated):

One, The story of Joseph must be considered in light of the promises made to Abraham, for in Jospeh these promises were initially and partially fulfilled. 

Two, the story of Joseph demonstrates that the LORD is God Most High and Sovereign over all creation.

Three, The story of Joseph demonstrates that the proper response to the knowledge of God’s sovereign will is responsible and wise action.

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The Story Of Joseph Must Be Considered In The Light Of The Promises Made To Abraham

First of all, let us see the story of Joseph must be considered in light of the promises made to Abraham. Stated differently, we cannot forget the promises made to Abraham as we read the story of Joseph, but must recognize that what Joseph experienced in his humiliation and exultation was in fulfillment to those promises previously made. 

What were the promises made to Abraham? Essentially the LORD promised him saying, “I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed” (Genesis 12:1–3, ESV).

When we consider the story of Joseph we see the beginning of the fulfillment of these precious promises. Consider 5 things:

Great Nation

One, in the life of Joseph we see the beginning of the “great nation” that was promised to Abraham — that is, the nation of Israel. Of course, the twelve tribes of Israel would descend from Joseph and his brothers. But it is becoming apparent that it was through Joseph that his brothers, and thus the nation of Israel, would be saved. 

The names of the sons born to Jospeh in Egypt should sound familiar to you, for they would become two of Israel’s tribes — Manasseh and Ephraim. 

Manasseh means “cause to forget”. Joseph named his firstborn this, saying, “For God has made me forget all my hardship and all my father’s house.” It is not that Jospeh literally forgot about the hardship and his fathers house. The rest of the Jospeh story will make it clear that he did not forget those things. But the joy of bearing a son by Potiphera caused all of that pain and sorrow to be greatly diminished. It seemed like nothing to him after bearing this son whom he named Manasseh.

Ephraim means “fruitful”. Jospeh named him this saying, “For God has made me fruitful in the land of my affliction.” This name had a prophetic quality to it, for Ephraim would become the largest and most fruitful tribe in Israel. 

The point is this, in the story of Joseph we see the beginning of the fulfillment of the promises made to Abraham. Through Joseph and the salvation accomplished by him, Abraham would become a great nation.  

Blessed Of The LORD 

Two, remember that the Lord promised to bless Abraham, and do we not clearly see that Jospeh was truly blessed of the LORD?

But take special notice of this: being blessed of the LORD does not always involve external blessings. It is possible to blessed of the LORD in the pit and in the palace, as Jospeh was. Both in his humiliation and exultation, Joseph was blessed, for the LORD was with him in both places to sustain him in every circumstance. He was a blessed child of Abraham in his pain and in his prosperity, for he knew the LORD and was known by him. 

Listen to the following passages and learn what it means to be truly blessed:

Pslam 1:1-3 says, “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.”

Pslam 32:2 says, “Blessed is the man against whom the LORD counts no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit.”

Psalm 34:8 says, “Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!” 

Pslam 40:4 says, “Blessed is the man who makes the LORD his trust, who does not turn to the proud, to those who go astray after a lie!”

Pslam 94:12-14 says, “Blessed is the man whom you discipline, O LORD, and whom you teach out of your law, to give him rest from days of trouble, until a pit is dug for the wicked. For the LORD will not forsake his people; he will not abandon his heritage…”

Psalm 112:1 says, “Praise the LORD! Blessed is the man who fears the LORD, who greatly delights in his commandments! His offspring will be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed.”

Most assume that blessing  — that is to say, true happiness — is found in the things of this world and is always accompanied by pleasent circumstances. But those who are godly know that to be blessed (truly happy) is to know the LORD and to be known by him, to have ones sins forgiven, to walk in the commandments of the Lord, and to take refuge in God and in the Christ he has sent.

Jospeh was a true son of Abraham. He was blessed of the LORD both in the pit and in the palace. 

Great Name

Three, remember that the LORD also said to Abraham, “I will… make your name great.” Here we see a fulfillment of that in the story of Jospeh, who was a true son of Abraham. His name was made great.   

At first he was only a “young Hebrew… a servant of the captain of the guard” in Egypt — that is what the cupbearer called him when he first mentioned him to Pharaoh in verse 12.

But notice how the LORD exulted Joseph and made his name great. After interpreting the dreams and giving wise counsel to Pharaoh Joseph was exulted in Egypt to second in command. Concerning Jospeh Pharaoh said [verse 38] “Can we find a man like this, in whom is the Spirit of God?” He made him over all his house and all of Pharaoh’s people were placed under his authority. Verse 41: “And Pharaoh said to Joseph, ‘See, I have set you over all the land of Egypt.’ Then Pharaoh took his signet ring from his hand and put it on Joseph’s hand, and clothed him in garments of fine linen and put a gold chain about his neck. And he made him ride in his second chariot. And they called out before him, ‘Bow the knee!’ Thus he set him over all the land of Egypt.”

Jospeh’s  name was made great. In this we have a partial fulfilment of the promise made to Abraham, that his name would be great. 

Friends, it is very important to recognize the way in which Joseph’s name was made great. His name was made great through suffering. His name was made great as he remained humble and faithful in the midst  of the trial. His name was made great  as he patiently entrusted himself to the LORD to lift him up at the appointed time. His name was made great, not because he made it great on his own, being driven by selfish ambition and conceit, but because the LORD the made it great according to his plan, in his time, and by his power. Nothing could be more obvious than this: Jospeh did not exult himself (for how could he), but God exulted him at the proper time. 

In the life of Joseph we have a paradigm (or pattern) for the Christian life. We too should expect to be exulted in due time. But we too should expect suffering  in the here and now — we should not be surprised, discouraged, or dismayed by it. We should entrust ourselves to the LORD, knowing that he will sustain us in good times and in bad, and that he will lift us up at the appointed time,  even if it is in the life to come. We should not seek to make a name for ourselves, therefore. Instead we should walk faithfully and live for the glory of God. If the LORD will’s to make our name great in this life (as he did with Jospeh) then so be it. May God get the glory. But if the LORD will that remain 

This was the way of our Lord Jesus the Christ, and it should be the way of the Christian too. 

 “For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly” (1 Peter 2:21–23, ESV). “Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good” (1 Peter 4:19, ESV).

Those Who Dishonor Cursed

Four, Abraham was also promised that those who dishonor him would be cursed. We see a partial fulfillment of this in the life of Joseph. He was dishonored by his own brothers. The were subjected to famine in their homeland whereas Joseph was raised to position of great power in Egypt, a great salvation being accomplished through him. 

Families Of The Earth Blessed Through Abraham

Five, Abraham was promised that all of the families of the earth would be blessed through him. Again, we see a partial fulfillment of this in the life of Joseph. The Egyptians would be saved from famine through Jospeh, the true son of Abraham. The Egyptians were blessed because the had Joseph the Hebrew in the midst of them.  

All of this is to say that when we consider the story of Jospeh we must remember the precious promises made to Abraham. Those promises were fulfilled initially and partially (not  fully and finally) in the life of Joseph.   

*****

The Story Of Joseph Demonstrates That The LORD Is God Most High And Sovereign Over All Creation

Secondly, the story of Joseph demonstrates that the LORD is God Most High and sovereign over all creation. 

It is widely understood that the Egyptians believed in many god’s. In their  view the sun was a god, the Nile was a god, and so too their kings were regarded as gods. But here in the Joseph story it is made abundantly  clear that the LORD, the God of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Joseph is God Most High. Pharaoh, the of Egypt and the Nile were subject to him. They could not resist his word nor frustrate his decrees. 

Notice that these dreams troubled Pharaoh. Verse 8 says, “So in the morning his spirit was troubled, and he sent and called for all the magicians of Egypt and all its wise men… (Genesis 41:8, ESV).

These dreams troubled Pharaoh, not only because they were strange dreams — he saw thin cows swallow up fat cows, but the thin cows remained anemic (the strangeness of  the dream would have been  enough to trouble a man) — but Pharaoh also knew that these dreams contained an ominous message for Egypt. The cow was a national symbol in Egypt. The fact that they came up out of the Nile was also ominous, the Nile being of great importance to Egypt. Though Pharaoh did not know what exactly the dreams meant, he sensed that the message was not good. The Pharaoh was further frustrated when the diviner-priests and wise men of Egypt were unable to provide an interpretation. 

From time to time the LORD does humble us to make us realize how small and powerless we actually are. Perhaps the LORD was doing something like this with Pharaoh. Perhaps he was bringing him  low so that he might look, not to himself, nor to his trusted advisors, but to God who alone can save?  

I wonder, has the LORD done this for you? Has he humbled you so that you might see how weak and helpless you really are? Has he brought you to that place where you abandon all confidence in yourself and hope in the things in this world and call upon his name?   

Whether or not Pharaoh was borough to that place of utter dependence upon God, the text does not say. I tend to think  not. But notice that God — the God of Joseph — the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, provided the interpretation. 

In verse 15 “Pharaoh said to Joseph, ‘I have had a dream, and there is no one who can interpret it. I have heard it said of you that when you hear a dream you can interpret it” (Genesis 41:15, ESV). Notice that Jospeh directs attention away from himself and to God, saying in verse 16, “It is not in me; God will give Pharaoh a favorable answer” (Genesis 41:16, ESV).

And in verse 25 when Joseph gave the interpretation he gave glory to God say, “The dreams of Pharaoh are one; God has revealed to Pharaoh what he is about to do” (Genesis 41:25, ESV).

God is sovereign over all creation. His plans and purposes will be accomplished.  Job came to this realization and said, “I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted” (Job 42:2, ESV). Nebuchadnezzar, the powerful King of the Babylonians, also came to understand this. After being humbled by the LORD, he said “blessed the Most High, and praised and honored him who lives forever, [saying]  for his dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom endures from generation to generation; all the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing, and he does according to his will among the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay his hand or say to him, ‘What have you done?’” (Daniel 4:34–35, ESV). 

This God, who is the sovereign King of the universe, does sometimes reveal his plans and purposes to man. I say sometimes, for quite often the plans and purposes of God are a mystery to us. Usually we do not know what tomorrow will bring. But there have been times when the LORD has revealed his secret will to man  — and here we have one of those times. 

Jospeh said, “The dreams of Pharaoh are one”. In other words, the two dreams about the cows and  wheat stalks have the same meaning. “God has revealed to Pharaoh what he is about to do” (Genesis 41:25, ESV).

Let us not forget nor take for granted that we worship and serve a God who speaks. He would do no wrong to leave us in the dark, friends. It is an act of kindness, and  now that we are fallen into sin, it is an act of grace, for God to speak to us. He graciously reveals his will to us. And when God speaks, we  would do well to listen. When he gives us his word, we would be wise to obey it.  

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The Story Of Joseph Demonstrates That The Proper Response To The Knowledge Of God’s Sovereign Will Is Responsible And Wise Action

This leads my now to the third and final point. The story of Joseph demonstrates that the proper response to the knowledge of God’s sovereign will is responsible and wise action.

When God used Jospeh to reveal to Pharaoh what it was that he was about to do in bringing seven years of famine after seven years of great plenty, Jospeh did not throw his hands up in the air and say, oh well, what will be, will be. Instead, he proposed a plan of action. 

This, friends, should always be our responce to the revealed will of God. It should always be followed by action and obedience. 

Notice that it was not only the fact that Jospeh could interpret the dreams that prompted Pharaoh to promote him to second in power in Egypt. It was also that Jospeh proposed a wise plan. After giving the interpretation of the dream he said, “Now therefore let Pharaoh select a discerning and wise man, and set him over the land of Egypt. Let Pharaoh proceed to appoint overseers over the land and take one-fifth of the produce of the land of Egypt during the seven plentiful years. And let them gather all the food of these good years that are coming and store up grain under the authority of Pharaoh for food in the cities, and let them keep it. That food shall be a reserve for the land against the seven years of famine that are to occur in the land of Egypt, so that the land may not perish through the famine” (Genesis 41:33–36, ESV). 

When Joseph proposed the plan:

One, he demonstrated that he was sure that LORD would bring this about. 

Two, he demonstrated a true care and concern for the Egyptian people.

Three, he demonstrated that he was wise. 

And for this reason Pharaoh said, “‘Can we find a man like this, in whom is the Spirit of God?’ Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, ‘Since God has shown you all this, there is none so discerning and wise as you are. You shall be over my house, and all my people shall order themselves as you command. Only as regards the throne will I be greater than you’” (Genesis 41:38–40, ESV).

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Conclusion

Stories like this one, though they be simple and straightforward on the surface, do have a profound impact upon the way that we view God.

In this little story we are reminded that we serve a God who is faithful to keep his promises. He blesses his people both in the pit and the palace. He is able to exult his people in due time, according to his will. He is the sovereign Lord of all creation —  nothing can thwarts his plans. And he is gracious to reveal himself to us. 

May we listen to him when he speaks. May we be found actively obeying his every command, eager to keep his revealed will.   

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QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION AT HOME OR IN GOSPEL COMMUNITY GROUPS

• Discuss (again) how Joseph was a “type” of Christ (how his life was similar to the life that Christ would live, but on a smaller and less significant scale).
• What can we learn from Joseph’s attitude towards others while in prison?
• Should we expect God to reveal his word to us through dreams today? Why or why not? 
• What encouragement can those who feel abandoned take from the story of Joseph? Will those  in Christ ever be abandoned by God? Discuss.

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Old Testament Reading: Genesis 40

“Some time after this, the cupbearer of the king of Egypt and his baker committed an offense against their lord the king of Egypt. And Pharaoh was angry with his two officers, the chief cupbearer and the chief baker, and he put them in custody in the house of the captain of the guard, in the prison where Joseph was confined. The captain of the guard appointed Joseph to be with them, and he attended them. They continued for some time in custody. And one night they both dreamed—the cupbearer and the baker of the king of Egypt, who were confined in the prison—each his own dream, and each dream with its own interpretation. When Joseph came to them in the morning, he saw that they were troubled. So he asked Pharaoh’s officers who were with him in custody in his master’s house, ‘Why are your faces downcast today?’ They said to him, ‘We have had dreams, and there is no one to interpret them.’ And Joseph said to them, ‘Do not interpretations belong to God? Please tell them to me.’ So the chief cupbearer told his dream to Joseph and said to him, ‘In my dream there was a vine before me, and on the vine there were three branches. As soon as it budded, its blossoms shot forth, and the clusters ripened into grapes. Pharaoh’s cup was in my hand, and I took the grapes and pressed them into Pharaoh’s cup and placed the cup in Pharaoh’s hand.’ Then Joseph said to him, ‘This is its interpretation: the three branches are three days. In three days Pharaoh will lift up your head and restore you to your office, and you shall place Pharaoh’s cup in his hand as formerly, when you were his cupbearer. Only remember me, when it is well with you, and please do me the kindness to mention me to Pharaoh, and so get me out of this house. For I was indeed stolen out of the land of the Hebrews, and here also I have done nothing that they should put me into the pit.’ When the chief baker saw that the interpretation was favorable, he said to Joseph, ‘I also had a dream: there were three cake baskets on my head, and in the uppermost basket there were all sorts of baked food for Pharaoh, but the birds were eating it out of the basket on my head.’ And Joseph answered and said, ‘This is its interpretation: the three baskets are three days. In three days Pharaoh will lift up your head—from you!—and hang you on a tree. And the birds will eat the flesh from you.’ On the third day, which was Pharaoh’s birthday, he made a feast for all his servants and lifted up the head of the chief cupbearer and the head of the chief baker among his servants. He restored the chief cupbearer to his position, and he placed the cup in Pharaoh’s hand. But he hanged the chief baker, as Joseph had interpreted to them. Yet the chief cupbearer did not remember Joseph, but forgot him.” (Genesis 40, ESV)

New Testament Reading: Philippians 2:1–11

“So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:1–11, ESV)

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[Please excuse any and all typos and misspellings within this manuscript. It has been published online for the benefit of the saints of Emmaus Reformed Baptist Church, but without the benefit of proofreading.] 

Introduction

Brothers and sisters, we now return to the story of Joseph. And as we do, we should remember where Joseph has been. 

Remember that Jospeh was the favored son in his fathers house. He was thrown into a pit and left for dead by his own brothers, who were envious of him. And after realizing that they could make a profit by selling Joseph into slavery, they did. He was taken by Ishmaelite traders down into Egypt and sold to Potiphar, who was a high ranking official, the captain of the guard. 

While a slave to Potiphar Joseph was blessed by the LORD. In due time he rose to a position of power within Potiphar’s house. In 39:4 we read that, “Joseph found favor in [Potiphar’s] sight and attended him, and he made him overseer of his house and put him in charge of all that he had” (Genesis 39:4, ESV). Trouble arose when Potiphar’s wife took notice of Jospeh — he was a successful and skilled man, handsome in form and appearance. She desired to lay with him. And when he refused to sin in this way out of his love for God and man, she grew envious and falsely accused him of assault. Potiphar was enraged, and Jospeh was sent to prison, “the place where the king’s prisoners were confined…” (Genesis 39:20, ESV).

In 39:21 we read, “But the LORD was with Joseph and showed him steadfast love and gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison. And the keeper of the prison put Joseph in charge of all the prisoners who were in the prison. Whatever was done there, he was the one who did it. The keeper of the prison paid no attention to anything that was in Joseph’s charge, because the LORD was with him. And whatever he did, the LORD made it succeed” (Genesis 39:21–23, ESV).

It is here that our passage for today picks up. Joseph is in prison, but he had been blessed by the LORD there. Much like  in the house of Potiphar, Joseph had charge over everything in that place. 

Notice, therefore, the trajectory, pattern and quality of Joseph’s life thus far. 

Considered from a merely human perspective, the trajectory of Joseph’s life to this point was downward. He had been brought down to a very low point. Not only was he enslaved in Egypt, but also imprisoned. 

But notice the pattern — Joseph remained faithful in every circumstance. 

And notice the quality of Joseph’s life. Though the circumstances were very trying and difficult, Joseph was blessed of the Lord.

It is no wonder that many students of the Bible have been moved to compared the life of Joseph with the life of Christ. I have said it before: Joseph was a type of Christ. And when I say that Joseph was a type of Christ I mean that, though he was not in fact the Christ, his life functioned as a preview of the life of Christ. 

Consider the trajectory, pattern and quality of Jesus’ life and compare it to Jospeh’s. 

Considered from a merely human perspective, the trajectory of Jesus’ life was at first downward. He, being the eternal Son of God — the favored one his Father’s house, if you will — took on the weakness of human flesh. He was mistreated and betrayed. He suffered to the point death, even death on a cross.  But Christ remained faithful in every circumstance. And the Lord blessed him. 

Of course, there will be an upward swing of exultation that will occur in Jospeh’s life, and this also typifies the upward swing of exultation in Christ’s life — he was not left in the grave, but was raised and exulted to the Father’s right hand — but we are not there yet in the story. We are still considering Joseph’s humiliation.

As we consider this narrative today I would like to look at in three ways. One, I wish to consider how Jospeh behaved in his humiliation. Two, I wish to consider how the life of Joseph prefigured the life of Christ. And three, I wish to consider how Joseph might serve as an example to us, especially in times of difficulty. 

We will notice three things about Jospeh: One, in his humiliation, he cared for others. Two, in his humiliation, he revealed God’s will. And three, in his humiliation, he was forsaken by men. 

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Verses 1-8 — In His Humiliation, Joseph Cared For Others

Consider, first of all that, in his humiliation, Jospeh cared for others. This we see in verses 1 through 8. 

In verse 1 we read, “Some time after this…” We do not know how long Jospeh had been in prison before the events that are described to us in this chapter transpired. But it is worth noting that Jospeh was 17 years old when he was sold into slavery by his brothers, and he was 30 years old when he raised to power by Pharaoh. So, for thirteen years Jospeh was either a slave in Potiphar’s house or imprisoned. Jospeh had his prime years stolen from him. Circumstances like this can cause people to grow bitter towards God and man, but not so with Jospeh. Joseph’s faith remained strong, and his heart soft to God and man, as will see. 

Now, I think it would be naive to think that Jospeh did not struggle during those 13 years. Im sure that wept. I’m assume that he experienced times of darkness and despair. But as we consider the whole of his life we see that he persevered in the faith and waited upon the Lord to exult him in due time.   

This is also what Christ did. 

And this is what you and I called to do. We are to “Humble [ourselves]… under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt [us], casting all [our] anxieties on him, because he cares for [us]” (1 Peter 5:6).  

“Some time after [Joseph was thrown into prison], the cupbearer of the king of Egypt and his baker committed an offense against their lord the king of Egypt. And Pharaoh was angry with his two officers, the chief cupbearer and the chief baker, and he put them in custody in the house of the captain of the guard, in the prison where Joseph was confined” (Genesis 40:1–3, ESV). 

It is a mistake to assume that these men merely held a cup and baked for the Pharaoh (though this they did). They were high ranking officials and trusted by Pharaoh. 

We are told what they did to anger Pharaoh, but the text makes it clear that they did commit an offense (or sin) against their lord. So, unlike Jospeh, they deserved to be in prison. “The captain of the guard appointed Joseph to be with them, and he attended them. They continued for some time in custody” (Genesis 40:4, ESV).

“And one night they both dreamed—the cupbearer and the baker of the king of Egypt, who were confined in the prison—each his own dream, and each dream with its own interpretation” (Genesis 40:5, ESV). Dreams were very important to the Egyptians. Their view was that through dreams they had contact with the spirit world. There was an entire class of men in Egypt who’s job it was to interpret dreams. We hear of them in chapter 41. After the Pharaoh himself had dreamed a dream “he sent and called for all the magicians of Egypt and all its wise men” (Genesis 41:8, ESV) for an interpretation. The NET translation calls these men “diviner-priests” and “wise men”, which I think is more helpful. 

The Christian view of dreams is quite different. We know that in times past God spoke to his Prophets and Apostles through dreams, but that mode of revelation has now ceased given that the Christ has come. This is what Hebrews 1:1 speaks to, saying, “Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world” (Hebrews 1:1–2, ESV). I do not doubt that Lord may use dreams to encourage the people of God today. But he does not reveal himself and his will for man through dreams today as he did in ages past, for the Christ has come. In times past he spoke through the prophets, but now he has spoken supremely through his Son, and we have his word. 

In other words, this passage that we are considering today about dreams and the interpretation of dreams should not lead the Christian to seek to know the will of God or the word of God through dreams. To do so is to ignore the progress that has been made in the history of redemption. To view dreams as a current source of revelation is to ignore what that New Testament says — that God spoke through the prophets in ages past, and supremely through his Son, The New Covenant church of God is repeatedly encouraged to look to the Word of God previously revealed and now inscripturated to know God’s will for us. 

With that said, it is not difficult to understand why the chief cupbearer and the chief baker were troubled by the dreams that they dreamed. They had both experienced something traumatic when they were thrown into prison by the Pharaoh. They were afraid. They both dreamed dreams on the same night. As we will see, the dreams were similar, indicating to them that they were meaningful. And, finally, they did not have access to the “diviner-priests” and “wise men” of Egypt who, in their minds, could interpret the dreams for them, for they were in prison. 

Verse 6: “When Joseph came to them in the morning, he saw that they were troubled. So he asked Pharaoh’s officers who were with him in custody in his master’s house, ‘Why are your faces downcast today? (Genesis 40:6–7, ESV).”

I think you are able to see why I have made the point that “in his humiliation, Jospeh cared for others.” Even in his extreme hardship, Joseph was a true servant. And it seems to me that he did not just go through the motions in his servanthood, but truly cared for others.  

He was a wonderful servant to Potiphar. And when he had opportunity to sin against him and to please himself, he would not do it. He refused to sin against his master and God. And as he served within the prison he truly cared for those whom he served, even saying, “Why are your faces downcast today?”

Friends, this was also the way that Christ lived. He came “not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:28, ESV). Though “he was in the form of God, [he] did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross” (Philippians 2:5–8, ESV).

And this is also to be the way of the Christian. In that same Philippians passage that was just read, Paul commands us, saying, “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others” (Philippians 2:3–4, ESV). And then he says, “Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus…” (Philippians 2:5, ESV). In other words, the servant hearted attitude that Jesus had is to be ours as well. 

Brothers and sisters, this servant hearted attitude is to be in us always. We should have the mindset of Christ the servant day by day. It is to be in us when things are going well. And it is also to be in us when things are difficult. 

I’m afraid that many assume that when things get difficult it is time to be served rather than to serve. And it is no wonder that people think this way, for there is some truth to it. There are times for mourning. There are times when, because of sickness or injury, the service of others is needed. I do not intend to undermine this obvious truth. But here I am addressing the tendency that some may have to sulk in their sorrow, and to grow self centered in their grief. 

When the circumstances of life are difficult you can choose to respond in one of two ways. You can feel sorry for yourself, complain against God, and assume that everyone around you should be your servant, or you can choose to be thankful to God, to give glory to him even for the hardship, and to serve those around you, remembering that others are hurting too, and that Christ served in his humiliation. This second way is the Christian way. God will be glorified in this, and it will be a blessing to you and to those around you. 

 Joseph is to be admired for the way he responded to the terrible circumstances that came upon him. He kept the faith, he honored God, and he served others. 

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Verses 9-22 — In His Humiliation, He Revealed God’s Will

Secondly, see that Joseph, in his humiliation, revealed God’s will. 

After Jospeh inquired concerning the downcast faces of the cupbearer and chief baker “They said to him, [verse 8] ‘We have had dreams, and there is no one to interpret them’”  (Genesis 40:8, ESV). Again, these men knew that there was something significant about their dreams, but they were discouraged because they did not have access to the “diviner-priests” and “wise men” of Egypt, whom they believed had the sole ability to interpret their dreams. 

Joseph’s response to them was very bold. He said to them “Do not interpretations belong to God? Please tell them to me.” In saying this Jospeh challenged the trust that these men had placed in the “diviner-priests” and “wise men” of Egypt, and also asserted that God alone has the ability to reveal truth to men. The God that Joseph referred to was his God — the God of the Hebrews — and not the gods of the Egyptians. 

Does this not show that Jospeh was a faithful witness while in captivity. Remember that the he told Potiphar’s wife that he would not lay with her because to do so would be to sin against God. And here he gives glory to God when he testifies before these men that it is his God — the God of the Hebrews — and not the false gods of the Egyptians, who is able to reveal truth to men and to provide the interpretation.

These men were desperate. They had no one else to turn to. And so they told their dreams to Joseph.

First, the chief cupbearer described his dream to Joseph, saying, “So the chief cupbearer told his dream to Joseph and said to him, ‘In my dream there was a vine before me, and on the vine there were three branches. As soon as it budded, its blossoms shot forth, and the clusters ripened into grapes. Pharaoh’s cup was in my hand, and I took the grapes and pressed them into Pharaoh’s cup and placed the cup in Pharaoh’s hand’” (Genesis 40:9–11, ESV). 

Jospeh, being illuminated by God,  provided the interpretation, saying, “Then Joseph said to him, “This is its interpretation: the three branches are three days. In three days Pharaoh will lift up your head and restore you to your office, and you shall place Pharaoh’s cup in his hand as formerly, when you were his cupbearer” (Genesis 40:12–13, ESV).

So confident was Jospeh that this would happen that he made a request of the cupbearer, saying, “Only remember me, when it is well with you, and please do me the kindness to mention me to Pharaoh, and so get me out of this house. For I was indeed stolen out of the land of the Hebrews, and here also I have done nothing that they should put me into the pit” (Genesis 40:14–15, ESV). Again, it should be remembered that the cupbearer was more than a cupholder for the king — he was a trusted advisor. Jospeh knew that one he was restored he would have the ability to vouch for Jospeh before the Pharaoh. 

The chief beaker was understandably encouraged by the favorable interpretation given to the cupbearer, and so he shared his dream as well, saying, “I also had a dream: there were three cake baskets on my head, and in the uppermost basket there were all sorts of baked food for Pharaoh, but the birds were eating it out of the basket on my head” (Genesis 40:16–17, ESV). 

Jospeh, being illuminated by God,  again provided an interpretation. This time the news was not encouraging to the recipient. “Joseph answered and said, ‘This is its interpretation: the three baskets are three days. In three days Pharaoh will lift up your head—from you!—and hang you on a tree. And the birds will eat the flesh from you” (Genesis 40:18–19, ESV).

Jospeh was proven to be a true prophet, and not a false prophet, when “On the third day, which was Pharaoh’s birthday, he made a feast for all his servants and lifted up the head of the chief cupbearer and the head of the chief baker among his servants. He restored the chief cupbearer to his position, and he placed the cup in Pharaoh’s hand. But he hanged the chief baker, as Joseph had interpreted to them” (Genesis 40:20–22, ESV).

I have noted that Joseph, in his humiliation, revealed God’s will. In other words, he functioned as a prophet of God. 

Here we have yet another way in which Jospeh was a type  of Christ. Joseph was a prophet, whereas Jesus was the prophet of God — the eternal Word of God come in human form. 

John 1:1, 14 and 18 speaks to this  saying, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God… And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth… No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father’s side, he has made him known” (John 1:1, 14, 18, ESV). 

Jesus the Christ was the pinnacle of God’s revelatory activity. He was (and is) the eternal Word of God come in human form. It was by the Word that God created the world. It was by the Word that God spoke to the prophets of old. And it was this Word — the second subsistence (or person) of the Triune God — that took on humanity in order to redeem humanity, and to reveal God to us. Again, “No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father’s side, he has made him known” (John 1:18, ESV). 

As I turn now to make application for us I think you can understand why I cannot say, “you also are to reveal God’s will as Joseph and Christ did!”, for Jospeh was a prophet, and Christ was the eternal Word of God come in the flesh — you are not those things.

But I can I ask you, are you looking to the Christ and to his word to know what its true? Are you looking to Christ and his word to know how it is that you are to live in this world? Are you doing what James exports us to do, saying,  “put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls” (James 1:21, ESV)?

It is no secret that the non-believer does not submit to God’s word in this way. They look many other places in  their search for truth. They have many other things as their source of authority — their unaided human reason, their feelings, their preference, etc.

But it is deeply concerning when one who professes faith in Christ looks to something other than God and his word as their authority for truth? Friends, “The Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are the Word of God, and the only certain rule of faith and obedience” (Baptist Catechism, 4).

Look to the scriptures, friends, to know what is true. Ask God to give you wisdom to apply the scriptures to your individual circumstances. Surround yourself with wise and godly counselors to help to know which way you are to go. 

Secondly, though I cannot say to you, “reveal the word of God”, I can say, “proclaim it”. Do not neglect to proclaim the truths of God already revealed in both good times and bad. Could it be, Christian, that the Lord has willed for you to reside in some unpleasant circumstance so that you might testify to Christ there?

Be like Jospeh in this regard — testify to Christ in your humiliation.  

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Verse 23 — In His Humiliation, He Was Forsaken By Men  

Thirdly and lastly, see that in his humiliation, Joseph was forsaken by men.  

Remember that Jospeh made a request to the cupbearer that when he was restored to his position that he remember him. He said, “please do me the kindness to mention me to Pharaoh, and so get me out of this house.”

But after the baker was executed and  cupbearer restored in fulfillment to the dreams and to the interpretation [verse 23] “the chief cupbearer did not remember Joseph, but forgot him” (Genesis 40:23, ESV). 

This must have felt terrible to Jospeh. Certainly, Jospeh must have struggled with feelings of betrayal and abandonment through out this season of his life. His own brothers abandoned him. His master, Potiphar, abandoned him. The cupbearer, to whom he showed this kindness, abandoned him. I wonder if it he did not feel as if God had abandoned him in the pit. 

It is no secret that Christ Jesus our Lord also knew what it was to be rejected and abandoned by man. He was hated and eventually crucified by his own people. One of his own disciples betrayed him near the end. And in his hour of greatest difficulty, most had fled. Indeed, on that cross, Christ, in his humanity, even felt as if God the Father had forsaken him. He cried out, saying, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Mark 15:34, ESV).

Of course,  God did not abandon Jospeh, but was with him in the pit and would raise him up in due time. 

And neither did God abandoned the Christ.  He did “not abandon [his] soul to Sheol, or let [his] holy one see corruption”, in fulfillment to Pslam 16:10. 

Friends, if you belong to the Father through faith in Christ Jesus,  neither will he abandon you, “for he has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5, ESV). 

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Conclusion

Brothers and sisters, “Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.” (1 Peter 5:6–11, ESV)

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QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION AT HOME OR IN GOSPEL COMMUNITY GROUPS

Why did Jesus choose to enter into Jerusalem riding upon a colt of a donkey that was borrowed, and not his own? What message did this communicate? What prophesy did this fulfill?

What kind of king is Christ?

When Christ returns how will he come?

How should the “triumphal entry”, as it is commonly called, effect our worship?

Tags: Gospel Com

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Old Testament Reading: Genesis 39

“Now Joseph had been brought down to Egypt, and Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, the captain of the guard, an Egyptian, had bought him from the Ishmaelites who had brought him down there. The LORD was with Joseph, and he became a successful man, and he was in the house of his Egyptian master. His master saw that the LORD was with him and that the LORD caused all that he did to succeed in his hands. So Joseph found favor in his sight and attended him, and he made him overseer of his house and put him in charge of all that he had. From the time that he made him overseer in his house and over all that he had, the LORD blessed the Egyptian’s house for Joseph’s sake; the blessing of the LORD was on all that he had, in house and field. So he left all that he had in Joseph’s charge, and because of him he had no concern about anything but the food he ate. Now Joseph was handsome in form and appearance. And after a time his master’s wife cast her eyes on Joseph and said, ‘Lie with me.’ But he refused and said to his master’s wife, ‘Behold, because of me my master has no concern about anything in the house, and he has put everything that he has in my charge. He is not greater in this house than I am, nor has he kept back anything from me except you, because you are his wife. How then can I do this great wickedness and sin against God?’ And as she spoke to Joseph day after day, he would not listen to her, to lie beside her or to be with her. But one day, when he went into the house to do his work and none of the men of the house was there in the house, she caught him by his garment, saying, ‘Lie with me.’ But he left his garment in her hand and fled and got out of the house. And as soon as she saw that he had left his garment in her hand and had fled out of the house, she called to the men of her household and said to them, ‘See, he has brought among us a Hebrew to laugh at us. He came in to me to lie with me, and I cried out with a loud voice. And as soon as he heard that I lifted up my voice and cried out, he left his garment beside me and fled and got out of the house.’ Then she laid up his garment by her until his master came home, and she told him the same story, saying, ‘The Hebrew servant, whom you have brought among us, came in to me to laugh at me. But as soon as I lifted up my voice and cried, he left his garment beside me and fled out of the house.’ As soon as his master heard the words that his wife spoke to him, ‘This is the way your servant treated me,’ his anger was kindled. And Joseph’s master took him and put him into the prison, the place where the king’s prisoners were confined, and he was there in prison. But the LORD was with Joseph and showed him steadfast love and gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison. And the keeper of the prison put Joseph in charge of all the prisoners who were in the prison. Whatever was done there, he was the one who did it. The keeper of the prison paid no attention to anything that was in Joseph’s charge, because the LORD was with him. And whatever he did, the LORD made it succeed.” (Genesis 39, ESV)

New Testament Reading: Matthew 5:1-16

“Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him. And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying: ‘Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.’ ‘Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.’ ‘Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.’ ‘Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.’ ‘Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.’ ‘Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.’ ‘Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.’ ‘Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.’ ‘Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.’ ‘You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet.’ ‘You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.’” (Matthew 5:1–16, ESV)

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[Please excuse any and all typos and misspellings within this manuscript. It has been published online for the benefit of the saints of Emmaus Reformed Baptist Church, but without the benefit of proofreading.] 

Introduction

As you can see we have returned again to the beloved story of Joseph. Chapter 38 of Genesis felt like an unpleasant interruption, didn’t it? I say “unpleasant” because the story told there is truly scandalous (the story is pleasant in the sense that it magnifies the grace and glory of our God). I say “interruption”  because the  story of Judah, his sons, and Tamar felt out of place given that the story of Joseph began in chapter 37. But as I said in the previous sermon, chapter 38 plays a critical role in the Genesis narrative. It interrupted the Joseph story, but for a reason. The moral decline of the sons of Israel is documented there  — they were no better than the Canaanite peoples who surrounded them. Knowing this will help us to appreciate all the more the grace of God shown to them in their election and redemption. In particular the wickedness of Judah is documented there. And this will help us to appreciate the transformation that we will see in him later in the Genesis story. But now we return to Joseph. We are to remember how badly he was treated by his own brothers. They hated him, being driven by jealousy. They conspired to kill him. But seeing that they could do away with their brother and make a profit, they sold him to Ishmaelite traders who then took him down to Egypt, which is where our passage for today begins. Verse 1 of Genesis 39: “Now Joseph had been brought down to Egypt, and Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, the captain of the guard, an Egyptian, had bought him from the Ishmaelites who had brought him down there.” (Genesis 39:1, ESV)

This chapter may be divided into three parts. One, in verses 1-6 we learn that Joseph was blessed by the Lord while in Potiphar’s house. Two, in verses 7- 18 we learn of the temptation of Joseph, and of us his righteous devotion to the LORD.  And three, in verses 19-23 we learn that Joseph was blessed by the Lord while in prison.

The central theme of this passage is very clear: the LORD was with Joseph wherever he went. He was with him to sustain him, to bless him, and to make him prosper in every circumstance. Notice the repetition of the phrase,  “the LORD was with Joseph…” It is found in verse 2 where we read, and “The LORD was with Joseph, and he became a successful man, and he was in the house of his Egyptian master.” In verse 3 we learn that “[Potiphar] saw that the LORD was with [Joseph] and that the LORD caused all that he did to succeed in his hands.”  And after Joseph was unjustly thrown into prison we read in verse 21, “But the LORD was with Joseph and showed him steadfast love and gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison.” And again in verse 23 we read, “The keeper of the prison paid no attention to anything that was in Joseph’s charge, because the LORD was with him. And whatever he did, the LORD made it succeed.”

Notice that in each of these verses (and in others also) the word LORD is spelled with all capital letters. This signals to the english reader that it is the Hebrew name YHWH that is in use here. And we know that that name for God communicates that he the God who is near. He is the God who makes and keeps covenants. He is the God who is faithful to his people. How appropriate it is, therefore, that this name for God be used in this passage. For here we see that Joseph’s days are dark and filled with trouble. Judging by the appearance of things, one might be tempted to say that God had abandoned him. But this could not be further from the truth. The LORD was with him. The LORD blessed him even in the dark and troubled days. The LORD showed him favor and made him prosper. 

[APPLICATION: It is no wonder that the story of Joseph is so dear to the people of God. All who walk with Christ in this world will experience difficulties, trials and tribulations. There will be good days, and there will be bad days. There will be pleasent and unpleasant seasons. How crucial it is for the people of God to know that the LORD is with them even in the evil day. And how important it is for the people of God to know how to walk in days of difficulty. We are to walk faithfully no matter the circumstances of life, just as Joseph did.]

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Verses 1-6

Undoubtably, these were dark days for Joseph. Nothing is said in this passage regarding his emotional state, nor are we given any insight into his thinking, but this must have been a very traumatic experience for Joseph. He was a young man when he was assaulted by his own brothers. They threw him into a pit and left him for dead. Try to see these events through Joseph’s eyes. Imagine looking up from the bottom of that deep pit watching your brothers leave you to die. They eventually returned, but only to sell him into slavery. He plead with his brothers, but to no avail. He was taken away by foreigners and sold again in a foreign land. The language in that land was strange to his ears. The food was different. Undoubtably, the customs seemed odd. A traumatic experience like this might cause some to loose their faith, to grow hard towards the Lord, and to be overwhelmed with despair. But Joseph remained faithful. He flourished even as his world came crashing down around him.

How could it be that Joseph remained so strong in the midst of such adversity? Again and again we are given the answer: “The LORD was with Joseph”, we are told. The LORD was near to him, and he was near to the LORD. Everything that Jospeh had was stripped away — his privileged position in his father’s house, his freedom, his wealth, his comfort, his family and friend. To loose all of that at once would bring most men and women to ruin, but the LORD was with Joseph to sustain him in the midst of the trial, and it appears that Joseph clung tightly to the LORD.

[APPLICATION: Brothers and sisters, the LORD will sometimes test his people in this way to show if their faith is true. And if it is true, the LORD uses trials like these to make their faith even stronger. Remember that the LORD did something like this with Joseph’s father, Jacob, when he was sent away to Laban for all those years. We know that the LORD did this with Job — he too lost everything, but refused to turn his back on his God. When the Apostle Peter wrote to suffering Christians he reminded them of their eternal reward and then said, “In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 1:6–7, ESV). Joseph was certainly grieved by various trials. The genuineness of his faith was surely tested. But he was found faithful, for the LORD was with him to bless him. What are we to do in times of difficulty? Well, we are to cling to the LORD and seek his blessing. We are to remember that the LORD does not leave his people, but he does use trials and tribulations to test, refine and strengthen them. And it is for this reason that we can do what James commands us to do, that is to “Count it all joy… when you meet trials of various kinds…[knowing] that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness” (James 1:2–3, ESV).]

The text here says that Jospeh was a “successful man”. He started as an ordinary slave to Potiphar, but before long he was moved from working with the slaves in the field to working inside in a privileged position. And yet again, Joseph was promoted until all that Potiphar had — both inside and outside — was left in his charge. So trusted was Joseph that the only thing Potiphar concerned himself with was eating his food!

Why did Potiphar promote Joseph so quickly to the position of overseer? Certainly Joseph was a hard worker. He must have been very responsible. Clearly, he had the ability to oversee and lead people. But none of that is mentioned. Instead we are told that Potiphar “saw that the LORD was with him and that the LORD caused all that he did to succeed in his hands”. For this reason, “he made him overseer of his house and put him in charge of all that he had.” And from then onward, “the blessing of the LORD was on all that [Potiphar] had, in house and field.”

Here we have a little example of a fulfillment of the promise made to Abraham that all of the nations of the earth would be blessed through his offspring. I say it is a “little example”, for this promise really finds it’s fulfillment in the Christ who would be born from Israel — the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. But here we get a little taste of the nations of the earth being blessed through Abraham’s offspring when the estate of Potiphar the Egyptian was blessed of the LORD on account of Joseph’s presence with him.

[APPLICATION: Brothers and sisters, we should expect the same to be true of the people of God in this New Covenant era. We should expect the Christian to be blessed of the LORD, and to also be a blessing to the nations. This is what Jesus was referring to when he spoke to his disciples saying, “You are the salt of the earth…” and, “You are the light of the world… ” (Matthew 5:13–16, ESV). God’s people are to live in the world in such a way that the world is affected by them. If we are in Christ then we are blessed. But we must never forget that we are blessed to be a blessing. As we live for God in this world — as we love Christ and keep his commandments — we should expect that those around us will be blessed also. And here I am not only thinking of the blessing of salvation coming to others. Certainly that is our prayer, that others would come to faith through our witness! But here I am saying that the Christian should have an affect upon those around them in other ways too. Sadly, the opposite is sometimes true. Sadly, it is sometimes the Christian who is affected by the culture, and not the culture by the Christian. But if the Christian is strong and mature — if the Christian is faithful and true — they will walk with Christ in such a way that they have an affect, instead of being affected. Such was the case with Joseph. He was blessed, and he was a blessing.]

*****

Verses 7-20

It is in verses 7 through 18 that Joseph’s faithfulness to the LORD is put on full display. Here we see that he resisted strong temptation because he loved the LORD. 

At the end of verse 6 we are told that “Joseph was handsome in form and appearance.” And in verse 7 we learn that Potiphar’s wife took notice of him. She was an unfaithful wife. She was a temptress. She was also very forward and aggressive. When Potiphar was away she spoke to Joseph saying, “Lie with me”. Notice Joseph’s reply in verse 8: “He refused and said to his master’s wife, ‘Behold, because of me my master has no concern about anything in the house, and he has put everything that he has in my charge. He is not greater in this house than I am, nor has he kept back anything from me except you, because you are his wife. How then can I do this great wickedness and sin against God?’” In brief Joseph refused to lie with Potiphar’s wife out of love for his neighbor and out of love for his God. And is this not summary of God’s law?  To love the Lord with all the heart, soul, mind and strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself? Joseph resisted the temptation because he would not sin against Potiphar, nor would he sin against God — “How then can I do this great wickedness and sin against God?”, he said. 

[APPLICATION: Brothers and sisters, see that Joseph’s love for God was manafest in his obedience to him. He loved God, and he obeyed him, which demonstrated that his love was true. Those who love God keep his commandments. This is what Jesus said in John 14:15: “If you love me, you will keep my commandments” (John 14:15, ESV). 1 John 2:3-6  makes a similar assertion: “And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments. Whoever says ‘I know him’ but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him: whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked” (1 John 2:3–6, ESV). These texts are not teaching that if we sin at all then we do not love God at all. Instead, they make it plain that love for God and obedience to God go hand in hand. To say that you love God and to live in disobedience to him is a contradiction. To love God is to obey him. The greater our love for him, the greater our obedience will be. Do you love God, friends? Then keep his law. Do you love Christ friends? Then walk as he walked.]

[ILLUSTRATION: This principle should not surprise us. Other relationships function in the same way. Over time a wife will doubt the sincerity of her husbands love if he treats her poorly. He might say “I love you” often. He might even buy her gifts from time to time. But if he treats her badly day to day, his actions will contradict his professions of love. The same is true of the relationship between child and parent. If a child truly loves mom and dad then the love will show itself in obedience and respect, generally speaking. It is easy to claim  to love God, friends. It is even possible to act like you do in public worship. But if your love for God is true, it will manifest itself in obedience to God’s law.]

Joseph resisted Potiphar’s wife saying, “How then can I do this great wickedness and sin against God?” Notice that Joseph knew that adultery was “a great wickedness and sin against God” prior to the giving of the ten commandments, the seventh of those being, “Thou shalt not commit adultery”. I say this to support the idea that the ten commands contain God’s moral and universal law which was written on Adam’s heart in the beginning. 

In verse 10 we learn that Potiphar’s wife  “spoke to Joseph day after day, [but] he would not listen to her, to lie beside her or to be with her.” Over time she grew more aggressive. Verse 11: “But one day, when he went into the house to do his work and none of the men of the house was there in the house, she caught him by his garment, saying, ‘Lie with me.’ But he left his garment [probably a cloak] in her hand and fled and got out of the house” (Genesis 39:11–12, ESV).

Brothers and sisters, sexual sin is not an exclusively male sin. In Genesis 38 it was Judah who was the aggressor. Here in Genesis 39 it is Potiphar’s wife. She was a temptress. 

Notice that Joseph was once again stripped of his cloak. His brothers tore his coat of many colors off of him when they assaulted him, and now Potiphar’s wife tore his cloak from him — perhaps this to was a coat of honor, signifying his privileged position within Potiphar’s house. 

Here is where things turned for Jospeh. Potiphar’s wife, feeling scorned and being driven by envy, decided to do Joseph harm by falsely accusing him. She had his cloak and so she used it to claim that he had taken it off to assault her. She bore false witness and slandered Joseph’s good name. 

[APPLICATION: Take notice, friends. While it is true that men sometimes do horrible things to women (and sometimes women to men), and while it is true that the testimonies of those who claim to be victims of assault should be taken very seriously, it is also true that people sometimes tell lies. To bear false witness and to slander someone’s name is a terrible sin. It is possible to destroy a person with lies. Never should we bear false witness, and never should we forget that people sometimes do.]

[ILLUSTRATION: Many of you know that my wife works at a public charter school. One thing that she does with some regularity is to look into allegations that students make against others students — “so and so is bullying me” is a common one, I think. A few years ago the school installed cameras so that most of the campus is covered. Lindsay spends a good amount of time reviewing video footage to sort out conflicting testimonies. It is disturbing how often the accusers are found to be lying. And it is even more disturbing to know that often times the accusers are in fact the ones guilty of aggression! This needs to be kept in mind when considering allegations. People do lie.] 

Potiphar’s wife lied  because she felt scorned. And when Potiphar was told, “his anger was kindled.” But there is evidence that Potiphar wasn’t entirely sure of his wife, for he  took Joseph and “put him into the prison, the place where the king’s prisoners were confined, and he was there in prison.” Typically, the punishment for such a crime would have been death. But Joseph was put into the prison where the king’s prisoners were confined — an unpleasant place, no doubt.  

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Verses 21-23

In verses 21 through 23  we  have a repeat of verses 1 through 6. Just as Joseph was made to prosper in Potiphar’s house, so the LORD made him to prosper in the prison. Verse 21: “But the LORD was with Joseph and showed him steadfast love and gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison. And the keeper of the prison put Joseph in charge of all the prisoners who were in the prison. Whatever was done there, he was the one who did it. The keeper of the prison paid no attention to anything that was in Joseph’s charge, because the LORD was with him. And whatever he did, the LORD made it succeed” (Genesis 39:21–23, ESV).

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Conclusion

Brothers and sisters, it is critical for God’s people to know that God is able to make them prosper even in the most trying of circumstances. In every circumstance of life they are to cling to Christ and walk faithfully before him.

Are you experiencing good days? Are your circumstances pleasent? Then walk faithfully before God. Love him above all else, and love your neighbor as yourself. Or are you experiencing days of great difficulty? Are you circumstances most unpleasant? The admonition is the same! Walk faithfully before God. Love him above all else, and love your neighbor as yourself. For if God is with you — if you have been reconciled to God through faith in the Christ — then you have all that you need.

We have taken an up close view of Joseph in this sermon today. But as we move now to a conclusion I would like to step back just a little bit to gain some perspective. There is a larger story that is unfolding. We know that Joseph was betrayed by his brothers, sold into slavery and plunged down into the prison so that from there the LORD might raise him up to a position of power and, through him, save a great multitude of people, both Egyptian and Hebrew.

And if we step back from this story even further we will certainly recognize that the story of Joseph mirrors another story — that it, the story of Jesus the Christ. Just as Joseph was brought low so that he might be raised up in due time, so also the Christ, but in a much greater way. Paul puts it this way, reminding his that “Jesus… was in the form of God, [but] did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:5–11, ESV). Jesus was emptied and humbled — he suffered and even died — so that through him many might be saved, not only from amongst the Jews, but also the gentiles, and from salvation, but from the judgement of God in hell forever.

So while it is true that we learn that God is present with his people to bless them in difficult circumstances; and while it is true that we learn how to walk when facing trials of many kinds — we are to be faithful! And while it is true that we learn that God has purposes for our suffering — for this reason we can count them all joy! It also must be recognized that something bigger was happening in the life of Joseph. A bigger story was beginning to unfold. God would provide salvation for Israel in Egypt through Joseph. And more than that, in the fulness of time, God would provide salvation through his one and only son, Christ Jesus the Lord, for all who believe upon him.

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